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Wet Market and Other Horrors
FORBIDDEN DESIRES
World-renowned chef, Kason Anders, has a secret compulsion. Divulging in his obsession has brought him to the darkest corners of the globe. But redundancy can make even the most extraordinary experiences grow old. However, if the rumors prompting his return to Singapore are true, Kason's taste buds will never be bored again.
Lao Goh has fallen on hard times. In an attempt to fund a procedure for his ailing daughter, he's involved himself with an insidious enterprise. If he can appease Kason's palate and guide the celebrity chef through the underbelly of Pinzhong wet market, Lao may acquire a lifesaving commission. But will he make it back out of the wet market or become another product inside it?
Get ready for one of Aron Beauregard's most squirm-worthy and heartbreaking tales. Includes five other stories of the macabre and an expanded personal essay, The Best and Worst Days of My Life, exploring the inspiration behind Wet Market and his viral success.
This volume contains 15 interior illustrations.
WARNING: This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
World-renowned chef, Kason Anders, has a secret compulsion. Divulging in his obsession has brought him to the darkest corners of the globe. But redundancy can make even the most extraordinary experiences grow old. However, if the rumors prompting his return to Singapore are true, Kason's taste buds will never be bored again.
Lao Goh has fallen on hard times. In an attempt to fund a procedure for his ailing daughter, he's involved himself with an insidious enterprise. If he can appease Kason's palate and guide the celebrity chef through the underbelly of Pinzhong wet market, Lao may acquire a lifesaving commission. But will he make it back out of the wet market or become another product inside it?
Get ready for one of Aron Beauregard's most squirm-worthy and heartbreaking tales. Includes five other stories of the macabre and an expanded personal essay, The Best and Worst Days of My Life, exploring the inspiration behind Wet Market and his viral success.
This volume contains 15 interior illustrations.
WARNING: This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
180 pages, Hardcover
Published August 9, 2023
20 people are currently reading
1396 people want to read
About the author
Aron Beauregard
87 books3,413 followersAron Beauregard was born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He's been writing horror since the 6th grade and has now released over 25 books. An avid supporter of horror art and illustration, Aron has made it his standard to hire illustrators for every book that he puts out under his brand AB Horror.
His writing is dark and without boundaries. Known for creating a stir, his work has gone viral on several occasions. He's won the Splatterpunk Award twice after garnering four total nominations. As an independent artist, Beauregard's book "Playground" has achieved #1 Bestseller status under the category of horror on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Additionally, his work has been translated to multiple languages.
To get the latest updates about upcoming releases, signed books and merchandise, film news, and so much more, visit his website:
www.ABHorror.com
To subscribe to his free newsletter, join the AB Horror Maggot Mailing List at:
https://aronbeauregard.substack.com/
His writing is dark and without boundaries. Known for creating a stir, his work has gone viral on several occasions. He's won the Splatterpunk Award twice after garnering four total nominations. As an independent artist, Beauregard's book "Playground" has achieved #1 Bestseller status under the category of horror on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Additionally, his work has been translated to multiple languages.
To get the latest updates about upcoming releases, signed books and merchandise, film news, and so much more, visit his website:
www.ABHorror.com
To subscribe to his free newsletter, join the AB Horror Maggot Mailing List at:
https://aronbeauregard.substack.com/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 1, 2023
I never thought I’d ever give a book with animal abuse 5 stars but here we are.
Honestly, Wet Market made me way more emotional than Playground. I know Aron has said that writing *that* scene wasn’t easy and can anyone fucking blame him???
Aron is constantly pushing boundaries and making his readers test their limits and that’s what makes his writing so fun.
Will I ever read this again? Fuck no, my heart can’t take it, but snaps for Aron for another amazing collection. 🖤
Also: his personal essay at the end had me crying and calling my dad. 😭
Honestly, Wet Market made me way more emotional than Playground. I know Aron has said that writing *that* scene wasn’t easy and can anyone fucking blame him???
Aron is constantly pushing boundaries and making his readers test their limits and that’s what makes his writing so fun.
Will I ever read this again? Fuck no, my heart can’t take it, but snaps for Aron for another amazing collection. 🖤
Also: his personal essay at the end had me crying and calling my dad. 😭
August 18, 2023
Was very surprised by the direction the opening story went! Aron Beauregard's short fiction rules.
Read
September 14, 2023Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/09/14/wet-market-and-other-horrors/
Wet Market and Other Horrors is a collection of six intense extreme horror stories and one impactful essay by Aron Beauregard. It is currently available only through AB Horror, and Aron has said on social media that this is because “There is a lot of pain in this one,” referring to both personal pain and the fictitious elements in the stories. I am here to tell you that in addition to the brutally extreme content, the pain bleeding from these pages—physical, emotional, psychological, philosophical—will seep into your being and have an impact on you.
Fans of Edward Lee will understand and appreciate the boundary-crossing elements of “Wet Market” and “The Invisible Path,” but even they may find themselves challenged by Aron Beauregard’s profound delivery and the nature of the boundaries his stories cross. The poignant brutality in these stories is integral rather than gratuitous. It speaks to things beyond the immediate and physical—things about people, about society, about the true horrors all around us. This is also and especially true for “Carla’s Conundrum,” which is deep and disturbing on every level as well as being brutal in its challenging of true right and wrong.
And there’s more. “The Hunger” is classic Beauregard: dark, depraved, but with a deeper meaning under the gore. “Muffin in the Oven” is a gory extreme sci-fi horror story no extreme horror fan should miss. And “The Salt Man of South Kingstown” is suspenseful and haunting and ultimately makes a point that will give you chills.
And then there is “The Best and Worst Days of my Life” a personal essay by Aron Beauregard. Read it. This is a deep and moving peek into the author’s heart, mind, and life. It’s very evocative; it’s an honor he has bestowed on us, a gift to his readers; and it reveals what drives the depth in “Wet Market.”
Yes, “Wet Market” has depth. It has pain and horrors and depravity and depth. It grabs something inside you, and you are not the same after.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/09/14/wet-market-and-other-horrors/
Wet Market and Other Horrors is a collection of six intense extreme horror stories and one impactful essay by Aron Beauregard. It is currently available only through AB Horror, and Aron has said on social media that this is because “There is a lot of pain in this one,” referring to both personal pain and the fictitious elements in the stories. I am here to tell you that in addition to the brutally extreme content, the pain bleeding from these pages—physical, emotional, psychological, philosophical—will seep into your being and have an impact on you.
Fans of Edward Lee will understand and appreciate the boundary-crossing elements of “Wet Market” and “The Invisible Path,” but even they may find themselves challenged by Aron Beauregard’s profound delivery and the nature of the boundaries his stories cross. The poignant brutality in these stories is integral rather than gratuitous. It speaks to things beyond the immediate and physical—things about people, about society, about the true horrors all around us. This is also and especially true for “Carla’s Conundrum,” which is deep and disturbing on every level as well as being brutal in its challenging of true right and wrong.
And there’s more. “The Hunger” is classic Beauregard: dark, depraved, but with a deeper meaning under the gore. “Muffin in the Oven” is a gory extreme sci-fi horror story no extreme horror fan should miss. And “The Salt Man of South Kingstown” is suspenseful and haunting and ultimately makes a point that will give you chills.
And then there is “The Best and Worst Days of my Life” a personal essay by Aron Beauregard. Read it. This is a deep and moving peek into the author’s heart, mind, and life. It’s very evocative; it’s an honor he has bestowed on us, a gift to his readers; and it reveals what drives the depth in “Wet Market.”
Yes, “Wet Market” has depth. It has pain and horrors and depravity and depth. It grabs something inside you, and you are not the same after.
August 30, 2023
Absolutely brilliant per usual. Of course I didn’t want it to end, I never do!
August 26, 2023
This book consists of 6 short stories and a personal essay. The stories are Aron at his best, his most depraved and twisted. A few of these can be found in other collections, so if you've read pretty much everything Aron has ever written like I have, you'll find them familiar, but for me, they were even better the second time around. I always think you tend to pick up on little things you missed the first time (not that I ever have time to reread books these days 😂). The personal essay is exactly what it says, it's very personal to Aron, his thoughts on events that have happened in his life recently that we are all pretty aware of, it's a heartbreaking, moving and poignant look on those things and how they may have inspired this book.
Anyway, on with the review and as always with collections I will write a few words for each story. I loved them all, but my favourites were the title story, WET MARKET, which although it was a pretty tough read, it was a brilliantly dark and chilling one too, one that's left a permanent imprint on my very soul! And also, CARLA'S CONUNDRUM. 🖤
WET MARKET…. Kason is a renowned chef, he's seen, done and eaten it all in the world of cookery and fine dining, apart from this one thing in Singapore, this one thing that will cost him so much! He wants the next high, the next best taste, and he wants it as fresh as possible, until it becomes a fully embedded addiction!
Lao has lost his wife to cancer and his daughter is going downhill fast with the same condition. He will do anything to raise the money to help her…
I thought I knew where this was headed, was convinced there was no other way it could go….I was wrong!!
Utter, utter depravity. Heart wrenching and brilliantly chilling!!
THE HUNGER…. Buster is a hermit, he likes it that way. He prefers the company of his own mind to that of actual human beings. The only thing he really hungers for is the company of a woman, but his appearance makes that difficult, scares women off, not even the whores will take his money anymore.
But, before that, he needs food, until Marybeth intervenes. And she should be thankful that things turned out the way they did, and so quickly too, because things get so much worse for her! Proof you'll be tempted to eat just about anything when you're starving….
Sickening, in more ways than one, with a great jump scare!
A MUFFIN IN THE OVEN…. Celine is pregnant, but it's no normal pregnancy, and she doesn't want anything to do with it. She might be about to get her wish, but it comes at a horrific price for her and her friends….
Disturbing, chilling, tense and otherworldly….
THE INVISIBLE PATH…. Jacob discovers something in the small print of his work contract, something that stands out glaringly to him but seems to have been attempted to be kept hidden. But the job is only watching videos, how hard can that be….? The videos are sickening though, and so is he.. and when things start to happen a lot closer to home, and he eventually ends up in hospital, he starts to look at things in a whole new uncontrollable way!
Utterly horrific and emotional.
CARLA'S CONUNDRUM…. Carla and Samson are in a relationship, but there are others invested in it too. Samson gives Carla an ultimatum, but what will she decide and what will be the consequences of her decision? The breaking of her mind perhaps..
In a strange twist of events, it makes her see things differently, gives her the power to speak out and to do what she wants, be who she wants to be, and she's going to make everyone else see things her way too…
Brutal, barbaric and traumatising!
THE SALT MAN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN…. People are mysteriously vanishing along the same stretch of road during severe snowstorms. Legend has it that The Salt Man may have something to do with it, and Dillon is about to find out the hard way! Beauregard brutality at its finest, I can still feel the sting of this one.
I found each of these stories to be a kind of cry for help from the characters, sad, emotional, depressed and heart breaking. The scene setting, imagery and word flow are all perfect…in every story! Aron sets a certain eerie atmosphere in all his stories that give you the biggest goosebumps, the sickest stomach, and the most heartfelt of emotions! Another triumph from the man himself! 🖤
Anyway, on with the review and as always with collections I will write a few words for each story. I loved them all, but my favourites were the title story, WET MARKET, which although it was a pretty tough read, it was a brilliantly dark and chilling one too, one that's left a permanent imprint on my very soul! And also, CARLA'S CONUNDRUM. 🖤
WET MARKET…. Kason is a renowned chef, he's seen, done and eaten it all in the world of cookery and fine dining, apart from this one thing in Singapore, this one thing that will cost him so much! He wants the next high, the next best taste, and he wants it as fresh as possible, until it becomes a fully embedded addiction!
Lao has lost his wife to cancer and his daughter is going downhill fast with the same condition. He will do anything to raise the money to help her…
I thought I knew where this was headed, was convinced there was no other way it could go….I was wrong!!
Utter, utter depravity. Heart wrenching and brilliantly chilling!!
THE HUNGER…. Buster is a hermit, he likes it that way. He prefers the company of his own mind to that of actual human beings. The only thing he really hungers for is the company of a woman, but his appearance makes that difficult, scares women off, not even the whores will take his money anymore.
But, before that, he needs food, until Marybeth intervenes. And she should be thankful that things turned out the way they did, and so quickly too, because things get so much worse for her! Proof you'll be tempted to eat just about anything when you're starving….
Sickening, in more ways than one, with a great jump scare!
A MUFFIN IN THE OVEN…. Celine is pregnant, but it's no normal pregnancy, and she doesn't want anything to do with it. She might be about to get her wish, but it comes at a horrific price for her and her friends….
Disturbing, chilling, tense and otherworldly….
THE INVISIBLE PATH…. Jacob discovers something in the small print of his work contract, something that stands out glaringly to him but seems to have been attempted to be kept hidden. But the job is only watching videos, how hard can that be….? The videos are sickening though, and so is he.. and when things start to happen a lot closer to home, and he eventually ends up in hospital, he starts to look at things in a whole new uncontrollable way!
Utterly horrific and emotional.
CARLA'S CONUNDRUM…. Carla and Samson are in a relationship, but there are others invested in it too. Samson gives Carla an ultimatum, but what will she decide and what will be the consequences of her decision? The breaking of her mind perhaps..
In a strange twist of events, it makes her see things differently, gives her the power to speak out and to do what she wants, be who she wants to be, and she's going to make everyone else see things her way too…
Brutal, barbaric and traumatising!
THE SALT MAN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN…. People are mysteriously vanishing along the same stretch of road during severe snowstorms. Legend has it that The Salt Man may have something to do with it, and Dillon is about to find out the hard way! Beauregard brutality at its finest, I can still feel the sting of this one.
I found each of these stories to be a kind of cry for help from the characters, sad, emotional, depressed and heart breaking. The scene setting, imagery and word flow are all perfect…in every story! Aron sets a certain eerie atmosphere in all his stories that give you the biggest goosebumps, the sickest stomach, and the most heartfelt of emotions! Another triumph from the man himself! 🖤
October 15, 2023
*I'm not going to give you the 'what this book is about' blurb - you can read that elsewhere.
1. This is a collection of 6 short stories and 1 personal essay. I really enjoyed all the stories, but I’ll be honest that the personal essay hit me the hardest. It’s incredibly personal and full of pain. With Aron being one of the nicest guys in the horror game and someone I consider a friend, his real-life pain hit me in the feels in a way I’m not used to. I know so many horror authors write their personal trauma and pain into their stories as a coping mechanism, however, when that happens, it’s hidden in a story and not laid out in front of you. Being confronted with the pain behind the stories really sat with me. I love that Aron chose to share that with us, and I did not take it lightly.
2. Since this book was so personal for Aron, it is only available on his website (link below as always). With the way the horror community faces judgement from outside sources (IE: his book Playground on TikTok for example) + some of the subject matter in the book I can 100% understand why Aron chose to protect his peace a bit in making it more difficult to just stumble on this book. Instead it’s a calculated purchase someone has to really choose to make. That said, I didn’t think the subject matter in this book was ‘too much’ for Amazon, etc. I think it’s on par with a lot of the Splatterpunk/Extreme community, maybe just a little more openly personal.
3. Aron takes on all kinds of subject matter in this one: aliens, conspiracy theories, revenge, social media, the government, and more! There is such a difference between each story – the one overarching theme is awesomeness 😊 I do, of course, have my favorites and those are: ‘The Invisible Path’ and ‘The Saltman of Kingstown’.
4. Totally worth it! Also, the original artwork in the book is *chef’s kiss* - definitely a title you want to have on your shelf if you’re a collector of indie horror.
1. This is a collection of 6 short stories and 1 personal essay. I really enjoyed all the stories, but I’ll be honest that the personal essay hit me the hardest. It’s incredibly personal and full of pain. With Aron being one of the nicest guys in the horror game and someone I consider a friend, his real-life pain hit me in the feels in a way I’m not used to. I know so many horror authors write their personal trauma and pain into their stories as a coping mechanism, however, when that happens, it’s hidden in a story and not laid out in front of you. Being confronted with the pain behind the stories really sat with me. I love that Aron chose to share that with us, and I did not take it lightly.
2. Since this book was so personal for Aron, it is only available on his website (link below as always). With the way the horror community faces judgement from outside sources (IE: his book Playground on TikTok for example) + some of the subject matter in the book I can 100% understand why Aron chose to protect his peace a bit in making it more difficult to just stumble on this book. Instead it’s a calculated purchase someone has to really choose to make. That said, I didn’t think the subject matter in this book was ‘too much’ for Amazon, etc. I think it’s on par with a lot of the Splatterpunk/Extreme community, maybe just a little more openly personal.
3. Aron takes on all kinds of subject matter in this one: aliens, conspiracy theories, revenge, social media, the government, and more! There is such a difference between each story – the one overarching theme is awesomeness 😊 I do, of course, have my favorites and those are: ‘The Invisible Path’ and ‘The Saltman of Kingstown’.
4. Totally worth it! Also, the original artwork in the book is *chef’s kiss* - definitely a title you want to have on your shelf if you’re a collector of indie horror.
September 21, 2023
Where to start with this one...it was a tough, but great read! Trigger warnings for sure, so please don't pick this one up if you are sensitive to animal horror and or vile depravity.
You could tell that Aron put a lot of emotion into this one, especially the first short story of which the book is named.
What would you do to save a loved one? Lao found out exactly what he would do to save his daughter's life. Though taking world renowned chef Kason Anders into the underbelly of the Wet Market goes against everything he believes in, the payout would be enough for his daughter's procedure...if he makes it out...
Though it was tough to read some of this book, due to the animal horror mentioned above, I got through it. It was gross, vile, definitely depraved and in places made me gag, look away or put the book down for a minute, but I loved it! Bravo sir, you have done it again!
The essay at the end of the book also hit home in many ways and brought tears to my eyes as I could relate so very much...
It's not easy to lose a parent, especially when you have been estranged for so long. I wish I had made the time to forgive my mom, as Aron did his dad, and spend the end of her days with her, not pissed at her. I am so glad you had those moments with your dad and I know he is looking down on you a proud man!
Thank you Aron for not letting the haters get to you and continuing to share your stories with the world. Can't wait to see what comes next!
You could tell that Aron put a lot of emotion into this one, especially the first short story of which the book is named.
What would you do to save a loved one? Lao found out exactly what he would do to save his daughter's life. Though taking world renowned chef Kason Anders into the underbelly of the Wet Market goes against everything he believes in, the payout would be enough for his daughter's procedure...if he makes it out...
Though it was tough to read some of this book, due to the animal horror mentioned above, I got through it. It was gross, vile, definitely depraved and in places made me gag, look away or put the book down for a minute, but I loved it! Bravo sir, you have done it again!
The essay at the end of the book also hit home in many ways and brought tears to my eyes as I could relate so very much...
It's not easy to lose a parent, especially when you have been estranged for so long. I wish I had made the time to forgive my mom, as Aron did his dad, and spend the end of her days with her, not pissed at her. I am so glad you had those moments with your dad and I know he is looking down on you a proud man!
Thank you Aron for not letting the haters get to you and continuing to share your stories with the world. Can't wait to see what comes next!
September 4, 2023
Another brilliant collection of short stories from Aron. Loved all of them but especially Wet Market.
September 14, 2023
The primary story(first one) was basically a story on animal abuse. The elephant scene and visual was a bit much but I powered thru as any hard core horror reader. This elephant scene was a grim reminder of a movie I watch back in the 90s called Faces of Death their is a monkey scene where they basically brained a live spider monkey to death and ate its brains. The easy at the end was also gut renching I never got to say good bye to my father. He was also a Air Force veteran. He died while I was serving a Marine in Okinawa. I hope you are doing well Aron Beauregard.
May 13, 2024
Wet Market was exceptional!
Aron Beauregard essay was heartbreaking... But I'm pretty happy the author doesn't let those people break his spirit. Splatterpunk authors deserve happiness. Especially Aron Beauregard. It's funny how metal head, horror authors, tattooed people are often the sweetest people you will ever meet.
Aron Beauregard essay was heartbreaking... But I'm pretty happy the author doesn't let those people break his spirit. Splatterpunk authors deserve happiness. Especially Aron Beauregard. It's funny how metal head, horror authors, tattooed people are often the sweetest people you will ever meet.
December 31, 2023
4.25/5
This was my first book by Aron, and I’m regretting not reading his stuff sooner. I liked that this one was more of an anthology of stories and each was vastly different than the next. I really enjoyed Wet Market and the Invisible Path, those were my favorites.
What really caught me off guard was the excerpt Aron writes at the back of the book. He put his personal twist on it, divulged a little bit about his life and it strangely spoke to me, as I’m going through something similar.
So, was it depraved? Yes. Was it gory and violent and disgusting? Also yes. Was it also well-written and engaging? Very much so. That said, if you’re not a fan of extreme horror, this is not for you. So, don’t bitch and complain because you didn’t read trigger warnings.
I think if you’re gonna read Aron Beauregard, you know what you’re in for. Honestly, this was my intro to his work and I not only will be supporting this author further, but it revitalized my pursuit of my own writing.
Thank you, Aron!! And thank you to my brother and his girlfriend for this great Christmas gift!!
This was my first book by Aron, and I’m regretting not reading his stuff sooner. I liked that this one was more of an anthology of stories and each was vastly different than the next. I really enjoyed Wet Market and the Invisible Path, those were my favorites.
What really caught me off guard was the excerpt Aron writes at the back of the book. He put his personal twist on it, divulged a little bit about his life and it strangely spoke to me, as I’m going through something similar.
So, was it depraved? Yes. Was it gory and violent and disgusting? Also yes. Was it also well-written and engaging? Very much so. That said, if you’re not a fan of extreme horror, this is not for you. So, don’t bitch and complain because you didn’t read trigger warnings.
I think if you’re gonna read Aron Beauregard, you know what you’re in for. Honestly, this was my intro to his work and I not only will be supporting this author further, but it revitalized my pursuit of my own writing.
Thank you, Aron!! And thank you to my brother and his girlfriend for this great Christmas gift!!
March 23, 2024
My first foray into splatter punk and I was not disappointed. First time I’ve read a book that made my skin crawl. Too gruesome to just casually recommend but if you have the stomach for this kind of media- fantastic!
May 12, 2024
Fantastic as always
September 21, 2023
Aron Beauregard is my go-to Author when I need to be traumatized. I am not sure what that says about me but I don't care. I absolutely loved this Story Collection by him. I have yet to read something by AB that I didn't love.
Wet Market and other Horrors starts out with a bang. The first story (Wet Market) will probably haunt me for a long time. Especially the part with the Elephant, IYKYK. This story is about how much some people will pay to go all the way, to bend the natural morals and ethics.
"The Hunger" is a story about an outcast that is shunned by society and who is trying to feed himself.
"A Muffin in the oven" is a story that was previously featured in the "Bakers Dozen" Anthology (which is excellent). This one is about what do you do when you get impregnated against your will.
"The invisible Path" was previously featured in the Anthology "Battered, Broken Bones"(one of my favorite Anthologies). This story depicts when outside forces mess with our brain.
"Carla's Conundrum" was previously featured in the "Between a Spider's eyes" (superb Anthology and one of my favorites) and it features Carla struggle with her family that doesn't understand why she chooses her puppets over anything or anybody's else.
"The Salt Man of South Kingstown" is a story about Revenge.
I loved all of the stories (even though I read a few of these stories in other Anthologies before, I didn't mind diving into them again). Carla's Conundrum is a story, no matter how many times I'll read it, it gives me an uncomfortable feeling, a dread that lasts for days. That story definitely lives rent-free in my head. And now AB added Wet Market to my brain. Thanks lol
Aron Beauregard's afterword made me cry. AB is a wonderful person and Author, he is exceptional nice to his fans but he doesn't deserve some of the hate he got for his other book "Playground". Which I also LOVED. Books are an escape, we escape reality, to live other lives, to dream or to be scared. I prefer to read stuff that makes others uncomfortable or even nauseous. I makes me feel alive. Just like watching Horror movies. When the movie or the book is done, I look around and think to myself, whoa what a ride. Can you tell I also love riding roller coasters?? Anyways, don't yuck someone else's good time, mkay? And stop harassing author's and their fans.
I highly recommend Wet Market to anyone that is a huge fan of AB but I also recommend it to readers who have never read anything by him. There are only a handful of Authors (IMO) that make me feel like he does when I read his stuff. And that's why I am such a huge fan.
Wet Market and other Horrors starts out with a bang. The first story (Wet Market) will probably haunt me for a long time. Especially the part with the Elephant, IYKYK. This story is about how much some people will pay to go all the way, to bend the natural morals and ethics.
"The Hunger" is a story about an outcast that is shunned by society and who is trying to feed himself.
"A Muffin in the oven" is a story that was previously featured in the "Bakers Dozen" Anthology (which is excellent). This one is about what do you do when you get impregnated against your will.
"The invisible Path" was previously featured in the Anthology "Battered, Broken Bones"(one of my favorite Anthologies). This story depicts when outside forces mess with our brain.
"Carla's Conundrum" was previously featured in the "Between a Spider's eyes" (superb Anthology and one of my favorites) and it features Carla struggle with her family that doesn't understand why she chooses her puppets over anything or anybody's else.
"The Salt Man of South Kingstown" is a story about Revenge.
I loved all of the stories (even though I read a few of these stories in other Anthologies before, I didn't mind diving into them again). Carla's Conundrum is a story, no matter how many times I'll read it, it gives me an uncomfortable feeling, a dread that lasts for days. That story definitely lives rent-free in my head. And now AB added Wet Market to my brain. Thanks lol
Aron Beauregard's afterword made me cry. AB is a wonderful person and Author, he is exceptional nice to his fans but he doesn't deserve some of the hate he got for his other book "Playground". Which I also LOVED. Books are an escape, we escape reality, to live other lives, to dream or to be scared. I prefer to read stuff that makes others uncomfortable or even nauseous. I makes me feel alive. Just like watching Horror movies. When the movie or the book is done, I look around and think to myself, whoa what a ride. Can you tell I also love riding roller coasters?? Anyways, don't yuck someone else's good time, mkay? And stop harassing author's and their fans.
I highly recommend Wet Market to anyone that is a huge fan of AB but I also recommend it to readers who have never read anything by him. There are only a handful of Authors (IMO) that make me feel like he does when I read his stuff. And that's why I am such a huge fan.
October 2, 2025
More like a 3.5, maybe a 3.7. God, short story collections are hard to rate.
Probably one of the toughest Aron Beauregard reads for that opening story alone. I’d heard about the elephant scene before, but actually reading it was rough. Disturbing elements aside, I think Wet Market (the story) is a very impressive piece of short horror fiction. I was pleasantly surprised by just how tense this one was, through the combination of an eerie atmosphere, constantly escalating cruelty, the ticking clock of Mei’s illness, and the conflict between the cautious, reluctant Lao, and the brash, foolish Anders. A great, dark little story with an ending that definitely left me surprised.
The rest of the collection is fine. I could take or leave most of the stories. I thought “The Hunger” was good, although it left me think the rest of the collection was gonna be themed around food/meat, which would have been really cool. I loved the New England ghost story vibe of “Salt man of South Kingston”, I vibed with it hard. But other than the title story, I think the standout is the little essay in the back. Aron Beauregard seems like such a good dude, and I loved getting some insight behind his writing and the reaction to it. Hearing him talk about the inspiration for Wet Market made me love that story all the more
Probably one of the toughest Aron Beauregard reads for that opening story alone. I’d heard about the elephant scene before, but actually reading it was rough. Disturbing elements aside, I think Wet Market (the story) is a very impressive piece of short horror fiction. I was pleasantly surprised by just how tense this one was, through the combination of an eerie atmosphere, constantly escalating cruelty, the ticking clock of Mei’s illness, and the conflict between the cautious, reluctant Lao, and the brash, foolish Anders. A great, dark little story with an ending that definitely left me surprised.
The rest of the collection is fine. I could take or leave most of the stories. I thought “The Hunger” was good, although it left me think the rest of the collection was gonna be themed around food/meat, which would have been really cool. I loved the New England ghost story vibe of “Salt man of South Kingston”, I vibed with it hard. But other than the title story, I think the standout is the little essay in the back. Aron Beauregard seems like such a good dude, and I loved getting some insight behind his writing and the reaction to it. Hearing him talk about the inspiration for Wet Market made me love that story all the more
September 21, 2023
This was sooo good! I'm a huge fan of short story collections, so this was perfect for my reading style! Yes, it's gross. Yes, it's gruesome. It's a splatterpunk book, it's supposed to be all those things amd more! Check your triggers if needed, but if you're choosing to read this book, you probably already know what you're getting into.
I really enjoyed the variety of the stories/themes. Each was totally different and unique. I especially liked Arons final chapter- "The Best and Worst Days of my Life," which was a personal essay. It was touching and really hit home for me.
I really enjoyed the variety of the stories/themes. Each was totally different and unique. I especially liked Arons final chapter- "The Best and Worst Days of my Life," which was a personal essay. It was touching and really hit home for me.
September 30, 2023
This one has 6 short stories in it and I loved all of them.
And yes, that one scene in wet market I will never get out of my head. The other stories in this also pack a punch. In the hunger, our main character pretty much gets what he deserves. There is also a story about a ventriloquist and a story about a science experiment. It is a good group of stories and I enjoyed all of them. Also, remember if they tell you not to drive on the roads in a snowstorm please do not do it anyways!
And yes, that one scene in wet market I will never get out of my head. The other stories in this also pack a punch. In the hunger, our main character pretty much gets what he deserves. There is also a story about a ventriloquist and a story about a science experiment. It is a good group of stories and I enjoyed all of them. Also, remember if they tell you not to drive on the roads in a snowstorm please do not do it anyways!
January 15, 2024
Reading this gave me similar feelings as when I was a teenager, going through the web searching for short horror stories that gave me the creeps back then (compared to these - those ones sound like daydreams). So in a way trip down memory lane but with more adult flavor.
Before I started reading this I thought I'd be more disgusted by the stories but surpisingly enough considering some of the themes in this one - the worst ones didn't affect me in a way I thought they would.
Before I started reading this I thought I'd be more disgusted by the stories but surpisingly enough considering some of the themes in this one - the worst ones didn't affect me in a way I thought they would.
September 2, 2023
This book was filled with all things horrifying. It was disgusting, violent, depraved, at times hard to read (elephant I’m looking at you), and also deep. There is an underlying tone that goes beyond just being extreme horror and really shows heart of you are looking hard enough between the lines. This is exactly what I’ve come to expect and love with Aron’s work.
January 27, 2024
Gotta say, I enjoyed this book more than Slob, son of the slob, the cuck, yellow. Enjoyed it as much as Playground. Is it because it’s more recent works, so the writing has improved? I dunno
I’m giving it a three purely because the book is in a desperate need of an editor, and if it has one CHANGE THEM ASAP
I’m giving it a three purely because the book is in a desperate need of an editor, and if it has one CHANGE THEM ASAP
August 28, 2023
Not his goriest work by a stretch, but the pure IMAGINATION that went into this masterpiece! I usually don't have anything to have me put books down completely for the day but this one finally did it.
August 30, 2023
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. This is an extreme horror at it’s finest, but it is also more than that. It is very personal in its themes and resonated with me deeply. The author of this book is not only a talent at his craft but a very emotionally intelligent and kind soul.
September 12, 2023
As always, it’s hard to rate Beauregard’s books. They never fail to make you scared of your own mind! A great and disturbing read as usual. I found the essay at the end of the book to be very insightful into the author’s personality, which is something I had no context for previously.
September 16, 2023
Thanks Aron for another great read. Not much can make me tear up, but the detail you go into at the restaurant where the elephants trunk (while it is still alive and crying) is being consumed done me in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
even with the animal abuse and disturbing images this book was still really good. some stories were worse than others, i was glad for the little break inbetween. overall really good nothing bad to say lol
December 15, 2023
The grossest, most vile, disturbing, thing I’ve ever read. I’ve never had to physically take a break reading a book because I needed to mentally prepare myself for more. Exceeded what I was looking for. Amazing job Aron!
February 16, 2025
I almost couldn’t finish the first story! I hate reading about anything bad befalling animals but I powered through. The other stories are okay. My biggest gripe is all of the grammatical and spelling errors but I guess with that being the case, the editor should be the one getting a meh rating…
September 12, 2023
Top tier. Every short story in this collection is solid. All killer, no filler.
September 24, 2023
An amazing collection of stories!! I will forever be an Aron fan!!
The essay at the end ❤️💔
The essay at the end ❤️💔
October 8, 2023
I love Aaron so much. Of course it’s another 5 star.
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