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The Rise: Tales From The Gulp 3
The Rise (Tales From The Gulp #3)Strange things happen in The Gulp. The residents have grown used to it.
The isolated Australian harbour town of Gulpepper is not like other places. Some maps don’t even show it. And only outsiders use the full name. Everyone who lives there calls it The Gulp. The place has a habit of swallowing people.
A couple of weed dealers give themselves a real headache.
A young man finds joy in a secret place with the new love of his life.
The children of violent, bigoted parents fight for survival.
One of the world’s biggest stars takes time out in Gulpepper’s newest Institution.
The return of an old foe threatens the existence of Gulpepper itself.
Five more novellas. Five more descents into darkness.
Welcome to The Gulp, where nothing is as it seems.
The isolated Australian harbour town of Gulpepper is not like other places. Some maps don’t even show it. And only outsiders use the full name. Everyone who lives there calls it The Gulp. The place has a habit of swallowing people.
A couple of weed dealers give themselves a real headache.
A young man finds joy in a secret place with the new love of his life.
The children of violent, bigoted parents fight for survival.
One of the world’s biggest stars takes time out in Gulpepper’s newest Institution.
The return of an old foe threatens the existence of Gulpepper itself.
Five more novellas. Five more descents into darkness.
Welcome to The Gulp, where nothing is as it seems.
- GenresShort StoriesHorror
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2026
12 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Alan Baxter
134 books532 followersMy book rating system:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Brilliant, I bloody loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really good, highly recommended.
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyable, well worth a read.
I don't talk about ⭐⭐ and ⭐ reads because I only talking up the good stuff. That's why my Goodreads rarely has anything under a ⭐⭐⭐.
Bio: Alan Baxter is a British-Australian multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers, dark fantasy, and crime. He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among the valleys of southern Tasmania.
Fond him online at www.alanbaxter.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 6, 2026
Welcome to the Gulp
Where Nothing is as it Seems...
THE RISE: Tales From The Gulp 3
by Alan Baxter
5 stars. As we've learned from previous visits to Gulpepper (The Gulp), strange things happen, but the town has grown used to it...
Gulpepper, an isolated Australian harbor town, is unlike other places, and you won't find it on most maps...
Locals know it as The Gulp for its habit of swallowing the unwary...
Five novellas tell the continuing story of this eerie little town...
STRANGE LEAVES:
Two petty criminals accidentally kill a third over drugs. They knew that Chrissy Carter, the new drug lord in The Gulp, would have their hides, so they decided to make the dead man disappear. Every plan has its hitches...
SUNLIGHT ON CLEAR WATER
Beverly and Will were traveling a road, heading to the top of the ridge. Will didn't even know this road existed, but no one has ever seen all of The Gulp...
VITULINUM
Connor Tucker knew that he had to find a way to save himself and his siblings from their abusive father. On the street, he saw a strange sign posted, but the old woman on the seawall warned him to beware the bearer of that sign...
THE GULPEPPER INSTITUTE
OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Rockstar Eevie had never heard of Gulpepper, but she was on her way to its institute of wellbeing. Eevie was having a breakdown...
THE RISE
Where Gulpepper was concerned, Chrissy Carter had intuition. She sensed fundamental shifts were underway in The Gulp. It was like some great machine was about to start up. She just didn't know the machine's purpose...
Welcome to The Gulp, where nothing is as it seems. Gulpepper will always be a nexus for the inexplicable...
This third trip to The Gulp was quite a ride. I love the idea of a quirky town with unforseen dangers and elements at play. A place where the unwise or the unwary could come up missing. All five of the novellas tell the story of this seaside town in a cohesive way. While I recommend this novel, I also recommend reading the other two first. Great series!
Where Nothing is as it Seems...
THE RISE: Tales From The Gulp 3
by Alan Baxter
5 stars. As we've learned from previous visits to Gulpepper (The Gulp), strange things happen, but the town has grown used to it...
Gulpepper, an isolated Australian harbor town, is unlike other places, and you won't find it on most maps...
Locals know it as The Gulp for its habit of swallowing the unwary...
Five novellas tell the continuing story of this eerie little town...
STRANGE LEAVES:
Two petty criminals accidentally kill a third over drugs. They knew that Chrissy Carter, the new drug lord in The Gulp, would have their hides, so they decided to make the dead man disappear. Every plan has its hitches...
SUNLIGHT ON CLEAR WATER
Beverly and Will were traveling a road, heading to the top of the ridge. Will didn't even know this road existed, but no one has ever seen all of The Gulp...
VITULINUM
Connor Tucker knew that he had to find a way to save himself and his siblings from their abusive father. On the street, he saw a strange sign posted, but the old woman on the seawall warned him to beware the bearer of that sign...
THE GULPEPPER INSTITUTE
OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Rockstar Eevie had never heard of Gulpepper, but she was on her way to its institute of wellbeing. Eevie was having a breakdown...
THE RISE
Where Gulpepper was concerned, Chrissy Carter had intuition. She sensed fundamental shifts were underway in The Gulp. It was like some great machine was about to start up. She just didn't know the machine's purpose...
Welcome to The Gulp, where nothing is as it seems. Gulpepper will always be a nexus for the inexplicable...
This third trip to The Gulp was quite a ride. I love the idea of a quirky town with unforseen dangers and elements at play. A place where the unwise or the unwary could come up missing. All five of the novellas tell the story of this seaside town in a cohesive way. While I recommend this novel, I also recommend reading the other two first. Great series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review in the February 2026 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2026/02...
Three Words That Describe This Book: Strong Sense of Place, lingering terror, novellas
Okay first things first-- if Baxter lived in America he would be more popular here. And specifically these Tales from the Gulp-- 3 books of novellas now-- create a connected mythos for fanes of King's Castle Rock.
I hope this review in Booklist will encourage libraries to add all three volumes of Tales from the Gulp.
The set up is easy and one you have heard before-- an extremely haunted and sinister town. Here it is Gulpepper, a small harbor town in Australia. One that locals are used to but that holds forces that will literally eat you alive. Nothing good will happen to you here. And The Gulp is never satisfied.
However, in Baxter's hands, the trope is never stale. We know bad things are going to happen and yet, we keep reading. He makes the reader care about the characters and even hope things will turn out okay this time. EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THEY WILL NOT. That is some good storytelling. Great sense of places, just the right amount of connected mythos, and excellently drawn characters we care about.
In terms of the specific stories here. The second and fourth are my favorites. The second follows a kid who is new to town and meets the girl of his dreams (but it is The Gulp so...) and the fourth-- when a movie star goes to a retreat to detox and relax but it is in The Gulp.
Both are a perfect example of what I say in the paragraph above.
Anything by Owl Goingback– his FL books are a perfect match. It by King, We Are Always Tender with our Dead by LaRocca, Any of the Wayward Pines books by Blake Crouch, Hex by Olde Heuvelt, The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste, Jackal by Erin Adams. This is all just a start. There are so many options.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Strong Sense of Place, lingering terror, novellas
Okay first things first-- if Baxter lived in America he would be more popular here. And specifically these Tales from the Gulp-- 3 books of novellas now-- create a connected mythos for fanes of King's Castle Rock.
I hope this review in Booklist will encourage libraries to add all three volumes of Tales from the Gulp.
The set up is easy and one you have heard before-- an extremely haunted and sinister town. Here it is Gulpepper, a small harbor town in Australia. One that locals are used to but that holds forces that will literally eat you alive. Nothing good will happen to you here. And The Gulp is never satisfied.
However, in Baxter's hands, the trope is never stale. We know bad things are going to happen and yet, we keep reading. He makes the reader care about the characters and even hope things will turn out okay this time. EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THEY WILL NOT. That is some good storytelling. Great sense of places, just the right amount of connected mythos, and excellently drawn characters we care about.
In terms of the specific stories here. The second and fourth are my favorites. The second follows a kid who is new to town and meets the girl of his dreams (but it is The Gulp so...) and the fourth-- when a movie star goes to a retreat to detox and relax but it is in The Gulp.
Both are a perfect example of what I say in the paragraph above.
Anything by Owl Goingback– his FL books are a perfect match. It by King, We Are Always Tender with our Dead by LaRocca, Any of the Wayward Pines books by Blake Crouch, Hex by Olde Heuvelt, The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste, Jackal by Erin Adams. This is all just a start. There are so many options.
February 24, 2026
Another amazing set of stories set in the town of Gulpepper. This whole series is incredible, and this book takes it up another notch!
December 15, 2025
I’ve loved the Gulp since the first volume, something about it really got under my skin and bloomed there; and it might be the best series out there for small town horror!
Having written about my own small town ‘Juniper’ and writing three books in that space, I know the trepidation Baxter talks about in his afterword, leave them wanting more, don’t return, what if you mess it up - well, if anything Baxter put the bloody exclamation mark on this series of Gulps (pun intended) because he went out with a bang, and that’s the best way to go.
Also, this was some of the craziest, bloodiest, darkest stuff I’ve read from Baxter and I for one, bloody loved it. There’s a story in here that comes with a content warning before you read, right there on the page, not at the start of the book, slap bang as the story opens…and it’s there for a reason. This story was epic, dark, unsettling, gritty and painful to read, however that endeared that story to me all the more as someone who pushes those boundaries often myself.
The whole collection is too drawer, and although Baxter says this is the end, I, along with many of you, hope it isn’t - the Gulp is a part of us, that dark unsettling blemish beneath the skin, we want it to surface again so we can dive back in, explore its mottled edges, press a finger to it and peer at it under the microscope…
Unsettling, uncanny and all kinds of unbelievable…Baxter delivers a horror masterclass, deftly and expertly hammering the last nail in the Gulp’s coffin!
Having written about my own small town ‘Juniper’ and writing three books in that space, I know the trepidation Baxter talks about in his afterword, leave them wanting more, don’t return, what if you mess it up - well, if anything Baxter put the bloody exclamation mark on this series of Gulps (pun intended) because he went out with a bang, and that’s the best way to go.
Also, this was some of the craziest, bloodiest, darkest stuff I’ve read from Baxter and I for one, bloody loved it. There’s a story in here that comes with a content warning before you read, right there on the page, not at the start of the book, slap bang as the story opens…and it’s there for a reason. This story was epic, dark, unsettling, gritty and painful to read, however that endeared that story to me all the more as someone who pushes those boundaries often myself.
The whole collection is too drawer, and although Baxter says this is the end, I, along with many of you, hope it isn’t - the Gulp is a part of us, that dark unsettling blemish beneath the skin, we want it to surface again so we can dive back in, explore its mottled edges, press a finger to it and peer at it under the microscope…
Unsettling, uncanny and all kinds of unbelievable…Baxter delivers a horror masterclass, deftly and expertly hammering the last nail in the Gulp’s coffin!
February 16, 2026
I'm a longtime Gulper. I wear it as a badge of horror.
The moment the stories start, I am transported to this Xanadon't. You can feel the wrongness seeping from the pages, and it's delicious.
Despite being 5 novellas, they all build and lead to the last, The Rise, the culmination of the odd and horrific events. I think I liked, The Gulpepper Institute of Health and Well Being, the most, but they are all so, so good. The characters stay with you, but you can't depend on them staying, so don't get too attatched (and that's hard to do). I would gladly read more about these people whether it is in the Gulp or elsewhere, I wonder what residual effects they carry with them.
I love/ fear this weird, horrible place, but somehow it's comforting to be back.
The moment the stories start, I am transported to this Xanadon't. You can feel the wrongness seeping from the pages, and it's delicious.
Despite being 5 novellas, they all build and lead to the last, The Rise, the culmination of the odd and horrific events. I think I liked, The Gulpepper Institute of Health and Well Being, the most, but they are all so, so good. The characters stay with you, but you can't depend on them staying, so don't get too attatched (and that's hard to do). I would gladly read more about these people whether it is in the Gulp or elsewhere, I wonder what residual effects they carry with them.
I love/ fear this weird, horrible place, but somehow it's comforting to be back.
March 23, 2026
Back in 2021 & 2022, Alan Baxter gave us two memorable collections of novellas – first with 2021’s ‘The Gulp’ and ‘The Fall’ coming the following year. It introduced us to the odd and quicky (and mysterious) remote own of Gulpepper, Australia and the folks who inhabit it – some by choice, others involuntarily.
The stories of what took place within and around The Gulp were all fantastic, all cosmically charged and the mythos the Alan infused in each story made me want more. After finished ‘The Fall,’ I kind of assumed that Baxter was done (to a degree) with the world of ‘The Gulp,’ but then earlier in 2025, Alan messaged me to ask if I’d have time to beta read the third entry in the world. Unfortunately (and sadly on my end!), I simply didn’t have the time needed to devote what Alan would adequately need, as one doesn’t simply read the stories set in the world of The Gulp – insert Sean Bean meme here if you want – one lives and breathes them. And though I couldn’t beta read the collection of five new novellas, I preordered the Kindle edition and jumped in as soon as I could, once it loaded onto my e-reader.
What I liked: As mentioned, ‘The Rise’ contains five novellas of new stories taking place in The Gulp. This one is comprised of the first four being interconnected – both in location (duh!) and in narrative – before arriving at the fifth novella which combines everything that’s taken place and wraps up the insanity that built in the first four.
The first novella is ‘Strange Leaves,’ which was hands down my favorite of the batch, purely because it starts kind of hilariously and then goes bonkers. We follow two stoners, Adam and Neil, who accidentally kill the guy they buy pot from when they confront him over him selling them weed cut with junk. Not sure what to do, they decide to dispose of the man’s body in the middle of nowhere. Things take a turn when something happens to one of them and from there, The Gulp begins to unfurl its odd ways and Baxter kicks things off with a bang. This novella sets up the rest of the stories so very well, but is also a perfect opener to ease us readers back into the world and what awaits.
The next novella is ‘Sunlight on Clear Water,’ which was another very solid entry. This one atmospherically felt at the far other end of the spectrum from ‘Strange Leaves.’ This one follows Will, who is newish to living in Gulpepper. After answering an ad to come and be trained as a woodworking craftsman, he’s fallen head-over-heels with the owners daughter, Beverley. On this particular day, she takes him to an off-the-beaten-path reservoir to do a bit of skinny dipping and to enjoy a picnic basket. Of course, with this being The Gulp, some things are revealed and the true nature of what the job posting was all about takes a wild turn. This is a classic Baxter story.
The third novella is ‘Vitulinum’ and this specific one comes with some very pointed trigger warnings prior to it beginning. Should you choose to proceed, the story follows teen boy, Connor, who lives in an abusive household. His father’s a homophobic bigot and his mother’s no better. Between Connor’s older brother, Brendan and himself, they do their best to protect their little sister Serena from their father, Frank. As the abuse rockets ever worse, we get our first introduction to the strange suit wearing character known as Winterbourne. He offers Connor a decision and because of everything that’s been going on, it appears to be a lifeline. Connor’s best friend, Lauren, is there for him and the two of them have each others backs, though Lauren’s life is very, very different. It all comes to a head when the boys have to stand up one more time for Serena and Connor is forced to decide about Winterbourne’s offer.
This novella is powerful, grotesque and a sad reality when considering a lot of the world isn’t far off from how Frank and Lydia are.
The fourth novella is ‘The Gulpepper Institute of Health and Wellbeing,’ and if you’ve ever watched or read any horror in the past that involves anything with a title close-ish to this, you’ll know things are never going to be on the up-and-up.
The story follows international superstar musician Eevie Chill, who checks in to the newly opening institute to get help for their spiraling life. Within moments of being admitted, she realizes things are not what they seem and from there Baxter lets carnage and chaos reign. This was a lot of fun and when it ended, I wondered just where things could go from there.
And that brings us to the fifth and final novella in this collection. Simply titled ‘The Rise,’ we see everything that was building through the first four come together – both in Winterbourne’s plan, but also with Chrissy, the woman tasked with ensuring the strange energy and way of The Gulp is maintained and confined. We get a return of Blind Eye Moon, the famous band from The Gulp, and we see different characters from the first four novellas band together to protect the people and the place that is Gulpepper. Once again, Baxter does an amazing job of keeping all the moving pieces in order and tying it all together to see an epic finale come to a close.
The world that Baxter’s created within The Gulp and the mythos around it always feel fresh and familiar and always deliver the perfect amount of insanity us readers expect from stories focused on world’s such as these.
What I didn’t like: As mentioned, you may decide to bypass the ‘Vitulinum’ novella, which considering the subject matter is understandable, but also does create a bit of a character plot issue when we get to the final novella. If you’ve skipped, you’ll not have much understanding about Lauren and what she brings to the table. It’s a tough one to truly navigate, because on one hand, that novella is very, very powerful. On the other hand, it wouldn’t have near the impact if it was PG13’d for readers and Connor’s decision would’ve been rather meh. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I also think you could sneak past that novella and be confident that Lauren is a resourceful character when she arrives in the final novella.
Why you should buy this: I think it goes without saying that if you read and enjoyed the first two entries into this world, getting the third is a no-brainer.
If you’ve not visited Gulpepper yet, this is your sign to grab all three and dive into a wonderfully weird and twisted world, where the sky is always swirling and the energy is palpably different. Baxter’s done the literary world such a huge favour by creating this world and these characters and continuing to deliver such richly rewarding stories. All while creeping us out with each and every entry.
Phenomenal. And fingers crossed a fourth set of stories is coming some time down the road.
The stories of what took place within and around The Gulp were all fantastic, all cosmically charged and the mythos the Alan infused in each story made me want more. After finished ‘The Fall,’ I kind of assumed that Baxter was done (to a degree) with the world of ‘The Gulp,’ but then earlier in 2025, Alan messaged me to ask if I’d have time to beta read the third entry in the world. Unfortunately (and sadly on my end!), I simply didn’t have the time needed to devote what Alan would adequately need, as one doesn’t simply read the stories set in the world of The Gulp – insert Sean Bean meme here if you want – one lives and breathes them. And though I couldn’t beta read the collection of five new novellas, I preordered the Kindle edition and jumped in as soon as I could, once it loaded onto my e-reader.
What I liked: As mentioned, ‘The Rise’ contains five novellas of new stories taking place in The Gulp. This one is comprised of the first four being interconnected – both in location (duh!) and in narrative – before arriving at the fifth novella which combines everything that’s taken place and wraps up the insanity that built in the first four.
The first novella is ‘Strange Leaves,’ which was hands down my favorite of the batch, purely because it starts kind of hilariously and then goes bonkers. We follow two stoners, Adam and Neil, who accidentally kill the guy they buy pot from when they confront him over him selling them weed cut with junk. Not sure what to do, they decide to dispose of the man’s body in the middle of nowhere. Things take a turn when something happens to one of them and from there, The Gulp begins to unfurl its odd ways and Baxter kicks things off with a bang. This novella sets up the rest of the stories so very well, but is also a perfect opener to ease us readers back into the world and what awaits.
The next novella is ‘Sunlight on Clear Water,’ which was another very solid entry. This one atmospherically felt at the far other end of the spectrum from ‘Strange Leaves.’ This one follows Will, who is newish to living in Gulpepper. After answering an ad to come and be trained as a woodworking craftsman, he’s fallen head-over-heels with the owners daughter, Beverley. On this particular day, she takes him to an off-the-beaten-path reservoir to do a bit of skinny dipping and to enjoy a picnic basket. Of course, with this being The Gulp, some things are revealed and the true nature of what the job posting was all about takes a wild turn. This is a classic Baxter story.
The third novella is ‘Vitulinum’ and this specific one comes with some very pointed trigger warnings prior to it beginning. Should you choose to proceed, the story follows teen boy, Connor, who lives in an abusive household. His father’s a homophobic bigot and his mother’s no better. Between Connor’s older brother, Brendan and himself, they do their best to protect their little sister Serena from their father, Frank. As the abuse rockets ever worse, we get our first introduction to the strange suit wearing character known as Winterbourne. He offers Connor a decision and because of everything that’s been going on, it appears to be a lifeline. Connor’s best friend, Lauren, is there for him and the two of them have each others backs, though Lauren’s life is very, very different. It all comes to a head when the boys have to stand up one more time for Serena and Connor is forced to decide about Winterbourne’s offer.
This novella is powerful, grotesque and a sad reality when considering a lot of the world isn’t far off from how Frank and Lydia are.
The fourth novella is ‘The Gulpepper Institute of Health and Wellbeing,’ and if you’ve ever watched or read any horror in the past that involves anything with a title close-ish to this, you’ll know things are never going to be on the up-and-up.
The story follows international superstar musician Eevie Chill, who checks in to the newly opening institute to get help for their spiraling life. Within moments of being admitted, she realizes things are not what they seem and from there Baxter lets carnage and chaos reign. This was a lot of fun and when it ended, I wondered just where things could go from there.
And that brings us to the fifth and final novella in this collection. Simply titled ‘The Rise,’ we see everything that was building through the first four come together – both in Winterbourne’s plan, but also with Chrissy, the woman tasked with ensuring the strange energy and way of The Gulp is maintained and confined. We get a return of Blind Eye Moon, the famous band from The Gulp, and we see different characters from the first four novellas band together to protect the people and the place that is Gulpepper. Once again, Baxter does an amazing job of keeping all the moving pieces in order and tying it all together to see an epic finale come to a close.
The world that Baxter’s created within The Gulp and the mythos around it always feel fresh and familiar and always deliver the perfect amount of insanity us readers expect from stories focused on world’s such as these.
What I didn’t like: As mentioned, you may decide to bypass the ‘Vitulinum’ novella, which considering the subject matter is understandable, but also does create a bit of a character plot issue when we get to the final novella. If you’ve skipped, you’ll not have much understanding about Lauren and what she brings to the table. It’s a tough one to truly navigate, because on one hand, that novella is very, very powerful. On the other hand, it wouldn’t have near the impact if it was PG13’d for readers and Connor’s decision would’ve been rather meh. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I also think you could sneak past that novella and be confident that Lauren is a resourceful character when she arrives in the final novella.
Why you should buy this: I think it goes without saying that if you read and enjoyed the first two entries into this world, getting the third is a no-brainer.
If you’ve not visited Gulpepper yet, this is your sign to grab all three and dive into a wonderfully weird and twisted world, where the sky is always swirling and the energy is palpably different. Baxter’s done the literary world such a huge favour by creating this world and these characters and continuing to deliver such richly rewarding stories. All while creeping us out with each and every entry.
Phenomenal. And fingers crossed a fourth set of stories is coming some time down the road.
February 24, 2026
Some might call this book, and all of Baxter’s Gulpepper books, a novella collection. I see it more as a novel with the town of Gulpepper as the main character. I have loved every book in this series but this one might be my favorite. There is not a bad tale among any of these and when you’re finished you’ll be hoping for a fourth installment in the series.
February 24, 2026
The nitty-gritty: Creeping horror and sinister townsfolk await in Alan Baxter's latest Tales From the Gulp, a wildly entertaining and delightfully gruesome series.
There’s really nothing better than a new collection of Tales from the Gulp, and once again Alan Baxter has outdone himself. This is one of my favorite weird horror series, and I need to push it extra hard since Baxter is an Australian author and isn’t as well known here in the U.S. Horror fans, if you aren’t reading these books, please add them to your TBR, and you can thank me later! In this third book, Baxter answers some burning questions about the origins of the small coastal town of Gulpepper (or “the Gulp,” as the locals call it) and all its weirdness, but not all of them. I found The Rise to be just as gritty, nasty and weird as the first two books, and I love all the connections among the characters and events throughout the entire series. For this reason, I recommend you begin with The Gulp and read the books in order. Below are my thoughts on each of the five stories in The Rise, and I’ll try to avoid spoilers.
STRANGE LEAVES
The collection kicks off with a story brimming with black humor. Adam and Neil have a side gig dealing weed for a guy named Ramsey, but after an altercation, Ramsey winds up dead. Now they have to figure out how to dispose of the body without Ramsey’s boss finding out—the terrifying Chrissy Carter, who everyone in town is afraid of. Let’s just say things do not go well for these two, and they find themselves in a heap of trouble.
This was a great way to open the collection, and it sets the stage for the rest of the stories. Adam and Neil are perfect examples of the Gulp working class: they’re on the rough side and neither one has enough brain cells to come up with a good plan. Baxter includes a few characters who appear in other stories, such as the town "witch,” an old woman who can always be found standing on the sea wall, gazing out into the ocean. Also, the “strange leaves” of the title are very important later on, so keep that in mind as you’re reading!
SUNLIGHT ON CLEAR WATER
Will is absolutely infatuated with his new girlfriend Beverly, until the day she surprises him by taking him to a remote part of Gulpepper so they can skinny dip. Everything is fun at first, but when Will starts hearing a strange voice, and then Beverly disappears, Will soon realizes he’s stumbled into a situation he has no way of controlling.
This was such a fun story, and fans of body horror will love it. The “ick” factor is strong here, and I’ll admit some scenes even made me squirm! We’re introduced to an important recurring element as well, a strange symbol that keeps appearing everywhere. Baxter uses this symbol as story breaks in the book, so it feels even more menacing, since the reader isn’t yet aware of its meaning.
VITULINUM
Connor and his brother and sister Brendan and Serena live with their abusive and racist father, just trying to get through each day. Connor will do anything to protect his little sister, and one day he gets the chance to help her, although it’s not quite what he expected to happen.
Just a short recap for this one, since I don’t want to give too much away. Baxter leads off this story with a couple of trigger warnings due to the extremely nasty character of the father (the mother isn’t any better, she doesn’t do anything to stop her husband). Despite the dark tone, Vitulinum is important in that it reveals the sinister motivations of the series antagonist, setting the stage for the final story. We also meet a character named Lauren, who is Connor’s one and only friend in Gulpepper, ad Lauren plays a big part in the final story as well. This particular story was both heartwarming—because of the way the siblings look out for each other, and the way that Lauren looks out for Connor—and heartbreaking, because of one character’s willingness to sacrifice themselves to save the others. I loved it!
THE GULPEPPER INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Mega star Eevie Chill finds herself checked into the Gulpepper Institute after her manager suggests she might need a break from her busy career to get her head straight. Eevie goes along with it, but once she’s there, she realizes the Institute isn’t much more than a prison—no cell phones or internet, locked doors, and mandatory therapy sessions where she’s drugged for some nefarious purpose. Eevie hatches a plan to escape, and she’s going to take the other “inmates” with her.
This was probably my favorite story of the bunch. Eevie is a great character, a Japanese-Australian woman who is both a huge music star and a famous actor. She’s also got tons of moxie and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get out. The plot itself is fairly simple, but we meet a couple of characters who play important roles in the final story, including Eevie and a man named Winterbourne. Baxter reveals more details about Gulpepper’s weirdness too. Lots of fun!
THE RISE
Chrissy Carter knows something bad is coming to the Gulp, and her family legacy demands that she find a way to stop it. Calling on some old friends, including famous rock band Blind Eye Moon, she comes up with a crazy plan that might just work. But if she can’t stop the evil, the town of Gulpepper might be lost forever.
I loved this story too, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the series (at least until the author decides to write more Gulp stories!). This story has Big Music Energy, as the band Blind Eye Moon and Eevie Chill join forces to put on the biggest concert Gulpepper has ever seen. Baxter pulls out all the stops as things literally go to hell—creatures straight out of a Lovecraftian tale start falling out of the sky—and Chrissy and her friends try to save the day. And while it seems things are resolved at the end, Baxter leaves a door open for possibly more chaos and horror in the future.
There’s not much more to say. I love the hell out of all three Tales From the Gulp books, and I can’t wait to see what Alan Baxter writes next.
There’s really nothing better than a new collection of Tales from the Gulp, and once again Alan Baxter has outdone himself. This is one of my favorite weird horror series, and I need to push it extra hard since Baxter is an Australian author and isn’t as well known here in the U.S. Horror fans, if you aren’t reading these books, please add them to your TBR, and you can thank me later! In this third book, Baxter answers some burning questions about the origins of the small coastal town of Gulpepper (or “the Gulp,” as the locals call it) and all its weirdness, but not all of them. I found The Rise to be just as gritty, nasty and weird as the first two books, and I love all the connections among the characters and events throughout the entire series. For this reason, I recommend you begin with The Gulp and read the books in order. Below are my thoughts on each of the five stories in The Rise, and I’ll try to avoid spoilers.
STRANGE LEAVES
The collection kicks off with a story brimming with black humor. Adam and Neil have a side gig dealing weed for a guy named Ramsey, but after an altercation, Ramsey winds up dead. Now they have to figure out how to dispose of the body without Ramsey’s boss finding out—the terrifying Chrissy Carter, who everyone in town is afraid of. Let’s just say things do not go well for these two, and they find themselves in a heap of trouble.
This was a great way to open the collection, and it sets the stage for the rest of the stories. Adam and Neil are perfect examples of the Gulp working class: they’re on the rough side and neither one has enough brain cells to come up with a good plan. Baxter includes a few characters who appear in other stories, such as the town "witch,” an old woman who can always be found standing on the sea wall, gazing out into the ocean. Also, the “strange leaves” of the title are very important later on, so keep that in mind as you’re reading!
SUNLIGHT ON CLEAR WATER
Will is absolutely infatuated with his new girlfriend Beverly, until the day she surprises him by taking him to a remote part of Gulpepper so they can skinny dip. Everything is fun at first, but when Will starts hearing a strange voice, and then Beverly disappears, Will soon realizes he’s stumbled into a situation he has no way of controlling.
This was such a fun story, and fans of body horror will love it. The “ick” factor is strong here, and I’ll admit some scenes even made me squirm! We’re introduced to an important recurring element as well, a strange symbol that keeps appearing everywhere. Baxter uses this symbol as story breaks in the book, so it feels even more menacing, since the reader isn’t yet aware of its meaning.
VITULINUM
Connor and his brother and sister Brendan and Serena live with their abusive and racist father, just trying to get through each day. Connor will do anything to protect his little sister, and one day he gets the chance to help her, although it’s not quite what he expected to happen.
Just a short recap for this one, since I don’t want to give too much away. Baxter leads off this story with a couple of trigger warnings due to the extremely nasty character of the father (the mother isn’t any better, she doesn’t do anything to stop her husband). Despite the dark tone, Vitulinum is important in that it reveals the sinister motivations of the series antagonist, setting the stage for the final story. We also meet a character named Lauren, who is Connor’s one and only friend in Gulpepper, ad Lauren plays a big part in the final story as well. This particular story was both heartwarming—because of the way the siblings look out for each other, and the way that Lauren looks out for Connor—and heartbreaking, because of one character’s willingness to sacrifice themselves to save the others. I loved it!
THE GULPEPPER INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Mega star Eevie Chill finds herself checked into the Gulpepper Institute after her manager suggests she might need a break from her busy career to get her head straight. Eevie goes along with it, but once she’s there, she realizes the Institute isn’t much more than a prison—no cell phones or internet, locked doors, and mandatory therapy sessions where she’s drugged for some nefarious purpose. Eevie hatches a plan to escape, and she’s going to take the other “inmates” with her.
This was probably my favorite story of the bunch. Eevie is a great character, a Japanese-Australian woman who is both a huge music star and a famous actor. She’s also got tons of moxie and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get out. The plot itself is fairly simple, but we meet a couple of characters who play important roles in the final story, including Eevie and a man named Winterbourne. Baxter reveals more details about Gulpepper’s weirdness too. Lots of fun!
THE RISE
Chrissy Carter knows something bad is coming to the Gulp, and her family legacy demands that she find a way to stop it. Calling on some old friends, including famous rock band Blind Eye Moon, she comes up with a crazy plan that might just work. But if she can’t stop the evil, the town of Gulpepper might be lost forever.
I loved this story too, and it was the perfect way to wrap up the series (at least until the author decides to write more Gulp stories!). This story has Big Music Energy, as the band Blind Eye Moon and Eevie Chill join forces to put on the biggest concert Gulpepper has ever seen. Baxter pulls out all the stops as things literally go to hell—creatures straight out of a Lovecraftian tale start falling out of the sky—and Chrissy and her friends try to save the day. And while it seems things are resolved at the end, Baxter leaves a door open for possibly more chaos and horror in the future.
There’s not much more to say. I love the hell out of all three Tales From the Gulp books, and I can’t wait to see what Alan Baxter writes next.
February 25, 2026
Another visit to Gulpepper, courtesy of Alan Baxter, and another rip-roaring read. This setting never gets old.
February 15, 2026
I first read Alan Baxter back in 2020, quickly devouring his outstanding Eli Carver Trilogy, concerning a sympathetic hitman haunted by the ghosts of those he clips; the series features
Manifest Recall
(2018),
Recall Night
(2020) and
Ghost Recall
(2021). This terrific series has since been compended together in one slick volume, known simply as
Recall: The Eli Carver Supernatural Thrillers
. Such is Baxter’s versatility as a writer, The Gulp Trilogy is stylistically a million miles away Eli Carver’s American gangster world, although there are still plenty of lowlifes kicking around the Australian Outback in his Gulp series, also.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
December 10, 2025
As a huge fan of this series it should come as no surprise that I loved this third installment. Gulpepper Australia is a bizarre little coastal town with dark secrets lurking around every corner. It's a place you don't want to visit because if you do, you might not ever leave again.
These five tales from the Gulp feature interconnected narratives which makes it feel more like a novel than a collection. But it also has recurring characters and events from past books. If this is your first foray into this universe it's okay. You don't NEED to read the previous books to keep up. But you'll certainly get a lot more from some of the situations if you do. So, you know, go ahead and do that!
The novella length tales in here are super creepy, extremely tense, and terrifying. Together, they tell a story about just how messed up this town is. From the dreams people have of fantastical monstrosities falling from the sky to an old old woman who stands looking at the waters and saying cryptic things to a nasty presence people feel but have learned to ignore, these stories thrill and get your heart beating faster.
In this town, no one is safe and your first trip could be your last. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
These five tales from the Gulp feature interconnected narratives which makes it feel more like a novel than a collection. But it also has recurring characters and events from past books. If this is your first foray into this universe it's okay. You don't NEED to read the previous books to keep up. But you'll certainly get a lot more from some of the situations if you do. So, you know, go ahead and do that!
The novella length tales in here are super creepy, extremely tense, and terrifying. Together, they tell a story about just how messed up this town is. From the dreams people have of fantastical monstrosities falling from the sky to an old old woman who stands looking at the waters and saying cryptic things to a nasty presence people feel but have learned to ignore, these stories thrill and get your heart beating faster.
In this town, no one is safe and your first trip could be your last. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
February 25, 2026
When I learned that Alan was working on a third book from his Gulpepper realm, I could hardly wait to get my hands on a copy. For once Amazon came through, and my pre-order arrived the day before the release date. The Rise did not let me down.
All three of the books in this series are simply wonderful, and as I declared in my first review of The Gulp, I actually hated leaving this profane little town in Australia. All three are "mosaic" books with five tales from Gulpepper, a fictional and weird place from the mind of Alan Baxter. If you have not read The Gulp or The Fall, you may wish to grab those before approaching The Rise, a stunning and entertaining finale, which I totally loved.
All three of the books in this series are simply wonderful, and as I declared in my first review of The Gulp, I actually hated leaving this profane little town in Australia. All three are "mosaic" books with five tales from Gulpepper, a fictional and weird place from the mind of Alan Baxter. If you have not read The Gulp or The Fall, you may wish to grab those before approaching The Rise, a stunning and entertaining finale, which I totally loved.
February 20, 2026
Every time I’m invited to return to The Gulp, I know I’m in for a crazy series of adventures. In this third collection, the stories are even more woven together than usual, and all lead to the fifth story, the titular The Rise, bringing everything to a thrilling battle between good and evil.
Alan allows his mind to dive into the most bizarre of small town tales, and as with The Gulp an The Fall, I’m most relieved to be able to view the town from a distance, because god help anyone stuck there.
Alan allows his mind to dive into the most bizarre of small town tales, and as with The Gulp an The Fall, I’m most relieved to be able to view the town from a distance, because god help anyone stuck there.
February 21, 2026
I never ever write reviews, but I had to say something this time. I reread The Gulp and The Fall in preparation for volume 3, and finished The Rise last night. I absolutely adore these books. I love this weird, creepy, horrifying, hilarious town. I want more stories from the Gulp. I need more. Please, Alan Baxter??
March 10, 2026
The Rise: Tales From The Gulp 3, was an excellent collection of Australian horror short stories.
I've read several of Alan Baxter's horror collections and they were all excellent. His novels are all original material and all of his short stories and novels are exciting page turners. You can't go wrong with an Alan Baxter novel or novella.
I've read several of Alan Baxter's horror collections and they were all excellent. His novels are all original material and all of his short stories and novels are exciting page turners. You can't go wrong with an Alan Baxter novel or novella.
February 20, 2026
if this is the final collection from The Gulp, what a way to rvf it. five great stories (including the darkest of any in the trilogy) all woven together perfectly!
March 25, 2026
Awesome
Alan Baxter has struck gold again. The Rise is an awesome addition to the ongoing saga of The Gulp. Truly wonderful.
Alan Baxter has struck gold again. The Rise is an awesome addition to the ongoing saga of The Gulp. Truly wonderful.
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