Road Rash [Kindle Edition]

Simon Wood (Author), Simon Janus (Author)

Book Description

James Straley might think his life is cursed, but it doesn't compare to what lies ahead of him on life's highway. He's on the run with the proceeds of a botched bank robbery. It's all he has. His crew is dead and his getaway car just died on him. He's on foot with the cash when he comes across a two-car pileup. There's no saving the drivers, but he can save himself by stealing one of the wrecked cars. Unfortunately, he boosts the wrong set of wheels. Within an hour of driving off, he develops a rash that eats away at his flesh. No doctor can help him—only the car's original owner. If Straley wants his skin back, he must journey on the road to redemption, which ends in the heart of Central America.

Road Rash first appeared in the anthology Butcher Shop Quartet 2.

Simon Janus is the horror identity for the award winning thriller writer, Simon Wood.

What They Are Saying About Road Rash:

"Road Rash is a wild collision of crime caper and supernatural thriller that works on every level. Lightning-paced, darkly funny, deeply creepy, and highly recommended."
— Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of THE DRAGON FACTORY

“Simon Janus understands the darkness inside us all and nails it to the page. Fast-paced and gut-wrenching, pedal-to-the-metal thrills."
— Scott Nicholson, author of THE RED CHURCH

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Simon Wood is an ex-racecar driver, a licensed pilot and an occasional private investigator. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie. A longhaired dachshund and five cats dominate their lives. He's had over 150 stories and articles published. His short fiction has appeared in a variety of magazines anthologies, such as Seattle Noir, Thriller 2 and Woman's World. He's a frequent contributor to Writer's Digest. He's the Anthony Award winning author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper and We All Fall Down. As Simon Janus, he's the author of The Scrubs and Road Rash. His latest thriller, Terminated, is out in mass paperback with a new short story collection, Asking for Trouble, out later in the year. Curious people can learn more at simonwood.net.

Product Details

• File Size: 157 KB
• Print Length: 71 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003DZ1EU4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,922 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended December 2, 2010

By T.T. Zuma

Format:Kindle Edition

No way any kind of salve or ointment is going to take the sting out of Simon Wood's "Road Rash"! It's about a thief who's running away from a crime he's committed and comes across an accident on the highway. Needing a getaway car, he runs over to the accident and what he finds inside the car is a man who's covered in sore's from some type of disease. Desperately needing a getaway car, he gets inside it despite all of the blood everywhere. And while he's getting in, the man touches him. This sets off a chain of events that is not only gruesome, but an exciting and fun read.

If you think this is a simple retelling of Stephen King's "The Lonesome Death Of Jody Verrill", you'll have to guess again, Road Rash is much better and the extended ending is not only unexpected, but is way cool. If you enjoyed Wood's "The Scrubs", you are going to love "Road Rash".

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "A Bloody Good Read" March 30, 2010

By Nathan Henrion

Format:Kindle Edition

Great story. Well worth the 99 cents. Simon is great at pacing and suspense, and this little tale will keep you glued to the page til the end.

*Spoiler Warning?*
I'm reserving the 5th star because I think this could have been developed into a longer piece. The reversal of the main character was quick and sudden. It would have been cool to delve deeper into his soul searching. But that is just a matter of taste.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Revenge is sweet and not fattening. June 3, 2010

By Kathy LeJeune

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I grew up watching Alfred Hitchcock and Twilight Zone. I love short stories with a twist and a kick. Alfred said, Give them pleasure - the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare.
Road Rash will give you pleasure all the way to the end. Simon can create tension and suspense. You hate Straley and then you feel sorry for him! This is a page turner and would have been a hit on the Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
I could not turn off the Kindle until I finished Road Rash...