Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Psychopath for Hire

Rate this book
I give them one final night to remember. We start with dinner; a three course meal of their choosing. It can be anything. Over the years I have learned to cook most things. After dessert we move things to the bedroom where we both remove our clothes. I work out. It's a must. Keep myself toned so the last naked human they see is one of perfection. Their own body is of no concern to me. I do not discriminate against shape nor size, male or female. I accept bookings from everyone. We move things through to the bathroom where they're offered a shower, or bath. Most accept. That's when I drive a knife through them. The tiled walls and floor allow for easy cleaning of the blood splatter of which there is usually a lot...It's important to me that I do it quickly. It puts them out of their short-lived pain and misery and allows me to skip to the part that I really enjoy...

From Matt Shaw - the author of PORN, Sick B*stards and Rotting Dead F*cks - comes another extreme horror. This title is not intended for those who are easily shocked or offended. There are graphic scenes of violence and sex, with strong language. You have been warned; this is horror at its sickest.

(Although a stand alone story, you will get more from this book if you have already read ART and SEED)

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2014

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Matt Shaw

544 books2,259 followers
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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
70 (38%)
4 stars
60 (32%)
3 stars
36 (19%)
2 stars
10 (5%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Peter Topside.
Author 6 books1,515 followers
April 2, 2026
This was a tremendous book. I know that Matt Shaw connected this to one of his other stories, Art, which I believe our one character, Martin, was in. I have not read it yet, but feel that I should have prior to this. Shaw does make it clear to the reader ahead of time, and it didn’t take much away from this experience, but I did feel that I was lost a few times, having not read Art. But this wasn’t your normal cat and mouse detective hunting a serial killer type of story. There was a great level of depth to Martin and Nathan, and they fit together like lamb and tuna fish (Think of the joke from the movie Big Daddy.). Now both men have deep flaws and tragic histories, so while you don’t necessarily love either of them, they keep your attention and you genuinely care to see how they both end up. Shaw is on point getting you to see them both as people and not just random, meaningless characters plugged into their roles. The opening scene with Nathan and his little play act with two victims was really amazing, and something that I’d never seen before. Very innovative and ingenious! There also isn’t a ton of gore or sex or action in this, but rather just a really great story. Now it does jump around from Martin to Nathan, past and present, quite a bit which was hard to follow, so I recommend taking your time here. But this was one of my favorite Shaw books to date, and one has to wonder if we see Nathan in a future story or not.
Profile Image for nark.
729 reviews1,848 followers
June 7, 2022
"she told me that it didn’t necessarily mean i was a bad person but i was. anyone looking in from the outside would say i was before even getting to know me. they’d all judge, they’d all condemn and i'd be alone again. that’s the nice thing about dead bodies; they never leave. at least, not until you want them to. nor do they judge." 🔪

✦ for the best reading experience, and to know the full story, you should read ART, then Seed, and then this book.
✦ i really liked how all the different stories came together in this book!
✦ a very interesting premise overall. a story about a serial killer whose victims are signing up to be murdered? yeah of course i was intrigued. duh.
✦ lots of fucked up scenes as it's usual for Matt Shaw. triggers galore.
✦ gotta say i really enjoyed this one. will have to look and see if this story has any other related books.

"i looked him straight in the eye. usually you can see traces of someone’s soul. i saw nothing."
Profile Image for Selene.
933 reviews271 followers
January 27, 2018
Triggers? Yes.

Nathan Cole provides a service of sorts. He counsels people who have attempted suicide and also makes himself available (in private) to those who require one-on-one attention (at his home).

Martin Andrews is an alcoholic and former policeman. He also attempted suicide and meets Nathan Cole in a support group for people with suicidal tendencies.

► There was a nice build-up to where the two storylines intertwined but I found Nathan’s POV more interesting.

On the upside? The term “maggot” is only mentioned once.
Profile Image for Mercedes.
563 reviews106 followers
August 28, 2016
I felt kind of blehhh about this book. I had a hard time getting into it, and it wasn't that the content or premise was offensive, it just wasn't working for me.

Nathan was likable and his direction in life was intriguing. He was sort of a humanitarian in a twisted way, he offered a service that people couldn't find anywhere else. He was an interesting character because he didn't seem malicious, he was truly under the impression that he was helping people. Yet, once he'd helped them they helped him in interesting ways. Honestly, I wanted to hang out with him more, I wanted more time in his head, with his thoughts, exploring his past and whatever drives his current activities.

Martin was a less interesting character for me, I felt bad for his situation but I often found myself skimming through his chapters, not wanting to be present in his POV. Part of my disinterest may stem from the fact that I haven't read the other books Martin is in so I was less invested in his story. He was definitely central to Nathan's story but most of the time I just ended up feeling like he was an interloper, taking up time that I could have spent learning more about Nathan.

**I read this as part of my Kindle Unlimited Subscription**
Profile Image for Stuart Keane.
Author 55 books145 followers
October 8, 2014
It's been a while since I dropped a Matt Shaw review. In all honesty, I haven't been reading for pleasure as much as I would have liked in the past two months. However, I'm starting to get back in the trend now after some tight deadlines. I pre-ordered this beauty, so imagine how happy I was when I saw it sitting on my Kindle, on release day, out of nowhere. I was stoked, so I dove right in. Be aware, this review contains minor spoilers - if you've read Art or Seed, carry on.

Nathan Cole is a psychopath for hire. Running a self-help group with a shady side business - he kills willing victims for money -, he catches the attention of Detective Martin Andrews, disgraced, alcoholic, permanently mourning, and with a serious death wish. As the two collide, both are forced to face their demons in various ways.

Now, Martin Andrews may ring a bell. Shaw introduced us to him in Seed and Art - and we watched his life crash around him (if you haven't read either yet, do so for a little back story and clarity before reading this). It's clear that, in PFH, Andrews has reached the end of his tether. The book may be about a psychopath for hire, but we also get a clinical dissection in alcohol abuse. Andrews is written so authentically, so realistically, it hurts to watch him pick up the bottle. As he becomes worse and starts to confront his demons, you really feel for him. It's uncomfortable reading but, hey, it's an extreme novel, we know what we signed up for. However, it's a great character, one that details the darker side of a cop's personal life - very rarely done to such a true extent.

Then we have Nathan Cole. A psychopath with a heart - one of Matt Shaw's true genius creations. The guy is sick and twisted - an early sex scene with a dead corpse is truly horrific -, but he cares, offering patients a way out of their miserable lives - after all, it's their life, they get to choose what they do with it. Cole is one of those rare baddies; one where you want to see him get his comeuppance, but you also want him to get away with it. As he swans around like a modern day (insert serial killer name here), you start to relish the moment the two characters meet up. When it happens, you're not disappointed.

This is the Cole and Andrews show, other characters are merely filler for a two man display. True, a call girl with a connection to both characters provides rare emotional warmth in a serious tale of grief and loneliness, but others connect the dots to bring about the meeting of the two. Playing out like De Niro and Pacino in Heat, you can't help but enjoy as both men want to one up the other, but can't as they're restricted by their own personal code. Shaw controls the pace just right to deliver, funnily enough, one of his more low-brow and subtle horror stories. Extreme, yes, but the story has genuine heart and really touches on a dark side of society rarely seen this close up.

5 stars? Yes. Not for the faint of heart or anyone having a cheerful day. PFH is a great show case on how to write about grief and loss and turn it into a great horror story. A great addition to Shaw's Extreme collection. It might not pack the punch of graphic nature of the others, but it shows Shaw is growing as a writer. He doesn't need gore when his storytelling is this sublime. Excellent.
Profile Image for Valerie Sparkle.
209 reviews13 followers
April 3, 2023
This book was awesome! Not only was this another amazing story from Matt Shaw but it was also a great follow up story for two of his other books. The story is about Nathan Cole who as the title says is a psychopath for hire. He runs a support group for suicidal people which helps some people, but others that just want to end it all can meet with him one on one for his other services. They just need to come to his home with a note stating that they want him to end their life for them and in return he can do anything he wants with their body. I won't give away any more but this story has plenty of the horror and gore we expect from this author. I'm very excited to see my name in print in this story, especially because it's one of this author's best yet. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Lisa Sandberg.
298 reviews17 followers
November 6, 2014
I Love Matt Shaw's books!! I won an advanced copy of this book in a contest Matt had on Facebook.

This is about Nathan Cole, he runs a support group for people who have tried to commit suicide. He also has a little side business, that is not so legit. He is one sick, sick dude!!

This is also a continuation of Detective, or ex Detective Martin Andrews story after the books Art and Seed. (It would be good to read these two books first). Andrews learns about Nathan's side business and his detective skills kick in. He investigates and gets involved in a way that is a bit shocking.

I really liked this book, it has some major ewwwww, make you gag factor! Not for those with a weak stomach.

Matt Shaw rocks it again with his exceptional writing skills!!



Profile Image for Zara Harper.
766 reviews6 followers
May 12, 2025
I’ve read others by this author that I’ve really enjoyed but this one struggled to hold my attention. There just wasn’t a whole lot going on, and I was expecting gore of which there wasn’t that much. It was an ok read.
8 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2014
Another awesome read!!

wow!! Matt Shaw did it again! Not only is this a great read, but I was totally thrown for a loop!!
Profile Image for Paul.
444 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2016
Nathan Cole. Here is one sick dude. What do you do if you have killed someone, and need to dispose of their body, but you don't really want to because the dead body can satisfy your "urges"? If you are Nathan, you cut off their arms, legs, and head, and keep the torso.

Yes, this does have some extreme chapters, but on the other hand, it also has some very touching moments with Marin Andrews (from Art) as he comes to terms with what remains of his life.

I'm not a huge fan of books which interlink with characters from other books as frankly my memory sucks - but this did work nicely as I had read Art and Seed not that long ago.

This has a really nicely crafted story throughout, and its not until you have finished it that you appreciate what Matt has achieved. The story keeps you guessing right to the end which i really like - will he, wont he? you are not simply going through the motions of reading a story to end at an obvious conclusion.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Richard Longmore.
188 reviews
March 27, 2023
*Note* I strongly recommend reading Matt Shaw/Michael Bray's book "Art" prior to reading this.

Nathan Cole is a trained psychologist. His life-long goal is to help those who are depressed. When possible, help them move on with their life and find happiness again. When that's not possible, well, maybe he can give them a pleasant final meal and then help them find peace.

And then have sex with their corpse. Not like they'll care at that point, right?

Former detective Martin Andrews, best known as the man who finally caught the serial killer Art (from the book "Art"), is given a heads up on Nathan's proclivities. Will he go under cover and try to expose these crimes? Or has he been so damaged that he just wants to find peace through death himself?

In this reader's opinion, Matt Shaw is one of the best writers in one specific scenario - when writing for psychopaths. He is fearless at diving into the id and ego of a madman. Where others would pull punches, he goes all the way. Nathan's perspective is explored in a indifferent way - you see it from Nathan's view, which makes it all the more shocking than if Shaw chose to use a third person perspective to separate the reader from the monster, like many authors would.

Readers of "Art" will remember Martin Andrews and what he went through in that book. He's the perfect foil for Nathan in this novella - a man who was broken as thoroughly as any man could be. Seeing him return for one last hurrah is a nice little callback for Shaw's fans. It's not a requirement to read Art prior to Psychopath for Hire, but it really does help understand this character's motivations.

This is the rare "extreme horror" book that, in the end, you remember the characters more than simply the murder-set-pieces. Recommended for those who enjoy serial killer/crime books and have a strong stomach.
Profile Image for Jaz.
15 reviews
February 11, 2025
My first thought through the first few chapters was that this was one of Matt Shaw’s books that are more geared toward splatter rather than story based, but after that I realised that it’s not. I think this story is beautifully written, and it’s interesting to see a book in this genre that goes the way this one did. A very interesting read, and plot wise, one of my favourites.
5 reviews
February 22, 2023
Fab!

Loved this book! Equally horrific and funny as f#@k!!
Didn't realise that it was loosely connected to the book Art.......which reminded me how excellent Art was sooooo I read that again!!xxx
Profile Image for Thomas Hobbs.
961 reviews9 followers
May 25, 2017
Assisted suicide

A man that helps people with suicide that have no future but only a miserable existence takes on a suicidal ex cop seeking a deeper motive.
92 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2021
Amazing end

What a way to wrap up a group so much character development on these stories and I love Nathan Cole one of my favorite Shaw characters so far
Profile Image for Brainycat.
157 reviews74 followers
February 2, 2015
Brainycat's 5 "B"s :
blood: 4
boobs: 2
bombs: 0
bondage: 4
blasphemy: 3
Stars : 1
Bechdel Test : FAIL
Deggan's Rule : FAIL
Gay Bechdel Test : FAIL

Please note: I don't review to provide synopses, I review to share a purely visceral reaction to books and perhaps answer some of the questions I ask when I'm contemplating investing time and money into a book.


Full review at booklikes.

Profile Image for Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews).
428 reviews12 followers
December 31, 2014
This is the story of Nathan Cole. He runs a group for people who have tried to commit suicide, and runs a 'special' one to one service for the more determined. Enter broken, alcoholic ex-detective Martin Andrews. He has been told about the service by the only client Nathan let go. What he uncovers is interesting to say the least....

This is a stand-alone book, but you will understand much more of the back story if you have previously read Art and Seed. I felt odd rooting for the bad guy, (Made me feel like I was reading Peter again!) but that is exactly how I felt whilst reading. It is told from Nathan and Martin's POV in alternating chapters. The gore is there in spades, as is Matt's 'special' brand of sickness. It was nice to see Andrews's story rounded off, and there was a couple of cameo appearances from old favourites. All in all, a must read with a kick-ass twist in the end.
Profile Image for Frankie Yates.
211 reviews11 followers
January 26, 2015
Loved it of course! Great follow up to Art and Seed! The only thing I didn't really understand was when Nathan realised what he was going to do with Martin and he was all like "Of course, how didn't I see it before?" then you find out he was buried in a suit. I didn't really understand the relevance because it seemed like he was going to do something really drastic with the body. Maybe I missed something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michael Elliott.
Author 18 books16 followers
December 7, 2015
A great final book with some Memorable Characters.

In three books we get to meet and learn about Detective Martin Andrews first in Art then again in Seed and finally once more in this novel. The book is chilling and disturbing and the end is as shocking as all of Matt Shaw's work. A great chill fest.
100 reviews
February 12, 2016
Wow what a fitting end to the trilogy of Art,Seed and Pshyco for Hire. Please read the other 2 first so you can grasp what Andrews has been through. The ending was awesome and though Matt has shown much more gore in some of his other work, this was just enough. It seems im plowing through his books this week. Dont miss out on this one!
145 reviews4 followers
August 23, 2015
Surprisingly enjoyable considering it was a freebie. An interesting though somewhat grisly book that doesn't just rely on shock jock material to keep its reader interested. The author develops characters and a reasonable plot that keeps you engaged
Profile Image for Oskar.
68 reviews
August 29, 2016
Well, the first book I've read by this autor.It's supposedly extreme horror and I didn't see anything
so "extreme" inside the story,perfectly it can be a strategy to get the attention of potential readers.
The story is not the ultimate creation in horror literature but it's not bad either.
Profile Image for Kay Oliver.
Author 11 books200 followers
October 7, 2016
A real twist

When we read horror, we root for the good guy to make it out before he is killed by the bad guy, but this story will have you rooting for a sick, murderous monster. Shaw is an epic story teller.
25 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2014
Psychopath

I loved this book! Loved the story and it left me really feeling sorry for the "psychopath". Great ending! Now off to read another Matt Shaw book.....
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews