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Publication
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Quirk Books, 2014.
Description
Fiction. Horror. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:From the New York Times best-selling author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires comes a hilarious and terrifying haunted house story in a thoroughly contemporary setting: a furniture superstore. Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking. To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they�??ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imaginati… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member kaylaraeintheway
This book scared the crap out of me.
Granted, this may be because I was reading it in a creaky apartment, alone, at midnight, BUT STILL!
I thought this would be a more comedic horror story, but NOPE. I was terrified. And I couldn't stop reading.
Hendrix cleverly sets this book up as an IKEA catalog
Granted, this may be because I was reading it in a creaky apartment, alone, at midnight, BUT STILL!
I thought this would be a more comedic horror story, but NOPE. I was terrified. And I couldn't stop reading.
Hendrix cleverly sets this book up as an IKEA catalog
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(or rather, Orsk, the store in the book), with coupons in the back and furniture descriptions at the beginning of each chapter. He also manages to draw comparisons between the prison of the Orsk store (and corporate, box-store America) and the prison that was there before it in subtle ways that really become clear as the story reaches its climax. The characters were great and full-bodied, and it was an overall awesome read. Show Less
LibraryThing member cvitola
"Horrorstor" is a cleverly packaged book made to resemble a furniture store's catalog. Each chapter features a description and picture of an article of furniture as an introduction, slowly changing from everyday items to instruments of torture.
The basic premise is similar to the film "Poltergeist"
The book has its scary moments after a rather slow start. The only problem I had was that the main characters were not developed enough for me to care about them and what happened to them. In fact, the characters were rather unlikeable.
All in all, it is a quick read and has some chilling and gory scenes. Enough for three stars.
The basic premise is similar to the film "Poltergeist"
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in which a house was built over an ancient Indian burial ground thereby loosing ghosts into the lives of the homeowners. In the book's case the furniture store named Orsk (read Ikea) was built over the remains of a penal institution for the criminally insane affecting a handful of store employees with a ghostly warden and the crazy inmates.The book has its scary moments after a rather slow start. The only problem I had was that the main characters were not developed enough for me to care about them and what happened to them. In fact, the characters were rather unlikeable.
All in all, it is a quick read and has some chilling and gory scenes. Enough for three stars.
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LibraryThing member LongDogMom
Kept me up all night turning pages. Vividly horrific, but also funny and relatable in so many ways to anyone who has worked in retail. Also liked the ending, which is always a nice surprise. Definitely plan to read more books by this author.
LibraryThing member bragan
The Cuyahoga, Ohio branch of Orsk, a giant imitation-IKEA furniture store, is having some weird problems with vandalism and other strange and disturbing things happening at night. So a handful of employees spend the night in the store, hoping to catch whatever-it-is in the process of happening. For
It's an interesting and nicely original setting for a horror story, and the ads for various bits of furniture with funny-sounding names that appear at the head of each chapter make for a fun, clever touch. And the horror elements, while hardly groundbreaking, are decently done. The writing and the characters are nothing special, though, and none of it moved me too deeply with fear or laughter or anything else. So, basically, it's a fast, reasonably entertaining read, but not especially memorable. The experience of reading it was almost exactly like that of watching a decent-but-not-exceptional horror movie. It's not going to enrich your life any, but there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours.
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what they end up facing, though, they're really not being paid enough.It's an interesting and nicely original setting for a horror story, and the ads for various bits of furniture with funny-sounding names that appear at the head of each chapter make for a fun, clever touch. And the horror elements, while hardly groundbreaking, are decently done. The writing and the characters are nothing special, though, and none of it moved me too deeply with fear or laughter or anything else. So, basically, it's a fast, reasonably entertaining read, but not especially memorable. The experience of reading it was almost exactly like that of watching a decent-but-not-exceptional horror movie. It's not going to enrich your life any, but there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours.
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LibraryThing member Kellswitch
First off this book engaged me right from the moment I saw it. It is the size and shape of an Ikea catalog and it's cover does an amazing job of mimicking an Ikea catalog. It was so convincing at first I found myself wondering why someone shipped me an Ikea catalog. Until I took a closer look.
This
And like all good horror stories you have your cast of stereotypical characters who do stereotypically stupid things that are needed to pull the plot forward, and most of them weren't particularly likeable but I still got caught up in their stories and cared about their outcome even if they did make me roll my eyes once in a while.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, and while some of it seemed cliched it still had a lot of surprises for me, I had a hard time putting it down at times. In fact the only reason it took me two days to read it was due to real life obligations getting in the way. It was worth loosing some sleep over.
The best way I can think of to sum this book up quickly is to compare it to an 80's horror movie, with all the cliches, some humor, some seriously creepy stuff and some gore and a good solid ghost story at it's core. It's a bit cheesy and it was a lot of fun.
This
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wasn't a particularly scary story, though I'm not sure how scary it was really meant to be, but it did have lots of nice creepy and atmospheric moments, I would hate to be in one of these stores after closing now. And like all good horror stories you have your cast of stereotypical characters who do stereotypically stupid things that are needed to pull the plot forward, and most of them weren't particularly likeable but I still got caught up in their stories and cared about their outcome even if they did make me roll my eyes once in a while.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, and while some of it seemed cliched it still had a lot of surprises for me, I had a hard time putting it down at times. In fact the only reason it took me two days to read it was due to real life obligations getting in the way. It was worth loosing some sleep over.
The best way I can think of to sum this book up quickly is to compare it to an 80's horror movie, with all the cliches, some humor, some seriously creepy stuff and some gore and a good solid ghost story at it's core. It's a bit cheesy and it was a lot of fun.
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LibraryThing member glendalea
If you're a fan of the kitschy "horror" movies on the scy fy and chiller channels, and find them more entertaining than scary, Horrorstor is for you. Set in a large knock-off retail store, 5 employees lock themselves inside overnight to find out what is behind recent strange occurrences. What will
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they find? Will they make it out alive? If you've watched any haunted house movies in the past 30 years you'll be able to figure it out by the end of the first chapter, but Horrorstor is a fun, engaging book. I loved the subtle (and not-so subtle) movie references throughout (even a nod to "The Human Centipede"), and while there were a couple of slow spots, overall Horrorstor makes for a quick, entertaining read. Show Less
LibraryThing member datrappert
This is a horror novel presented in the format of an Ikea catalog. Except that it isn't Ikea but an American knockoff, Orsk, that is exactly the same, right down to the meatballs, except for the color scheme. I'm not sure that Ikea, that money-raking retailer posing as some sort of family trust to
The Deputy Store Manager and two other employees are working overnight to get to the bottom of a series of mysterious occurrences that have resulted in missing merchandise, smelly furniture, and other calamities. Meanwhile a couple of other employees choose the same night to hide in the store to film a pilot for their ghost hunting reality show that they are determined to get on Bravo. None of these employees are going to be pleased with their choice to stay the night!
The author shows some imagination and there are some memorably gruesome scenes. The cause of the horror is fairly well though out--about as well as you expect for this type of book. And the setting is well depicted. If you have been in an Ikea store, you'll have no problem conjuring up every scene here in your head, which certainly works to the book's favor. The problem is the characters, who are pretty much cardboard cutouts. The Deputy Store Manager, Basil, takes the Orsk credo past its logical limits as he continues in his quest to rid the store of intruders before morning. The book's focal point, Amy, who detests Basil, but really needs the overtime, does one stupid thing after another to keep herself in peril. The other three characters are no better.
Which is not to say the book is a failure. It is still a pretty good amount of fun. It is written smoothly, though without any detectable style, and is a quick read. And I can guarantee that you won't look at Ikea the same way the next time you're there.
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dodge taxes would be pleased, but on to the book!The Deputy Store Manager and two other employees are working overnight to get to the bottom of a series of mysterious occurrences that have resulted in missing merchandise, smelly furniture, and other calamities. Meanwhile a couple of other employees choose the same night to hide in the store to film a pilot for their ghost hunting reality show that they are determined to get on Bravo. None of these employees are going to be pleased with their choice to stay the night!
The author shows some imagination and there are some memorably gruesome scenes. The cause of the horror is fairly well though out--about as well as you expect for this type of book. And the setting is well depicted. If you have been in an Ikea store, you'll have no problem conjuring up every scene here in your head, which certainly works to the book's favor. The problem is the characters, who are pretty much cardboard cutouts. The Deputy Store Manager, Basil, takes the Orsk credo past its logical limits as he continues in his quest to rid the store of intruders before morning. The book's focal point, Amy, who detests Basil, but really needs the overtime, does one stupid thing after another to keep herself in peril. The other three characters are no better.
Which is not to say the book is a failure. It is still a pretty good amount of fun. It is written smoothly, though without any detectable style, and is a quick read. And I can guarantee that you won't look at Ikea the same way the next time you're there.
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LibraryThing member mclane
This rather well-done horror stor(y) is a haunted house story set in a large Ikea-type furniture store. It is sort of like Poltergeist meets The Amityville Horror. Five Orsk company employees, for various reasons, meet up inside the store after it is closed for the night. Unfortunately, the store
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was built over the remains of a centuries-old penitentiary, and the ghosts are restless. Mayhem and terror ensues. I'm hoping that the author is planning a sequel, because three of the major characters disappear inside the store halfway through the book! One of the best features of the book is the packaging: it is set up like a store catalog, with illustrated descriptions of merchandise, as well as order forms, shipping instructions, and other company advertising material. This novel is quite well-written and very descriptive, but overall not particularly scary. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberjarrell
I loved this book! At times it was very funny and the scarier parts were written very well. The idea for this book was hilarious but brilliant. I really hope there is another book that continues Amy and Basil's search. This is one f my all time favorites!
LibraryThing member PencilStubs
I’m thrilled the ending of “Horrorstor” leaves open the possibility for a sequel because I’ve love to read more. The characters all had distinct personalities, motivations and quirks. Matt and Trinity’s ghost hunting antics were amusing, and Ruth Anne’s sweetness and dedication were
Use of an Ikea-knock-off as the setting provided a lot of interesting ways for the ghosts to wreck havoc. (I will now be imagining all the ways ghosts can use furniture and home goods to terrorize people whenever I go shopping.) The origin of the haunting was creepy and believable as far as ghost stories go. The strangeness, horror, absurdity and obstacles the characters faced kept getting worse and worse right up until the end, and the escalation kept me reading to see how (and if!) the characters would survive and escape.
The back and front covers of the book are intriguing and, once you get into the book, can see how much thought and detail went into their design. The catalog theme was carried out well and helps to keep the reader totally immersed in the Ikea-knock-off experience.
Overall, a great book. Please let there be a sequel!
Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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endearing. Amy is a relatable protagonist who shows some growth by the end, and Basil’s role as the (human) antagonist played tug of war with my emotions—half the time I disliked him, and half the time I liked him. Use of an Ikea-knock-off as the setting provided a lot of interesting ways for the ghosts to wreck havoc. (I will now be imagining all the ways ghosts can use furniture and home goods to terrorize people whenever I go shopping.) The origin of the haunting was creepy and believable as far as ghost stories go. The strangeness, horror, absurdity and obstacles the characters faced kept getting worse and worse right up until the end, and the escalation kept me reading to see how (and if!) the characters would survive and escape.
The back and front covers of the book are intriguing and, once you get into the book, can see how much thought and detail went into their design. The catalog theme was carried out well and helps to keep the reader totally immersed in the Ikea-knock-off experience.
Overall, a great book. Please let there be a sequel!
Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member DanaJean
Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix was a fresh read in the horror genre. The story was familiar, an amalgam of some fine tried and true horror movies, but yet, Mr. Hendrix took old ideas and really spun them into something different. I loved the fact that the book was set-up like a catalog, and I thought
Smooth dialogue, first rate writing, I felt like I was watching a movie and not reading a book. I would recommend it.
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it was creatively brilliant to watch the chapter furniture selections change as the story got darker and more dangerous. Although the tension was building, it did give me an uneasy laugh to see these furniture selections become more twisted.Smooth dialogue, first rate writing, I felt like I was watching a movie and not reading a book. I would recommend it.
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LibraryThing member irregularreader
This is one of those books I decided to try because of an intriguing cover and a gorgeous Instagram photo (you should check out@sadie_reads_them_all, her stuff is brilliant!). I am a total sucker for a great looking book. The intriguing blurb and the fact that another of Grady Hendrix’s books, My
Welcome to Orsk, Cleveland. This superstore offers pressboard furniture with clean lines and wallet-friendly prices. The massive showroom winds through setups of perfect living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, all decked out exclusively in Orsk dressers, mattresses, tables, and couches. But something is wrong in this store; escalators run backwards, furniture is broken and vandalized in the night, and mysterious graffiti continues to show up in the bathrooms. In order to find out the cause of the vandalism, three employees stay overnight to monitor the store. What they encounter defies their worst nightmares, and it will be a miracle if they survive the night . . .
This book was a great take on the haunted house genre. Anyone who has been in a big box store in the dead of night knows just how creepy the place can be. There’s something about a location, normally bustling and loud with activity, echoing with the steps of a few 2am shoppers that works on the nerves. And anyone who has had to work an overnight shift (especially if by yourself) knows how much you seek out the well-lit and normal looking portions of the building to spend the night.
The horror is more psychological than flat-out gory (though there is gore, never fear). The store shifts and moves, entrapping the unfortunate employees in an increasingly sinister maze. The book reminds me a lot of House of Leaves, but without the dead spaces where nothing happens. Events ramp up quickly in Horrorstör and continue at a breakneck pace throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of a more subtle horror: working in retail. The inanity, the amplification of petty annoyances, and the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped on a hamster wheel of fake smiles and interior screaming should be very familiar to any who has ever worked the other side of the cash register.
Horror fans will enjoy this book immensely. I’ve always enjoyed haunted house stories, and having one set in a thoroughly modern situation is refreshing. I will say, however, that reading the book gave me a paradoxical desire to go hang around the local Ikea . . .
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Best Friend’s Exorcism, has been on my TBR for a bit cemented the impulse buy.Welcome to Orsk, Cleveland. This superstore offers pressboard furniture with clean lines and wallet-friendly prices. The massive showroom winds through setups of perfect living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, all decked out exclusively in Orsk dressers, mattresses, tables, and couches. But something is wrong in this store; escalators run backwards, furniture is broken and vandalized in the night, and mysterious graffiti continues to show up in the bathrooms. In order to find out the cause of the vandalism, three employees stay overnight to monitor the store. What they encounter defies their worst nightmares, and it will be a miracle if they survive the night . . .
This book was a great take on the haunted house genre. Anyone who has been in a big box store in the dead of night knows just how creepy the place can be. There’s something about a location, normally bustling and loud with activity, echoing with the steps of a few 2am shoppers that works on the nerves. And anyone who has had to work an overnight shift (especially if by yourself) knows how much you seek out the well-lit and normal looking portions of the building to spend the night.
The horror is more psychological than flat-out gory (though there is gore, never fear). The store shifts and moves, entrapping the unfortunate employees in an increasingly sinister maze. The book reminds me a lot of House of Leaves, but without the dead spaces where nothing happens. Events ramp up quickly in Horrorstör and continue at a breakneck pace throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of a more subtle horror: working in retail. The inanity, the amplification of petty annoyances, and the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped on a hamster wheel of fake smiles and interior screaming should be very familiar to any who has ever worked the other side of the cash register.
Horror fans will enjoy this book immensely. I’ve always enjoyed haunted house stories, and having one set in a thoroughly modern situation is refreshing. I will say, however, that reading the book gave me a paradoxical desire to go hang around the local Ikea . . .
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LibraryThing member mountie9
The Good Stuff
The man has obviously worked in retail. A store is the perfect setting for a horror story (trust me I would take the paranormal over a lululemon clad mommy in our kids department any day)
Great use of humour
Fabulous layout for the book and the Orsk Employee evaluations are priceless
Impressed with the character development of our protagonist Amy
Love the snarky bits regarding retail culture and big box stores. Trust me, you will enjoy this tale way more if you have worked retail. My co-workers and I at Chapters are constantly discussing the need for every child, before they graduate high school, must work 6 months in retail and 6 months in the food and beverage industry. Maybe then they will learn some manners and how to deal with people and just some plain common sense. Some of the behavior I have seen during the many years I worked retail is just mind boggling.
Loved the ending!
Extremely creative presentation. I know I have mentioned this earlier, but this will be one I will be leaving out on my coffee table. (Ok maybe somewhere else, as cover may freak out my anxiety prone son)
Fast paced story, will keep you hooked right from the first paragraph, right to the very last ad (yes I said ad - even has coupons)
Could have been just a cutesy premise with fluff inside, but was very pleasantly surprised on how fabulous it was
The Not So Good Stuff
Could have been much moody and scarier. Felt the horror plot line could have been executed better.
Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of the novel, but felt some of the added bits, could have been more tongue in cheek (but it still works very well, this is just a personal preference)
Used to have a dream of being locked up in a bookstore overnight, now I am soo not into it, Damn you Mr Hendrix
Also used to think the set up of Ikea stores were innocent and helpful, now not so much. Won't be stepping into an Ikea in the near future.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"There's nothing waiting inside but retail slavery, endless exploitation, and personal subjugation to the whims of our corporate overlords."
"People don't just come here just to shop. Some of them think this is their living room, only with maid service. And you're the maid. They act like pigs, and you have to pick up after them. Dirty diapers are just the start."
"No, you've talked plenty tonight. Now it's time for you to listen. The last time I checked you were twenty-four years old. Thirteen and angry is a long way back in your rear-view mirror. You need to buckle up because it is time to toe the line and act like a grown-up women. You don't want to go out on the floor? Tough titty, said the kitty. I don't want to go on the floor, either, but having a job is all about doing things you don't want to do. That's why they pay you money for it. Life doesn't care what you want. All that matters is what you do. And right now, what you're going to do is stand shoulder to shoulder with me and march out that door, find our friends, and help them deal with this situation. Tomorrow you can do whatever the heck you want, but I am going to keep my job. So get up, put some pepper in your pants, and let's get moving."
4 Dewey's
I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review
The man has obviously worked in retail. A store is the perfect setting for a horror story (trust me I would take the paranormal over a lululemon clad mommy in our kids department any day)
Great use of humour
Fabulous layout for the book and the Orsk Employee evaluations are priceless
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Ruth Anne is awesome, to see why, check out the last quote in the quotes section of this reviewImpressed with the character development of our protagonist Amy
Love the snarky bits regarding retail culture and big box stores. Trust me, you will enjoy this tale way more if you have worked retail. My co-workers and I at Chapters are constantly discussing the need for every child, before they graduate high school, must work 6 months in retail and 6 months in the food and beverage industry. Maybe then they will learn some manners and how to deal with people and just some plain common sense. Some of the behavior I have seen during the many years I worked retail is just mind boggling.
Loved the ending!
Extremely creative presentation. I know I have mentioned this earlier, but this will be one I will be leaving out on my coffee table. (Ok maybe somewhere else, as cover may freak out my anxiety prone son)
Fast paced story, will keep you hooked right from the first paragraph, right to the very last ad (yes I said ad - even has coupons)
Could have been just a cutesy premise with fluff inside, but was very pleasantly surprised on how fabulous it was
The Not So Good Stuff
Could have been much moody and scarier. Felt the horror plot line could have been executed better.
Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of the novel, but felt some of the added bits, could have been more tongue in cheek (but it still works very well, this is just a personal preference)
Used to have a dream of being locked up in a bookstore overnight, now I am soo not into it, Damn you Mr Hendrix
Also used to think the set up of Ikea stores were innocent and helpful, now not so much. Won't be stepping into an Ikea in the near future.
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"There's nothing waiting inside but retail slavery, endless exploitation, and personal subjugation to the whims of our corporate overlords."
"People don't just come here just to shop. Some of them think this is their living room, only with maid service. And you're the maid. They act like pigs, and you have to pick up after them. Dirty diapers are just the start."
"No, you've talked plenty tonight. Now it's time for you to listen. The last time I checked you were twenty-four years old. Thirteen and angry is a long way back in your rear-view mirror. You need to buckle up because it is time to toe the line and act like a grown-up women. You don't want to go out on the floor? Tough titty, said the kitty. I don't want to go on the floor, either, but having a job is all about doing things you don't want to do. That's why they pay you money for it. Life doesn't care what you want. All that matters is what you do. And right now, what you're going to do is stand shoulder to shoulder with me and march out that door, find our friends, and help them deal with this situation. Tomorrow you can do whatever the heck you want, but I am going to keep my job. So get up, put some pepper in your pants, and let's get moving."
4 Dewey's
I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member AnnieMod
There are two ways to mix horror and humor - you either write a parody of the genre or you write a humorous horror stories. Hendrix does the latter and does it well.
Orsk, an IKEA knock-off, is one of those big box stores where you can buy everything from a fork to a complete set of furniture for
As it turns out, there is more that one thing happening and one of them is a very violent set of ghosts. Add that to the usual every day of retail and things connect to each other in places one does not expect - in some places the story of the prisoners of the past (now ghosts) sound better and less awful than the story of the current employees in the store.
The end surprised me a bit -- Hendrix pulls a redemption tale in the middle of the ghost hunt. And interspred with the chapters are advertisements from the store - designed based on the IKEA ones and just as the story, they start as ads for normal items and soon become something else. They tie to the story and better not be skipped though - plus they are fun.
A couple if years ago I read Nino Cipri's LitenVerse novellas and after reading this novel, I had to check the time both works were written - they play on the same topic, albeit in a different way, and Cipri's work is only adjacent to horror and stays in the lighter parts of the speculative genres while Hendrix's is much darker but they are very similar. Hendrix predates Cipri's by 6 years even while I read them in the opposite order - which changes how you react to some things - I suspect that a lot of things would have sounded a lot more original to me if I had read that one first. It did not stop me from enjoying both though.
That was my first Hendrix novel and it will probably not be my last. It is an amusing light horror novel which does not work as a horror novel or as a humorous one alone but the mix works well enough.
Orsk, an IKEA knock-off, is one of those big box stores where you can buy everything from a fork to a complete set of furniture for
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your house, all in boxes and easily stackable (and then even have lunch). Amy is two days away from getting in real trouble over unpaid rent and she really does not care about her soul-killing job. She is trying to get transferred but that can only happen if her current boss agrees on that -- and they are in the best of a relationships work-wise. So when she shows for work in that morning, the last she expects is to be tagged for an overnight shift, together with one of the oldest employees, Ruth Anne. Something weird is happening in the store - and the goal of that night vigil is for them to try to get to the bottom of it. So the two women and their by the rules manager, Basil, show up for the shift - and things start getting weirder and weirder very soon. As it turns out, there is more that one thing happening and one of them is a very violent set of ghosts. Add that to the usual every day of retail and things connect to each other in places one does not expect - in some places the story of the prisoners of the past (now ghosts) sound better and less awful than the story of the current employees in the store.
The end surprised me a bit -- Hendrix pulls a redemption tale in the middle of the ghost hunt. And interspred with the chapters are advertisements from the store - designed based on the IKEA ones and just as the story, they start as ads for normal items and soon become something else. They tie to the story and better not be skipped though - plus they are fun.
A couple if years ago I read Nino Cipri's LitenVerse novellas and after reading this novel, I had to check the time both works were written - they play on the same topic, albeit in a different way, and Cipri's work is only adjacent to horror and stays in the lighter parts of the speculative genres while Hendrix's is much darker but they are very similar. Hendrix predates Cipri's by 6 years even while I read them in the opposite order - which changes how you react to some things - I suspect that a lot of things would have sounded a lot more original to me if I had read that one first. It did not stop me from enjoying both though.
That was my first Hendrix novel and it will probably not be my last. It is an amusing light horror novel which does not work as a horror novel or as a humorous one alone but the mix works well enough.
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LibraryThing member willowsmom
I loved this book. It was lighthearted and fast paced at the beginning, and when the creepy blood and weirdness happened...wham! You (or at least I) were as unprepared as the protagonist. The author really nailed the uncomfortable conform-to-us subtext of Ikea (and I like the store). It lends
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itself surprisingly well to a novel about ancient dead prisoners and the restless tormented spirit of their crazy warden. A great, fun, memorable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member JohnnyOstentatious
I read this novel in one day. Characters were interesting, ending was a little weak, and his prose was pretty good. I dunno, felt more like a novelization of a screenplay than an actual book. Plus, the joke wore thin with all the illustrations of satirizing IKEA. Maybe I'm old school and like my
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horror to be dark and straightforward. Show Less
LibraryThing member lkernagh
I placed a hold with my local library for this book as soon as I saw the cover..... I love that cover. If you look closely, you can see the creepy face (and hands) of something staring out from behind the wall through the picture frames. A creepy and rather unique spin on the traditional haunted victims customers.
A good story from start to finish and I may not be able to stop myself from scrutinizing the next big box store I enter.
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house story, I had to laugh that this is the second book in a little over a month where IKEA (or in this case, a ripoff of IKEA in the form of the fictitious store ORSK) is a major part of the story. As I don't read an awful lot of horror stories, this one appealed to me with its somewhat gimmicky approach of packaging the story like a retail catalog with its wider pages and each chapter starting out with a catalog description of an ORSK product and some products that probably shouldn't be in the catalog. It also appealed to me because it has almost an even balance of horror and spoofing satire. I mean really, how scared can one get when one is busy nodding their head at the clever way Hendrix parodies IKEA? Don't get me wrong, the horror is still there for horror fans to enjoy, its just that this is one of those horror books that you don't need to worry about turning out the lights and trying to sleep after finishing..... although I think it might creep out someone who might work a graveyard shift in some otherwise empty big box store who starts to see things moving in the shadows or hears dripping water. For me, the scary part of the story is how Hendrix's brings home the rather frightening corporate brainwashing these big box retailers engage in while training their staff, managing media relations and pitching their wares to its unwary A good story from start to finish and I may not be able to stop myself from scrutinizing the next big box store I enter.
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LibraryThing member Ann_Louise
I KNOW not to judge a book by it's cover, but if this book is half as clever as it's cover, I'll be happy! Another haunted store novel to go along with [The Overnight] by Ramsey Campbell.
6-2-14 Wow - got this one in the mail on Saturday, and finished it Monday evening. I hope Quirk promotes the
You cannot go wrong with a clever variation on the "let's build something over the old burial ground where terrible things happened - what could possibly go wrong?"
Also, the author make an effort to show why the characters a) have to been in this terrible place and b) why they can't just leave.
6-2-14 Wow - got this one in the mail on Saturday, and finished it Monday evening. I hope Quirk promotes the
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heck out of this one - I'd describe it as Chuck meets Office Space with a dose of Session 9 and the movie Prison. You cannot go wrong with a clever variation on the "let's build something over the old burial ground where terrible things happened - what could possibly go wrong?"
Also, the author make an effort to show why the characters a) have to been in this terrible place and b) why they can't just leave.
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LibraryThing member treehorse
Horrorstor is at its best when poking fun at Ikea / big-box stores; scares were a bit lacking. I personally didn't fine the horror bit very scary at all. Gross? Yes. genuinely eerie - no. Too little buildup of tension.
I get that the panopticon prison /asylum was supposed to mirror the retail
I upped my review by a star purely for the "product" illustrations and corporate marketing / training materials that appear as chapter openers. [Note: I read Horrorstor in ebook format, so I probably missed out on some of the book's formatting /Ikea-easque packaging.]
I get that the panopticon prison /asylum was supposed to mirror the retail
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employment... i guess. I think somewhere berween the torture and exposition bits, the metaphor fell apart.I upped my review by a star purely for the "product" illustrations and corporate marketing / training materials that appear as chapter openers. [Note: I read Horrorstor in ebook format, so I probably missed out on some of the book's formatting /Ikea-easque packaging.]
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LibraryThing member bell7
Amy is working a dead-end job in a store very like Ikea and trying to avoid her boss, Basil, who has it in for her. But when Basil talks her and Ruth Anne into staying overnight to investigate some of the weird happenings in the store, she's about to find out that boring her to death is not the
A blend of humor and ghost tale, a few times I was a little grossed out but never really terrified behind belief so this was sort of horror lite, I think. To be honest, that's probably why it was chosen as my librarian genre study's "benchmark" title: we were all too terrified to read something truly scary! But it wasn't that so much - the fake-Ikea and story that evolves about the origins of the place and the labyrinthine feel of a large department store was pretty well done. I think that it was because I didn't really care all that much about the characters, who seemed more like caricatures than real people to me. However, the pacing kept me reading and the layout of the book to look like a huge catalog complete with advertisements in the chapter headings and "Acknowledgements" to outstanding store employees was very well done.
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greatest risk in her job.A blend of humor and ghost tale, a few times I was a little grossed out but never really terrified behind belief so this was sort of horror lite, I think. To be honest, that's probably why it was chosen as my librarian genre study's "benchmark" title: we were all too terrified to read something truly scary! But it wasn't that so much - the fake-Ikea and story that evolves about the origins of the place and the labyrinthine feel of a large department store was pretty well done. I think that it was because I didn't really care all that much about the characters, who seemed more like caricatures than real people to me. However, the pacing kept me reading and the layout of the book to look like a huge catalog complete with advertisements in the chapter headings and "Acknowledgements" to outstanding store employees was very well done.
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LibraryThing member LauraMoore
When I first heard of this book, I knew it would make a perfect Oct. read. I've always been a fan of Ikea and I thought this was such a unique and interesting storyline. I loved that the book was set up like a Catalog and felt that that added another element to the story, and made it feel more
I thought this book wouldn't be that creepy, but it did get there really quickly, I didn't think a store after hours could create such a scary situation, but this book showed otherwise. I loved how the story set itself up for a sequel and what could be creepier that a baby wholesale store??!!!
Quirk has done it once again, (but lets me honest, thats no surprise to me at this point). If your in the mood for a creepy, and totally unique story, then you need to pick up Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix.
FTC: I did recieve a copy of this book from Quirk books; all thoughts are my own.
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authentic. Honestly though lets face it; Quirk books puts out the best and most unique books ever. This book was everything I was hoping it would be, it was creepy, it was intriguing, and it pushed you to read on to find out what what happen next. I thought this book wouldn't be that creepy, but it did get there really quickly, I didn't think a store after hours could create such a scary situation, but this book showed otherwise. I loved how the story set itself up for a sequel and what could be creepier that a baby wholesale store??!!!
Quirk has done it once again, (but lets me honest, thats no surprise to me at this point). If your in the mood for a creepy, and totally unique story, then you need to pick up Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix.
FTC: I did recieve a copy of this book from Quirk books; all thoughts are my own.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I first discovered Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix on Leeswammes Blog where the quirky cover, designed to imitate a IKEA catalogue, caught my eye. I was further intrigued when I learned she had given it five stars and I immediately added it to my wishlist based on her recommendation.
After the staff of
Really I am surprised it has taken so long for someone to set a horror novel in a big box store like IKEA which, with its funneled walkways, empty staged rooms, and horse-meat meatballs, has a creep factor even on an ordinary day. It is easy to imagine the magnified eeriness of the echoing spaces at night, especially if you believe someone, or something, is out on the floor stalking you.
The format of Horrorstör includes chapters prefaced by the familiar innocuous blueprints and product descriptions of furniture with names like Müskk (a bed) and Liripip (a wardrobe) which grow increasingly bizarre however as the story progresses. These add a humourous touch which offsets the dawning horror. Also included is an order form, a map and even staff evaluation forms.
Horrorstör is a quick, entertaining read designed to elicit a chill or two in the same way that the store is designed to encourage you to purchase a bookshelf or two. A horror novel with a touch of the absurd, you will never look at IKEA in quite the same way again.
PS. If you need more convincing that IKEA is the perfect setting for a horror novel, check out IKEA Singapore's TV ad to promote its late night opening hours - a tribute to The Shining.
After the staff of
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IKEA ORSK repeatedly find soiled furniture, broken glass ware and other damaged products each morning with no evidence of an intruder, store manager Basil recruits two of his employees, Amy, a reluctant floor leader, and Ruth-Ann, an ORSK lifer, to work an overnight shift. His plan calls for hourly sweeps of each floor and when they stumble across a homeless man hiding under a bed, and two colleagues making out on a couch, they believe they have solved the mystery. But the man vehemently denies he is responsible and Amy's colleagues, aspiring ghost busters, Trinity and Matt persuade them to take part in a seance, and suddenly the 'Bright and Shining Way' is a dark path to an unimagined hell.Really I am surprised it has taken so long for someone to set a horror novel in a big box store like IKEA which, with its funneled walkways, empty staged rooms, and horse-meat meatballs, has a creep factor even on an ordinary day. It is easy to imagine the magnified eeriness of the echoing spaces at night, especially if you believe someone, or something, is out on the floor stalking you.
The format of Horrorstör includes chapters prefaced by the familiar innocuous blueprints and product descriptions of furniture with names like Müskk (a bed) and Liripip (a wardrobe) which grow increasingly bizarre however as the story progresses. These add a humourous touch which offsets the dawning horror. Also included is an order form, a map and even staff evaluation forms.
Horrorstör is a quick, entertaining read designed to elicit a chill or two in the same way that the store is designed to encourage you to purchase a bookshelf or two. A horror novel with a touch of the absurd, you will never look at IKEA in quite the same way again.
PS. If you need more convincing that IKEA is the perfect setting for a horror novel, check out IKEA Singapore's TV ad to promote its late night opening hours - a tribute to The Shining.
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LibraryThing member stefferoo
Horrorstör scratched a really great itch. When it comes to the Horror genre, I’m an unabashed fan of ghost stories and books about hauntings. Thing is, because so many of them follow the same formula and use the same familiar tropes, it’s really hard find something that truly stands out. I was
Protagonist Amy is a disgruntled employee of furniture superstore Orsk, which is essentially a clever parody of our real world IKEA (the author has nailed it all down, everything from the proprietary magic tool to the delicious meatballs in the cafeteria). There’s something strange about this particular Orsk store though. Every morning store partners arrive at work to find damaged and vandalized goods, not to mention the creepy “HELP” messages that randomly shows up on everyone’s cellphones.
To get to the bottom of this mystery once and for all, store manager Basil recruits Amy and fellow employee Ruth Anne for an overnight shift. Expecting to find some innocuous and mundane reason for all the strange things going on, they are totally unprepared for the horrors awaiting them on showroom floor in the dead of night.
I really enjoyed this book, and its story is one that will stay with me for a very long time. After all, how often does one come across a haunted house story that takes place in a big box chain store? Old mansions are typically your go-to settings for these kinds of stories, but before I read this book it has never really occurred to me how creepy a place like your local Best Buy or Home Depot can be after store hours when all the customers have gone home and the lights go off. I certainly wouldn’t want to be locked inside all alone.
And while I’ve had experience in retail, they were all gigs in small businesses or independently owned establishments. I have never worked in a big box chain store so I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure (or misfortune, depending on your outlook) of experiencing that kind of unique environment or culture. Still, I don’t think you have to have worked in that capacity to recognize some of the “retail-speak” that gets poked fun at a lot in this novel (“It’s not just a job, it’s the rest of your life”, “communicate knowledge to visitors with maximum sales competence”, “contribute to an environment where Orsk culture is a strong and living reality” and other such gems), some of which are just downright hilarious especially through Amy’s jaded eye.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the core selling points of the physical copy of Horrorstör – the fact that it comes published in the shape and size of a glossy mail order catalog, along with product illustrations and descriptions, “coupons”, order forms and other such documents. Sound like a gimmick? Yeah, probably. But hey, it works. I give this packaging decision 10/10 for presentation and creativity.
Because of how the book looks, along with its spoofy nature, I admit I went into this thinking it would be more humor than horror. My mistake. This is a horror novel through and through. Yes, the story has its lighthearted bits and funny laugh-out-loud moments, but things quickly turn grim and spooky once the plot gets moving. There were parts that seriously gave me the heebie-jeebies and freaked me the hell out. And I confess, I loved being caught off guard like this.
What more can I say, but Horrorstör is a great addition which would add a little fun and eccentricity to any Horror lover’s library. I also think it would make a rather unique gift, especially if the recipient knows nothing about the book beforehand. The whole IKEA catalog look of it will no doubt lead many to believe it’s a joke/humor book, but what a surprise they’ll get when they crack open the cover and give it a read. Definitely a novel that will give you more than you bargained for.
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therefore quite excited about this novel, which is a memorable and real quirky take on your classic haunted house story.Protagonist Amy is a disgruntled employee of furniture superstore Orsk, which is essentially a clever parody of our real world IKEA (the author has nailed it all down, everything from the proprietary magic tool to the delicious meatballs in the cafeteria). There’s something strange about this particular Orsk store though. Every morning store partners arrive at work to find damaged and vandalized goods, not to mention the creepy “HELP” messages that randomly shows up on everyone’s cellphones.
To get to the bottom of this mystery once and for all, store manager Basil recruits Amy and fellow employee Ruth Anne for an overnight shift. Expecting to find some innocuous and mundane reason for all the strange things going on, they are totally unprepared for the horrors awaiting them on showroom floor in the dead of night.
I really enjoyed this book, and its story is one that will stay with me for a very long time. After all, how often does one come across a haunted house story that takes place in a big box chain store? Old mansions are typically your go-to settings for these kinds of stories, but before I read this book it has never really occurred to me how creepy a place like your local Best Buy or Home Depot can be after store hours when all the customers have gone home and the lights go off. I certainly wouldn’t want to be locked inside all alone.
And while I’ve had experience in retail, they were all gigs in small businesses or independently owned establishments. I have never worked in a big box chain store so I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure (or misfortune, depending on your outlook) of experiencing that kind of unique environment or culture. Still, I don’t think you have to have worked in that capacity to recognize some of the “retail-speak” that gets poked fun at a lot in this novel (“It’s not just a job, it’s the rest of your life”, “communicate knowledge to visitors with maximum sales competence”, “contribute to an environment where Orsk culture is a strong and living reality” and other such gems), some of which are just downright hilarious especially through Amy’s jaded eye.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the core selling points of the physical copy of Horrorstör – the fact that it comes published in the shape and size of a glossy mail order catalog, along with product illustrations and descriptions, “coupons”, order forms and other such documents. Sound like a gimmick? Yeah, probably. But hey, it works. I give this packaging decision 10/10 for presentation and creativity.
Because of how the book looks, along with its spoofy nature, I admit I went into this thinking it would be more humor than horror. My mistake. This is a horror novel through and through. Yes, the story has its lighthearted bits and funny laugh-out-loud moments, but things quickly turn grim and spooky once the plot gets moving. There were parts that seriously gave me the heebie-jeebies and freaked me the hell out. And I confess, I loved being caught off guard like this.
What more can I say, but Horrorstör is a great addition which would add a little fun and eccentricity to any Horror lover’s library. I also think it would make a rather unique gift, especially if the recipient knows nothing about the book beforehand. The whole IKEA catalog look of it will no doubt lead many to believe it’s a joke/humor book, but what a surprise they’ll get when they crack open the cover and give it a read. Definitely a novel that will give you more than you bargained for.
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LibraryThing member skrouhan
Okay, okay, so it probably won't win any awards or be listed on any must-read lists. But how fun was this book!? As others mentioned, Horrorstör is a haunted house story that takes place in a big box store (essentially an IKEA). Which, if you think about it, makes sense - the showroom does have
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rooms like a house, and how creepy must those places be at night! I'm more into subtle horror, which the first third of the book was full of, so I did actually find the plot a little creepy at first.... but once things started happening (about ~halfway through the book) I lost a little interest in the actual plot. The book is designed like a catalogue, which I LOVED. I kept looking at the covers and ads over and over again, seeing new things as the story progressed. The writing is a little predictable, but certainly fun. This is a great book if you are interested in horror and want a quick, fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member BeckahRah
A unique sort of horror story. I've been in Ikea once or twice, and I can definitely see how being there after hours in the dark could inspire a story like this one. A good blend of funny, scary, and just the right amount of believability from its somewhat angsty, dead-end-employee protagonist.