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Rotten Tommy: A Horror Novel
“Keep the door locked night and day…”
It’s been forty years since Becky Sharp’s mother vanished without a trace. Becky has given up all hope of finding her, until she makes a strange discovery that may hold the key to solving her mother’s disappearance.
Three unmarked videotapes, hidden in the wall of her childhood home. And as Becky watches the tapes, she finds herself drawn into a horrific mystery far greater than she could possibly have imagined.
For Becky has unwittingly summoned a long-forgotten nightmare—a creature that threatens the lives and sanity of all around her. Rotten Tommy has come to play… and nothing on Earth can sate his diabolical bloodlust.
A grisly and bizarre horror fever dream, Rotten Tommy is the latest disturbing shocker from David Sodergren, author of The Haar and Maggie’s Grave.
It’s been forty years since Becky Sharp’s mother vanished without a trace. Becky has given up all hope of finding her, until she makes a strange discovery that may hold the key to solving her mother’s disappearance.
Three unmarked videotapes, hidden in the wall of her childhood home. And as Becky watches the tapes, she finds herself drawn into a horrific mystery far greater than she could possibly have imagined.
For Becky has unwittingly summoned a long-forgotten nightmare—a creature that threatens the lives and sanity of all around her. Rotten Tommy has come to play… and nothing on Earth can sate his diabolical bloodlust.
A grisly and bizarre horror fever dream, Rotten Tommy is the latest disturbing shocker from David Sodergren, author of The Haar and Maggie’s Grave.
Audio CD
First published May 6, 2024
About the author
David Sodergren
21 books3,753 followersDavid Sodergren lives in Scotland with his wife Heather and his best friend, Boris the Pug.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
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March 29, 2024Hey gang, this is my new novel Rotten Tommy! It’s available 6th May 2024. Kindle preorder is now up, and the paperback will be available on publication day.
September 4, 2024
So fun!! David does campy gory horror like none other. Anytime you pick up one of his books, you know you’ll have a great time.
This is pretty different from his other stuff imo, (things get WEIRD) but it’s still recognizably Sodergren. It has a sort of found footage feel I think a lot of horror fans would appreciate, and it gave me Silent Hill vibes in a way, mixed with Children Of The Corn in another.
I can’t wait for what he comes up with next!!
This is pretty different from his other stuff imo, (things get WEIRD) but it’s still recognizably Sodergren. It has a sort of found footage feel I think a lot of horror fans would appreciate, and it gave me Silent Hill vibes in a way, mixed with Children Of The Corn in another.
I can’t wait for what he comes up with next!!
October 29, 2025
This was shaping up to be a four star read but it just had to do the worst thing a horror book can absolutely do and NOT EXPLAIN HOW SHIT HAPPENS 😣 Who is Rotten Tommy? Where does he come from? Why does he want our MC? Well those questions remain unanswered 💔
Despite my personal frustration, this is a fun book that I did enjoy. It definitely felt like an acid trip at the end so if you’re into crazy nonsensical books pick this up but be warned that this is also an incredibly gory and gross read. Just that first chapter was enough to make me feel sick.
Bonus note: Tommy will lowkey have you awwing over him at the end somehow so that’s also interesting
💀🤚
Despite my personal frustration, this is a fun book that I did enjoy. It definitely felt like an acid trip at the end so if you’re into crazy nonsensical books pick this up but be warned that this is also an incredibly gory and gross read. Just that first chapter was enough to make me feel sick.
Bonus note: Tommy will lowkey have you awwing over him at the end somehow so that’s also interesting
💀🤚
September 16, 2025
4.5 stars. This sumbitch can write his ass off. What an absolutely fantastical and whimsical horror adventure. Never seen any of those words paired together, right? It made me reminiscent of such horror classics like Willy’s Wonderland and Silent Hill. First off, my wife, daughter, and I are all autistic, so I want to compliment the author for making his lead, Becky, one of us. And he even goes as far as to clarify that this character was written not to be a completely accurate depiction of an autistic person. Kudos for all of that mindfulness and I really thought he did a solid job taking appropriate cues from the diagnosis, making them all work nicely within the story. And Becky’s story had so many layers, from her unsupportive sister and unfaithful husband, to her work uncovering her mother’s disappearance, all with her autistic insight and struggles shining through. This is a near 300 page journey, and the first portion of the book is mostly creepy atmosphere and foreshadowing of more significant events later on. So it takes a little patience, but as the author unfolds his vision, I assure you it’s all worth the effort. The town of Rumplejack and all of it’s terrifying creatures, ie Tommy and The Sausage King (Nothing to do with Ferris Bueller) were fantastic. You are kept on the edge of your seat, exploring this nightmare of a reality for Becky and cannot take yourself away from this riveting affair. The only reason that I didn’t give this a perfect 5-star rating is that I wanted the truth about Tommy. So much build and promise and possibilities. And there was an opening to do it near the very end, but it was brushed off and left a mystery. And that’s ok sometimes, but after spending several hours getting to the finale, I felt that I deserved some concrete answers, which weren’t there. Beyond that, this was a near perfect horror experience from one of the most consistently entertaining authors in our genre.
December 4, 2025
When I look at the reviews for Rotten Tommy, I see many people thought it begins good but loses momentum – Well, the opposite is true for me. I needed my time to warm up to the characters and understand what’s going on and once I got the gist, this was super fun.
I love stories in which TV shows, especially children’s TV shows merge with reality, I think it was Sarah Pinsker who wrote a similar short story and I thought that was great too. I like the way this ends, Disco 2000 is a good song to dance to like nobody is watching and I think Jarvis would agree.
I love stories in which TV shows, especially children’s TV shows merge with reality, I think it was Sarah Pinsker who wrote a similar short story and I thought that was great too. I like the way this ends, Disco 2000 is a good song to dance to like nobody is watching and I think Jarvis would agree.
August 11, 2024
ROTTEN TOMMY [2024] By David Sodergren
My Review 4.0 Stars
This recent work of Sodergren’s was an unexpected romp in a bizzarro world of Alice in a Wonderland of horror. There is a brief introduction of a mean old misogynist who hires a smart guy named Quintin with business savvy to write a kiddie show for him on a tight budget. But the best laid plans of bad guys sometimes go wrong. His friend who had control of the entire production budget and timetable could not be reached.
Golden Thistle’s flagship series Rumplejack was in some kind of trouble, so William goes to Scotland to find out what happened to his investment. All of the cast and crew were unable to be found, and the production had been buttoned up tight. William goes banging on Quintin’s door and is too blinded by the possibility of losing money to notice that Quintin is scared to death. The meeting did not go well considering the production engineer engaged in a bit of self-mutilation and William scattered to the wind.
Four decades pass and our protagonist Becky is having an extension built onto the family home. All hell breaks loose, literally, when the workman finds the films on tape sealed up within a wall. Becky finds an old photo of herself as a child labelled “Missing”, last seen on a date in December 1984, 40 years ago. This was beyond eerie since Becky had no memory of ever having been kidnapped, and also her mother had disappeared at the same time as the paper she had found with the tapes. Predictably Becky calls the authorities, and also predictably they can provide her with no useful information. The reader meets Becky’s husband John who adds very little to what Becky already knows and seems to be rather blasé about the whole thing.
Becky’s father is in a care center and his memory comes and goes but is mostly just gone. Becky takes the tapes to visit him and plans to play them for him in his antiquated recorder on the TV set to see if he recognizes his wife or helps him remember anything about her documented disappearance on the old papers she found in the wall. Her father remembers and confirms her stay at Rumplejack. It is the name of the kiddie program, but her confused father is saying it is a place.
This latest novel from the wacky imagination of David Sodergren gives us an autistic heroine we simply love, white collar thieves ready to steal “golden oldies”, the horrifying footage that is on the children’s show “Rumpklejack”, a cheating husband and a duplicitous sister, not to mention the unimaginable horror from another time and place crashing into their reality…. Tommy, Rotten Tommy. “Rotten” like a King Cobra might bite you a little but it won’t hurt you.
The author paces this other-worldly tale just perfectly. Becky calls her sister (and cheating hubby) needing help after finding the content on the tapes. That only lasts until hearing his distinctive ringtone through her phone. Larkin the detective has seen Tommy and believes her story. She had initially sent him away but soon they are going to visit the self-mutilated producer who has hidden away all these years in a madhouse. Will Quintin tell Becky and Larkin the truth about Rumplejack?
Soon Becky and Larkin are on their way to the lighthouse to find the key to unlock the truth to Rumplejack and face the giant menace of the monster called Rotten Tommy. This final stretch to find Becky’s mother and to battle the terminator named Tommy was kind of sad. Later Becky finds herself being manhandled by the police and having excessive force used. Is this still Becky or a serial murderer of the worst kind with a string of victims?
The subsequent "Assault on Precinct 13" reimagined is a riot. Tommy arrives to have a meet and greet with the police who are holding Becky. These are only a few highlights from the consistently entertaining and highly engaging and readable horror tale featuring the terror of Tommy, that is “Rotten Tommy”.
Becky's expressed feelings about her life is heart rendering. The end was a surprise and also original. "Rotten Tommy" is the marriage of inspiration and imagination, borders on whimsical and cartoonish at times but with added ingredients such as emotion, dark humor, and extreme horror. I have never read a novel quite like this one. In a book with such horrific violence, it amazes and amuses me that Sodergren can lay in puns and even situational humor.
The one scene reminds me so much of the Hostel II wherein the “wait a minute I am rich, and I will pay more than him” girl turns the tables on her would be murderer. She does not miss a beat when told it is a kill club and she must kill to leave. She might shrug at the owner of the club before she turns on her torturer who paid (too little, sadly for him) to kill her. Tommy performs this girl’s patented move but only improvises and improves it. He drags cheatin’ John up a set of stairs without dragging him by either arm or either leg. Hmmm. Before any wrenching out of body parts.
This review may sound a little slap happy since I have been sleepy all day, but if slap happy would ever be appropriate it is in reviewing this wild story that has both a kiddie puppet show and a monstrous giant from hell in the same plot. REALLY liked it.
KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED NIGHT AND DAY…SO TOMMY CAN’T COME OUT TO PLAY
My Review 4.0 Stars
This recent work of Sodergren’s was an unexpected romp in a bizzarro world of Alice in a Wonderland of horror. There is a brief introduction of a mean old misogynist who hires a smart guy named Quintin with business savvy to write a kiddie show for him on a tight budget. But the best laid plans of bad guys sometimes go wrong. His friend who had control of the entire production budget and timetable could not be reached.
Golden Thistle’s flagship series Rumplejack was in some kind of trouble, so William goes to Scotland to find out what happened to his investment. All of the cast and crew were unable to be found, and the production had been buttoned up tight. William goes banging on Quintin’s door and is too blinded by the possibility of losing money to notice that Quintin is scared to death. The meeting did not go well considering the production engineer engaged in a bit of self-mutilation and William scattered to the wind.
Four decades pass and our protagonist Becky is having an extension built onto the family home. All hell breaks loose, literally, when the workman finds the films on tape sealed up within a wall. Becky finds an old photo of herself as a child labelled “Missing”, last seen on a date in December 1984, 40 years ago. This was beyond eerie since Becky had no memory of ever having been kidnapped, and also her mother had disappeared at the same time as the paper she had found with the tapes. Predictably Becky calls the authorities, and also predictably they can provide her with no useful information. The reader meets Becky’s husband John who adds very little to what Becky already knows and seems to be rather blasé about the whole thing.
Becky’s father is in a care center and his memory comes and goes but is mostly just gone. Becky takes the tapes to visit him and plans to play them for him in his antiquated recorder on the TV set to see if he recognizes his wife or helps him remember anything about her documented disappearance on the old papers she found in the wall. Her father remembers and confirms her stay at Rumplejack. It is the name of the kiddie program, but her confused father is saying it is a place.
This latest novel from the wacky imagination of David Sodergren gives us an autistic heroine we simply love, white collar thieves ready to steal “golden oldies”, the horrifying footage that is on the children’s show “Rumpklejack”, a cheating husband and a duplicitous sister, not to mention the unimaginable horror from another time and place crashing into their reality…. Tommy, Rotten Tommy. “Rotten” like a King Cobra might bite you a little but it won’t hurt you.
The author paces this other-worldly tale just perfectly. Becky calls her sister (and cheating hubby) needing help after finding the content on the tapes. That only lasts until hearing his distinctive ringtone through her phone. Larkin the detective has seen Tommy and believes her story. She had initially sent him away but soon they are going to visit the self-mutilated producer who has hidden away all these years in a madhouse. Will Quintin tell Becky and Larkin the truth about Rumplejack?
Soon Becky and Larkin are on their way to the lighthouse to find the key to unlock the truth to Rumplejack and face the giant menace of the monster called Rotten Tommy. This final stretch to find Becky’s mother and to battle the terminator named Tommy was kind of sad. Later Becky finds herself being manhandled by the police and having excessive force used. Is this still Becky or a serial murderer of the worst kind with a string of victims?
The subsequent "Assault on Precinct 13" reimagined is a riot. Tommy arrives to have a meet and greet with the police who are holding Becky. These are only a few highlights from the consistently entertaining and highly engaging and readable horror tale featuring the terror of Tommy, that is “Rotten Tommy”.
Becky's expressed feelings about her life is heart rendering. The end was a surprise and also original. "Rotten Tommy" is the marriage of inspiration and imagination, borders on whimsical and cartoonish at times but with added ingredients such as emotion, dark humor, and extreme horror. I have never read a novel quite like this one. In a book with such horrific violence, it amazes and amuses me that Sodergren can lay in puns and even situational humor.
The one scene reminds me so much of the Hostel II wherein the “wait a minute I am rich, and I will pay more than him” girl turns the tables on her would be murderer. She does not miss a beat when told it is a kill club and she must kill to leave. She might shrug at the owner of the club before she turns on her torturer who paid (too little, sadly for him) to kill her. Tommy performs this girl’s patented move but only improvises and improves it. He drags cheatin’ John up a set of stairs without dragging him by either arm or either leg. Hmmm. Before any wrenching out of body parts.
This review may sound a little slap happy since I have been sleepy all day, but if slap happy would ever be appropriate it is in reviewing this wild story that has both a kiddie puppet show and a monstrous giant from hell in the same plot. REALLY liked it.
KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED NIGHT AND DAY…SO TOMMY CAN’T COME OUT TO PLAY
May 9, 2024
Forty years ago, when Becky Sharp was only four years-old, her actress mother vanished without a trace. Now in the process of renovating the house where she grew up, a cache of VHS tapes is found hidden in the walls, along with a missing child poster that features Becky herself. When the tapes are revealed to feature footage of a never-aired and rather demented television show called "Rumplejack" with her missing mother appearing in one troubling scene, Becky resolves to finally solve the mysteries of both her mother’s vanishing and her own apparent childhood disappearance. What Becky doesn’t realize is that by bringing the old episodes of "Rumplejack" to light, she is also calling forth its most terrifying denizen, Rotten Tommy, who is soon wreaking a bloody path of destruction straight to her door.
Rotten Tommy was a creepy and fun good time. I was sucked right into the story thanks to the truly unsettling set-up with the footage on the tapes of the creepy children’s show, and Sodergren’s solid writing and character work. I really liked Becky as a main character. She is intuitive and resourceful and is not willing to take any bullshit. I’ve read three other works by Sodergren and, along with Muriel Macauley in The Haar, I feel like Becky was one of the better developed characters I’ve come across in his books. We learn that Becky as an adult has been recently diagnosed as autistic. I can't speak to this experience, but in my (uneducated) opinion, Sodergren handles it with sensitivity, and I appreciated the representation as it's not something I've seen before. I had sympathy for Becky’s struggles in a society that dismisses her as odd, ineffectual, and worse, including individuals close to her (her husband is a real POS).
But back to why we’re really here in Sodergren-land, and that’s a bloody good time. Well, you’ll certainly get that with Rotten Tommy. There are some scenes that will stick with me (even typing those words conjures a particularly gory image from the end of the book) for a long time.
I thought for sure this would end up being a five star read, but the ending lost me a little when the bloody action scenes started dominating the creepy elements of the story. I know some readers will feel the exact opposite. And I will say that David Sodergren is the only author who has made me not only tolerate, but enjoy, romantic subplots.
Rotten Tommy was a creepy and fun good time. I was sucked right into the story thanks to the truly unsettling set-up with the footage on the tapes of the creepy children’s show, and Sodergren’s solid writing and character work. I really liked Becky as a main character. She is intuitive and resourceful and is not willing to take any bullshit. I’ve read three other works by Sodergren and, along with Muriel Macauley in The Haar, I feel like Becky was one of the better developed characters I’ve come across in his books. We learn that Becky as an adult has been recently diagnosed as autistic. I can't speak to this experience, but in my (uneducated) opinion, Sodergren handles it with sensitivity, and I appreciated the representation as it's not something I've seen before. I had sympathy for Becky’s struggles in a society that dismisses her as odd, ineffectual, and worse, including individuals close to her (her husband is a real POS).
But back to why we’re really here in Sodergren-land, and that’s a bloody good time. Well, you’ll certainly get that with Rotten Tommy. There are some scenes that will stick with me (even typing those words conjures a particularly gory image from the end of the book) for a long time.
I thought for sure this would end up being a five star read, but the ending lost me a little when the bloody action scenes started dominating the creepy elements of the story. I know some readers will feel the exact opposite. And I will say that David Sodergren is the only author who has made me not only tolerate, but enjoy, romantic subplots.
September 7, 2025
Umm… yeah. Not for me.
January 30, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
I feel so seen, and that’s the woof.
I’ve read some really good horror novels this year, but none of them had the effect on me that Rotten Tommy did. There are certain pieces of fiction that are so odd and off-center, that make you feel so uncomfortable and squirm in your chair. That’s what this book did to me. From the liminality of the setting to the peculiarity of its creatures, this book got under my skin in ways few others have.
Oh, and the violence and gore were top notch too.
Themes…
The hardships endured on an unmasking journey. The anxiety born out of never truly feeling accepted, or never being in a place you know you belong.
Character Work…
Becky is one of the most relatable characters in years for me. I share so many of her traits, and I’m also in the process of coming to terms with them. I’m so happy about this representation and it has helped give me a boost of much needed self-confidence.
Prose…
There were so many parts I highlighted because I felt such a deep connection with them. Not flowery or esoteric, but definitely impactful.
Pace…
Energetic without being frenetic. Perfectly paced
I feel so seen, and that’s the woof.
I’ve read some really good horror novels this year, but none of them had the effect on me that Rotten Tommy did. There are certain pieces of fiction that are so odd and off-center, that make you feel so uncomfortable and squirm in your chair. That’s what this book did to me. From the liminality of the setting to the peculiarity of its creatures, this book got under my skin in ways few others have.
Oh, and the violence and gore were top notch too.
Themes…
The hardships endured on an unmasking journey. The anxiety born out of never truly feeling accepted, or never being in a place you know you belong.
Character Work…
Becky is one of the most relatable characters in years for me. I share so many of her traits, and I’m also in the process of coming to terms with them. I’m so happy about this representation and it has helped give me a boost of much needed self-confidence.
Prose…
There were so many parts I highlighted because I felt such a deep connection with them. Not flowery or esoteric, but definitely impactful.
Pace…
Energetic without being frenetic. Perfectly paced
August 11, 2024
My god this book was interesting! I didn’t really know what I was expecting with this book but it definitely surprised me. I thought the concept was super original, I haven’t seen a lot of “haunted media” in horror so that was a fun surprise.
Super violent and gory. There were many parts of the book I found relatable about Becky’s autism and how she views the world. Overall just a really great read!
Super violent and gory. There were many parts of the book I found relatable about Becky’s autism and how she views the world. Overall just a really great read!
August 21, 2025
Wow... This started strong. Really strong. Then the wheels came off. Hard. What began as a perfect mix of creeping dread and gory violence veered straight into H.R. Pufnstuf wandering through Raccoon City.
If I never hear the name Jason Statham again, I can die happy...
...and that’s the woof.
If I never hear the name Jason Statham again, I can die happy...
...and that’s the woof.
October 6, 2025
In other news, Splatterpunk is another way of throwing caution to the wind when you run out of storytelling ideas, which is what kind of happens in Rotten Tommy.
This is my third David Sodergren outing after The Haar, and Maggie's Grave, which were both excellent but not quite five-star reads, with this being my least favorite book of his so far.
The buildup is good, the characters are well defined and identifiable and there's a point when you feel at one with the story, with the right amount of humor and sarcasm that makes David Sodergren such an enjoyable author. But then things go wrong at around 75%.
I'm not talking about the fantasy elements, puppets eating sausages, talking horses, or bodies piled up in lighthouses - I love that sort of stuff and it's one of the reasons why Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer is such a great book - but because of how the action is ramped up too much to create a scenario that could never realistically happen regardless of whether it's horror or fantasy or sci-fi, with too many shake your head moments that burst the imaginary bubble and leave you in a place that's just not happening.
There are lots of things to love about this and other books by David Sodergren, but this one doesn't go full circle properly or create a satisfying ending.
They can't all be chicken dinner winners.
This is my third David Sodergren outing after The Haar, and Maggie's Grave, which were both excellent but not quite five-star reads, with this being my least favorite book of his so far.
The buildup is good, the characters are well defined and identifiable and there's a point when you feel at one with the story, with the right amount of humor and sarcasm that makes David Sodergren such an enjoyable author. But then things go wrong at around 75%.
I'm not talking about the fantasy elements, puppets eating sausages, talking horses, or bodies piled up in lighthouses - I love that sort of stuff and it's one of the reasons why Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer is such a great book - but because of how the action is ramped up too much to create a scenario that could never realistically happen regardless of whether it's horror or fantasy or sci-fi, with too many shake your head moments that burst the imaginary bubble and leave you in a place that's just not happening.
There are lots of things to love about this and other books by David Sodergren, but this one doesn't go full circle properly or create a satisfying ending.
They can't all be chicken dinner winners.
March 28, 2024
“Let’s go back,
To Rumplejack,
We’ve been away too long.”
I think each of us has a childhood show we used to watch that scared the ever-living-crap out of us. I distinctly remember how much the movie ‘The Monster Squad’ traumatized me at an early age, and because we watched it for the first time (and usually each year after) at Christmas, I always thought of it as a Christmas-Horror movie, which is funny to think that now. But, while that show traumatized me, it didn’t hold a candle to another show I only saw two episodes of and then it disappeared into the ether, but never left my brain.
As a young kid, most Saturday mornings meant I’d wake up and immediately run down the street, and go to my grandparents place that was only five houses down. They had satellite TV, which meant cartoons and channels I never even dreamed existed. At some point, I caught these two episodes of this show and then never saw it again. It could be that they actively changed the channel when it came on, spurred by the nightmares I had for weeks. I never knew the name and for many, many years, all I could think about was this crazy show involving kids, puppets, a giant, islands and a portal. It actually wasn’t until YESTERDAY (March 28th, 2024) while messaging with David about this novel, that I did a deeper dive and FOUND THE SHOW. For those wondering, it was called ‘Blizzard Island.’ You can read about it here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzar... – and watch part one of episode one here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUlO....
So, how does this relate to Sodergren’s forthcoming masterpiece? Well, I wasn’t completely sure if this kids show that scared me to my core was actually a real show. I thought it was, but with no concrete evidence that it actually existed, I always questioned myself that it did.
Which brings us to ‘Rotten Tommy.’ What if a kids show was made that was so cursed that almost everyone involved died? Think Tutankhamen Tomb’s curse. An urban legend. A creepypasta of sorts.
It was maybe two years ago that David had messaged me with the early inklings of this story, about the concepts and where he wanted to go, and I can confidently say that while those early bits were amazing, they don’t hold a candle to what he delivered.
What I liked: The novel follows Becky, an screenwriter in her early 40’s who has been diagnosed with autism on recently. To her, it explains a lot. Her mannerisms, her quirks and her love of her stuffed penguin, Grumpus. To her husband, John, it drives a wedge between the woman he married and the ‘weirdo’ he now lived with. Becky’s mother was an actress, but she disappeared forty-years ago and is presumed dead. Her father is now in a long-term care home suffering from dementia, and her sister Flora is self-centered and uncaring.
While some home renovations are happening, the workers alert Becky that they’ve found something in the wall. What they’ve found are three old video cassette tapes, marked ‘Rumplejack,’ and it’s from that point on that Sodergren takes us on an absolutely astounding ride. On the tapes are the forgotten episodes of the pilot for ‘Rumplejack,’ a show set in a small, ocean-side town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named ‘Stickemup,’ and a hand puppet king, known as ‘King Sausage.’ And as soon as you watch the episode, Tommy awakens, and he won’t stop until he finds you.
The character of Tommy was a perfect mix of Jason and Michael Myers. This massive, disfigured brute who speaks little, but swings a big club and is seemingly impervious to pain. Becky begins seeing him, and Tommy begins to let her know he’s near. People die. Horribly. And not until she partners up with a cop who always watched the video, does she feel like she have an ally, someone who believes her and who doesn’t judge her for her mannerisms.
A surprising element to this was the light, humorous moments. Often based around Jason Statham (you’ll understand once you read it), David perfectly placed these moments, and I say this as someone who generally doesn’t like humor in my horror.
Of course, all roads lead to this mythical town of ‘Rumplejack,’ and its here that the novel really shines. In fact, one scene was so masterful I messaged David to let him know he’d written something that made me question why I even write.
The story itself is a perfect blend of the joy we got while watching our kids shows with through the eyes of our youthful innocence, while not understanding some of the horribly dark content that was being glossed over by the use of hand puppets and shiny music.
The ending was perfect and David uses a phenomenal tie-in with the video itself, which had me so very happy, and it does leave the potential for further stories set within the same universe, especially when it relates to a mysterious corporation that is introduced.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, my only quibble was that a minor character within – a guy who transfers video’s and owns an emporium – didn’t factor in more at that time. He had an internet series that was spot on for the ‘Rumplejack’ tapes and I was hoping he’d play a slightly bigger role, but overall it didn’t change the story at all. I was just hoping to see some exciting meta moments from him, even relating to David’s other works.
Why you should buy this: When David released ‘The Haar,’ I didn’t know how he could top that. All of his work leading up to that novel was steadily growing in scope, conceptual execution and emotional development. It did everything people wished ‘The Shape of Water’ wanted to do. But with ‘Rotten Tommy’ he’s outdone even ‘The Haar.’ Tommy is a character that should please current fans of his work and invite in a whole new world of readers (and Trevor Henderson’s amazing cover art will grab even more folks’ attention), and the world and town of ‘Rumplejack’ is simply Jim Henson level brilliant. This is a novel that I’ll forever be upset about that I wasn’t able to write it. It ticks every single box in a story that I love about horror mixed with fantastical elements and the use of the missing TV show aspect was pristine.
Sodergren has created a legion of fans and has readers from every corner of the globe – but I often still see him as criminally overlooked when it comes to lists and ravings etc. etc. I think ‘Rotten Tommy’ just might be his all-time masterpiece. His ‘IT’ or his ‘Dracula’ or his ‘The Demonologist.’ The novel that blows the world away and raises him to that next level of author-ship. The one that he so deserves. Fingers crossed he just remembers my name in a few years!
‘Rotten Tommy’ is one of the best books I’ve ever read from one of the best authors out there and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Becky and visit ‘Rumplejack.’ Just lock the door.
“Your friends await,
So don’t be late,
To help them sing this song.”
To Rumplejack,
We’ve been away too long.”
I think each of us has a childhood show we used to watch that scared the ever-living-crap out of us. I distinctly remember how much the movie ‘The Monster Squad’ traumatized me at an early age, and because we watched it for the first time (and usually each year after) at Christmas, I always thought of it as a Christmas-Horror movie, which is funny to think that now. But, while that show traumatized me, it didn’t hold a candle to another show I only saw two episodes of and then it disappeared into the ether, but never left my brain.
As a young kid, most Saturday mornings meant I’d wake up and immediately run down the street, and go to my grandparents place that was only five houses down. They had satellite TV, which meant cartoons and channels I never even dreamed existed. At some point, I caught these two episodes of this show and then never saw it again. It could be that they actively changed the channel when it came on, spurred by the nightmares I had for weeks. I never knew the name and for many, many years, all I could think about was this crazy show involving kids, puppets, a giant, islands and a portal. It actually wasn’t until YESTERDAY (March 28th, 2024) while messaging with David about this novel, that I did a deeper dive and FOUND THE SHOW. For those wondering, it was called ‘Blizzard Island.’ You can read about it here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzar... – and watch part one of episode one here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUlO....
So, how does this relate to Sodergren’s forthcoming masterpiece? Well, I wasn’t completely sure if this kids show that scared me to my core was actually a real show. I thought it was, but with no concrete evidence that it actually existed, I always questioned myself that it did.
Which brings us to ‘Rotten Tommy.’ What if a kids show was made that was so cursed that almost everyone involved died? Think Tutankhamen Tomb’s curse. An urban legend. A creepypasta of sorts.
It was maybe two years ago that David had messaged me with the early inklings of this story, about the concepts and where he wanted to go, and I can confidently say that while those early bits were amazing, they don’t hold a candle to what he delivered.
What I liked: The novel follows Becky, an screenwriter in her early 40’s who has been diagnosed with autism on recently. To her, it explains a lot. Her mannerisms, her quirks and her love of her stuffed penguin, Grumpus. To her husband, John, it drives a wedge between the woman he married and the ‘weirdo’ he now lived with. Becky’s mother was an actress, but she disappeared forty-years ago and is presumed dead. Her father is now in a long-term care home suffering from dementia, and her sister Flora is self-centered and uncaring.
While some home renovations are happening, the workers alert Becky that they’ve found something in the wall. What they’ve found are three old video cassette tapes, marked ‘Rumplejack,’ and it’s from that point on that Sodergren takes us on an absolutely astounding ride. On the tapes are the forgotten episodes of the pilot for ‘Rumplejack,’ a show set in a small, ocean-side town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named ‘Stickemup,’ and a hand puppet king, known as ‘King Sausage.’ And as soon as you watch the episode, Tommy awakens, and he won’t stop until he finds you.
The character of Tommy was a perfect mix of Jason and Michael Myers. This massive, disfigured brute who speaks little, but swings a big club and is seemingly impervious to pain. Becky begins seeing him, and Tommy begins to let her know he’s near. People die. Horribly. And not until she partners up with a cop who always watched the video, does she feel like she have an ally, someone who believes her and who doesn’t judge her for her mannerisms.
A surprising element to this was the light, humorous moments. Often based around Jason Statham (you’ll understand once you read it), David perfectly placed these moments, and I say this as someone who generally doesn’t like humor in my horror.
Of course, all roads lead to this mythical town of ‘Rumplejack,’ and its here that the novel really shines. In fact, one scene was so masterful I messaged David to let him know he’d written something that made me question why I even write.
The story itself is a perfect blend of the joy we got while watching our kids shows with through the eyes of our youthful innocence, while not understanding some of the horribly dark content that was being glossed over by the use of hand puppets and shiny music.
The ending was perfect and David uses a phenomenal tie-in with the video itself, which had me so very happy, and it does leave the potential for further stories set within the same universe, especially when it relates to a mysterious corporation that is introduced.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, my only quibble was that a minor character within – a guy who transfers video’s and owns an emporium – didn’t factor in more at that time. He had an internet series that was spot on for the ‘Rumplejack’ tapes and I was hoping he’d play a slightly bigger role, but overall it didn’t change the story at all. I was just hoping to see some exciting meta moments from him, even relating to David’s other works.
Why you should buy this: When David released ‘The Haar,’ I didn’t know how he could top that. All of his work leading up to that novel was steadily growing in scope, conceptual execution and emotional development. It did everything people wished ‘The Shape of Water’ wanted to do. But with ‘Rotten Tommy’ he’s outdone even ‘The Haar.’ Tommy is a character that should please current fans of his work and invite in a whole new world of readers (and Trevor Henderson’s amazing cover art will grab even more folks’ attention), and the world and town of ‘Rumplejack’ is simply Jim Henson level brilliant. This is a novel that I’ll forever be upset about that I wasn’t able to write it. It ticks every single box in a story that I love about horror mixed with fantastical elements and the use of the missing TV show aspect was pristine.
Sodergren has created a legion of fans and has readers from every corner of the globe – but I often still see him as criminally overlooked when it comes to lists and ravings etc. etc. I think ‘Rotten Tommy’ just might be his all-time masterpiece. His ‘IT’ or his ‘Dracula’ or his ‘The Demonologist.’ The novel that blows the world away and raises him to that next level of author-ship. The one that he so deserves. Fingers crossed he just remembers my name in a few years!
‘Rotten Tommy’ is one of the best books I’ve ever read from one of the best authors out there and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Becky and visit ‘Rumplejack.’ Just lock the door.
“Your friends await,
So don’t be late,
To help them sing this song.”
February 8, 2026
Well this was fucking bananas lol
June 19, 2026
Upon finishing Rotten Tommy, I was like yuh I really liked that... then it kinda dawned on me how this was like the exact same structure as David's magnum opus, The Haar... i am too lazy to discuss in depth but just the uniting with the main monster, the MC realizing that they don't belong in this world and the grand ending vs government forces ... and so I said ...yeah no wonder I liked it.. he just put new make-up on the haar lol!!! this is my seventh sodergren book and certainly wont be my last.
I enjoy this horror trope you know about obscure children's programs and the entities that dwell in them being revisited decades later...read mister magic earlier this year and that was a good time as well . Giving Tommy 3 stars!
Review posted June 19, 2026 when Rotten Tommy has 4921 reviews with a 3.8 average
I enjoy this horror trope you know about obscure children's programs and the entities that dwell in them being revisited decades later...read mister magic earlier this year and that was a good time as well . Giving Tommy 3 stars!
Review posted June 19, 2026 when Rotten Tommy has 4921 reviews with a 3.8 average
August 6, 2024
‘Absolutely brilliant - loved it.’
‘Rotten Tommy’ is a bizarre, absurd and fantastical horror journey that takes the reader into an autistic landscape as seen through the eyes of the author, that somehow manages to go completely round full circle.
Lots of great gore-filled, adult action involving a host of fun characters that are all ‘apparently’ concentrated on the one over-riding purpose: to find out what actually happened to Becky’s, the main protagonists, long-lost mother.
If you like stories involving a murderous monster that is entwined within a blood-soaked, well hidden, cleverly constructed mystery adventure, but which ultimately is also endeavouring to deliver serious message, then this is definitely one not to be missed.
Interested? Well, go right ahead - dive right in there..The Sausage King and his friends await your presence as the gap between fictional make-believe and factual reality may well be a lot smaller than many of us actually believe.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiantly bright stars of pure horror writing genius.
‘Rotten Tommy’ is a bizarre, absurd and fantastical horror journey that takes the reader into an autistic landscape as seen through the eyes of the author, that somehow manages to go completely round full circle.
Lots of great gore-filled, adult action involving a host of fun characters that are all ‘apparently’ concentrated on the one over-riding purpose: to find out what actually happened to Becky’s, the main protagonists, long-lost mother.
If you like stories involving a murderous monster that is entwined within a blood-soaked, well hidden, cleverly constructed mystery adventure, but which ultimately is also endeavouring to deliver serious message, then this is definitely one not to be missed.
Interested? Well, go right ahead - dive right in there..The Sausage King and his friends await your presence as the gap between fictional make-believe and factual reality may well be a lot smaller than many of us actually believe.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiantly bright stars of pure horror writing genius.
March 11, 2025
Another good horror story from Sodergren. Rumplejack, is an old children’s show, set in a small town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named Stickemup, and a hand puppet pug, known as King Sausage. And a monster of the likes of Jason/Myers, named Tommy, who once awakened, will not stop until he finds you. Told primarily from the POV of Becky, mid 40’s autistic woman, whose marriage is on the rocks and mother disappeared many years ago. Three old VHS tapes are found in her childhood home that provide some clues to what happened all those years ago but at the same time they unleash a series of gruesome events. Really amusing characters, a entertaining plot, and a perfect Sodergren style ending!
August 3, 2026
It pains me to say that this was my least favorite of Sodergren’s books. I recently read two others and they were a blast, most of the people were terrible and the fun was watching them die in grisly ways. This time there are a few awful people who deserve what they get but I didn’t love the cursed VHS tapes and the weird cursed kids show mashup plot and it really lost me in its last third which was too chaotic for my current mood. Still, there were some fun moments (that’s mine! 🍆😹) and most people seem to love it so it’s probably another case of it’s me, not the book 🤷♀️. If you haven’t read this author I’d definitely start out with The Haar.
May 16, 2024
What about Tommy? What about Tommy you c*nt? Huh? You f*cking piece of sh*t motherfu-
So, this is some crazy sh*t.
I can always appreciate a vintage rehash of old muppet style children's TV shows, especially when it is spun as a twisted set of "haunted" VHS tapes.
The baseline of this story explores the rapidly evolving experiences of Becky Sharp, a woman at a generally down point in her life. Her mother went missing 40 years ago, she recently became diagnosed with Autism, and her husband has become nearly absent in her life. Reality starts to become surreal for her when construction workers find old videotapes hidden in the walls of her childhood home.
Enter the world of Rumplejack.
Rumplejack is not just a children's TV show. It seems to represent a portal to a TV show realm that tends to change a little bit every time you watch the tapes. Becky obsesses over these tapes when she finds that her mother is part of the cast. Her investigation leads her deeper into the depths of mind-bending insanity, pulling in her family and allies along the way.
You know we don't say his name.
Is he a hallucination, a haunting, or is he a real, genuine psychopath? All great questions as the bloodbath unfolds. Becky and friends are tormented and eventually torn apart by the mysterious giant pounding people into pudding mush. David Sodergren provides his slasher experience with a twilight zone twist. I felt similar to the way I felt reading Night Shoot, where at times all sense was completely out the window. The violence was senseless, yet the reactions were starkly the opposite, making the reality of it all become all the more violating and genuinely curious to a conscious mind.
I think that it was very well done, in the way that Sodergren built this reality and then stripped it apart piece by piece until that moment where all simply breaks, and a new reality is formed.
Reality is a state of mind, normal is relative, and consciousness is too easily malleable.
All of these ideologies are represented here in various ways, and ultimately that is my favorite part about this book.
In the end, I feel like I wanted to understand more of the reality. More of the micro-reality that is Rumplejack, and especially the government involvement. As I said, the violence felt senseless for a majority of the book. That is essentially the nature of slashers, and perhaps they're just not my favorite because they lack the additional details that I tend to appreciate in horror novels.
For example, when they did arrive in Rumplejack, the experiences they had there did not satisfy my curiosity of the realm, or for the story itself. When Stick'emup attacked them and The Sausage King came into play, I felt like that was a missed opportunity to expand the depth of the story a bit more. I do get the briefness of it all is essentially the style of the slasher (and the novella), but I wanted more depth overall. Nonetheless, as I continue to contemplate Becky's experiences, I see more into the mind of the author and the many layers involved in the ideas bringing this story together. This is a story about unraveling reality, and the goal was achieved.
I love David Sodergren's work because it is refreshing in the realm of horror novels. Indie, self published horror doesn't have the same scrutiny as corporate publication, paving the way for true creativity to come through.
In terms of horror, David Sodergren knows how to go there. It's difficult to keep me involved in one book straight through, and he does it for me every time. He is quickly rising to one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading his future books more so than I look forward to reading my lifetime favorite author Stephen King's. I would like to see more adventure horror novels from Sodergren. I think adventure horror doesn't get enough publication, and if I could have another adventure like The Forgotten Island, I would be so happy.
I recommend this book for horror fans and I recommend David Sodergren's work as a staple in every horror reader's lineup.
So, this is some crazy sh*t.
I can always appreciate a vintage rehash of old muppet style children's TV shows, especially when it is spun as a twisted set of "haunted" VHS tapes.
The baseline of this story explores the rapidly evolving experiences of Becky Sharp, a woman at a generally down point in her life. Her mother went missing 40 years ago, she recently became diagnosed with Autism, and her husband has become nearly absent in her life. Reality starts to become surreal for her when construction workers find old videotapes hidden in the walls of her childhood home.
Enter the world of Rumplejack.
Rumplejack is not just a children's TV show. It seems to represent a portal to a TV show realm that tends to change a little bit every time you watch the tapes. Becky obsesses over these tapes when she finds that her mother is part of the cast. Her investigation leads her deeper into the depths of mind-bending insanity, pulling in her family and allies along the way.
You know we don't say his name.
Is he a hallucination, a haunting, or is he a real, genuine psychopath? All great questions as the bloodbath unfolds. Becky and friends are tormented and eventually torn apart by the mysterious giant pounding people into pudding mush. David Sodergren provides his slasher experience with a twilight zone twist. I felt similar to the way I felt reading Night Shoot, where at times all sense was completely out the window. The violence was senseless, yet the reactions were starkly the opposite, making the reality of it all become all the more violating and genuinely curious to a conscious mind.
I think that it was very well done, in the way that Sodergren built this reality and then stripped it apart piece by piece until that moment where all simply breaks, and a new reality is formed.
Reality is a state of mind, normal is relative, and consciousness is too easily malleable.
All of these ideologies are represented here in various ways, and ultimately that is my favorite part about this book.
In the end, I feel like I wanted to understand more of the reality. More of the micro-reality that is Rumplejack, and especially the government involvement. As I said, the violence felt senseless for a majority of the book. That is essentially the nature of slashers, and perhaps they're just not my favorite because they lack the additional details that I tend to appreciate in horror novels.
For example, when they did arrive in Rumplejack, the experiences they had there did not satisfy my curiosity of the realm, or for the story itself. When Stick'emup attacked them and The Sausage King came into play, I felt like that was a missed opportunity to expand the depth of the story a bit more. I do get the briefness of it all is essentially the style of the slasher (and the novella), but I wanted more depth overall. Nonetheless, as I continue to contemplate Becky's experiences, I see more into the mind of the author and the many layers involved in the ideas bringing this story together. This is a story about unraveling reality, and the goal was achieved.
I love David Sodergren's work because it is refreshing in the realm of horror novels. Indie, self published horror doesn't have the same scrutiny as corporate publication, paving the way for true creativity to come through.
In terms of horror, David Sodergren knows how to go there. It's difficult to keep me involved in one book straight through, and he does it for me every time. He is quickly rising to one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading his future books more so than I look forward to reading my lifetime favorite author Stephen King's. I would like to see more adventure horror novels from Sodergren. I think adventure horror doesn't get enough publication, and if I could have another adventure like The Forgotten Island, I would be so happy.
I recommend this book for horror fans and I recommend David Sodergren's work as a staple in every horror reader's lineup.
July 13, 2024
3.5 For what it's worth, this is the best "cursed video of a mysterious children's show for the 80s that turns out to be real, and a nightmarish killer hunts down whoever watches it" novel I've ever read. And, surprisingly, I feel like I've read more than one. What is the subgenre of puppet horror books anyway? I love it. The is like the Ring straight-up mixed with The Terminator and it's pretty brutal and has some real creepy moments. Sodergren is really one of the best slasher novel writers right now, and this is no exception. Except, underneath it all, this is really just a silly book about a man who loves his dog.
A woman finds a missing person's flyer of herself from 40 years ago that she was too young to remember, around the time her mom went missing. After having moved back into the house she grew up in, she finds videotapes that seem like hour-long episodes of an 80s children's puppet show, but surreal and disturbing. After glimpsing her mother on the tapes she tries to get the tapes digitally copied, anyone who tries to watch it is attacked by a massive man with what seems like a scratched-out face.
What makes this book different are the comedy elements. The nightmare children's show world is ruled by a hand puppet of a pug who loves sausages. The sense of humor is kind of wholesome and silly, it kind of reminds me of what Dean Koontz would do with his more ridiculous plots. And there are so many dog jokes. Pug-based humor has actually been a theme with this author and it kind of comes to fruition here. Scary and action-packed, but also kind of silly with twenty percent more dog jokes. This would still be an awesome movie if anyone made it.
A woman finds a missing person's flyer of herself from 40 years ago that she was too young to remember, around the time her mom went missing. After having moved back into the house she grew up in, she finds videotapes that seem like hour-long episodes of an 80s children's puppet show, but surreal and disturbing. After glimpsing her mother on the tapes she tries to get the tapes digitally copied, anyone who tries to watch it is attacked by a massive man with what seems like a scratched-out face.
What makes this book different are the comedy elements. The nightmare children's show world is ruled by a hand puppet of a pug who loves sausages. The sense of humor is kind of wholesome and silly, it kind of reminds me of what Dean Koontz would do with his more ridiculous plots. And there are so many dog jokes. Pug-based humor has actually been a theme with this author and it kind of comes to fruition here. Scary and action-packed, but also kind of silly with twenty percent more dog jokes. This would still be an awesome movie if anyone made it.
August 3, 2024
what a wild ride this was!
this author is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this is only my second book by him.
love his writing style and how he keeps you captivated until the very end.
give him a go.
you won’t be disappointed.
this author is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this is only my second book by him.
love his writing style and how he keeps you captivated until the very end.
give him a go.
you won’t be disappointed.
October 8, 2025
Not my favorite by Sodergren. The first 3/4 was really good. Very creepy, plenty of gore, and wonderful tension buildup. But then the last quarter just goes crazy and is highly unrealistic, and nothing gets explained. I'm fine with some mystery around a plot, but this was too much.
April 7, 2026
This was very fun, gory and creepy. Its not my favorite of David's, but I still had a good time. I didn't love the ending though :/ I really wanted more answers.
August 2, 2025
While I found every single character insufferable, the haunted media plot was still quite intriguing.
David Sodergren’s books are the perfect summer read - cheesy, gory and all around a good time.
David Sodergren’s books are the perfect summer read - cheesy, gory and all around a good time.
October 24, 2025
Rotten Tommy by David Sodergren
David Sodergren’s Rotten Tommy is a masterclass in modern horror—gritty, atmospheric, and deeply human. From the first page, Sodergren establishes an unshakable sense of unease. The dread doesn’t come only from violence or shock, but from the slow, creeping tension that lingers in every scene. His pacing and vivid imagery create a constant feeling that something terrible is about to happen, even in moments of calm.
The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the horror. The small-town isolation amplifies the fear, making readers feel trapped alongside the characters. Every darkened corner and quiet moment becomes a relationship reminder that evil can thrive in familiar places. This setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing extension of the story’s anxiety and decay.
Sodergren also masterfully blends tones of suspense, tragedy, and dark humor. When the tension becomes unbearable, he inserts moments that are unsettlingly funny or ironic, forcing readers to question whether they should laugh or look away. The characters’ responses to fear and danger feel painfully real—driven by desperation, guilt, and survival instincts rather than heroism.
“Rotten Tommy” himself becomes more than just a name or a figure of horror. To the people around him, he represents a haunting embodiment of what happens when cruelty festers unchecked—a mirror reflecting the community’s hidden sins and collective guilt. As a reader, I found Tommy to be both horrifying and deeply tragic, symbolizing the ways society creates its own monsters.
Several characters inspire empathy despite their flaws. Sodergren writes them with nuance—people doing terrible things for reasons that feel painfully human. It’s impossible not to see parts of ourselves in their fear, shame, or need for redemption.
The story’s central themes—trauma, revenge, decay, and the cycle of cruelty—run deep. Through horror, Sodergren explores the darker side of human nature, showing how fear and guilt can twist people beyond recognition. Beneath the blood and brutality, the novel asks what happens when pain is ignored for too long, and whether forgiveness is ever truly possible.
Symbolically, Rotten Tommy addresses real-world issues: how communities turn away from the broken, how cruelty can be inherited, and how the line between victim and villain blurs when empathy is absent. The horror feels both literal and metaphorical—a mirror held up to the parts of humanity we’d rather not see.
Sodergren doesn’t just tell a story; he builds an experience—one that crawls under your skin and lingers long after you close the book. And remember… keep the door locked, night and day.
David Sodergren’s Rotten Tommy is a masterclass in modern horror—gritty, atmospheric, and deeply human. From the first page, Sodergren establishes an unshakable sense of unease. The dread doesn’t come only from violence or shock, but from the slow, creeping tension that lingers in every scene. His pacing and vivid imagery create a constant feeling that something terrible is about to happen, even in moments of calm.
The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the horror. The small-town isolation amplifies the fear, making readers feel trapped alongside the characters. Every darkened corner and quiet moment becomes a relationship reminder that evil can thrive in familiar places. This setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing extension of the story’s anxiety and decay.
Sodergren also masterfully blends tones of suspense, tragedy, and dark humor. When the tension becomes unbearable, he inserts moments that are unsettlingly funny or ironic, forcing readers to question whether they should laugh or look away. The characters’ responses to fear and danger feel painfully real—driven by desperation, guilt, and survival instincts rather than heroism.
“Rotten Tommy” himself becomes more than just a name or a figure of horror. To the people around him, he represents a haunting embodiment of what happens when cruelty festers unchecked—a mirror reflecting the community’s hidden sins and collective guilt. As a reader, I found Tommy to be both horrifying and deeply tragic, symbolizing the ways society creates its own monsters.
Several characters inspire empathy despite their flaws. Sodergren writes them with nuance—people doing terrible things for reasons that feel painfully human. It’s impossible not to see parts of ourselves in their fear, shame, or need for redemption.
The story’s central themes—trauma, revenge, decay, and the cycle of cruelty—run deep. Through horror, Sodergren explores the darker side of human nature, showing how fear and guilt can twist people beyond recognition. Beneath the blood and brutality, the novel asks what happens when pain is ignored for too long, and whether forgiveness is ever truly possible.
Symbolically, Rotten Tommy addresses real-world issues: how communities turn away from the broken, how cruelty can be inherited, and how the line between victim and villain blurs when empathy is absent. The horror feels both literal and metaphorical—a mirror held up to the parts of humanity we’d rather not see.
Sodergren doesn’t just tell a story; he builds an experience—one that crawls under your skin and lingers long after you close the book. And remember… keep the door locked, night and day.
July 15, 2026
Tropes
• Lost Media & Cursed VHS Tapes
• Creepy Children’s Television Show
• Relentless Slasher Villain
• Cold Case / Missing Parent Mystery
• Sinister Evil Corporation
The Vibe
If Scream, The Ring, and Michael Myers had a baby.
Premise
In Rotten Tommy by David Sodergren, Becky Sharp finds tapes hidden in the wall of her childhood home that are tied to her missing mother, and she unwittingly summons and unleashes bloodthirsty Rotten Tommy on everyone around her.
My Thoughts
Right out of the gate, the book delivers on the gore factor. Sodergren definitely knows how to write a visceral scene.
A cursed tape, a missing mom, an unstoppable killer. These tropes aren't brand new. However, experiencing this slasher and cursed tape mash-up through the mind of an adult-diagnosed autistic protagonist was entirely different. Merging those two distinct styles was incredibly creative and flawlessly executed.
I really liked Becky. Her neurodivergence is what makes her work; without that perspective, some of her decisions would have felt incredibly frustrating.
On the flip side, I definitely disliked some of the supporting characters. But honestly, I love it when the characters you're supposed to hate in a horror novel are written realistically. It makes their eventual deaths that much more satisfying.
My only real gripe is the ending. After such a great build-up, I was unfortunately left with too many unanswered questions about the monster's origins, its true motives and the mysterious shadowy organisation.
Rating & Recommendation
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Rating Breakdown:
▪ Fear Factor/Eeriness: 4/5
▪ Atmosphere and Tension: 4/5
▪ Pacing: 4/5
▪ Violence/Gore: 4/5
▪ Character Depth/Motivation: 4.5/5
▪ Handling of Tropes and Originality: 4.5/5
▪ The Payoff and Ending: 2.5/5
Recommended for anyone in the mood for a quick, bizarre, darkly whimsical horror read filled with dread and gore (especially if you don't mind having unanswered questions at the end).
Content Warnings: Explicit sexual content, strong language
July 29, 2026
slenderman core.
i wish to live in the lighthouse
i wish to live in the lighthouse
May 3, 2026
This is exactly why I keep working my way through David Sodergren’s backlist; he just doesn’t miss. This one easily lands among my favorites.
It’s gleefully grotesque in all the right ways. The gore is over the top without feeling cheap, the humor is sharp and perfectly timed, and somehow the two never undercut each other. Instead, they feed into that signature Sodergren tone, which is so unhinged, self aware, and wildly entertaining.
And yes… all hail the Sausage King.
What really sets him apart is how immersive his writing feels. There’s a momentum to it that pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go, no matter how bizarre or outrageous things get. You’re along for the ride whether you’re ready or not and that’s half the fun. If you’re into horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still fully commits to the chaos, this is Sodergren at his best.
It’s gleefully grotesque in all the right ways. The gore is over the top without feeling cheap, the humor is sharp and perfectly timed, and somehow the two never undercut each other. Instead, they feed into that signature Sodergren tone, which is so unhinged, self aware, and wildly entertaining.
And yes… all hail the Sausage King.
What really sets him apart is how immersive his writing feels. There’s a momentum to it that pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go, no matter how bizarre or outrageous things get. You’re along for the ride whether you’re ready or not and that’s half the fun. If you’re into horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still fully commits to the chaos, this is Sodergren at his best.
July 21, 2025
This was really fun and outlandish. Lots of gore!!!
December 12, 2024
4,5*
David Sodergren can do no wrong in my book. I know I can always rely on him for some good gore and violent horror.
Forty years ago, Becky’s mom disappeared without a trace. Now, while doing some home renovations in her childhood home, Becky finds 3 VHS tapes that belonged to her parents.
Her husband is also the most disgusting human being ever. I had to mention that because that guy deserves HELL.
She hopes the tapes might help her find some information about her mother and it is not a home sex tape, yikes. She goes to get the VHS tapes converted so that she can watch them on her computer.
But since the tapes were found, people around Becky start getting hurt. And when I saw hurt, I mean, people are going to be brutally murdered in the most gory ways possible. But that is what I love about David’s books. Almost nothing is off limits.
This novel is brutal, creepy, fantastical, it will take you back to your childhood and then proceed to traumatize you. And you are going to thank David for this.
The pacing was great and the short chapters made this novel so easy to read. You can easily read it in one sitting. I read half of it in one sitting.
For fans of some good bloody gore and cursed tapes.
Welcome to a new dimension of horror and prepare to be transported to a world of pain.
David Sodergren can do no wrong in my book. I know I can always rely on him for some good gore and violent horror.
Forty years ago, Becky’s mom disappeared without a trace. Now, while doing some home renovations in her childhood home, Becky finds 3 VHS tapes that belonged to her parents.
Her husband is also the most disgusting human being ever. I had to mention that because that guy deserves HELL.
She hopes the tapes might help her find some information about her mother and it is not a home sex tape, yikes. She goes to get the VHS tapes converted so that she can watch them on her computer.
But since the tapes were found, people around Becky start getting hurt. And when I saw hurt, I mean, people are going to be brutally murdered in the most gory ways possible. But that is what I love about David’s books. Almost nothing is off limits.
This novel is brutal, creepy, fantastical, it will take you back to your childhood and then proceed to traumatize you. And you are going to thank David for this.
The pacing was great and the short chapters made this novel so easy to read. You can easily read it in one sitting. I read half of it in one sitting.
For fans of some good bloody gore and cursed tapes.
Welcome to a new dimension of horror and prepare to be transported to a world of pain.
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