The Landlord: Extreme horror

by Matt Shaw

The new tenant was perfect on A single mother, going through a sticky divorce from her husband, was looking for somewhere quiet to live with her children. Basic checks showed she could afford the rent and that there weren't any major red flags but that was on paper only. In reality, both she and her husband were con-artists. They went from property to property, refusing to pay rent and forcing the landlord to go through a lengthy (and costly) process to get them moved on. Except just as she looked "perfect" on paper, so too did the landlord and the house they'd chosen for their latest scam.

The landlord was new to the business. With one of his properties empty, it seemed like the logical move in an effort to break away from his darker desires...

Genres: Horror, Fiction

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2025

About the author

Biography

MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.


Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.

Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.

Reviews

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a Matt Shaw book. Without the author name on the cover, I believe I would have known it was penned by him. Shaw's style shone through, giving the readers just the perfect combo of just enough character dev and enough violence for a novella. I do wish we had gotten to learn more of the house's traps, but there was plenty of that. Also, I felt bad for the MC. So this book did the job it was meant to

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad...it just feels a bit rushed?
I know it's only 87 pages long, but I feel if there was maybe another 100 or so pages, it would feel fully fleshed out.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there a next? I need to know about Kim. About her fucking dumb ass ex. Everything. Is there another....

[hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong start but the second half of the book lost me and the ending could have been much better.

[Morrigan Rose Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

[Daryl Sadowsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was excellent, completely different and a lot farfetched but a fun horror read

[Reading In The Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun little extreme horror novella. Great book 📖 Matt Shaw does it again

[Andrew Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Banger from Matt Shaw

At this point, having a Matt Shaw story be an excellent example of extreme horror is hardly a surprise. This one was actually fairly light on the “extreme” part, being only a few clicks over from your average “regular” horror story. It wasn’t any worse for it though, and the unique twist on the tale- which I won’t spoil but will say involved a very different kind of victim for our villain- was a breath of fresh air. Not as vile as it could have been, but hardly a bad read.

[Eric Shanrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A total disappointment

I'm not sure how it's possible for Matt to have missed the mark so badly. The synopsis would make one think that the story is about a couple of squatters who harass a landlord until he snaps and tortures them. The actual plot is anything but that. The book mainly revolves around Kim who keeps on crying and whining about her dead boyfriend.

I was really looking forward to reading about the squatters playing mind games with the landlord instead of the boring sob story this book turned out to be.

[Daniella Gentile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok Matt Shaw sometimes I cringe going into reading some of his books because they are a little to much for me but I still can’t help reading them because he is such a good author. This one though had the perfect amount of everything! I loved it!!!! I kind of wish he added a little more to the end maybe a revenge plot where she actually knows what she’s doing and it takes a “BITTING” turn for the worst or good if you know what I’m saying 😉 but still really good shorter book!

[Peachy Chipmunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted more! Far fetched, obviously. A part of me found the female protagonist slightly annoying from all of the past tense whining, but maybe that is just me. Was hoping the story would involve more “squatters” and details of the houses’ traps. But, it ended up taking a pleasant twist that I was half hoping and half expecting for. Short but exciting read. My first read from Matt Shaw, excited to read another!

[Sharon Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted and lonely

A good read, I enjoyed the plot and how it made you see both sides of a person ways. I couldn't help but want more out of the story though. It had you hooked and waiting for something major to happen.But instead I got a twist in the story so felt a little let down. Was still a good read and I would recommend it.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected horror, didn't get

Kim desperately wants to be with her husband, but that's hard to do when he's dead.
The landlord is slightly bizarre and a little bit frightening, but that's about it. Normally for a Matt Shaw book I would be adding trigger warning, but there's no reason for it.
Not much of a story, disappointing read for me.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don't know what to rate this book,I've read a load of Matt Shaw, and while he is all about the extreme shock horror.. this one really felt like it tried too hard.
I normally have a lot of feelings after his books, but this was just a bit.. meh!

[cre8tive_reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖

The Landlord by Matt Shaw

☺️☺️☺️☺️

I only wish the book was longer. It ended abruptly I thought, and I just wanted more.
I'm glad I found another great Extreme Horror book from Matt. Sometimes his stuff is amazing, and some times it's just blah. This one was amazing.

[Monica Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw, what a shame.

Aw, what a shame this story isn't longer. I'd love to know how the landlord and Kim's relationship survives or does she end up under the garden fountain. As with all Matt Shaw's work I can't get enough so I'm off to read some more 👍

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy gripping read

[LADY BUGG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dare I say I DNF it.
I kept waiting for something but nothing happened.

[Marktroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LANDLORD

Really enjoying these short stories by Matt shaw gives me a break from the series I’ve read and are waiting for the next one to become available

[Sherrill Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Wished the book could have been longer, would have enjoyed a little more play time before it all had to come to an end.

[Eevie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Super weak compared to other stories. Took me like a week to get through because I found it slow and boring.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WE NEED MORE BOOKS FROM THE KILLERS PERSPECTIVE!!!! 👏👏 This was soooo well written, so entertaining & so short and sweet.


Read with caution if you’re sensitive!

[Ann Carlson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. I couldn't finish it.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

definitely not extreme horror, not even close. Just a sick o and a heartbroken woman.

[Kelly Mannion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and was surprised by the ending. I read it quickly and was gripped throughout

[Kyrie Orledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. But I felt like it had the potential to go so much further. The ending felt rushed but I’d read it again

[Fayma Shedelbower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of the game

This book tells the story of how far a man will go to win a game. The woman tries to play a game with him and she never stood a chance to win. Good read

[Vee (Nessie) Carsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Patsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

That ending was shocking. So is Nathan alive or not? So confusing

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. not my fave by him