Gauntlet Press (with and w/out Borderlands partnership)...

[Sock Monkey]

There was an Early Repairman Jack series and a YA Repairman Jack series, and those do not need to be read at all...they only give the backstory of his origin, but you can easily start with THE TOMB (followed by LEGACIES) and go from there without concern about those prequels and missing information. As far as the series proper, I would recommend in chronological order, which is also publication order, other than THE LAST CHRISTMAS (which can be easily skipped) and NIGHTWORLD that must be read at the end. They all standalone relatively well, but there is a continual larger arc (that Cosmic backdrop I mentioned earlier) that compounds and becomes clearer as the series progresses that can only be appreciated by reading in order.

Hope you dig your second time around with this series!

Thanks for the clarification. I'll hold off on the Early Repairman and YA series, then. I'm going to start to work these into the reading queue. I'll let you know how it goes!

[RonClinton]

Well, your description has motivated to give the series another shot. I'm hoping that with a better understanding of what I'll be getting into, I might enjoy it more. Clearly, a series doesn't last that long without a reason. I know that some of the prequel books were written after the main series, so is it better to read them in publication order or chronological order?

There was an Early Repairman Jack series and a YA Repairman Jack series, and those do not need to be read at all...they only give the backstory of his origin, but you can easily start with THE TOMB (followed by LEGACIES) and go from there without concern about those prequels and missing information. As far as the series proper, I would recommend in chronological order, which is also publication order, other than THE LAST CHRISTMAS (which can be easily skipped) and NIGHTWORLD that must be read at the end. They all standalone relatively well, but there is a continual larger arc (that Cosmic backdrop I mentioned earlier) that compounds and becomes clearer as the series progresses that can only be appreciated by reading in order.

Hope you dig your second time around with this series!

[Sock Monkey]

The Repairman Jack series novels are what could be considered as Cosmic Horror thrillers, where Wilson's cosmic mythos is ever-present and influential but not really on center stage, save for a few of the novels. They are indeed closer to pulp-inspired action thrillers than horror novels, but the elements of horror are very much in play, just often in the background, influencing events and refrerenced as such. They're not scary works...think (a more readable and entertaining) Jack Reacher flighting invisible elder gods that are constantly pulling the puppet strings of troubling events that he finds himself embroiled in, even when they don't first appear as such. I really like the series, but if you're looking for a straight-forward horror novel (ala THE KEEP), then I can understand why you were disappointed.

Well, your description has motivated to give the series another shot. I'm hoping that with a better understanding of what I'll be getting into, I might enjoy it more. Clearly, a series doesn't last that long without a reason. I know that some of the prequel books were written after the main series, so is it better to read them in publication order or chronological order?

[RonClinton]

I have also been meaning to give the Repairman Jack series another shot. I read Legacies without knowing anything about it and was very disappointed as I had expected it to be a horror novel since that was the genre Borders had it placed in. From my memory, it was decidedly not a horror novel, but rather an action/adventure novel. Had I known that to be the case, I might have enjoyed it more. I subsequently read The Keep and was rather underwhelmed after reading all the praise for it, so I figured that these books might not be my jam. Still I keep hearing praise and keep thinking that another shot might be warranted.

The Repairman Jack series novels are what could be considered as Cosmic Horror thrillers, where Wilson's cosmic mythos is ever-present and influential but not really on center stage, save for a few of the novels. They are indeed closer to pulp-inspired action thrillers than horror novels, but the elements of horror are very much in play, just often in the background, influencing events and refrerenced as such. They're not scary works...think (a more readable and entertaining) Jack Reacher flighting invisible elder gods that are constantly pulling the puppet strings of troubling events that he finds himself embroiled in, even when they don't first appear as such. I really like the series, but if you're looking for a straight-forward horror novel (ala THE KEEP), then I can understand why you were disappointed.

[sholloman81]

I didn't recall what this cover looked like, so I went to their site to check it out. Yeah, that's not my favorite cover.

I have also been meaning to give the Repairman Jack series another shot. I read Legacies without knowing anything about it and was very disappointed as I had expected it to be a horror novel since that was the genre Borders had it placed in. From my memory, it was decidedly not a horror novel, but rather an action/adventure novel. Had I known that to be the case, I might have enjoyed it more. I subsequently read The Keep and was rather underwhelmed after reading all the praise for it, so I figured that these books might not be my jam. Still I keep hearing praise and keep thinking that another shot might be warranted.

It's not that the cover art for "Quick Fixes: Tales of Repairman Jack" is good so much as it isn't as horrible as some of the stuff that I have seen from Gauntlet. The Wayward Pines trilogy cover art that they used was some of the worst I have ever seen.

In terms of the Repairman Jack series of books, you really should start with The Tomb and go from there. Generally speaking, Wilson (slightly) changed the genre from book to book with this series, some lean more horror, some more sci-fi, some more thriller, etc. Also, you should do your best to read the series in order if at all possible as the events and characters in the series are mentioned/move from book to book.

[Sock Monkey]

This is one I may need as well. The cockroach and throwing star are out of size perspective with the TV, but they’ve done worse covers. Repairman Jack is always rewarding reading.

I didn't recall what this cover looked like, so I went to their site to check it out. Yeah, that's not my favorite cover.

I have also been meaning to give the Repairman Jack series another shot. I read Legacies without knowing anything about it and was very disappointed as I had expected it to be a horror novel since that was the genre Borders had it placed in. From my memory, it was decidedly not a horror novel, but rather an action/adventure novel. Had I known that to be the case, I might have enjoyed it more. I subsequently read The Keep and was rather underwhelmed after reading all the praise for it, so I figured that these books might not be my jam. Still I keep hearing praise and keep thinking that another shot might be warranted.

[RonClinton]

Just received my last pending order from Gauntlet, "Quick Fixes: Tales of Repairman Jack". I had pre-ordered this one back on 12/31/22. Per usual, the production standards are pretty threadbare for an LE book. That being said, the book does feel well constructed and I don't hate the cover art. I'm actually pretty excited to read this as I love me some Repairman Jack and believe that I have only read one of the stories included previously.

This is one I may need as well. The cockroach and throwing star are out of size perspective with the TV, but they’ve done worse covers. Repairman Jack is always rewarding reading.

[sholloman81]

Just received my last pending order from Gauntlet, "Quick Fixes: Tales of Repairman Jack". I had pre-ordered this one back on 12/31/22. Per usual, the production standards are pretty threadbare for an LE book. That being said, the book does feel well constructed and I don't hate the cover art. I'm actually pretty excited to read this as I love me some Repairman Jack and believe that I have only read one of the stories included previously.

[Dave1442397]

Your post sums up why I stay away from Gauntlet. The clip art for the dustjackets absolutely kill it for me and nothing else about the editions seem to rise it above that level. I'm a big Richard Matheson fan, so I'm still tracking down aftermarket copies of their lettered editions of his work and even those are rather plain. I wish Gauntlet no ill will, just what they do is not my cup of tea. It's a bummer because I would have jumped on the Pines set if it was from someone else.

I once bought both the limited and lettered copies of a Matheson book from Gauntlet. The only difference between the two was that one had a number and one had a letter. Total waste of money.

[Ben Staad]

Yikes. I remember seeing these when they went on sale and I thought that the art shared couldn't be the actual cover.

Your post sums up why I stay away from Gauntlet. The clip art for the dustjackets absolutely kill it for me and nothing else about the editions seem to rise it above that level. I'm a big Richard Matheson fan, so I'm still tracking down aftermarket copies of their lettered editions of his work and even those are rather plain. I wish Gauntlet no ill will, just what they do is not my cup of tea. It's a bummer because I would have jumped on the Pines set if it was from someone else.

 

[Sock Monkey]

Just received my copy of Crouch's "The Last Town". Was not expecting it since I never received a shipping notice; however, that seems to be standard practice for these Gauntlet/Borderlands collabs. I knew this before ordering; so, I can't complain too much, but man are these books about the plainest-jane limited editions that you could ever hope to own. Basic clip art for the cover (and on the low end when it comes to clip art), no better production values inside than a trade, etc. From what I can tell, about the only real difference is the signature page, and even that is not especially nice or unique. I probably wouldn't have opted for this set if I already owned the trade editions. That being said, I am glad to finally have this book in-hand if only to complete the story/trilogy, as these Gauntlet editions have been my first time reading the Wayward Pines books. If someone hadn't done an LE, I may have never heard of the series; so, I can't take that away from Gauntlet, but in all honesty, if someone else ever does a limited version of these books, I would get rid of this set lickety-split. Have one last pre-order with Gauntlet, and I imagine that will be my last order with them as the production values, at least for LE books, don't seem to be any better than a mass published trade edition, and sadly, in some cases may be even worse.

Your post sums up why I stay away from Gauntlet. The clip art for the dustjackets absolutely kill it for me and nothing else about the editions seem to rise it above that level. I'm a big Richard Matheson fan, so I'm still tracking down aftermarket copies of their lettered editions of his work and even those are rather plain. I wish Gauntlet no ill will, just what they do is not my cup of tea. It's a bummer because I would have jumped on the Pines set if it was from someone else.

[sholloman81]

Just received my copy of Crouch's "The Last Town". Was not expecting it since I never received a shipping notice; however, that seems to be standard practice for these Gauntlet/Borderlands collabs. I knew this before ordering; so, I can't complain too much, but man are these books about the plainest-jane limited editions that you could ever hope to own. Basic clip art for the cover (and on the low end when it comes to clip art), no better production values inside than a trade, etc. From what I can tell, about the only real difference is the signature page, and even that is not especially nice or unique. I probably wouldn't have opted for this set if I already owned the trade editions. That being said, I am glad to finally have this book in-hand if only to complete the story/trilogy, as these Gauntlet editions have been my first time reading the Wayward Pines books. If someone hadn't done an LE, I may have never heard of the series; so, I can't take that away from Gauntlet, but in all honesty, if someone else ever does a limited version of these books, I would get rid of this set lickety-split. Have one last pre-order with Gauntlet, and I imagine that will be my last order with them as the production values, at least for LE books, don't seem to be any better than a mass published trade edition, and sadly, in some cases may be even worse.

[Splync]

I think Ray has occasionally mentioned a passing interest in a third book in the setting - or even a crossover with the Live Girls stories - but nothing has ever been officially planned.

I really hope that he calls the potential crossover novel "Ray Garton's Twilight"!

[slayn666]

You are correct. For some reason I thought there was a third book or that one was going to be written, but I cannot find that info anywhere; so, it must've been my imagination!

I think Ray has occasionally mentioned a passing interest in a third book in the setting - or even a crossover with the Live Girls stories - but nothing has ever been officially planned.

[dannyboy121070]

I hope Ray is doing OK. We used to e-mail each other occasionally, but fell out of touch. I'll have to see if I still have his e-mail address and check in on him.