...And Out Come the Toys

by Matt Brandenburg

It was nothing short of a dream when, in 1987, Challis Toy Factory opened its doors to five lucky children. Those happy boys and girls were never seen again, forcing the factory to permanently shut down and for Challis to disappear from the public eye.Ten years later, Justin Wilder—friend, punk, Challis Toys obsessive—leads his crew on an adventure they’ll never forget, and one he might never forgive himself for orchestrating. They quickly learn that Challis Toys is not the whimsical dreamland they anticipated, and proves itself to be much nastier than just the beaten-up, rundown, and coated with grime factory standing before them.Can Justin and his friends master the demonic inhabitants of the factory or will they become bloody pieces to Challis’ maze-like puzzle? In a world where toys play deadly games with people, anything’s possible.

120 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2024

Reviews

[Zachary Ashford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little one or two sitting novella. With its punk rock aesthetic, it does for Willy Wonka-style horror what Return of the Living Dead did to zombies. It's a blast.

[Ravven White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Nights at Freddy's meets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory??? With a sprinkle of Poppy's Playtime??? Brandenburg has created a brilliant showcase of toy horror and I'm here for it. It's a quick, bloody read that I wish there was more of. I can't wait to read more from this author, he is definitely one to watch!

[Stephanie Schalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Brandenburg's 'And Out Come the Toys' is a masterful journey into a realm where the whimsical meets the macabre, reminiscent of a twisted Willy Wonka tale. From the first page to the last, I found myself ensnared in a web of spine-chilling intrigue, unable to tear myself away. Each turn of the page unleashed a fresh wave of terror and anticipation, akin to navigating a labyrinth of nightmares. Brandenburg's ability to blend vivid imagery with heart-pounding suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly devouring each track as the story plunged deeper into darkness. 'And Out Come the Toys' is a haunting masterpiece that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

[Marc Ruvolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

'And Out Come the Toys' is another worthy entry in Unnerving Books long-running ‘Rewind or Die’ series. I really had a blast following the characters as they explored the creepy, ‘abandoned,’ toy factory. All I kept thinking was ‘such awesome monsters, this would make a perfect survival horror video game!’ The references to 90’s punk give it an original backstory, and scattered nods to the Saw franchise (the crazy conveyor belt machine scene, OMG) and even Gulliver’s travels are cool touchstones. Highly recommended if you’re in search of a gore-soaked, fast paced read. Excited to see what else Matt comes up with next.

[Mark Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a riot to read!

Imagine Five Nights at Freddy’s meets Willy Wonka & you’re almost there.

Five teens break into an abandoned toy factory on their last night before going off to college for one last harrah. But will any of them make it out alive?

Anyone familiar with 90s new wave US punk will dig the references littered throughout the book. Even the title is a clever play on Rancid’s most popular album.

Matt’s written a cracking gore-infused tale here. Highly recommended.

[Lindsey Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mentally-disturbing nightmare fuel that will leave you checking over your shoulder next time you pass the toy aisle in the department store. I’m not ordinarily disturbed by the whole haunted doll / possessed toy schtick, but the evil playthings you’ll encounter in the pages of …And Out Come the Toys inflict some serious biological damage, all described in painfully descriptive detail! This is definitely an adult novel, but the plot is built around a childlike whimsy that left me feeling nostalgic for old times. I really enjoyed it!

[Ryan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

...And Out Come the Toys is so much fun! The premise alone, the punks from Return of the Living Dead exploring the factory from Willie Wonka twenty years after the deaths of the children who went on that horrible tour, is incredible. Along with his signature humor, Brandenburg works in the emotional story of a teenager not wanting to say goodbye to his friends as they leave for college without him. You'll never look at stuffed animals the same way again after reading this.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

…And Out Come The Toys by Matt Brandenburg is such a wickedly fantastic story! Not only is it a terror inducing reimagining of a demented Willy Wonka type factory but also is an enduring story of friendship. I’ve never read a Splatterpunk novella with as much heart as this one.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! A kinda crazy death in an abandoned toy factory fun!
And makes one wonder...
Maybe holding onto the dreams of childhood isn't a good thing. Maybe you can get trapped there. Maybe moving on is okay.

[NIECY ROLLER]

I noticed someone said this book is a cross between Willie Wonka and A Night At Freddy's...perfect summation. Good read though.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. That was a ton of fresh gruesome fun.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fun and original story! Super entertaining, this would make an excellent movie. There are some gory parts that will live in my mind forever.

[Carrie Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars