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Frequent: an extreme horror
An extreme horror inspired by Matt Shaw's time working as an emergency call-handler!
With Frequent Callers wasting the time of those who work in the emergency call centre, further adding pressure to the already strained resources, one call-taker finally snaps and takes matters into his own hands.
With a list of the worst offenders, the plan is Pay each and every one of them a visit and ensure they learn the error of their ways once and for all. But with the police hot on his tail, will they get to the end of the list?!
Previously released to his own store only, this edition of Frequent has been slightly extended and includes a new foreword from Matt Shaw.
previous reviews complain of gratuitous scenes. Please do not purchase / read if such content upsets you.
With Frequent Callers wasting the time of those who work in the emergency call centre, further adding pressure to the already strained resources, one call-taker finally snaps and takes matters into his own hands.
With a list of the worst offenders, the plan is Pay each and every one of them a visit and ensure they learn the error of their ways once and for all. But with the police hot on his tail, will they get to the end of the list?!
Previously released to his own store only, this edition of Frequent has been slightly extended and includes a new foreword from Matt Shaw.
previous reviews complain of gratuitous scenes. Please do not purchase / read if such content upsets you.
- GenresHorror
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2023
172 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
534 books2,216 followersBiography
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.
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
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 24, 2026
This was very ok for me. The premise was extremely promising, but the story just felt like it consistently missed a beat. Tom, our lead, really needed more time in the spotlight, just himself, and not being rushed from one victim to the next. That was probably the biggest misfire here. I also wouldn't classify this as extreme horror, either. It lacked the qualities of such. And the general flow and consistency were just off, with the beginning feeling like it was written separately from the rest of the book. And the ending was as confusing as other parts of the story. Still not a bad idea, but the overall result was a bit of a jumbled mess.
November 17, 2025
The idea of this book was great but I found the story rather rushed...I felt more time could have been taken between the victims killings...and a lot more detail given.
Something was definitely missing here!
I didn't dislike the book, it was enjoyable but it had the potential to be a lot better.
I wasn't too sure about the ending either.
Not one of Matt Shaw's best books.
Only 3 ⭐⭐⭐'s Rather Disappointing ☹️😩
Something was definitely missing here!
I didn't dislike the book, it was enjoyable but it had the potential to be a lot better.
I wasn't too sure about the ending either.
Not one of Matt Shaw's best books.
Only 3 ⭐⭐⭐'s Rather Disappointing ☹️😩
June 18, 2025
I absolutely loved everything about this book.
The idea behind it.
The meaning behind it.
And the ending was great!!! Typically, that ending wouldn't suit my reading tastes, but this one hit the nail on the head and I adored everything about it
The idea behind it.
The meaning behind it.
And the ending was great!!! Typically, that ending wouldn't suit my reading tastes, but this one hit the nail on the head and I adored everything about it
May 26, 2025
a quick read on what emergency services callers gave to deal with sometimes. I wish it was a bit longer, the ending felt rushed.
July 27, 2025
How does a 999 operator deal with callers who waste time and resources.. he takes matters into his own hands, except one of the callers isn't what he seems to be.
Really enjoyed this one from Matt Shaw.
Quick read with an unexpected ending.
Really enjoyed this one from Matt Shaw.
Quick read with an unexpected ending.
January 2, 2026
I rate this 3.5 good little novella and quite relatable call room handlers getting nuisance calls when others are genuinely in need of medical care it must be hard for them to have calls like this which potentially put people’s lives at risk I don’t think I’d could tolerate it but they have to remain professional but this book gives the nuisance callers some humble pie
September 19, 2025
ending was a bit random
September 26, 2025
This came up as recommended for me on kindle, I seen extreme horror and gladly decided to give it a go.
I wouldn't class this as extreme horror, however I quite liked the context of the story. The emergency services are understaffed, overworked and underpaid. They still have to put up with silly and dangerous antics, knowing it's someone pranking them, but still have to take it serious. I wasn't expecting the ending we got. The last chapter gave me that ghost story vibe I was expecting throughout the book. It was a good quick read all the same.
I wouldn't class this as extreme horror, however I quite liked the context of the story. The emergency services are understaffed, overworked and underpaid. They still have to put up with silly and dangerous antics, knowing it's someone pranking them, but still have to take it serious. I wasn't expecting the ending we got. The last chapter gave me that ghost story vibe I was expecting throughout the book. It was a good quick read all the same.
July 18, 2025
I liked the premise of this but I felt it was too short to really dig deep enough into it. Thankfully not as scatological as Cows, though it still had its moments. There is a supernatural element that comes out of nowhere, is never explained, and kind of ruins the ending. It kind of felt like the author didn’t really know where to go with it so suddenly there’s ghosts in what is otherwise a fairly grounded story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
Once these fucks know why I am visiting, how many will apologise for their actions? How many will promise never to pick the phone up again?
Working as an ambulance dispatcher, Tom finds himself increasingly hating his profession due to the high demand of fake call ins. After yet another phone call from somebody faking chest pains, he gets his mind wrapping around vengeance and a plan is beginning to take shape. Choosing from a list of frequent abusers of the service, he ranks them from a score of 1 to 5 to determine the severity of their punishments. Taking a mental health crisis of his own, he excuses himself from work for the week and indulges in the three hour drive to his very first victim; Justin Andrews. Known to phone and cry wolf about slicing his own wrists, Tim holds him hostage and forces him to make those same cuts he cries for before phoning for an ambulance. Satisfied, Tom checks his name from the list and prepares to find Chloe Walsall, a woman addicted to inserting razor blades inside her private areas while midcall. Seeing the show live presenting another sexual fantasy as he found the act both primal and violent. With police detectives beginning to build a case, they learned his identity and begin hunting through the thousands of phone calls to determine where he may strike next. Unfortunately, his final victim; Ugur Kutay, had a sinister plan all his own. Breaking into the house, he’s met with an abandoned property with a tape recorder playing of a fake ambulance call. Cornered, he would have his arm and pelvis shattered before being strung up on a noose and effectively slain. Putting an end to his crimes, police feel disheartened and satisfied by the ending.
I am the hero of this story.
Working as an ambulance dispatcher, Tom finds himself increasingly hating his profession due to the high demand of fake call ins. After yet another phone call from somebody faking chest pains, he gets his mind wrapping around vengeance and a plan is beginning to take shape. Choosing from a list of frequent abusers of the service, he ranks them from a score of 1 to 5 to determine the severity of their punishments. Taking a mental health crisis of his own, he excuses himself from work for the week and indulges in the three hour drive to his very first victim; Justin Andrews. Known to phone and cry wolf about slicing his own wrists, Tim holds him hostage and forces him to make those same cuts he cries for before phoning for an ambulance. Satisfied, Tom checks his name from the list and prepares to find Chloe Walsall, a woman addicted to inserting razor blades inside her private areas while midcall. Seeing the show live presenting another sexual fantasy as he found the act both primal and violent. With police detectives beginning to build a case, they learned his identity and begin hunting through the thousands of phone calls to determine where he may strike next. Unfortunately, his final victim; Ugur Kutay, had a sinister plan all his own. Breaking into the house, he’s met with an abandoned property with a tape recorder playing of a fake ambulance call. Cornered, he would have his arm and pelvis shattered before being strung up on a noose and effectively slain. Putting an end to his crimes, police feel disheartened and satisfied by the ending.
I am the hero of this story.
October 2, 2025
Matt Shaw’s Frequent is a masterclass in psychological irritation: short, sharp, and surprisingly relatable. The concept is brilliantly simple: a man tormented by relentless prank calls at his workplace, many of these calls hitting close to home, fed up he takes matters into his own hands. But Shaw doesn’t just tell you about his descent into rage; he makes you feel it. I found myself getting genuinely pissed off alongside the protagonist, which speaks volumes about the pacing and emotional pull.
The slow burn works well, building tension with each call, each interruption, each fraying nerve. And just when you think you’ve settled into the rhythm, Shaw hits you with a twist that blindsides you. I didn’t see it coming, and I loved that. My only gripe? The ending felt a bit rushed after such a deliberate build-up. I wanted just a few more pages to sit in the aftermath. I wanted to know more about the police investigation that followed, and if the police did actually realise what had happened.
That said, it’s a solid 5/5 for me. At just over 100 pages, it’s a perfect gateway for horror newcomers—tame compared to Shaw’s more extreme work, but still unsettling enough to leave a mark. If you’re dipping your toes into the genre or just want a quick, unnerving read, Frequent delivers.
The slow burn works well, building tension with each call, each interruption, each fraying nerve. And just when you think you’ve settled into the rhythm, Shaw hits you with a twist that blindsides you. I didn’t see it coming, and I loved that. My only gripe? The ending felt a bit rushed after such a deliberate build-up. I wanted just a few more pages to sit in the aftermath. I wanted to know more about the police investigation that followed, and if the police did actually realise what had happened.
That said, it’s a solid 5/5 for me. At just over 100 pages, it’s a perfect gateway for horror newcomers—tame compared to Shaw’s more extreme work, but still unsettling enough to leave a mark. If you’re dipping your toes into the genre or just want a quick, unnerving read, Frequent delivers.
September 22, 2025
An interesting idea that has one or two visceral moments that justify the ‘extreme horror’ tag, but it’s mostly just things that happen.
The protagonist has a distinct voice, an ideology, though this is laboured and bloats scenes that should be tense, yet we hear the same mantra about wasting the emergency services time.
Sometimes the writing is poignant and sometimes it’s amateurish.
The set up is squandered, with barely a whiff of intrigue or tension, save for one set piece during the first attack.
The ending simultaneously falls flat and comes out of nowhere, and left me going back over pages to make sure I hadn’t missed something, stopping just short of ‘it was all a dream’.
I enjoyed the story overall but felt that it didn’t match the authors other works, or live up to the promised horror.
The protagonist has a distinct voice, an ideology, though this is laboured and bloats scenes that should be tense, yet we hear the same mantra about wasting the emergency services time.
Sometimes the writing is poignant and sometimes it’s amateurish.
The set up is squandered, with barely a whiff of intrigue or tension, save for one set piece during the first attack.
The ending simultaneously falls flat and comes out of nowhere, and left me going back over pages to make sure I hadn’t missed something, stopping just short of ‘it was all a dream’.
I enjoyed the story overall but felt that it didn’t match the authors other works, or live up to the promised horror.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
Utterly Creepy!
Certainly an extreme horror! Definitely loved up to that! But then I got through the book so what does that say about me?! Hmmm! ....
Thanks, Matt Shaw, for a story that has gotten beneath my skin and will linger a while! The main character is a real nasty piece of work who thinks he's a "hero" - ugh! His physical response to what Chloe did to herself was, as writing as a woman myself, utterly repulsive and stomach churning!
And yes, I know there was an extreme horror warning which I chose to ignore! But that's the compelling part to this story : you know what's happening is horrible but somehow you just can't look away!
Sue Adams
25th June 2025
England
Certainly an extreme horror! Definitely loved up to that! But then I got through the book so what does that say about me?! Hmmm! ....
Thanks, Matt Shaw, for a story that has gotten beneath my skin and will linger a while! The main character is a real nasty piece of work who thinks he's a "hero" - ugh! His physical response to what Chloe did to herself was, as writing as a woman myself, utterly repulsive and stomach churning!
And yes, I know there was an extreme horror warning which I chose to ignore! But that's the compelling part to this story : you know what's happening is horrible but somehow you just can't look away!
Sue Adams
25th June 2025
England
October 14, 2025
𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎, 𝚐𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚢, 𝚎𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎, 𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎.
I really liked this short horror story, not quite extreme, but definitely horror enough to make me uncomfortable in the best way 😅 Matt Shaw has this knack for making the ordinary feel deeply unsettling, and Frequent was no exception.
It’s quick, creepy, and just twisted enough to keep you glued until the last page. The build-up was great, and the ending? Classic Shaw, dark, clever, and just a little bit evil.
If you enjoy your horror with a touch of realism and that slow, creeping “oh no” feeling… this one’s worth the read.
I really liked this short horror story, not quite extreme, but definitely horror enough to make me uncomfortable in the best way 😅 Matt Shaw has this knack for making the ordinary feel deeply unsettling, and Frequent was no exception.
It’s quick, creepy, and just twisted enough to keep you glued until the last page. The build-up was great, and the ending? Classic Shaw, dark, clever, and just a little bit evil.
If you enjoy your horror with a touch of realism and that slow, creeping “oh no” feeling… this one’s worth the read.
December 25, 2025
Well done
As someone who works in the fringes of the medical community, we deal with some of the worst people and this felt so therapeutic to see Tom just plow through and teach these people a lesson.
Although, the ending really seemed fitting and I quite enjoyed it.
Bit light on the 'extreme' part, instead it was focused on the psychological part. But, this is the same guy who wrote "Sick Bastards," so...no complaints.
Overall, well done and made me feel a bit better about working on Christmas morning.
As someone who works in the fringes of the medical community, we deal with some of the worst people and this felt so therapeutic to see Tom just plow through and teach these people a lesson.
Although, the ending really seemed fitting and I quite enjoyed it.
Bit light on the 'extreme' part, instead it was focused on the psychological part. But, this is the same guy who wrote "Sick Bastards," so...no complaints.
Overall, well done and made me feel a bit better about working on Christmas morning.
August 24, 2025
Tom takes the calls for emergency services, dispatching ambulances and taking down information. Recently, he has been becoming more and more frustrated with the prank callers, wasting the resources. Tom is now ready to make them stop - whatever way necessary.
Fantastic extreme horror by Matt Shaw, a good starting point for those wanting to move into this genre. This is due to it not being quite as disturbing as some of his other extreme horrors.
Fantastic extreme horror by Matt Shaw, a good starting point for those wanting to move into this genre. This is due to it not being quite as disturbing as some of his other extreme horrors.
October 12, 2025
A very fun, short read
I loved this novella! It is the perfect length for a rainy afternoon and packs quite a punch!
Tom works for Emergency Services and has had more than enough of selfish callers who wilfully waste his time and his employer's resources. What if he could find a way to make those callers pay? What if he could truly teach them a lesson.
Beware of revenge fantasies...they often do not go as planned!
I loved this novella! It is the perfect length for a rainy afternoon and packs quite a punch!
Tom works for Emergency Services and has had more than enough of selfish callers who wilfully waste his time and his employer's resources. What if he could find a way to make those callers pay? What if he could truly teach them a lesson.
Beware of revenge fantasies...they often do not go as planned!
October 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this story about an ambulance call taker seeking revenge on people who call emergency services when they don't actually need them. It started off strong, and I was hoping for a bit more horror or gore in the middle. The ending picked up again and was definitely interesting, though it felt rushed. I just wish the book had been longer because I would’ve loved to see a few more of those revenge visits to the frequent callers.
October 24, 2025
2 ☆
Well written and a good plot. I didn't understand the point of the visit to the second caller other than just to write about female genital-self mutilation and to give the book a "sexual kick" with the narrator getting turned on by it.. there was no point in it as far as the story went. I also thought the ending was pretty awful and rushed, turned into a paranormal event just to give it an ending that wasnt him going to jail? Meh.
Well written and a good plot. I didn't understand the point of the visit to the second caller other than just to write about female genital-self mutilation and to give the book a "sexual kick" with the narrator getting turned on by it.. there was no point in it as far as the story went. I also thought the ending was pretty awful and rushed, turned into a paranormal event just to give it an ending that wasnt him going to jail? Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2025
Good until the end
Having worked at a crisis call center I did enjoy this book until the ending. Frequent callers can be draining and cause you to miss a critical call, the abuse you take on a crisis line is unimaginable if you haven't done the v work. As usual well written, pay attention to the trigger warnings.
Having worked at a crisis call center I did enjoy this book until the ending. Frequent callers can be draining and cause you to miss a critical call, the abuse you take on a crisis line is unimaginable if you haven't done the v work. As usual well written, pay attention to the trigger warnings.
August 13, 2025
Amazing! Only downside is that it wasn’t longer
Incredible book. We’ve all heard stories about frequent fliers who waste the time of emergency services. I loved this book. I wish it was longer with more visits because everyone who’s ever worked in public safety can think of a few they might want to pay a personal visit too.
Incredible book. We’ve all heard stories about frequent fliers who waste the time of emergency services. I loved this book. I wish it was longer with more visits because everyone who’s ever worked in public safety can think of a few they might want to pay a personal visit too.
September 3, 2025
a disgruntled ambulance call taker gets his revenge on all those who call 911 frequently as pranks or regular. no emergency callers. this book has a good reason for existing and I could have gone through 50 calls but the book doesn't and before that way before that and with a mystery spin. I loved it
June 8, 2025
Wish it was longer
I loved the premise of this story! Well written! The main character draws you into his world/ his mind. You can tangibly feel his outrage. I just wish it was longer; with more "visits" to callers.
I loved the premise of this story! Well written! The main character draws you into his world/ his mind. You can tangibly feel his outrage. I just wish it was longer; with more "visits" to callers.
June 29, 2025
AH-MAZING!
I friggin love me some Matt Shaw! Period. That’s the review. Thank you, Matt!
P.S. if you’re looking for something to hook you and keep you guessing, pick anything from him. Trust me 💛
I friggin love me some Matt Shaw! Period. That’s the review. Thank you, Matt!
P.S. if you’re looking for something to hook you and keep you guessing, pick anything from him. Trust me 💛
August 5, 2025
was really into the first half of this book - but the last half seemed rushed and thrown together. I wish this book was longer & wasn’t cut down so short, made it a little confusing to wrap it up that quickly
August 26, 2025
Loved the idea behind it, I can only imagine the despair operators feel dealing with those kinds of calls. The build up was okay, I liked how the MC had built an image of the callers based on their calls. I really didn't like the ending though. It felt like the genre just switched at the end.
September 23, 2025
Huh?
There was a part that actually made me laugh out loud, but after a while the book got boring but just towards the end the story picked up again and gave suspense. Finished the book confused though
There was a part that actually made me laugh out loud, but after a while the book got boring but just towards the end the story picked up again and gave suspense. Finished the book confused though
September 30, 2025
If you're just starting out on extreme horror, this is a perfect place to start.
I've definitely read more extreme stuff, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it, regardless, but I've read some super grim stuff!
I've definitely read more extreme stuff, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it, regardless, but I've read some super grim stuff!
October 5, 2025
୨ৎ : ‘some of them are just cunts.’
— ☆ 1.5/5
i am confused, tom was weird as fuck and i am still confused. he dropped the cunt word a lot which made me giggle. but yeah, one word: C O N F U S E D.
— ☆ 1.5/5
i am confused, tom was weird as fuck and i am still confused. he dropped the cunt word a lot which made me giggle. but yeah, one word: C O N F U S E D.
October 29, 2025
Loved the concept of this, loved what happened to Justin. I wish the book carried on like this. This should be a full novel, with him going through the list. 4 stars because Chloe should have been properly punished. I want more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews