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Tapeworm: A Vampire Novel
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26From Dusk till Dawn if the characters hooked up with The Thing in this twisted, gory horror debut, where a group of friends must confront questions of identity, aging, and desire during a vampire infestation in an isolated Californian desert.
It needs to feed.
After the recent separation from his wife Trish, Victor hopes his friends' annual weekend retreat to the Californian desert town of Superstition will loosen him up and reforge the group's fraying bonds. But something is waiting underneath Superstition, crawling its way into their group, and feeding into their desires.
Victor knows too well what it means to repress his desires. He's always attempted to be the perfect partner, yet often found himself lacking. With Trish skipping the trip, he begins falling into the wild underbelly of Superstition in new ways. When the leader of the town's Welcoming Committee approaches him with a romantic, sexually charged offer, Victor wonders if it's too good to be true.
But the Welcoming Committee expects a price to be paid for its services. One that cannot be fulfilled by willing bodies alone. By the end of the weekend, group bonding will have developed a whole new meaning.
Because something is hungry for Victor and his friends.
It needs to feed.
After the recent separation from his wife Trish, Victor hopes his friends' annual weekend retreat to the Californian desert town of Superstition will loosen him up and reforge the group's fraying bonds. But something is waiting underneath Superstition, crawling its way into their group, and feeding into their desires.
Victor knows too well what it means to repress his desires. He's always attempted to be the perfect partner, yet often found himself lacking. With Trish skipping the trip, he begins falling into the wild underbelly of Superstition in new ways. When the leader of the town's Welcoming Committee approaches him with a romantic, sexually charged offer, Victor wonders if it's too good to be true.
But the Welcoming Committee expects a price to be paid for its services. One that cannot be fulfilled by willing bodies alone. By the end of the weekend, group bonding will have developed a whole new meaning.
Because something is hungry for Victor and his friends.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
A.P. Thayer
12 books63 followersA.P. Thayer is a queer, Mexican-American writer of speculative fiction. His work has appeared in Apex Magazine, Dark Matter, Uncharted Magazine, the Los Suelos multimedia anthology, and more. He is a staff writer for Frivolous Comma and has been an editor at Constelación and Para El Pueblo magazines. His debut novel, Tapeworm, is a body horror novel set in the California desert. It is forthcoming from Evil Twin in August of 2026. Outside of writing, A.P. loves cooking for others, playing RPGs around a table or on PC, and being yelled at by a small dog for lack of attention.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 19, 2026
WHAT DID I JUST READ 😳😳😳😳
RTC
RTC
April 8, 2026
HOLY EFFING CRAP THIS BOOK IS AMAZING
I have never read anything like this ever and I am beyond obsessed. I also had the heebie jeebies the entire last 25% of the book. I could not put it down. OMG. I LOVE
I have never read anything like this ever and I am beyond obsessed. I also had the heebie jeebies the entire last 25% of the book. I could not put it down. OMG. I LOVE
April 2, 2026
I was hoping for a horror novel when I started ‘Tapeworm’ by A.P. Thayer. The cover even promised ‘A Vampire Novel’.
I did not get what I expected.
While reading this tale, I entered a nightmare that at first seemed surreal, then quickly latched onto fears and phobias that turned my fingers flipping the pages quite sweaty. Verging on repulsive at times, I barreled through the pages, eating up the carnage. I was horrified yet addicted.
A group of friends, a weekend getaway in a remote desert location, mysterious strangers - seems like tropes of well worn tales. ‘Tapeworm’ turns this scenario into a story that folds together the right portions of real life hardships, sexual fluidity, body horror, deep rooted fears, and bloodsucking creatures. The actions are just believable at each unpredictable turn, the bloodshed and gore is over the top in a glorious way, and the outcome is refreshingly bold. Bravo.
I did not get what I expected.
While reading this tale, I entered a nightmare that at first seemed surreal, then quickly latched onto fears and phobias that turned my fingers flipping the pages quite sweaty. Verging on repulsive at times, I barreled through the pages, eating up the carnage. I was horrified yet addicted.
A group of friends, a weekend getaway in a remote desert location, mysterious strangers - seems like tropes of well worn tales. ‘Tapeworm’ turns this scenario into a story that folds together the right portions of real life hardships, sexual fluidity, body horror, deep rooted fears, and bloodsucking creatures. The actions are just believable at each unpredictable turn, the bloodshed and gore is over the top in a glorious way, and the outcome is refreshingly bold. Bravo.
March 17, 2026
3.8 The book was good, the story dragged a bit, the characters were okay, and I was just wanting more. The writing shines for itself. A.P. Thayer knows his craft and gets you into his world no matter what. The main character was annoying, but the whole friend dynamic was so real and fresh to see. I think it needed more, but to be a debut, it is really impressive work. Again, the writing: chef's kiss.
Thank you, evil twin, for the arc. This is my honest review of the book.
Thank you, evil twin, for the arc. This is my honest review of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm so sorry, I really wanted to like this book. I LOVE a good horror novel about WORMS. Which, as a concept, greatly horrify me to begin with, so we were starting out at an advantage.
From the outset, we learn that Vic (Victor) has just separated from his wife Trish, whom we learned in the prologue was infected by a Creature/worm monster. (I don't consider this a spoiler, as we learned this in the first few pages.) Vic heads off for a getaway in the town of Solitude, as he and Trish are taking turns spending time with their shared friends.
Immediately things started taking a turn for the worse. Vic meets some extremely sketchy people in the gas station, who are so blatantly untrustworthy and cartoon villain creepy that we know immediately that this must be The Bad Guy. However, instead of being extremely sketched out that people are touching his vehicle at the gas station, Vic immediately gets... turned on and starts thinking very graphically about the girl who is hitting on him.
HUH? Sir, you just got divorced. I know the rebound energy is big, but why are we like this? Why are we slavering over a complete stranger who is touching your VEHICLE?
I hate to report that the rest of the book went similarly. Vic is a singularly unlikeable character, and so is everyone else at the cabin. Vic spends half of his time thinking lustfully about various people, especially his best friend Matty, who is a MARRIED MAN, and the other half snarkily thinking mean comments about how everyone else is so mean, awful, and surely must be cheating on their significant other. I lied, I guess Vic also spends time thinking self-pityingly about the end of his relationship with Trish.
We get some truly awful segments just detailing the awful corrosive "friendships" between these "friends", who are all so awfully unlikeable. I really didn't think I'd make it through this book, because of all the ridiculously horny and unimpressively explicit trains of thought, and by the time I was at like 65%, I was like, ARE there still any worms in this book? Or am I just being subjected to watching these horrible people in their shitty relationships arguing, being catty, and not even liking each other? Idk, they get drunk some.
Vic argues with Diego, who has accused him of being physically abusive to Trish, which Vic denies. Shenanigans happen, and Diego's boyfriend Charles breaks up with him, then everyone drives off angrily. Diego and Charles, who call each other 'babe' with grating frequency, break up over this accusation. And then not a FEW PAGES LATER????? One of them calls the other babe again? Are we broken up? Did they get back together? HUH?????
Finally Vic kicks off the plot by going back to town and hooking up with the sketchy biker girl, whom at this point we've been told has been possessed by the worm creature. And then when he returns, everything has gone to hell. Except I literally don't care. I was power reading through the ending, and I was so grateful when the worm monster got each of them. I was EXCITED that I never had to hear from any of them again.
A couple of nitpicks that stuck out to me, in my frustration - someone's laughter is described as gibbous. Did you mean gibbering? Gibbous refers to the state of a moon. Then the Worm Monster is described as a great 'chitinous horror'. I googled this, and discovered that worms do indeed have chitin. But at the time that I was reading it, I was completely thrown because I was imagining a bug with a prominent exoskeleton, not a worm.
I wanted to like this book more, especially because I was thrilled to see non-white characters represented in horror, but everyone was just so ridiculously horned up and cruel to each other that I could not care less about any of them or their gruesome fates.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
From the outset, we learn that Vic (Victor) has just separated from his wife Trish, whom we learned in the prologue was infected by a Creature/worm monster. (I don't consider this a spoiler, as we learned this in the first few pages.) Vic heads off for a getaway in the town of Solitude, as he and Trish are taking turns spending time with their shared friends.
Immediately things started taking a turn for the worse. Vic meets some extremely sketchy people in the gas station, who are so blatantly untrustworthy and cartoon villain creepy that we know immediately that this must be The Bad Guy. However, instead of being extremely sketched out that people are touching his vehicle at the gas station, Vic immediately gets... turned on and starts thinking very graphically about the girl who is hitting on him.
HUH? Sir, you just got divorced. I know the rebound energy is big, but why are we like this? Why are we slavering over a complete stranger who is touching your VEHICLE?
I hate to report that the rest of the book went similarly. Vic is a singularly unlikeable character, and so is everyone else at the cabin. Vic spends half of his time thinking lustfully about various people, especially his best friend Matty, who is a MARRIED MAN, and the other half snarkily thinking mean comments about how everyone else is so mean, awful, and surely must be cheating on their significant other. I lied, I guess Vic also spends time thinking self-pityingly about the end of his relationship with Trish.
We get some truly awful segments just detailing the awful corrosive "friendships" between these "friends", who are all so awfully unlikeable. I really didn't think I'd make it through this book, because of all the ridiculously horny and unimpressively explicit trains of thought, and by the time I was at like 65%, I was like, ARE there still any worms in this book? Or am I just being subjected to watching these horrible people in their shitty relationships arguing, being catty, and not even liking each other? Idk, they get drunk some.
Vic argues with Diego, who has accused him of being physically abusive to Trish, which Vic denies. Shenanigans happen, and Diego's boyfriend Charles breaks up with him, then everyone drives off angrily. Diego and Charles, who call each other 'babe' with grating frequency, break up over this accusation. And then not a FEW PAGES LATER????? One of them calls the other babe again? Are we broken up? Did they get back together? HUH?????
Finally Vic kicks off the plot by going back to town and hooking up with the sketchy biker girl, whom at this point we've been told has been possessed by the worm creature. And then when he returns, everything has gone to hell. Except I literally don't care. I was power reading through the ending, and I was so grateful when the worm monster got each of them. I was EXCITED that I never had to hear from any of them again.
A couple of nitpicks that stuck out to me, in my frustration - someone's laughter is described as gibbous. Did you mean gibbering? Gibbous refers to the state of a moon. Then the Worm Monster is described as a great 'chitinous horror'. I googled this, and discovered that worms do indeed have chitin. But at the time that I was reading it, I was completely thrown because I was imagining a bug with a prominent exoskeleton, not a worm.
I wanted to like this book more, especially because I was thrilled to see non-white characters represented in horror, but everyone was just so ridiculously horned up and cruel to each other that I could not care less about any of them or their gruesome fates.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 9, 2026
This has to be one of the odder tales I’ve come across in quite some time. Billed as a “Vampire Novel,” it’s about a group of friends of various sexual persuasions who get together each year at a vacation home in the California desert , only to be attacked by shape-shifting entities consisting of worms. I had been hoping for a scary tale as thrilling as William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist,” Peter Benchley’s “Jaws,” or any of a number of Stephen King’s works—something that would compel me to turn its pages until well past midnight.
Unfortunately, “Tapeworm” didn’t do that.
Author A.P. Taylor is clearly a talented writer. His prose is straightforward and clear. He describes his settings well. He has a flair for erotica and knows how to interweave sexual tension into his story.
But the novel’s characters and plot left much to be desired.
For example, there’s very little to like or admire about protagonist/first-person narrator, Vic. In the middle of a divorce from his wife, Trish, he spends the first 20-30 percent of the novel in self-absorbed rumination on the meaning of her loss. On more than one occasion I found myself thinking: Alright already, enough! I get it! Can we please move on??!!
None of the rest of the human characters are all that well described. In any event, none of them are particularly interesting or likeable, especially since most of them seem to be involved in toxic relationships.
I found the monster (or monsters) thoroughly confusing and therefore, not very believable. I came away from the novel with very little understanding of its/their origins, capabilities or desires, much less how it or they might be destroyed. Admittedly, the entity or entities have more than a few disgusting and/or graphically sexual capabilities. But grossness and/or graphic sex do not necessarily make good horror.
The absence of compelling human characters and a clearly defined adversary (or monstrosity) prevented me from becoming absorbed, much less interested, in this novel. And I was never scared.
Of course, others may well disagree. Horror, like beauty, is “in the eye of the beholder.” I suspect there will be those willing to suspend their belief enough to be immersed in and/or horrified by Mr. Thayer’s tale. I’m just not one of them.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
My thanks to NetGalley, author A.P. Thayer, and publisher Zando | Evil Twin for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Unfortunately, “Tapeworm” didn’t do that.
Author A.P. Taylor is clearly a talented writer. His prose is straightforward and clear. He describes his settings well. He has a flair for erotica and knows how to interweave sexual tension into his story.
But the novel’s characters and plot left much to be desired.
For example, there’s very little to like or admire about protagonist/first-person narrator, Vic. In the middle of a divorce from his wife, Trish, he spends the first 20-30 percent of the novel in self-absorbed rumination on the meaning of her loss. On more than one occasion I found myself thinking: Alright already, enough! I get it! Can we please move on??!!
None of the rest of the human characters are all that well described. In any event, none of them are particularly interesting or likeable, especially since most of them seem to be involved in toxic relationships.
I found the monster (or monsters) thoroughly confusing and therefore, not very believable. I came away from the novel with very little understanding of its/their origins, capabilities or desires, much less how it or they might be destroyed. Admittedly, the entity or entities have more than a few disgusting and/or graphically sexual capabilities. But grossness and/or graphic sex do not necessarily make good horror.
The absence of compelling human characters and a clearly defined adversary (or monstrosity) prevented me from becoming absorbed, much less interested, in this novel. And I was never scared.
Of course, others may well disagree. Horror, like beauty, is “in the eye of the beholder.” I suspect there will be those willing to suspend their belief enough to be immersed in and/or horrified by Mr. Thayer’s tale. I’m just not one of them.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
My thanks to NetGalley, author A.P. Thayer, and publisher Zando | Evil Twin for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
If you love disgusting body horror and a quirky take on vampires, this book is for you. Think Nick Cutter's The Troop meets smutty vampires meets Gen Z's the Big Chill for a weedend of sex, drama, and worms.
Main character Vic is facing divorce from his wife Trish at the same time as the annual trip out west to spend the weekend with their friend group rolls around. Trish insists that Vic go alone, to try to enjoy time with their closest friends while she packs up her things in peace. While he's reluctant to go, he relents and heads to the house owned by friends Becky and Linda where they will be joined by Matty and Estela, and Charles and Diego. So it's three couples and Vic, and it seems like once everyone finds out about the split, they will be picking sides. What no one knows is that the entire town of Superstition, CA is infested with vampire worms that take human form.
What was great about this story: vampire worms, I mean come on! The body horror was INTENSE. There was plenty of LGBTQ+ representation and fluid sexuality was included as just part of the characters' personalities and totally normal, which I really liked. I loved the desert setting and the way dust storms were used to reshape the town and create an ever-changing environment that kept Vic second guessing himself.
Things that didn't work as well for me: No real chapter breaks. The narrative was told over the course of the maybe three days they were in Superstition. The writing had clear breaks from one scene to another which would have been natural chapter breaks and would have propelled the story forward more quickly, at least for me. I love a book with a bunch of short chapters rather than extremely long blocks with no separation. And my absolute biggest complaint was the overly excessive use of the work McRanchsion, which was what Vic called the house where they stayed. While I can appreciate that the author probably got a real kick out of coming up with this, for a good portion of the book I felt like that term was on every single page. It was way, way too much.
However, the intense body horror, truly disgusting vampires, and the tension the author created around whether any of the friends would escape certain death overcame the small things and I ended up really enjoying my time with Vic and the gang.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you love disgusting body horror and a quirky take on vampires, this book is for you. Think Nick Cutter's The Troop meets smutty vampires meets Gen Z's the Big Chill for a weedend of sex, drama, and worms.
Main character Vic is facing divorce from his wife Trish at the same time as the annual trip out west to spend the weekend with their friend group rolls around. Trish insists that Vic go alone, to try to enjoy time with their closest friends while she packs up her things in peace. While he's reluctant to go, he relents and heads to the house owned by friends Becky and Linda where they will be joined by Matty and Estela, and Charles and Diego. So it's three couples and Vic, and it seems like once everyone finds out about the split, they will be picking sides. What no one knows is that the entire town of Superstition, CA is infested with vampire worms that take human form.
What was great about this story: vampire worms, I mean come on! The body horror was INTENSE. There was plenty of LGBTQ+ representation and fluid sexuality was included as just part of the characters' personalities and totally normal, which I really liked. I loved the desert setting and the way dust storms were used to reshape the town and create an ever-changing environment that kept Vic second guessing himself.
Things that didn't work as well for me: No real chapter breaks. The narrative was told over the course of the maybe three days they were in Superstition. The writing had clear breaks from one scene to another which would have been natural chapter breaks and would have propelled the story forward more quickly, at least for me. I love a book with a bunch of short chapters rather than extremely long blocks with no separation. And my absolute biggest complaint was the overly excessive use of the work McRanchsion, which was what Vic called the house where they stayed. While I can appreciate that the author probably got a real kick out of coming up with this, for a good portion of the book I felt like that term was on every single page. It was way, way too much.
However, the intense body horror, truly disgusting vampires, and the tension the author created around whether any of the friends would escape certain death overcame the small things and I ended up really enjoying my time with Vic and the gang.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
thankyou netgallery for the advance audiobook arc.
well.. What did i read?? this book was a perfect example of all the weird things that can happen to you while youre on your mental peace journey. This was one of those reads that left me slightly stunned and with my jaw dropped, this book had some strangest scenes. This book is a deeply character driven horror layered with heavy metaphors, blending a breakup, friendship tensions, and a desert trip that spirals into something far darker. Beneath the chaos, it quietly explores grief, identity, and emotional discomfort in a way that lingers.
While parts of the story felt a bit slow and the main character wasn’t always easy to connect with, and some parts i had to reread because it was written in a very fancy way. lol. the friend group dynamic felt authentic and grounded. The tension, claustrophobia, and unease are incredibly well-crafted, pulling you into its unsettling atmosphere. i hvent read this kind of book in quite while. and there's just something that makes you differentiate between a male author and a female author. this was one of those.
but will i rec this to others? Absolutley. it was a RIDEEEE!!!
It’s an intense mix of body horror and symbolic storytelling, filled with bizarre, disturbing, and thought-provoking moments that aren’t easy to shake off. Not a light or casual read by any means, but if you enjoy horror that pushes boundaries and challenges you, it’s worth experiencing.
well.. What did i read?? this book was a perfect example of all the weird things that can happen to you while youre on your mental peace journey. This was one of those reads that left me slightly stunned and with my jaw dropped, this book had some strangest scenes. This book is a deeply character driven horror layered with heavy metaphors, blending a breakup, friendship tensions, and a desert trip that spirals into something far darker. Beneath the chaos, it quietly explores grief, identity, and emotional discomfort in a way that lingers.
While parts of the story felt a bit slow and the main character wasn’t always easy to connect with, and some parts i had to reread because it was written in a very fancy way. lol. the friend group dynamic felt authentic and grounded. The tension, claustrophobia, and unease are incredibly well-crafted, pulling you into its unsettling atmosphere. i hvent read this kind of book in quite while. and there's just something that makes you differentiate between a male author and a female author. this was one of those.
but will i rec this to others? Absolutley. it was a RIDEEEE!!!
It’s an intense mix of body horror and symbolic storytelling, filled with bizarre, disturbing, and thought-provoking moments that aren’t easy to shake off. Not a light or casual read by any means, but if you enjoy horror that pushes boundaries and challenges you, it’s worth experiencing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
thank you to Evil Twin for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!
I had a very good feeling about this book from the moment I opened it. maybe before that, when I read Clay McLeod Chapman's blurb calling it an eldritch orgy—he was not exaggerating. it's true about the story, but it's also like Lovecraft, John Carpenter, Clive Barker, and David Cronenberg had said eldritch orgy and birthed A.P. Thayer's storytelling style. the author has a true gift for storytelling in a way that is incredibly personal—a beautiful dive into Latinx identity—while also being both perverse (compliment) and holy. there is something almost revenant about the way he writes his characters and their descent into the madness that is decaying relationships. as we descend with them (both literally and figuratively), I was tapping my foot a tad at the beginning waiting for it to pick up, but I shouldn't have bothered. when it picks up, it picks UP, and you are taken on the ride of a lifetime. I can't remember the last time I was so viscerally disgusted by a book!
while reading this I kept thinking of David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975), and the relationship between sex, hunger, and horror (might just write a Substack piece on this). if I was able to be concise I would make this review "make horror horny again", but concise has never been used to describe me. you'll just have to read it to see what I mean!
I had a very good feeling about this book from the moment I opened it. maybe before that, when I read Clay McLeod Chapman's blurb calling it an eldritch orgy—he was not exaggerating. it's true about the story, but it's also like Lovecraft, John Carpenter, Clive Barker, and David Cronenberg had said eldritch orgy and birthed A.P. Thayer's storytelling style. the author has a true gift for storytelling in a way that is incredibly personal—a beautiful dive into Latinx identity—while also being both perverse (compliment) and holy. there is something almost revenant about the way he writes his characters and their descent into the madness that is decaying relationships. as we descend with them (both literally and figuratively), I was tapping my foot a tad at the beginning waiting for it to pick up, but I shouldn't have bothered. when it picks up, it picks UP, and you are taken on the ride of a lifetime. I can't remember the last time I was so viscerally disgusted by a book!
while reading this I kept thinking of David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975), and the relationship between sex, hunger, and horror (might just write a Substack piece on this). if I was able to be concise I would make this review "make horror horny again", but concise has never been used to describe me. you'll just have to read it to see what I mean!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bookseller ARC review:
Okay… this is one of those books that’s honestly hard to review for me because it’s just so weird—in a good way, but also like… what did I just read? Lol
Tapeworm is very much a character-driven, metaphor-heavy horror with a lot going on under the surface. On paper it sounds chaotic (friends, breakup, desert trip gone wrong), but it touches on grief, identity, and all the messy stuff people don’t like to sit with.
The writing is probably my favorite part—it’s super vivid and the prose is beautiful, even when what’s happening is gross. It definitely pulls you in. That said, it did drag a little for me in a few parts, and I didn’t always love the main character, but the friend group dynamic felt really “real” and added a lot to the story for me.
Overall, it’s intense, creepy, and very metaphor-heavy. Not an easy or casual read, and definitely not for everyone—but if you like horror that’s a little strange, a little uncomfortable, and makes you think, it’s worth picking up.
I’m glad I read it… it’s out of my typical genre. But would I recommend? Yes, if you like horror. If it’s not your typical genre like me… just know what you’re getting into lol
3.75/5 rounded to 4 for Goodreads
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC
Okay… this is one of those books that’s honestly hard to review for me because it’s just so weird—in a good way, but also like… what did I just read? Lol
Tapeworm is very much a character-driven, metaphor-heavy horror with a lot going on under the surface. On paper it sounds chaotic (friends, breakup, desert trip gone wrong), but it touches on grief, identity, and all the messy stuff people don’t like to sit with.
The writing is probably my favorite part—it’s super vivid and the prose is beautiful, even when what’s happening is gross. It definitely pulls you in. That said, it did drag a little for me in a few parts, and I didn’t always love the main character, but the friend group dynamic felt really “real” and added a lot to the story for me.
Overall, it’s intense, creepy, and very metaphor-heavy. Not an easy or casual read, and definitely not for everyone—but if you like horror that’s a little strange, a little uncomfortable, and makes you think, it’s worth picking up.
I’m glad I read it… it’s out of my typical genre. But would I recommend? Yes, if you like horror. If it’s not your typical genre like me… just know what you’re getting into lol
3.75/5 rounded to 4 for Goodreads
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It's truly a touch difficult to review this book- bits of it are so outlandish, disgusting, or acidic that mere words escape the experience 0f reading Tapeworm.
Victor and Trish are splitting up, which means their shared friend group must help them pick which of the coupling attends their annual California desert rendezvous. When Victor ends up being the winner of the two, he struggles to shake the memory of his ex, and the super.... hostile attentions of the small town's "welcoming" committee.
I would classify this as a very intense character study alongside gruesome body horror and metaphorical grief monsters/ worms. I think there is definitely so much going on within these pages, but also a lot UNDERNEATH if you spend some time with It. Super creepy and I enjoyed very much so the utter mind twists Tapeworm provided, as well as the entirely unique horror reading experience it provided. Thayer provides lushly evocative descriptions that are equal parts gorgeous, mesmerizing, and terrifying- hats off to them! Thanks so much to Zando and Evil Twin for the free copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
Victor and Trish are splitting up, which means their shared friend group must help them pick which of the coupling attends their annual California desert rendezvous. When Victor ends up being the winner of the two, he struggles to shake the memory of his ex, and the super.... hostile attentions of the small town's "welcoming" committee.
I would classify this as a very intense character study alongside gruesome body horror and metaphorical grief monsters/ worms. I think there is definitely so much going on within these pages, but also a lot UNDERNEATH if you spend some time with It. Super creepy and I enjoyed very much so the utter mind twists Tapeworm provided, as well as the entirely unique horror reading experience it provided. Thayer provides lushly evocative descriptions that are equal parts gorgeous, mesmerizing, and terrifying- hats off to them! Thanks so much to Zando and Evil Twin for the free copy. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected Proof
An earthquake releases It from the captivity far below the ground. Remaining beneath the sand during daylight, it waits for darkness . . . and freedom.
Every year, Vic and Trish join their friends for a weekend retreat in Superstition, a California desert town. This year, as a result of their recent separation, Trish will not accompany him.
What will his weekend reveal?
=========
Sadly, the characters populating this story are particularly unlikeable; the best that can be said for their actions is that they are distasteful. Unfortunately, those actions are, for the most part, downright reprehensible. The characters’ overly-explicit sexual thoughts and actions [of which there are many] do not add anything to the unfolding tale and readers may find themselves wishing that the vampire worms would come and collect everyone.
Additionally, the overuse of a particularly loathsome expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Zando / Evil Twin and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tapeworm #NetGalley
An earthquake releases It from the captivity far below the ground. Remaining beneath the sand during daylight, it waits for darkness . . . and freedom.
Every year, Vic and Trish join their friends for a weekend retreat in Superstition, a California desert town. This year, as a result of their recent separation, Trish will not accompany him.
What will his weekend reveal?
=========
Sadly, the characters populating this story are particularly unlikeable; the best that can be said for their actions is that they are distasteful. Unfortunately, those actions are, for the most part, downright reprehensible. The characters’ overly-explicit sexual thoughts and actions [of which there are many] do not add anything to the unfolding tale and readers may find themselves wishing that the vampire worms would come and collect everyone.
Additionally, the overuse of a particularly loathsome expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Zando / Evil Twin and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tapeworm #NetGalley
March 30, 2026
This is an ARC review courtesy of NetGalley.
Tapeworm was a WILD ride.
I loved how you could not rely on the Vic’s narrative since it was obvious he was losing his awareness of reality. It started as a fairly slow decline in his sanity and then suddenly rocketed forward as the horrors manifested physically.
Tapeworm was a mix of different types of horrors, but the body horror aspect was certainly the most distressing. I felt queasy during several scenes and my heart raced when they tried removing the infection from inside themselves.
The intense sexual encounters throughout the book also made things more uncomfortable. You had to go against your instincts and avoid enjoying the moment. Because nothing is what it seems in this novel.
I feel like I also need to drink bleach after reading this.
So, A.P. Thayer, well done.
Tapeworm was a WILD ride.
I loved how you could not rely on the Vic’s narrative since it was obvious he was losing his awareness of reality. It started as a fairly slow decline in his sanity and then suddenly rocketed forward as the horrors manifested physically.
Tapeworm was a mix of different types of horrors, but the body horror aspect was certainly the most distressing. I felt queasy during several scenes and my heart raced when they tried removing the infection from inside themselves.
The intense sexual encounters throughout the book also made things more uncomfortable. You had to go against your instincts and avoid enjoying the moment. Because nothing is what it seems in this novel.
I feel like I also need to drink bleach after reading this.
So, A.P. Thayer, well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2026
Tapeworm, by A. P. Thayer, was nothing like what I thought it would be! The claustrophobia and anxiety this novel gave me while reading it was visceral (this is NOT a criticism). Thayer is great at evoking a mood and shifting perspectives. His characters are kind of one-dimensional, but that does not detract from the story. Although I am far from a prude, I was surprised by some of the overtly sexual scenes that transpired in the book; however, they do mostly serve the narrative. This book has everything: creepy-crawlies, a relationship break-up, LGTBA+ characters, bikers, and a bookstore called Close Encounters I really want to visit!
Thank you to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for this ARC…I thoroughly enjoyed the horrors in this one!
Thank you to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for this ARC…I thoroughly enjoyed the horrors in this one!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Horrific, repulsive, violent, dark, gory, terrifying, and INCREDIBLE!! This book was THE WILDEST, seemingly never-ending NIGHTMARE, and I loved every minute of it!!
A group of friends must confront questions of identity, aging, and desire during a vampire infestation in an isolated Californian desert. Come for the weekend, stay forever.
This story was like no other vampire tale I've EVER read! I certainly wasn't expecting the series of events as they unfolded, but I wouldn't want it any other way! Beautiful in its brutality and so deliciously gruesome! I felt like I personally got to know every single character from the outside, in! Tapeworm was brilliantly written, and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it!
A group of friends must confront questions of identity, aging, and desire during a vampire infestation in an isolated Californian desert. Come for the weekend, stay forever.
This story was like no other vampire tale I've EVER read! I certainly wasn't expecting the series of events as they unfolded, but I wouldn't want it any other way! Beautiful in its brutality and so deliciously gruesome! I felt like I personally got to know every single character from the outside, in! Tapeworm was brilliantly written, and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a unique take on vampires. It was kind of a fever dream. It’s gross, creepy, and unsettling. I had a blast reading it and once it got going I couldn’t stop. It did take me quite a while to get into it. The first bit felt a bit too long about Vic thinking about the implications of his probable divorce. Once he got to his gathering with his friends, it became way more interesting. This book also left some stuff up for interpretation which I always enjoy. I like it when authors don’t spell everything out for the readers. I recommend this book if you enjoy reading about body horror and don’t mind other triggering things. It was crazy!
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
sick as fuck man. this is the gnarly and severely uncomfortable kind of horror i love. very much reminded me of the movie cabin fever. even in the initial 50 pages or so, you just know futures are bleak, further feeding into the ever growing ominous tone...until that underlying tone erupts into a bloody, wormy mess and it's glorious!
if this book is any indication of what zando's new horror imprint has in store, I know it's going to be good, gory fun. thank you to the publisher for letting this sicko get an early copy!
if this book is any indication of what zando's new horror imprint has in store, I know it's going to be good, gory fun. thank you to the publisher for letting this sicko get an early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tapeworm
By A. P. Thayer
Pub Date; Aug 18 2026
This book is a great character study. It has fantastic character interaction. The pacing is very slow and nothing really happens until 70%. The book kept my interest because it is very well written.
My only complaint is I wish there was more action to quicken th pacing a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By A. P. Thayer
Pub Date; Aug 18 2026
This book is a great character study. It has fantastic character interaction. The pacing is very slow and nothing really happens until 70%. The book kept my interest because it is very well written.
My only complaint is I wish there was more action to quicken th pacing a bit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
April 9, 2026
📑 ARC READ
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before it's release. I greatly appreciate it!! Now to the review:
This book was insane from start to finish. I could never predict where the story was going to take us next. The authors take on Vampires was incredibly unique and had me hooked! I can't recommend this book enough for all the horror weirdos out there!
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before it's release. I greatly appreciate it!! Now to the review:
This book was insane from start to finish. I could never predict where the story was going to take us next. The authors take on Vampires was incredibly unique and had me hooked! I can't recommend this book enough for all the horror weirdos out there!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Tapeworm is a visceral tale of broken hearts and famished monsters. With his delicate prose, a nightmarish atmosphere and exquisite yearning, A. P. Thayer reveals himself as horror’s discovery of the year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I would describe this as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas meets From Dusk til Dawn. The imagery is terrifying and surreal, and sticky. Meaning, it sticks with you and returns at the most unexpected moments (the classroom, the shower, the grocery store...). This is an open-to-interpetation book that has a different story for every different reader, and it will stay with you a good long time.
I would describe this as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas meets From Dusk til Dawn. The imagery is terrifying and surreal, and sticky. Meaning, it sticks with you and returns at the most unexpected moments (the classroom, the shower, the grocery store...). This is an open-to-interpetation book that has a different story for every different reader, and it will stay with you a good long time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Spectacular book! Cannot recommend it enough.
Want to Read
March 30, 2026Thanks to Evil Twin for offering me this ARC through NetGalley! Tapeworm by A. P. Thayer comes out on August 18, 2026.
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