Rat of Many Faces

by Darryl Shaw

Austin doesn’t quite realize it - but he’s a sociopathic internet troll. Not just any troll - but one of exceptional power. He uses his nefarious talents to terrorize his community in petty ways. However, growing delusions about a choir singer named Cassandra steers him down an even darker path. The fact that Cassandra is happily married doesn’t deter him at all.

But before their ill-fated union can occur, Austin learns that he is not alone in his basement apartment. He has a pest living behind his walls. What he doesn’t know, is that this is no ordinary critter. It was born of unimaginable pain. Suffering is all it knows. And it’s all too eager to feed on any concept of misery: ensuring that Austin and Cassandra's first 'date' will go straight to hell.

The author of the depraved novel 'Celebrity Sundae' returns with this ultra-violent late night creature feature novella!

This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

Hello Mysterious Stranger!

As of writing this I've just launched my third extreme horror book. Before this I was primarily a movie guy, pursuing indie films and writing screenplays. Anyhow three years into novel writing, and I am still loving exploring this twisted genre.

I still hope to make films and other art along the way too. I have a decidedly less extreme micro budget web-series deep in post production, which is more of an 'emotional horror' but perhaps to most a black comedy. Will keep you posted on that!

In the mean time, feel free to check out some of my films on vimeo; www.vimeo.com/godinthegrass.

And thanks for sampling my bizarre brand of transgressive horror!

Reviews

[Jon Athan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild, unpredictable thrill ride! Darryl Shaw’s Rat of Many Faces feels like a classic B-movie creature feature loaded with modern twists and beautifully written mayhem. You may hate some of the characters, but they have depth. Just like his previous novel, I love how his stories just start spiraling out of control. And I can picture every little detail. This is one of those stories I’d love to see on the big screen.

Highly recommended!

[Jankanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rat of Many Faces is another knockout. The story had me hooked from the first chapter, building up tension and then throwing in fresh, complex characters at just the right moment. I read it so fast because I just had to know what would happen next—it's that kind of page-turner.

If you’ve read any of this author's previous work, you know they don’t hold back, and that’s absolutely true here. The storyline strikes a fine balance between grit and suspense without losing focus on character depth, which is refreshing in this genre. I found myself caring deeply about certain characters, which made the stakes feel real and made every twist land with impact.

As with their other work, Rat of Many Faces isn't for the faint of heart. There’s an intensity here that fans of more extreme horror will appreciate, but if you’re squeamish, you might want to approach with caution. For those who love a well-crafted horror with plenty of suspense and standout characters, this one will not disappoint.