Ink : Two Tales of Tattooed Terror

by D.E. McCluskey, David Charlesworth

Tattoos are forever…
Forever and ever.

You know how it is, you go out for a few drinks, then you have a few more. These are followed by shots and then cocktails – before you know it you’re lying topless on some stranger’s couch getting the words to the Lord’s Prayer tattooed up and down your chest.

Seems like a good idea at the time, doesn’t it? Until you realise that you can never wash it off, and then you remember you’re getting married in two days and you have a spiderweb tattooed all over your face!

We all love tattoos, but do we really know what we’re doing? Do we honestly know what is getting squeezed into our flesh?

Come with us while we regale you with two tales of tattooed terror. Let David Charlesworth and DE McCluskey inject you with enough horror to put you off your next body decoration.

INK – a duology of dread.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2025

About the author

I love horror, and I love Christmas. Some would say that the two are not mutually associated, I would tell you different.

I started writing at Christmas, back in the days of yore. I was reading The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore to my daughter who was too excited to sleep. But, I used my secret weapon, my boring voice she was soon catching the right amount of zzzzz's... As I tiptoed out of the room, giving Santa the space he needed to do his bit, I thought to myself, you know what? I could write something like that...

So I did...

The good Behaviour Act was written, the first story in Interesting Tymes, my very first publication.

I live in sunny Liverpool in the UK with my partner and daughters, I used to work in IT but don't anymore, and am the happier person for it. I love football, music and film... I also enjoy long walks, pretty flowers, and gratuitous violence and nudity...

I can be found mostly on Facebook @demccluskey_author
or on Twitter @dammagedpro @demccluskey1

my website is www.dammaged.com

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to this I hadn't read any tattoo inspired horror stories so this was unique and quite good. I love DE, so I will admit I grabbed this because of him...but David C's story was surprisingly good!

[Corrina Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories by two different authors, one I have read before, a lot, and the other I'm reading for the first time… and I have to say, neither disappointed. Both of these stories were gripping and exciting. Both are similar in that they involve tattoos, yet both are so very different. Brilliantly so.

WITH YOU FOREVER By David Charlesworth…. Gemma is inked, random, meaningless ink, (or is it?), ink that just seemed right at the time and makes her happy. She's also haunted..in many ways. Mentally and physically.

As the haunting intensifies, so does Gemma's descent into seeming insanity. And when she finally gets some answers, she could never have imagined the hows and whys.

Tense, intriguing, and creepy, with a good narrative flow, this story is a real page turner. Great character building and scene setting too.

NEEDLE FALLS By DE McCluskey…. Abandoned by her dad, subjected to sexual abuse by her mother, and inflicting self harm to hide her pain, leads to a life of drink, drugs, sex, devil worship, tattoos and Needle Falls...and the beginning of something terribly sinister.

This had a brilliant creepy small-town vibe. Highly addictive story-telling and real Clive Barker vibes. Pleasure, pain, blood, this gave me genuine, physical chills. The story unfolds rapidly and deliciously, teasing you along, pulling you in, and finally spitting you out in a fit of lustful depravity.

The significance of The Glimm, The 12, and even cheese is subtly woven throughout this story too, which if you're familiar with DEs work, you'll appreciate.

[AJRXII · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming out soon these are two easy to read great stories and the other Dave I've never read has a new fan (although I hate that word as I'm hardly a 'fan'atic but you get the drift.

Part 1 is creepy as fuck and had my spine tingling which doesn't happen often. So I've already got a couple of books to read of Dave's after that. Looking forward to getting my reading mojo back as I've read about 500 books in 18 months I'm a bit burnt out!!!

DE Macca! well as per the other Dave here puts out a great story which I am grateful for being one of his ARC readers. We see each other at work now as I've moved to the same building, same department but different parts so sometimes he sees me vaping outside and we have a little catch up where I often get the latest news. Great stuff Dave from your mate Jimmy (It's Andy but I don't mind you using the middle name as it's on my FB profile of course 🤣) So get it when it comes out as both stories rule!!!

Get more books from them especially as Dave (D.E) wants to get out of his job 🤣🤣🤣

[Jessie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a duet of 2 authors so let’s deep dive into both! Thank you for the advanced copy!

With you forever - Gemma had just moved in with her boyfriend. Hoping life settles down now they are living together. Gemma wants to get to the bottom of the odd sightings she’s seeing though otherwise her moving in may not be worth it. Jesus this was a whirlwind. Twists and turns I didn’t expect I was fully immersed in the story of this one. Sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Strong start!!

Needle falls - Carson arrives in a town looking for his cousin. The town is bizarre in that a lot of the town folk have the same tattoo. What does this tattoo signify? This was INTENSE. I thought the first story had me hanging onto every word. This one was extra. I was literally dying to know what the tattoo signified and boy! I loved the journey the author sent me through with this one.

Due 10th July and if this doesn’t make you want to read it I will buy it myself as it’s one I wish I could read again and again

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

INK - by DE McCluskey & David Charlesworth
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
These two stories have tattoos as part of the story lines and they are both fantastic! Very original and intense horror stories!

The first story was awesome, With You Forever, by David Charlesworth. It is super entertaining and creepy! I really enjoyed following Gemma and her “ghosts” around! Gemma has just moved in with her boyfriend Dan, thinking that life will settle down and feel secure with him. But, odd sightings develop for Gemma and she needs to get to the bottom of what is going on. She doesn’t want everyone thinking she is crazy.
This story definitely had some surprises and twists that I didn’t see coming! This is my first story from this author and he did an amazing job!

The second story, Needle Falls, by DE McCluskey, had my jaw on the floor! It really blew me away with the super intense story! It gave me Rosemary’s baby vibes, but totally different. 😂
Carson arrives in a small town looking for his cousin Amelia, who left home a year earlier. This town is very different with most of the people covered in the same tattoos, and these aren’t regular ink tattoos. As Carson begins his search around town for Amelia, he finds some happiness with a guy Kevin. Unfortunately this happiness doesn’t last. This story is one of my favorite reads for the year! I loved it!

Thank you to DE McCluskey & David Charlesworth for an arc of this book with 2 amazing stories!!

*This book comes out July 10th and it’s a must read!*
🫟👻🫟

[Sierra Waff · Rating 5 out of 5]

INK by D.E. McCluskey and David Charlesworth is tattooed horror done right.

Two authors. Two stories. One unifying premise: tattoos are permanent, but what if the consequences are even more so?

First story:
With You Forever by David Charlesworth kicks things off with a creeping sense of unease. Gemma has just moved in with her boyfriend Dan hoping to settle down but instead she finds herself confronted by disturbing sightings she can’t explain. Is it the building? Is it her? The story moves with a tension that makes you question every quiet moment.

Second story:
Needle Falls by D.E. McCluskey raises the stakes. Carson arrives in a small town looking for his cousin Amelia and quickly realizes something is off. Many of the townspeople have the same tattoo and the deeper he digs the stranger it gets. The tension builds fast and doesn’t stop. The mystery behind the ink pulls you in hard and leaves a lasting sting.

This duology does exactly what it promises. It injects horror right under the skin. No filler. No fluff. Just two brutal and creative takes on body art gone very wrong.

If you think tattoos are just designs you can regret later this book will make you think again.

INK leaves a scar. Five stars.

[Kendra Raptor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ink — where two Daves bring us two dark, twisted tales revolving around tattoos 🖤

With You Forever by David Charlesworth introduces us to Gemma, who’s just moved in with her boyfriend after being haunted in her old apartment. She thought a new place would bring peace… but the haunting followed her. As strange deaths start to surround her, Gemma realizes there’s a terrifying link between her experiences and other women—all connected by one thing: a tattoo. Will she uncover the truth before it’s too late?

In Needle Falls by D.E. McCluskey, we meet Carson, who’s searching for his missing cousin, Amelia. Her last known location? A small, eerie town called Needle Falls, where everyone is friendly… maybe too friendly. The townsfolk all share something in common—tattoos—and seem to know more than they’re letting on. As Carson digs deeper, whispers turn into nightmares.

Both stories took me on a wild, creepy ride full of twists, tension, and ink-soaked terror. If you love horror that blends the supernatural with mystery and a touch of body art, this one’s for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lozz Jesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories, two authors, one book, both about tattoos.

Story one by David Charlesworth:
Gemma had finally took the plunge and moved in with her boyfriend Dan. All these were well until Gemma started to see these strange things to the point it was haunting her but killing others.
The ending wasn’t what I expected and it was even better than I thought when Gemma’s dear friend, the tattooist was coming with a helping hand, but for who?

Story two by DE McCluskey:

Carson was on the hunt to find his dear cousin Amelia, or was it Kirsty who decided she had to leave home. She had to build a new life and what a life it was, in a sweet little town known as Needle Falls. Wonderful cafe, local pub, lovely b&b.
Until Carson met Kevin and his cronies, he felt something wasn’t quite adding up.

Both great reads and I highly recommend.

[Catherine Cavendish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ink contains two great novellas - With You Forever by David Charlesworth and Needle Falls by D E McCluskey.

I have read and enjoyed a number of great stories by D E McCluskey, but this was my first by David Charlesworth. I read both back to back and had a thoroughly entertaining time. As someone who has never ventured down the tattoo road, I certainly won't be beating a path to the nearest tattoo parlour any time soon after reading these tales - I am far too wary. I mean, what if any of this is true? Because, you know, it could be. It could just be...and if it is...well... If you have tattoos, do you really know what they mean? No, I mean REALLY? That symbol you thought looked attractive or, perhaps, a little enigmatic? Is that all it is, or is it...? I have said enough. You need to read this. Read - and beware

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ink consists of two ink related stories. The first With You Forever follows Gemma and Dan as they start moving forward in their relationship. Gemma has moved in with Dan. Everything is going great, or so Gemma thought. Someone is crying somewhere in the building. Who is it?

The second story, Needle Falls, tells the story of Carson. He arrived in Needle Falls, not long ago, looking for his cousin. The last communication he had with her, she said she was working at a nice coffee shop. Carson must find his cousin so they can get get back home in time to meet a deadline. There's strange goings on in this town. Some of the townspeople have the same tattoos. There's a weird vibe, but Carson needs to find Amelia first.

These were two good stories that had great twists and turns.

[Kelly Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time of writing I only read part 2 so I will update this review to include part 1

This centres on two characters Amelia/Kirsty and her cousin Carson.

Both ends up in Needle Falls. One looking for a escape from abuse and the other for someone.

There is something strange in this little town as nearly everyone has tattoos no matter the age but no one wants to talk about them and their strange meanings.

What follows is a nightmarish journey into the Great Lord Glimm. You don't need to know anything about the shared universe from previous books but this adds to the already huge work from the Twelve and Glimmer saga.

[Erin Sterett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve ever read tattoo inspired horror before, but as someone who loves tattoos I knew I had to read this one. It was a quick read, and both stories kept my interest throughout! Highly recommend!

[Emily Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two tales say, "What if your tattoo had a mind of its own? What could you do to stop it.

[Ashley Vanelst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, both stories were a great read! It was a page turner for me. McCluskey has a way with his words and keeping you hooked! Another read i highly recommend! ♥️

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

two nice short stories that were tattoo inspired but unique (the first one was so trippy)

it was honestly great to see the great lord glimm again as well (I loved the twelve)