What do you think?
Rate this book
Bodies of Work
A chilling supernatural revenge novella from the acclaimed author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes. Perfect for fans of Joe Hill and Delilah S. Dawson.
At sixty-six years old, Winston Kemper has always been a nonentity. No one notices him. His simple existence barely registers for those who come into contact with him. Some call him feeble-minded. He is a janitor at the local church, a groundskeeper by default, and that's it. No friends, no family. When he's done with work, he returns home—a remote, single room apartment located above a garage—and that is where his true work begins.
Winston Kemper is a collector of voices, and his magnum opus—The Butterfly Girls—is a sprawling epic of untapped imagination. It has no single canvas, no particular frame. It is everywhere—scribbled on the walls, the floor, and countless notebooks.
Winston is creating a fantasia which exists in words, images and blood. As part of his 'art' he has been murdering forgotten women. Poor souls who slip through the cracks of society, who no one's looking for. Mothers, sisters, daughters to someone, but no more.
Winston takes their lives, their voices.
But now he can hear them. They whisper to him. They talk of revenge.
Winston Kemper might not believe in ghosts, but he is about to learn they are very real. And they are very, very angry.
At sixty-six years old, Winston Kemper has always been a nonentity. No one notices him. His simple existence barely registers for those who come into contact with him. Some call him feeble-minded. He is a janitor at the local church, a groundskeeper by default, and that's it. No friends, no family. When he's done with work, he returns home—a remote, single room apartment located above a garage—and that is where his true work begins.
Winston Kemper is a collector of voices, and his magnum opus—The Butterfly Girls—is a sprawling epic of untapped imagination. It has no single canvas, no particular frame. It is everywhere—scribbled on the walls, the floor, and countless notebooks.
Winston is creating a fantasia which exists in words, images and blood. As part of his 'art' he has been murdering forgotten women. Poor souls who slip through the cracks of society, who no one's looking for. Mothers, sisters, daughters to someone, but no more.
Winston takes their lives, their voices.
But now he can hear them. They whisper to him. They talk of revenge.
Winston Kemper might not believe in ghosts, but he is about to learn they are very real. And they are very, very angry.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2026
About the author
Clay McLeod Chapman
184 books1,913 followersBooks. Children's books. Comic books. Film.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 14, 2026
“Bodies of Work” by Clay McLeod Chapman is a very creepy horror book, and easily one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. Not only did it send chills down my spine once the shock eventually hit, but I loved how disturbing things got while reading.
Before I dive into my horror book review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading:
- Religion
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Violence against children
- Drugs
- Incest
- Sexual assault
- War (POWs)
- Suicide
- Alcoholism
- Parental abuse (physical and mental)
- Domestic abuse (physical)
- Self-harm
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, I loved how flat-out creepy this book got, mainly with everything involving the main character, Winston Kemper. Chapman did a phenomenal job writing such a weird, creepy, horrifying character who commits some pretty unhinged, bizarre acts.
I’ve always been a fan of Chapman’s writing style, and he did an excellent job here with a great, psychological horror kind of read. It all revolves around Winston, and once you start to realize what’s going on, it feels like you’re in a fever dream. I’m not going to lie, the formatting can get a bit confusing and sometimes annoying because of the random POVs, but once it clicks, you’ll realize this is a special kind of story in all the good ways.
I’ve never read anything like this, and if there’s one thing I love about reading horror books, it's enjoying original horror that hasn’t been done before. This is where this book shines, as I guarantee you’ve never read anything like this before, but this also led to things not going where I’d hope they would go.
While I enjoyed the blood-curdling horror that involves Winston, due to the unique way this book is written, especially with multiple POVs, things started to fizzle out. The story gets a bit confusing and tapers away from what I preferred to read about Winston, but I still understood why it was written this way. The layers of horror here, especially involving his backstory, hit you from multiple angles with some solid storytelling.
Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but I felt from the 60% mark on, until about the 90% mark, things got a bit repetitive and disjointed. As I said, I get it. This reads as if it were deliberately crafted to capture Winston’s crazy, chaotic, and creepy thoughts, both in the present and past, but the ending makes up for this in the grand scheme of things.
My goodness, that ending was fantastic. It was as if I were reading horror poetry, which will make a lot more sense for my fellow horror readers once they reach the end of this book. I loved every moment of it. If you’re a big fan of revenge horror in books, this one will serve it to you nice and cold.
I give “Bodies of Work” by Clay McLeod Chapman a 4-Star rating out of 5. Chapman's originality here blew my mind, and the book left its mark on me. Winston was an unforgettable, frightening character, and this story gives you a front row seat into his mind. His backstory, the other characters, and a deep dive into why he is the way he is were all brilliantly written. Towards the second half of the book, things were a bit confusing to me, weird, and somewhat disjointed, but it was worth sticking with for that magnificent ending. That was awesome, and made me wince several times while reading those final few pages.
Snip. Snip. Snip.
Before I dive into my horror book review, here are all the trigger warnings I found while reading:
- Religion
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Violence against children
- Drugs
- Incest
- Sexual assault
- War (POWs)
- Suicide
- Alcoholism
- Parental abuse (physical and mental)
- Domestic abuse (physical)
- Self-harm
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, I loved how flat-out creepy this book got, mainly with everything involving the main character, Winston Kemper. Chapman did a phenomenal job writing such a weird, creepy, horrifying character who commits some pretty unhinged, bizarre acts.
I’ve always been a fan of Chapman’s writing style, and he did an excellent job here with a great, psychological horror kind of read. It all revolves around Winston, and once you start to realize what’s going on, it feels like you’re in a fever dream. I’m not going to lie, the formatting can get a bit confusing and sometimes annoying because of the random POVs, but once it clicks, you’ll realize this is a special kind of story in all the good ways.
I’ve never read anything like this, and if there’s one thing I love about reading horror books, it's enjoying original horror that hasn’t been done before. This is where this book shines, as I guarantee you’ve never read anything like this before, but this also led to things not going where I’d hope they would go.
While I enjoyed the blood-curdling horror that involves Winston, due to the unique way this book is written, especially with multiple POVs, things started to fizzle out. The story gets a bit confusing and tapers away from what I preferred to read about Winston, but I still understood why it was written this way. The layers of horror here, especially involving his backstory, hit you from multiple angles with some solid storytelling.
Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but I felt from the 60% mark on, until about the 90% mark, things got a bit repetitive and disjointed. As I said, I get it. This reads as if it were deliberately crafted to capture Winston’s crazy, chaotic, and creepy thoughts, both in the present and past, but the ending makes up for this in the grand scheme of things.
My goodness, that ending was fantastic. It was as if I were reading horror poetry, which will make a lot more sense for my fellow horror readers once they reach the end of this book. I loved every moment of it. If you’re a big fan of revenge horror in books, this one will serve it to you nice and cold.
I give “Bodies of Work” by Clay McLeod Chapman a 4-Star rating out of 5. Chapman's originality here blew my mind, and the book left its mark on me. Winston was an unforgettable, frightening character, and this story gives you a front row seat into his mind. His backstory, the other characters, and a deep dive into why he is the way he is were all brilliantly written. Towards the second half of the book, things were a bit confusing to me, weird, and somewhat disjointed, but it was worth sticking with for that magnificent ending. That was awesome, and made me wince several times while reading those final few pages.
Snip. Snip. Snip.
April 10, 2026
The revenge of the butterflies 🦋
February 1, 2026
I’ve read a few of this author’s books and I think my favorite is currently “Acquired Taste,” his short story collection. But the strength of this one was in the visuals, and how art was used as a means to both express the torment of a killer’s mind and set the victims free.
Winston’s artistic method is very interesting to read about, and the perfect level of disturbing due to the materials he uses. It makes me wish I could actually see his work, as much as I hate to admit it.
It took me a moment to realize that the strange interludes with the Butterfly Girls were parts of Winston’s writing. He’s actually not a bad writer. (His obsession with the Morton Salt girl is wild, though.) These sections remind me of something out of a classic Disney film, like Fantasia but with dialogue. I love the colorful descriptions and the gore. It’s a wild mixture of cutesy fairytale visuals and bloody violence.
The narration did take a bit of getting used to, as it’s a collective voice. All of Winston Kemper’s victims are telling the story together, sort of like a Greek Chorus. Maybe that’s why the timeline feels disjointed, and things jump around quite a bit in a way that seems disorienting.
This was an interesting read, though definitely bleak, and it was worth it for the colorful and creative portrayals of the victims and the power of their voices.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Mention of SA, Suicide, Harm to children, Gore
Winston’s artistic method is very interesting to read about, and the perfect level of disturbing due to the materials he uses. It makes me wish I could actually see his work, as much as I hate to admit it.
It took me a moment to realize that the strange interludes with the Butterfly Girls were parts of Winston’s writing. He’s actually not a bad writer. (His obsession with the Morton Salt girl is wild, though.) These sections remind me of something out of a classic Disney film, like Fantasia but with dialogue. I love the colorful descriptions and the gore. It’s a wild mixture of cutesy fairytale visuals and bloody violence.
The narration did take a bit of getting used to, as it’s a collective voice. All of Winston Kemper’s victims are telling the story together, sort of like a Greek Chorus. Maybe that’s why the timeline feels disjointed, and things jump around quite a bit in a way that seems disorienting.
This was an interesting read, though definitely bleak, and it was worth it for the colorful and creative portrayals of the victims and the power of their voices.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Mention of SA, Suicide, Harm to children, Gore
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To say this is just another book about a serial killer would be like saying the Mona Lisa is just another painting of a woman. Yes, it's about a serial killer but it goes deeper and much more dark.
The killer in question is an old man who lives a secluded lonely life as a janitor for a church in a small town. He believes God has given him a work of art to complete and he's awaiting his one last victim to fulfil his duty before he dies.
But his muses, the voices of his previous victims, are going to do everything they can to stop him. And soon, he can hear them.
Again, this is a very basic description. This novella is dark, disturbing, and bone chilling. But we are hearing this man's story from the victims themselves and despite how gruesome things will get the narrative has a lyrical, visceral quality which adds to the overall dread. It's terrifying.
I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
The killer in question is an old man who lives a secluded lonely life as a janitor for a church in a small town. He believes God has given him a work of art to complete and he's awaiting his one last victim to fulfil his duty before he dies.
But his muses, the voices of his previous victims, are going to do everything they can to stop him. And soon, he can hear them.
Again, this is a very basic description. This novella is dark, disturbing, and bone chilling. But we are hearing this man's story from the victims themselves and despite how gruesome things will get the narrative has a lyrical, visceral quality which adds to the overall dread. It's terrifying.
I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
May 7, 2026
2.5 Stars
I have enjoyed several of this author's long form novels so I was interested in reading his short fiction. Unfortunately I found the stories to only be fine. There was no objectionable but also nothing particularly memorable. To be fair, I know I prefer long fiction so I'm probably a tougher critic. I find short fiction often fails to leave an impression which was very much the case here.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I have enjoyed several of this author's long form novels so I was interested in reading his short fiction. Unfortunately I found the stories to only be fine. There was no objectionable but also nothing particularly memorable. To be fair, I know I prefer long fiction so I'm probably a tougher critic. I find short fiction often fails to leave an impression which was very much the case here.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the publisher Titan Books.
Bodies of Work is a dark, creepy, and chilling novella following a serial killer and his victims who seek revenge from the other side.
Winston Kemper is a janitor at his local church and gets by living a simple life that blends into the background, making it easy for him to carry out his 'art'. For Winston isn't just a feeble sixty-six year old man: he's a collector. He selects his muses carefully, which can take many years between each one, and he patiently awaits until one falls in his lap and his inspiration strikes. For each of his muses becomes one of his seven 'Butterfy Girls' which exist within a fantasia of his own imagination and design. Each muse is someone that nobody will miss, and each is similar to the last. For such a short read, it felt like a full sized book. I found it fascinating exploring how Winston became how he was and how some of his victims (in death) sympathised with him, becoming what he was.
I found it an interesting and unique revenge novel with layers that slowly peel back throughout the story.
This was such a chilling read, and I just had to know the ending. The book does delve into dark and harrowing topics, so do check trigger warnings.
Bodies of Work is a dark, creepy, and chilling novella following a serial killer and his victims who seek revenge from the other side.
Winston Kemper is a janitor at his local church and gets by living a simple life that blends into the background, making it easy for him to carry out his 'art'. For Winston isn't just a feeble sixty-six year old man: he's a collector. He selects his muses carefully, which can take many years between each one, and he patiently awaits until one falls in his lap and his inspiration strikes. For each of his muses becomes one of his seven 'Butterfy Girls' which exist within a fantasia of his own imagination and design. Each muse is someone that nobody will miss, and each is similar to the last. For such a short read, it felt like a full sized book. I found it fascinating exploring how Winston became how he was and how some of his victims (in death) sympathised with him, becoming what he was.
I found it an interesting and unique revenge novel with layers that slowly peel back throughout the story.
This was such a chilling read, and I just had to know the ending. The book does delve into dark and harrowing topics, so do check trigger warnings.
February 2, 2026
Bodies of Work, the newest horror novella by Clay McLeod Chapman, is a weird, creepy, sad, and tense story of revenge. Winston Kemper, an old feeble janitor, has been secretly creating art in his tiny apartment. Collages, drawings, and his magnum opus, a written story about Butterfly Girls and war. As part of his art, he has been murdering forgotten women, his muses, and everything his art revolves around.
I’m a huge fan of Clay’s writing and his lyrical prose is put to excellent use to weave this story about art, creativity, and revenge. It has a very unique POV, told from the perspective of the murdered girls, as they recount Winston’s story and their own stories even as they forget them, as Winston has been rewriting theirs. It’s such a powerful story and examines how we view killers and their victims differently in both art and real life. True crime is a tricky subject and I think it’s so important to remember that these stories were of real people with real stories of their own. And how we don’t always know those stories.
Clay does an excellent job portraying Winston as a complicated, sad, but despicable character and the way he weaves Winston’s back story into the narrative is so well done, explaining, but not excusing, how he came to be how he was.
If you enjoy stories about art and creativity and stories of revenge with a nice dose of lyrical prose, Bodies of Work is another excellent story by one of our modern masters of horror. Check it out.
Thank you to Titan Books for the eARC for review on NetGalley!
I’m a huge fan of Clay’s writing and his lyrical prose is put to excellent use to weave this story about art, creativity, and revenge. It has a very unique POV, told from the perspective of the murdered girls, as they recount Winston’s story and their own stories even as they forget them, as Winston has been rewriting theirs. It’s such a powerful story and examines how we view killers and their victims differently in both art and real life. True crime is a tricky subject and I think it’s so important to remember that these stories were of real people with real stories of their own. And how we don’t always know those stories.
Clay does an excellent job portraying Winston as a complicated, sad, but despicable character and the way he weaves Winston’s back story into the narrative is so well done, explaining, but not excusing, how he came to be how he was.
If you enjoy stories about art and creativity and stories of revenge with a nice dose of lyrical prose, Bodies of Work is another excellent story by one of our modern masters of horror. Check it out.
Thank you to Titan Books for the eARC for review on NetGalley!
Read
March 29, 2026I'm not sure how to feel about this novella! It's weird - a story about a seemingly harmless old man who is actually a serial killer, mixed with perspectives from the women he killed, set in this strange, artistic fantasy world he has created, plus flashbacks to his childhood as a neurodivergent kid with a whole lot of trauma. It's definitely unsettling and at the end the author mentions the real-world artist (not a serial killer) that the story was inspired by.
It has the reader empathizing with the killer, but then tries to balance that out by giving his victims a voice and some level of autonomy. Does it work in terms of balance of power? I'm not so sure. How do I feel about what this says about neurodivergence and trauma? Ehh...I have questions given that the person who inspired the story had both of those things but wasn't a serial killer as far as we know. It definitely works as a haunting horror novella that will stick with you. The story weaves in and out of the real and fantastical in strange ways and the reader and victims both are sucked into the mind of this man. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
It has the reader empathizing with the killer, but then tries to balance that out by giving his victims a voice and some level of autonomy. Does it work in terms of balance of power? I'm not so sure. How do I feel about what this says about neurodivergence and trauma? Ehh...I have questions given that the person who inspired the story had both of those things but wasn't a serial killer as far as we know. It definitely works as a haunting horror novella that will stick with you. The story weaves in and out of the real and fantastical in strange ways and the reader and victims both are sucked into the mind of this man. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
What a disappointment, this sounds so good, however...... it was a jumbled mess.
January 9, 2026
This novella was completely unexpected. It tells the story of Winston, a man isolated from the world. A man who, as a child, grew up neglected and abused. A man who used his imagination as an escape from the cruelty of his reality.
This will not be a read for everyone. It is a story within a story, sometimes layered even deeper than that. The writing pulls you through Winston’s mission, what he believes to be a task given to him by God. You witness his actions, experience his imagination, and follow the narrative he believes to be real as that imagination begins to take form.
For such a short novella, it paints a deeply painful portrait of loneliness. You can’t help but feel for Winston, despite the crimes he commits. My only complaint is that I wanted more.
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC!
This will not be a read for everyone. It is a story within a story, sometimes layered even deeper than that. The writing pulls you through Winston’s mission, what he believes to be a task given to him by God. You witness his actions, experience his imagination, and follow the narrative he believes to be real as that imagination begins to take form.
For such a short novella, it paints a deeply painful portrait of loneliness. You can’t help but feel for Winston, despite the crimes he commits. My only complaint is that I wanted more.
Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC!
April 23, 2026
An artistic display of murder. This is unlike anything I have ever read before. "Bad guys" aren't bad for no reason, something made them that way. Winston believes God gave him a work of art to complete, and his victims are telling us the story. It's dark and disturbing, but it's also lyrical and creepily beautiful. It's entirely unique, providing some food for thought, a bit of a fever dream, and a satisfying ending.
January 9, 2026
Bodies of work was strange in the best way. It was creepy, tense, and just feels off from the start. The story slowly gets under your skin without trying too hard. Winston especially stood out to me as he gave serious Ed Gein vibes (I saw someone else say this too!) which made every scene with him even more unsettling. It’s not a fast read and does take a while to get into, but it keeps pulling you back in. If you like dark, uncomfortable stories that stick with you, this one’s worth picking up. 🦋
Thank you NetGalley & Titan Books for the ARC copy!
Thank you NetGalley & Titan Books for the ARC copy!
April 23, 2026
One of my most anticipated books of the year, Bodies of Work is the chilling tale of Winston and his victims.
I found Winston a very complex character. He didn't have the greatest of childhoods and this reflected in his behaviour in later life. A need for validation as he undertakes what he believes is God's will.
Atmospheric with a sense of unease that was real, so much so I could feel the creepiness seeping into my pores.
Darkly delightful.
I found Winston a very complex character. He didn't have the greatest of childhoods and this reflected in his behaviour in later life. A need for validation as he undertakes what he believes is God's will.
Atmospheric with a sense of unease that was real, so much so I could feel the creepiness seeping into my pores.
Darkly delightful.
April 16, 2026
I should have dnf’d
Did Not Finish
March 26, 2026DNF 25%
May 14, 2026
hmm i liked this, but also felt like it could’ve been so much better. there was just something about the writing i didn’t really feel captivated by, and i really wanted this to give me more horror than it did. i really enjoy the overall concept
December 4, 2025
A ghost story? Revenge? A novella about the bonds of sisterhood?
This little bit of grief horror is guaranteed to make you feel some sort of bad way. It reminded me slightly of Tiffany McDaniel's "On the Savage Side" with the extra charged emotion from the disappearance and murders of those considered the "less dead". There is also a fairytale-esque aspect that I can't pin down.
Ugh, this is one of the first reviews and don't want to misrepresent. However, Mr. Chapman does excellent grief horror and this is no different.
This little bit of grief horror is guaranteed to make you feel some sort of bad way. It reminded me slightly of Tiffany McDaniel's "On the Savage Side" with the extra charged emotion from the disappearance and murders of those considered the "less dead". There is also a fairytale-esque aspect that I can't pin down.
Ugh, this is one of the first reviews and don't want to misrepresent. However, Mr. Chapman does excellent grief horror and this is no different.
February 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of Bodies of Work by Clay McLeod Chapman.
This novella used so many words to say so little. I think this story would have resonated with me more in a different media. Like as a graphic novel or an episode of some crime show like Criminal Minds. As it is, it’s messy and choppy and scattered. Which, hey, that may be the point. But it was less enjoyable to read because of it.
This novella used so many words to say so little. I think this story would have resonated with me more in a different media. Like as a graphic novel or an episode of some crime show like Criminal Minds. As it is, it’s messy and choppy and scattered. Which, hey, that may be the point. But it was less enjoyable to read because of it.
April 30, 2026
Wild and interesting
January 10, 2026
Thank you, Titan, for the ARC!
PUB DATE: April 7, 2026
BODIES OF WORK by Clay McLeod Chapman is a stunning and terrifying novella. It may be Chapman’s best yet; an incredibly unique and harrowing story with a lot to unpack despite its short length.
Chapman writes horror beautifully, weaving grisly scenes with lyrical prose. The book moves the reader through a wide range of emotions; I was scared, sad, and angry. The format adds to the tension as well; Chapman skillfully weaves a story within a story and intersperses the butterfly girls’ voices throughout. The effect is chilling, making us feel as though we are in a dark fairy tale where the line between reality and imagination is blurred.
While the events involving the women in BODIES OF WORK are absolutely horrific, Chapman takes the narrative a step further. He forces us to confront how quickly we forget those who disappear and how society moves on from lost women, sometimes even blaming them for the tragedies they’ve succumbed to. Who will tell their stories, especially if those who stole their voices no longer exist? What happens to the legacies of these women? Who will remember them? BODIES OF WORK also illustrates how men strip women of their power, often by first silencing their voices, for their own gain or because they’ve deemed it “best” for them. It makes the horror in BODIES OF WORK even more realistic, scary, and maddening.
Winston isn't a black-and-white villain. It would have been easy to make him a one-dimensional character, but Chapman makes Winston complex; he is a victim, too, and at times I even felt sorry for him. But then we see and relive the abhorrent acts Winston has committed; he’s robbed these women of their lives and taken advantage of them at their weakest. It is a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of trauma and abuse, which makes the revenge aspect of BODIES OF WORK even stronger and more important.
BODIES OF WORK is a powerful concept, but with Chapman behind the pen, it is a work of art.
PUB DATE: April 7, 2026
BODIES OF WORK by Clay McLeod Chapman is a stunning and terrifying novella. It may be Chapman’s best yet; an incredibly unique and harrowing story with a lot to unpack despite its short length.
Chapman writes horror beautifully, weaving grisly scenes with lyrical prose. The book moves the reader through a wide range of emotions; I was scared, sad, and angry. The format adds to the tension as well; Chapman skillfully weaves a story within a story and intersperses the butterfly girls’ voices throughout. The effect is chilling, making us feel as though we are in a dark fairy tale where the line between reality and imagination is blurred.
While the events involving the women in BODIES OF WORK are absolutely horrific, Chapman takes the narrative a step further. He forces us to confront how quickly we forget those who disappear and how society moves on from lost women, sometimes even blaming them for the tragedies they’ve succumbed to. Who will tell their stories, especially if those who stole their voices no longer exist? What happens to the legacies of these women? Who will remember them? BODIES OF WORK also illustrates how men strip women of their power, often by first silencing their voices, for their own gain or because they’ve deemed it “best” for them. It makes the horror in BODIES OF WORK even more realistic, scary, and maddening.
Winston isn't a black-and-white villain. It would have been easy to make him a one-dimensional character, but Chapman makes Winston complex; he is a victim, too, and at times I even felt sorry for him. But then we see and relive the abhorrent acts Winston has committed; he’s robbed these women of their lives and taken advantage of them at their weakest. It is a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of trauma and abuse, which makes the revenge aspect of BODIES OF WORK even stronger and more important.
BODIES OF WORK is a powerful concept, but with Chapman behind the pen, it is a work of art.
April 10, 2026
How do I even talk about this story? Clay has managed to find the soft spot of a serial killer while simultaneously amplifying the voices of their victims in a meaningful way.
Bodies of Work is a creative swing that connects in a way that hits you before you even know you’ve been struck. The writing is beautiful and I particularly appreciated the metaphors attached to art and the many mediums explored throughout. The plot starts in its cocoon and by the end, spreads its wings and shows you all the beautifully morbid colors.
Winston bares a childlike quality to how he lives his life. You get a sense that maybe he is on the spectrum and should be looked after, but he’s alone. And the narration is told from the collective of his victims in a kind of messy way that makes sense as the story takes shape.
By the end I was left with some internal thoughts that can’t be shared here without spoiling but I’m eager to talk to someone about it now.
Clay has a way of making the simplest images come alive on the page with the most macabre descriptions and softens it with consistent wit and I’m not sure this story works with someone else driving.
Bodies of Work is a creative swing that connects in a way that hits you before you even know you’ve been struck. The writing is beautiful and I particularly appreciated the metaphors attached to art and the many mediums explored throughout. The plot starts in its cocoon and by the end, spreads its wings and shows you all the beautifully morbid colors.
Winston bares a childlike quality to how he lives his life. You get a sense that maybe he is on the spectrum and should be looked after, but he’s alone. And the narration is told from the collective of his victims in a kind of messy way that makes sense as the story takes shape.
By the end I was left with some internal thoughts that can’t be shared here without spoiling but I’m eager to talk to someone about it now.
Clay has a way of making the simplest images come alive on the page with the most macabre descriptions and softens it with consistent wit and I’m not sure this story works with someone else driving.
January 18, 2026
This is definitely not my usual horror book, but I really enjoyed the story being told from the perspective of the women the killer has murdered. I did not enjoy the overly graphic and vulgar snippets from the serial killers work of fiction. But I found the sorry gripping and harrowing and definitely worth a read. Thanks Titan for my advanced copy!
April 19, 2026
At first I didn't think I would like it enough for a higher then a 3 stars but then got sucked in it. Not quite a fever dream but has a little strange story telling that really works in the story. Creepy and at times emotional. Quite enjoyed the end.
January 20, 2026
The fact that everyone is under the impression this is a sweet old man when he is a full on serial killer is so unnerving 🤦🏼♀️ I enjoyed learning about the women he unalived that was probably my favourite part of the book! The plot will definitely take you for a ride!
March 16, 2026
I’m not having much luck at the moment. This one just didn’t click at all for me. The writing was just too jumbled and, to be honest, annoying.
Also, while I liked the idea I would much rather read this story written by someone who identifies as a woman.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
Also, while I liked the idea I would much rather read this story written by someone who identifies as a woman.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is something else!! 🔥
I know I might be exaggerating but this story feels more like art than a novel. Where do I even begin to explain what this book is about... 😂 The story follows an old man who is a serial killer. He is a low life and there is literally nothing special about him, at least that is what other people think. He's actually a mentally ill person who believes God gave him the task to complete his art. ✨️ But his art involves muses and these are girls he needs to murder in order to get them to become a part of his Butterfly Girls project. 🦋 But these girls are starting to haunt him because they don't want any other victims to fall prey to this monster.
This isn't your typical serial killer story. Yes, you do get to read how this men has become what he is, but the Butterfly Girls keep interfering. They kind of tell you the story and their opinion about this men who took their life. Sure, they think it's sad what he had to see when he was a child but it doesn't give him the audacity to kill them?! And that made this book really strong imo. 🔥 So you kind of have a multiple POV but in such a different way.
The only part I didn't really like were the fantasy parts. I don't see how they fit into the storyline exactly.
I already told you that Bodies of Work is a novella and I don't think it should have been longer. No unnecessary talk, but straight to the point. The book sets an eerie vibe and it literally gave me chills at some points. The atmosphere was written beautifully. 🥹 I loved the parts where the girls tell about their lives and how they became a victim. It's a sad and intruiging story. I don't think this book is for everyone because it's quite weird but I can say I really enjoyed it! 🫶🏼
I know I might be exaggerating but this story feels more like art than a novel. Where do I even begin to explain what this book is about... 😂 The story follows an old man who is a serial killer. He is a low life and there is literally nothing special about him, at least that is what other people think. He's actually a mentally ill person who believes God gave him the task to complete his art. ✨️ But his art involves muses and these are girls he needs to murder in order to get them to become a part of his Butterfly Girls project. 🦋 But these girls are starting to haunt him because they don't want any other victims to fall prey to this monster.
This isn't your typical serial killer story. Yes, you do get to read how this men has become what he is, but the Butterfly Girls keep interfering. They kind of tell you the story and their opinion about this men who took their life. Sure, they think it's sad what he had to see when he was a child but it doesn't give him the audacity to kill them?! And that made this book really strong imo. 🔥 So you kind of have a multiple POV but in such a different way.
The only part I didn't really like were the fantasy parts. I don't see how they fit into the storyline exactly.
I already told you that Bodies of Work is a novella and I don't think it should have been longer. No unnecessary talk, but straight to the point. The book sets an eerie vibe and it literally gave me chills at some points. The atmosphere was written beautifully. 🥹 I loved the parts where the girls tell about their lives and how they became a victim. It's a sad and intruiging story. I don't think this book is for everyone because it's quite weird but I can say I really enjoyed it! 🫶🏼
January 24, 2026
Winston is an elderly janitor in an isolated church. And Winston has a secret, hiding in six steel drums. Soon to be seven. His magnum opus, his art, requires sacrifice. And muses are hard to come by.
This novella is utterly unique. With prose that is lyrical, flowing, and at times as delicate as a butterfly wing, the story flows like a dream. While the story is dark and bleak, there is beauty in it, and it feels like reading someone’s diary, their thoughts laid bare, so real is the world that is created.
With a combination of third person narrative and internal dialogue, and a mix of fantasy and real life, there is no part of this story that doesn’t feel well-placed. While I can safely say this book will not be for everyone, you can see that you are in the hands of a pro right from the very start. I was heavily invested in the characters, and Winston is so complex that at times I felt real sympathy for him: he felt real, as did his struggles with life, religion, passion, and community.
I likened this story to being inside a David Lynch movie while I was mid-read, and that still feels accurate after I’ve finished. Expect the unexpected, expect darkness, light, psychedelic worlds, art, despair. Expect nothing and everything. Expect butterfly wings.
This novella is utterly unique. With prose that is lyrical, flowing, and at times as delicate as a butterfly wing, the story flows like a dream. While the story is dark and bleak, there is beauty in it, and it feels like reading someone’s diary, their thoughts laid bare, so real is the world that is created.
With a combination of third person narrative and internal dialogue, and a mix of fantasy and real life, there is no part of this story that doesn’t feel well-placed. While I can safely say this book will not be for everyone, you can see that you are in the hands of a pro right from the very start. I was heavily invested in the characters, and Winston is so complex that at times I felt real sympathy for him: he felt real, as did his struggles with life, religion, passion, and community.
I likened this story to being inside a David Lynch movie while I was mid-read, and that still feels accurate after I’ve finished. Expect the unexpected, expect darkness, light, psychedelic worlds, art, despair. Expect nothing and everything. Expect butterfly wings.
January 29, 2026
What happens to the girls who get abducted and taken from this world? With Winston Kemper they get trapped in his mind. Each girl, every story, and of course their voice. He is the keeper of the butterflies he created.
Shiloh Baptist church where Winston finds his muses. One at a time. Will he complete his goal of 7 butterflies? I really enjoy how this novella has two POVs- current day and one speaks for the victims of the killer.
The author uses very descriptive language to really get you to see the scene fully and feel it. This supernatural revenge novella is just what I need to add a little spice to my reading genres.
“Women vanish. People forget their names, and appearances barely demand our attention “ I love this because it’s so true.
Add this to your TBR!!
Shiloh Baptist church where Winston finds his muses. One at a time. Will he complete his goal of 7 butterflies? I really enjoy how this novella has two POVs- current day and one speaks for the victims of the killer.
The author uses very descriptive language to really get you to see the scene fully and feel it. This supernatural revenge novella is just what I need to add a little spice to my reading genres.
“Women vanish. People forget their names, and appearances barely demand our attention “ I love this because it’s so true.
Add this to your TBR!!
April 18, 2026
"Our stories are your stories. Nobody ever wanted to tell them. Maybe you’ve heard them before. Maybe you don’t believe them. Most don’t. Why would anyone believe us? Why would you listen?"
Nobody ever suspects the butterfly!
Chapman really knows how to instantly capture his readers and this one is no different. Even though it’s truly different from his other releases, it easily becomes an instant dark favorite.
The entire time I was reading this, I kept thinking that this would follow in his other books footsteps and I was very wrong. This got more horrifying and weird as the pages went on. It made me distrust a lot of people who we were told were truth worthy. It was a fantastic little horror and you can never go wrong with anything Chapman releases.
Nobody ever suspects the butterfly!
Chapman really knows how to instantly capture his readers and this one is no different. Even though it’s truly different from his other releases, it easily becomes an instant dark favorite.
The entire time I was reading this, I kept thinking that this would follow in his other books footsteps and I was very wrong. This got more horrifying and weird as the pages went on. It made me distrust a lot of people who we were told were truth worthy. It was a fantastic little horror and you can never go wrong with anything Chapman releases.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews