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Red Inside
From the morally corrupt, yet oddly sweet, mind of Bridgett Nelson, the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of A Bouquet of Viscera and What the Fuck Was That?, comes a brand new tale of blood-spattered horror.
Bethany can’t wait for the end of her hospital shift–four glorious days of relaxation await. Secretly, she’s most excited about the fun-filled nights reveling in an unexpected flirtation with her co-worker, Michelle. Thoughts of her long, cozy weekend vanish, however, when Francisco Delgado is admitted to her floor from the emergency room. Delgado, a man who came into contact with an unknown arachnid species in South America, and who now has something…squirming…beneath his skin.
Initially a medical curiosity, the case rapidly turns into a full-on body horror nightmare…one with eight legs, a deadly set of fangs, and the ability to spread through the hospital at a terrifying pace. Trapped inside the building under a rifle-enforced quarantine, Bethany, Michelle, and the rest of the staff must do whatever it takes to survive the grisly night, defending their patients against an unstoppable menace…one who seeks out the weakest prey.
We're all red inside, and tonight the proof will be splashed all over the hospital corridors.
Bridgett Nelson's mother wonders when she will mend her wicked ways and write something nice. Red Inside is not that book.
Bethany can’t wait for the end of her hospital shift–four glorious days of relaxation await. Secretly, she’s most excited about the fun-filled nights reveling in an unexpected flirtation with her co-worker, Michelle. Thoughts of her long, cozy weekend vanish, however, when Francisco Delgado is admitted to her floor from the emergency room. Delgado, a man who came into contact with an unknown arachnid species in South America, and who now has something…squirming…beneath his skin.
Initially a medical curiosity, the case rapidly turns into a full-on body horror nightmare…one with eight legs, a deadly set of fangs, and the ability to spread through the hospital at a terrifying pace. Trapped inside the building under a rifle-enforced quarantine, Bethany, Michelle, and the rest of the staff must do whatever it takes to survive the grisly night, defending their patients against an unstoppable menace…one who seeks out the weakest prey.
We're all red inside, and tonight the proof will be splashed all over the hospital corridors.
Bridgett Nelson's mother wonders when she will mend her wicked ways and write something nice. Red Inside is not that book.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2024
63 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Bridgett Nelson
41 books608 followersOnce an operating room registered nurse, Bridgett Nelson so enjoyed playing with human organs, she decided to turn her macabre interest into a horror writing career. She loves bubble baths (because nothing says spooooky writer like orange-scented bubbles), hates not knowing what’s swimming in the water with her, lives for Halloween season (but loathes chainsaw-wielding dudes in haunted houses), adores her West Virginia University Mountaineers, is very pro-Oxford comma, and thinks bananas are absolutely disgusting.
Her first collection, A Bouquet of Viscera, is a two-time Splatterpunk Award winner, recognized both for the collection itself and its standout story, "Jinx." Deadgirl, the novelization of the cult classic film, is now available from Encyclopocalypse Publications and includes forewords from the film's actors, Noah Segan and Shiloh Fernandez, a Q&A from screenwriter, Trent Haaga, and a fan fiction piece from noted horror author, Jeff Strand. Her latest collection, Embracing the Profane, includes fifteen extreme stories that play on Bridgett's dark humor and twisted brain. She is also the author of Poisoned Pink, What the Fuck Was That?, Sweet, Sour, & Spicy, and Red Inside, a finalist in the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl.
Her work has appeared in multiple anthologies, including the iconic Deathrealm Spirits, Crystal Lake's Hotel Macabre, Edward Lee's Erotic Horror for Horny Housewives, The Rack, GhabaGhoul, To Hell and Back, Evil Little Fucks, Y'all Ain't Right, Splatterpunk's Basement of Horror, Dark Disasters, October Screams, American Cannibal, A Woman Unbecoming, and the legendary Splatterpunk Zine.
Bridgett is working on her first original novel, a sequel novel to her most popular short story, and a collaborative novel with a very funny writer.
When Edward Lee read her story "Giggly," available in the Poisoned Pink collection, he said to her:
"Giggly kicked my ass. Outstanding job! I need therapy now."
Bridgett is mom to Parker and Autumn, three pugs, a Saint Bernard, and a ball python. She is a 2022 Michael Knost WINGS award nominee, won second-place in the '22 Gross-Out contest at KillerCon in Austin, Texas, and third-place in the ’23 Gross-Out contest.
She's a freelance editor. Audiobook proofer. Bookworm. Dog lover. Tarantula whisperer. Bra avoider. ENJF. Amaretto Sour obsessor. She/her.
Bridgett currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota, with Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Jeff Strand, and their ball python, Indie Hellspawn McFangy Serenity Strand.
Visit her website at www.bridgettnelson.com.
Her first collection, A Bouquet of Viscera, is a two-time Splatterpunk Award winner, recognized both for the collection itself and its standout story, "Jinx." Deadgirl, the novelization of the cult classic film, is now available from Encyclopocalypse Publications and includes forewords from the film's actors, Noah Segan and Shiloh Fernandez, a Q&A from screenwriter, Trent Haaga, and a fan fiction piece from noted horror author, Jeff Strand. Her latest collection, Embracing the Profane, includes fifteen extreme stories that play on Bridgett's dark humor and twisted brain. She is also the author of Poisoned Pink, What the Fuck Was That?, Sweet, Sour, & Spicy, and Red Inside, a finalist in the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl.
Her work has appeared in multiple anthologies, including the iconic Deathrealm Spirits, Crystal Lake's Hotel Macabre, Edward Lee's Erotic Horror for Horny Housewives, The Rack, GhabaGhoul, To Hell and Back, Evil Little Fucks, Y'all Ain't Right, Splatterpunk's Basement of Horror, Dark Disasters, October Screams, American Cannibal, A Woman Unbecoming, and the legendary Splatterpunk Zine.
Bridgett is working on her first original novel, a sequel novel to her most popular short story, and a collaborative novel with a very funny writer.
When Edward Lee read her story "Giggly," available in the Poisoned Pink collection, he said to her:
"Giggly kicked my ass. Outstanding job! I need therapy now."
Bridgett is mom to Parker and Autumn, three pugs, a Saint Bernard, and a ball python. She is a 2022 Michael Knost WINGS award nominee, won second-place in the '22 Gross-Out contest at KillerCon in Austin, Texas, and third-place in the ’23 Gross-Out contest.
She's a freelance editor. Audiobook proofer. Bookworm. Dog lover. Tarantula whisperer. Bra avoider. ENJF. Amaretto Sour obsessor. She/her.
Bridgett currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota, with Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Jeff Strand, and their ball python, Indie Hellspawn McFangy Serenity Strand.
Visit her website at www.bridgettnelson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
October 1, 2025
First off, the cover is gorgeous. And the whole experience here was just a lot of fun. A really solid horror outing. It reminded me a lot of the 80s film Blue Monkey, between the hospital setting, bug/virus outbreak, characters, ending, etc. Lots of innovative gore and violence here, mostly involving spiders, of course. It all further reminded me of how much I truly dislike creatures with more than four legs. More is not always better, especially when it comes to legs and teeth. Just my opinion. Good character depth, but I didn’t much care for the constant person to person POV shifts each chapter. Sticking with maybe 2-3 characters would have made it all a bit more palatable. The way it was written just made it a bit challenging to stay focused. But beyond that, I had a very good time here and am interested in Bridgett Nelson’s other offerings.
April 25, 2025
Look, I don't care how Itsy or Bitsy it might appear, it just gives them more hiding place to creep up on you.
Bridgett creates a nasty story with some nasty creatures - and it all takes place in a hospital.
This author has made a name for herself in a rather short time, so if you have the guts (and you are going to need it), tackle this one and see how well you sleep.
Bridgett creates a nasty story with some nasty creatures - and it all takes place in a hospital.
This author has made a name for herself in a rather short time, so if you have the guts (and you are going to need it), tackle this one and see how well you sleep.
December 8, 2024
Strange tarantulas appear in the Peruvian jungle and an entomologist flies down from Minnesota to study them. A bizarre attack has him back in the states going to the emergency room. Soon, the entire hospital will be fighting for their lives.
While I’m wary of spiders and don’t want them ON me (or IN me as per this story), I greatly respect their environmental role.
Recently, at a yoga class, I noticed a spider scurrying back and forth a few feet from my mat. At times it would almost stop and seem to be wondering what in the world I was doing (down dog for your information). We respected each other’s space. As I somewhat fearfully lay down for shavasana, I decided that if it didn’t crawl on me, I would consider this spider a friend. Unfortunately as the class ended, the instructor accidentally stepped on the little creature. My heart broke a bit and I realized that it is possible to have empathy for spiders.
All this rambling to say: this was a creepy horror story, but it doesn’t change my good opinion of arachnids.
While I’m wary of spiders and don’t want them ON me (or IN me as per this story), I greatly respect their environmental role.
Recently, at a yoga class, I noticed a spider scurrying back and forth a few feet from my mat. At times it would almost stop and seem to be wondering what in the world I was doing (down dog for your information). We respected each other’s space. As I somewhat fearfully lay down for shavasana, I decided that if it didn’t crawl on me, I would consider this spider a friend. Unfortunately as the class ended, the instructor accidentally stepped on the little creature. My heart broke a bit and I realized that it is possible to have empathy for spiders.
All this rambling to say: this was a creepy horror story, but it doesn’t change my good opinion of arachnids.
December 10, 2024
Yeah, another book that continues to remind me why spiders scare me so much. Respect ✊🏻. Arachnids are necessary but to know that spiders could take us over if they wanted to… anyways…. My first Nelson and not my last for sure!
If any of yall get a tarantula, hit her up so she can name them!
Full review to come in Scream Horror Mag.
If any of yall get a tarantula, hit her up so she can name them!
Full review to come in Scream Horror Mag.
March 15, 2025
This book was unnerving, right from the off, and the little spider images on most pages didn't help! 😂 So, my heart rate was raised immediately, and the hairs on my arms stood rigidly on end, whilst my skin was trying to crawl right off my body!
If that doesn't make you want to read it, then maybe a necrophiliac streaker who pukes blood will..
No?
Then I guess you'll just have to put up with the awesome storytelling, the action packed, blood soaked, utterly chilling tale of spiders preying on the very weakest of humans, making this both horrifying and heart breaking in equal measures.
I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough, it's completely gripping, the narrative gets you in its tangled web and wraps you up in a cocoon of horror! The images are crystal clear, the flow, seamless, and that ending….perfect!!
If that doesn't make you want to read it, then maybe a necrophiliac streaker who pukes blood will..
No?
Then I guess you'll just have to put up with the awesome storytelling, the action packed, blood soaked, utterly chilling tale of spiders preying on the very weakest of humans, making this both horrifying and heart breaking in equal measures.
I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough, it's completely gripping, the narrative gets you in its tangled web and wraps you up in a cocoon of horror! The images are crystal clear, the flow, seamless, and that ending….perfect!!
Read
June 29, 2025OMG!😱 This book seriously scarred the crap out of me. The imagery in this book is unbelievably grotesque. If you DON’T like spiders, do not read this book! You will seriously have nightmares for all your life! This book had me up several nights while reading the book. The tangled web of storytelling the author conveys is blood curdling amazing!
July 27, 2024
I hate spiders!!!
This book creeped me out so bad! I usually don’t read books about spiders because of my severe arachnophobia, but I’m glad I gave this one a shot. Bridgett is an excellent writer and storyteller and her medical knowledge made this book even more interesting. I loved the little twist at the end! 🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
This book creeped me out so bad! I usually don’t read books about spiders because of my severe arachnophobia, but I’m glad I gave this one a shot. Bridgett is an excellent writer and storyteller and her medical knowledge made this book even more interesting. I loved the little twist at the end! 🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
August 21, 2024
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Red Inside by Bridgett Nelson
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Dr. Francisco Delgado, who specializes in arachnids, works for a medical research facility. He has made a trip into the thick foliage of the Amazon jungle, the purpose being to search for a rare species of tarantula. Not only does he find the elusive spider, he discovers a new kind of madness and fresh hell that has been bestowed on earth.
Red Inside is made up of layers that are unapologetic violent webs of vile creatures and deadly diseases. I’m talking about some hardcore terrestrial tarantulas and aggressive Patient Zero stuff here. All this from the demented mind of Bridgett Nelson. From anus to mouth, this author gives the infected gift that keeps on giving. I’m personally holding her accountable for tapping into my trigger warnings.
Gut-wrenching moments of inhuman horror seems to be Bridgett’s forte. Her descriptive storytelling causes my imagination to look like a nasty open wound. Let’s talk about the look of this well-packaged book. I gotta mention the cover art as well as the inside pages. It’s truly a complete package of parasitic enjoyment. By the way, when the child clinging to the ceiling softly sings ‘itsy bitsy spider’ it gave me the creepiest of chills (not kidding).
I don’t know which is worse, having a living spider underneath your skin or having a necrophiliac streaker on the loose vomiting blood? Which leads to my favorite line in the book - “this is some Twilight Zone bullshit.” If author Robin Cook and splatterpunk genius Edward Lee had a baby, its name would be Bridgett Nelson. A Five Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
Red Inside by Bridgett Nelson
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Dr. Francisco Delgado, who specializes in arachnids, works for a medical research facility. He has made a trip into the thick foliage of the Amazon jungle, the purpose being to search for a rare species of tarantula. Not only does he find the elusive spider, he discovers a new kind of madness and fresh hell that has been bestowed on earth.
Red Inside is made up of layers that are unapologetic violent webs of vile creatures and deadly diseases. I’m talking about some hardcore terrestrial tarantulas and aggressive Patient Zero stuff here. All this from the demented mind of Bridgett Nelson. From anus to mouth, this author gives the infected gift that keeps on giving. I’m personally holding her accountable for tapping into my trigger warnings.
Gut-wrenching moments of inhuman horror seems to be Bridgett’s forte. Her descriptive storytelling causes my imagination to look like a nasty open wound. Let’s talk about the look of this well-packaged book. I gotta mention the cover art as well as the inside pages. It’s truly a complete package of parasitic enjoyment. By the way, when the child clinging to the ceiling softly sings ‘itsy bitsy spider’ it gave me the creepiest of chills (not kidding).
I don’t know which is worse, having a living spider underneath your skin or having a necrophiliac streaker on the loose vomiting blood? Which leads to my favorite line in the book - “this is some Twilight Zone bullshit.” If author Robin Cook and splatterpunk genius Edward Lee had a baby, its name would be Bridgett Nelson. A Five Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
April 30, 2025
an infectious spider outbreak that will make you itch. 🕷️🩸
if you have arachnophobia, don’t read this !!
this was a quick lethal visceral body horror book.
i would be clueless of trying to know how a virus like this spread.
me being a spider lover to my core it was entertaining yet disturbing and i’ve never read anything like a tarantula feeding on a fetus.
i recommend this book if you’re into blood splattering/vomiting & creepy crawlers.
if you have arachnophobia, don’t read this !!
this was a quick lethal visceral body horror book.
i would be clueless of trying to know how a virus like this spread.
me being a spider lover to my core it was entertaining yet disturbing and i’ve never read anything like a tarantula feeding on a fetus.
i recommend this book if you’re into blood splattering/vomiting & creepy crawlers.
July 24, 2024
Seriously, I can’t ask for more; this book is amazing and terrifying! Body horror and attacking spiders…two of my favorite themes in horror. This book contains a horrifying concept that is well executed. The characters are diverse and well developed even in such a short book. The pacing is perfect and the horror just continues to rise until the explosive ending!
January 27, 2025
This was such a fun and fast paced read! What a real horror!!! Highly recommend!!! I could NOT put it down!🕷
March 16, 2025
Spiders are one of my biggest fears, and this book definitely didn't help that! Lol.
This is a short but exciting quick read. I loved the hospital theme, being a nurse! And the suspense was off the charts! This is definitely a must-read!
This is the 2nd book I've read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her!
*I was given an ARC from the author for my honest review.
This is a short but exciting quick read. I loved the hospital theme, being a nurse! And the suspense was off the charts! This is definitely a must-read!
This is the 2nd book I've read from this author and I look forward to reading more from her!
*I was given an ARC from the author for my honest review.
July 24, 2024
4.5/5 I really enjoyed this gross out spider creature feature. I have a strong aversion to spiders. Sorry Bridgett I’m not the gently place them outside sort. And this novel isn’t doing anything to changed my mind.
A bad ass mother of a tarantula that burrows into your body and eats you from the inside and spreads its eggs by making the host vomit copious amounts of eggs and blood on fresh victims has landed in Minnesota and is running rampant at a hospital there. That is the premise for this gore fest. Its gross out no holds barred body horror featuring spiders. What more could you possibly want from a horror novel.
I’m ready for part 2!
A bad ass mother of a tarantula that burrows into your body and eats you from the inside and spreads its eggs by making the host vomit copious amounts of eggs and blood on fresh victims has landed in Minnesota and is running rampant at a hospital there. That is the premise for this gore fest. Its gross out no holds barred body horror featuring spiders. What more could you possibly want from a horror novel.
I’m ready for part 2!
August 20, 2024
If you weren't arachnophobic before reading this one, you will be after. It's a combination body horror/creature feature tale that gets under your skin and stays there.
The heebie jeebies caused by the spiders are exponentially intensified by the grotesque nature of the body horror elements. You'll find yourself cringing, squirming, and scratching at phantom crawling all over you.
You can feel the character's terror as they're thrust into this fast-paced nightmare. Nelson is relentless in the trauma she wants to cause you and relishes in every moment of your discomfort.
The heebie jeebies caused by the spiders are exponentially intensified by the grotesque nature of the body horror elements. You'll find yourself cringing, squirming, and scratching at phantom crawling all over you.
You can feel the character's terror as they're thrust into this fast-paced nightmare. Nelson is relentless in the trauma she wants to cause you and relishes in every moment of your discomfort.
April 9, 2025
A deadly spider outbreak and visceral body horror. What more could I ask for from a splatterpunk book?
The horror was well done, and I loved the diverse cast of characters. There were some funny moments, and some points where I was wincing imagining the horrors.
I had the honor of listening to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator really nailed the story, bringing the characters to life.
The horror was well done, and I loved the diverse cast of characters. There were some funny moments, and some points where I was wincing imagining the horrors.
I had the honor of listening to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator really nailed the story, bringing the characters to life.
August 29, 2024
Wow. Loved this book. Bridgett is beginning to really become a must buy for me. I love spiders although I don’t think I’d ever have one as a pet. I’ll stick to dogs lol. Having John Wayne Communale be narrator was a big plus! I love to hear him read a book. This was a great book and I’m glad I got it in audio.
August 6, 2024
creepy book!
The cover do show what the story is about. Gory, detailed and creepy story I ever read. It’s quick read. I do enjoy the book but spiders make me squirm!
The cover do show what the story is about. Gory, detailed and creepy story I ever read. It’s quick read. I do enjoy the book but spiders make me squirm!
May 18, 2025
This is book 2 of the indie horror brawl 2025 for me and and, oh man, it was rough for me. I wanted to DNF at around 25% but it's not a long book and I rarely dnf anything so I did it. I have a lot of thoughts, which I will explain fully as I don't just give 1 stars all the time.
This book relays the series of events that take place after a man is admitted to the hospital infected with an unknown parasite/contagion. The story is told from multiple staff members perspectives as the hospital is placed under quarantine.
I don't hate the premise of this book. I actually loved the movie, Infected (well, at least the first 3 quarters of it), and I think the idea of quarantining people in a building with spiders is truly horrifying. I have a very serious spider phobia. The idea of parasitic spiders is even more horrifying. This general plot had me thinking this story was going to be a mixture of Infected with The Ruins.
I don't know how I feel about the cover. It's really scary. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up based on that cover, but I'm trying to participate in this book brawl.
The best part of this book was actually the afterword written by the author where she talks about her positive experiences raising tarantulas previously. She seems like a sweet person and it clearly not afraid of spiders.
I hated this goddamn book so much. Let's unpack that.
The Setting - the hospital setting was actually a great idea. What it lacked was atmosphere. There were a few scenes that I thought were good, like the shock of a character walking into a totally blood soaked bathroom and wondering wtf happened in there. There's also a part where the power goes out and the emergency lights would have created a great ambience if the author focused more on atmosphere. Most of the time, we weren't made aware of what the rooms looked like or the layout of the hospital.
The Characters - There were too many characters and I didn't care about any of them. No one here was likeable or behaved like a real person. The relationship between Bethany and Michelle was so stupid. If there is a crisis going on around you, you aren't going to be having spicy feelings. Spicy feelings take a backseat when one is in serious survival mode and also witnessing a lot of super gross shit. Also there's very little explanation why Bethany knows so much about tarantulas. It would have been better if there was another entomologist in the hospital with our patient zero who could have shared that information. Dee was a bitchy character that was supposed to be unlikeable, but she was hoteful for basically no reason, which made her uninteresting. She was very flat. Alex had no personality or point. The doctors also could have all been pretty much one character. The introduction of kids made me really frustrated -partly because I don't like bad things happening to innocent children for no reason, and partly because they did not behave like children. Let me expand on this:
First, before I continue complaining about the characters, some general information on how these paracitic spiders work: Anyways, we get to the inevitable point where there's blood, puke, and HUGE TARANTULAS EVERYWHERE! And you know what perhaps the most unbelievable part was? NONE OF OUR CHARACTERS SEEMED REMOTELY AFRAID OF THE SPIDERS. It's very clear that the author isn't afraid of spiders because none of the characters are and this damages the story a lot. For example, the movie Infested is excellent, because for most of the movie, the spiders aren't being aggressive or doing anything un-spider-like. They're just hanging out and there's lots of them, and its horrifying. It's horrifying if a spider skitters across your hand when you weren't expecting it. when you lose sight of one, or the awful feeling of walking through a web and wondering if there's something in your hair. The author didn't focus on any of this stuff. It was all straight gore, which I suppose would be objectively scarier in real life, but the characters weren't very afraid of that either. They'd see a spider annihilate someone's eyeball and mutate them into oblivion and then make a cheeky comment on how at least they won't have to work with her ever again. WHAT?! Or when out characters find the kids who have just witnessed their entire family get killed horribly and have seen and somehow their brains haven't just broken from witnessing these horrors and they're all happy and excited to kill some spiders as they join the other characters to go to a different part of the hospital. They'd be traumatized and screaming and crying or just hiding forever. It's ridiculous. One of my favorite scenes in Infested (I know I keep relating this book to this movie but it's a similar premise and the movie got it right), is when after experiencing a very scary moment and the death of a friend, all the main characters sit on the floor and scream and cry for a bit. That is relatable because what else can you do? This shit would totally break your psyche. Also, I'm mad that Bethany just guesses how the spiders work and choose their victims and everyone takes it as fact, even though these are not normal spiders so how the heck would she know. Okay, I gotta move on.
I'm not a big fan of gross horror books. If it's gonna be gross, the writing has to be really good, and well thought out. The grossness needs to serve a purpose, and it needs to be used sparingly enough that we don't just become numb to it. For example, I feel like Edward Lee is pretty good at writing gross horror books - his writing is actually really good, but I generally don't read those books because I want to be scared, not having an upset stomach. This book was very gross for no reason. The reason I almost quit reading was due to that didn't need to happens because it changed the plot in no way and the outcomes would have been exactly the same if the author didn't include that. Towards the third of the book, we get to go to the children's cancer ward, which is depressing as shit and literally just existed for shock value. I say this because we didn't learn anything new there.
The entire story goes pretty much 0-100 real quick and then is just constant shock value. There wasn't a build up to the horror. By the end you get pretty numb to it and I found myself not shocked, but inconvenienced by having to read all this depressing stuff.
The end of the plot at the hospital was pretty dumb.
The epilogue was one of my least favorite parts where we get a ton of extra information that somehow makes the story make less sense. The story starts off with Delgato, an arachnid specialist on a mission to Peru to find this new tarantula species. He ends up being patient zero. The epilogue is from the perspective of his superior who sent him there. It shows
This book relays the series of events that take place after a man is admitted to the hospital infected with an unknown parasite/contagion. The story is told from multiple staff members perspectives as the hospital is placed under quarantine.
I don't hate the premise of this book. I actually loved the movie, Infected (well, at least the first 3 quarters of it), and I think the idea of quarantining people in a building with spiders is truly horrifying. I have a very serious spider phobia. The idea of parasitic spiders is even more horrifying. This general plot had me thinking this story was going to be a mixture of Infected with The Ruins.
I don't know how I feel about the cover. It's really scary. I probably wouldn't have picked this book up based on that cover, but I'm trying to participate in this book brawl.
The best part of this book was actually the afterword written by the author where she talks about her positive experiences raising tarantulas previously. She seems like a sweet person and it clearly not afraid of spiders.
I hated this goddamn book so much. Let's unpack that.
The Setting - the hospital setting was actually a great idea. What it lacked was atmosphere. There were a few scenes that I thought were good, like the shock of a character walking into a totally blood soaked bathroom and wondering wtf happened in there. There's also a part where the power goes out and the emergency lights would have created a great ambience if the author focused more on atmosphere. Most of the time, we weren't made aware of what the rooms looked like or the layout of the hospital.
The Characters - There were too many characters and I didn't care about any of them. No one here was likeable or behaved like a real person. The relationship between Bethany and Michelle was so stupid. If there is a crisis going on around you, you aren't going to be having spicy feelings. Spicy feelings take a backseat when one is in serious survival mode and also witnessing a lot of super gross shit. Also there's very little explanation why Bethany knows so much about tarantulas. It would have been better if there was another entomologist in the hospital with our patient zero who could have shared that information. Dee was a bitchy character that was supposed to be unlikeable, but she was hoteful for basically no reason, which made her uninteresting. She was very flat. Alex had no personality or point. The doctors also could have all been pretty much one character. The introduction of kids made me really frustrated -partly because I don't like bad things happening to innocent children for no reason, and partly because they did not behave like children. Let me expand on this:
First, before I continue complaining about the characters, some general information on how these paracitic spiders work: Anyways, we get to the inevitable point where there's blood, puke, and HUGE TARANTULAS EVERYWHERE! And you know what perhaps the most unbelievable part was? NONE OF OUR CHARACTERS SEEMED REMOTELY AFRAID OF THE SPIDERS. It's very clear that the author isn't afraid of spiders because none of the characters are and this damages the story a lot. For example, the movie Infested is excellent, because for most of the movie, the spiders aren't being aggressive or doing anything un-spider-like. They're just hanging out and there's lots of them, and its horrifying. It's horrifying if a spider skitters across your hand when you weren't expecting it. when you lose sight of one, or the awful feeling of walking through a web and wondering if there's something in your hair. The author didn't focus on any of this stuff. It was all straight gore, which I suppose would be objectively scarier in real life, but the characters weren't very afraid of that either. They'd see a spider annihilate someone's eyeball and mutate them into oblivion and then make a cheeky comment on how at least they won't have to work with her ever again. WHAT?! Or when out characters find the kids who have just witnessed their entire family get killed horribly and have seen and somehow their brains haven't just broken from witnessing these horrors and they're all happy and excited to kill some spiders as they join the other characters to go to a different part of the hospital. They'd be traumatized and screaming and crying or just hiding forever. It's ridiculous. One of my favorite scenes in Infested (I know I keep relating this book to this movie but it's a similar premise and the movie got it right), is when after experiencing a very scary moment and the death of a friend, all the main characters sit on the floor and scream and cry for a bit. That is relatable because what else can you do? This shit would totally break your psyche. Also, I'm mad that Bethany just guesses how the spiders work and choose their victims and everyone takes it as fact, even though these are not normal spiders so how the heck would she know. Okay, I gotta move on.
I'm not a big fan of gross horror books. If it's gonna be gross, the writing has to be really good, and well thought out. The grossness needs to serve a purpose, and it needs to be used sparingly enough that we don't just become numb to it. For example, I feel like Edward Lee is pretty good at writing gross horror books - his writing is actually really good, but I generally don't read those books because I want to be scared, not having an upset stomach. This book was very gross for no reason. The reason I almost quit reading was due to that didn't need to happens because it changed the plot in no way and the outcomes would have been exactly the same if the author didn't include that. Towards the third of the book, we get to go to the children's cancer ward, which is depressing as shit and literally just existed for shock value. I say this because we didn't learn anything new there.
The entire story goes pretty much 0-100 real quick and then is just constant shock value. There wasn't a build up to the horror. By the end you get pretty numb to it and I found myself not shocked, but inconvenienced by having to read all this depressing stuff.
The end of the plot at the hospital was pretty dumb.
The epilogue was one of my least favorite parts where we get a ton of extra information that somehow makes the story make less sense. The story starts off with Delgato, an arachnid specialist on a mission to Peru to find this new tarantula species. He ends up being patient zero. The epilogue is from the perspective of his superior who sent him there. It shows
August 18, 2024
I am a huge fan of spiders and Bridgett Nelson. I love her talent, her writing, and her stories. Of course I had to read her novella about spiders. Who doesn’t love Tarantula’s? Especially killer, hive minded, monstrous, and fast, hairy Tarantulas.
This novella shares a tale of a Scientist that travels into the deep jungle of Peru to find a very specific species of Tarantula. Not knowing this one will be his death and of so many more. When Dr. Delgado arrives in the Duluth, MN hospital, the little traveler inside of him decides to wreak havoc on the hospital and its staff, patients, and visitors. I mean, after all, a spider does what a spider does. Especially this one.
Such a fun and gory read. If you’re squeamish about spiders then this isn’t for you. If you love getting freaked out by murderous spiders, gore and blood, and small fangs, then this is exactly what you should read. Enjoy.
This novella shares a tale of a Scientist that travels into the deep jungle of Peru to find a very specific species of Tarantula. Not knowing this one will be his death and of so many more. When Dr. Delgado arrives in the Duluth, MN hospital, the little traveler inside of him decides to wreak havoc on the hospital and its staff, patients, and visitors. I mean, after all, a spider does what a spider does. Especially this one.
Such a fun and gory read. If you’re squeamish about spiders then this isn’t for you. If you love getting freaked out by murderous spiders, gore and blood, and small fangs, then this is exactly what you should read. Enjoy.
February 9, 2025
Meh. For me it wasn’t that gory. I was a little bit bored.
October 28, 2025
Red Inside is a not overly frightening, but sometimes gross out spiders-on-the-attack short novel. I'm borderline arachnophobic, but for some reason find all novels about killer spiders fairly mundane.
This one is clearly written by a medical professional who knows a great deal about the treatment of anything and everything to do with spider-bites. This allows for some amusingly detailed descriptions of trauma to the human body.
But at the same time, nothing seems overly serious. Characters die at a fast pace, but most are barely sketched in, and even the surviving characters (until the end) barely react to the loss of the fellow hospital workers or their patients, so it makes it hard to care.
Also, most of the characters barely react to an army of spiders trying to bite and - which, admittedly, is a cool point of difference to this story.
So Red Inside is a pretty average horror tale that is not at all bad, but pretty far from amazing.
Somewhere in my TBR I have Nelson's partner's Clowns Vs Spiders. Will be fun to compare who wins the better spiders-on-the-attack short novel.
3 Lethal Regurgitations for Red Inside.
This one is clearly written by a medical professional who knows a great deal about the treatment of anything and everything to do with spider-bites. This allows for some amusingly detailed descriptions of trauma to the human body.
But at the same time, nothing seems overly serious. Characters die at a fast pace, but most are barely sketched in, and even the surviving characters (until the end) barely react to the loss of the fellow hospital workers or their patients, so it makes it hard to care.
Also, most of the characters barely react to an army of spiders trying to bite and - which, admittedly, is a cool point of difference to this story.
So Red Inside is a pretty average horror tale that is not at all bad, but pretty far from amazing.
Somewhere in my TBR I have Nelson's partner's Clowns Vs Spiders. Will be fun to compare who wins the better spiders-on-the-attack short novel.
3 Lethal Regurgitations for Red Inside.
April 22, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up for GR
I read this for the upcoming BoH Brawl. I’m not a fan of creature features so I already knew this wasn’t going to be my favorite.
What I liked:
The prologue was really suffocating and I enjoyed that feeling!
Hating Dee
Tarantula feeding on fetus 🤭
What I didn’t like:
Super campy feeling
The cringey names (Cartman, Casper, Taytum)
Two dimensional characters
The medical jargon. I’m an icu nurse and this took me out of the story bc it’s not the correct way to code someone. That’s a me thing and I know too much to ignore it.
The story turned into something else in the last third of the book.
I feel like this novella couldn’t decide if it was campy or serious and neither worked very well.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future as long as it’s not creature features. 😊
I read this for the upcoming BoH Brawl. I’m not a fan of creature features so I already knew this wasn’t going to be my favorite.
What I liked:
The prologue was really suffocating and I enjoyed that feeling!
Hating Dee
Tarantula feeding on fetus 🤭
What I didn’t like:
Super campy feeling
The cringey names (Cartman, Casper, Taytum)
Two dimensional characters
The medical jargon. I’m an icu nurse and this took me out of the story bc it’s not the correct way to code someone. That’s a me thing and I know too much to ignore it.
The story turned into something else in the last third of the book.
I feel like this novella couldn’t decide if it was campy or serious and neither worked very well.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future as long as it’s not creature features. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
I think the author had a very good plot line, but I think we lost the plot many times. The dialogue between the characters was super unrealistic and, at times, extremely cringy. Idk why “sex” scenes were added into this book but….yeah. The dialogue between characters in this book felt so off. If this was all happening, there’s no way anyone would be thinking about their first lesbian experience or making silly jokes about their shitty boss dying and laughing it off.
Everyone around us is dead, including the kids in the cancer unit. People are morphing into spiders and running amuck, we’re quarantined in here by the government but hey, let’s make out?
With phrases like “horse cock”, “throbbing button”, etc… it felt like a high schooler wrote this at times.
When I read the premise, I really wanted to love this book. But, I hated this book so much, I’m sorry.
Everyone around us is dead, including the kids in the cancer unit. People are morphing into spiders and running amuck, we’re quarantined in here by the government but hey, let’s make out?
With phrases like “horse cock”, “throbbing button”, etc… it felt like a high schooler wrote this at times.
When I read the premise, I really wanted to love this book. But, I hated this book so much, I’m sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
An arachnophobe's worst nightmare, this display of grotesqueries combines all the fun of films like Arachnophobia and Outbreak with splatterpunk to create an amazingly compelling survival narrative. Author Nelson shows off her expertise as a registered nurse in the writing--sometimes giving almost TOO much information where some scenes feel like they're trying to insert shows like ER or House with their expositional info dumps to explain what's going on, and yet for the characters in these sequences, who are desperate to understand the nightmare they're quickly descending into, the info dumps come across more as stress-fueled hysterics for the characters than "THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT XYZ" handholding for the reader. My point here? If you haven't been turned off by spiders--specifically a monstrous form of tarantula--and the splatterpunk genre, don't let the medical terminology turn you off either. Trust me: You'll figure out what's going on as soon as the bodies start piling up in rather bloody fashion.
Note: I was provided a copy of the audiobook, which was well-narrated. There were some moments where I wasn't fully on board with a character voice or reaction, but otherwise I think it worked well for the story.
Finally, a pro-tip for readers like me who usually read a physical book rather than listen to an audiobook because you don't normally have an activity or time to just sit and listen because you HAVE to be doing something: I listened to this in my downtime while playing video games I didn't need to have the sound on for, e.g. Mortal Kombat, racing simulators, etc. Worked like a charm. I could focus on listening and still play. You can still veg out and listen. Give it a try. It'll be fun.
Note: I was provided a copy of the audiobook, which was well-narrated. There were some moments where I wasn't fully on board with a character voice or reaction, but otherwise I think it worked well for the story.
Finally, a pro-tip for readers like me who usually read a physical book rather than listen to an audiobook because you don't normally have an activity or time to just sit and listen because you HAVE to be doing something: I listened to this in my downtime while playing video games I didn't need to have the sound on for, e.g. Mortal Kombat, racing simulators, etc. Worked like a charm. I could focus on listening and still play. You can still veg out and listen. Give it a try. It'll be fun.
April 16, 2025
A fast-paced creature feature that will make you squirm
Exactly as the title says. This creepy, squirmy gorefest will keep you engrossed and have you jumping every time something brushes your arm. If arachnophobia, REC, and The Thing melded together and birthed a dripping abomination of a horror baby, you'd get this gem.
Exactly as the title says. This creepy, squirmy gorefest will keep you engrossed and have you jumping every time something brushes your arm. If arachnophobia, REC, and The Thing melded together and birthed a dripping abomination of a horror baby, you'd get this gem.
May 10, 2025
This book was wild! Non stop action from start to finish. From the jungle in Peru to the hospital, both settings were absolutely unsettling. This outbreak was horrifying and I’m not even technically afraid of spiders/tarantulas! But the way it was written and the scenes described had me on edge the entire time. I love body horror and this did not disappoint one bit!
August 27, 2024
Gross. And disgustingly perfect.
Bridgett Nelson's Red Inside novella can best be described as Nurse Alyssa Versus Zombies by Scott M Baker with tarantulas instead of zombies. Nelson's background in nursing is apparent and technically accurate, making this prime reading for the dark-humored paramedic or ER nurse. The assessment of patient zero, Dr. Delgado, is quite true to life and completely disturbing. So are the characters’ sense of self-preservation.
The horror of playing host to any parasite is disgusting, but Nelson masters the total gag factor in this invasive telling of what happens when something as unassuming as a household pet pulls the strings.
Narrated by fricken John Wayne Comunale means the audio version of this book is expertly animated so you are fully immersed in every intense scene without distraction. His performance over such an array of characters is top-notch voice acting from an expert storyteller. Though I’ve met John Wayne on more than a few occasions, this was my first experience of his narration, and I was not disappointed.
I gagged many times through the reading of this story, but like a train wreck, I could not look away. Who is next to go? What sort of weapons can one create on a physical therapy unit? What slightest mistake will bring upon their demise? Who will make it out alive? I can hear Bridgett Nelson’s menacing laugh already.
Five stars to all involved. Great story of terror from a former tarantula mom. Spectacular performance by John Wayne Comunale. Bravo.
Bridgett Nelson's Red Inside novella can best be described as Nurse Alyssa Versus Zombies by Scott M Baker with tarantulas instead of zombies. Nelson's background in nursing is apparent and technically accurate, making this prime reading for the dark-humored paramedic or ER nurse. The assessment of patient zero, Dr. Delgado, is quite true to life and completely disturbing. So are the characters’ sense of self-preservation.
The horror of playing host to any parasite is disgusting, but Nelson masters the total gag factor in this invasive telling of what happens when something as unassuming as a household pet pulls the strings.
Narrated by fricken John Wayne Comunale means the audio version of this book is expertly animated so you are fully immersed in every intense scene without distraction. His performance over such an array of characters is top-notch voice acting from an expert storyteller. Though I’ve met John Wayne on more than a few occasions, this was my first experience of his narration, and I was not disappointed.
I gagged many times through the reading of this story, but like a train wreck, I could not look away. Who is next to go? What sort of weapons can one create on a physical therapy unit? What slightest mistake will bring upon their demise? Who will make it out alive? I can hear Bridgett Nelson’s menacing laugh already.
Five stars to all involved. Great story of terror from a former tarantula mom. Spectacular performance by John Wayne Comunale. Bravo.
May 2, 2025
I know the afterward says she is pro-tarantula but this story definitely seems to be the opposite as she creeps the hell out of you with them…..lots of them!! This book was creepy and gory and just the way I like my extreme horror.
August 14, 2025
Red Inside by Bridgett Nelson is so much fun! But I'm glad I didn't read it when I was in the hospital, lol. I had a blast following the characters as they fight to escape an arachnid-caused pandemic. It is extremely action-packed with buckets of gore. It definitely gave me the creepy crawlies.
June 4, 2025
This was a fun little creature feature involving mutant spiders in a hospital. What's not to love? Very simple story.
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