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The Last Stop
Having lost his Wife, James feels as though he has lost everything that matters to him. Finally beaten by his ongoing battles with depression, James decides his best plan of action is to sell his worldly possessions. Sell-up and move out to Australia for a final blow-out... a final adventure bringing nothing but highs, before his planned, grand exit from his own Life.
And it could have been the ideal plan had he not fallen asleep on the train...
From Matt Shaw (Best-selling author of 'Happy Ever After') comes a whole new dark and twisted tale....
And it could have been the ideal plan had he not fallen asleep on the train...
From Matt Shaw (Best-selling author of 'Happy Ever After') comes a whole new dark and twisted tale....
- GenresHorror
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2012
12 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
530 books2,205 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this sweet, deep, and meaningful story...until the very end. I read through Matt Shaw's afterword, and while I understand what he was trying to do, I really didn't like the sudden and unimpressive twist. I won't spoil it, but I just wish that if Shaw wanted to take it to that type of extreme, it should have been something really unique and not so typical of that type of situation. With that being said, I feel like the story could have utilized many other much different, yet sensible, conclusions. So I struggled with the 4-star rating, but 98% of the story was very good before the last few pages threw me for a loop. But on the plus side, the plot and characters were great. It didn't need to have a crazy amount of detail or huge cast of people to put across James' journey. While a rather short book, I don't feel like anything was missed here. His struggles, diagnosis, life-altering decisions, family, failed and aspiring relationships, all had a place and were covered to my satisfaction as the reader. But that ending...ugh....I can't get over it, lol. I don't need to always have a sunshine-filled, happily ever after type ending, but this was just not good. If I didn't know how much better some of Shaw's books were, and didn't adore his obvious talent, I would've probably given this a much lower rating. Definitely not his best work, but it's when a strong majority of a book is so good, you can't knock it too much for containing one major mistake.
August 2, 2014
Right, I'm going to do something I've never done in a review here. For your perusal, a photograph of a typical train station in the United Kingdom.
With that in mind, I give you this review. I've said it many times before but I'm a huge fan of Matt Shaw. What I also admire in an author is their willing to take a leap of faith or stride into unknown territory. Comfort zones are for squares. Matt is well known for his graphic violence and borderline psychotic characters. In this novella, he takes a step back and heads in completely the opposite direction, so much so that - and this is a compliment by the way - there isn't a sign of blood or violence in sight. Rather than a slaughter, we have a study, and Matt pulls it off with a bravado that's very impressive.
From the outset of The Last Stop, it's very clear that Matt Shaw is in new territory here. Ever the diverse author, he tries his hand at the aforementioned character study, a tale about James, a man who decides to up and leave his existence behind. His reasons? I won't spoil it for you but the guy decides enough is enough, sells his home, burns his clothes, cuts ties with his ignorant mother, and buys a one way ticket (First Class of course) to Australia. After a luxurious night in a hotel, and some self-reflection, James boards a train to the airport. He even meets Lisa, who takes his fancy. Then, he falls asleep. When he wakes up, the station is abandoned and the train empty bar him and the Lisa. At this point, I refer to the photo above.
If you woke up in the dark, in the station above, what would be your initial thought?
The Last Stop takes this premise and unleashes it on us. For the first 50% of the book, Shaw develops his main character lavishly. James is flawed, he's sympathetic in places and quite tragic...this is an ordinary character, one that could exist in any one of us. There's no psychopathic thoughts, no sharp weapons. We have a normal human...and it's riveting. You know his plan but what keeps you hooked is how he'll get there. Once he boards the train, you realise something is up and when he dozes off, that's when Matt returns to his dark roots to create an unsettling, empty world that swallows up our lost protagonists. It's very eerie, almost Silent Hill-esque in places, but regardless of this, you're not quite sure what is happening. As you turn the pages and edge towards the mysterious finale, heart-in-mouth, Shaw confirms one thing: He can do horror but he can tell a hell of a story too.
5* - A short, sharp thriller that teeters on romantic love story territory. Matt has a way with his characters, and there are many, but this book stands out. Not just because it's strayed into unusual realms of literature for the author - which he deserves credit for - but because he tries something different and pulls it off. True, people who've been to the UK may connect with this more (bed and breakfasts, spooky train stations, old school trains) but any horror fan should appreciate this book. Slick, modest and very low-key, Shaw confirms he can tell a story without the shocks. I've read some reviews and Shaw's normal work isn't for everyone. For those critics who think he relies on shocks and offensive material to gain attention...think again. A solid book, well worth the hour's investment.
With that in mind, I give you this review. I've said it many times before but I'm a huge fan of Matt Shaw. What I also admire in an author is their willing to take a leap of faith or stride into unknown territory. Comfort zones are for squares. Matt is well known for his graphic violence and borderline psychotic characters. In this novella, he takes a step back and heads in completely the opposite direction, so much so that - and this is a compliment by the way - there isn't a sign of blood or violence in sight. Rather than a slaughter, we have a study, and Matt pulls it off with a bravado that's very impressive.
From the outset of The Last Stop, it's very clear that Matt Shaw is in new territory here. Ever the diverse author, he tries his hand at the aforementioned character study, a tale about James, a man who decides to up and leave his existence behind. His reasons? I won't spoil it for you but the guy decides enough is enough, sells his home, burns his clothes, cuts ties with his ignorant mother, and buys a one way ticket (First Class of course) to Australia. After a luxurious night in a hotel, and some self-reflection, James boards a train to the airport. He even meets Lisa, who takes his fancy. Then, he falls asleep. When he wakes up, the station is abandoned and the train empty bar him and the Lisa. At this point, I refer to the photo above.
If you woke up in the dark, in the station above, what would be your initial thought?
The Last Stop takes this premise and unleashes it on us. For the first 50% of the book, Shaw develops his main character lavishly. James is flawed, he's sympathetic in places and quite tragic...this is an ordinary character, one that could exist in any one of us. There's no psychopathic thoughts, no sharp weapons. We have a normal human...and it's riveting. You know his plan but what keeps you hooked is how he'll get there. Once he boards the train, you realise something is up and when he dozes off, that's when Matt returns to his dark roots to create an unsettling, empty world that swallows up our lost protagonists. It's very eerie, almost Silent Hill-esque in places, but regardless of this, you're not quite sure what is happening. As you turn the pages and edge towards the mysterious finale, heart-in-mouth, Shaw confirms one thing: He can do horror but he can tell a hell of a story too.
5* - A short, sharp thriller that teeters on romantic love story territory. Matt has a way with his characters, and there are many, but this book stands out. Not just because it's strayed into unusual realms of literature for the author - which he deserves credit for - but because he tries something different and pulls it off. True, people who've been to the UK may connect with this more (bed and breakfasts, spooky train stations, old school trains) but any horror fan should appreciate this book. Slick, modest and very low-key, Shaw confirms he can tell a story without the shocks. I've read some reviews and Shaw's normal work isn't for everyone. For those critics who think he relies on shocks and offensive material to gain attention...think again. A solid book, well worth the hour's investment.
November 15, 2016
You'll never see it coming
This book is filled with suspenseful twists and turns, suicide, heartbreak, depression, New love, ghost towns, alternate dimensions, and finally pure horror. A Matt Shaw classic.
This book is filled with suspenseful twists and turns, suicide, heartbreak, depression, New love, ghost towns, alternate dimensions, and finally pure horror. A Matt Shaw classic.
November 28, 2015
What did I think? disappointed I'm afraid. The first half of the book was brilliant. I really enjoyed the glee in which the main character was planning his suicide and how his odd behaviour affected the people around him. Very original and I was looking forward to seeing where this was going to end. Well it ended at a train station when what appeared to be a complexly different story starts. Okay.. confusion.. but hang on, the second half of the book is also very well handled and a joy to read. That is until you reach the end of the book. Its a bad ending no question. I would have happily read more of the first half of the book as a story in its own right, or the second half of the book also as a complete story - but not together - and not with that ending. Having said that, any book by Matt is essential reading so still worth a read, my disappointment was really because this could have been so much more.
What should the ending have been? no idea.
What should the ending have been? no idea.
May 8, 2015
The last stop
I really like this story, and I'm actually wishing Matt Shaw would write more like it. A suicidal man giving everything up to spend the last month of his life in Australia falls asleep on the train to the airport. He wakes up to darkness when it was just morning and things just get stranger from there. Really good short story.
I really like this story, and I'm actually wishing Matt Shaw would write more like it. A suicidal man giving everything up to spend the last month of his life in Australia falls asleep on the train to the airport. He wakes up to darkness when it was just morning and things just get stranger from there. Really good short story.
August 27, 2015
Different
Not your usual Matt Shaw book by any means but he definitely made it work. I loved how you didn't see the ending coming at all.
Not your usual Matt Shaw book by any means but he definitely made it work. I loved how you didn't see the ending coming at all.
March 19, 2024
Not a fan of the ending but the story itself is very good. I will read more from this author.
November 13, 2015
Wow! I loved this story! This story isn't the horror and gore I've gotten used to reading from Matt Shaw. This is completely different. I really felt for the main character. James is dealing with severe depression, something many of us can relate to. After his wife leaves him he decides to just give up on life. He sells everything he owns and decides to go to Australia to enjoy what he has decided will be the last thirty days of his life. He ends up sitting near a beautiful woman on the train and all of a sudden they wake up in an abandoned train station. That's when things get strange. Of course I won't give anything away but be prepared for another shock of an ending because this is Matt Shaw. I highly recommend this one to everyone.
January 18, 2015
I'm used to the Black book extreme Matt Shaw but I soon learnt that he was capable of being versatile, like a Bird's Eye Potato Waffle but with words.
I loved this story,it's like it fell out of a British version of The Twilight Zone.
The main character struck a raw nerve in me as I could relate to a lot of what he had to say and had,in my own way,attempted to do a similar thing.
I'm glad to have read this and like any good story should,it left me wanting more.
I loved this story,it's like it fell out of a British version of The Twilight Zone.
The main character struck a raw nerve in me as I could relate to a lot of what he had to say and had,in my own way,attempted to do a similar thing.
I'm glad to have read this and like any good story should,it left me wanting more.
April 8, 2015
So so ok
Was pretty clear it was a couple of book ideas put together....but done nicely. Extretremely calm and mild mannered book by Matt Shaw! You just go on boy!! You don't always have to be vulgar, as long as the story is good.
Was pretty clear it was a couple of book ideas put together....but done nicely. Extretremely calm and mild mannered book by Matt Shaw! You just go on boy!! You don't always have to be vulgar, as long as the story is good.
September 24, 2015
Matt Shaw really knows how to hook a reader. The end though...It took quite a turn...
November 23, 2015
My second book by this author
I really enjoyed this book , it was a wick read but like the first book it has me like wow
I really enjoyed this book , it was a wick read but like the first book it has me like wow
January 3, 2016
Another great twisted tale by the great Matt Shaw. The story, whilst very dark also contains just the right amount of light moments to keep the reader engaged
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews