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Beyond Repair
Bill works full-time, plays by the rules, and still drowns in debt. When the final notice comes, it’s not a court summons—it’s a knock at the door after dinner. The collection agency doesn’t want money. They want blood. Flesh. Pain. And they want it now.
Lucas, the man sent to collect, never wanted this job. But in a world where the cost of living is your soul, he’ll do anything to keep his wife and daughters fed—and safe from the same fate. As Bill is dragged into a nightmarish system where debt is paid in gore and suffering, Lucas must confront the horrors he's become complicit in.
Beyond Repair is a razor-edged splatterpunk novelette drenched in violence and dread, but pulsing with heart. Beneath its crimson-soaked surface lies a chilling reflection of real-world wage slavery, predatory debt, and the human cost of survival. For fans of visceral horror with a conscience—this is capitalism with the mask torn off.
Lucas, the man sent to collect, never wanted this job. But in a world where the cost of living is your soul, he’ll do anything to keep his wife and daughters fed—and safe from the same fate. As Bill is dragged into a nightmarish system where debt is paid in gore and suffering, Lucas must confront the horrors he's become complicit in.
Beyond Repair is a razor-edged splatterpunk novelette drenched in violence and dread, but pulsing with heart. Beneath its crimson-soaked surface lies a chilling reflection of real-world wage slavery, predatory debt, and the human cost of survival. For fans of visceral horror with a conscience—this is capitalism with the mask torn off.
- GenresHorror
49 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 2, 2026
This was fun. Lots of body horror with the unique set up where you got a deep dive into both our lead character, Bill, and the, I suppose we can say repo man, Lucas. Good characters and just a simple, enjoyable horror story. You couldn’t help but feel really terrible for Bill, who just kept finding himself in a hole. I think we’ve all been there at some point. The open ending didn’t bug me all that much, and they usually do, but I just wish this was a little longer. I felt like Lucas had some further stuff that could’ve been done with him. Still a bloody good time for all!
April 28, 2025
This story is very depressing, but it’s splatter punk at its very finest! 🫀🫀🫀🫀
June 2, 2025
Wow! What an amazingly gut-wrenching story packed into just 39 pages! I can't go into too much detail, but I can tell you this...I will never, NEVER EVER sign another document without reading the small print. What a fantastic Splatterpunk novelette Salinas wrote. Well worth the read. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 19, 2025
Beyond repair by Matthew Salinas, Bill and Lucas aren’t that different where Bill still has his family thanks to his job with the repair man’s collection agency Bill also has his job but lost his family because he has more money going out than he does coming in he does his best to avoid the guy who keeps calling but when they show up at his house he has no other place to run. Although Lucas is not happy about it at all him and his team are there to collect And unfortunately for bill collect they do. The author has done a great job mixing emotion with horror and it left me with my hands over my eyes despite the fact I couldn’t get the image of the whole thing with his toes out of my head. If you love splatter punk and all out horror then you will definitely enjoyed this really fast read by a true talent. I absolutely did. #TheBlindreviewer, #MatthewSalinas, #BeyondRepair,
May 6, 2025
A great little horror story about financial strife and alternative ways to paying back debts and monies owed. Not a lot of laughs, but the writing style used tended to make such a sorry state of affairs into a pleasurable, entertaining read, without ever leaving the reader (ie. me) feeling totally bewildered or distraught.
Loved the idea, but because of its shortness and I was ultimately left craving much, much...much more...brutalisation and mutilating ruination!
Very enjoyable and definitely planning to read further work from such a talented author of the short and detailed horror tale. Highly impressed..
Rating: 4.3 stars.
Loved the idea, but because of its shortness and I was ultimately left craving much, much...much more...brutalisation and mutilating ruination!
Very enjoyable and definitely planning to read further work from such a talented author of the short and detailed horror tale. Highly impressed..
Rating: 4.3 stars.
April 20, 2025
This was REALLY good splatterpunk.
I’m tired of repetitive tropes/gimmicks in SP, and this one was different. I especially recommend this if you enjoy philosophical reads with a side of gore that leave you feeling dead inside.
My favorite quote:
“What’s the point? All I’ll ever be is a gear in a machine that eats itself.”
I’m tired of repetitive tropes/gimmicks in SP, and this one was different. I especially recommend this if you enjoy philosophical reads with a side of gore that leave you feeling dead inside.
My favorite quote:
“What’s the point? All I’ll ever be is a gear in a machine that eats itself.”
April 18, 2025
Take my advice...read the contract before signing.
Bill, depressed by his life and thoughts of what could've been, has been late on many payments, including a collection agency that had him sign a contract that would consist of retaliation of "alternative means ". Bill, confused about what that meant,signed the contract anyway.
Lucas, who needed to provide for his family, is grateful to his company despite his being a former addict. His company is more than just a collection agency, but much worse.
I've read Matthew Salinas' work before, and this short story is a complete change in what he usually has written. This is more shocking and disturbing, in the most wonderful way. It's definitely not for the weak of heart or stomach. It's a great story from Salinas.
Bill, depressed by his life and thoughts of what could've been, has been late on many payments, including a collection agency that had him sign a contract that would consist of retaliation of "alternative means ". Bill, confused about what that meant,signed the contract anyway.
Lucas, who needed to provide for his family, is grateful to his company despite his being a former addict. His company is more than just a collection agency, but much worse.
I've read Matthew Salinas' work before, and this short story is a complete change in what he usually has written. This is more shocking and disturbing, in the most wonderful way. It's definitely not for the weak of heart or stomach. It's a great story from Salinas.
April 17, 2025
This was good one! A good storyline and honestly in this day and age could become real life 😂
Bill nonchalantly signs a form and doesn’t read the fine print, do you read the fine print? After this book you will ALWAYS read the fine print.
The debt collectors come and collect their debt in another way that you can only imagine. Detailed gore and after it’s all done humiliation for rest of the clients life.
You will definitely want to read this book!
Bill nonchalantly signs a form and doesn’t read the fine print, do you read the fine print? After this book you will ALWAYS read the fine print.
The debt collectors come and collect their debt in another way that you can only imagine. Detailed gore and after it’s all done humiliation for rest of the clients life.
You will definitely want to read this book!
April 28, 2025
This book was superb. It marked a departure from Matthew's usual writing style, yet its excellence was undiminished. The book's themes serve as a reminder of the perils of failing to scrutinize the fine print in contractual agreements. Bill, a main character, learns this lesson the hard way, as he faces collections from individuals such as Lucas due to his negligence.
April 16, 2025
Take Repo! The Genetic Opera, mix in the Human CentiPad episode of South Park, remove all the songs and jokes and replace them with depression and here you go. This story was short but enthralling. The writing style was excellent. I really liked the character of Lucas. I would love to see a follow up story expanding on his character. I would have preferred a little more gore, though. Overall, this was a fun way to spend a half hour! (Maybe "fun" isn't the right word for this story... but I enjoyed reading it.)
May 26, 2025
Always read the fine print or deal with the consequences if you don’t pay up.
If you enjoy a great splatter punk horror, then this is for you!
If you enjoy a great splatter punk horror, then this is for you!
April 29, 2025
Thought-provoking, well constructed, engaging plot that feels like it could be very real, at least metaphorically, right?? Do yourself a favor and read the contract before signing. I loved the character development and Salinas ability to evoke empathy for them. The gore was minimal yet effective; sometimes less is more and I found the emotional horror intense, gross, and gut wrenching. Perfect cover with the author’s own blood; nice personal touch for a first venture into Splatterpunk! Bravo, Sir! 👏🏻
April 21, 2025
Dipping his toes into the splatterpunk genre, Matthew has given us Beyond Repair. This book is a bit different from the extreme gore and in-your-face violence you're accustomed to in this genre. This book is more psychological, a cautionary tale. This novella would be a great gateway book from horror into splatterpunk.
Bill is a regular guy with a job, but can’t seem to stay above water with bills. To get ahead, he seeks help from a company and signs on the dotted line. When he defaults on the contract and ignores attempts to collect, Bill is forced to repay his debt… in blood. Lucas, a type of debt collector, is not very enthusiastic about his job and the methods of collection. Coming from a rough background, he is happy to be employed and taking care of his family.
While there is some gore and violence, it takes a backseat to the haunting reminder that we live in a society where money means life or death. This is also a brutal reminder to read the small print before you sign your life away.
Thanks to Matthew Salinas for gifting me an eARC of Beyond Repair. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bill is a regular guy with a job, but can’t seem to stay above water with bills. To get ahead, he seeks help from a company and signs on the dotted line. When he defaults on the contract and ignores attempts to collect, Bill is forced to repay his debt… in blood. Lucas, a type of debt collector, is not very enthusiastic about his job and the methods of collection. Coming from a rough background, he is happy to be employed and taking care of his family.
While there is some gore and violence, it takes a backseat to the haunting reminder that we live in a society where money means life or death. This is also a brutal reminder to read the small print before you sign your life away.
Thanks to Matthew Salinas for gifting me an eARC of Beyond Repair. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 18, 2025
My first read from this author, and the author's first venture into splatterpunk.
This was so bleak and depressing. That's not a complaint, I like that. I prefer that.
I'm not sure if the proverb "the little man" is used in English, or if it translates to the same thing it does in my language, but this story really depicted the little man's vulnerability and powerlessness against authorites, huge corporations and laws.
The characters were so well-written and their backgrounds so well explained it was difficult to not empathize even with the bad guys. The gore was there, but it was not excessive, it was there in very matter-of-factly way to prove a point. And it did.
I will definitely check out more of his work.
Bonus points for the cover photo of the author's own blood.
4 stars, only because I would have wanted at least 150 pages more of this. And maybe a part 2, because I got very invested in the characters.
This was so bleak and depressing. That's not a complaint, I like that. I prefer that.
I'm not sure if the proverb "the little man" is used in English, or if it translates to the same thing it does in my language, but this story really depicted the little man's vulnerability and powerlessness against authorites, huge corporations and laws.
The characters were so well-written and their backgrounds so well explained it was difficult to not empathize even with the bad guys. The gore was there, but it was not excessive, it was there in very matter-of-factly way to prove a point. And it did.
I will definitely check out more of his work.
Bonus points for the cover photo of the author's own blood.
4 stars, only because I would have wanted at least 150 pages more of this. And maybe a part 2, because I got very invested in the characters.
April 15, 2025
Well, geez! That was depressing. I hope you got some demons out or some therapy from writing this one. I'll just say, if as a reader, you can't see the parallels between this story and the current state of affairs, then you aren't paying attention.
In this dystopian story set in current times, Bill and Lucas are two guys just trying to do what they can to get by. Bill can never get ahead no matter what he tries, and Lucas hates his life, but can make ends meet.
I think this story will hit everyone differently. For me, this was excellently written and might actually be one of the few works I've read that was truly scary.
Splatterpunk, what? Yeah, think there was some light gore in there. (Take the authors warning on the level of gore. I'm still processing the story.)
Full disclosure, the author was very clear up front about how dark and bleak the story was.
April 16, 2025
Beyond Repair by Matthew Salinas
🌟🌟🌟
This was a tough one for me…
Bill doesn’t read the fine print when signing paperwork for repaying some debt and those debt collectors aren’t joking around when they require payment!
I love the way Matthew Salinas writes and tells a story! He’s a favorite of mine, but
this story was just a lot for me to take in. It was sad, dark and depressing. I can handle gross, scary and gory, but this just left me feeling a bit too low and empty.
It’s a very quick read and I think a lot of people will enjoy the depth that this story dives into; just not as much for me.
Thank you to Matthew Salinas for an arc of this novelette. *check triggers*
*It comes out April 29th*
🌟🌟🌟
This was a tough one for me…
Bill doesn’t read the fine print when signing paperwork for repaying some debt and those debt collectors aren’t joking around when they require payment!
I love the way Matthew Salinas writes and tells a story! He’s a favorite of mine, but
this story was just a lot for me to take in. It was sad, dark and depressing. I can handle gross, scary and gory, but this just left me feeling a bit too low and empty.
It’s a very quick read and I think a lot of people will enjoy the depth that this story dives into; just not as much for me.
Thank you to Matthew Salinas for an arc of this novelette. *check triggers*
*It comes out April 29th*
April 18, 2025
My initial thought before starting the book was it sounded similar to Repo! The Genetic Rock Opera, but it is much bleaker than that. It left me with the same horrified feeling as when I read the Handmaid's Tale in that it is entirely believable the world could end up there. Seeing the stepping stones of how easily we could end up there, and it is terrifying.
It is a short read but told the story very well. The only thing it left me wanting for was more about Lucas's job, but I feel that could be satisfied with a sequel (wink wink nudge nudge, Sir 😂)
Overall I loved it. I will be telling everyone I know to read it. Very well done, thanks for this amazing read, could not have enjoyed it more
April 19, 2025
I hope what transpires in this book never comes to pass. I am guilty, myself, of not reading all the ‘fine’ print of a contract. I always feel rushed and an inconvenience when I start to read the contract. As of this morning at 10:00 a.m., I will read all the fine print. I could not help but feel both empathy and sympathy for Bill. His circumstances mimic what is going on in the real world right now so it is easy to feel the way Bill does about life. When it is ‘collection’ time, I do not think Bill nor I was prepared for what was to come. Then as the collection and subsequent thoughts of being in a catch-22 situation occur; I thought of my own situation. I finished the book and decided to pay my bills on time (even though I already do.)
April 23, 2025
So sometimes, actually scratch that, all the time, you should check the fine print, and lets just say Bill isn't big on that.
This story is dark, but not a pitch back dark, a grey, and gloomy dark, one that hangs heavy after you finished, but that was needed for this story, you felt the way Bill did.
This isn't my first round with Matthew and his work, but this one, is going to leave a mark, I cant believe this was a short story, and still has me.
Two sides of a coin, the Collector and the to be Collected from and as always its not all back and white, they grey oozing from the seams really makes you think, there's a cycle here that needs to be broken between the two, and if you read this, I think you'll understand what I mean.
This story is dark, but not a pitch back dark, a grey, and gloomy dark, one that hangs heavy after you finished, but that was needed for this story, you felt the way Bill did.
This isn't my first round with Matthew and his work, but this one, is going to leave a mark, I cant believe this was a short story, and still has me.
Two sides of a coin, the Collector and the to be Collected from and as always its not all back and white, they grey oozing from the seams really makes you think, there's a cycle here that needs to be broken between the two, and if you read this, I think you'll understand what I mean.
May 8, 2025
Bill works full time, but still has repairs to pay for that he simply can’t afford. He signs off on paying in the future without reading the T&Cs. Which were if you can’t pay they will find alternative methods to take what they are owed.
This was a super quick yet enlightening read. Made me definitely want to read the terms and conditions 😂 this was stone cold, down right depressing and VERY real and relatable. A lot of us have debt in this day and age. One word keeps springing out at me and that’s broken. That’s how Bill felt after his debt was collected and it was just so heart wrenching. Completely different side to Matt’s writing that I’ve previously read but still a good story and one that was written well!
This was a super quick yet enlightening read. Made me definitely want to read the terms and conditions 😂 this was stone cold, down right depressing and VERY real and relatable. A lot of us have debt in this day and age. One word keeps springing out at me and that’s broken. That’s how Bill felt after his debt was collected and it was just so heart wrenching. Completely different side to Matt’s writing that I’ve previously read but still a good story and one that was written well!
July 6, 2025
Wow
Beyond Repair is a splatterpunk novella involving Bill & Lucas. Bill has no money. He’s broke and owes a lot of bill collectors money. But he does his best to avoid them. But what Bill failed to notice.. when he signed those “agreements” was the fine print. What happens when you owe and you have no place left to hide.. that’s where Lucas comes in. A collector by day, family man by night. Lucas has to turn off his morals in order to do his job well. And Lucas will not stop until he gets Bill… all of Bill.
I can’t say too much without giving this story away. After all it is only 39 pages long. But 39 pages of WOW! It’s definitely a bit depressing and has taught me to READ THE FINE PRINT!!! lol 4 stars!
Beyond Repair is a splatterpunk novella involving Bill & Lucas. Bill has no money. He’s broke and owes a lot of bill collectors money. But he does his best to avoid them. But what Bill failed to notice.. when he signed those “agreements” was the fine print. What happens when you owe and you have no place left to hide.. that’s where Lucas comes in. A collector by day, family man by night. Lucas has to turn off his morals in order to do his job well. And Lucas will not stop until he gets Bill… all of Bill.
I can’t say too much without giving this story away. After all it is only 39 pages long. But 39 pages of WOW! It’s definitely a bit depressing and has taught me to READ THE FINE PRINT!!! lol 4 stars!
April 17, 2025
Thank you Matthew Salinas for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this one. This new novelette is a quick read but will definitely leave you in your feelings, trying to process what you just experienced.
This story is set in current times but the characters are living in a dystopian state of affairs. Which isn't a far cry from where our world could be headed. Let that sink in. Depressing, scared and sad with gore mixed in.
Beyond Repair will entertain yet makes you think. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Remember to ALWAYS read the fine print!!!
This story is set in current times but the characters are living in a dystopian state of affairs. Which isn't a far cry from where our world could be headed. Let that sink in. Depressing, scared and sad with gore mixed in.
Beyond Repair will entertain yet makes you think. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Remember to ALWAYS read the fine print!!!
April 17, 2025
The story focuses on both a debt collector (and his team) and the guy who owes the money.
I adored this book and read it in one sitting, it’s short but has impact, there were a few instances where I felt genuinely unsettled, he describes the scene in a perfect way.
There are moments of gore that are well placed and add impact to the story rather than just being there for shock factor.
Also would like to note how cool this cover is… it’s the author’s actual blood, that’s full dedication!!
April 25, 2025
**ARC Review**
Author: Matthew Salinas
Book: Beyond Repair
Book Rating: 4.25 Stars
Genre: Horror
What do you get when you cross Repo! The Genetic Opera and borderline splatterpunk? This wild ride of a short story!
What happened when you can't pay your debts? This time, the debt collectors reposes a lot more than just your car. They need something more costly than that.
This story took me about 40ish minutes to complete, but each minute was crazy. This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. Pick this up on release day April 29th!
Author: Matthew Salinas
Book: Beyond Repair
Book Rating: 4.25 Stars
Genre: Horror
What do you get when you cross Repo! The Genetic Opera and borderline splatterpunk? This wild ride of a short story!
What happened when you can't pay your debts? This time, the debt collectors reposes a lot more than just your car. They need something more costly than that.
This story took me about 40ish minutes to complete, but each minute was crazy. This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. Pick this up on release day April 29th!
April 25, 2025
Beyond Repair is short, sweet, and brutal. It’s relevant given the current climate (read: capitalistic hellscape) which allows the reader to relate to the frustration of all parties and let the horror hit close to home. Matthew Salinas did a brilliant job with the body horror aspect as well. There’s one section which reminded me of a particular scene within the Unwind Dystology by Neal Schusterman, which was one of my favorites as a teen.
I really enjoy this author’s microfiction and I’m curious to see him continue to explore splatterpunk and other horror subgenres!
I really enjoy this author’s microfiction and I’m curious to see him continue to explore splatterpunk and other horror subgenres!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
If you’ve read Mr. Salinas’ work before, then you know you’re in for an engaging and thoughtful hell ride. His intro into a more extreme horror setting does not disappoint. Scary in reality as well to how true this could become. Then were all f’d. From thinking it would never happen to you, to I better get my s*** together before it’s too late. This is a quick, blood curdling read…can’t wait for the next!
May 4, 2025
Matthew Salinas does it again with this chilling tale about the horrors of an unpaid bill. The story is set in a far-too-real feeling alternate reality where an unpaid debt may lead to a fate far worse than death. We follow two characters (Bill and Lucas) who each provide a differing viewpoint on the horrors of “collection”. This horror short will hit uncomfortably close to home for many and will definitely make you think twice before signing that contract.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
A harrowing vision
As we trudge further towards the eventual collapse of capitalism, this certainly paints a vivid picture. While reading, I was reminded of the movie "Repo!" Along the same lines, but this felt even darker.
Well written and the beginning felt very psychological. It allowed us a vision into the psyche of both Lucas and Bill, making the ending even more heartwrenching.
4.25 out of 5 severed thumbs-up.
As we trudge further towards the eventual collapse of capitalism, this certainly paints a vivid picture. While reading, I was reminded of the movie "Repo!" Along the same lines, but this felt even darker.
Well written and the beginning felt very psychological. It allowed us a vision into the psyche of both Lucas and Bill, making the ending even more heartwrenching.
4.25 out of 5 severed thumbs-up.
February 12, 2026
I had the opportunity to listen to this short story. If you are a fan of the Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock etc then this story is for you.
~ So I don’t have the money to pay back what I owe. What could possibly happen? I mean no one reads those papers they have you sign. ~ Bill is about to find out what happens when you don’t pay your debts.
Skillfully written and narrated. Highly recommended but not for the faint of heart.
May 3, 2025
Well, that was one very dark read. I'm still not sure who had it worse out of the two main characters. I really liked how this story shows in a very graphic way how a person can so easily get caught in the downward spiral of debt. The way the emotions are captured was really well done. This book is not for the faint of heart. I know that I will be thinking about this tale for a long time to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews