What do you think?
Rate this book
Nipping Them in the Bud
For over 30 years, Edward Lee has been writing some of the most intense and unsettling novels the extreme horror genre has to offer. Described as a “maestro of the macabre” by critics and revered as a foundational figure in Splatterpunk, Lee's work pushes the boundaries of horror fiction. Known for his unapologetic and visceral storytelling, Lee continues to captivate and terrify readers with his latest splatterpunk thriller, Nipping Them in the Bud, a chilling narrative where morality is tested and the lines between good and evil blur.
Sharsted’s ordinary life takes a sinister twist when he meets Raguel, a mysterious, pear-shaped man who claims to be an angel. Raguel makes Sharsted the chance to secure his place in Heaven. All Sharsted must do is murder bad people...
Soon Sharsted is thrust into a grim mission of divine justice. Initially, the task appears almost fun, a dark adventure promising eternal reward. However, as the hardcore killings continue, the weight of his actions begins to take a toll on his psyche, leaving him to question whether the promise of Heaven is worth the cost of his humanity.
Nipping Them in the Bud is a gripping tale of extreme horror, showcasing Edward Lee’s mastery in blending visceral terror with thought-provoking themes. Prepare yourself for a journey into darkness, where every decision carries the weight of eternity, and every action challenges the soul’s very essence.
Sharsted’s ordinary life takes a sinister twist when he meets Raguel, a mysterious, pear-shaped man who claims to be an angel. Raguel makes Sharsted the chance to secure his place in Heaven. All Sharsted must do is murder bad people...
Soon Sharsted is thrust into a grim mission of divine justice. Initially, the task appears almost fun, a dark adventure promising eternal reward. However, as the hardcore killings continue, the weight of his actions begins to take a toll on his psyche, leaving him to question whether the promise of Heaven is worth the cost of his humanity.
Nipping Them in the Bud is a gripping tale of extreme horror, showcasing Edward Lee’s mastery in blending visceral terror with thought-provoking themes. Prepare yourself for a journey into darkness, where every decision carries the weight of eternity, and every action challenges the soul’s very essence.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
23 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Edward Lee
271 books1,462 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 10, 2024
NIPPING THEM IN THE BUD [2024] By EDWARD LEE
My Review 4.0 Stars
Edward Lee has been writing in the sub-genre of extreme horror for three decades. He was there when Splatterpunk was a group of young guys with like-minded ideas to push the boundaries of horror fiction. This “maestro of the macabre” is recognized and revered as a foundational figure in the Splatterpunk movement. This short work is my first introduction to Lee, but it is my intention moving forward to sprinkle my reading time each month with titles by the grandmasters of horror.
This short work by Lee is described in the blurb as a “chilling narrative where morality is tested and the lines of good and evil blur”. That is on the money, and I will add that it was an interesting departure from most of my short horror reads.
A regular guy named Sharsted is going about his usual routine when his life takes a sinister detour into the “Edward Lee Zone”. What would you do if you met an angel on the way to the grocery store? Would you or could you be convinced that this pear-shaped man weird looking on a good day is really an honest to goodness angel down here among the mortals doing god’s business?
Sharsted is convinced and I should add that the angel has a variety of teaching aids to facilitate belief in his claims to be divine.
No spoilers. But Sharsted does find himself thrust into what is posited as a mission of divine justice. The task at hand is to eliminate evil on earth, its inhabitants to be divined by the angel. Sharsted is to be rewarded by his place in Heaven.
As stated in its marketing verbiage it is “a gripping tale of extreme horror” and it “showcases the author’s mastery in blending visceral terror with thought-provoking themes.”
My Final Status Update stressed what I loved about the story. It was the ending and its sense of irony. It is very well written as you would expect, but I really enjoyed how Lee turned the tired trope of time travel on its head. How many times have I watched the Outer Limits and their “Time Travel” episodes. Honestly, I loved them. But how many times have you heard on TV or in a book “If you could go back in time and kill Hitler would you do it?” In “Nipping Them In the Bud” the result you desire is achieved by means of a more direct action. It is a really thought-provoking tale with a novel concept of Hell and the proverbial “crime and punishment” quandary.
LEGENDARY LEE TELLS A TALE ABOUT AN ANGEL GIVING ONE MAN A FAST TRACK TO HEAVEN
My Review 4.0 Stars
Edward Lee has been writing in the sub-genre of extreme horror for three decades. He was there when Splatterpunk was a group of young guys with like-minded ideas to push the boundaries of horror fiction. This “maestro of the macabre” is recognized and revered as a foundational figure in the Splatterpunk movement. This short work is my first introduction to Lee, but it is my intention moving forward to sprinkle my reading time each month with titles by the grandmasters of horror.
This short work by Lee is described in the blurb as a “chilling narrative where morality is tested and the lines of good and evil blur”. That is on the money, and I will add that it was an interesting departure from most of my short horror reads.
A regular guy named Sharsted is going about his usual routine when his life takes a sinister detour into the “Edward Lee Zone”. What would you do if you met an angel on the way to the grocery store? Would you or could you be convinced that this pear-shaped man weird looking on a good day is really an honest to goodness angel down here among the mortals doing god’s business?
Sharsted is convinced and I should add that the angel has a variety of teaching aids to facilitate belief in his claims to be divine.
No spoilers. But Sharsted does find himself thrust into what is posited as a mission of divine justice. The task at hand is to eliminate evil on earth, its inhabitants to be divined by the angel. Sharsted is to be rewarded by his place in Heaven.
As stated in its marketing verbiage it is “a gripping tale of extreme horror” and it “showcases the author’s mastery in blending visceral terror with thought-provoking themes.”
My Final Status Update stressed what I loved about the story. It was the ending and its sense of irony. It is very well written as you would expect, but I really enjoyed how Lee turned the tired trope of time travel on its head. How many times have I watched the Outer Limits and their “Time Travel” episodes. Honestly, I loved them. But how many times have you heard on TV or in a book “If you could go back in time and kill Hitler would you do it?” In “Nipping Them In the Bud” the result you desire is achieved by means of a more direct action. It is a really thought-provoking tale with a novel concept of Hell and the proverbial “crime and punishment” quandary.
LEGENDARY LEE TELLS A TALE ABOUT AN ANGEL GIVING ONE MAN A FAST TRACK TO HEAVEN
September 13, 2024
This novella's storyline was unique, which I appreciated. It didn't contain a lot of gruesome or unsettling content. I was intrigued to keep turning the page to see how it would turn out. While reading this book, it made me think by religion is used as a crutch to justify doing bad onto others. The ending disappointed me because I expected more of a plot twist.
January 15, 2026
It's not for those with delicate sensibilities. It's a very horrific and psychologically tolling to read and makes you ponder what you yourself would do for salvation. What extent would you go? If youre curious as to what autrocities exist in this book, yes, likely what youre thinking and worse. Pedophiles, murderers, occultists, and rapists all reside in this book with no delicate narration. Hear my warning, it's fucked up. And not everyone will like it, but I thuroughly did because of its thought provoking nature amidst the horror. I would definately recommend if you have a strong stomach.
September 13, 2024
Despite my three-star rating, I rather enjoyed this novella; it offered a unique take on the horror genre, with a fascinating concept and characters. The book's premise is noteworthy for its originality, offering a fresh take on seasoned topics. While the book contains some interesting moments, it falls short of its full potential, particularly toward its end. Overall, it was a good, intriguing read, but it did not offer anything particularly thrilling or memorable.
July 1, 2024
Whenever I find out a new Edward Lee book has come out I get incredibly excited. His work is often grotesque, horrifying, hilarious, disturbing, and intelligent. Nipping Them in The Bud is a curious one because having read the synopsis it seems like something Lee would write but not something he would write too, it's a weird contradiction that I came up with in my head but it did make me more interested to see what it's all about.
Sharsted has never been the most innocent of people, but he's not a bad person either. He's just a selfish individual living an ordinary but dull life. However, when he has a disturbing nightmare, he decides to go out and have dinner at a Chinese restaurant to calm his nerves. That's where he meets Raguel a stout man who also turns out to be an angel following God's will. He has the offer to make to Sharsted, to kill the followers of Lucifer who threaten society as we know it to free himself from an eternity in purgatory. But how far can he go before it's too much?
Nipping in The Bud has occasional moments of humor, but it's more of a disturbing and very human story with some unsettling and grotesque scenes. Sharsted despite him killing people, is a character you sympathize with because ultimately he's human and to see that in comparison with the darker sides of God's followers is both fascinating and harrowing to see unfold. It's an intelligent story with some terrific themes and a great protagonist. It's a novella that will have you thinking.
Overall: It's a really good novella that is surprisingly very deep and meaningful, despite the horror that unfolds throughout the narrative. 8.5/10
Sharsted has never been the most innocent of people, but he's not a bad person either. He's just a selfish individual living an ordinary but dull life. However, when he has a disturbing nightmare, he decides to go out and have dinner at a Chinese restaurant to calm his nerves. That's where he meets Raguel a stout man who also turns out to be an angel following God's will. He has the offer to make to Sharsted, to kill the followers of Lucifer who threaten society as we know it to free himself from an eternity in purgatory. But how far can he go before it's too much?
Nipping in The Bud has occasional moments of humor, but it's more of a disturbing and very human story with some unsettling and grotesque scenes. Sharsted despite him killing people, is a character you sympathize with because ultimately he's human and to see that in comparison with the darker sides of God's followers is both fascinating and harrowing to see unfold. It's an intelligent story with some terrific themes and a great protagonist. It's a novella that will have you thinking.
Overall: It's a really good novella that is surprisingly very deep and meaningful, despite the horror that unfolds throughout the narrative. 8.5/10
July 14, 2024
Lore Building
I like Edward Lee. I’ve been reading his stuff for a long time, and while I welcome all of his wild imagination, I have really enjoyed the recent, shorter stories that fill out some of the lore around his unique Abrahamic mythoverse. This is a short one, I read it in one sitting in about an hour or two, but I enjoyed it. If you’ve been keeping up with his output and have been engrossed with his versions of Heaven and Hell, then I think you’ll like this. Not quite as outright gross or gory as some of his past work, but some of the scenes would definitely trigger some. And let’s be honest, this still isn’t a book you can recommend to normies, lol. But for extreme, horror/sci-fi, bizarro, weirdos like me… Hell yeah, I’m into it.
I like Edward Lee. I’ve been reading his stuff for a long time, and while I welcome all of his wild imagination, I have really enjoyed the recent, shorter stories that fill out some of the lore around his unique Abrahamic mythoverse. This is a short one, I read it in one sitting in about an hour or two, but I enjoyed it. If you’ve been keeping up with his output and have been engrossed with his versions of Heaven and Hell, then I think you’ll like this. Not quite as outright gross or gory as some of his past work, but some of the scenes would definitely trigger some. And let’s be honest, this still isn’t a book you can recommend to normies, lol. But for extreme, horror/sci-fi, bizarro, weirdos like me… Hell yeah, I’m into it.
October 9, 2025
It was alright
I heard this was going to be really nasty and terrifying to read, but worth it. The writing is good, but the story could have been told way better. Also, I would have liked the people doing bad things to not be so focused on babies. It seemed every single one of them had their crimes related to babies in some way. I think that’s the author’s way of trying to make it more gruesome, but he failed. I would have liked to see more examples of sin, rather than just the same scenario over and over. Also, I would have liked a twist at the end, or maybe even a lesson learned. However, I believe this book was only meant to churn your stomach, and if that is the case, it failed miserably.
I heard this was going to be really nasty and terrifying to read, but worth it. The writing is good, but the story could have been told way better. Also, I would have liked the people doing bad things to not be so focused on babies. It seemed every single one of them had their crimes related to babies in some way. I think that’s the author’s way of trying to make it more gruesome, but he failed. I would have liked to see more examples of sin, rather than just the same scenario over and over. Also, I would have liked a twist at the end, or maybe even a lesson learned. However, I believe this book was only meant to churn your stomach, and if that is the case, it failed miserably.
July 11, 2024
Poetic justice?
This is another great read and example of Mr Lee's amazing work. A story that is different from others but has the same extreme effect and horror you come to expect from Mr Lee's novels. A man whom is alone in the world has the strangest of nightmares and decides to go to his favourite haunt for a bit. Where upon things begin to happen upon meeting a fellow man at the bar. But this man knows things he shouldn't. His time from then on is a whole new challenge, one he must try to upkeep. Great little read that keeps you entertained as you turn every page. Recommended!
This is another great read and example of Mr Lee's amazing work. A story that is different from others but has the same extreme effect and horror you come to expect from Mr Lee's novels. A man whom is alone in the world has the strangest of nightmares and decides to go to his favourite haunt for a bit. Where upon things begin to happen upon meeting a fellow man at the bar. But this man knows things he shouldn't. His time from then on is a whole new challenge, one he must try to upkeep. Great little read that keeps you entertained as you turn every page. Recommended!
October 10, 2025
two stars because there were a couple parts that genuinely made me laugh, but when the reviews and back of book say this guy has to do crazy stuff to get a guaranteed spot into heaven.. thats literally it. like don’t expect literally anything else. no new characters no extra plot. like.. thats it man 😭 i feel like it could have been so much better.
I'm not sure if maybe this is just the normal for the splat horror genre but even then it just felt.. lacking. I have read a couple others that seemed more fulfilling and like they had an actual point.
!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!
Not only was this book lacking majorly in plot but.. the ending absolutely made me so mad. The main character has already done all of this terrible stuff and he's still scarred and messed up for life but you suddenly decide to stop? Controversial but just commit! This was the deal you made!!
I'm not sure if maybe this is just the normal for the splat horror genre but even then it just felt.. lacking. I have read a couple others that seemed more fulfilling and like they had an actual point.
!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!
Not only was this book lacking majorly in plot but.. the ending absolutely made me so mad. The main character has already done all of this terrible stuff and he's still scarred and messed up for life but you suddenly decide to stop? Controversial but just commit! This was the deal you made!!
January 1, 2026
Entering 2026 with Nipping Them in the Bud as my final read of 2025—Edward Lee sends the old year out in a blaze of holy gore and unholy laughter! A divine loser turned celestial hitman dishes out chainsaw salvation to the wicked in a splatterpunk frenzy that's equal parts blasphemous and brilliant. If this is how 2025 ends, 2026 is already blessed with extreme horror glory. Perfect capstone read—5 stars! 🚀🪚
January 5, 2026
$16 book with an array of typos/spelling errors and some touch-and-go descriptions of non-white people on page 64 (the black, the Hispanic)
Some of the errors on pages:
39 - it you died
60 - a a
There were errors before this but I only skimmed the parts I'd already read to try find them
72 - but them floundered
75 - could've throw up
81 - in front of a alter
Some of the errors on pages:
39 - it you died
60 - a a
There were errors before this but I only skimmed the parts I'd already read to try find them
72 - but them floundered
75 - could've throw up
81 - in front of a alter
January 14, 2026
2 stars mainly just for the concept itself is at least worth something. I found both of the main characters annoying and unlikable, the book felt immature and while yes this IS a splatterpunk book which usually means over the top or not super serious… it just was lame and cheesy. Not disturbing at all either. I’m glad it was a quick read.
August 13, 2025
The premise hooked me fast! The main character, Sharsted, meets Raguel, who offers him a guaranteed spot in Heaven. What starts as a fair deal takes a dark turn. Sharsted gets a front row look at how easily morality can be bent. Raguel is unsettling, which made me suspicious of his character, but his moral gray area was the juice that fueled the story.
It seems simple at first, but it’s deeper than it looks! It's about the consequences of our choices and moral dilemmas. It was a fun read, and I couldn’t help but think, "What would I do?!" Then there were moments where I was yelling at Sharsted like, “You BETTER take care of it!” 😂
It seems simple at first, but it’s deeper than it looks! It's about the consequences of our choices and moral dilemmas. It was a fun read, and I couldn’t help but think, "What would I do?!" Then there were moments where I was yelling at Sharsted like, “You BETTER take care of it!” 😂
December 30, 2025
This book was definitely interesting, I love horror and psychological things so this novel was right up my alley. I think the morals and thoughts behind it were good, especially coming from myself, a person who isn’t religious. I recommend, and it’s a good quick read!
Read
October 10, 2025I don’t know what the H-E double hockey stick was going on in this authors life when they wrote this, but the book was at the very least engaging.
January 18, 2026
Personally was quite bored but this book, heard great things about it but just didn’t live up to the hype for me
January 16, 2026
While this book falls firmly into the splatterpunk genre, it did not lack substance by any means. It was curious and thought provoking without being try-hard. The questions that were left unanswered have been swimming in my mind and did not leave me upset that they weren't answered. Eventually, I found some aspects to be quite repetitive, frustratingly so, actually. Primarily the things that the main character found upsetting, but perhaps there is a realistic amount of redundancy when it comes to human nature. Now, again, I wont spoil anything but I will say that the lack of a 5th star stems heavily from the ending.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews