What do you think?
Rate this book
Night of the Mannequins
Stephen Graham Jones returns with Night of the Mannequins, a contemporary horror story where a teen prank goes very wrong and all hell breaks loose: is there a supernatural cause, a psychopath on the loose, or both?
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
About the author
Stephen Graham Jones
223 books9,931 followersStephen Graham Jones is the NYT bestselling author of thirty or thirty-five books. He really likes werewolves and slashers. Favorite novels change daily, but Valis and Love Medicine and Lonesome Dove and It and The Things They Carried are all usually up there somewhere. Stephen lives in Boulder, Colorado. It's a big change from the West Texas he grew up in.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,420 reviews
March 22, 2024
Night of the Mannequins is a BRUTAL work of Psychological Horror, straight from the mind of one of my favorite Horror writers, Stephen Graham Jones.
Jumping into this novella, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
To be honest, I never read the synopsis. I see the name, Stephen Graham Jones, on the cover and immediately pick it up. It's a compulsion.
Night of the Mannequins follows Sawyer, and his group of friends, when a prank goes horribly wrong.
Disguising a discarded mall mannequin as a patron at the local movie theater seemed like the perfect way to get back at the stuffy assistant manager. The same one who happened to recently punish the friend group for sneaking into a movie unpaid.
What starts off as a fairly innocent prank, however, turns more deadly than this group of teens could have ever imagined. In the aftermath, Sawyer seems to be the only one with a plan to limit the destruction.
First, let me just chat a bit about how much I love SGJ's writing. I promise not to swoon for too long.
The style is edgy AF, yet feels like Classic Horror all the same. I love the humor and witty dialogue he is able to bring to even the darkest, most haunting tales.
Also, his books always go there, all the way to the deepest, most disturbing crevices of the human mind. It's weird. It's powerful. It's freaking distressing and I love it.
With this being said, I was really into this novella, loving everything about it until about the 70% mark.
Then I started feeling lost. While I feel like I understand the ending, some of the choices of events leading up to the ending didn't seem to fit. It made the conclusion seem a little abrupt and disjointed for me.
Overall though, this novella is fantastic. You cannot deny the level of creativity it takes to write a story like this.
One that leads you in one direction, flips that on its head and then smacks you in the face with a healthy dose of depressing reality.
Sawyer is a very special protagonist. He's one of those characters that . One whose inner thoughts will stick with me for a while.
I would highly recommend this to any Horror fan, or any person who just enjoys a bizarre tale.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I was really looking forward to more SGJ and this did NOT disappoint!
Jumping into this novella, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
To be honest, I never read the synopsis. I see the name, Stephen Graham Jones, on the cover and immediately pick it up. It's a compulsion.
Night of the Mannequins follows Sawyer, and his group of friends, when a prank goes horribly wrong.
Disguising a discarded mall mannequin as a patron at the local movie theater seemed like the perfect way to get back at the stuffy assistant manager. The same one who happened to recently punish the friend group for sneaking into a movie unpaid.
What starts off as a fairly innocent prank, however, turns more deadly than this group of teens could have ever imagined. In the aftermath, Sawyer seems to be the only one with a plan to limit the destruction.
First, let me just chat a bit about how much I love SGJ's writing. I promise not to swoon for too long.
The style is edgy AF, yet feels like Classic Horror all the same. I love the humor and witty dialogue he is able to bring to even the darkest, most haunting tales.
Also, his books always go there, all the way to the deepest, most disturbing crevices of the human mind. It's weird. It's powerful. It's freaking distressing and I love it.
With this being said, I was really into this novella, loving everything about it until about the 70% mark.
Then I started feeling lost. While I feel like I understand the ending, some of the choices of events leading up to the ending didn't seem to fit. It made the conclusion seem a little abrupt and disjointed for me.
Overall though, this novella is fantastic. You cannot deny the level of creativity it takes to write a story like this.
One that leads you in one direction, flips that on its head and then smacks you in the face with a healthy dose of depressing reality.
Sawyer is a very special protagonist. He's one of those characters that . One whose inner thoughts will stick with me for a while.
I would highly recommend this to any Horror fan, or any person who just enjoys a bizarre tale.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I was really looking forward to more SGJ and this did NOT disappoint!
October 14, 2020
Well, shit! I’m the only person that didn’t like this book!! I wanted really creepy mannequins everywhere!! But no!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
November 1, 2020
4.5 stars
This was fucking weird and I can’t stop thinking about it. Really unique and absolutely fascinating and creepy as hell.
This was fucking weird and I can’t stop thinking about it. Really unique and absolutely fascinating and creepy as hell.
October 24, 2020
I saw the title of this book and then saw the mostly positive reviews that said it felt like a slasher flick with a sense of humor. "All right," I think. "So we got a killer mannequin story. Should be fun."
No, if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere. There's no way to discuss the plot without spoilers, so...
What we get is a little over 100 pages of annoying characters, sentences constructed to sound like an awkward teenager for the entire narration and a story that I honestly don't know why I bothered finishing. I've seen this author repeatedly praised in a lot of horror circles, but from this one book, I honestly can't tell why.
1 out of 5 stars is generous.
No, if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere. There's no way to discuss the plot without spoilers, so...
What we get is a little over 100 pages of annoying characters, sentences constructed to sound like an awkward teenager for the entire narration and a story that I honestly don't know why I bothered finishing. I've seen this author repeatedly praised in a lot of horror circles, but from this one book, I honestly can't tell why.
1 out of 5 stars is generous.
September 7, 2023
‘I’d read Frankenstein in AP English, so I knew you don’t just walk away from your creations. Not without consequences.’
Growing up is hard to do. The friendships that seem unbreakable begin to wither and rust, things that once meant so much to us fade into oblivion, and we press on into the unknown. This can be frightening, especially for those who have difficulty being malleable against the tides of time. Then throw in a little murder…
Stephen Graham Jones delivers a blissfully succinct horror show with Night of the Mannequins’, a twisted and gruesome little gem that sparkles with all the after-school-special teenage horror tropes and coming-of-age narratives while simultaneously blotting them out in blood splatters. This is horror with a literary monster roaring inside, and Jones pitch perfect delivery plunges its dagger straight into your heart.
Sawyer is a kid on the cusp of maturity spending his days with his tight-knit friend group and feeling the tug of time beginning its inevitable unraveling. When a prank goes wrong--the mannequin from their hilarious joke gets up and walks away--Sawyer decides he must take it upon himself to do the unthinkable in order to spare others. ‘This is what I do,’ he tells himself, ‘I save people.’ Jones perfectly captures the voice of a teenage boy and this unreliable narrator quickly invades your own head to toy with your emotions as he is both sympathetic and unbelievably menacing and monstrous. Which is one of Jones’ most impressive tricks, is that, while knowing that Sawyer is indeed murderous you can’t help but feel for him and empathize with his struggles of the loss of innocence, the fraying of friendships, the impossible battle against the inevitability of time. It is this sense of inevitability that is really striking in Jones’ delivery--once the gears have set in motion it feels there is no turning around and no stopping until the cataclysmic finale.
It feels like this is a tragedy rooted in us all. While we simultaneously sympathize and fear the narrator, he does the same for Manny the killer mannequin. Manny, having been a favorite toy and prank prop for the friends for years has been discarded as their interests changed, much how Sawyer feels the discarding of friendships approaching.
There is a very human heart beating in all the gore, one that probes at the fragile places in all of us. Jones breathlessly mixes horror and psychological insight to praiseworthy success and all in a bitesized novella. This book is a super fun read and I will definitely be reading more of him.
4/5
Also check out Richard’s great review which inspired me to read this book.
Growing up is hard to do. The friendships that seem unbreakable begin to wither and rust, things that once meant so much to us fade into oblivion, and we press on into the unknown. This can be frightening, especially for those who have difficulty being malleable against the tides of time. Then throw in a little murder…
Stephen Graham Jones delivers a blissfully succinct horror show with Night of the Mannequins’, a twisted and gruesome little gem that sparkles with all the after-school-special teenage horror tropes and coming-of-age narratives while simultaneously blotting them out in blood splatters. This is horror with a literary monster roaring inside, and Jones pitch perfect delivery plunges its dagger straight into your heart.
Sawyer is a kid on the cusp of maturity spending his days with his tight-knit friend group and feeling the tug of time beginning its inevitable unraveling. When a prank goes wrong--the mannequin from their hilarious joke gets up and walks away--Sawyer decides he must take it upon himself to do the unthinkable in order to spare others. ‘This is what I do,’ he tells himself, ‘I save people.’ Jones perfectly captures the voice of a teenage boy and this unreliable narrator quickly invades your own head to toy with your emotions as he is both sympathetic and unbelievably menacing and monstrous. Which is one of Jones’ most impressive tricks, is that, while knowing that Sawyer is indeed murderous you can’t help but feel for him and empathize with his struggles of the loss of innocence, the fraying of friendships, the impossible battle against the inevitability of time. It is this sense of inevitability that is really striking in Jones’ delivery--once the gears have set in motion it feels there is no turning around and no stopping until the cataclysmic finale.
It feels like this is a tragedy rooted in us all. While we simultaneously sympathize and fear the narrator, he does the same for Manny the killer mannequin. Manny, having been a favorite toy and prank prop for the friends for years has been discarded as their interests changed, much how Sawyer feels the discarding of friendships approaching.
’He remembers everything in perfect detail, he’s been watching us walk back and forth through my garage for the last three years, never giving our old best friend a second glance.’
There is a very human heart beating in all the gore, one that probes at the fragile places in all of us. Jones breathlessly mixes horror and psychological insight to praiseworthy success and all in a bitesized novella. This book is a super fun read and I will definitely be reading more of him.
4/5
Also check out Richard’s great review which inspired me to read this book.
March 23, 2021
Not enough mannequins.
Hmm a bit too messy and conflicting for my taste. Would it have been better if it was probably a fleshed out novel? Maybe.
I talked about it a bit more in depth here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67T8G...
2 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
Hmm a bit too messy and conflicting for my taste. Would it have been better if it was probably a fleshed out novel? Maybe.
I talked about it a bit more in depth here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67T8G...
2 STARS
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
October 25, 2021
COUNT!DOWN! TO! HALLOWEEEEEEEN!!!!
cramming in as much spooktober as i can!
***********************************
YES, YES, YES, right? the perfect setup for a perfectly fun teen slasher romp through bizarro territory.
except, no.
this was so good, but it was good in a completely different way than i was expecting. it's scary, but in a much deeper, more unsettling and lasting way than a killer-mannequin romp has any right to be.
against the backdrop (sometimes literally) of a broody film about duty and sacrifice and the superhero code, stephen graham jones gives readers something more profoundly disturbing than the brief sugar-rush enjoyment of a bloody stompy monster spree—someone fortified with assumptive justification, with a calculated mission, a clear intention, resolve, determination and purpose.
armed with any of these ideals, we could all become superheroes.
and that should terrify the shit out of you.
come to my blog!
cramming in as much spooktober as i can!
***********************************
We thought we'd play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead.
YES, YES, YES, right? the perfect setup for a perfectly fun teen slasher romp through bizarro territory.
except, no.
this was so good, but it was good in a completely different way than i was expecting. it's scary, but in a much deeper, more unsettling and lasting way than a killer-mannequin romp has any right to be.
Sometimes the real heroes, the sacrifice they make is their own legend or memory, or even their life, right? Sometimes the way you know you've done good is that the whole town hates you and wants you dead. That there even are still people to hate you and want you dead, that's success right there.
against the backdrop (sometimes literally) of a broody film about duty and sacrifice and the superhero code, stephen graham jones gives readers something more profoundly disturbing than the brief sugar-rush enjoyment of a bloody stompy monster spree—someone fortified with assumptive justification, with a calculated mission, a clear intention, resolve, determination and purpose.
armed with any of these ideals, we could all become superheroes.
and that should terrify the shit out of you.
come to my blog!
October 13, 2020
A really cool psychological horror novella that I enjoyed way more than I expected to!
It begins with a group of friends playing a harmless prank but evolves into a multi-layered, chilling, violent and quite clever coming of age story.
It's written from the POV of a teenage boy and it felt legit and made me laugh out loud a couple of times too.
It begins with a group of friends playing a harmless prank but evolves into a multi-layered, chilling, violent and quite clever coming of age story.
It's written from the POV of a teenage boy and it felt legit and made me laugh out loud a couple of times too.
October 12, 2022
Well that was…odd.
This seems to be a love it or hate it kind of book based on my friends’ ratings, but to be honest, I think I land right in the middle.
I thought it was very unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. The originality was spot on. It did have vibes a bit like My Heart is a Chainsaw, but I think I was looking for a little more gore than this had to offer. I kind of wish there was more mannequin mayhem than promised.
And as always, short books do mean less time to get to know characters and care about the plot.
I probably would have liked this more as a movie.
3⭐️
This seems to be a love it or hate it kind of book based on my friends’ ratings, but to be honest, I think I land right in the middle.
I thought it was very unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. The originality was spot on. It did have vibes a bit like My Heart is a Chainsaw, but I think I was looking for a little more gore than this had to offer. I kind of wish there was more mannequin mayhem than promised.
And as always, short books do mean less time to get to know characters and care about the plot.
I probably would have liked this more as a movie.
3⭐️
November 9, 2021
4.5 Stars
What an entertaining and unexpected novella! This started out as a classic coming of age narrative, but quickly evolved in a brilliant slasher story.
The writing and characters were both excellent as I have come to expect from Graham Jones. His work always has a literary flair, but this one leaned more into the genre fiction with a gripping narrative plot.
As a novella, this was the perfect length. Horror works so well in the short form and this one maintained it's suspense from start to finish.
From the premise, I initially expected some killer dolls horror, but this story was very far more psychological in nature. I would love to say more about the plot, but it's best going into this one without knowing too much.
I would highly recommend this one to just about any horror reader. I think this one of those stories that will appeal to a wide audience.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher, Tor.com.
What an entertaining and unexpected novella! This started out as a classic coming of age narrative, but quickly evolved in a brilliant slasher story.
The writing and characters were both excellent as I have come to expect from Graham Jones. His work always has a literary flair, but this one leaned more into the genre fiction with a gripping narrative plot.
As a novella, this was the perfect length. Horror works so well in the short form and this one maintained it's suspense from start to finish.
From the premise, I initially expected some killer dolls horror, but this story was very far more psychological in nature. I would love to say more about the plot, but it's best going into this one without knowing too much.
I would highly recommend this one to just about any horror reader. I think this one of those stories that will appeal to a wide audience.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher, Tor.com.
August 13, 2020
A night at the movies, a prank gone wrong and a town turned on its head. I never know what to expect from Stephen Graham Jones, and this novella is no exception!
Told in the first person, Sawyer explains how his group of friends found an old mannequin in the mud near the river and how they dug him out, dressed him up and put him in a bunch of different situations. They named him Manny. As teenagers often do, they quickly tired of him and now he, (it?), resides on top of Sawyer's dad's old motorcycle, parked in their garage. Manny is resurrected though, to play a prank on a movie theater manager. A prank that, tragically, goes wrong and now Sawyer has to right that wrong-and soon. Will he be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
It's really hard to discuss this tale without spoilers, but, as usual, Stephen Graham Jones threw me a curveball. Everything I thought this story was about was wrong. What I thought was going to happen? I was wrong. What I thought Sawyer would do? He didn't. Why? I can't tell you, you'll just have to read it.
Easily read in an hour or two, I've often mentioned that I think the novella form is one of the best ways to present a horror story. Every word has to count, every action leads to the next. It's tight, it doesn't waste time, and when it's done well? It's a perfect little package of darkness that leaves you thinking for days. Bravo, once again to Stephen Graham Jones!
Highly recommended!
Available on September 1st, but you can pre-order here: https://amzn.to/2XZTtdv
*Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the e-ARC of this novella in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
Told in the first person, Sawyer explains how his group of friends found an old mannequin in the mud near the river and how they dug him out, dressed him up and put him in a bunch of different situations. They named him Manny. As teenagers often do, they quickly tired of him and now he, (it?), resides on top of Sawyer's dad's old motorcycle, parked in their garage. Manny is resurrected though, to play a prank on a movie theater manager. A prank that, tragically, goes wrong and now Sawyer has to right that wrong-and soon. Will he be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
It's really hard to discuss this tale without spoilers, but, as usual, Stephen Graham Jones threw me a curveball. Everything I thought this story was about was wrong. What I thought was going to happen? I was wrong. What I thought Sawyer would do? He didn't. Why? I can't tell you, you'll just have to read it.
Easily read in an hour or two, I've often mentioned that I think the novella form is one of the best ways to present a horror story. Every word has to count, every action leads to the next. It's tight, it doesn't waste time, and when it's done well? It's a perfect little package of darkness that leaves you thinking for days. Bravo, once again to Stephen Graham Jones!
Highly recommended!
Available on September 1st, but you can pre-order here: https://amzn.to/2XZTtdv
*Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the e-ARC of this novella in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
September 28, 2020
This was...confusing. And not my idea of horror.
I'm new to the horror genre, but most of this just didn't stir any kind of emotion from me at all - let alone fear. I think this is largely in part due to the writing style. It's told in a very conversational tone, often with the narrator justifying his actions through his thought process. This leads the sentences to feel quite disjointed at times, which disrupts the narrative too much for me.
I also thought that none of the characters are particularly well developed, meaning I didn't really care about any of them. The plot itself is odd. It starts off quite creepy, with a mannequin used in a date seemingly coming to life, but it just diverges into something completely different and unexpected. For me, not in a good way. It almost felt farcical at times.
I'm not giving up on Stephen Graham Jones just yet, but don't go into this expecting a typical horror.
I'm new to the horror genre, but most of this just didn't stir any kind of emotion from me at all - let alone fear. I think this is largely in part due to the writing style. It's told in a very conversational tone, often with the narrator justifying his actions through his thought process. This leads the sentences to feel quite disjointed at times, which disrupts the narrative too much for me.
I also thought that none of the characters are particularly well developed, meaning I didn't really care about any of them. The plot itself is odd. It starts off quite creepy, with a mannequin used in a date seemingly coming to life, but it just diverges into something completely different and unexpected. For me, not in a good way. It almost felt farcical at times.
I'm not giving up on Stephen Graham Jones just yet, but don't go into this expecting a typical horror.
September 3, 2020
09/01/2020:
This deliciously gory-campy novella is out and about in the world now, and boy I am PUMPED to foist this on my friends!
THIS, FOLKS, IS HOW NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS OPENS. The whole novella is a devilishly campy teen slasher that had me covering my eyes and busting out ugly-laughing in equal measure.
All Sawyer Grimes wanted to do was pull a prank on his cousin Shanna. I mean, his best friends were all in on it, too—so it wasn't totally his fault when shit hit the fan, right? There's nothing he could've done to stop them from being picked off, one by one, by the mannequin that should've been a hilarious joke, but ended up turning into their worst nightmare... right?
Three years ago, Sawyer, JR, Tim, Shanna, and Danielle fished a pasty mannequin they dubbed Manny out of a mucky pond. For one glorious summer, Manny was one of them—the (cherished) butt of their jokes, a willing participant in their irreverent teenage antics.
Then they forgot about Manny. Neglected him. The group's changed (Danielle's dating some loser outside the squad, for one)—and so has Manny. Now, Sawyer knows he's out for revenge.
Stephen Graham Jones' writing is just so. damn. entertaining. This was the gory black humour I saw also in The Only Good Indians, but somehow even campier. Like, I should not be sniggering at a sentence containing the words “strangled,” “decapitated,” “burned” AND “drowned.” I shouldn’t laugh about little boys discovering their brothers crucified to walls. And I definitely shouldn't be cackling when Sawyer calls one of the victims a “raging pube.”
Here's the terrible (awesome) thing: Night of the Mannequins made me do ALL those things—with relish.
And for all you cool cats and kittens who’ve read this and know the twist—
Part cautionary tale against reading into everything that happens to you, part ABSURD and brutal slasher... This book is utterly ridiculous and so, so good.
Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
So Shanna got a new job at the movie theatre, we thought we’d play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead, and I’m really starting to feel kind of guilty about it all.
THIS, FOLKS, IS HOW NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS OPENS. The whole novella is a devilishly campy teen slasher that had me covering my eyes and busting out ugly-laughing in equal measure.
All Sawyer Grimes wanted to do was pull a prank on his cousin Shanna. I mean, his best friends were all in on it, too—so it wasn't totally his fault when shit hit the fan, right? There's nothing he could've done to stop them from being picked off, one by one, by the mannequin that should've been a hilarious joke, but ended up turning into their worst nightmare... right?
Three years ago, Sawyer, JR, Tim, Shanna, and Danielle fished a pasty mannequin they dubbed Manny out of a mucky pond. For one glorious summer, Manny was one of them—the (cherished) butt of their jokes, a willing participant in their irreverent teenage antics.
Then they forgot about Manny. Neglected him. The group's changed (Danielle's dating some loser outside the squad, for one)—and so has Manny. Now, Sawyer knows he's out for revenge.
Stephen Graham Jones' writing is just so. damn. entertaining. This was the gory black humour I saw also in The Only Good Indians, but somehow even campier. Like, I should not be sniggering at a sentence containing the words “strangled,” “decapitated,” “burned” AND “drowned.” I shouldn’t laugh about little boys discovering their brothers crucified to walls. And I definitely shouldn't be cackling when Sawyer calls one of the victims a “raging pube.”
Here's the terrible (awesome) thing: Night of the Mannequins made me do ALL those things—with relish.
And for all you cool cats and kittens who’ve read this and know the twist—
Part cautionary tale against reading into everything that happens to you, part ABSURD and brutal slasher... This book is utterly ridiculous and so, so good.
Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 1, 2020
Beware, some might find spoiler-y content in my wee review below....
What can I say? It's Hallowe'en.
This was pret-ty bad, for me. Though, it might just be that I'm not into horror. If this is horror.
A kid who has been off his meds for 3 days goes nuts, thinks a mannequin is going to kill his friends. So he starts killing them instead, out of a twisted sense of mercy.
It isn't scary, it isn't amusing, and I really didn't enjoy being in this narrator's head.
It's short, so it's got that going for it.
What can I say? It's Hallowe'en.
This was pret-ty bad, for me. Though, it might just be that I'm not into horror. If this is horror.
A kid who has been off his meds for 3 days goes nuts, thinks a mannequin is going to kill his friends. So he starts killing them instead, out of a twisted sense of mercy.
It isn't scary, it isn't amusing, and I really didn't enjoy being in this narrator's head.
It's short, so it's got that going for it.
December 29, 2021
This was so much fun. I have to figure out how to review it without spoiling anything, because the entire story was super different from what I initially expected, but I had a blast reading this. Update: it's been almost 2 years and I still don't know how to review this without spoiling it. It's just phenomenal and I recommend it to everyone, all the time.
March 30, 2022
“Night of the Mannequins” by Stephen Graham Jones was the first time I ever read anything by him and wow, this novella didn’t disappoint! At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect but my goodness, once things start to go down, it was a creepy read from beginning to end. I definitely didn’t see things going down the way that they did as I loved his writing style, pacing, and the sheer horror of this novella as I kept reading.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this and while I won’t spoil anything, this is the perfect nightly read in bed or something to scare you to start a weekend off right. It’s an insane and chilling ride through the depths of one hell of an imagination. Needless to say, I will definitely be reading more of his previous and upcoming work as Graham Jones delivered nicely in this one.
I give “Night of the Mannequins” by Stephen Graham Jones a perfect 5/5 in my book as it checks all the boxes and then some. The storytelling here is on point as everything from the characters, settings, and situations all led to one of the most unique novellas I’ve ever read. The ending was satisfying and I will definitely recommend this to all my fellow avid readers. Let it be forever known that I will never look at a mannequin the same ever again.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this and while I won’t spoil anything, this is the perfect nightly read in bed or something to scare you to start a weekend off right. It’s an insane and chilling ride through the depths of one hell of an imagination. Needless to say, I will definitely be reading more of his previous and upcoming work as Graham Jones delivered nicely in this one.
I give “Night of the Mannequins” by Stephen Graham Jones a perfect 5/5 in my book as it checks all the boxes and then some. The storytelling here is on point as everything from the characters, settings, and situations all led to one of the most unique novellas I’ve ever read. The ending was satisfying and I will definitely recommend this to all my fellow avid readers. Let it be forever known that I will never look at a mannequin the same ever again.
May 24, 2024
I just wanted something short and strange this definitely ticked those boxes what a ride. This is the first time I have read a Stephen Graham Jones book and I can't wait to read more. When I first started this I didn't think I was going to like it because it read quite young, however once it got going I was fully enthralled.
This book got pretty intense and it didn't go the way I thought it would, it was amazing, it was really odd it's not a typical horror by any means- I don't think I have read anything quite like it. This is a book I would re-read for sure. It did give me the Stephen King vibes, but more so Stephen Kings short stories, so if you like those I would highly recommend this one. I understand why it isn't for everyone because it's just so weird but weird is wonderful!
I didn't know where the author was going with the ending but I actually really loved it. I don't think I have anything negative to say about this book - so it has to be a 5 star read. There was even a mini twist I didn't see coming all I can say is bravo! Stephen Graham Jones is now going to the top of my TBR - and yes I read this in one sitting!
This book got pretty intense and it didn't go the way I thought it would, it was amazing, it was really odd it's not a typical horror by any means- I don't think I have read anything quite like it. This is a book I would re-read for sure. It did give me the Stephen King vibes, but more so Stephen Kings short stories, so if you like those I would highly recommend this one. I understand why it isn't for everyone because it's just so weird but weird is wonderful!
I didn't know where the author was going with the ending but I actually really loved it. I don't think I have anything negative to say about this book - so it has to be a 5 star read. There was even a mini twist I didn't see coming all I can say is bravo! Stephen Graham Jones is now going to the top of my TBR - and yes I read this in one sitting!
September 7, 2020
Fun, twisted, weird, sad. Like all of Stephen's stuff. Summed up by this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEJSe...
November 5, 2023
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones is a Bit of Horror Fun for Everyone!
This is just a short harmless story about a small harmless last days of summer prank. Really.
It's all good fun. No harm done, right? Everyone will laugh about it later. Together. Really.
After all, it's just a mannequin. What could go wrong?...
Night of the Mannequins is creative, entertaining, and insanely good fun.
It's not scary but you'll still be on the edge of your seat...wondering.
The visuals it places in your head...unforgettable.
And then, there's that ending...brilliant!
Night of the Mannequins is a 2H 58M audiobook narrated by Gary Tiedemann whose voicing skills add levity through perfectly-timed voice inflections of Jones's perfectly-placed subtle humor. This assured me everyonething was going to be just fine.
Really...
4⭐and highly recommended!
This is just a short harmless story about a small harmless last days of summer prank. Really.
It's all good fun. No harm done, right? Everyone will laugh about it later. Together. Really.
After all, it's just a mannequin. What could go wrong?...
Night of the Mannequins is creative, entertaining, and insanely good fun.
It's not scary but you'll still be on the edge of your seat...wondering.
The visuals it places in your head...unforgettable.
And then, there's that ending...brilliant!
Night of the Mannequins is a 2H 58M audiobook narrated by Gary Tiedemann whose voicing skills add levity through perfectly-timed voice inflections of Jones's perfectly-placed subtle humor. This assured me every
Really...
4⭐and highly recommended!
September 17, 2020
One, last prank to emphasize the end of summer and then return to things more, serious. NIGHT OF THE MANNEQUINS is the zany story of a group of teens hunted by an entity named 'Manny'.
This novella is only 135 pages long! I can't believe there are reviews that are as long as my arm; too much information given!
Look, you don't need to know any of the plot details beyond was is shared on the back of this book:
"We thought we'd play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead."
You definitely do not need to know anything about the narrator, Sawyer (except that he's a new favorite voice. He's both disturbing and hilarious).
Just know that this is an unexpected, fresh, teen-slasher- tyle, psychological, supernatural horror novella that is perfect to read in one sitting. Bam.
That's all you need to know. (Have the popcorn ready, this one reads like a movie)
This novella is only 135 pages long! I can't believe there are reviews that are as long as my arm; too much information given!
Look, you don't need to know any of the plot details beyond was is shared on the back of this book:
"We thought we'd play a fun prank on her, and now most of us are dead."
You definitely do not need to know anything about the narrator, Sawyer (except that he's a new favorite voice. He's both disturbing and hilarious).
Just know that this is an unexpected, fresh, teen-slasher- tyle, psychological, supernatural horror novella that is perfect to read in one sitting. Bam.
That's all you need to know. (Have the popcorn ready, this one reads like a movie)
April 20, 2024
This was already fun read! It was short and sweet. But this was far from the story, but that’s okey because it definitely seemed like it was not intended to be.
I really like the psychological elements that lingered in the background with the story. I wish they dived deeper into that but I appreciate something left on. It’s always creepier when things are up to your imagination. Things like a psychotic break, and the reason and behind it.
The big drawback that I found in the story for myself, was at the start and very end. The start seem to really drag on, tempting you that there was a big big surprise coming, not right yet, but soon, and you keep reading, and hint surprise that is coming, not right yet, but soon. I thought it was dried out too long and all the Hinting became an an annoyance in the first scene.
There was a twist at end of the story that I feel like opposite of the start could’ve and should’ve been hinted that more. It seems to pull out of nowhere, and with no reason in behind it past the speculations that fell short. It could’ve been been a great reveal if it was Internet and teased more throughout, but without any this was common it out of nowhere and kind of like a crutch to find a surprise at the end of the story.
But pass those two issues I had. This was a good fun light read that I feel like wasn’t supposed to be took them too seriously and it’s best enjoyed if you don’t.
I really like the psychological elements that lingered in the background with the story. I wish they dived deeper into that but I appreciate something left on. It’s always creepier when things are up to your imagination. Things like a psychotic break, and the reason and behind it.
The big drawback that I found in the story for myself, was at the start and very end. The start seem to really drag on, tempting you that there was a big big surprise coming, not right yet, but soon, and you keep reading, and hint surprise that is coming, not right yet, but soon. I thought it was dried out too long and all the Hinting became an an annoyance in the first scene.
There was a twist at end of the story that I feel like opposite of the start could’ve and should’ve been hinted that more. It seems to pull out of nowhere, and with no reason in behind it past the speculations that fell short. It could’ve been been a great reveal if it was Internet and teased more throughout, but without any this was common it out of nowhere and kind of like a crutch to find a surprise at the end of the story.
But pass those two issues I had. This was a good fun light read that I feel like wasn’t supposed to be took them too seriously and it’s best enjoyed if you don’t.
October 11, 2020
This novella sounded like a fun, creepy throwback...so I jumped on it!
This is about a prank gone awry amongst a group of teenaged friends. A prank involving a mannequin...and the bloody aftermath that this prank causes.
2.5 stars for originality, but I didn’t find it scary. I didn’t feel the 80’s slasher throwback vibe that the reviews described. The writing was stellar, and there were some shocking kills that I didn’t expect, but this just wasn’t my cup of cappuccino. ☕️
If anyone has recommendations for really creepy short stories/novellas to read this month, I’d truly appreciate it.
To my GR friend, Farrah (who is also reading this), I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
This is about a prank gone awry amongst a group of teenaged friends. A prank involving a mannequin...and the bloody aftermath that this prank causes.
2.5 stars for originality, but I didn’t find it scary. I didn’t feel the 80’s slasher throwback vibe that the reviews described. The writing was stellar, and there were some shocking kills that I didn’t expect, but this just wasn’t my cup of cappuccino. ☕️
If anyone has recommendations for really creepy short stories/novellas to read this month, I’d truly appreciate it.
To my GR friend, Farrah (who is also reading this), I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
May 23, 2021
Real Rating: 4.5* of five
WINNER OF THE 2020 BRAM STOKER AWARD FOR SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN LONG FICTION!
Stephen Graham Jones channels his inner brat, not for the first time, and with his usual success. He even mentions in his Acknowledgments that a bestie of his complimented him on his teen-voice...in such a way that he couldn't quite tell if it was a compliment. Of course it was, those are the best kind.
You don't need a book report from me, read the publisher's synopsis. So while Sawyer is caught in the nightmare of this book's reality, the thing that I loved was how often Author Stephen made my mouth-corners lift and little strangled brays of grudging laughter come out of my throat. I could follow every step of this unfolding tragedy, and there were many because, comme d'habitude, Author Stephen uses this tale to write multiple stories with intersecting messages and lessons that you can totally ignore if you want. Like the best horror/slasher/ZOMG reads, this book delivers Thoughts on America with its hijinks. I can't abide pointless murdery crap. This is NOT that.
Everything about this read was satisfying. I understand why Sawyer was so screwed up and so scared. I get the point of a smart kid being alienated by the creepy way his world works and how easy it is to find solutions in Fantasyland. After all, religious people do it all the time.
The ending is a kick in the balls, a cry of desperation, a moment of pure need unmet. How much better can a story get?
WINNER OF THE 2020 BRAM STOKER AWARD FOR SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN LONG FICTION!
Stephen Graham Jones channels his inner brat, not for the first time, and with his usual success. He even mentions in his Acknowledgments that a bestie of his complimented him on his teen-voice...in such a way that he couldn't quite tell if it was a compliment. Of course it was, those are the best kind.
You don't need a book report from me, read the publisher's synopsis. So while Sawyer is caught in the nightmare of this book's reality, the thing that I loved was how often Author Stephen made my mouth-corners lift and little strangled brays of grudging laughter come out of my throat. I could follow every step of this unfolding tragedy, and there were many because, comme d'habitude, Author Stephen uses this tale to write multiple stories with intersecting messages and lessons that you can totally ignore if you want. Like the best horror/slasher/ZOMG reads, this book delivers Thoughts on America with its hijinks. I can't abide pointless murdery crap. This is NOT that.
Everything about this read was satisfying. I understand why Sawyer was so screwed up and so scared. I get the point of a smart kid being alienated by the creepy way his world works and how easy it is to find solutions in Fantasyland. After all, religious people do it all the time.
The ending is a kick in the balls, a cry of desperation, a moment of pure need unmet. How much better can a story get?
April 28, 2020
First and foremost, thank you to the publisher for this arc in trade for an honest review.
Let’s start off with the few things I liked. I liked the unreliable narrator and I liked the idea of the book (no spoilers but a psychopath narrator is pretty interesting). Unfortunately those are the only things I can think of.
If it wasn’t obvious, though, I had a few issues with this book. The thing that most sticks out is the fact that by doubling the page count and making this a generic sized novel, it would have improved tenfold. Every event was given maybe a sentence of explanation, if it got an explanation at all. I spent more time asking “why though” instead of actually enjoying the plot. More description would have saved this in my eyes. Although maybe not. (More on that later)
The next thing is the odd writing. Maybe it’s because of the unreliable narrator and I’m just misconstruing it, but the writing just seemed bad. I can’t explain any further but it was just...bad. It was hard to immerse myself in the story with descriptions like “flashing bra” and “oily pee”. Like what does that even mean??? There are a million other descriptions you could have used. I don’t understand.
I also had issues with the characters and the complete lack of characterization. They’re probably the flattest characters I’ve read to be honest. Although it could be argued that this is because of the kind of person the narrator is.
Luckily, my issues mainly stop there because the ending solved a few of them, but they were still annoying in the moment. I really wish I could have loved this book, but alas.
Let’s start off with the few things I liked. I liked the unreliable narrator and I liked the idea of the book (no spoilers but a psychopath narrator is pretty interesting). Unfortunately those are the only things I can think of.
If it wasn’t obvious, though, I had a few issues with this book. The thing that most sticks out is the fact that by doubling the page count and making this a generic sized novel, it would have improved tenfold. Every event was given maybe a sentence of explanation, if it got an explanation at all. I spent more time asking “why though” instead of actually enjoying the plot. More description would have saved this in my eyes. Although maybe not. (More on that later)
The next thing is the odd writing. Maybe it’s because of the unreliable narrator and I’m just misconstruing it, but the writing just seemed bad. I can’t explain any further but it was just...bad. It was hard to immerse myself in the story with descriptions like “flashing bra” and “oily pee”. Like what does that even mean??? There are a million other descriptions you could have used. I don’t understand.
I also had issues with the characters and the complete lack of characterization. They’re probably the flattest characters I’ve read to be honest. Although it could be argued that this is because of the kind of person the narrator is.
Luckily, my issues mainly stop there because the ending solved a few of them, but they were still annoying in the moment. I really wish I could have loved this book, but alas.
August 1, 2022
Primer bolsilibro de la serie Deméter que saca La Biblioteca de Carfax y de los cuales no me pienso perder ni un solo título 😍📖
En este caso contar más de lo que dice la sinopsis teniendo en cuenta que la novela tiene poco más de 150 páginas, es caer en el spoiler, así que solo diré que ha sido mi primer acercamiento con este autor tan galardonado y la experiencia ha sido muy satisfactoria, aunque con sus peros, los cuales detallo más abajo ⬇
El vocabulario que emplea el joven narrador de la historia, Sawyer, puede hacerte creer que estás leyendo algo con un tono más juvenil, pero nada más lejos de la realidad.
Lo que en un inicio empieza a provocarme más bien risa, poco a poco va causando en mi ese leve cosquilleo en la nuca.
En muy pocas páginas su autor nos envuelve lentamente en un ambiente en el que todo parece una simple broma que se les va de las manos al grupito de amigos, pero que pronto se tornará en algo mucho más siniestro de consecuencias desastrosas y con su punto de reflexión final.
Confieso que me ha gustado, he pasado unas horas muy entretenida, pero no me ha encantado, me he visto venir gran parte de la trama y esperaba otra cosa, quizás más terror, pero no ha sido el caso.
O la voz narrativa tan coloquial utilizada que me ha impedido conectar con la trama que también puede ser.
Por supuesto, además de algunas situaciones inquietantes, aquí también hay espacio para la reflexión. Esa etapa en la que dejamos atrás nuestra niñez, esas tardes de verano eternas, de juegos con los amigos sin pensar en nada más, para dar paso a la que se supone que es la etapa madura y todas las responsabilidades que conlleva.
👍A pesar de esos pequeños peros es una novela muy corta que impide profundizar más en algunos temas pero que igualmente te hace desconectar y pasar un buen rato que de eso se trata 😊
Si te dan mal rollo los maniquís, ¡este es tu mini libro! 😨
📖 Próxima lectura:
"Confesiones" - Kanae Minato.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚
En este caso contar más de lo que dice la sinopsis teniendo en cuenta que la novela tiene poco más de 150 páginas, es caer en el spoiler, así que solo diré que ha sido mi primer acercamiento con este autor tan galardonado y la experiencia ha sido muy satisfactoria, aunque con sus peros, los cuales detallo más abajo ⬇
El vocabulario que emplea el joven narrador de la historia, Sawyer, puede hacerte creer que estás leyendo algo con un tono más juvenil, pero nada más lejos de la realidad.
Lo que en un inicio empieza a provocarme más bien risa, poco a poco va causando en mi ese leve cosquilleo en la nuca.
En muy pocas páginas su autor nos envuelve lentamente en un ambiente en el que todo parece una simple broma que se les va de las manos al grupito de amigos, pero que pronto se tornará en algo mucho más siniestro de consecuencias desastrosas y con su punto de reflexión final.
Confieso que me ha gustado, he pasado unas horas muy entretenida, pero no me ha encantado, me he visto venir gran parte de la trama y esperaba otra cosa, quizás más terror, pero no ha sido el caso.
O la voz narrativa tan coloquial utilizada que me ha impedido conectar con la trama que también puede ser.
Por supuesto, además de algunas situaciones inquietantes, aquí también hay espacio para la reflexión. Esa etapa en la que dejamos atrás nuestra niñez, esas tardes de verano eternas, de juegos con los amigos sin pensar en nada más, para dar paso a la que se supone que es la etapa madura y todas las responsabilidades que conlleva.
👍A pesar de esos pequeños peros es una novela muy corta que impide profundizar más en algunos temas pero que igualmente te hace desconectar y pasar un buen rato que de eso se trata 😊
Si te dan mal rollo los maniquís, ¡este es tu mini libro! 😨
📖 Próxima lectura:
"Confesiones" - Kanae Minato.
📚 https://www.facebook.com/LaLocadelosL... 📚
February 10, 2021
You get weird books and then you get this. Night of the Mannequins is a gory slasher in its truest form. Jones managed to take classic horror tropes and subvert them to create a compelling and mind-bending horror.
Yes, I did get confused during the first few pages but as soon as I got my bearings, I was having the time of my life.
Sawyer’s humor was so dark and witty, I could not help but chuckle during the serious moments. I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a classic horror tale that will leave you wanting more.
Yes, I did get confused during the first few pages but as soon as I got my bearings, I was having the time of my life.
Sawyer’s humor was so dark and witty, I could not help but chuckle during the serious moments. I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a classic horror tale that will leave you wanting more.
October 20, 2022
This is where I say goodbye to Stephen graham Jones. This is the third book I’ve tried from him and just… omg I can’t stand the way he writes. And I want to. Trust me. I want to understand why people see him as a horror guru. I just cant.
It Might seem like a harsh rating for a book that was supposed to be short and fun. You know evil mannequin type of fun? But the thing is… I didn’t have fun. At all. And it somehow took me way too long to read for its length. I just couldn’t get myself to read it. Anytime I tried I just got glassy eyed and I’d just get distracted by something dumb. I wanted slappy the dummy vibes. Not gonna lie. That’s what the book should have actually been. I would have had so much fun with that. But small, insignificant spoiler ….that’s not at all what you get from this. And what do you get? Omg it was painful. And predictable. The mc is delusional and it’s definitely nothing paranormal. I’ll tell you that.
I don’t mind books that start as one thing and turn into something else. But this one…. Would have benefited more to not take that path. You’ll see where this book is going pretty immediately too. It isn’t like, revealed as a twist or anything like you’d think. No suspense or question in your mind as to what’s going on. It’s just there.
Also I’ve noticed with this author… he pretty much has no ability to show instead of tell at all seemingly. I mean it’s definitely on purpose I’d say. He seems to go for a “I’m gonna tell you a story”, rather than “here, get immersed in this story” sort of thing. Which just isn’t for me. It pulls me out of the story sooo much. There’s a reason most authors don’t chose to narrate like this. Stylistically, I don’t think me and this author will ever get along. Because from memory, his other stuff is like this too.
The MC was also so over the top it was hard to believe even a person going through a mental break could feel this way. So I was really really hoping to suddenly be surprised by something that I didn’t already know was going on. Didn’t happen.
The other characters were just… there. They added nothing. Basically just sack of flesh to be killed off at some point.
The lack of description and detail is a real problem for me when it comes to horror. I WANT to see that Gorey scene. I want to hear the screams. I want to see the person struggle (I promise I’m okay lmao just a horror fan). But you don’t get any of that. The people die quietly and without struggle or mess in this book in my opinion.
It’s just… not good. And I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.
It Might seem like a harsh rating for a book that was supposed to be short and fun. You know evil mannequin type of fun? But the thing is… I didn’t have fun. At all. And it somehow took me way too long to read for its length. I just couldn’t get myself to read it. Anytime I tried I just got glassy eyed and I’d just get distracted by something dumb. I wanted slappy the dummy vibes. Not gonna lie. That’s what the book should have actually been. I would have had so much fun with that. But small, insignificant spoiler ….that’s not at all what you get from this. And what do you get? Omg it was painful. And predictable. The mc is delusional and it’s definitely nothing paranormal. I’ll tell you that.
I don’t mind books that start as one thing and turn into something else. But this one…. Would have benefited more to not take that path. You’ll see where this book is going pretty immediately too. It isn’t like, revealed as a twist or anything like you’d think. No suspense or question in your mind as to what’s going on. It’s just there.
Also I’ve noticed with this author… he pretty much has no ability to show instead of tell at all seemingly. I mean it’s definitely on purpose I’d say. He seems to go for a “I’m gonna tell you a story”, rather than “here, get immersed in this story” sort of thing. Which just isn’t for me. It pulls me out of the story sooo much. There’s a reason most authors don’t chose to narrate like this. Stylistically, I don’t think me and this author will ever get along. Because from memory, his other stuff is like this too.
The MC was also so over the top it was hard to believe even a person going through a mental break could feel this way. So I was really really hoping to suddenly be surprised by something that I didn’t already know was going on. Didn’t happen.
The other characters were just… there. They added nothing. Basically just sack of flesh to be killed off at some point.
The lack of description and detail is a real problem for me when it comes to horror. I WANT to see that Gorey scene. I want to hear the screams. I want to see the person struggle (I promise I’m okay lmao just a horror fan). But you don’t get any of that. The people die quietly and without struggle or mess in this book in my opinion.
It’s just… not good. And I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.
Shelved as 'i-give-up'
December 2, 2020DNF @ 30%.
Really weird writing style, can't get into it.
Really weird writing style, can't get into it.
December 24, 2022
Yo this was a trip! Haha! Check out my full thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs6kD...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,420 reviews