Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill has got everything: a rock star protagonist, a creepy ghost, and this chilling sense of doom that builds throughout the story. Joe Hill, who happens to be Stephen King’s son, really knows how to write characters and suspense that grab you from the first page and don’t let go.
Meet Judas Coyne, the Haunted Rock Star
The story kicks off with Judas Coyne, or Jude as he’s often called. He’s a fifty-something, retired rock star, who made his name playing heavy, dark music. Jude has this collection of morbid, occult stuff—think old skulls, handwritten confessions from serial killers, and other creepy relics. He’s basically fascinated with death and the darker side of life, probably because he’s had a pretty dark past himself. His relationships tend to be disastrous, and he’s known for dating women half his age, who all end up as fleeting companions.
Jude’s life is pretty lonely, apart from his two dogs and his current girlfriend, Georgia—though Jude refers to all his girlfriends by the name of the state they’re from. So Georgia is with him, but things between them are rocky and seem emotionally disconnected. He’s this burned-out guy, numbed by fame and the excesses of his past, but deep down, you can tell there’s more to him. And then he finds something on the internet that changes his life forever.
The Ghost in the Suit
One day, Jude’s assistant points him to an auction. Someone is selling a ghost. Jude is intrigued, naturally. He’s a guy who collects weird things, so why not add a ghost to his collection, right? The seller claims that the ghost is attached to a dead man’s suit, and it will come with the suit when it’s delivered. Jude, without really thinking it through, buys it for a few grand.
Soon, the suit arrives in a black, heart-shaped box. It sounds a little cheesy, but this detail will become important later on. At first, Jude doesn’t think much of it. The suit smells strange, and things seem a little off, but nothing happens immediately. However, it doesn’t take long before Jude starts seeing the ghost.
The ghost is Craddock McDermott, an old, sinister-looking man who appears wearing the very suit Jude bought. Craddock has these pitch-black, swirling eyes and carries a razor-sharp pendulum, like something you’d see a hypnotist use. But he’s far from harmless. The ghost isn’t just haunting Jude in the traditional sense—he’s there to destroy him.
The Revenge Plot
Soon, Jude realizes that Craddock isn’t just some random spirit. The ghost has a connection to Jude’s past, specifically to one of his ex-girlfriends, Florida. Jude treated Florida terribly when they were together, and she ended up taking her own life after they broke up. And now, it turns out that Craddock is Florida’s stepfather. Florida’s sister is the one who sold the ghost to Jude, and this whole haunting is a carefully crafted revenge plot.
Craddock’s haunting becomes relentless. He can manipulate Jude’s thoughts and even control his actions. He whispers insidious things, planting seeds of doubt and fear. Worst of all, Craddock seems to have a chilling influence over Jude’s girlfriend, Georgia, as well. The ghost wants Jude to kill Georgia—and maybe even himself—and he’s working hard to make it happen.
What I love about this part of the novel is how Hill builds tension. Craddock isn’t just a ghost you can run away from. He’s embedded in Jude’s mind, twisting reality and making him question what’s real and what’s supernatural. You can feel Jude’s panic and dread as Craddock’s power grows stronger.
On the Run
Things quickly spiral out of control. Jude realizes that the only way to save himself—and Georgia—is to get rid of Craddock once and for all. But it’s not as simple as tossing the suit or burning the box. The ghost is tied to Jude now, and he’s not letting go. What follows is a road trip from hell as Jude and Georgia try to outrun Craddock, but it’s clear they can’t just escape him by driving away. The haunting is deeply personal and psychological. The ghost feeds on Jude’s guilt and regrets, and the more Jude remembers the mistakes he’s made, the stronger Craddock becomes.
There’s a sense of desperation as Jude and Georgia drive across the country, searching for answers. Along the way, they uncover more about Craddock’s past and Florida’s tragic life, which makes Jude confront some ugly truths about himself. You see Jude start to change, start to care about someone other than himself for maybe the first time in years. But Craddock isn’t done with them, and the closer they get to figuring out how to stop him, the more dangerous things become.
Jude’s Redemption Arc
Jude’s character arc is one of the most compelling parts of the novel. He starts off as this washed-up, bitter guy who seems to have given up on living a meaningful life. But as he’s forced to face his past and fight for survival, he starts to change. His relationship with Georgia becomes something more than just casual, and you see this hard-edged rock star begin to soften in surprising ways.
There are some really emotional moments between Jude and Georgia, especially when it becomes clear that they both have serious trauma. They’re not perfect people, but they find a strange kind of healing in each other. That’s one of the things that sets Heart-Shaped Box apart from a lot of horror stories—the emotional depth and the idea that love, even in its flawed forms, can be a powerful weapon against darkness.
The Final Confrontation
As Jude and Georgia get closer to figuring out how to stop Craddock, the tension reaches an all-time high. Without spoiling the ending, let me just say that the final showdown between Jude and Craddock is intense. It’s not just about physical survival—it’s about redemption, forgiveness, and facing the consequences of your past. The way Joe Hill ties everything together is both satisfying and haunting.
Hill has this amazing ability to create a sense of creeping dread, where you feel like something awful is always lurking just around the corner. At the same time, the novel has these moments of quiet reflection, where the characters feel so real and raw. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about the ghosts we all carry with us, the regrets and mistakes that can haunt us long after they’ve passed.
Why I Love It
Heart-Shaped Box is more than just a ghost story—it’s a story about guilt, redemption, and learning to let go of the things that haunt us. Jude is such a flawed, interesting character, and watching him try to redeem himself is as gripping as the supernatural elements of the plot. Craddock is one of the scariest villains I’ve ever read—he’s not just a ghost; he’s a manifestation of everything wrong in Jude’s life, which makes him so much more terrifying.
Joe Hill’s writing is sharp and vivid, and the pacing is perfect. The novel has moments of terrifying suspense, but it also gives you time to breathe and really connect with the characters. I love how it balances horror with emotion, making it a story that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading. Plus, the way Hill builds the atmosphere is just incredible—you can practically feel the chill in the air when Craddock shows up.
If you’re into horror that’s not just about the scares but also about the characters and the emotional stakes, Heart-Shaped Box is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin, and you’ll be thinking about it long after you’ve turned the last page.