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Joyland (Hard Case Crime) Paperback – June 4, 2013

by Stephen King (Author)
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
See all formats and editions
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A STUNNING  NEW NOVEL FROM ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING AUTHORS OF ALL TIME!

The #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

"I love crime, I love mysteries, and I love ghosts. That combo made Hard Case Crime the perfect venue for this book, which is one of my favorites. I also loved the paperbacks I grew up with as a kid, and for that reason, we’re going to hold off on e-publishing this one for the time being. Joyland will be coming out in paperback, and folks who want to read it will have to buy the actual book." – Stephen King
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  1. Part of series
    The Hard Case Crime Novels of Stephen King
  2. Print length
    288 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Hard Case Crime
  5. Publication date
    June 4, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.71 x 7.79 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9781781162644
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1781162644
  9. See all details
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  1. What's it about?

    A college student working at an amusement park in 1973 confronts a vicious murder, a dying child, and life-changing events.

  2. Popular highlight

    It’s hard to let go. Even when what you’re holding onto is full of thorns, it’s hard to let go. Maybe especially then.
    596 Kindle readers highlighted this

  3. Popular highlight

    The last good time always comes, and when you see the darkness creeping toward you, you hold on to what was bright and good. You hold on for dear life.
    493 Kindle readers highlighted this

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    “I can’t understand why people use religion to hurt each other when there’s already so much pain in the world,” Mrs. Shoplaw said. “Religion is supposed to comfort.”
    309 Kindle readers highlighted this
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, June 2013: What a smart, sweet, spooky, sexy gem of a story. In this one-off for the Hard Case Crime publishing imprint, King has found yet another outlet and format (print only, a zippy 280 pages) to suit his considerable talents. All are on full display here in the story of Devon Jones--"a twenty-one-year-old virgin with literary aspirations … and a broken heart"--who spends the summer of 1973 at Joyland amusement park in North Carolina. Devon makes new pals, proves himself to the hard-core carny workers, saves a girl’s life, befriends a dying boy (who has a secret gift), and falls for the boy’s protective, beautiful mother. The first half of the story is sweet and nostalgic, with modest hints of menace to come. (Think: “The Body,” King’s novella that became the film Stand By Me.) Devon learns to “sell fun” and “wear the fur” (carny-speak for dressing as Howie the Happy Hound, the park mascot), but he also learns about the woman who had been killed in the Funhouse, whose ghost still haunts Joyland. King has fun with the carny lingo--most of it researched and real, some of it invented. (The Ferris wheel, for example, is the chump-hoister.) The second half gets spookier, spinning into a full-on murder mystery--but also a love story, and a coming-of-age-story, with some supernatural fun woven in. More than a trifecta, this is King at his narrative and nostalgic best. A single-session tale to savor some summer afternoon. And then try not to keep thinking back on it. --Neal Thompson

From Booklist

As with King’s first release with Hard Case Crime (The Colorado Kid, 2005), this is an uncharacteristically svelte offering that feels born of a weekend whim but is nevertheless possessed with an undeniable offhand charm. In the summer of 1973, 21-year-old Devin stumbles into a job at a North Carolina amusement park called Joyland, where he operates rides, mops up vomit, and “wears the fur” (dressing up as park mascot Howie the Happy Hound to amuse the kiddies). Bittersweet interjections from an older Devin lend the story an aching nostalgia, and between the chummy carny-chatter (terms like gazoonies, fump, and donniker fly fast and furious) and meaningful first times (losing his virginity, a crushing breakup, etc.), a fantastical mystery gradually emerges. Devin befriends a dying 10-year-old whose psychic hunches help hunt down the murderer of the ghost girl who haunts the park’s Horror House. Until the ghoulish climax, this reads like a heartfelt memoir and might be King’s gentlest book, a canny channeling of the inner peace one can find within outer tumult. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Small-press, paperback-only, yes, but King is still King. --Daniel Kraus

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1781162646
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hard Case Crime; First Edition (June 4, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781781162644
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1781162644
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.71 x 7.79 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Stephen King

Stephen King

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Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His first crime thriller featuring Bill Hodges, MR MERCEDES, won the Edgar Award for best novel and was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Both MR MERCEDES and END OF WATCH received the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Mystery and Thriller of 2014 and 2016 respectively.

King co-wrote the bestselling novel Sleeping Beauties with his son Owen King, and many of King's books have been turned into celebrated films and television series including The Shawshank Redemption, Gerald's Game and It.

King was the recipient of America's prestigious 2014 National Medal of Arts and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters. In 2007 he also won the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He lives with his wife Tabitha King in Maine.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
17,734 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and surprising. They love the characters and find the story poignant and touching. They also describe the storyline and plot as intense, satisfying, mysterious, and refreshing. Customers say the book has no horrifying creepiness. They describe the pace as fast and easy. Customers also praise the writing style as good, descriptive, and rich with humor.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
EnjoyabilityStoryline and plotCharactersWriting styleEntertainment valuePaceHorrorEmotional tone
1,634 customers mention "Enjoyability"1,524 positive110 negative

Customers find the book interesting, fun, and amazing. They also say the story is bittersweet, satisfying, and a perfect escape book. Readers also mention that the book foreshadows upcoming pivotal scenes without banging on the keys. They say it's one of King's more mellow, nostalgic coming-of-age novels and could appeal to the romantic, mystery solver, and paranormal enthusiasts.

"...on to my actual review. this novel was as much of a great read as all his others are...." Read more

"...To have them as well makes it a superb story and a great choice for summer enjoyment, at the beach or by the poolside." Read more

"...Every character I felt attached to. The King is such a wonderful story teller. Three King books down, 80 + to go." Read more

"...The story is bittersweet, but satisfying...." Read more

592 customers mention "Storyline and plot"483 positive109 negative

Customers find the storyline intense and satisfying. They also appreciate the mystery element and the setting. Readers mention the transition is tender and believable. They say the book can cross many genres and that the author is a master at dialogue.

"...It's about the people.I recommend it. It's a great human tale of transitioning from youth to adulthood." Read more

"...YES!!!!! I found this book to be refreshing, mysterious, intelligent, captivating, stimulating, and downright FUN -- Mr. King -- you have done it..." Read more

"...I love the way King interweaves pop songs (from that era) and I think he is a master at dialogue which is not easy...." Read more

"...good thing I gave in to that impulse because Joyland is one of the best crime ghost stories I’ve read in a while...." Read more

414 customers mention "Characters"399 positive15 negative

Customers find the characters in the book to be loveable and heartwarming.

"...He gives us characters with heart and doesn't burden the story with gratuitous or contrived suspense...." Read more

"...Joyland was no exception. All of the characters were great and I don't think there was one that was unnecessary to the plot...." Read more

"...For a change, I can admire and identify with this ADMIRABLE lead character with integrity, someone who cares about others even when they aren't a..." Read more

"...The suspense is thick, the story line thrilling, the characters fleshed-out and real...." Read more

399 customers mention "Writing style"370 positive29 negative

Customers find the writing style good, descriptive, and masterful. They also appreciate the rich detail, plot development, and setting. Readers also mention that the voice is rich with humor and keen observational insights. They say the book is sometimes funny, touching, sad, and works out very well.

"...With the background noise, excellent voice actors, 3-d stereo effect, etc...." Read more

"...King just has one of the best unique literary voices out there in my opinion which makes a lot of his stuff just fun to read...." Read more

"...I thought it was very realistic about the hard facts of Duchenne MD and what happens to Jerry's Kids..." Read more

"...King interweaves pop songs (from that era) and I think he is a master at dialogue which is not easy...." Read more

241 customers mention "Entertainment value"201 positive40 negative

Customers find the book captivating, refreshing, and intelligent. They also say it has a great range of knowledge and interests. Readers also mention that the suspense, magic, and heart help to enhance the readers' experience.

"...Publishing the book before the movie once again helped to enhance the readers (or in this case the watchers) imagination and create the intended..." Read more

"...We could sure use a few.The carny/amusement park setting was pretty fascinating as it's become fairly unused these days, though as I..." Read more

"...Should you read JOYLAND? YES!!!!! I found this book to be refreshing, mysterious, intelligent, captivating, stimulating, and downright FUN -- Mr...." Read more

"...The characters are rich and relatable. It’s a fun ride!Jeff" Read more

234 customers mention "Pace"188 positive46 negative

Customers find the pace of the book fast, easy, and sucked them in immediately. They also say the story is not too heavy or deep, but has a good plot.

"This is not a negative review, and overall, I enjoyed this fairly quick story...." Read more

"...Not too short, no too long and it moves along at a quick pace. Just nothing else to say. Words don't do it justice. Read it and you'll understand." Read more

"...It is a quick satisfying read that adds to the breadth and quality that has always been reflected in King's growing legacy." Read more

"...The story was a nice, easy read, and sucked me in pretty much immediately...." Read more

164 customers mention "Horror"117 positive47 negative

Customers find the book's horror to be tense and supernatural. They also say the book has enough foreboding danger and mystery to keep them interested. Customers also mention that each page is haunted.

"...story with great characters, an interesting mystery, and just a touch of paranormal...." Read more

"...It won't cause nightmares or goosebumps, but that's not its intent...." Read more

"...3 stars because, despite the lack of suspense and virtually no memorable horror / supernatural moments, it is an OK old fashioned "who-dunnit"...." Read more

"...all of this to say: great story, characters you care about, enough foreboding danger and mystery to keep you hooked, and that King sense of humor..." Read more

128 customers mention "Emotional tone"117 positive11 negative

Customers find the emotional tone gripping, poignant, and tugging at their heartstrings. They also describe the protagonist as kind, caring, and extremely likeable. Readers also mention the story has heartache, loss, triumph, and love. However, some find the tone brashly unsentimental and well-meaning.

"...King has written a story that is full of heart and compassion...." Read more

"Very emotional at the end.not so much of fantasy horror a more of a crime book but very good very good" Read more

"Stephen King has matured into a soulful, more thoughtful observer of humanity, and his skill at pulling you in is now met with his ability to stick..." Read more

"...Joyland istold in such a compelling fashion and reveals so much of the intentions,expectations and cosequences of the major characters as they deal..." Read more

Augh I love this book!!
5 out of 5 stars
Augh I love this book!!
Just read this book and man do I love it! As usual Stephen King is a master at what he does. It reminded me a lot of my summer job as a lifeguard at a water park, minus the murder mystery. Great read! Book also came in great condition.
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Top reviews from the United States

😺- CatChat -💬
5.0 out of 5 stars another great novel for all of us SK TRUE fans
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
I want to start my review by copying/pasting a post I wrote in the amazon discussion boards in response to all the complaints about there not being an e-book for this novel available at this time. This also goes out to everyone posting a 1 star review for the same reason. Also I use the words TRUE FANS in my review title because real and true fans of Stephen King could care less about the publication form and collect his works because there are few authors who can write the amazing novels/short-story collections that are so imaginative and descriptive and in so many genres as SK does. I understand that there are some readers who need e-books for reasons of eyesight, arthritis, etc. I have enough faith in SK that he will eventually put this novel in other forms besides paperback like he has in other publications that were released in only one form to start with.

SK has a long history of publishing his stories/novels only in certain formats for the express purposes of creating an atmosphere. The ones that come to mind are The Mist, The Storm of the Century, the joint publications of The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer and Rose Red, and finally UR. The Mist was originally published as a "3-d sound" audiobook. In the hopes of enhancing his readers imagination this short story was made into an audiobook with a unique 3-d sound stereo effect. With the background noise, excellent voice actors, 3-d stereo effect, etc. the fear and panic the characters feel was geniusly portrayed (if you can find it I highly recommend this to all). This was eventually published in a short story collection, adapted into movie format and can also be purchased individually. The Storm of the Century was published as a "novel for television." SK did this not only because the larger cast of characters would make this almost impossible to publish it in just one book in written form, but in order to portray the immensity of the storm. Once again this was eventually released in written form (the script was published in paperback). I have both the script and the movie and I love to read the script while watching the movie to see the differences. Another concept SK tried in order to enhance the atmosphere intended was the joint publication of the book The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer and the movie Rose Red. Under the pseudonym Joyce Reardon SK published in paperback form The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer in order to provide a more detailed background into not only the characters, but also the house (a character in its own rights) Rose Red. The cover of the book has a note for readers to watch Stephen King's Rose Red. Publishing the book before the movie once again helped to enhance the readers (or in this case the watchers) imagination and create the intended atmosphere. Last on my list is the more recent UR. Because of the theme this was originally published in e-book format. You definitely would have not shared the characters feelings if this was first read in paperback form. Hence SK decision, once again, to publish this in only one form at first (this can now be purchased in audiobook form.

on to my actual review. this novel was as much of a great read as all his others are. I don't want to go into any detail of the story and ruin it for other readers with spoilers, so here is a small description. the basis of the novel is about a college student who gets a summer job at an amusement park, makes friends with others that are both living in the same boarding house, but also on the same "work team" at the park. at the park learns about the local legend regarding the funhouse's history and the resultant haunting. from there it just gets better and better as only Stephen King can do. the story's main character, Devin, is now much older and is narrating the story through flashbacks. at times while trying to tell about a certain part that happened during that summer the character seemed to get sidetracked with other side stories. at first I found that annoying. but, I started to think that that is what people do in real life so why is that not portrayed as much in novels. So I actually found that feature to increase the realism of the story for me. yes, I know this is fiction, but we all read books with our imaginations flowing as if the story is happening for real.

in conclusion I encourage anyone who is a fan of mystery books to give this a try. Even if you aren't a fan of SK I think you would enjoy this novel as his descriptions aren't as "hard core" as some of his longer books. some have stated they dislike his work if he gets too descriptive with violence and/or sex for their taste to handle. that is not the case here so I think you could take a chance with this one.
13 people found this helpful
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Phil in Magnolia
5.0 out of 5 stars Sympathetic characters and great compassion; A very enjoyable story
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
Joyland is an excellent story from Stephen King. He takes us back to the days when small private carnivals and amusement parks still operated, some traveling from town to town, appearing overnight after the trucks roll in and the tents are pitched, while some were fixed in place in the beach towns and vacation spots of our country. He gives us characters with heart and doesn't burden the story with gratuitous or contrived suspense.

The main character, Devon, is a college student who takes a summer job at a small amusement park located in a beach town in North Carolina. He quickly fits in and earns the respect of the long-term carny hands as well as his fellow summer workers. He is an easy-going and reflective young man, going through the pain of first separation and then rejection from his college girlfriend. When the summer ends he decides to stay on full time at the carnival rather than return to school.

Devon becomes friends with a woman and her son. They live in a large house on the beach, and the boy is wheelchair bound and stricken with Muscular Dystrophy. He also has a wisdom beyond his years, and he is able to see things that others cannot . Devon encounters them initially in his walks along the beach, and when he helps the boy to launch a kite into the wind, the ice is broken. The boy's young mother is protective of her son as well as suffering herself, partly from the stress of caring for her disabled boy and partly due to estrangement from her family. Gradually Devon becomes close to them, each helping the other to deal with the pains in their lives. Finally, Devon hosts them for a day at the amusement park, closed for the winter but powered-up for this special occasion. It is a wonderful gift for the boy who has until then only observed it from afar.

The mystery of a long-unsolved murder at the amusement part builds very slowly as we get to know Devon and the other characters. Early in his employment at the park Devon learns of the death of a girl who had been on the ride in the house of horrors. Her ghost is said to continue to haunt the park. When one of his co-workers sees the ghost himself, Devon's desire to learn how she was killed and why it was never solved grows until he is consumed by the need to solve the crime. It eventually leads him to uncovering the long-buried truth, a great and surprising climax to the story.

I think that it is great that Stephen King's latest novel has been released as an affordable paperback novel rather than an expensive hard-cover book (or as an e-book, although I'm sure that it will be eventually). The publisher - "Hard Case Crime" - is one that I have been familiar with for a while, because for the past several years they have been releasing paperback crime novels in the style of those published in the U.S. from the 1940's through about the 1960's - check out for example  The Dead Man's Brother , Blood on the Mink , The Girl With the Long Green Heart , Strange Embrace/69 Barrow Street . Stephen King has given them a huge shot in the arm by selecting them to publish his latest novel in this format, plus he has made it so much more affordable for his fans to pick up his latest novel at a reasonable price, and I salute him for doing it.

(Hard Case Crime has also published limited-edition hardcover editions of this book, available at their website for a short time until they are sold out - just go to [...] and you will find them - for those who are committed King fans and must have hardcover editions of the book now).

In a sense then, this book might be viewed Stephen King's homage to the days of paperback pulp fiction; the cover and presentation of the book is whimsical in the style of the pulp novels of fifty years past.

King has written a story that is full of heart and compassion. This is a book that would be a great read even without the murder mystery and resident ghost. To have them as well makes it a superb story and a great choice for summer enjoyment, at the beach or by the poolside.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Jean Carlos Nunes
5.0 out of 5 stars Joyland
Reviewed in Brazil on July 4, 2024
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Excelente livro, edição primorosa!
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Conos
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived as illustrated
Reviewed in Germany on June 22, 2024
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Arrived as illustrated
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Mattias Bloom
5.0 out of 5 stars En av Stephen King's bästa!
Reviewed in Sweden on May 24, 2024
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Helt fantastisk bok. Man vill inte att den ska ta slut.
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eva
1.0 out of 5 stars Uneven, ripped pages
Reviewed in the Netherlands on January 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
I can't say anything about the book as I haven't read it. I can say something about how I received the book. How on earth did this go through quality controls? Each page is literally at a different lenght. The pictures attached will tell you enough. Ridiciulous.
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eva
1.0 out of 5 stars Uneven, ripped pages
Reviewed in the Netherlands on January 29, 2022
I can't say anything about the book as I haven't read it. I can say something about how I received the book. How on earth did this go through quality controls? Each page is literally at a different lenght. The pictures attached will tell you enough. Ridiciulous.
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Malou
5.0 out of 5 stars A boy, a funfair and a murderer. The perfect Stephen King recipe!
Reviewed in France on November 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a stand alone mystery that still has a touch of the "spooky business" we all love about Stephen King books.
The book runs along nicely lulling tye reader into a false sense of security before revealing the big surprise at the end. I recommend you have a glass of wine, and a tissue by your side, curl up in a comfy chair and away you go into the story. I loved it👍
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