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Sin
If there was a way to save a loved one from a terrible disease, would you take it?
What if the consequences were unclear?
Alistair Rain’s life is fading before his eyes. His wife, Eliza, is being taken from him before her time, her body ravaged by an inoperable plague. Desperate, he turns to prayer, the last bastion of hope, but God doesn’t exist. Not in Alistair’s world. What answers is something else entirely. Something far beyond his comprehension. Something that will irrevocably change his life and the lives of those around him forever.
Sin is a dark horror from the mind of Matthew A. Clarke.
What if the consequences were unclear?
Alistair Rain’s life is fading before his eyes. His wife, Eliza, is being taken from him before her time, her body ravaged by an inoperable plague. Desperate, he turns to prayer, the last bastion of hope, but God doesn’t exist. Not in Alistair’s world. What answers is something else entirely. Something far beyond his comprehension. Something that will irrevocably change his life and the lives of those around him forever.
Sin is a dark horror from the mind of Matthew A. Clarke.
- GenresHorror
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2025
33 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Matthew A. Clarke
59 books181 followersMatthew A. Clarke is a British horror and bizarro author.
He has published fifteen books at the time of writing, and has countless short stories lurking in the darkest corners of the library.
Bizarro
112 members
Bizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. We read that stuff (someone has to) and then write publicly to one another here about the experience of reading it. If you join this group, you can too.
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Website: www.matthewaclarkeauthor.co.uk
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B082WJJPQ3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewaclarkeauthor
He has published fifteen books at the time of writing, and has countless short stories lurking in the darkest corners of the library.
Bizarro
112 members
Bizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. We read that stuff (someone has to) and then write publicly to one another here about the experience of reading it. If you join this group, you can too.
Join Bizarro!
View this group on Goodreads »
Share book reviews and ratings with Bizarro, and even join a book club on Goodreads.
Connect
Website: www.matthewaclarkeauthor.co.uk
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B082WJJPQ3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewaclarkeauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 18, 2024
We need to start talking about Matt Clarke! This story was fantastic…omg, I absolutely loved it. Every single thing I read of Matt’s is better than the one previous. If you haven’t read Teddy (why not??? It’s incredible!) you should before this one because this story does reference it throughout. Thank you for the chance to read another outstanding ARC! 🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
January 7, 2025
Ok, first of all, it’s not necessary to have read Matt’s story “Teddy” before you read “Sin”. I do recommend you read it at some point though as there are a few references to it in “Sin” that will just make more sense by having done this.
We follow Ali, a husband with a dying wife, a man whose job is to save other’s lives. Then he starts seeing the disturbing figure who whispers one word to him, over and over. “Sin” and he could make Eliza better. Could this truly be a way to save his love?
I was definitely not fond of the main character: I felt he took away the autonomy of his wife and her body by making serious decisions about her life without her knowledge. Having worked in palliative care, it has only made me more comfortable discussing death with others, and focussing on helping people find quality of life vs quantity of life. Alastair, having been so exposed to death his whole life and choosing to help “jumpers” had a very strange outlook on his wife’s end of life process, he seemed to want her to live longer, even if she was suffering. Very selfish.
Absolutely loved the last 1/4 (hello hellworld) and ending!!! Really hope the author continues to explore this setting further.
We follow Ali, a husband with a dying wife, a man whose job is to save other’s lives. Then he starts seeing the disturbing figure who whispers one word to him, over and over. “Sin” and he could make Eliza better. Could this truly be a way to save his love?
I was definitely not fond of the main character: I felt he took away the autonomy of his wife and her body by making serious decisions about her life without her knowledge. Having worked in palliative care, it has only made me more comfortable discussing death with others, and focussing on helping people find quality of life vs quantity of life. Alastair, having been so exposed to death his whole life and choosing to help “jumpers” had a very strange outlook on his wife’s end of life process, he seemed to want her to live longer, even if she was suffering. Very selfish.
Absolutely loved the last 1/4 (hello hellworld) and ending!!! Really hope the author continues to explore this setting further.
January 26, 2025
THIS. BOOK. HAD. ME. IN. A. STRANGLEHOLD
I seriously couldn't look away from it. It completely sucked me in, and I had to keep reading to know what was going to happen. AND THE TWIST! I did not see that coming whatsoever. I sat here with dropped jaw for a solid minute when I was done.
I absolutely love this world that Matt is building! His hellscape kind of reminds me of the backrooms but more horrifying, and it's such an interesting concept. He's so creative with the monsters and the landscape that these poor people find when they go through the portal; I've never read anything like it!
My takeaway from this book is: be careful what you wish for. Alistair just wanted to save his wife from a slow, painful death, so he threw out a prayer to anyone who would listen, saying he'd do anything if they'd just save his wife. The poor sod had no idea what he was bringing into existence, damming himself and everyone around him in the process for a woman who most definitely did not deserve his compassion or devotion.
Sin was a fast-paced, wild ride that has me asking myself how far I'd go for the people I love and what price I'd be willing to pay to save them.
Now, don't mind me over here on pins and needles waiting for another book in this universe!
I seriously couldn't look away from it. It completely sucked me in, and I had to keep reading to know what was going to happen. AND THE TWIST! I did not see that coming whatsoever. I sat here with dropped jaw for a solid minute when I was done.
I absolutely love this world that Matt is building! His hellscape kind of reminds me of the backrooms but more horrifying, and it's such an interesting concept. He's so creative with the monsters and the landscape that these poor people find when they go through the portal; I've never read anything like it!
My takeaway from this book is: be careful what you wish for. Alistair just wanted to save his wife from a slow, painful death, so he threw out a prayer to anyone who would listen, saying he'd do anything if they'd just save his wife. The poor sod had no idea what he was bringing into existence, damming himself and everyone around him in the process for a woman who most definitely did not deserve his compassion or devotion.
Sin was a fast-paced, wild ride that has me asking myself how far I'd go for the people I love and what price I'd be willing to pay to save them.
Now, don't mind me over here on pins and needles waiting for another book in this universe!
December 22, 2024
Seriously the thought of if you could save a loved one how far would you go ? This book takes you there and then twists everything you think you could possibly know . This is a slightly gruesome, thriller , with so many other things thrown in . And yet it all ties together and brings you to the last moment of like uhhh did I really just read that ?
Seriously I will be reading so much more by this author !!
Seriously I will be reading so much more by this author !!
December 26, 2024
“Alistair watched in horror as the woman’s ribcage snapped away from her chest from the centre out, tearing skin and flesh like a set of knives through ballistic gel. Blood splashed to the carpet as the rows of blood-drenched bones stuck out at ninety degrees to her body like macabre, skinless wings. They flexed like fingers. Something wet and meaty hit the floor, followed by a series of innards.”
This book was INSANE. The imagery in this book was so vividly detailed. Certain scenes were absolutely terrifying. Matthew Clarke did a great job writing this Cosmic/ Supernatural Horror story.
Alistair works with grieving individuals and even suicidal individuals. Meanwhile, at home, Alistair is dealing with his wife who is on the brink of death; cancer. As a last resort, Alistair turns to prayer, even though he’s never believed in it and to his shock, he hears back. If you were given the opportunity to save a loved one, how far would you go? The consequences are dire and there’s no going back.
Thank you, Matthew, for this ARC! Sin will be released on February 1st, 2025. Every horror reader needs to add this to their TBR🙌
This book was INSANE. The imagery in this book was so vividly detailed. Certain scenes were absolutely terrifying. Matthew Clarke did a great job writing this Cosmic/ Supernatural Horror story.
Alistair works with grieving individuals and even suicidal individuals. Meanwhile, at home, Alistair is dealing with his wife who is on the brink of death; cancer. As a last resort, Alistair turns to prayer, even though he’s never believed in it and to his shock, he hears back. If you were given the opportunity to save a loved one, how far would you go? The consequences are dire and there’s no going back.
Thank you, Matthew, for this ARC! Sin will be released on February 1st, 2025. Every horror reader needs to add this to their TBR🙌
January 19, 2025
This is a standalone sequel to Clarke's book "Teddy". I personally liked "Sin" much more than "Teddy," even though the two books share many of the same themes and, of course, the same world-building. Unlike "Teddy," this is not a revenge tale ("Sin" is supernatural grief horror, if anything), but the main character's journey follows much the same pace as the central duo's of the first book, and shares the same trippy atmosphere: Alistair Rain's traumatized, he's facing both work troubles and family issues, and he's slowly losing his grip on reality. Why? Because he wants to save his wife from certain death, and to do so he's accepted an offer that will make his life hell. His nightmarish journey is told with great confidence and attention to psychological detail, and with several nods to "Teddy" as well, since Alistair is called upon to visit a place to which readers were first introduced in that book.
I for one had many "Hellraiser" moments thoughout the book's second part, since the alien territory harbors monstrosities and grotesqueries in original combinations of body and cosmic horror reminiscent of Barker. I recommend the book for both its hellish atmosphere and the unexpected moments of depravity - among my personal highlights of the book was certainly that bowl scene (IYKYK)!
I for one had many "Hellraiser" moments thoughout the book's second part, since the alien territory harbors monstrosities and grotesqueries in original combinations of body and cosmic horror reminiscent of Barker. I recommend the book for both its hellish atmosphere and the unexpected moments of depravity - among my personal highlights of the book was certainly that bowl scene (IYKYK)!
May 16, 2025
I liked the cover and assumed this book would be straight up horror, but I was mistaken. It was going well enough (a 3 star read) until page 123, or about 71%. At that point, it veered off into juvenile Bizarro sci-fi and completely lost me, as it didn't seem to have anything much to do with the original plot. I'm disappointed about the time I wasted finishing this one.
March 19, 2025
Alistair will do anything to save his wife.
Anything.
But at what cost…?
This darkly captivating tale covers suicide, depression, grief and desperation. And it does so beautifully. Matt's heart and soul went into this one, making it all the more powerful.
Rife with heart in your mouth tension and suspense, it's intensely chilling and creepy, with some utterly insane world building.
And, I'm gonna need more of this brilliantly hellish world, so much more. It's the stuff of nightmares, a bit like Narnia on the worst acid trip you can imagine!
Terrifying landscapes inhabited by even more terrifying creatures, that will leave you haunted and looking over your shoulder.
I absolutely love the way Matt combines bizarro and horror, it's a beautiful mindfuck of fear and insanity, and I am so down for it!
This story is not so much a sequel to Teddy, but it is set in the same world, and with a similar theme. It's a strong and powerful story, set adjacent to Teddy's world, in that it is mentioned a lot as an event that happened nearby and still lives on in people's memories, and is still talked about in passing.
There are strong ties to Teddy's world, and those ties NEED to be strong, because you're in for a hell of a ride!
And now we also have a new nightmare to fear….The Gaunt Man! 😮
Anything.
But at what cost…?
This darkly captivating tale covers suicide, depression, grief and desperation. And it does so beautifully. Matt's heart and soul went into this one, making it all the more powerful.
Rife with heart in your mouth tension and suspense, it's intensely chilling and creepy, with some utterly insane world building.
And, I'm gonna need more of this brilliantly hellish world, so much more. It's the stuff of nightmares, a bit like Narnia on the worst acid trip you can imagine!
Terrifying landscapes inhabited by even more terrifying creatures, that will leave you haunted and looking over your shoulder.
I absolutely love the way Matt combines bizarro and horror, it's a beautiful mindfuck of fear and insanity, and I am so down for it!
This story is not so much a sequel to Teddy, but it is set in the same world, and with a similar theme. It's a strong and powerful story, set adjacent to Teddy's world, in that it is mentioned a lot as an event that happened nearby and still lives on in people's memories, and is still talked about in passing.
There are strong ties to Teddy's world, and those ties NEED to be strong, because you're in for a hell of a ride!
And now we also have a new nightmare to fear….The Gaunt Man! 😮
December 31, 2024
4/5 🍒
Eliza Rain is a very sick woman. She is dying of cancer. Her husband hasn’t exactly accepted she’s dying. He gets a chance to possibly help his wife live longer or even cure her cancer.
A strange being from somewhere not of this dimension shows up in Allister and Eliza’s house demanding that he commits sins if he wants his wife to live. He believes he may be going crazy at first.
As his descent into madness evolves into something more dangerous will he SIN? Will he do what’s needed to do once he realizes his wife may have a chance at life. But at what cost exactly?
This book was written well will amazing imagery! I felt as though I was there for each scene. I’ve read Troll by Matthew and I plan on reading his other books as well!
I want to thank Matthew for this ARC and it releases February 1st 2025!
Eliza Rain is a very sick woman. She is dying of cancer. Her husband hasn’t exactly accepted she’s dying. He gets a chance to possibly help his wife live longer or even cure her cancer.
A strange being from somewhere not of this dimension shows up in Allister and Eliza’s house demanding that he commits sins if he wants his wife to live. He believes he may be going crazy at first.
As his descent into madness evolves into something more dangerous will he SIN? Will he do what’s needed to do once he realizes his wife may have a chance at life. But at what cost exactly?
This book was written well will amazing imagery! I felt as though I was there for each scene. I’ve read Troll by Matthew and I plan on reading his other books as well!
I want to thank Matthew for this ARC and it releases February 1st 2025!
December 23, 2024
Holy hell guys.
Want a insanely dark story that's like an on-going nightmare? This. Is. It.
The character development, world building and atmosphere are top notch. I haven't felt anything like this since Hellbound Heart!
I'd highly recommend this to ANY horror fan. Thanks for the wild ride Matthew!
Want a insanely dark story that's like an on-going nightmare? This. Is. It.
The character development, world building and atmosphere are top notch. I haven't felt anything like this since Hellbound Heart!
I'd highly recommend this to ANY horror fan. Thanks for the wild ride Matthew!
January 4, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book to read and review so thank you kindly, Matthew. Official release date is February 1st.
Alistair Rain is currently a miserable human being. His job while once fulfilling is taking a toll on him and what's worse, his wife Eliza, the last glimmer of happiness in his life, is suffering from a terminal illness and fading fast. In a moment of desperation, he says a prayer. He will do ANYTHING to save Eliza from this disease. It is not God that answers the call though but something else entirely with one demand to save her. SIN.
Holy talking turkeys, this was an absolutely wild ride of a story. Because it is such a short read I can't say much about the plot for fear of spoiling but I will say:
It is an absolute must for fans of the grotesque and bizarre. Plenty of uncomfortable and terrifying situations. Portals to Hell or something like it. What our fragile human minds would probably perceive as Hell. The atmosphere and monstrosities both were given me heavy Hellraiser-ish vibes. The conclusion was very cool and a fitting ending.
Special mention of Tinkers. He deserved so much better, Matthew. 😭 I hope he haunts your dreams.
Alistair Rain is currently a miserable human being. His job while once fulfilling is taking a toll on him and what's worse, his wife Eliza, the last glimmer of happiness in his life, is suffering from a terminal illness and fading fast. In a moment of desperation, he says a prayer. He will do ANYTHING to save Eliza from this disease. It is not God that answers the call though but something else entirely with one demand to save her. SIN.
Holy talking turkeys, this was an absolutely wild ride of a story. Because it is such a short read I can't say much about the plot for fear of spoiling but I will say:
It is an absolute must for fans of the grotesque and bizarre. Plenty of uncomfortable and terrifying situations. Portals to Hell or something like it. What our fragile human minds would probably perceive as Hell. The atmosphere and monstrosities both were given me heavy Hellraiser-ish vibes. The conclusion was very cool and a fitting ending.
Special mention of Tinkers. He deserved so much better, Matthew. 😭 I hope he haunts your dreams.
January 16, 2025
How I would describe this book is religious horror mixed with a nightmare version of Alice in Wonderland. Once the story got to the Hell like world, the creatures Clarke created instantly made me think of The Wheelies from Return to Oz which creeped me out, and Clarke's creatures creeped me out even more.
I haven't read Teddy by Clarke yet, but reading other reviews of Sin I guess it shares a world with Teddy. Although I didn't lose anything of this story, I do wish I had read Teddy first. I really really hope this world comes back in another book!
With themes of grief and suicide this is a very heavy read emotionally.
I haven't read Teddy by Clarke yet, but reading other reviews of Sin I guess it shares a world with Teddy. Although I didn't lose anything of this story, I do wish I had read Teddy first. I really really hope this world comes back in another book!
With themes of grief and suicide this is a very heavy read emotionally.
December 30, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
First of all, I want to thank Matt for the arc of this book. I finished a few weeks ago and just now got around to leaving a review. .
Alistair is beyond in love with his wife Eliza. She is sick and dying. Alistair has a chance to save her. All he has to do is what is asked of him…….. SIN! This story questions everything about how far one will go to save the one they love.
I have had the pleasure of reading almost everything to date that Matt has put out. He has not written one book from Troll all the way to Sin that has disappointed me.
First of all, I want to thank Matt for the arc of this book. I finished a few weeks ago and just now got around to leaving a review. .
Alistair is beyond in love with his wife Eliza. She is sick and dying. Alistair has a chance to save her. All he has to do is what is asked of him…….. SIN! This story questions everything about how far one will go to save the one they love.
I have had the pleasure of reading almost everything to date that Matt has put out. He has not written one book from Troll all the way to Sin that has disappointed me.
January 6, 2025
Alright everyone, my first 5 star read of the year already! Which is not surprising since the last book I read by Matthew Clarke was one of my favorite books of 2024. I absolutely loved this one. It was deeply emotional and thought provoking while at times being very disturbing too. A mix of grief, psychological and supernatural horror. This was extremely well written and there’s a reason he is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while! I definitely recommend reading this one when it comes out on February 1st!
March 20, 2025
Sin by Matthew A. Clarke
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an intense and wild horror story! Alistair’s wife Eliza is dying a slow and painful death. He would do anything to stop her misery and impending death.
At what point have you gone to far to save your love? Alistair turns to god, but it’s not god who answers his pleas. The book is a fast paced, dark and psychologically extreme one!
I was at the edge of my seat listening the whole story!!
Thank you to Matthew Clarke for an audio of this exciting book! I really enjoyed the narrator also!!
*It’s out now, and is a story to read!!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an intense and wild horror story! Alistair’s wife Eliza is dying a slow and painful death. He would do anything to stop her misery and impending death.
At what point have you gone to far to save your love? Alistair turns to god, but it’s not god who answers his pleas. The book is a fast paced, dark and psychologically extreme one!
I was at the edge of my seat listening the whole story!!
Thank you to Matthew Clarke for an audio of this exciting book! I really enjoyed the narrator also!!
*It’s out now, and is a story to read!!*
January 16, 2025
How this goes from heartbreaking to shit-your-pants terrifying and ending in some hotdang good bizarro, is just amazing. I've been hooked from start to finish and I can genuinely say it kinda creeped me out; and then at the same time made me want to violently sob. Oh, and that's not even counting in the fact that this sent my mind into OVERDRIVE. I was constantly considering what sins Alistair should commit, and it kindaaaaa made me question my own morals, lol.
January 24, 2025
This is possibly the most original story I’ve read. It’s absolutely bonkers, in a good way.
It starts simple, a man is told by a spectral being that if he sins his terminally ill wife will recover, but is it all in his head? Has her medicine been working or is his sinning causing her recovery?
I won’t spoil where this story goes but it’s a roller coaster of craziness that will surprise you at every turn.
Now, while I love the crazy, there were some questions I had that were left unanswered. And I’ve read the last 2 pages multiple times and still don’t know what happened at the end.
This has a lot of 80s horror movie feel to it and I loved that, flaws and all.
It starts simple, a man is told by a spectral being that if he sins his terminally ill wife will recover, but is it all in his head? Has her medicine been working or is his sinning causing her recovery?
I won’t spoil where this story goes but it’s a roller coaster of craziness that will surprise you at every turn.
Now, while I love the crazy, there were some questions I had that were left unanswered. And I’ve read the last 2 pages multiple times and still don’t know what happened at the end.
This has a lot of 80s horror movie feel to it and I loved that, flaws and all.
December 21, 2024
Alistair and Paul are rescuers, talking down the suicidal and helping the hopeless. Paul is driven by his beliefs, Alastair by his empathy but when Alistair’s wife, Rain is given months to live he turns to prayer even though he doesn’t believe it will work but, something answers him. Something that will blow apart his world.
This asks if you knew a way to save the one you love would you? Even if it could mean disaster for everyone else? Even if the consequences were horrific? Would you still save them? A powerful story of grief and hope threads through this horrifically visceral horror. Matt just has a way of pulling you in to what you feel is such a real situation, you care for the characters. Then, he knocks you out and drags them and you through a hellish landscape of delicious depravity, fantastic!
This asks if you knew a way to save the one you love would you? Even if it could mean disaster for everyone else? Even if the consequences were horrific? Would you still save them? A powerful story of grief and hope threads through this horrifically visceral horror. Matt just has a way of pulling you in to what you feel is such a real situation, you care for the characters. Then, he knocks you out and drags them and you through a hellish landscape of delicious depravity, fantastic!
February 4, 2025
This was freaky and weird and bizarre.
The visuals and world building were insane and so descriptive.
Wow
The visuals and world building were insane and so descriptive.
Wow
August 9, 2025
Started off strong but didn’t finish as strong, I found parts towards the end confusing and the ending was a let down.
April 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ started off strong. i really enjoyed the vivid imagery and the author’s imagination. the unique monsters and scenes were easy to picture and definitely my favorite part. by the end, i found myself a little confused. it felt like some questions were left unanswered, and i had to pause and consider rereading parts. after seeing other reviews, it seems i wasn’t the only one. still, a creative and intriguing read overall.
August 8, 2025
I really wanted to love this book and it had a lot of potential, but it just kind of fell flat. The characters were a little unrealistic in their interactions and I had a hard time looking past it especially in the mental health aspect. It had some really good horror moments and I really enjoyed some aspects of the "mind games" that were being played with both the main character and the reader.
February 18, 2025
this uhhhhh wasn’t what i was expecting at all (and not in a good way)
January 21, 2025
I was thrilled to receive an ARC for Sin! This was my first of Clarke's to have read, and I will definitely be checking out more of his work.
Sin dripped with atmosphere, dread, and despair. Apart from one instance of violence that I admittedly do not have tolerance for (CW at the end of this review), I was so drawn into it that it's been on my mind for weeks now. I need more of that environment the characters find themselves in; it was so imaginative and I could picture it all perfectly as I read. This is one I'll definitely have to read again, so I'll be picking up a physical copy ASAP!
*CW* is for animal (cat) violence. It comes up twice, but was easy to skip past.
Sin dripped with atmosphere, dread, and despair. Apart from one instance of violence that I admittedly do not have tolerance for (CW at the end of this review), I was so drawn into it that it's been on my mind for weeks now. I need more of that environment the characters find themselves in; it was so imaginative and I could picture it all perfectly as I read. This is one I'll definitely have to read again, so I'll be picking up a physical copy ASAP!
*CW* is for animal (cat) violence. It comes up twice, but was easy to skip past.
February 1, 2025
Dimension crossing just got darker.
Eliza is terminally ill. Her husband, Alastair is given the opportunity to save her. With true love the motive, the lengths he will go to are tested with dramatic effect.
When dimensions cross, this has vibes of The Drawing of The Three in both imagery and action with Clarke’s unique bizarro blend simmering subtly in the background.
It can be read as a stand alone but I strongly recommend reading Teddy first (Clarke writing as Matt Duchossoy). And if you haven’t read Teddy yet - well what have you been doing with your life? Seriously!
Eliza is terminally ill. Her husband, Alastair is given the opportunity to save her. With true love the motive, the lengths he will go to are tested with dramatic effect.
When dimensions cross, this has vibes of The Drawing of The Three in both imagery and action with Clarke’s unique bizarro blend simmering subtly in the background.
It can be read as a stand alone but I strongly recommend reading Teddy first (Clarke writing as Matt Duchossoy). And if you haven’t read Teddy yet - well what have you been doing with your life? Seriously!
February 3, 2025
The being uttered one word with a voice like sandpaper.
Sin.
…
All you have to do is sin. Sin, and she will be saved.
4 1/2 stars. "Sin" by Matthew A. Clarke, like its predecessor "Teddy" is once again essentially a never-ending nightmare, fed to us continually with brief interuptions by whatever passes at the moment for "reality". I think I was more shocked by the story of "Teddy" but there are parts of "Sin" that had me truly upset and even nauseous. And the suffering of "Sin" as one of the main players is dying - perhaps - of cancer made it resonate with me on a much more personal level as I've seen far too many family members and friends succumb to this horrifying disease over the years. So yeah that - and suicide and child abuse and, again, depraved sexual tendencies or acts - are going to be your triggers this time through. Brace yourselves because it gets ugly.
Let me begin by telling you that everything is not going to be okay.
First of all, I have to quickly and rather firmly disagree with those fellow reviewers that have commented that it is NOT necessary to have read "Teddy" before you read "Sin". Everything in this book takes place in the same universes (note the plural) as before and I think it's essential that the reader is prepared for both before some events occur and also some surprises are revealed. Anyway, the first story is amazing and you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't read it… and besides, there's yet another awesome cover by Wendy Saber Core to enjoy. So break the bank, whatever you have to do and get both of these stories in your brainpan pronto!
Metallic wiring ran from eye sockets. Slowly turning cogs protruded from throats.
Now in terms of the story: as mentioned this one takes the rather gruesome look of the reality of what cancer does to not only the person suffering from it but also their loved ones. What do you do when it becomes then apparent that drugs are only prolonging a loved ones suffering? Plus considering that our loving husband Alistair is also one of two fellows that work the area around the chalk sea cliffs in the South Downs range of hills in East Sussex in SE England (thanks Wikipedia!), trying their best to stem the tide of jumpers who leap to their deaths on the rocks below. It's a thankless job, driving around and giving folks the "Suicide is a permanent solution to an often temporary problem" speech. But it gives the guys in question some satisfaction, at very least when their efforts pay off and they can talk the jumpers back from the edge. My point then is it's no wonder that Ali begins to have what could be considered a wee mental breakdown, especially once the paranormal stuff begins to happen all around him. There's less barbed wire this time, particularly in terms of it exploding out of people, but the bloodiness isn't necessarily any less effusive!
A rouge waterfall tumbled from the wound, down her breasts, to her legs, feet.
At the heart of this story then is the question that the reader has to CONTINUALLY ask themselves, namely, what would you do if you were given the chance to save the most important person in the world to you? And that once you had completed even the most benign "assignment" concerning same, you saw an improvement in that loved one's health, albeit only as long as you continued to fulfill your end of the bargain? Would you continue even at the risk of your own incarceration or even death? Now take that one step further and what would you do if you found out this supposedly perfect loved one, who so unfairly - naturally - should never have been stricken like this in the prime of her young life, was if fact not the person you thought they were? What if - at least to the reader - it became ever more questionable if this person in fact deserved to be saved? What then?
Why was it not over? He’d sinned. She was alive. Better. What now?
Needless to say, there remain a LOT of questions that do not get answered in this story. There's also a lot of new subjects that are raised that we're asked to consider, not the least of which is theological in nature! And though the events of "Teddy" are addressed at some length in parts, you can just forget trying to get any definitive feedback on what that crew went through. As more and more actors in "Sin" find themselves subjected to the same horrors, it only serves to make us even more uncertain about who or what or even why all of this is occurring. Was Paul correct in thinking that the events of the "hidden staircase in the woods" - even though now thoroughly destroyed (or so everyone believes) - in fact opened a new gate to Hell where this is affecting not only a few locals but in a way everyone in the world? Has so much evil seeped into our own plane of existence that there's really no hope at all anymore to avoid it? We aren't told… but it kept me up last night wondering, that's for sure!
Listen here, you little shit. Either jump or go home. Nobody cares about you.
So yes, there's a lot of the same spirit and emotional heftiness that we just experienced before. Now, however, we are subjected to this approach with adults in the leading roles. It felt more personal to me, yes, but at the same time somewhat less shocking. I guess there's a sense of a removal of innocence in "Sin" that somehow makes it more… acceptable? than before. Anyway, the bottom line for me is that this was another absolutely solid effort. I wasn't crazy about the plethora of rather short chapters in this one, but to be fair, there's a lot going on. If the author wanted to tap the brakes and give his readers a chance to catch their breath, why not? But a fantastic duology for sure!
Sin.
…
All you have to do is sin. Sin, and she will be saved.
4 1/2 stars. "Sin" by Matthew A. Clarke, like its predecessor "Teddy" is once again essentially a never-ending nightmare, fed to us continually with brief interuptions by whatever passes at the moment for "reality". I think I was more shocked by the story of "Teddy" but there are parts of "Sin" that had me truly upset and even nauseous. And the suffering of "Sin" as one of the main players is dying - perhaps - of cancer made it resonate with me on a much more personal level as I've seen far too many family members and friends succumb to this horrifying disease over the years. So yeah that - and suicide and child abuse and, again, depraved sexual tendencies or acts - are going to be your triggers this time through. Brace yourselves because it gets ugly.
Let me begin by telling you that everything is not going to be okay.
First of all, I have to quickly and rather firmly disagree with those fellow reviewers that have commented that it is NOT necessary to have read "Teddy" before you read "Sin". Everything in this book takes place in the same universes (note the plural) as before and I think it's essential that the reader is prepared for both before some events occur and also some surprises are revealed. Anyway, the first story is amazing and you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't read it… and besides, there's yet another awesome cover by Wendy Saber Core to enjoy. So break the bank, whatever you have to do and get both of these stories in your brainpan pronto!
Metallic wiring ran from eye sockets. Slowly turning cogs protruded from throats.
Now in terms of the story: as mentioned this one takes the rather gruesome look of the reality of what cancer does to not only the person suffering from it but also their loved ones. What do you do when it becomes then apparent that drugs are only prolonging a loved ones suffering? Plus considering that our loving husband Alistair is also one of two fellows that work the area around the chalk sea cliffs in the South Downs range of hills in East Sussex in SE England (thanks Wikipedia!), trying their best to stem the tide of jumpers who leap to their deaths on the rocks below. It's a thankless job, driving around and giving folks the "Suicide is a permanent solution to an often temporary problem" speech. But it gives the guys in question some satisfaction, at very least when their efforts pay off and they can talk the jumpers back from the edge. My point then is it's no wonder that Ali begins to have what could be considered a wee mental breakdown, especially once the paranormal stuff begins to happen all around him. There's less barbed wire this time, particularly in terms of it exploding out of people, but the bloodiness isn't necessarily any less effusive!
A rouge waterfall tumbled from the wound, down her breasts, to her legs, feet.
At the heart of this story then is the question that the reader has to CONTINUALLY ask themselves, namely, what would you do if you were given the chance to save the most important person in the world to you? And that once you had completed even the most benign "assignment" concerning same, you saw an improvement in that loved one's health, albeit only as long as you continued to fulfill your end of the bargain? Would you continue even at the risk of your own incarceration or even death? Now take that one step further and what would you do if you found out this supposedly perfect loved one, who so unfairly - naturally - should never have been stricken like this in the prime of her young life, was if fact not the person you thought they were? What if - at least to the reader - it became ever more questionable if this person in fact deserved to be saved? What then?
Why was it not over? He’d sinned. She was alive. Better. What now?
Needless to say, there remain a LOT of questions that do not get answered in this story. There's also a lot of new subjects that are raised that we're asked to consider, not the least of which is theological in nature! And though the events of "Teddy" are addressed at some length in parts, you can just forget trying to get any definitive feedback on what that crew went through. As more and more actors in "Sin" find themselves subjected to the same horrors, it only serves to make us even more uncertain about who or what or even why all of this is occurring. Was Paul correct in thinking that the events of the "hidden staircase in the woods" - even though now thoroughly destroyed (or so everyone believes) - in fact opened a new gate to Hell where this is affecting not only a few locals but in a way everyone in the world? Has so much evil seeped into our own plane of existence that there's really no hope at all anymore to avoid it? We aren't told… but it kept me up last night wondering, that's for sure!
Listen here, you little shit. Either jump or go home. Nobody cares about you.
So yes, there's a lot of the same spirit and emotional heftiness that we just experienced before. Now, however, we are subjected to this approach with adults in the leading roles. It felt more personal to me, yes, but at the same time somewhat less shocking. I guess there's a sense of a removal of innocence in "Sin" that somehow makes it more… acceptable? than before. Anyway, the bottom line for me is that this was another absolutely solid effort. I wasn't crazy about the plethora of rather short chapters in this one, but to be fair, there's a lot going on. If the author wanted to tap the brakes and give his readers a chance to catch their breath, why not? But a fantastic duology for sure!
April 21, 2025
He didn’t know who he was anymore. What he was.
He was dedicated to saving those around him, but at the end of the day he would be unable to save even himself. Alistar Rain and his wife Eliza are sinking deeper and deeper as her cancer diagnosis took her further into the terminal stage they are feared. Watching his wife wither away, he's ready to gamble anything if it meant she would survive. Prayers wandered by a darker and more sinister power, he found ever for every sin and bad deed she would miraculously heal temporarily. Taking the life of first Mr. Tinkers and then the elderly woman who owned him, it would seem Alistars’s deal with the devil would has no ends to his side. Realing down from the high and guilt of murdering a person,she's scared to see the clothed man that's been haunting him snatch Eliza and run through their closet to vanish. Glowing quickly behind, he's back into the rhelm the staircase first introduced humanity to.
I’d do anything for her. If it means you have to take me, instead, I’ll do it. She’s the love of my life. The light in my eyes. I can’t bear to watch her fade away any longer. Please, end her suffering. Help her get better. I don’t like to beg, but I will, if that’s what it takes.
For his closest friend; Paul Jackson, he's being driven mad watching the steady decline for Alistar as he's forced to make a step back from the suicidal help then offer. After he's being blamed for pushing a young girl closer to the edge instead of talking her away from it, he pulls deeper to himself and remains hiden in his house as the clothed man continued to torment and stalk him. When he finally saw the manic look in his eyes, it was far too late as that was when he vanished into the wardrobe after his wife. Trying to get to him, Paul would be executed by soldiers as th t formed quite a perimeter around the Rain’s household following the discovery. When rescue workers were sent in, they found Officer West and believed him to be a monster. Dragging his body to the surface, only one member of the four would make it to the surface and she would be stuck with the realization she executed that man's partner. When Alistar finally finds himself as close to Eliza has he has gotten before, he finds his body too weakendoned and destroyed to carry any further. While Eliza is trapped in a replica of their old house tortured, he can't help but blame himself for the predicament she's now in.
Sure, it was hideous, but did that automatically mean that it was evil?
He was dedicated to saving those around him, but at the end of the day he would be unable to save even himself. Alistar Rain and his wife Eliza are sinking deeper and deeper as her cancer diagnosis took her further into the terminal stage they are feared. Watching his wife wither away, he's ready to gamble anything if it meant she would survive. Prayers wandered by a darker and more sinister power, he found ever for every sin and bad deed she would miraculously heal temporarily. Taking the life of first Mr. Tinkers and then the elderly woman who owned him, it would seem Alistars’s deal with the devil would has no ends to his side. Realing down from the high and guilt of murdering a person,she's scared to see the clothed man that's been haunting him snatch Eliza and run through their closet to vanish. Glowing quickly behind, he's back into the rhelm the staircase first introduced humanity to.
I’d do anything for her. If it means you have to take me, instead, I’ll do it. She’s the love of my life. The light in my eyes. I can’t bear to watch her fade away any longer. Please, end her suffering. Help her get better. I don’t like to beg, but I will, if that’s what it takes.
For his closest friend; Paul Jackson, he's being driven mad watching the steady decline for Alistar as he's forced to make a step back from the suicidal help then offer. After he's being blamed for pushing a young girl closer to the edge instead of talking her away from it, he pulls deeper to himself and remains hiden in his house as the clothed man continued to torment and stalk him. When he finally saw the manic look in his eyes, it was far too late as that was when he vanished into the wardrobe after his wife. Trying to get to him, Paul would be executed by soldiers as th t formed quite a perimeter around the Rain’s household following the discovery. When rescue workers were sent in, they found Officer West and believed him to be a monster. Dragging his body to the surface, only one member of the four would make it to the surface and she would be stuck with the realization she executed that man's partner. When Alistar finally finds himself as close to Eliza has he has gotten before, he finds his body too weakendoned and destroyed to carry any further. While Eliza is trapped in a replica of their old house tortured, he can't help but blame himself for the predicament she's now in.
Sure, it was hideous, but did that automatically mean that it was evil?
January 7, 2025
Matthew A. Clark gifted me a copy of his story in exchange for an honest review. This is my first novel by him, but I’ll for sure be reading Incel next. I can honestly say this was a very quick read, with lots of “what’s going to happen next?” type moments. Most every chapter leaves you wanting more. I was very invested in Alistair’s situation and how he would save his wife Eliza from certain death. The entire novel as a whole is very descriptive and vivid throughout. It’s a wild ride that holds onto the reader from the very beginning.
Without saying any spoilers, I will add that I’ve read bizarro themed books and they’re not my favorite. I didn’t realize this book had bizarro themes until the characters ventured into an unknown world. I began to lose interest in the story once everyone was there and I had to somewhat force myself to keep reading. I believe my loss of interest was a personal thing, and had nothing to do with the writing. The writing is absolutely great from beginning to end. But for those who tend to shy away from bizarro, know that this book is very much worth reading, but let it be known that the last 20%-25% of the book is slightly bizarro themed.
With that said I want to thank the author again for giving me the opportunity to read their work, and I hope everyone gives this creepy read a go. It involves real life type traumas mixed with creepy horror vibes and won’t disappoint.
Without saying any spoilers, I will add that I’ve read bizarro themed books and they’re not my favorite. I didn’t realize this book had bizarro themes until the characters ventured into an unknown world. I began to lose interest in the story once everyone was there and I had to somewhat force myself to keep reading. I believe my loss of interest was a personal thing, and had nothing to do with the writing. The writing is absolutely great from beginning to end. But for those who tend to shy away from bizarro, know that this book is very much worth reading, but let it be known that the last 20%-25% of the book is slightly bizarro themed.
With that said I want to thank the author again for giving me the opportunity to read their work, and I hope everyone gives this creepy read a go. It involves real life type traumas mixed with creepy horror vibes and won’t disappoint.
March 24, 2025
This is what happens when you let your skeletons out of the closet.
Matthew A. Clarke's writting is beautifully engaging. Stylistically, his books are reminiscent of King, Bradburry, and Vonnegut, with hints of Pahlaniuk, Mellick, and M. Night Shyamalan.
It seems to me that every good story, be it a novel, movie, or comic book, must have a question at it's core. Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a God? What if you could go back in time and try to fix your mistakes? And the list goes on, and the better the question, the higher the story's potential.
In the case of SIN, Clarke asks, what would you do to save the love of our life? It's not a new idea. In The Paperbag Princess, our heroine storms a castle and defeats a dragon in order to rescue her dear Prince Harold, and we all know the lengths Liam Neison would be willing to go to to save his daughter. These heroic deeds drive a hero's character, taking them from zero to hero in 3 to 9 acts. But what happens when the "Hero's tasks" are less noble and, instead of being told to be brave and stand true, the main character is told to sin? If he is doing bad for the percieved greater good, are his actions still noble? Is he still a hero? These questions, and others that come up in Clark's book, are darker, and much harder to answer, which is why it is so good.
When narrated by Lucas Boyd, Sin is compulsive. His voice is like a devil in your ear, whispering, urging you on to the bitter end.
Matthew A. Clarke's writting is beautifully engaging. Stylistically, his books are reminiscent of King, Bradburry, and Vonnegut, with hints of Pahlaniuk, Mellick, and M. Night Shyamalan.
It seems to me that every good story, be it a novel, movie, or comic book, must have a question at it's core. Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a God? What if you could go back in time and try to fix your mistakes? And the list goes on, and the better the question, the higher the story's potential.
In the case of SIN, Clarke asks, what would you do to save the love of our life? It's not a new idea. In The Paperbag Princess, our heroine storms a castle and defeats a dragon in order to rescue her dear Prince Harold, and we all know the lengths Liam Neison would be willing to go to to save his daughter. These heroic deeds drive a hero's character, taking them from zero to hero in 3 to 9 acts. But what happens when the "Hero's tasks" are less noble and, instead of being told to be brave and stand true, the main character is told to sin? If he is doing bad for the percieved greater good, are his actions still noble? Is he still a hero? These questions, and others that come up in Clark's book, are darker, and much harder to answer, which is why it is so good.
When narrated by Lucas Boyd, Sin is compulsive. His voice is like a devil in your ear, whispering, urging you on to the bitter end.
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