Edward: A Reels Prequel

by Troy Poppler

From the scorched trailer parks of the late 1970s to the blood-soaked carpets of suburbia, Edward’s childhood is a grotesque symphony of violence, necrophilia, and depraved creativity. His victims are young, old, and always unlucky. His methods are brutal, and his motivations? Pure, undiluted evil—with a splash of existential curiosity.

Stuffed with dark philosophy, black comedy, and stomach-turning gore, ‘EDWARD’ is the origin story of a child monster raised on roadkill, porn, and the rotting whispers of the dead. A macabre portrait of innocence lost and humanity discarded, this prequel to “REELS” carves out the heart of horror and pisses on the grave.

Genres: Horror

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[lucky 13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 splatter punk stars. Edward is a hardcore grotesque and gory story from the beginning to the end. so if you are looking for hardcore this is the book for you. on the bright side loved his pets!!

[A5hley Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Troy has done it again but this time turned it to 11

This book is disgusting,depraved and down right dehumanising and I am here for it!

Edward is fast becoming one of my favourite serial unalivers
this book is the prequel to Reels which was already a favourite of mine this year but this origin story brings a whole new cast of characters and we learn where the 162 IQ PhD in philosophy marvel that is Edward begins.

This book starts strong and gets more descriptive and disgusting as it goes on I find myself trying to think of what triggers this book missed and trust me there are very few this is certainly not a book for a newbie into the extreme horror genre.

Troy leaves this story open for more sequels and I’m so glad because I can’t wait to read more. Add this to your TBR you won’t be disappointed

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy 💩! what did I just read?! Edward is one of the most twisted, sadistic, and vile characters I’ve ever encountered. This book is absolutely disgusting… in the best possible way for extreme horror fans.

The violence and gore are top tier; graphic, brutal, and relentless. I found myself yelling “WTF?!” every few minutes. It’s disturbing, shocking, and downright insane, yet I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

If you love horror that doesn’t hold back and pushes every boundary imaginable, Edward will be right up your alley. Just prepare yourself, this isn’t for the faint of heart!

Thank you Troy Poppler - Author for the arc! It was absolutely wicked!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most messed up books I have read 5 stars just for shock factor alone, check ur triggers this book is absolutely brutal.

[Sara Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I loved every page.

This novella is captivating from page one. The writing gives just enough detail without over-explaining and somehow makes everything hit harder.
Each experience (as we will put it) is tailored in its own unique way. Nothing feels recycled or lazy, every moment feels crafted specifically for that days mood.
What surprised me most were the small flashes of humanity woven into the early chaos. Moments of remorse. A search for light. Even humor, because yes, I actually giggled at one point, which I did not expect from an extreme horror novella.
Im not sure exactly how I was picturing Edward in my mind, but reading his discription threw me in the best way. It adds another uncomfortable layer to the whole experience.
I’ll just say this: the bathroom scenes? Absolutely intense in the best ways. I cringed. I actually laughed. More than once. And that doesn’t happen often for me.
The mansion sequence is described so eloquently while still being completely depraved, which is honestly impressive.
Overall, this delivered exactly what extreme horror promises: brutal, creative, and unexpectedly layered.
If you like your horror dark, unflinching, and just a little unhinged, this one’s for you.

[Danielle Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

f you thought “Reels” was bad, buckle up, Buttercup. You’re about to go on the most nauseating ride of your life. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat, begging for mercy from a god that doesn’t exist. Bile will rise in your throat, and you might even lose the contents of your stomach. Believe me when I say that this is not a beginner’s introduction into splatterpunk. Even as a seasoned reader of the genre, Edward left me genuinely sick to my stomach and wondering what in God’s name did I just willingly put myself through. It only took me an hour to read but the story will haunt me for a lifetime. Troy’s ability to make me suffer at the hands of a paperback is purely diabolical and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Maybe I’m as disturbed in the head as our dear Edward. Though, maybe disturbed is too mellow of a word...

[Kim Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Prequel to REELS which is also available on Amazon.

Let me tell you...... If you love blood, gore, splatter punk, crossing the lines of mental stability, sexual fetish and the truly insane then this series is right down your alley! Troy Poppler is an amazing author who knows exactly how to make a person cringe while not being able to put the book down! This book is definitely NOT for the faint of heart!

I already purchased this paperback to add to my shrine of Troy's books! Lol

[Wicked Habit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal from beginning to end. Edwards body count keeps rising as we follow him through puberty and up into his college years. He’s a fun character that (if you read REELS) isn’t afraid to do what he wants. He makes many new friends (Beans is my favorite) and even gets himself a serious girlfriend. It’s a must read 👏
The chandelier scene will forever live rent free in my brain.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTF did I just read. Edward is one of the most twisted, outrageous, sick individuals in a book.
I have read ‘Everyone rides for free’ by Judith Sonnet and also ‘woom’ by Duncan Ralston, but I think this beats these two extreme horrors by far.
This is certainly not for the faint hearted and FULL of trigger warnings, but I could not stop reading this.
What a mad ride into extreme horror.

[Shaina Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely disgusting. Vile. I loved every moment of it! Edward loves three things in life: his mom, his "pets", and blood. Troy Poppler - Author absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one! If you want something extreme that will not only make you gag, but pull at your heart strings a bit, you don't want to pass on this one!

[Rhiannon Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Triggers: ALL of them. Except, oddly enough, no cruelty to live animals… well, except for the people!

It’s extreme. It’s vile. It’s offensive. It’s all the things an extreme horror story should be. It’s supposed to be an ‘origin’ story but there’s honestly no rhyme or reason for Edward’s monstrous actions – he just is. And honestly, that’s perfectly fine.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is the prequel to the short splatter-punk story, Reels. In this story we learn about Edward from childhood to adulthood. What made Edward the way he is? Were there mommy issues? Was he born broken? Does he hate people or does he just enjoy killing them? Read this prequel to find out more about Edward and his three best friends. Warning: this prequel definitely made me squirm more than Reels.

[Larae Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start describing this book. Unhinged, grotesque, gory, nose crunching, and saying WTF multiple times, rea.ly good book. Read your trigger warnings. This book was so good. I couldn't put it down. Talk about a kid growing up with mommy issues. Read it!!!!! You just gotta.

[M.K. McCollom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted

Edward is twisted AF. If you have read Reels you're gonna want to read this one too.
Learn why Edward is the way he is and what caused his twisted and murderous ways.
Troy will pull you in from the first page and you won't want to put the books down until you are finished even with as gruesome and grotesque as it is.

[Deadtxt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward was a cruel little boy who grows into something far worse. There are no limits to the twisted things his mind can conjure — he’s driven by a kind of quiet, calculated sadism that only deepens with time. With him, nothing is off the table.

[Jordynn Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Edward sure is one deranged individual! Did I enjoy it? Yes! What’s that say about me….well I’m just not sure! If you plan to read this one your gunna want to buckle up the amount of triggers in this could be a novel.

[Oliver Behegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, more so than Reels.
We need more Edward!

[Jon Naumchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a gruesome book. and I love every minute of it. Edward is a very twisted person.

[Holly Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a very disgusting disturbed boy Edward is 😳 first time reading Troy’s books but will say it definitely didn’t disappoint who doesn’t love a seriously messed up read.

[Ciara]

Whoever recommended this on my horror book group on Facebook…are you okay?

This was probably the most gruesome book I have ever read just because of the murder of Sherry and Chaz.

[Jenna Monteith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward is definitely a RIDE. This is a whole new level in the horror scape. THIS man can put you in a sick place like no other just with his words.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Jesus, did Edward calm down with age? Because that was wild. A lot of the scenarios felt really unlikely, in regards to not being caught, but it didn't really bother me too much.

[Miasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not prepared for what this book entailed. I thought I knew horror but this is the real definition of horror. That was a wild fucking ride; now I’m off to read book 1 & 3

[Samara Villa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Splatterpunk is one of those things you gotta rate by how bad did it gross you out 😆
This book is rowdy and intense. 3.5 splatters for me.

[christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely brutal and disgusting but also fucking hilarious

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward is an evil little guy... And I'm here for it.

Who doesn't need play friends and a few pets to keep them company as a child? Sure, they're not the most socially accepted ones but they keep him happy.
Journeying through from childhood through college you get to experience life in the hands of Edward. Not one you would ever want to touch or be touched by yourself, but it's definitely an interesting one.

[Britny Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a deranged and gory story that’ll make you squirm but continue reading with a scrunched nose and one eye closed, this is it!

[Kevin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward is a Sick Boy

Edward is a vile disgusting person who loves to make people suffer. From his parents to his ex-wife girlfriends parents ( and even his own child) , Edward lets his imagination guide him as to how each murder will play out. Gruesome acts of violence from the 1st page.
Be careful going into this story before reading the trigger warnings cause this book does not hold back on anything.
Highly recommended for those who like to see people get what they deserve...or not!!!

[Amanda Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This book is high speed horror on level 15. Disturbing, disgusting and gruesome, but I'm here for it. I must be broken because I enjoyed this.