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Cabin Black
“There is no salvation in suffering… only structure and you are ready to be shaped.”
When five friends escape to a secluded cabin in the woods, they seek healing, inspiration, and perhaps a bit of fun. But what they encounter instead is a gaping wound in the earth that never stopped bleeding.
The land is cursed. The cabin is hungry. And the missing painter, Edward Black, left behind more than just canvases—he created a blueprint for hell.
As grotesque nightmares seep into reality, Spencer Castlebeck begins to paint things he doesn’t understand—visions of horror, godhood, and a war between ancient evils buried beneath the soil.
Each brushstroke acts as a summoning, and every drop of blood nourishes something that should have stayed dead.
For fans of Hellraiser, The Evil Dead, Event Horizon, and the grotesque visions of Cronenberg—Cabin Black is a brutal, mind-warping plunge into historical and artistic terror, body horror, and madness fueled by obsession.
The land is cursed. The cabin is hungry. And the missing painter, Edward Black, left behind more than just canvases—he created a blueprint for hell.
As grotesque nightmares seep into reality, Spencer Castlebeck begins to paint things he doesn’t understand—visions of horror, godhood, and a war between ancient evils buried beneath the soil.
Each brushstroke acts as a summoning, and every drop of blood nourishes something that should have stayed dead.
For fans of Hellraiser, The Evil Dead, Event Horizon, and the grotesque visions of Cronenberg—Cabin Black is a brutal, mind-warping plunge into historical and artistic terror, body horror, and madness fueled by obsession.
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Dan Shrader
29 books85 followersDan Shrader is a horror author hailing from Southern Indiana with a penchant for the macabre. He delves into the realms of Splatterpunk and Extreme, leaving no stone unturned in his twisted tales. His passion for writing ignited when he stumbled upon a treasure trove of VHS tapes at his grandparents. Within the confines of that box, he discovered a diverse collection of horror movie titles, including classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, C.H.U.D, Black Christmas, and Night of the Demons.
Since publishing in February of 2024, he has gained a following and received three horror award nominations for his novella “The Devil’s Rite” and debut collection “Those Who Live in Darkness.” Shrader is also known for his popular “Full Nasty” series and bestselling short story “Craven’s Freaks.”
Since publishing in February of 2024, he has gained a following and received three horror award nominations for his novella “The Devil’s Rite” and debut collection “Those Who Live in Darkness.” Shrader is also known for his popular “Full Nasty” series and bestselling short story “Craven’s Freaks.”
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 23, 2025
It's Dan Shrader. So, as you'd expect, top notch writing and a premise that you could really sink your hooks into. Tons of very gory instances, an extremely uncomfortable atmosphere, and a bunch of callbacks to some of the classics, i.e. Hellraiser and Evil Dead. Shrader also created some great lore and an experience that will satisfy fans of the aforementioned films. Maybe it's because I've read so many similar books, but I wanted some more from this somehow. It just seemed to hit its peak early on and coast on that for the remainder of the book, with nothing necessarily fresh being introduced to break up the monotony a bit. Maybe it could have used some more juvenile banter between the friends ahead of all hell breaking loose...or maybe it's more breaking into hell? But it just felt like it got repetitive after a while. Still a very good outing from a talented writer, horror fans should give this a look during the Halloween season.
July 29, 2025
This went Evil Dead on me pretty fast! "Cabin Black" is a dark piece of cabin horror (well, duh...), though it draws on so many classic 90s horror tropes (evil entities offering a sinister kind of salvation, cursed objects powering openings to realms of pain and suffering, people getting drawn to their own self-destruction) that it very soon grows into a multi-layered, brutal nightmare with no exit and no do-overs anywhere! Once you're in the cabin, that's it: you're f*cked.
Pity those poor four souls who choose to visit the damn cabin. Shrader knows how to make you care for them, even when they irritate you (they did me!) with their youthful cheer, the occasional existential angst, the non-stop jibes... Yet there's an artist among them, a young painter who feels connected to the cabin's former owner far more than the others. Is he right? What might happen when all this creative energy, this vitality of subdued and unchanneled force within, meets the darkness lurking inside Cabin Black? Well, if you want to know -and if you're a horror fan, trust me, you do!-, Schrader's definitely the guy to take you there and show you.
Art, murder, psychological torment, cannibalism; nightmarish visions, obsession, doomed love, grotesque body horror; plus indigenous myths and witchcraft - this one has it all, irreducible to any single one of its parts. The horror in the book comes in waves, each time different, gradually building up to the explosive reveal. And even then it doesn't stop - the epilogue just pushes the boundaries some more. Highly recommended!
Pity those poor four souls who choose to visit the damn cabin. Shrader knows how to make you care for them, even when they irritate you (they did me!) with their youthful cheer, the occasional existential angst, the non-stop jibes... Yet there's an artist among them, a young painter who feels connected to the cabin's former owner far more than the others. Is he right? What might happen when all this creative energy, this vitality of subdued and unchanneled force within, meets the darkness lurking inside Cabin Black? Well, if you want to know -and if you're a horror fan, trust me, you do!-, Schrader's definitely the guy to take you there and show you.
Art, murder, psychological torment, cannibalism; nightmarish visions, obsession, doomed love, grotesque body horror; plus indigenous myths and witchcraft - this one has it all, irreducible to any single one of its parts. The horror in the book comes in waves, each time different, gradually building up to the explosive reveal. And even then it doesn't stop - the epilogue just pushes the boundaries some more. Highly recommended!
December 19, 2025
Wow!
First things first, I want to say I never want to read this book again. That's how visceral my reaction was to this story. I can see why people say this is Shrader's best work yet. If he continues writing stories like this he'll be a force to reckon with.
With strong Evil Dead vibes, I was drawn into the terrifying and dark world of Cabin Black right from the beginning. Shrader used such wonderfully dark descriptions that you can't help but see The landscape, the creature, the paintings and the cabin in your mind.
Gory, but not crossing into the extreme horror realm, I loved every word.
First things first, I want to say I never want to read this book again. That's how visceral my reaction was to this story. I can see why people say this is Shrader's best work yet. If he continues writing stories like this he'll be a force to reckon with.
With strong Evil Dead vibes, I was drawn into the terrifying and dark world of Cabin Black right from the beginning. Shrader used such wonderfully dark descriptions that you can't help but see The landscape, the creature, the paintings and the cabin in your mind.
Gory, but not crossing into the extreme horror realm, I loved every word.
July 30, 2025
“A face in the dark. Frozen in mid-scream and warped. It looked almost painted there, staring into the camera. Like it knew who would be holding it.”
Another phenomenal read from Dan! It’s been fun watching him grow as an author. Cabin Black follows a group of friends who go support their friend, Spencer, who’s an artist in a remote cabin for a vacay. This cabin holds a dark history and eventually sucks Spencer all the way into its darkness. It wants blood. This one explores themes of body horror, possession, and even love. The ending was *chefs kiss.
Highly recommend checking this one out! Cabin Black releases September 8th, 2025.
Another phenomenal read from Dan! It’s been fun watching him grow as an author. Cabin Black follows a group of friends who go support their friend, Spencer, who’s an artist in a remote cabin for a vacay. This cabin holds a dark history and eventually sucks Spencer all the way into its darkness. It wants blood. This one explores themes of body horror, possession, and even love. The ending was *chefs kiss.
Highly recommend checking this one out! Cabin Black releases September 8th, 2025.
December 24, 2025
So, because i got this book for free you know what that means SHITTY REVIEW (shitty because i’m writing it)
“Drink softens the soul. It loosens the tether. It invites the dark in without question. You opened your mouths and let it crawl down your tongues like communion. Now it’s inside. Watching. Seeing through your eyes. Every breath you take now is borrowed. Every blink—permitted.”
ANYWAYS, what an AMAZING short story to read during Dancember (i don’t remember who or where i saw that but i loved it) this i think is my first Dan book, but I will be back and reading more ! It’s so FUNNY because while I was read it i was like “wow this gives off such hellraiser , cabin in the woods , evil dead , etc vibes” just to read the authors note saying that’s what he grew up on LOL, so good job letting what inspired you speak through you, so beautifully done. 🫀
“Drink softens the soul. It loosens the tether. It invites the dark in without question. You opened your mouths and let it crawl down your tongues like communion. Now it’s inside. Watching. Seeing through your eyes. Every breath you take now is borrowed. Every blink—permitted.”
ANYWAYS, what an AMAZING short story to read during Dancember (i don’t remember who or where i saw that but i loved it) this i think is my first Dan book, but I will be back and reading more ! It’s so FUNNY because while I was read it i was like “wow this gives off such hellraiser , cabin in the woods , evil dead , etc vibes” just to read the authors note saying that’s what he grew up on LOL, so good job letting what inspired you speak through you, so beautifully done. 🫀
August 26, 2025
Have you ever been inspired by someone famous? Someone who you looked up to for their incredible and unique art? Spencer was and his idol was Edward Black. A famous painter with a taste for darkness. His paintings were different, dark, and held sinister meanings. When Spencer's dad buys a piece of land that has a cabin Black stayed at, he knew he had to go. He needed to see it and he took his friends with him
Spencer's girlfriend Camilla has been haunted by strange and vivid dreams. They seem to be getting worse and worse and once they get to the cabin, she realizes they are connected. This cabin holds a very dark secret. An old secret, an old curse that is stronger than they expected. And with Black involved, it's extremely sinister. This group of friends quickly starts to see the vile and sinister powers this land holds. Everyone is a special piece in Black's homemade hell.
This is by far my favourite book from Dan. The visuals in this book are incredible. As a reader, these chapters really immerse you in the story and you can smell the rot. You feel the chains in your bones, and you can see Black in the flesh. I loved the movie reference scenes so much! Evil Dead and Hellraiser would be extremely proud! I love a villain and Black is at the top of my list. I highly suggest this incredible read to everyone! Well done!
Spencer's girlfriend Camilla has been haunted by strange and vivid dreams. They seem to be getting worse and worse and once they get to the cabin, she realizes they are connected. This cabin holds a very dark secret. An old secret, an old curse that is stronger than they expected. And with Black involved, it's extremely sinister. This group of friends quickly starts to see the vile and sinister powers this land holds. Everyone is a special piece in Black's homemade hell.
This is by far my favourite book from Dan. The visuals in this book are incredible. As a reader, these chapters really immerse you in the story and you can smell the rot. You feel the chains in your bones, and you can see Black in the flesh. I loved the movie reference scenes so much! Evil Dead and Hellraiser would be extremely proud! I love a villain and Black is at the top of my list. I highly suggest this incredible read to everyone! Well done!
July 10, 2025
Cabin Black is a genre-bending nightmare that effortlessly weaves together black magic, folklore, 80's splatter and dark fantasy. Each page is drips with blood, slime, and any other fluids Shrader manages to squeeze out of the unfortunate cast. You’re all going to have a blast with this one!
October 2, 2025
review to come.
July 15, 2025
“Some curses don’t die. Especially not the old ones. Especially not the ones placed in vengeance.”
I have read every single story and book that Dan Shrader has published. We entered the horror community around the same, albeit different roles, so it’s been really neat to see where he started to where he is now. Cabin Black is hands down Shrader at his absolute best. This book was one hell of a ride with so many twists and turns.
When a group of friends decides to go to a cabin in support of their artist friend, the dissent into madness gets real. And Shrader does a phenomenal job at making the readers feel it. It is brutal at times and has some solid body horror along with possession.
For fans of Hellraiser, The Evil Dead, Event Horizon, and The Cell… this one is for you.
Themes you can expect are:
Haunting and possession.
Disturbing history.
Tortured artist.
Grotesque body horror.
Love cradled by obsession.
Legacy of violence.
Art as a parasite.
Per Dan Shrader:
“I WANTED TO CRAFT A STORY THAT INTERTWINES CLASSIC HORROR TROPES
WHILE GIVING THEM A FRESH TWIST AND ELEVATING THE THEMES TO THE LEVELS OF BARKER AND CRONENBERG. I HOPE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE MANY REMARKABLE AUTHORS AND DIRECTORS WITHIN THE GENRE. THESE STORIES OF THEIRS INFLUENCED ME SO MUCH."
And he did just that… plus so much more. Cabin Black gets an easy five stars from me. It will be available on September 8th, so mark your calendars and make sure to get your hands on this one.
I have read every single story and book that Dan Shrader has published. We entered the horror community around the same, albeit different roles, so it’s been really neat to see where he started to where he is now. Cabin Black is hands down Shrader at his absolute best. This book was one hell of a ride with so many twists and turns.
When a group of friends decides to go to a cabin in support of their artist friend, the dissent into madness gets real. And Shrader does a phenomenal job at making the readers feel it. It is brutal at times and has some solid body horror along with possession.
For fans of Hellraiser, The Evil Dead, Event Horizon, and The Cell… this one is for you.
Themes you can expect are:
Haunting and possession.
Disturbing history.
Tortured artist.
Grotesque body horror.
Love cradled by obsession.
Legacy of violence.
Art as a parasite.
Per Dan Shrader:
“I WANTED TO CRAFT A STORY THAT INTERTWINES CLASSIC HORROR TROPES
WHILE GIVING THEM A FRESH TWIST AND ELEVATING THE THEMES TO THE LEVELS OF BARKER AND CRONENBERG. I HOPE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE MANY REMARKABLE AUTHORS AND DIRECTORS WITHIN THE GENRE. THESE STORIES OF THEIRS INFLUENCED ME SO MUCH."
And he did just that… plus so much more. Cabin Black gets an easy five stars from me. It will be available on September 8th, so mark your calendars and make sure to get your hands on this one.
July 17, 2025
Okay, I know, you are tired of hearing it, but again, this might be my favorite from Dan, he has hit some magical combo of horror and absolute darkness that sings.
Okay so yes, it did have isolation horror and that is my weakness, but holy crap was this good.
Spencer Castlebeck starts out painting things he doesn't understand where the inspiration is coming from, such dark, blood filled horrific scenes and the more he paints, the more real it seems.
This isn't some quick murder horror cabin scene, this is a dark story, sometimes evil doesn't die, and it festers, grows and becomes more.
Trying to resist demons and other stuff, fine, but what do you do when everything around you is trying to devour you completely soul and all.
I need more of this from Dan.
Thank you for letting me read this early.
Okay so yes, it did have isolation horror and that is my weakness, but holy crap was this good.
Spencer Castlebeck starts out painting things he doesn't understand where the inspiration is coming from, such dark, blood filled horrific scenes and the more he paints, the more real it seems.
This isn't some quick murder horror cabin scene, this is a dark story, sometimes evil doesn't die, and it festers, grows and becomes more.
Trying to resist demons and other stuff, fine, but what do you do when everything around you is trying to devour you completely soul and all.
I need more of this from Dan.
Thank you for letting me read this early.
October 18, 2025
WOW
5/5 🍒
Some friends go to a cabin that one of their fathers bought to reconnect and spend time together. But in what world does that ever go right?
Isolated and intent on having fun, they ignore signs telling them to leave. Shortly after their arrival shit hits that fan. Some of them begin to change. Change into something or someone they’re not.
As hell bleeds through the walls and floors of the cabin the group descends into madness. Will they be able to escape the horrors that await them or are they doomed for eternity?
I arc read Dan’s very first book and I loved his writing then. Now? I’m obsessed. It’s so polished and powerful. He writes you a movie that he intends for you to watch in your mind. Laying out the framework for a truly sinister story. I felt as though I was right there with the characters. The descriptions are amazing and not overly so. It’s going to be very hard for me not to just blow through every book he’s written. I want to savor what he has to offer. I can’t wait to keep witnessing his evolution.
5/5 🍒
Some friends go to a cabin that one of their fathers bought to reconnect and spend time together. But in what world does that ever go right?
Isolated and intent on having fun, they ignore signs telling them to leave. Shortly after their arrival shit hits that fan. Some of them begin to change. Change into something or someone they’re not.
As hell bleeds through the walls and floors of the cabin the group descends into madness. Will they be able to escape the horrors that await them or are they doomed for eternity?
I arc read Dan’s very first book and I loved his writing then. Now? I’m obsessed. It’s so polished and powerful. He writes you a movie that he intends for you to watch in your mind. Laying out the framework for a truly sinister story. I felt as though I was right there with the characters. The descriptions are amazing and not overly so. It’s going to be very hard for me not to just blow through every book he’s written. I want to savor what he has to offer. I can’t wait to keep witnessing his evolution.
October 11, 2025
Loved the premise of this one, it oozed inspiration from epic horror such as Hellraiser and the Evil Dead. Genuinely impressed with what the author was able to pack into 156 pages, this was so descriptive and really enjoyed the body horror.
October 11, 2025
Horror and nostalgia are all over this book! Cabin Black is like watching every 90s horror movie that you can think of. I encourage you to read this
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews