Triggered

by Harrison Phillips

This book contains scenes of explicit violence and gore.

Rick Richardson was a writer. He was good, too, despite what the reviews might've said. They said his writing was bad, but Rick knew that wasn't true. He knew the real reason they didn't like his books was because of the content. You see, Rick wrote "splatterpunk" ... it was understandable that people might be triggered by the graphic nature of his stories. But then, that's what the trigger warnings were for.

Also, they kept saying writers should only "write what they know". But Rick didn't know anything about real horror...

Well, maybe it was about time he found out.

***

"The funniest and goriest book I've read this year!" - Judith Sonnet, author of No One Rides For Free

"Not only a shock to the senses, but a relatable nightmare for authors of Splatterpunk and extreme horror. I found myself relating to the main character almost instantly. Great pacing and relatable characters make's this one a must-read. If you're easily 'triggered', buckle up and enjoy the ride." - Stuart Bray, author of Violence on the Meek

"...one of the best books I've read this year ... unrelenting in its brutality and depravity ... gross and hilarious in equal measure ... I can't recommend this enough!" - Mique Watson, author of Broken Dolls

Genres: Horror, Splatterpunk, Adult

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2024

About the author

Harrison Phillips is an English author of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. His literary influences range from Clive Barker and Stephen King, to Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. He was born and raised in Birmingham, England, where he still resides with his long-suffering wife, their two daughters, and a schnauzer named Minnie.

Reviews

[Vicki Herbert - Vacation until Jan 2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Write What You Know About...
or Don't Write at All

TRIGGERED
by Harrison Phillips

4 1/2 stars. Rick Richardson was an extreme splatterpunk author, and he'd just finished his third book...

It was his magnum opus...

It was titled A Delectable Taste of Death. The book was filthy, vile, and depraved. The most loathsome book ever written in the splatterpunk genre...

But, Rick thought...

None of it was to be taken seriously. It was meant to be funny and taken with a grain of salt...

He prided himself on being as provocative and controversial as possible with his writing...

Then, the reviews started coming in...

All three of them. One reviewer even wrote: Write what you know about or don't write at all...

Anxious to begin his fourth novel...

Rick took to heart the words of the reviewer who told him to write what he knew about...

But, where to begin?

Rick knew nothing about the mechanics of murder and mayhem...

He needed to kill for the color, details, and scent of death, then he'd be able to write about it...

But...

He wasn't a monster. Killing wasn't in his nature. He just needed the experience to write about it...

Aside from some pretty vile scenes of rape, child abuse, and animal abuse, this was a very good story. Most serial killers start out as voyeurs and animal abusers so this progression in the story is to be expected. If you can believe it, there is also some humor in the storytelling.

Warning to some readers: animal abuse, child abuse, rape, cannibalism, and necrophilia are part of the story.

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The first page has possibly the best explanation of the subgenre ‘splatterpunk’ and what it entrails…oops…I meant entails. Funny? But this was an interesting premise, as Harrison Phillips gave a fairly in-depth personal experience to our lead, Rick, who was a splatterpunk author that self-published his own works. Reading awful reviews, feeling self-conscious, and then transitioning to anger, followed by full-blown rage and ugly levels of violence all played a valuable part to the journey. I’ve gotten a chunk of reviews towards my books over the years. None paid for or fabricated, which seem to be a common practice these days, but rather all genuine responses. Some good and some really silly. For instance, when you see reviews for a horror book that say “I don’t like horror and didn’t like this.” You just want to ask why they read a genre they don’t like? But you can’t get mad at someone’s experience. Frustrated at some review’s quality and substance, sure. But mad? Nope. Now Rick went through the process of a couple bad reviews and gradually lost his mind, committing acts of horrid violence. I wanted some additional context to Rick’s journey to that point. Just felt a bit too abbreviated and rushed early on before we got there. We witnessed necrophilia, animal cruelty, voyeurism, grisly murders, snuff films, and basically every single trait that an extreme horror story tends to have, all in one book. There was also something that Rick does about 75% in that made me gag. But the story stopped developing after the initial portion and just proceeded to be one violent act after another towards anyone that Rick could get his hands on. It wasn’t a bad concept, but sort of just hit its high note early on and tried to coast off of it, which got repetitive after a while. Again, I think if some of the random victims were reduced and we were given more development on Rick throughout, beyond the gore, this would have greatly improved the final product.

[MadameD · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.O.L!

Story 4/5
Narration 5/5

Triggered by Harrison Phillips is well written and entertaining.
Rick Richardson is a Splatterpunk writer, who had a nervous breakdown because of all the negative reviews on his books. He decided to follow the advice of one of his critics, to write about what he knows.
So he started killing people, in the most vile and depraved ways possible.
This book made me laugh.
I recommend it to Splatterpunk fans.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison Phillips really lets everything go in this disgusting and disturbing book.
OMG...the outstanding descriptions and details of his murders are just brilliant.🤮
I wasn't sure about this book at first...especially when it came to Rick's first killing...but after I'd got over it and put it behind me the book grew on me very quickly and I really started to enjoy his killing and murder sprees.
Full of extreme hardcore gore...and believe me...you WILL without a doubt be "TRIGGERED" by something or other inside it's pages.
5 Shocking 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's
😱😱😱😱😱

[Mique Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone go read this now

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great idea, great story, great action…loved it!

Very extreme horror material that covers many a trigger.

‘Triggered’ starts off being really humorous describing the struggles and journey of an unknown indie splatterpunk writer who seeks fame and recognition, but as this fails to materialise he decides to take action into his own hands. After the amusing start the list of triggers begin to get rapidly ticked off and the story soon turns dark, disturbing and completely deranged.

As every extreme horror writer attempts, Harrison sets out to shock and disgust the reader, and in my book sure manages to succeed with this brilliantly deliberately obscene offering. A job well done Harrison, Rick would be so, so…so proud. Congratulations!

Highly recommended for lovers of all things extreme - be prepared to be exposed to just about absolutely anything. Quite brilliant, if this specialised horror genre is for you.

Read with caution, but not to be taken seriously.

Rating: 4.7 unhinged black stars of utter madness.

[Risshan Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Write what you know!

If Patrick Bateman was named Rick and a Splatterpunk author, then this would be the story 🤣
This was a lot of fun to read.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison Phillips “Triggered” me!!!!

All jokes aside, this story pushes the bounds on transgressive horror! If you’re easily “triggered” you may not be ready for this one.

A struggling author decides to “write what you know” after getting too many bad reviews. He decides to do some gory research that leads to bloody mayhem.

I really enjoyed this story despite its nature. It was sick, twisted, and oh so viscerally violent. I just wanted to scream at Rick when he gave himself an A+ in the editing dept without even letting anyone beta read his work… delusional… please people just let your work be beta read if you don’t want to hire an editor (or are actually experienced with punctuation/grammar/etc).

[renee w · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely fucking unhinged !

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depraved, sick and one hell of a ride! Triggered is a very fitting title indeed… if you have any triggers put this book down and go read twilight or some shit…

Harrison Phillips did a wonderful job writing this splatterpunk horror novella and is hands down the nastiest I’ve read of his yet. In Triggered, we follow Rick Richardson, Splatterpunk author, on his writing journey. When his book tanks he grows extremely angry and goes completely rogue. He is living life like it’s a true Splatterpunk story. He took the advice of a one star review to heart and was driven completely mad.

I’m late to the party with this one but I finally read it and boy did it DELIVER. Now I’m off to read his newest release! 🙌

[Bambi Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read so many reviews that attack/bully the author by readers who don't even read the genre the authors write or even the trigger warnings. Why even read the book then? I think some readers do this just so they can be a bully.

This book right here is why you shouldn't do that! Never ever attack/bully or tell an author to write what they know because you definitely don't want to become a part of their research!

[Kat Kerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly I was between 4 or 5 stars for this book but the ending convinced me and then some. The way it is written depicts what the thought process would be from the perspective and referencing other splatterpunk authors 🙌🏻 “ apologies in advance, but any seasoned splatterpunk reader knows exactly where this is going.”

[Veronica ☠️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Rick is a splatterpunk author. He's written a couple of books and is super proud of them. When the reviews start coming in and they're negative, Rick is shocked. That shock turns to rage because he truly believes he's great! He decides to go on a killing spree for research. He's trying to write what he knows....

Man, some of these scenes were shocking yet fucking excellent ! The baby scene, ugh I loved it all ......until the ending. I personally don't enjoy almost fever dreams or made up stuff. I wish it would have gone a different direction but none the less it was a great read just the ending fell flat for me. Still a fun one to pick up!

Also.......

Don't kill me Phillips for this review 😂😅😐

[[redacted] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good! Very interesting to see Rick fall into a total psychotic break and go onto a killing spree. My big complaint is I am not a fan of the explicit lesbian death/torture. While yes it’s part of Rick’s character, I wasn’t fond of it.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW!!! LOLZ
you'd have to read the book to understand.
I enjoy books written about writers, and this one had a splash of comedy mixed in with the violence, which is just delightful!!! Laughing and cringing at the same time? Yes, please, sign me up.

[BexHorror · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this absolute gore fest of a book🤯

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likely the first audio book that I have ever finished. The narrator was superb. Great story. Good fast paced action. The ending was a little too abrupt, but it was a solid read, or should that be listen. Definitely read teh trigger warnings if you don't read extreme horror regularly. This one covers a load of them.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick is a splatterpunk author. Not a very successful one, mind. His books get many negative reviews, often with people telling him to write what he knows. Naturally, that can only mean one thing, right? Right?

This was a brilliantly funny and disturbing read. Following [REDACTED] in the real world as he tries to make it as a successful author, using the pen name Rick Richardson, had me laughing. And it certainly answered the question I see posted most about splatterpunk authors: "What kind of messed up person must you be to write this disgusting stuff?" The answer is: very messed up. Clearly.
Two things I've taken from this book though;
1 - Never marry a splatterpunk author
2 - Be careful what you say around splatterpunk authors.
If you're a fan of the genre, this one is for you.

[Mike (Hail Horror Hail) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing premise that sinks its hooks on the first page. Philips highlights with gusto the psychological descent of bored accountant and writer, *Redacted* into depravity and all out mayhem. All trigger boxes are checked. I loved the extreme horror Easter eggs placed throughout and nods to splatterpunk icons and contemporaries. And I counted only one "rump" Mr.*Redacted* I mean Mr. Richardson. 😉

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was alright. The writing was way too cheeky for me—think millennial Facebook humor. Lots of nods to current splatterpunk authors so it felt very “pop culture.”

All in all, quintessential splatterpunk though.

[Mike Prewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well hello Gore

This is, without a doubt, the goriest book I've ever read. Holy Snickerdoodle, this thing was rough, and I loved every single minute of it. I guess I am a little messed up. You gotta say that I was definitely triggered by Triggered, lol.

[Stephen Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic and wayyyy to accurate. Probably my new favourite book of Harrison's.

[Hannah Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5. One of the best splatterpunk I’ve read in awhile. Loved it!!!!

[Xtina Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a rollercoaster of wtfuckery

Wheeeeeee!!! [REDACTED]

[Kswag · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this who are fans of splatterpunk and this is fitting of the genre and was quite humorous.

[Amina Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gory, Disgusting and Hilarious.

Horror take on The Last Word. A story that is relatable to extreme horror / splatterpunk authors.

[Gabrielle Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triggered definitely covered everything, from gore to violence to comic relief! I couldn't get enough of it, which made me read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the real-world additions to the story, such as authors and splatterpunk books. It honestly allows you to connect with Rick and feel as if you genuinely know him. A exceptionally unhinged read!

[Ryan Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

From relating to [REDACTED], I mean, Rick Richardson, the comedic relief, the real-world book author references, and the plot’s linear and progressively violent and gruesome development—Triggered is a beyond exceptional read. I truly appreciated every aspect of this book; highly recommend!

[WTF did I just Read Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the....
Dang Harrison Phillips just took me on one deprave ride.
I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book and then when the ending comes I thi8nk that I got whiplash. a perfect WTf did I just read? Book.

[Stu Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rush

What a fabulous book. An aspiring author on a demented journey involving almost every despicable act the mind could imagine. Highly recommended