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18 Wheels of Horror: A Trailer Full of Trucking Terrors
Psychotic killers, devious ghosts, alien monsters, howling storms, undead creatures, and other dark forces haunt the highways and the truckers who drive them in these 18 chilling tales!
A ghostly voice on a trucker's CB radio knows more about his life than it should... Two drivers find their cargo gives them inhuman appetites... A boy in a truck stop encounters a supernatural force that threatens to destroy the world... The hypnotic singing lulling a driver to sleep might not be coming from the tires... A fender-bender between a big rig and a four wheeler is not as accidental as it seems... The sinister cargo lurking in a rock and roll band's fleet of trucks is unleashed at their final show...
Hit the road with this anthology of trucking horror fiction! Contains the Bram Stoker Award-winning short story "Happy Joe's Rest Stop" by John Palisano.
A ghostly voice on a trucker's CB radio knows more about his life than it should... Two drivers find their cargo gives them inhuman appetites... A boy in a truck stop encounters a supernatural force that threatens to destroy the world... The hypnotic singing lulling a driver to sleep might not be coming from the tires... A fender-bender between a big rig and a four wheeler is not as accidental as it seems... The sinister cargo lurking in a rock and roll band's fleet of trucks is unleashed at their final show...
Hit the road with this anthology of trucking horror fiction! Contains the Bram Stoker Award-winning short story "Happy Joe's Rest Stop" by John Palisano.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 7, 2016
This was a pretty good collection of different stories about truckers and ghosts. I am not listing favorites as I liked all the stories. Not too creepy as I didn't get spooked reading them, but I did enjoy them. Giving the book four stars for keeping me entertained.
December 13, 2016
The two stars are for the three short stories in this collection that I enjoyed...."Lucky" by Del Howison follows a female truck driver Ray, the tough life she has chosen and the somewhat sad ending makes for excellent reading."Roadkill" where our narrator is travelling home to wife and family in Chicago. It would appear he needs to hurry as she is fleeing the family nest and taking the children with her. Over the airwaves he meets a fellow trucker by the name of Buzzsaw and from this point the story goes in a rather bloody and horror filled direction. A great shock and unexpected turn of events makes for a superb conclusion. "A dark Road" by Ray Garton has a similar theme with a lonely trucker Spence "Sidewinder", passing the time conversing with fellow roadies over the airwaves...."C'mon truckers," the voice said. "I know you're out there. Traveling the highways like blood flowing through veins and arteries. That's what you are, you know, you're the blood in America's veins, you truckers. Somebody's gotta have their ears on out there somewhere. Come on back." He gets talking to a fellow night owl Sam Shephard and we soon realize that Spence is not quite the nice guy he might appear having committed a somewhat surprising act before leaving on his latest trip, and he begins to suspect that Sam Shephard knows a little too much. Rather than reveal anymore of the plot and conclusion I will only say that Ray Garton proves once again why he is a great horror writer and produces a fantastic story that is brilliant in both timing and execution!
So what we have are three excellent stories in a somewhat mediocre compilation. The book however does show how difficult, lonely and unusual the life of a trucker can be, with the beautiful CB language used by those kings of the road.
So what we have are three excellent stories in a somewhat mediocre compilation. The book however does show how difficult, lonely and unusual the life of a trucker can be, with the beautiful CB language used by those kings of the road.
December 10, 2015
18 Wheels of Horror is a terrific collection of short stories dealing with the last cowboys of Americana: the truck driver. Some tales are terrifying, others amusing, a couple a bit nostalgic. All of them terrific. A special shout-out to John Palisano's Happy Joe's Rest Stop. It's extremely well-written, very imaginative and Mr. Palisano accomplishes quite a bit in just a few pages: a scary post-apocalyptic, supernatural horror tale. I'll definitely be checking out more of Palisano's tales along with some of the other writers. If you like horror short stories, highly recommended.
January 20, 2016
I was given this book by Horror Novel Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Winter or summer, the road can be a lonely place, especially when you’re driving too many hours on too little sleep. It’s good to have a friend along for the ride. But be careful, not all of your passengers are the ones you want to sit next to.
These 18 stories pay homage to the drivers of the 18-wheelers on the roads, the big trucks that are the lifeblood of America. They’re the ones who keep the country supplied with absolutely everything it needs to continue living.
Most of the stories are take place at night. The drivers are usually alone in their cabs, thinking their thoughts and remembering their lives. Not all of the stories are gory or even scary. Some are about the power of love. Some are about the power of ghosts. Some stories are a glimpse into what can be or might be. The choices made belong to the story’s protagonist.
Among the offerings - Our first driver talks to the voice on his CB radio. Unfortunately, no other driver on the road can hear the radio voice. One co-driver proves that an ancient siren is no match for modern technology. Not all ghosts are mean. Some are giggling children who will help a driver in trouble. Then there’s the science experiment – kill it or save it? Everyone has a choice. To do or not to do. What is so right about one decision is also so wrong for another reason. Speaking of right and wrong, don’t forget that on the road you can be too careful and that just might get you into the trouble you were trying to avoid. Truckers’ rest stops might also not be the safest places to ride out trouble. Sometimes the big wheel drivers are fine, it’s the other drivers we have to watch out for. Is the narrator a garden variety paranoid or is he right in worrying about people following him? Or, when the boss says don’t look inside the package, then do not look. No matter how hungry you are and no matter how good the smells are coming from that box. Above all, make sure you want to know what the truck is carrying before you open the doors to see.
These big trucks can be the means to take you to vengeance or take you to redemption. It all depends on the driver.
Each story is by a different author with a very different voice and point of view. Not all the stories are hits. I’d have to rate this book as 95.5%, which, let’s face it, is a lot better than most of the books out there. Take your time with these and enjoy.
Eric Miller deserves a vote of thanks for putting this book together.
Winter or summer, the road can be a lonely place, especially when you’re driving too many hours on too little sleep. It’s good to have a friend along for the ride. But be careful, not all of your passengers are the ones you want to sit next to.
These 18 stories pay homage to the drivers of the 18-wheelers on the roads, the big trucks that are the lifeblood of America. They’re the ones who keep the country supplied with absolutely everything it needs to continue living.
Most of the stories are take place at night. The drivers are usually alone in their cabs, thinking their thoughts and remembering their lives. Not all of the stories are gory or even scary. Some are about the power of love. Some are about the power of ghosts. Some stories are a glimpse into what can be or might be. The choices made belong to the story’s protagonist.
Among the offerings - Our first driver talks to the voice on his CB radio. Unfortunately, no other driver on the road can hear the radio voice. One co-driver proves that an ancient siren is no match for modern technology. Not all ghosts are mean. Some are giggling children who will help a driver in trouble. Then there’s the science experiment – kill it or save it? Everyone has a choice. To do or not to do. What is so right about one decision is also so wrong for another reason. Speaking of right and wrong, don’t forget that on the road you can be too careful and that just might get you into the trouble you were trying to avoid. Truckers’ rest stops might also not be the safest places to ride out trouble. Sometimes the big wheel drivers are fine, it’s the other drivers we have to watch out for. Is the narrator a garden variety paranoid or is he right in worrying about people following him? Or, when the boss says don’t look inside the package, then do not look. No matter how hungry you are and no matter how good the smells are coming from that box. Above all, make sure you want to know what the truck is carrying before you open the doors to see.
These big trucks can be the means to take you to vengeance or take you to redemption. It all depends on the driver.
Each story is by a different author with a very different voice and point of view. Not all the stories are hits. I’d have to rate this book as 95.5%, which, let’s face it, is a lot better than most of the books out there. Take your time with these and enjoy.
Eric Miller deserves a vote of thanks for putting this book together.
October 25, 2020
Really more of a 3.5* book, but I'm being kind and rounding up. Intriguing concept, stories that all involve big rigs one way or another. Most of the stories were at least interesting, although there a few that felt like they had a great set up and then a rushed ending, and by the end of the book several felt like the same story, just because there was a constant presence of a trucker driving down the highway and the trucker lingo that pervaded many of the tales. Overall, it enjoyable.
October 31, 2020
I’m reading horror stories for the month of October and this compilation isn’t half bad. Some stories are good, others not so good but none bored me.
August 23, 2020
I liked 18 Wheels of Horror quite a bit. It's not easy with an anthology to maintain consistent quality throughout, but this book felt mostly solid from beginning to end. I would have liked a bit more trucking authenticity in some stories but this is a quibble. Overall well done, I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys good horror.
February 16, 2017
This is probably one of the most stupid books that I have ever read. It was a complete waste of my time. It may be interesting for preteens. Stephen King has nothing to worry about.
May 30, 2019
I had such high hopes for this book. Big rigs lend themselves to so many kinds of horror, whether you’ve ever driven one or not. So many possibilities, and so many different writers, there had to be something worthwhile.
But alas, here was not. With the exception of the first story, which merely suffered from an unsatisfying conclusion, Big Water, which is a decent plot buried in a nightmare of dog torture and NHI hooker tropes, and Road Kill, which was okay, none of these writers show any style or technique, and very few of them even have the vocabulary to write about trucking. But don’t worry, those who have the vocabulary overuse and abuse it while explaining it to the reader in tedious detail.
Reading the author bios I noticed that all of them have been nominated for the Bram Stoker award, and some have even won it. Although not for these stories. Still, if these guys (and they’re pretty much all* guys; though one story does feature a female trucker, who dies horribly because she’s very stupid, and also the author doesn’t know how snow works) all got nominated, it can’t be that big a deal.
In fact, it reminds me of an exchange between two journalist characters in a long-ago, short-lived sitcom with Tea Leoni, where her coworker is explaining how easy it is to get nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Guy: [Long explanation, self-effacing joke]
Tea: You mean a has-been can nominate an also-ran?
Guy: It’s that worthless!
Now, thanks to this book, that’s how I will always view the Bram Stoker award. And, to a lesser extent, the Hugo.
*There are two stories by female authors. They are also terrible, and one doesn’t even have any trucks in it.
But alas, here was not. With the exception of the first story, which merely suffered from an unsatisfying conclusion, Big Water, which is a decent plot buried in a nightmare of dog torture and NHI hooker tropes, and Road Kill, which was okay, none of these writers show any style or technique, and very few of them even have the vocabulary to write about trucking. But don’t worry, those who have the vocabulary overuse and abuse it while explaining it to the reader in tedious detail.
Reading the author bios I noticed that all of them have been nominated for the Bram Stoker award, and some have even won it. Although not for these stories. Still, if these guys (and they’re pretty much all* guys; though one story does feature a female trucker, who dies horribly because she’s very stupid, and also the author doesn’t know how snow works) all got nominated, it can’t be that big a deal.
In fact, it reminds me of an exchange between two journalist characters in a long-ago, short-lived sitcom with Tea Leoni, where her coworker is explaining how easy it is to get nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Guy: [Long explanation, self-effacing joke]
Tea: You mean a has-been can nominate an also-ran?
Guy: It’s that worthless!
Now, thanks to this book, that’s how I will always view the Bram Stoker award. And, to a lesser extent, the Hugo.
*There are two stories by female authors. They are also terrible, and one doesn’t even have any trucks in it.
November 24, 2017
A solid batch of spooky trucking tales! My favorites are "Siren" by Eric Miller (who also edited the collection), "Happy Joe's Rest Stop" by John Palisano, and "Crocodile" by Edward M. Erdelac. That last one especially gave me the heebie-jeebies. It's been a long time since I'd read a vampire story that was actually scary.
February 9, 2018
Some good stories here, well written with some interesting and bizarre characters. Almost all the stories have a supernatural slant rather than the 'killer in the passenger seat' type of horror story I expected to find. Aliens, the undead, ghosts etc. all cleverly worked into a nighttime world of trucks, truckers, truck stops and endless tarmac...
June 3, 2018
Several very good reads in there. I enjoyed almost every one.
Some good scary shorts. Just the thing to have around for a quick spooky fix.
I think the last two stories were the best.
Some good scary shorts. Just the thing to have around for a quick spooky fix.
I think the last two stories were the best.
January 29, 2019
I found the stories to be hit or miss. Some were gripping, others amusing and some just boring and nonsensical. Not a disappointment but not as good as expected either.
September 1, 2016
Things that go bump in the night...
This is a great selection of all kinds of big rig horror stories. There are ghosts, monsters, aliens (I especially liked the alien stories). Most of the stories take place at night, out on the lonesome, dark highways and that really adds to the creepy atmosphere in these tales.
Anyone who has driven across the desert or desolate roads at night (and they don't necessarily have to be in an 18 wheeler) knows that it is creepy out there - and anything can happen.
Some of the stories were better than others but I'm not going to name them. People are afraid of different things in this world and what I consider to be scary might not bother someone else...and vice versa.
But out of 18 stories there were probably only a couple that I didn't care for and that's a pretty good percentage.
I received this anthology from Big Time Books in exchange for my unbiased review.
This is a great selection of all kinds of big rig horror stories. There are ghosts, monsters, aliens (I especially liked the alien stories). Most of the stories take place at night, out on the lonesome, dark highways and that really adds to the creepy atmosphere in these tales.
Anyone who has driven across the desert or desolate roads at night (and they don't necessarily have to be in an 18 wheeler) knows that it is creepy out there - and anything can happen.
Some of the stories were better than others but I'm not going to name them. People are afraid of different things in this world and what I consider to be scary might not bother someone else...and vice versa.
But out of 18 stories there were probably only a couple that I didn't care for and that's a pretty good percentage.
I received this anthology from Big Time Books in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 27, 2016
I've listened to Eric Miller's anthologies before so I knew what I was getting myself into. Some really horrific, some not so much, all fantastic!
Full audio review coming soon!
Received by author, via audiobookreviewer.com, in exchange for an honest review.
Full audio review coming soon!
Received by author, via audiobookreviewer.com, in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2016
Some of it was pretty bad, some of it was pretty good, and some of it made me want to see the submission guidelines, you know, like the one about a waitress who walks past a truck and that's the story's only connection to the theme.
January 4, 2017
The World Needs More Trucker Stories
4 stars just because it's a great collection of trucker stories, a sub-genre that really doesn't get enough attention and is ripe for Horror and Sci-Fi plot lines. More of this please!
4 stars just because it's a great collection of trucker stories, a sub-genre that really doesn't get enough attention and is ripe for Horror and Sci-Fi plot lines. More of this please!
October 28, 2016
A fantastic collection!
January 31, 2017
Several good stories in this collection of short stories. Like stories that deal with truckers, drove various different trucks, hauling various loads over 30 plus years.
February 1, 2017
A big disappointment. These stories barely contained anything about trucks or their drivers. And certainly nothing to be called horror. If I could give it no stars I would
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews