What do you think?
Rate this book
The Grinding
Six months ago, the world watched in horror as we lost an American city.
The Grinder. That's what the survivors of Tucson called the monster. Just one touch, and they became a part of it. It used their bodies as limbs and as weapons. In just a matter of hours, it became huge, a towering monstrosity made entirely out of tens of thousands of people and animals.
This isn’t behind-the-scenes bullshit from the point of view of the military. This isn’t yet another conspiracy theory about what really happened to Air Force One that night, or about the decision to nuke Tucson.
This is a rare, eyewitness account from someone who was there, in the midst of the destruction. But most importantly, this is the terrifying truth.
The Grinder. That's what the survivors of Tucson called the monster. Just one touch, and they became a part of it. It used their bodies as limbs and as weapons. In just a matter of hours, it became huge, a towering monstrosity made entirely out of tens of thousands of people and animals.
This isn’t behind-the-scenes bullshit from the point of view of the military. This isn’t yet another conspiracy theory about what really happened to Air Force One that night, or about the decision to nuke Tucson.
This is a rare, eyewitness account from someone who was there, in the midst of the destruction. But most importantly, this is the terrifying truth.
244 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2013
18 people are currently reading
1365 people want to read
About the author
Matt Dinniman
36 books16.1k followersMatt Dinniman is the best-selling writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the published author of dozens of short stories and a gaggle of books. In addition, his art publications—from greeting cards to stationery kits to calendars—can be found in boutique and stationery shops around the world. Also, he strongly feels like a pretentious twat when he writes about himself in third person.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 18, 2025
I's been almost a week since I finished this book and I have thought about it at least once every day.
With a cover like that you might think "Oh, this is just a bloody and gory horror book.. nothing special" and ngl I thought the same thing.. but I was SO wrong.
Would you believe me if I said this book dealt with topics like religion, grief, suicide, moral dilemmas, parental neglect and most importantly, love? With a cover like that, I wouldn't believe me either😅
This book basically asks this age old question: "Would you sacrifice the few to save the many?" but takes it even further and asks "would you sacrifice your one true love for the sake of all of humanity?" Matt Dinniman, the brilliant brain behind one of my favorite series " Dungeon Crawler Carl", takes this question and wraps it up in a gory, bloody and emotional story that left me wondering what I would have done in that situation. I STILL DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER😭
4.25 stars because it had a few dull moments in the middle but the ending was jaw-dropping and the narration was SUPERB!
July 20, 2017
How do you fight a giant lasagna made of living (and dead) flesh with charred human body parts like ground beef sprinkled on top who has absorbed your girlfriend into its ball of writhing skin, organs and limbs that is rapidly sucking the city of Tuscan into its fold of pulsating tissue?
You recruit a couple of former reality TV stars and a veterinarian and put together a plan.
I picked up the audio book for this one some time ago and finally decided to give it a go. I am glad that I did. The audio was very well done and enjoyable. The narrator, Chris Sorensen, did a great job with the characters and the atmosphere of the tale. Definitely exceeded my expectations and was a very well done audio.
Still trying to figure out if I enjoyed the ending or not though. Hmmm. 3.5 Stars.
You recruit a couple of former reality TV stars and a veterinarian and put together a plan.
I picked up the audio book for this one some time ago and finally decided to give it a go. I am glad that I did. The audio was very well done and enjoyable. The narrator, Chris Sorensen, did a great job with the characters and the atmosphere of the tale. Definitely exceeded my expectations and was a very well done audio.
Still trying to figure out if I enjoyed the ending or not though. Hmmm. 3.5 Stars.
August 12, 2016
We together like two peas in a pod.
When I first met you, I'm sure you thought I was odd.
We worked 'round each other, each and every day.
We'd fight and argue, till it became just play.
From there we shared our sorrows,
and tried to tame our fears.
Some things you can't recover from.
I feel your tears.
One day some shit happens.
It was utterly surreal.
I couldn't be there for you.
I thought that you were killed.
Then, my phone rings,
and I put it to my ear.
It's you...You're alive.
My heart beats anew.
"Don't worry, baby." I whisper.
"I am coming for you."
by Nikki
What if a creature had the ability to absorb you into its fold? To consume your thoughts? Make your knowledge, your memories, its own?
That's what Matt Dinniman has created in this creature feature of a read.
The main character, Adam, is out at the derby with his girlfriend, Nif, when the screaming starts and Adam's world is changed forever.
Adam, the MC is a very introspective character who, at times, becomes a bit long-winded in his journey to save his wife, who, I don't know if I cared enough about to make me fully involved in Adam's journey in saving her. The secondary characters, the twins in particular, added a special flavor to this read with their almost telepathic ability as twins.
The second half of the story picked up the pace with more action and descriptive scenes of chaos and the Grinding, bringing us to a fitting and very satisfying ending, wrapping things up neatly.
A solid read~
When I first met you, I'm sure you thought I was odd.
We worked 'round each other, each and every day.
We'd fight and argue, till it became just play.
From there we shared our sorrows,
and tried to tame our fears.
Some things you can't recover from.
I feel your tears.
One day some shit happens.
It was utterly surreal.
I couldn't be there for you.
I thought that you were killed.
Then, my phone rings,
and I put it to my ear.
It's you...You're alive.
My heart beats anew.
"Don't worry, baby." I whisper.
"I am coming for you."
by Nikki
What if a creature had the ability to absorb you into its fold? To consume your thoughts? Make your knowledge, your memories, its own?
That's what Matt Dinniman has created in this creature feature of a read.
The main character, Adam, is out at the derby with his girlfriend, Nif, when the screaming starts and Adam's world is changed forever.
Adam, the MC is a very introspective character who, at times, becomes a bit long-winded in his journey to save his wife, who, I don't know if I cared enough about to make me fully involved in Adam's journey in saving her. The secondary characters, the twins in particular, added a special flavor to this read with their almost telepathic ability as twins.
The second half of the story picked up the pace with more action and descriptive scenes of chaos and the Grinding, bringing us to a fitting and very satisfying ending, wrapping things up neatly.
A solid read~
November 20, 2013
From page one I was hooked and not in a blob freezing kind of way ;)
I have to say this, I was quite impressed. Horror isn't a normal genre for me, but I was intrigued by the blurb and the sci-fi feel. Toss in a little romanticism (The MC and wife, the friends, etc), an unexplainable blob with some freaky powers, a lot of crap blowing up ... you get the idea. As I read, I found myself laughing here and there, which helps to lighten the OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE atmosphere.
The characters were some of the greatest and most believable I've read in a long time. One of my favorite parts was when they military captures him and tosses him in with the C-2's. From start to finish, I was nodding my head, and commentating like I was watching it unfold on the TV. Then all those C-2's ... I don't want to spoil it ... calling his name ... creeptastic.
I'm definitely going to add this author to my watch list.
I have to say this, I was quite impressed. Horror isn't a normal genre for me, but I was intrigued by the blurb and the sci-fi feel. Toss in a little romanticism (The MC and wife, the friends, etc), an unexplainable blob with some freaky powers, a lot of crap blowing up ... you get the idea. As I read, I found myself laughing here and there, which helps to lighten the OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE atmosphere.
The characters were some of the greatest and most believable I've read in a long time. One of my favorite parts was when they military captures him and tosses him in with the C-2's. From start to finish, I was nodding my head, and commentating like I was watching it unfold on the TV. Then all those C-2's ... I don't want to spoil it ... calling his name ... creeptastic.
I'm definitely going to add this author to my watch list.
June 15, 2014
This is a great book. Well-written, and with a truly unique monster. In this day-and-age, that is hard to do.
Very well thought out and easy to read.
Very well thought out and easy to read.
April 25, 2020
Body Horror + Kaiju + The Book of Revelations with a dash of a dysfunctional love story. Who doesn't like that?
I bought this on Kindle in late 2015 and it sat in my virtual TBR pile with over a thousand other books for close to 5 years. Frankly, I don't know why. Maybe I was distracted by another release or perhaps my "real life" intruded. It happens. Anyone who is an avid reader has been there. Regardless, I was scrolling through my Kindle library at 1am a couple of nights ago for something to distract me during this Coronapocalypse and I decided for no apparent reason to finally dive into this.
Why did I wait so long?
If you've ever read Clive Barker's Books of Blood, you surely remember the story "In the Hills, the Cities". When I read it back in the late 80s, it was the first example of a collective being created from the bodies of thousands of living creatures that I can recall, and it is one of those visual horror concepts that I have never forgotten. I'll wager that Matt Dinniman also was inspired by Barker's vision.
In The Grinding, Dinniman takes this concept, transplants it to Tucson, Arizona, feeds it through a grindhouse filter and cranks the volume up to 11. The death toll in this novel is immense and the gore is described in vivid 5-senses detail, ahat in itself would garner a thumbs up from me, but Dinnaman takes this well beyond your typical splatterfest and gives the characters detailed backgrounds and motivations. No cookie-cutter characterization here.
In short, this is a balls-to-the-wall horror novel that never lets up. I will be recommending this book to anyone who digs this subgenre of horror and this has earned a spot on my "definitely reread someday" list
5 BLOODSOAKED STARS!
I bought this on Kindle in late 2015 and it sat in my virtual TBR pile with over a thousand other books for close to 5 years. Frankly, I don't know why. Maybe I was distracted by another release or perhaps my "real life" intruded. It happens. Anyone who is an avid reader has been there. Regardless, I was scrolling through my Kindle library at 1am a couple of nights ago for something to distract me during this Coronapocalypse and I decided for no apparent reason to finally dive into this.
Why did I wait so long?
If you've ever read Clive Barker's Books of Blood, you surely remember the story "In the Hills, the Cities". When I read it back in the late 80s, it was the first example of a collective being created from the bodies of thousands of living creatures that I can recall, and it is one of those visual horror concepts that I have never forgotten. I'll wager that Matt Dinniman also was inspired by Barker's vision.
In The Grinding, Dinniman takes this concept, transplants it to Tucson, Arizona, feeds it through a grindhouse filter and cranks the volume up to 11. The death toll in this novel is immense and the gore is described in vivid 5-senses detail, ahat in itself would garner a thumbs up from me, but Dinnaman takes this well beyond your typical splatterfest and gives the characters detailed backgrounds and motivations. No cookie-cutter characterization here.
In short, this is a balls-to-the-wall horror novel that never lets up. I will be recommending this book to anyone who digs this subgenre of horror and this has earned a spot on my "definitely reread someday" list
5 BLOODSOAKED STARS!
November 15, 2013
I first off want to get to the point that this book was everything that I expected and more. I love a good scary story whether it is in a book or movie. All of the descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was there in the middle of the action. There was no person that was forgotten by the Grinder’s wrath. I was a little shocked that it included babies and little children in it’s destruction, but that made it all the more realistic to how it would be if something of this magnitude came to be in a city today. It sounds a little crazy to say that even though this was a horror story that I could not put it down. It is not to be put lightly the graphic detail that was put forth into the book by the author.
It was so hard to put down because I wanted to know what would happen next in the plot. It had ups and downs, twists and turns, and it made my heart jump a couple times. It was everything that you look for in a book that would make such an epic scary movie. I loved the ending and I thought it worked well with the rest of the story line. I am not a spoiler at all when it comes to giving reviews so I will definitely not tell exactly about the ending of the story that I liked. To me, this was a quick read simply because I kept wanting to know more and more! This gets a FIVE star rating from me because from beginning to end I was shocked and scared and wanting to just know more and more. This is exactly what I expect from a scary novel, and I can not wait to read more stories that Matt Dinniman has to offer.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
It was so hard to put down because I wanted to know what would happen next in the plot. It had ups and downs, twists and turns, and it made my heart jump a couple times. It was everything that you look for in a book that would make such an epic scary movie. I loved the ending and I thought it worked well with the rest of the story line. I am not a spoiler at all when it comes to giving reviews so I will definitely not tell exactly about the ending of the story that I liked. To me, this was a quick read simply because I kept wanting to know more and more! This gets a FIVE star rating from me because from beginning to end I was shocked and scared and wanting to just know more and more. This is exactly what I expect from a scary novel, and I can not wait to read more stories that Matt Dinniman has to offer.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.
November 14, 2013
Oh My Goodness what a great book, the horror fan in my is pleased!!
This Necro story is a page turner and pins you to your chair till the end.
The monster will sneak up on you and just take you!
It is high level horror, not nasty but down to earth scary!!! Adam wants just one thing, not being a hero, but just to find his wife and be with her. Loved the twins! Monster, horror, Necro fans this is a MUST read.
I can NOT wait to read more from Matt. Well done!
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
This Necro story is a page turner and pins you to your chair till the end.
The monster will sneak up on you and just take you!
It is high level horror, not nasty but down to earth scary!!! Adam wants just one thing, not being a hero, but just to find his wife and be with her. Loved the twins! Monster, horror, Necro fans this is a MUST read.
I can NOT wait to read more from Matt. Well done!
I received a copy of this book for a honest review.
September 30, 2024
I loved another of this author's series, so I thought I'd give some more books by him a shot. I absolutely hated this. I liked Zero of the characters. I actively hated many of them and rooted against them. I hated the ending. There is nothing about this book that was redeemable.
Everyone wants that partner who will sacrifice everything for them, but we have lines. And this was one of them. This isn't a hero or anti-hero or sympathetic villain story. I want them to rot. Ugh.
Everyone wants that partner who will sacrifice everything for them, but we have lines. And this was one of them. This isn't a hero or anti-hero or sympathetic villain story. I want them to rot. Ugh.
June 27, 2025
Damn. What. A. Story.
I came in with no expectations and Mr. Dinniman blew it out of the water. This book was darker than KBS, more visceral, more mind fuck-y. So so so good. The character building and concepts in Dinniman’s writings never fail to impress. No punches pulled.
I came in with no expectations and Mr. Dinniman blew it out of the water. This book was darker than KBS, more visceral, more mind fuck-y. So so so good. The character building and concepts in Dinniman’s writings never fail to impress. No punches pulled.
July 24, 2025
Oh boy what a book
I really liked the characters, the way it was told, the pseudo science and of course the monster but the reveal in the last third sucked and it somewhat ruined the book for me. the last chapter was really good again so it's difficult to rate
Overall it's definitely worth it especially with the outstanding audiobook performance but damn what the fuck Matt?
I really liked the characters, the way it was told, the pseudo science and of course the monster but the reveal in the last third sucked and it somewhat ruined the book for me. the last chapter was really good again so it's difficult to rate
Overall it's definitely worth it especially with the outstanding audiobook performance but damn what the fuck Matt?
August 8, 2025
Another amazing production from Soundbooth Theater. This is a story best listened to, not read. 10/10 voice acting, characters, story, horror.
November 14, 2013
I'd like to thank Promotional Book Tours and the author for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was one scary as heck book, and I usually shy away from horror. The point of view that it was written from made it even more realistic, coming from a first hand experience, and written so well. It was extremely descriptive, and the author brought the one thing into it that I absolutely abhor to see in horror stories...babies, toddlers....no one was exempt from the Grinder. That made it even more realistic for me.
As much as I wanted to put it down, I couldn't. The story just made me coming back for more till I found out every little detail.
I'm not quite sure I bought into the end, and the reason for it all, but overall this was a great horror book to read.
This was one scary as heck book, and I usually shy away from horror. The point of view that it was written from made it even more realistic, coming from a first hand experience, and written so well. It was extremely descriptive, and the author brought the one thing into it that I absolutely abhor to see in horror stories...babies, toddlers....no one was exempt from the Grinder. That made it even more realistic for me.
As much as I wanted to put it down, I couldn't. The story just made me coming back for more till I found out every little detail.
I'm not quite sure I bought into the end, and the reason for it all, but overall this was a great horror book to read.
December 2, 2013
This was a First Book Giveaway.
This is a well written and descriptive book. It is not a book I would normally pick up to read but I am glad I won it or I would have missed a very interesting book. It was a fast read, and you never figure our how it will end. I look forward to checking out the authors other books.
This is a well written and descriptive book. It is not a book I would normally pick up to read but I am glad I won it or I would have missed a very interesting book. It was a fast read, and you never figure our how it will end. I look forward to checking out the authors other books.
July 15, 2016
I really, really liked this story. This needs to be a movie. For fans of THE THING, THE BLOB and that film SPLINTER. It's crazy good. If not a film, then Netflix needs to snatch up the rights for a limited series.
January 7, 2023
Започваща жестоко интересно, книгата успява да се точи безкрайно без никакво действие. По едно време по средата установяваш, че четеш вече 200 страници, а в романа е минал само 1 ден...
February 17, 2026
The Grinding by Matt Dinniman
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Warning: This is not your typical monster story. The Grinding is a skyscraper-sized nightmare made of thousands of fused humans and animals, shuffling through Tucson while the world watches—and no one can stop it.
Think apocalyptic horror × body horror × survival thriller. Told like an eyewitness account, it makes the absurd terrifyingly real.
Why You Can’t Miss It
Terrifying monster concept: A living tower of screaming flesh that consumes everything in its path.
High-stakes apocalypse: Military fails, institutions crumble, and survival is all that matters.
Fast-paced, gripping narrative: ~244 pages of nonstop tension, chaos, and gore.
Unique style: Found-footage vibes meet disaster reportage; it feels like you were there.
What Works
✅ Visceral, unforgettable horror
✅ Immersive first-person perspective
✅ A bold, audacious monster that dominates every scene
What Falls Short
⚠️ Characters are functional, not deeply developed
⚠️ Themes hint at conspiracy or cosmic horror but stay mostly grounded in “what happens”
⚠️ Horror is experiential over philosophical, which may frustrate mythology-hungry readers
Summary
Tucson becomes ground zero for a horrifying outbreak that turns people into one unstoppable, growing entity. Families, pets, police—everything is absorbed. Desperate measures fail, and the government ultimately resorts to nuclear destruction. The story closes with one survivor’s raw account, a warning that such a nightmare could strike again.
Bottom Line:
If you love body horror, apocalyptic carnage, and immersive survival stories, The Grinding will haunt you. Short, brutal, and unforgettable—it’s a horror ride that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.
💀 Pro tip: Don’t read this alone at night.
Read
August 27, 2025Not a bad story even if the random time jumps make it a pain and the end seems a bit ridiculous.
Grinder
Why does it start with them just meeting then suddenly they’re married and the event is happening? It feels like a whole chapter (or few) is missing.
She doesn’t know why she hates her dad, she just does? And he kept trying to keep contact with her but she refused except for money? She seems to be the problem.
Now we are going back in time? And he says he ALWAYS wore a condom but they specifically talk about him not having one when she hooks up with him. She says it happened after the first time, when the writer clearly states they had no condom. Did he forget what he wrote just a chapter earlier? This is why writers need character and story sheets.
If just standing up caused the legs and such to break under the weight wouldn’t jumping off a building cause a bunch of the bodies to break?
Pee Wee Herman is the character Paul Rubens was the actor.
A landline phone? Really? A corded phone? A boom box? What year is this? But there’s cell phone? Pick an era dude!
He didn’t get his cell phone stolen. He threw it.
It’s not a clip! It’s a magazine, which he seemed to fix going forward but there was the first (and later back at the store with the ski heads) instance where it’s wrong.
Faggy is unnecessary and doesn’t make sense. If he’s getting turned on by a woman that would be the opposite of gayness.
So we went from homophobic to transphobic
lol isn’t the military aware that there’s no power and the phone lines are down/blocked so the alerts they send out are pointless.
iPod? Lol sure. 6+ years after iPhones came out?
scopolamine is not an urban legend. It is a legit drug and can be used to facilitate sexual assault.
Dive shops has a bunch of flashlights. We use them underwater all the time. So he goes to get an old, used, dim flashlight next door instead of a brand new one at the dive shop (which also usually sell fresh batteries)?
“Terracotta pot filled with cactus” should have the article “a”
Is there not a key fob on the keys to toot the alarm?
Saying it was cast out for the same reason as Icarus then saying it wanted to know its father but he didn’t want to know it is not the story of Icarus.
While it could TECHNICALLY be a scabbard if it’s a bigger dagger or that many dive knives use a hard case sheath is often a more appropriate term for knives.
Even partway through Nif is clearly a useless person and deadweight. He should’ve left her soon after hooking up with her much less putting in so much effort to even try to save her.
Grinder
Why does it start with them just meeting then suddenly they’re married and the event is happening? It feels like a whole chapter (or few) is missing.
She doesn’t know why she hates her dad, she just does? And he kept trying to keep contact with her but she refused except for money? She seems to be the problem.
Now we are going back in time? And he says he ALWAYS wore a condom but they specifically talk about him not having one when she hooks up with him. She says it happened after the first time, when the writer clearly states they had no condom. Did he forget what he wrote just a chapter earlier? This is why writers need character and story sheets.
If just standing up caused the legs and such to break under the weight wouldn’t jumping off a building cause a bunch of the bodies to break?
Pee Wee Herman is the character Paul Rubens was the actor.
A landline phone? Really? A corded phone? A boom box? What year is this? But there’s cell phone? Pick an era dude!
He didn’t get his cell phone stolen. He threw it.
It’s not a clip! It’s a magazine, which he seemed to fix going forward but there was the first (and later back at the store with the ski heads) instance where it’s wrong.
Faggy is unnecessary and doesn’t make sense. If he’s getting turned on by a woman that would be the opposite of gayness.
So we went from homophobic to transphobic
lol isn’t the military aware that there’s no power and the phone lines are down/blocked so the alerts they send out are pointless.
iPod? Lol sure. 6+ years after iPhones came out?
scopolamine is not an urban legend. It is a legit drug and can be used to facilitate sexual assault.
Dive shops has a bunch of flashlights. We use them underwater all the time. So he goes to get an old, used, dim flashlight next door instead of a brand new one at the dive shop (which also usually sell fresh batteries)?
“Terracotta pot filled with cactus” should have the article “a”
Is there not a key fob on the keys to toot the alarm?
Saying it was cast out for the same reason as Icarus then saying it wanted to know its father but he didn’t want to know it is not the story of Icarus.
While it could TECHNICALLY be a scabbard if it’s a bigger dagger or that many dive knives use a hard case sheath is often a more appropriate term for knives.
Even partway through Nif is clearly a useless person and deadweight. He should’ve left her soon after hooking up with her much less putting in so much effort to even try to save her.
July 4, 2025
I did listen to this on Soundbooth Theatre.
This one caught me off guard in the best kind of terrible way.
The Grinding isn’t my usual genre. I will be honest that I mostly read fantasy (including romantasy & cozy fantasy) I loved Dungeon Crawler Carl, but I wasn’t sure what to expect with this. What I got was a weird, brutal, cosmic horror trip that lodged somewhere between my sternum and spine. It’s equal parts religious nightmare, Lovecraftian descent, and straight-up body horror, but somehow… gorgeous? Like watching something beautiful rot in real time.
I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t sold. Adam and Niff felt a little almost tropey (very manic pixie dream girl and clean-cut guy that has to save this damaged butterfly of a woman) and it nearly pulled me out of the story. But by the end, it all made sense. Dinniman wasn’t being lazy; he was being intentional. These characters had to be shown this way, because the story couldn’t have been told in the same way without them being like this. They’re annoying sometimes but absolutely worth sticking around for. And then there’s the grinder………..the Grinder isn’t just worth it: his story must be told.
The production and performance are ridiculously well done. But I can’t imagine Soundbooth & Jeff Hays ever producing anything that’s not. They really do take audio production to an entirely new level. It makes you forget you’re listening and not hallucinating. Then there’s our lord and savior: Matt dinniman. He doesn’t just write horror; he invites you into it. Breaks the fourth wall with this eerie intimacy that makes you complicit, like he knows exactly when you’re alone with your headphones on.
I was spooked but vibing with the story for 90% of the book. But the ending genuinely chilled me. Quietly. Deeply. It’s the kind of ending that makes you sit in the dark a little longer than you meant to.
10/10. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!!!Pick it. Give it a listen and finish it because it’s worth it.
This one caught me off guard in the best kind of terrible way.
The Grinding isn’t my usual genre. I will be honest that I mostly read fantasy (including romantasy & cozy fantasy) I loved Dungeon Crawler Carl, but I wasn’t sure what to expect with this. What I got was a weird, brutal, cosmic horror trip that lodged somewhere between my sternum and spine. It’s equal parts religious nightmare, Lovecraftian descent, and straight-up body horror, but somehow… gorgeous? Like watching something beautiful rot in real time.
I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t sold. Adam and Niff felt a little almost tropey (very manic pixie dream girl and clean-cut guy that has to save this damaged butterfly of a woman) and it nearly pulled me out of the story. But by the end, it all made sense. Dinniman wasn’t being lazy; he was being intentional. These characters had to be shown this way, because the story couldn’t have been told in the same way without them being like this. They’re annoying sometimes but absolutely worth sticking around for. And then there’s the grinder………..the Grinder isn’t just worth it: his story must be told.
The production and performance are ridiculously well done. But I can’t imagine Soundbooth & Jeff Hays ever producing anything that’s not. They really do take audio production to an entirely new level. It makes you forget you’re listening and not hallucinating. Then there’s our lord and savior: Matt dinniman. He doesn’t just write horror; he invites you into it. Breaks the fourth wall with this eerie intimacy that makes you complicit, like he knows exactly when you’re alone with your headphones on.
I was spooked but vibing with the story for 90% of the book. But the ending genuinely chilled me. Quietly. Deeply. It’s the kind of ending that makes you sit in the dark a little longer than you meant to.
10/10. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!!!Pick it. Give it a listen and finish it because it’s worth it.
September 11, 2025
I only started this because I adored listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl, but to my pleasant surprise Matt Dinnimans first outing as an author was quite good. Not great but I enjoyed my time with this novel.
The Grinding to me kind of felt like The Rats by James Herbert, there is no real story setup your nearly immediately thrown into the action, with a focus on the gore and ick factor. Contrary to The Rats, The Grinding tries to tell a deeper story. I´d even argue this is as much a dark romance as it is a horror book. While I never started to like Niv I got what Matt (the main character not the author) was going through and the ending was great. To be honest the Grinding had many neat parts, many of the side characters felt interesting, albeit often to short lived, the focus on religion was a nice diversion and the story bits surrounding Niv helped the book not feeling stale. Despite that it was just a bit too much on to few pages. As mentioned I liked most of the ideas Matt squirted on paper, but they often felt like blotches of colour that didn´t end up forming the portrait he was trying to create. Another story aspect I found interesting but didn´t care much was the father storyline. It felt very similar to the one in Dungeon Crawler Carl and have to admit that I´m quite curious how much of these feelings portrayed here are autobiographical.
Ultimately, the Grinding was a great start for a up and coming author and it was way more interesting than I expected from the blurb on the backside of the book. I´ll probably read through Dinniman’s entire catalogue as there are only three more books, but if this was the worst he had to offer, I´ll have a damn good time.
The Grinding to me kind of felt like The Rats by James Herbert, there is no real story setup your nearly immediately thrown into the action, with a focus on the gore and ick factor. Contrary to The Rats, The Grinding tries to tell a deeper story. I´d even argue this is as much a dark romance as it is a horror book. While I never started to like Niv I got what Matt (the main character not the author) was going through and the ending was great. To be honest the Grinding had many neat parts, many of the side characters felt interesting, albeit often to short lived, the focus on religion was a nice diversion and the story bits surrounding Niv helped the book not feeling stale. Despite that it was just a bit too much on to few pages. As mentioned I liked most of the ideas Matt squirted on paper, but they often felt like blotches of colour that didn´t end up forming the portrait he was trying to create. Another story aspect I found interesting but didn´t care much was the father storyline. It felt very similar to the one in Dungeon Crawler Carl and have to admit that I´m quite curious how much of these feelings portrayed here are autobiographical.
Ultimately, the Grinding was a great start for a up and coming author and it was way more interesting than I expected from the blurb on the backside of the book. I´ll probably read through Dinniman’s entire catalogue as there are only three more books, but if this was the worst he had to offer, I´ll have a damn good time.
July 14, 2025
*Audiobook*
*3.5⭐️*
I decided to check this audiobook out because I like Matt Dinniman and I like Jeff Hays as a narrator. The concept of the book was interesting, and continued to evolve until it eventually turned into some Neon Genesis, The Ring, and John Carpenter-esque hybrid of horror and the power of love?? It had its highs and lows, but on average I found myself invested in the story and the characters enough to continue to see how it would pan out. If you’re looking for a unique read that has an ending you aren’t expecting, and love the Dinniman/Hays dream team as much as I do, then you’ll enjoy this audiobook.
*3.5⭐️*
I decided to check this audiobook out because I like Matt Dinniman and I like Jeff Hays as a narrator. The concept of the book was interesting, and continued to evolve until it eventually turned into some Neon Genesis, The Ring, and John Carpenter-esque hybrid of horror and the power of love?? It had its highs and lows, but on average I found myself invested in the story and the characters enough to continue to see how it would pan out. If you’re looking for a unique read that has an ending you aren’t expecting, and love the Dinniman/Hays dream team as much as I do, then you’ll enjoy this audiobook.
May 20, 2020
Empathy horror tragedy done well
A lot of books have horrible things happening to people. Rarely does the author really attempt to humanize the victims to the point where they're more than just a background stain of blood for the protagonist.
This guy makes a world full of real people with lives and drives and then takes them apart again. He makes it very clear the body count isn't a score in a video game but a real personal tragedy for everyone involved
I've noticed a theme of 'Christianity gone wrong' in his books
A lot of books have horrible things happening to people. Rarely does the author really attempt to humanize the victims to the point where they're more than just a background stain of blood for the protagonist.
This guy makes a world full of real people with lives and drives and then takes them apart again. He makes it very clear the body count isn't a score in a video game but a real personal tragedy for everyone involved
I've noticed a theme of 'Christianity gone wrong' in his books
November 9, 2021
A Different Kind Of Horror Novel
Take "The Thing" from "Who Goes There" cross breed it with "The Blob" and add in a touch of zombie infection and you have "The Grinder." Obviously, The Grinding is done by The Grinder -- except that that's not the whole truth of the matter and it all starts with a father rejecting his son.
This is a horror novel that starts out like Bio-weapon Disaster story and slowly morphs into both a Romance and supernatural horror story. Even so, it may appeal to some fans of the Fantasy genre who might appreciate the concept driving the story's plot.
Take "The Thing" from "Who Goes There" cross breed it with "The Blob" and add in a touch of zombie infection and you have "The Grinder." Obviously, The Grinding is done by The Grinder -- except that that's not the whole truth of the matter and it all starts with a father rejecting his son.
This is a horror novel that starts out like Bio-weapon Disaster story and slowly morphs into both a Romance and supernatural horror story. Even so, it may appeal to some fans of the Fantasy genre who might appreciate the concept driving the story's plot.
September 3, 2025
Warning! Do not read this book, anyone who has finished reading this book will agree, unless the curse has them.
All jokes aside, the grinding is horrific, though not scary. i'm not into horror novels, but took a chance with the author who wrote princess donut.
It is a mostly christian narrative though desecrated and blasphemous, as if yout take everything an atheist thinks of heaven and hell and run with it. Basically, the devil is a manchild, and the protagonist becomes the antichrist by deeming him to be the greatest idolater. There is no likable character, maybe except for hamlet.
All jokes aside, the grinding is horrific, though not scary. i'm not into horror novels, but took a chance with the author who wrote princess donut.
It is a mostly christian narrative though desecrated and blasphemous, as if yout take everything an atheist thinks of heaven and hell and run with it. Basically, the devil is a manchild, and the protagonist becomes the antichrist by deeming him to be the greatest idolater. There is no likable character, maybe except for hamlet.
March 1, 2022
Far from his best work but my God what a book.
An apocalyptic book of one bad thing being piled on top of another. There is heroism, there is comedy, there is a lot of messed up stuff. There's a lot more focus on the messed up stuff than some of his other books. It's definitely not in the same line as some of his others but if you need something to read in between other books it's definitely something to read.
An apocalyptic book of one bad thing being piled on top of another. There is heroism, there is comedy, there is a lot of messed up stuff. There's a lot more focus on the messed up stuff than some of his other books. It's definitely not in the same line as some of his others but if you need something to read in between other books it's definitely something to read.
March 14, 2023
While some elements of Dungeon Crawler Carl exist, this is more like Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon, the only other book of Matt Diniman’s I didn’t care for.
It is partly my personal taste, but also the confusion, the characters with no redeeming qualities, the illogical behavior of certain people.
I think this was his first book, so glad he kept trying because as bad as this is, DCC is that much more amazing.
It is partly my personal taste, but also the confusion, the characters with no redeeming qualities, the illogical behavior of certain people.
I think this was his first book, so glad he kept trying because as bad as this is, DCC is that much more amazing.
August 27, 2025
Though best known for his LitRPG sagas, The Grinding proves this author’s horror talent is second to none. The story’s relentless tension centers on the Grinder, a monstrous presence that embodies pure existential dread. With razor-sharp pacing and an atmosphere thick with unease, his ability to terrify shines brighter here than ever, making this a must-read for horror and speculative fiction fans alike.
September 5, 2025
I remember finishing the book. I don't remember why the book is not marked as finished, and there were no review.
It has been two months, but I can still remember some of the details. I guess the book did make an impression on me.
It's a started like a game of tag gone wrong, turning into Invasion of the Body Snatcher. The ending was literally one giant gross out mess.
I would recommend the book to people who enjoy Sci-fi Horror.
It has been two months, but I can still remember some of the details. I guess the book did make an impression on me.
It's a started like a game of tag gone wrong, turning into Invasion of the Body Snatcher. The ending was literally one giant gross out mess.
I would recommend the book to people who enjoy Sci-fi Horror.
September 30, 2025
Fast paced and entertaining. Not typically a fan of horror but Matt’s writing was familiar due to being apart of the DCC cult, so it was easy to cruise through. Enjoyed reading quite a few ideas I could see translated into later books.
I would have to say my positive review has a lot to do with how quick of a read it was. If it was any lengthier I may have had a different opinion. That’s the worst I can say on my end.
I would have to say my positive review has a lot to do with how quick of a read it was. If it was any lengthier I may have had a different opinion. That’s the worst I can say on my end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews