Intro to Jack Ketchum book

**michaeleas_mommy** · November 2nd, 2009

I read all Stephen King I can get my hands on. I just got Secret Windows from Doubleday book club. I just finished reading the intro to Jack Ketchum's book, Girl Next Door. I'm sure since this was written in 1995 that some fan has been from Indiana, and let Mr King know, or the author of the book know, this was actually a real story. You can look up Sylvia Likens (one of the sisters who stayed in the house and was murdered), or Gertrude Baniszewski alias Gertrude Wright (who was the caretaker of the girls) on the net. Or if you can find it, a book was published by Borf Books. It is a desktop publication, The Indiana Torture Slaying by John Dean. I grew up in the neighborhood where this took place, and they just recently demolished the house. I think it's odd that an author wrote this story, I have no idea if he has ties to Indiana. But I thought it would be interesting to anyone who IS familiar with the story.

**Moderator** · November 2nd, 2009

The author was familiar with the story and this is not the only one of his books that has been based on stories he has read about.

**Mr. Palmer** · December 9th, 2009

Jack Ketchum (or Dallas, if you prefer) is an amazing writer. Pick up anything by him that you can. You won't be disappointed.

**Cthulhu** · December 10th, 2009

If Weed Species is any indication of the type of stuff Jack Ketchum writes then I will never again read anything written by him. I ordered a "Signed Limited" edition of Weed Species from Cemetery Dance, read it, then promptly threw it in the trash can - the place where garbage like that belongs. That book was horrible - and not in a good way. That book made me feel like taking a shower after reading it. I wanted to sell it on eBay, but I would have felt guilty about passing that piece of filth on to another human being. If you like snuff films and kiddie porn then Jack Ketchum is the writer for you.