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.

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[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.

[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...

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

disturbing and insane

Wtf did I just read! This is the backstory to Edward in Reels.

It’s dark and depraved. Mind all of the trigger warnings. Honestly, I can’t even find the words to review. Disgusting, disturbing, but yet you cannot out it down. The writing style hooks you and DOESNT let go. Not sure if this qualifies as character building? 🤔

Literally all of the trigger warnings

[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.

[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.

[Amanda Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant.

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the depraved mind of Troy Poppler comes Edward, a REELS Prequel. Edward is a very sick little boy who loves disco music. Poppler takes us through Edward’s childhood and the making of a teenage serial killer. Edward and his special pets traverse his world looking for adventure. Preying on the kindness of others, Edward acts out his vile, repulsive desires and impulses. Poppler builds on Edward’s story as he slowly, methodically, dismembers the readers rational as Edward dismembers….well, read this book!! Well written, great pacing, vivid imagery and a disgustingly brutal plot. Be prepared for tons of bodily fluid,… AND that last scene..Holy Hell! I asked to be traumatized and Poppler delivered. This one is going to stick around in my mind for a while!

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I even put into words what I just read? It's watching a head-on collision or a train barreling down on a helpless family stuck on the tracks in their stranded car. You can't overt your eyes from the carnage that transpires.

In this episode of Edward we learn his life took an ugly turn at a young age. He may have a brilliant mind, beneath is a cold, disturbed, demonic being. He has no care who is victim is. His perverted, disgusting self enjoys the torture he instills upon them. He has new very loyal friends, Beans and Hamela. Who get to enjoy watching, hearing about, or partaking in the sadistic activities. Sometimes they are rewarded with a makeover. Thanks to the victims for their generous gifts.

At times I blankly stared at the words letting them sink in. I shouldn't have been shocked at how Edward takes his torment to the next level. Yet it smacked me in the face laughing. This one is filled with even more shockingly, volatile scenes. Edward brings hell alive wherever he goes.

[Epic Editz - Mindy Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew...this whole book from page one is pretty grotesque to be honest & will probably make every reader question their own sanity, since they chose to read it. It’s one of those books that you want to stop reading but yet you can’t because your own morbid curiosity won't allow it. 🤣 It gives you the creeps & makes you want to vomit & burn the images from your brain - and yet you still can't stop reading! Edward gives Dahmer a run for his money for sure! It's a story that creates a whole new worst nightmare that you didn’t even know you had - but still so worth the read! Readers be warned!

[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.