Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
4 stars
26(26%)
3 stars
43(43%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More

The desire might perhaps be for preference over knowledge. I don't assert it with certainty, only assume. Desire often drives our actions and decisions. It can lead us to pursue things that we think will bring us happiness or satisfaction. Sometimes, this pursuit of desire can overshadow our pursuit of knowledge. We may be so focused on getting what we want that we don't take the time to learn and understand. However, knowledge is also essential. It helps us make informed choices and understand the consequences of our actions. Without knowledge, our desires may lead us astray. So, while desire can be a powerful motivator, we should also strive to balance it with knowledge. We need to be aware of our desires and make sure that they are in line with our values and goals. At the same time, we should continue to learn and expand our knowledge so that we can make better decisions and lead more fulfilling lives.

July 15,2025
... Show More

A slow burn story within a story that doesn't have a story because it isn't one. It's a rather unique concept that I encountered. Not my favorite, to be honest, but I still liked it for being a kind of story I've never read before. It's a mystery without a resolution, which will undoubtedly turn many people away from it, and that's understandable. However, the story (the book I just read) seems to have had a beginning, middle, and end. The longing for something is often a stronger feeling than receiving something.


It's not King's best work by any means, but it's also not the worst thing to pass the time. I probably won't be re-reading it. You can do with this review as you will. Maybe it will help you decide whether to pick up this book or not. It has its own charm and flaws, just like any other work of literature.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I can clearly understand why a significant number of people do not have a favorable opinion of this particular one.

It presents the narrative of an unsolved mystery, lacking a tidy and conclusive resolution.

I believe that perhaps this very aspect makes it a more realistic portrayal of a mystery.

The exploration of the concept that not every story necessarily has a "happy" (solved) ending truly appealed to me.

It offers a refreshing departure from the typical formulaic approach where every mystery is neatly wrapped up with a bow.

This story allows for a more in-depth examination of the uncertainties and ambiguities that often surround real-life mysteries.

It forces the reader to grapple with the idea that sometimes, we may never know the full truth or have a satisfactory conclusion.

In a way, it mirrors the complexity and unpredictability of the real world, making it a more engaging and thought-provoking read.

Despite its lack of a traditional happy ending, it manages to capture the essence of what makes a mystery truly captivating.

July 15,2025
... Show More
DNF @ 48% - I am just really not into this at all.

This was my first time reading one of King's Hard Case Crime novellas. To be honest, I can safely say that I will steer extremely clear of the others in this series.

It was already in a pile of books that I was planning on donating. So, it wasn't very hard for me to part ways with this one.

I, respectfully, couldn't care less about how this ends.

Maybe it's just not my cup of tea. The story didn't grip me from the start, and as I read on, my interest continued to wane.

I found the characters to be rather unappealing and the plot to be lacking in excitement.

I understand that different people have different tastes in literature, but for me, this particular novella just didn't hit the mark.

I'm sure there are many others who will enjoy King's Hard Case Crime series, but unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

I'll be looking for something else to read that will capture my attention and keep me engaged from beginning to end.
July 15,2025
... Show More
A well-written unexplained mystery awaits the reader. It is filled with shades of the supernatural and home-spun wisdom, making it a definite pulp fiction story. The story is enhanced by great illustrations sprinkled throughout, which add to the overall atmosphere.

Essentially, the reader is left to imagine several scenarios of how the victim ends up on the beach propped against a litter bin. How did he manage to get there when just that same morning he was in Colorado? Why is he there? Was he murdered? Is there a mystery behind his cause of death? What was his motive to travel to Maine?

The three characters - the pretty cub reporter and the two old timers in the press telling her about the Colorado Kid - make for an entertaining morning. However, while it was enjoyable, it did not exactly rock my world. There is still much to be explored and discovered in this mysterious tale.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I have recently embarked on a journey of reading more of Stephen King's books. I have a particular preference for his non-horror works. As a result, I was recommended to give 'The Colorado Kid' a try. I truly relish the writing style of Stephen King. He seems to possess the remarkable ability to redefine the boundaries of the genre.

The story revolves around a mysterious case. An unidentified man is discovered on a small island off the coast of Maine. There are no clear indications regarding his death or identity. More than a year later, he is finally identified, but numerous other aspects remain unresolved. The story is narrated by two members of the island newspaper staff. Editor Dave Bowie and founder Vince Teague share the tale with young intern Stephanie McCann, revealing their fascination with the case. Twenty-five years later, they put her investigative skills to the test.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way this story was crafted. The characters are excellent, and it is so distinct from the novels I have read lately. My only minor concern is that I was not entirely satisfied with the ending. Nevertheless, I still loved the book as a whole.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Picked this one up directly following From a Buick 8. And immediately, I was thrown into a world that was \\"not a story with a start, a middle and an end\\", and the idea of \\"curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back\\", which gave a strange sense of deja vu.

Thankfully, this one is shorter, but it ends on an even stranger note. King mentions that some readers will love it and some will hate it. I, however, don't fit into either category. I'm undecided because I initially assumed some pages were missing and couldn't believe the book ended. Well, not really, but I did think it was readable, yet not very memorable.

I can't help but think that this and \\"Buick\\" were the results of some drawer cleaning that perhaps should have been left undone. Maybe just getting a new desk and tossing the old one would have been a better option. In the 80's in Sweden, King had a reputation for writing amazing books with the occasional misstep in between. The latter ones were often described as \\"a great idea with a very laboured ending\\", but these are more in the vein of \\"kind of a fun idea with very little story and the lack of an ending\\". I truly hope I've seen the last of these.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I absolutely loved it! I really, really loved it! In fact, I LOVED IT with all my heart.

I can clearly understand why this book is one of those polarizing ones, where people either have an intense love for it or a strong hatred.

However, considering it's a short read, I think everyone should take a chance and just dip their toes into the water.

You never know if it'll turn out to be warm and inviting enough for you. Maybe it'll surprise you and become one of your new favorites.

So don't be afraid to give it a try and see where this literary adventure takes you.
July 15,2025
... Show More


"It was that kind of story. The kind that’s like a sneeze which threatens but never quite arrives."


This line from the book by Stephen King truly encapsulates the essence of the story he was telling. It was a story that held so much promise, like a sneeze that builds up anticipation but disappoints when it fails to materialize. I was quite taken aback when I read this description. I had always held Stephen King in high regard as a master storyteller, capable of weaving tales that would keep me on the edge of my seat. However, this particular novel seemed to break that mold. I didn't think he was capable of writing such a boring novel. It was a departure from his usual style, and I found myself struggling to get through it. But perhaps that's the beauty of literature. It can surprise us, and even the most renowned authors have their off days.
July 15,2025
... Show More

\\n  The Colorado Kid by Stephen King\\n

Vince: \\"Have a seat, Steffi, dearheart, and let us tell you the story of The Colorado Kid.\\"

Stephanie: \\"School is in?\\"

Dave: \\"School's in.\\"

Vince: \\"Ayuh. I'll be brief, my dear; I've only got 187 pages to tell this story with. The Colorado Kid is a man who flew from Colorado, all the way out here to Nowhere, Maine one fine morning, in a heck of a hurry. When he arrived, he bought a steak sandwich, sat on the beach, started eating it, and unfortunately choked to death on it.\\"

Stephanie: \\"Wait...what? He wasn't murdered?\\"

Dave: \\"No ma'am.\\"

Stephanie: \\"But isn't this a Hard Case Crime book? What's the crime in this story?\\"

Vince: \\"There ain't one.\\"

Stephanie: \\"Umm...okay? But why did The Kid travel all the way from Colorado to get here? And why was he in such a hurry?\\"

Dave: \\"You know, we've never figured that out.\\"

Vince: \\"Ayuh.\\"

Dave: \\"Ayuh.\\"

Stephanie: She was left dumbfounded by the lack of a clear answer.

Vince: He simply looked at her with a knowing smile.

Dave: Nodding in agreement, he added nothing more.

Stephanie: \\"Then what was the point of all this?\\"

\\n  The End\\n This story seems to be a mystery that defies easy explanation. The Colorado Kid's journey and untimely death remain an enigma. Stephanie is left with more questions than answers, and so are we as readers. King has crafted a tale that keeps us guessing until the very end, making us wonder about the true nature of this strange occurrence.

July 15,2025
... Show More

Another outstanding work from King. This book is truly a gem. I found myself completely engrossed in it, just like I was with Joyland. The characters are vividly portrayed, each with their own unique personalities and traits. They come to life on the pages, making it easy for the reader to form a connection with them. The story line is equally excellent. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, filled with twists and turns that you never see coming. King has a remarkable talent for creating suspense and keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end. Overall, I highly recommend this book to any fan of King's work or anyone who enjoys a great story. It's definitely one that you won't want to miss.

July 15,2025
... Show More

“Well then, I'm going to tell you a secret almost every newspaper man and woman who's been at it awhile knows: in real life, the number of actual stories - those with beginnings, middles, and ends - are slim and none. But if you can give your readers just one unknown thing (two at the very outside) and then kick in what Dave Bowie there calls a musta-been, your reader will tell himself a story.”


Stephen King, the renowned and seemingly natural born storyteller, shared this little mystery tale in 2005 via the pulp/hardboiled crime line Hard Case Crime. Later, it was bizarrely adapted by SyFy into a supernatural series called Haven, which some might compare to a poor man's X-Files.

I decided to give the series a try after learning about it while purchasing the book. However, Haven turned out to be terrible. Nevertheless, I remained eager to read King's original yarn. Fortunately, it seems that very little, if anything, of the novel was used to create such a cheap and tacky abomination.


The Colorado Kid is not going to be regarded as a King masterpiece. It's a slight little story that gives the impression he wrote it in one afternoon when inspiration struck. Two old geezers sit around telling a tall tale to a young girl. An interesting mystery unfolds, the kind that can really get the mind working. A John Doe is found dead on a remote beach on an island off the coast of Maine. A lazy investigation follows, leaving our intrepid duo with many questions and a desire to uncover the truth.


But Stephen King is not content with simply telling a whodunnit or even quietly deconstructing the genre while referencing Poe, Doyle, Christie, Queen, and Stout. After all, he is a man who appears to spend every waking moment constructing stories. With The Colorado Kid, he is reveling in simply being a storyteller by dissecting the nature of telling stories.


It is not thrilling, it is not taxing, and it may even be a bit frustrating for those who require a traditional beginning, middle, and end. However, it is a light and enjoyable read that could easily serve as a template for anyone considering using a simple framing story in their novel, screenplay, or video game.


I wish the makers of Haven had taken that advice.

Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.