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Sycamore Lane: A Horror Novel
From the author of "HUB" and "Sick B*stards"
Paula and Thomas think they've hit the jackpot when they get their dream home but their celebrations are cruelly cut short when Paula's life is snatched away from her; murdered when alone in the house while Thomas was out collecting groceries.
With the exception of Thomas, no one else was surprised by the brutal murder. The house, standing deep in the British countryside, was no stranger to death and - with a vulnerable new owner living there, consumed with grief - its ghosts were starting to stir.
Sycamore Lane is a horror novel full of suspense, psychological aspects, hungry cannibals and the supernatural. While not extreme throughout, there are disturbing scenes within this book, so if that's not to your taste, please note the story is not intended for the faint of heart.
Paula and Thomas think they've hit the jackpot when they get their dream home but their celebrations are cruelly cut short when Paula's life is snatched away from her; murdered when alone in the house while Thomas was out collecting groceries.
With the exception of Thomas, no one else was surprised by the brutal murder. The house, standing deep in the British countryside, was no stranger to death and - with a vulnerable new owner living there, consumed with grief - its ghosts were starting to stir.
Sycamore Lane is a horror novel full of suspense, psychological aspects, hungry cannibals and the supernatural. While not extreme throughout, there are disturbing scenes within this book, so if that's not to your taste, please note the story is not intended for the faint of heart.
- GenresHorror
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
13 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
533 books2,212 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 1, 2026
It's no secret that I'm a huge Matt Shaw fan.
A haunted house story is something that I have to be in the mood for and I rarely read ghost/ paranormal type stories.
BUT when Matt Shaw writes one, I make an exception.
It's refreshing to see him changing up subgenres, yet still staying loyal to the same writing style that has had me captivated for years.
A must read for haunted house fans
A haunted house story is something that I have to be in the mood for and I rarely read ghost/ paranormal type stories.
BUT when Matt Shaw writes one, I make an exception.
It's refreshing to see him changing up subgenres, yet still staying loyal to the same writing style that has had me captivated for years.
A must read for haunted house fans
August 24, 2025
Everyone knows the secrets of Sycamore Lane, except the new owners, Thomas and Paula. When even the coroners are reluctant to enter the house; a house where invite only parties seep into every fragment.
There are deliciously disgusting scenes, but the overwhelming immersion in the story is with the bereaved and bewildered Thomas - his loss and need for answers, the obfuscation and a dénouement to knock your socks off.
The first owner of the house is awesome. A friend every gal needs because - well, because you will find out when you read it…
There are deliciously disgusting scenes, but the overwhelming immersion in the story is with the bereaved and bewildered Thomas - his loss and need for answers, the obfuscation and a dénouement to knock your socks off.
The first owner of the house is awesome. A friend every gal needs because - well, because you will find out when you read it…
January 23, 2026
“I don’t recognize you from the parties.”
“I didn’t attend any of the parties.”
“A shame. They were good.”
Set in England.
Paula and Thomas Anderson are just moving into their new house in the countryside when tragedy strikes.
Odd sounds; mysterious intruders who just…vanish.
Heavy on flashbacks to the past.
Exclusive parties.
Lisa Reynolds and Benjamin Reed, the former owners.
The hunger.
The bones in the pit. 🦴
The house’s past—lots of history.
The punch. 🥤
Very scattered narrative; quite bizarre. More exposition would certainly help.
“What do you want?!”
“We just want to party.”
“I didn’t attend any of the parties.”
“A shame. They were good.”
Set in England.
Paula and Thomas Anderson are just moving into their new house in the countryside when tragedy strikes.
Odd sounds; mysterious intruders who just…vanish.
Heavy on flashbacks to the past.
Exclusive parties.
Lisa Reynolds and Benjamin Reed, the former owners.
The hunger.
The bones in the pit. 🦴
The house’s past—lots of history.
The punch. 🥤
Very scattered narrative; quite bizarre. More exposition would certainly help.
“What do you want?!”
“We just want to party.”
November 4, 2025
Did anyone proofread this one?
As much as I enjoy the deranged writings of Matt Shaw, this one was just…the typos, inaccurate punctuation and grammatical errors were painful to read and the true “horror” of the book. Sorry Matt.
As much as I enjoy the deranged writings of Matt Shaw, this one was just…the typos, inaccurate punctuation and grammatical errors were painful to read and the true “horror” of the book. Sorry Matt.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews