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Specimen 313: A Short Story
A free short story taken straight from the pages of THE MONSTER'S CORNER, an all original anthology from some of today's hottest supernatural writers, featuring stories from the monster's point of view.SPECIMEN 313 is the story of a meat-eating plant named Max, surviving in the greenhouse with his mad doctor keeper when he gets a new female neighbor.
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2011
36 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
229 books2,215 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
April 11, 2024
Jeff Strand Lover!
I am a new fan of Jeff Strand, and this adorable little book has helped to make me so.
A giant man-eating green plant is on the warpath.
This is a fun and addictively engaging story for you.
Four fantastic stars. 💫💫💫💫
I am a new fan of Jeff Strand, and this adorable little book has helped to make me so.
A giant man-eating green plant is on the warpath.
This is a fun and addictively engaging story for you.
Four fantastic stars. 💫💫💫💫
March 27, 2021
I finished reading Pressure last night at 5:00 AM and still wasn't tired. So, I decided to read this super creative short story before I went to sleep.
I can see that reviews are quite mixed, but I actually thought this was really clever, with all the trademark Strand humor. I really liked it. Even better, you can get it free on Amazon. It's super quick...only took me about seven minutes to read, but I was quite impressed.
Two thumbs up from Bridgett!
I can see that reviews are quite mixed, but I actually thought this was really clever, with all the trademark Strand humor. I really liked it. Even better, you can get it free on Amazon. It's super quick...only took me about seven minutes to read, but I was quite impressed.
Two thumbs up from Bridgett!
May 19, 2015
A flesh-eating plant named Max gets a new neighbor, Specimen 313, aka Jenny. What are these strange feelings Max starts experiencing?
Jeff Strand is one of my favorite self-published authors so I was sure Specimen 313 would be an enjoyable experience. For once, I was right.
Specimen 313 is a love story of sorts, set in a lab of experimental plants. That's pretty much all I should divulge since the story is only 17 pages. Strand hits his usual high notes in the humor and gore departments, delivering a bloody and somewhat touching tale.
This freebie is well worth a read. Four out of five stars.
Jeff Strand is one of my favorite self-published authors so I was sure Specimen 313 would be an enjoyable experience. For once, I was right.
Specimen 313 is a love story of sorts, set in a lab of experimental plants. That's pretty much all I should divulge since the story is only 17 pages. Strand hits his usual high notes in the humor and gore departments, delivering a bloody and somewhat touching tale.
This freebie is well worth a read. Four out of five stars.
April 15, 2024
Little Greenhouse of Horrors...
SPECIMEN 313: A Short Story
by Jeff Strand
No spoilers. 3 stars. Max, aka Specimen 278, is a large venus fly trap living in Dr. Prethorius' greenhouse with other plants...
When Max and the others say: Feed me!...
The good doctor, who is a little mad, brings home a vagrant or two for the plants to feast on...
The doctor has also been known to go Postal and begin digging up plants, like Max's neighbor Charlie, Specimen 47...
And...
Leaving them to dry up and die in a corner of the greenhouse in order to make room for his latest and greatest specimen...
One day...
The crazy doctor shows up at the greenhouse with Jenny, Specimen 313, his newest plant...
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, anyone? If you've seen the movie, this short story is very similar.
This story is cute and not very long if you're just looking for a little bedtime reading material.
SPECIMEN 313: A Short Story
by Jeff Strand
No spoilers. 3 stars. Max, aka Specimen 278, is a large venus fly trap living in Dr. Prethorius' greenhouse with other plants...
When Max and the others say: Feed me!...
The good doctor, who is a little mad, brings home a vagrant or two for the plants to feast on...
The doctor has also been known to go Postal and begin digging up plants, like Max's neighbor Charlie, Specimen 47...
And...
Leaving them to dry up and die in a corner of the greenhouse in order to make room for his latest and greatest specimen...
One day...
The crazy doctor shows up at the greenhouse with Jenny, Specimen 313, his newest plant...
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, anyone? If you've seen the movie, this short story is very similar.
This story is cute and not very long if you're just looking for a little bedtime reading material.
May 21, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“I ask you, would a madman create a cherry tree with fruits that ooze deadly poison? Would a madman develop blades of grass sharp enough to slice off your fingers?”
Mitchell says no to all of the above.
Jeff Strand won my heart with Kumquat, so when Dan’s review of this little freebie popped up I was all over it like flies on a pu pu platter. What an adorable horror this one turned out to be.
This is the (super short) tale of Specimen 313 and his experiences in the lab when he gets a new neighbor. It’s a reminder that just because you get all . . .
sometimes when you meet someone instalove doesn’t happen in the real world and it takes some time to get to the stage of . . .
but in the meantime it’s cool to focus on developing a friendship and other important things in life . . .
Oh, and if you ever do get to the love stage??? Make sure you protect yourself . . .
“I ask you, would a madman create a cherry tree with fruits that ooze deadly poison? Would a madman develop blades of grass sharp enough to slice off your fingers?”
Mitchell says no to all of the above.
Jeff Strand won my heart with Kumquat, so when Dan’s review of this little freebie popped up I was all over it like flies on a pu pu platter. What an adorable horror this one turned out to be.
This is the (super short) tale of Specimen 313 and his experiences in the lab when he gets a new neighbor. It’s a reminder that just because you get all . . .
sometimes when you meet someone instalove doesn’t happen in the real world and it takes some time to get to the stage of . . .
but in the meantime it’s cool to focus on developing a friendship and other important things in life . . .
Oh, and if you ever do get to the love stage??? Make sure you protect yourself . . .
November 22, 2021
This was my introduction to Mr. Strand's impressive library of stories so I don't have anything to compare it to.
This was a short tale about a plant that can think and eat. And eat humans it does. When this plant, named Max, gets a -- "roommate" "planter-mate," or "greenhouse-mate" -- whatever the right term might be, Max learns to care about his own. And woe be to the guy who threatens that.
Quite entertaining and imaginative.
This was a short tale about a plant that can think and eat. And eat humans it does. When this plant, named Max, gets a -- "roommate" "planter-mate," or "greenhouse-mate" -- whatever the right term might be, Max learns to care about his own. And woe be to the guy who threatens that.
Quite entertaining and imaginative.
December 27, 2011
This was a nasty little short which reminded me slightly of The Day of the Triffids, except the Triffids weren't this bad. Or were they?
I also liked the name of the doctor featured in the story: Doctor Prethorius.
It's hard to say too much without spoilers, so I will just leave it at I LOVED IT!
I also liked the name of the doctor featured in the story: Doctor Prethorius.
It's hard to say too much without spoilers, so I will just leave it at I LOVED IT!
July 6, 2014
A tasty tidbit for those who are deadly serious about their gardening techniques. Dr. Prethorius is fastidious with the care and feeding of his plants; mayhap a bit more attention to arrangement would be in order?
This was a lighthearted tale of horror that works very well. I will be checking out more of Jeff Strand's work.
This was a lighthearted tale of horror that works very well. I will be checking out more of Jeff Strand's work.
April 12, 2015
I love these short stories for being quick reads while I'm running errands. This one was rather cute and sweet in a demented carnivorous way. I'll definitely remember to water my houseplants from now on!
October 14, 2025
3.5 stars. Please don't take the somewhat reduced rating to heart. This was like an evolved version of Little Shop of Horrors. Very playful and fun premise, but far too short to get much of a reaction out of anything. I loved the intimacy between our lead plants, the overarching plot point of the mad scientist doing dastardly deeds, and basically everything this had to offer. Again, it just needed to be a little longer and more developed to make it all matter the way it should have. Still an enjoyable way to spend 15 minutes on your lunch break.
September 4, 2015
Many years ago, when I was studying creative writing, we were set the task of re-writing a classic tale from the POV of a minor character. I got my highest mark for that class by choosing to write the siege of Troy from the POV of the Wooden Horse (the poor thing basically had the runs). Much as I hate to admit it, the warped mind of Jeff Strand has one-upped me with this fantastic short story, told from the POV of a love-sick human-eating plant that has been grown by an evil scientist in his laboratory.
But I still had a nostalgic smile plastered across my face through this entire ten minute read.
4.5 (Rounding Up) Tasty Morsels for Specimen 313.
But I still had a nostalgic smile plastered across my face through this entire ten minute read.
4.5 (Rounding Up) Tasty Morsels for Specimen 313.
July 25, 2015
Warner Brothers Presents' Little Shop of Horrors: A Love Story. This was a quick, fun read. It was rather light and light-hearted (for a dark tale) and I enjoyed it quite a bit. One paragraph by the scientist had me laughing out loud. Good stuff, and typical Strand (from what I've seen thus far).
May 24, 2015
Technically, I read this one last October in The Monster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes, but today's reread was most enjoyable.
It's a simple eco-friendly tale of two plants who become close friends.
Once you go green, you never go back.
It's a simple eco-friendly tale of two plants who become close friends.
Once you go green, you never go back.
August 20, 2014
A cute comical story of a mad scientist whose joy in life is his many greenhouse plants. Meet Max and 313 for this fun read.
Recommended
5 star rating
LOL
Recommended
5 star rating
LOL
December 15, 2016
Sometimes it's more important to have a good friend than a lover.
August 3, 2021
My first introduction to Jeff Strand, an author I’ve been wanting to check out for awhile. This was a fun concept executed well, told from the POV of a flesh-eating plant created by a mad scientist. It was straight to the point; no fat whatsoever. Just lean and mean, and creative to boot. Not too shabby for a free download!
3.75/5 stars
3.75/5 stars
September 11, 2015
Who knew short form plant horror could be so freakin' perfect. I gave a short story four stars. That speaks volumes in my world. Delicious.
April 19, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded up. Short and (bitter)sweet. Review to come.
March 1, 2012
This free story is a fine example of just how much exposure Amazon gives new and upcoming authors. Jeff Strand is well worth further reading.
The story itself is a little silly: the loves and quandaries of a hothouse full of experimental man-eating plants. But the lightheartedness is obviously deliberate, and its the voice and style I fell in love with. In theme and handling, there was a mid-century New Yorker retro feel to it -- in its best passages I was reminded of John Collier's 1951 collection 'Fancies & Goodnights' (which, at the risk of going off topic, is available for the Kindle and is a must buy). It also called to mind Charles Addams kooky world.
You can't beat the price and the story is a lot of fun. Go get it.
The story itself is a little silly: the loves and quandaries of a hothouse full of experimental man-eating plants. But the lightheartedness is obviously deliberate, and its the voice and style I fell in love with. In theme and handling, there was a mid-century New Yorker retro feel to it -- in its best passages I was reminded of John Collier's 1951 collection 'Fancies & Goodnights' (which, at the risk of going off topic, is available for the Kindle and is a must buy). It also called to mind Charles Addams kooky world.
You can't beat the price and the story is a lot of fun. Go get it.
September 30, 2012
Cute story. What happens when two plants fall in love in a "scientist's laboratory." Short story, though not advertised as one on Kindle, which irks me because it's not a book when it's only a few pages, but the story made me for it.
June 2, 2014
Good short, but I CANNOT figure out where I read this before! Feels like it was A HACKED UP HOLIDAY MASSACRE, but, that's not right.
:/
I'll be caught up on reviews in a couple days... keep your pants on...
:/
I'll be caught up on reviews in a couple days... keep your pants on...
April 11, 2017
It's a story about mutated Venus fly traps that fall in love while their mad scientist creator feeds them human beings. It's funny, but then you realize that you really shouldn't be laughing, and now you're not sure if you're bothered by the story or your own behavior.
February 7, 2017
Very short story on my Kindle, I looked for another by a new author I had just read. This was some kind of cheesy "Little Shop of Horrors" story. A mad scientist is experimenting with plants, mainly Venus Fly Traps. He is feeding them homeless people. The story is told from the view point of one of the plants. One day, he knows he is feeling weird, but not why. When a new plant, Specimen 313 is placed by him, he knows it is because he was lonely, and falls in love with her. After a few days, the scientist tries to kill the plant to make room for more, Specimen 313 defends him, they share the scientist and all is well ever after.
August 9, 2018
This is an 18 page short story with clever point of view and characters. The ending was a little soft, but otherwise a fun, slightly gory, quick read.
February 28, 2021
Every time I read a Jeff Strand book, I always think: "What is wrong with that man?!" This one was no different. Great nasty little tale.
February 20, 2018
YAASS!! This is excellent. Very well written with the most awesome main characters EVER! Great, fun read.
April 14, 2020
Love Jeff Strand!
Another Jeff Strand winner. Love how his horror books have a lot of humor mixed in with the deviltry. LOL.
Another Jeff Strand winner. Love how his horror books have a lot of humor mixed in with the deviltry. LOL.
July 3, 2021
A great little short story here by Jeff Strand, I really enjoyed it.
August 23, 2011
Nasty plants with heart and soul grown and cultivated by a mad doctor. Nice reading a short story written from the monster's point of view. All the stories in The Monster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes are written from the monster's point of view and Amazon is running a special where some are available to read for free. Probably a limited time deal, so if you're interested in checking them out, may want to jump.
Specimen 313 was very predictable but the jubilant writing style carried me through. I'm going to check out some of Strand's longer work.
Specimen 313 was very predictable but the jubilant writing style carried me through. I'm going to check out some of Strand's longer work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews