I had a hard time with this book. I was eager to get my hands on it because Stephen Graham Jones is one of my favorite authors. But I found both stories to be very bleak, and I had to force myself to finish The Babysitter Lives because the premise of the story (no spoilers) just left me exhausted. What, exactly, does Stephen have against mothers anyway? Killer on the Road was grim but I found it more attention-holding than the second story. 4 stars there, three for The Babysitter Lives.

If you love horror books and Stephen Graham Jones, this Saga Double is perfect for you!! Included are two novels: The Babysitters Lives and The Killer on the Road

This is perfect for Summerween time!!🎃

I have a confession - I thought I wasn’t a huge fan of horror books…until I read Stephen Graham Jones’ work!! His writing style is so good and engaging (ok yes, maybe I have to occasionally sleep with a night light💡but it’s so worth it!)

Both of these stories felt like classic horror tales with Stephen Graham Jones’ twists and turns. They were creepy and scary and Killer on the Road in particular has some gore you aren’t going to soon forget. Chapter zero I never saw coming and really sets the tone for the book!!

For The Babysitter Lives I liked the haunted house angle and how it takes place on Halloween - it was a little different and unique!

I always recommend reading the acknowledgement page at the end of a SGJ book and this is no exception!

*Bloody* brilliant. The Babysitter Lives and Killer on the Road will definitely top my rankings of SGJ books. I also found these to be much more accessible than some of SGJ’s more popular novels. It’s likely that I’m meshing into his writing rather than his style having ever shifted, but these were both incredibly captivating and well done.

I can see why The Babysitter Lives is more polarizing, but hands down this was my favorite. Killer on the Road features teenaged friends going to bat with a supernatural entity, Bucketmouth. Super heavy on the gore and SO vividly written. I had to take reading breaks periodically for some of the darker scenes in both novellas. Jones relies on all the senses to write incredibly disturbing scenes that absolutely stuck with me. I’d assumed The Babysitter Lives was going to be a slasher, but was utterly wrong. This one fits firmly into my books-that-double-as-an-acid-trip category. It starts with a babysitter putting some cute kids to bed and ends up in completely bizarre, uncharted territory. With Killer on the Road you still feel like you have a decent grasp on reality and the mindfuckery, but by the midpoint of The Babysitter Lives you realize your brain was wrecked before you even realized where you’re headed. It jerks you back and forth and it’s a legit struggle to keep your head above water on this one. I loved every weird page of it.

These are both being re-released and I definitely would recommend this duo. The acknowledgments on both were super cute 🥹 and it’s hard to grasp at times this is the same dude who just punted your brain to another planet with the intricacies of his words. Killer on the Road is a great start for those who haven’t read much SGJ, but The Babysitter Lives was my favorite. Highly recommend this duo.

I’m only reviewing The Killer on the Road because that’s the one that came out today! I liked the skinwalker / urban legend concept and how it was intertwined with Native American culture - I thought that was really cool! My problem was with the writing and there were moments where the cat and mouse game that was being played felt unnecessary and overly extended. I’m glad we found out what happened to Harper’s dad, but it was fairly obvious by the end what had happened. After a certain point, it just felt like the book should’ve ended but we were still being lead on a wild goose chase for what felt like no reason. I didn’t dislike the book or story, or even any of the characters, but I think the overall concept and conclusion could’ve been wrapped better.

First of all, a huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this SGJ double whammy.

Having encountered "The Babysitter Lives" before, I actually skipped it in this book. It was one of the weaker pieces I've ever read by him. I definitely didn't like it enough to read it again. Though it IS a competent tale with some chilling moments, it ultimately fell flat for me.

But "Killer on the Road" was new to me, and WOW. It was excellent. Punchy, unflinching, and significantly gorier than I’ve come to expect from Jones, it was a revelation. Haha. The bloodier content ramped up the tension and left a lasting impact, making it an easy favorite. The boldness and savagery here showcase SGJ’s remarkable range and willingness to push the envelope.

By itself, it was easily a 5-star story. "The Babysitter Lives," though, I gave 2 stars when I read it, and I don't think my opinion of it would have changed much. So, with that in mind, I gave the overall double whammy 4 stars.

Though TBSL didn’t stand out for me, KOTR more than made up for it with its bold, bloody approach. Highly recommend, especially if you're looking for the darker, more visceral side of Stephen Graham Jones.

This was my first book by Stephen Graham Jones and it won’t be my last! I loved how much his writing reminded me of Stephen King’s writing.

Both of the stories were excellent reads with my favorite being Killer On the Road. There were so many moments that managed to shock me and the anxiety I felt while reading was everything I look for in a horror story. The Babysitter Lives was an intriguing read with a creative concept that I’ve never read before. The imagery is fabulous and played like a movie in my mind.


I have posted this review on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7717319430

Storygraph

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/aab146b7-85be-4e11-b189-547e62b65067

And instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMJcsbiO6mt/?igsh=MTJjeWtibTM0NTR1ZQ==

Two New Horror Novels from Stephen Graham Jones.

The Killer on the Road and The Babysitter Lives are two contrasting yet equally brilliant short novels. Featuring outstanding prose from Stephen Graham Jones, two vastly different final girls, and two deeply interesting villains. Both novels explore what it means to be responsible to those in your care, and what you would do to protect them.

This was cool! The writing was a bit confusing at times. But overall, pretty entertaining! Reminded me of those 2000’s horror slasher movies i used to watch during the summer. Will recommend.

My favorite horror author, Stephen Graham Jones, never disappoints. If this is on your list, go ahead and do yourself a favor by reading this book. All the elements are here - suspense, creepy noises, and something strange lurking just beyond reach.
Stephen Graham Jones, my favorite horror author, never disappoints—and this book is no exception. From the very first page, he draws you into a world where every shadow holds a secret and every sound might be something sinister creeping closer. If this title is already on your list, don’t hesitate—bump it to the top. Do yourself a favor and dive in.
Jones masterfully blends psychological tension with atmospheric horror. The suspense is relentless, with scenes that will make you question every creak in your house. You can practically hear the eerie noises, feel the goosebumps rising, and sense that unsettling presence just out of sight. His ability to tap into primal fear, while still telling a deeply human story, is what makes his work so compelling.
Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his writing, this book delivers all the hallmarks of what makes horror unforgettable: layered characters, eerie settings, slow-burning dread, and moments that will haunt you long after the last page. It’s horror at its best—unsettling, smart, and absolutely gripping.
Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Hear me out… even if you find SGJ novels hard to get into (no judgement, I just see it all the time from reviewers) these two novellas are not the case. They really pick and run with it from the start. Killer on the Road was my absolute favorite of the two but both are five stars for me.

Killer on the Road had me flying through the pages, it was everything I could have wanted. I couldn’t figure out how it was going to go, and the ending was perfect. I could see this being a Netflix movie, it definitely played out in my head like one.

The Babysitter Lives was so intricate and creepy. I was so worried about the little ones the entire time, the babysitter too of course, but the kids more - I’m a mom, I can’t help it. I loved how it kept evolving, two realities interconnected in the most terrifying way. It’s a great spooky season read if you’re an atmospheric reader.

Thanks to Saga Press for my eARC. This double feature is out today. I know I may be biased, but I’d say it is worth the read!

Killer on the Road follows a group of friends on one of the worst road trips ever. After being picked up by her friends while trying to run away from home, Harper happens upon an urban legend come to life. It took me a while to get into this story, it felt like too much and too little was happening all at once. Too much of the kids running, getting caught up to, running again, getting caught up to again - just the same steps being repeated over and over where I felt like the story could have been cut down into more of a novella. The ending though, the gore and excitement of the big climax, felt rushed after all that repetitiveness of the first 80% of the novel. I wanted more banter between Harper and the Bucketmouth, more of that final girl vs the serial killer moments.

The Babysitter Lives was similar to Killer On The Road in that it could have been way shorter. As much as I love Stephen Graham Jones, I ended up calling it quits halfway through the second story in this duo. I know Stephen Graham Jones has a huge audience that will absolutely love this combo and folks who are new to his work will most likely find this to be a fun Summerween read but I think I'll look out for his other works instead.

Thank you to Saga Press for the review copies! I am a tremendous fan of Stephen Graham Jones, his voice and style add to the horror genre, often elevating the experience with strong writing and captivating, and needed attention to Indigenous lives. I enjoyed both of these short stories... as with any horror read, go in ready for intensity, gore/scares, and feeling deeply unsettled at times as well as perhaps confused/uncertain about some elements of the story (horror is meant to throw you off after all!).




📘 Killer on the Road
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25 stars)

This novella was brutal, chaotic, and completely unrelenting—in the best way possible. It's not your typical serial killer story, and I loved it all the more for that reason. The character work shines early on, especially with the vibrant, tight-knit group of friends. The pacing is breathless; it never lets up, and I couldn't tear myself away. More action-packed than traditionally scary, this reads like a horror-road thriller, calling to mind The Hitcher, but with SGJ’s signature Southern Gothic twist.

📙 The Babysitter Lives
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 stars)

This one felt like a nostalgic fever dream—equal parts classic Halloween horror and creepy Twilight Zone episode. SGJ taps into that old-school babysitter-in-peril vibe, but throws in reality-bending horror that truly had my heart racing. There’s a haunted house, confusing timelines, and a sense of dread that builds in a wonderfully disorienting way. The ending lost me a little with its fragmentation, but overall, it was an eerie, effective ride. If you like horror that leans into the strange and surreal, this one will get under your skin.

This is dual novella compilation. I had already listened to The Babysitter Lives on audio (originally that was an audio-only release, the text is a rerelease). I loved it--the kind of quiet creeping horror playing on the "babysitter" and the "night before Halloween" tropes. Charlotte actually reminded me a bit of Laurie from the Halloween movie franchise! This story definitely creeped me out, some scenes were SO visual for me. I especially loved that this was a haunted house story, but definitely a spin on a haunted house that was original. I am glad that this story was released in print!

Killer on the Road was a first time read for me, and man, what a ride (no pun intended). This one really hits the ground running with the gore and action, and the pure tension/chaos of the story doesnt quit for a a single page. Whereas Babysitter is a little bit slower in it's uptick of the horror elements, this one just jumps right in and is very FAST--like, high speed chases, bodies everywhere, things blowing up, skin falling off type of fast. I really liked the idea of an "urban legend" type of villain being a real thing. This one is definitely more gorey and action-packed than scary, imo, but I really enjoyed it.

Both of these stories feature a strong teenage girl main character (I am always sooo impressed with the way SGJ can write teen girls and the way he makes the reader feel really invested in them!)--but with starkly different personalities (Charlotte in Babysitter is a studious, responsible rule-follower whereas Harper is much more of a spontaneous, spunky rebel. I kind of liked the juxtaposition of these two very different girls who both manage to still be heroines of their story.

Between the two, I would say that Babysitter was my favorite, but by a thin margin.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, this was an entertaining read. Between the two stories, Killer on the Road was my favorite. I didn't enjoy The Babysitter Lives very much. Both were quite weird and I guess the best way to describe them is unsettling which is something I do believe the author wanted to do. So mission accomplished there.

I am always a slasher fan so Killer on the Road won me there. I wish the events in The Babysitter Lives were more spread out. It just felt rushed.

I had a good time in the end but these were definitely not my favorite Stephen Graham Jones novels.

Overall Rating 4 stars

Killer on the Road 3.75 stars
The story starts with our main character Harper storming out after a blow up fight with her mother. Then trying to hitchhike on the interstate until her friends pick her up along with her ex and her sister and the story kicks off from there. Harper is a complex character who at times reminded of Jade (My Heart is a Chainsaw), Harper at times I felt like made very poor decisions and it's clear that she tends to self sabotage. She really seemed to open her mouth at the worst times, I just kept thinking "girl shut up". The way this group's night just kept getting worse and worse, literally if the worse thing could happen it did and 50% of the time it was their own fault.
The antagonist was 10/10. Every time they were on the page was entertaining. Which honestly made the parts he wasn't in a scene kind of drag for me. I feel like this is like many of Stephen Grahams Jones' books where you really have to like our main character to really like the book because we do spend a lot of time in her head, with her inner monologue. And I feel like I enjoyed that in My Heart is a Chainsaw, but this character wasn't as compelling to me.

The Babysitter Lies - 4.25 stars
I enjoyed this story even more than the first. I feel like it was a bit eerier because we were in this creepy house where you really have no idea what is going on but it's so unsettling. This was another one where I loved the antagonist, Stephen Graham Jones really excels in writing bad characters that I love reading about. The ending of this one even got me a little emotional, overall these two novellas were a hit for me and I can firmly say that Stephen Graham Jones is a favorite author.

Between the two, Killer on the Road was definitely my favorite. It’s weird and unsettling in a way that really worked for me. Super atmospheric, almost dreamlike at times, and it gets under your skin without trying too hard. It’s not perfect, but I found it way more engaging.

The Executioner’s Song is a beast of a book. I can see why it’s considered a classic, but honestly, it felt like a bit of a slog. It’s incredibly detailed, but that same detail started to feel kind of exhausting. I never really connected with it on an emotional level.

As a set, they’re an interesting combo — one’s sprawling and journalistic, the other’s short and eerie. I’m glad I read both, but Killer on the Road is the one that’s going to stick with me.

I requested this one because I'd not read KILLER ON THE ROAD before. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I seem to be one of those readers who either 5 stars SGJ or I DNF them. I barely made it through THE BABYSITTER LIVES and it wasn't for me either. Here's hoping the next one hits!

An absolutely phenomenal double feature from Stephen Graham Jones! Both Killer on the Road and The Babysitter Lives are action packed, fast paced, keep you on your toes horror that are so easily devoured in a sitting.

Killer on the Road follows 16 year old Harper after she decided to run away from home. The prologue starts you off on the perfect foot to sit down and read this entire story in one sitting. Harper is such a bad ass, she's 16 and going toe to toe with a serial killer to protect her little sister and friends. I loved everything about Bucketmouth, his entire backstory and how he transforms is so unique and it was really refreshing to see a serial killer who is more than just some guy in a mask.

The Babysitter Lives is a republished story that follows Charlotte as she is babysitting for a new family. While she's babysitting she quickly discovers there's something super off about the house. This is the perfect story for people who love haunted houses and alternative universes. The concept of the funny spaces is so interesting and I really loved how in depth they were explored. We learned so much more about them and how they come to be and why they are in this house in particular. Another super gripping book!

Stephen Graham Jones is truly a must read for anyone who calls themselves a horror fan, whether it be the movies or books, his love for the genre is apparent in all of his work. Thank you so much to Saga for an ARC of these books!

7-14 update: TikTok release post with expanded review posted
Killer on the road is a perfect horror novel. Phenomenally well-written, vivid and precise, with brutal and wrenching moments that are fully earned. A huge thing that sets Stephan Graham Jones apart from many other contemporary horror authors is he builds to his effects with an emotional architecture that supports, intensifies, and elevates the horror. It becomes personal.

An Arapaho teen runs away from home and sets out to hitchhike down the highway. intercepted by friends, they embark on a roadtrip that quickly turns freaky. From the blow-up with her mother to her complicated feelings with her ex-boyfriend and tenderness for her younger sister, I was with Harper 100%. Her relatability makes the hell she encounters on the road hit hard. 

The teen characters are remarkably realistic. Their concerns, reactions, and resilience felt natural at every point. The dialogue is fantastic. The horror is visceral, gooshy, and ratcheted by knife-edge suspense. Grounded in excellent details that bring the places and people from truckers to farmers to life, Killer on the Road kept me wrapped in nostalgia. The pickups, big rigs, music, and weird lore took me back to horror stories that go the rounds as truth. The many dangers of Highway 80 and the righteous rebellions of asserting independence are a heady combo.

Harper's identity as Indian, the term used in the book, is shown in effective ways, including her dignity in the face of racism. Harper, even in a fit of rebellion, is wise for her age. I could see myself in all of these characters, including the little sister and people at their worst. Stephen Graham Jones is that good.

The kinds of fear in Killer on the Road are deeply real. This is one of the best depictions of a contentious mother-teen relationship I’ve read. I liked the matter-of-fact mentions of LGBT people. It's refreshing to experience that inclusiveness without stereotypes. This book could serve as an accessible introduction to readers new to Stephen Graham Jones. Collectors will appreciate the artful cover and special double edition. Anyone else remember horror double features at the drive-in? Here it is in book form.

The Babysitter Lives offers a fresh take on classic horror elements, with little twins, a creepy house and a babysitter facing terrors alone at night. It's a nightmarish experience I'm still digesting.

Highly recommended for non-squeamish horror readers and general readers open to scary books and a very good journey into teen life--in adut horror. Read this book.

This double feature by Stephen Graham Jones is a gorgeous ‘Saga Double’ for the tenth anniversary celebration of Saga Press.

Thank you, Saga Press | Simon & Schuster for the E-ARC for consideration. These are solely my own opinions. Happy tenth anniversary to Saga Press!
I'll add links.

I have read a couple of Stephen Graham Jones's recent releases and I have to say, this was definitely some of the most fun I've had reading his work!

In the first part of this dual novella release, we get a fast paced traditional slasher story set out on the lonely highways of Wyoming. Harper was a kick ass final girl, and I felt like her intellectual face off with super powered serial killer, Bucketmouth was such a wild ride!

In the second novella, The Babysitter Lives, we get to enjoy Stephen's version of a haunted house story exploring another traditional horror theme of babysitter versus bad guys, but with an ultra creepy liminal space/time loop twist.

I thought these were perfect settings for a summertime release - excellent ghost stories to share around a campfire with your friends!