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The Skin Room: A Splatterpunk Novel
Kenneth had it a life of luxury, fancy cars, rotating women. Now he has lost everything.
At first, he only wanted his home back, but that all changed when he connected with his community. Now he wants to make sure everyone can live without fear of the madman hiding in the shadows.
Once he is captured by the serial killer, he will have to make the hard choice of what he is willing to sacrifice in order to survive, but what do you give when you have nothing left but the skin on your back?
Come peel away the bloody pages of Kenneth’s struggle between what is right and what is needed to survive.
this story contains graphic scenes and is intended for mature readers only.
At first, he only wanted his home back, but that all changed when he connected with his community. Now he wants to make sure everyone can live without fear of the madman hiding in the shadows.
Once he is captured by the serial killer, he will have to make the hard choice of what he is willing to sacrifice in order to survive, but what do you give when you have nothing left but the skin on your back?
Come peel away the bloody pages of Kenneth’s struggle between what is right and what is needed to survive.
this story contains graphic scenes and is intended for mature readers only.
- GenresHorror
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
May 9, 2026
I really enjoyed that this book really didn't go the way I expected it to. If you like to read deeper into things it's a commentary on how easily those of us without the right connections can fall through the cracks and how fragile success is, if you just like a bleak little story well it's that too and then some.
I liked that Kenneth's progression was a lot of back and forth, that felt very honest.
This book was so frigging gross, sometimes in a quite over the top way. It ruined fruits for me for a moment there, you'll have to read it to find out why, I still feel kind of sick just thinking about it.
Bluesy's writing style reminds me a lot of Jon Athan's but with fewer full government names and characters that are a little (a lot) more fleshed out. It's a rare treat in the Splatterpunk genre to get a book that's on the longer side (355 pages) so that was very nice too especially as there is an actual story in there besides the gore. For the genre it's pretty much a slow burn story, is a slow burn slasher even a thing? Not that this book is just a slasher.
Many thanks to the author for providing me a ebook for review consideration.
I liked that Kenneth's progression was a lot of back and forth, that felt very honest.
This book was so frigging gross, sometimes in a quite over the top way. It ruined fruits for me for a moment there, you'll have to read it to find out why, I still feel kind of sick just thinking about it.
Bluesy's writing style reminds me a lot of Jon Athan's but with fewer full government names and characters that are a little (a lot) more fleshed out. It's a rare treat in the Splatterpunk genre to get a book that's on the longer side (355 pages) so that was very nice too especially as there is an actual story in there besides the gore. For the genre it's pretty much a slow burn story, is a slow burn slasher even a thing? Not that this book is just a slasher.
Many thanks to the author for providing me a ebook for review consideration.
Did Not Finish
March 26, 2026Temporarily throwing in the towel with this one. I may come back to it in the future. I am not vibing with the writing at all.
March 8, 2026
Gory, blood-soaked horror!
Just finished this book and really enjoyed it! Splatter and extreme horror are some of my favourite genres, and this one doesn’t disappoint!
I’m very grateful to have received an advanced reader copy of this book!
The story follows Kenneth and his spectacular fall from grace! After losing everything, Kenneth finds himself homeless and on the streets! With a serial killer on the loose targeting the homeless, Kenneth needs to befriend someone to keep himself safe.
Loved the characters in the book, especially Viv, who is a real firecracker! Characters are developed so that you really care about their fate! Or wellbeing!
Great, gruesome read with trigger warning checks required! 5 stars from me, great job!!
Let’s see what this author brings to the table next!!
Just finished this book and really enjoyed it! Splatter and extreme horror are some of my favourite genres, and this one doesn’t disappoint!
I’m very grateful to have received an advanced reader copy of this book!
The story follows Kenneth and his spectacular fall from grace! After losing everything, Kenneth finds himself homeless and on the streets! With a serial killer on the loose targeting the homeless, Kenneth needs to befriend someone to keep himself safe.
Loved the characters in the book, especially Viv, who is a real firecracker! Characters are developed so that you really care about their fate! Or wellbeing!
Great, gruesome read with trigger warning checks required! 5 stars from me, great job!!
Let’s see what this author brings to the table next!!
March 25, 2026
I read this book the way I read most things lately under bad lighting, half hungry, trying to ignore the cold creeping into my bones. And somehow… The Skin Room made that feel like the warm-up.
This isn’t horror you visit.
This is horror you live in.
Bluesy doesn’t just write violence he drags you through it, face first. Every page feels like cardboard under your back, like sirens in the distance that never come for you, like the kind of dread that sticks to your skin and won’t wash off.
There’s something deeply uncomfortable about how real the suffering feels. Not just the gore (and yeah, it’s brutal), but the emotional rot underneath it. The kind that makes you feel like the world itself is a predator and you’re already too weak to run.
Reading this while feeling like you’re already on the edge?
Yeah… it hits different.This book doesn’t care if you’re okay. It doesn’t care if you sleep after. It just keeps going mean, relentless, and unapologetically cruel.
And somehow… I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for sheer brutality and atmosphere)
This isn’t horror you visit.
This is horror you live in.
Bluesy doesn’t just write violence he drags you through it, face first. Every page feels like cardboard under your back, like sirens in the distance that never come for you, like the kind of dread that sticks to your skin and won’t wash off.
There’s something deeply uncomfortable about how real the suffering feels. Not just the gore (and yeah, it’s brutal), but the emotional rot underneath it. The kind that makes you feel like the world itself is a predator and you’re already too weak to run.
Reading this while feeling like you’re already on the edge?
Yeah… it hits different.This book doesn’t care if you’re okay. It doesn’t care if you sleep after. It just keeps going mean, relentless, and unapologetically cruel.
And somehow… I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for sheer brutality and atmosphere)
March 15, 2026
Kenneth is not having a good time! Once revelling in a life of luxury and excess he is now homeless and at the mercy of a serial killer, what choices will he make to survive?
This is not my usual choice of horror, I generally avoid splatterpunk and the first page of this had me thinking nope. But, although this is blood soaked and explicit there are really thoughtful themes of sacrifice and redemption here. The characters, albeit mainly undesirable, are well drawn and fascinating. Kenneth’s change from thoroughly selfish to protective of the community he has been welcomed into on the streets creates an empathy for him that I was not expecting.
The reality of homeless life is stark and brutal, the killer is sadistic and grotesque, the skin room is deeply disturbing and there is a cosmic feel to the story as it develops which amplifies the horror and degradation.
If you have a strong stomach and like your splatterpunk with added splatter then try this but I would advise you check the content warnings and you enter at your own risk.
This is not my usual choice of horror, I generally avoid splatterpunk and the first page of this had me thinking nope. But, although this is blood soaked and explicit there are really thoughtful themes of sacrifice and redemption here. The characters, albeit mainly undesirable, are well drawn and fascinating. Kenneth’s change from thoroughly selfish to protective of the community he has been welcomed into on the streets creates an empathy for him that I was not expecting.
The reality of homeless life is stark and brutal, the killer is sadistic and grotesque, the skin room is deeply disturbing and there is a cosmic feel to the story as it develops which amplifies the horror and degradation.
If you have a strong stomach and like your splatterpunk with added splatter then try this but I would advise you check the content warnings and you enter at your own risk.
Did Not Finish
March 15, 2026Thank you so much to the author for the ARC.
This book is well written, but it just wasn't for me. I couldnt get into it so didn't finish it. it has had good reviews so its just my preference and has nothing to do with the author's writing.
This book is well written, but it just wasn't for me. I couldnt get into it so didn't finish it. it has had good reviews so its just my preference and has nothing to do with the author's writing.
April 21, 2026
Carl Bluesy really knows how to write a character you can love to hate. I was sucked in from the very beginning as a narcissistic luxury car salesman started down a path of unfortunate consequences stripping him of his ill gotten gains, humbling him to the human condition. Enter the Panhandle Peeler, an ever looming danger for our unapologetic disgraced salesman as he encounters several unique personalities with insight to share about life on the streets.
A very smooth read, I had trouble putting it down.
A very smooth read, I had trouble putting it down.
May 5, 2026
I wasn't completely sold on the first half of this book because truthfully I just didn't care for Kenneth. The second half though was bizarre and such a bloody good time!
Rtc
Rtc
May 8, 2026
The Skin Room had an intriguing premise, but the execution fell flat in several key areas. The atmosphere and darker themes showed potential, yet the story struggled to maintain emotional depth or momentum. The biggest issue was the MMC who came across as shallow and frustrating rather than compelling. His behavior and internal monologue lacked nuance, making it difficult to connect with his motivations or care about his journey. Instead of adding tension or complexity, he often felt repetitive and irritating, which weakened the overall reading experience.
The third-person narration also created distance from the characters instead of enhancing the story. Rather than drawing the reader deeper into the emotional stakes, the perspective made many scenes feel detached and harder to engage with. Combined with uneven pacing, this made the novel difficult to fully enjoy despite its promising concept.
The third-person narration also created distance from the characters instead of enhancing the story. Rather than drawing the reader deeper into the emotional stakes, the perspective made many scenes feel detached and harder to engage with. Combined with uneven pacing, this made the novel difficult to fully enjoy despite its promising concept.
May 8, 2026
This one is darkly brutal and disturbing, but I couldn’t put it down! It gets right into the depravity immediately from the first page and doesn’t stop. The atmosphere is intense and the writing pulls you right in with well written characters that feel real. I didn’t love Kenneth and he was frustrating at times, but his character still felt raw and emotionally complex. Even at his worst!
If you like disturbing reads full of brutality and gore, then check this out to find out why it’s called The Skin Room!
If you like disturbing reads full of brutality and gore, then check this out to find out why it’s called The Skin Room!
March 29, 2026
I had the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of The Skin Room by Carl Bluesy. This is my second outing of Bluesy and I can say this was a much different experience than his first novel. As an avid horror reader, splatterpunk/extreme horror is not my cup of tea generally. It’s just rough 😅.
When the selfish egotistical Kenneth is down on his luck and his world is turned upside down he is forced into homelessness after a life of luxury. Caught in a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer know as The Peeler, Kenneth will go through some of the worst nightmares imaginable.
The Skin Room is extreme in the grossest way possibly. I want to check on Carl just to see if he’s okay 😂. No seriously though, this book is extremely well written for a sophomore release. It may be the most graphic novel I read this year. It may have made me uneasy, queasy, and disgusted. But, it also has a sense of redemption, self-reflection, and shines light on the struggles yet resiliency that homeless people go through. If you are a fan of extreme horror. Check out The Skim Room when it releases!
When the selfish egotistical Kenneth is down on his luck and his world is turned upside down he is forced into homelessness after a life of luxury. Caught in a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer know as The Peeler, Kenneth will go through some of the worst nightmares imaginable.
The Skin Room is extreme in the grossest way possibly. I want to check on Carl just to see if he’s okay 😂. No seriously though, this book is extremely well written for a sophomore release. It may be the most graphic novel I read this year. It may have made me uneasy, queasy, and disgusted. But, it also has a sense of redemption, self-reflection, and shines light on the struggles yet resiliency that homeless people go through. If you are a fan of extreme horror. Check out The Skim Room when it releases!
April 6, 2026
Kenneth has a thing for married women and soon finds himself out of work. He meets Viv as his life begins to spiral and he ends up on the streets.
His time on the streets gets off to a bumpy start and things go seriously downhill when Viv finds a skinned body. Victims of the pan handle peeler. Kenneth is a character I really loved to hate! The horror is a ‘live’ veritable nightmare! This is a genuinely unique story. I can’t liken it to anything else I’ve read. The body horror in the latter half of this one is totally on point and I really enjoyed the writing. The societal themes were heavy and Carlo really delved into the class divide with this one. All in all a great read!
His time on the streets gets off to a bumpy start and things go seriously downhill when Viv finds a skinned body. Victims of the pan handle peeler. Kenneth is a character I really loved to hate! The horror is a ‘live’ veritable nightmare! This is a genuinely unique story. I can’t liken it to anything else I’ve read. The body horror in the latter half of this one is totally on point and I really enjoyed the writing. The societal themes were heavy and Carlo really delved into the class divide with this one. All in all a great read!
March 14, 2026
I just finished The Skin Room this week and… yeah, this one sticks with you.
This isn’t cheap shock horror. It’s visual, immersive, and way too realistic. The writing makes every scene play out in your head like you’re actually standing there watching it happen.
And that’s what makes it so disturbing. You’re not just reading the horror—you’re inside it, stuck in a mind that’s slowly unraveling. How far can a man on top of the world fall?
Pretty fucking far.
It’s brutal, unsettling, and honestly one of the more viscerally horrifying reads I’ve picked up in a while.
If you like horror that crawls under your skin and stays there… this one delivers.
Just don’t expect to walk away feeling anything but gutted.
This isn’t cheap shock horror. It’s visual, immersive, and way too realistic. The writing makes every scene play out in your head like you’re actually standing there watching it happen.
And that’s what makes it so disturbing. You’re not just reading the horror—you’re inside it, stuck in a mind that’s slowly unraveling. How far can a man on top of the world fall?
Pretty fucking far.
It’s brutal, unsettling, and honestly one of the more viscerally horrifying reads I’ve picked up in a while.
If you like horror that crawls under your skin and stays there… this one delivers.
Just don’t expect to walk away feeling anything but gutted.
March 13, 2026
This was my first ever Splatterpunk book. It was intense to say the least. I loved the message portrayed referring to how the homeless are treated and the things they endure just to stay alive.
I was so not expecting an actual Skin Room and the very disturbing skin fruit. The Panhandle Peeler was definitely quite the disturbed individual. I loved the blend of science fiction along with horror, it made the story that much more intriguing. This was very gory and horrifying. This is my second book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read more.
Thank you so much to the author for giving me this early copy for an honest review.
I was so not expecting an actual Skin Room and the very disturbing skin fruit. The Panhandle Peeler was definitely quite the disturbed individual. I loved the blend of science fiction along with horror, it made the story that much more intriguing. This was very gory and horrifying. This is my second book I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to read more.
Thank you so much to the author for giving me this early copy for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
This story was definitely not for the faint hearted or easily squeamish!
That being said, I was very quickly hooked into the author’s writing style. The main character was intensely unlikable from go, and honestly in the beginning I kept reading to see if he would get the karma he deserved for his abhorrent behaviors and off putting and judgmental thought processes.
But then, the book started delving into some heavier topics, and the way the author provided an unflinching look into some of the horrors the unhoused population has to face was truly eye opening.
It takes a truly talented author to take you on such an intense journey and take such a despicable character and turn him into one you are rooting for in the end. The way the story changed him as a person added some deeper layers to the sinister and gory game at play, and as answers were revealed, Kenneth’s true shift in character was also revealed.
This book is truly a wild ride, and I honestly couldn’t wait to turn the pages and delve deeper into the author’s psyche and see what horrors he dreamed up for us next.
While I know this genre isn’t for everyone, I think fans of the genre will flock to the author’s ability to make you feel watched, stalked, and ultimately tortured, right along with the main character. I would definitely be interested in seeing what else Carl has to offer.
That being said, I was very quickly hooked into the author’s writing style. The main character was intensely unlikable from go, and honestly in the beginning I kept reading to see if he would get the karma he deserved for his abhorrent behaviors and off putting and judgmental thought processes.
But then, the book started delving into some heavier topics, and the way the author provided an unflinching look into some of the horrors the unhoused population has to face was truly eye opening.
It takes a truly talented author to take you on such an intense journey and take such a despicable character and turn him into one you are rooting for in the end. The way the story changed him as a person added some deeper layers to the sinister and gory game at play, and as answers were revealed, Kenneth’s true shift in character was also revealed.
This book is truly a wild ride, and I honestly couldn’t wait to turn the pages and delve deeper into the author’s psyche and see what horrors he dreamed up for us next.
While I know this genre isn’t for everyone, I think fans of the genre will flock to the author’s ability to make you feel watched, stalked, and ultimately tortured, right along with the main character. I would definitely be interested in seeing what else Carl has to offer.
May 6, 2026
Kenneth Yates has it all. The important job, a nice condo, money, and access to all the women he desires. Tailored suits, fast cars–everything he ever dreamed of.
He sells luxury cars for a living, this is his identity, and he does it well. He’s a top salesman. Ambitious, controlled, successful, and cunning.
One day, Kenneth makes a mistake at work.
And everything changes.
He loses his job, his identity, and his home. The police can’t help him, because it looks like he caused it himself. Then he meets Viv, a woman who knows life on the streets. For a price, she shows him how her world works. She introduces him to her friends, and together they try to find shelter, food, and some kind of safety.
But there’s a serial killer on the loose.
No place is safe.
This isn’t a story about rock bottom, it’s about what’s waiting for you when you get there.
I enjoyed this book, and it’s different from what I usually read. The body horror in this one was vile and creative. The MMC must learn a whole new way of living, and what friendship and empathy really means. Strong character development.
I’d recommend this to horror readers who enjoy a slow burn, but you need a strong stomach for this one. It’s disgusting and unsettling.
-Vibeke 🖤
April 28, 2026
Thank you Carl for allowing me to read this.
4.75/5.
This is not for the faint hearted, however, if you love gore and extremes then you’re in the right place. We follow Kenneth a high rolling ultra luxury car salesman whose life flips resulting in homelessness. At the same time the police is looking for a prolific serial killer known as The Panhandle Peeler.
The first part shows Kenneth learn the ropes of his new lifestyle and the risk associated with it. Joining a crew and finding any means of making money for a hot meal. Whilst this is happening more and more victims are turning up. The second part sees Kenneth trapped and under duress to peel away a victims to literally save his own skin. Lots of gore that, at times, made it hard to read before bed.
This book, whilst being an extreme horror, highlights the societal perspective on homelessness. I thought it was done very well and made me think about the impact of being homeless and the mental toll of a parent losing a child, to the point of extreme madness.
At first I did find it a bit of a slow start which is why I haven’t given this book a full 5 star rating.
4.75/5.
This is not for the faint hearted, however, if you love gore and extremes then you’re in the right place. We follow Kenneth a high rolling ultra luxury car salesman whose life flips resulting in homelessness. At the same time the police is looking for a prolific serial killer known as The Panhandle Peeler.
The first part shows Kenneth learn the ropes of his new lifestyle and the risk associated with it. Joining a crew and finding any means of making money for a hot meal. Whilst this is happening more and more victims are turning up. The second part sees Kenneth trapped and under duress to peel away a victims to literally save his own skin. Lots of gore that, at times, made it hard to read before bed.
This book, whilst being an extreme horror, highlights the societal perspective on homelessness. I thought it was done very well and made me think about the impact of being homeless and the mental toll of a parent losing a child, to the point of extreme madness.
At first I did find it a bit of a slow start which is why I haven’t given this book a full 5 star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
Wow. Okay.
I felt a lot during this read, particularly horror, nausea, general malaise, and a flicker of hope for our dear protagonist and his unlikely new friendships.
Kenneth is a real charmer. He's myopic with a depth of insight rivaling a puddle. His locus of control is so external it's interplanetary. Bluesy hooked me with a morbidly fascinating question: can this slimy little man change for the better when faced with his worst nightmare?
Best paired with a tropical fruit salad. Have fun!
Thanks so much to the author for sending an ARC my way. Also, how dare you. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I felt a lot during this read, particularly horror, nausea, general malaise, and a flicker of hope for our dear protagonist and his unlikely new friendships.
Kenneth is a real charmer. He's myopic with a depth of insight rivaling a puddle. His locus of control is so external it's interplanetary. Bluesy hooked me with a morbidly fascinating question: can this slimy little man change for the better when faced with his worst nightmare?
Best paired with a tropical fruit salad. Have fun!
Thanks so much to the author for sending an ARC my way. Also, how dare you. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Did Not Finish
March 27, 2026I appreciate the author reaching out to me, but this book just isn’t my cup of tea. Maybe I’ll return to it another time, but right now, I will have to DNF.
March 25, 2026
This was my first read in the Splatterpunk Horror genre and what an introduction. Kenneth our MC is honestly one of the most unlikeable characters I have had the pleasure to read about. He's a rude, entitled, manipulating car salesman who ends up honestly getting his just desserts. Due to some "error" with the bank/rental company Kenneth loses everything when he gets fired from his job and he ends up on the streets. This part of the book definitely hit the hardest because honestly ANYONE is a couple of bad decisions away from being in the same position. It is a hard truth that was brought to very real life on the pages of this book. Highlighting the constant danger and vulnerability that homeless men and women are subjected to 24/7, it's terrifying. To me I thought that was the true horror of this novel BUT then we encounter The Panhandle Peeler, the serial killer stalking the streets stealing the skin from the homeless. Umm...no thank you. The second half of the book where our MC Ken gets a very real introduction to the Peeler goes from sad/depressing to absolutely horrifyingly grotesque and I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoyed it. It was over the top blood and gore and I kept turning those pages!
If you've read my review this far, make sure you check your triggers because shit goes down.
So in closing although this is classified as Splatterpunk Horror it has so many genres rolled into it that it has a little something for everyone.
I'm so pumped Carl reached out to me with this one because I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of his works.
If you've read my review this far, make sure you check your triggers because shit goes down.
So in closing although this is classified as Splatterpunk Horror it has so many genres rolled into it that it has a little something for everyone.
I'm so pumped Carl reached out to me with this one because I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of his works.
May 3, 2026
4.5 rounded down
Kenneth is a pompous high-end car salesman who loses everything in a day. His fantastic job. His condo. His assets. He quickly ends up on the street. He not only has to deal with this drastic lifestyle change, but there is a brutal killer on the loose and his victims of choice? The homeless. His signature? Skinning them. Kenneth will find himself face to face with this blood thirsty killer and will also face the demons inside of himself.
It’s very interesting to see a book told through the eyes of the homeless. The stigma. The profiling. The avoidance. The inner workings of the community. Even more interesting to see a high profile person suddenly thrust into the jaws of homelessness. How they adapt. How they act. How their views change.
Oh Kenneth, you’re such a douche for 90% of this book. His ethics are terrible, he has low morals, he’s very selfish, arrogant and an all around prick. He’s also charismatic and a natural leader. Even being on the street doesn’t change his state of mind or view of himself. He does surprisingly have sporadic moments of having an actual conscience. Like feeling bad for selling drugs to kids. Or selling a car to a suicidal person. Or being genuinely worried about his fellow homelessmen. He’s a complex character as sometimes I felt bad for him and then he would show his true colors and I would think NOPE 😂
Kenneth immediately seeks out advice of survival on the streets from transient Viv (although buegrudeoningly) with the promise to repay her for this favor when his assets return. She gives him tips and tricks of the trade and also lets him tag along with her small little group. I really like Viv. She’s hard and tough and takes no shit. She didn’t have to help Kenneth but she does anyway which says a lot about her character.
In case you’re wondering. Yes. A literal skin room. A room MADE OUT OF HUMAN SKIN. That’s just the top of the iceberg.…this villain is straight up mad!
This is a slowburn read, especially to the brutality. It’s heavily setting and character driven with the main plot of a killer kind of staying in the background at first. We learn to care for our characters, yes, even Kenneth. Then the killer aspect becomes the forefront and it becomes pretty gross and brutal in a hurry! A great horror book I very much enjoyed.
Kenneth is a pompous high-end car salesman who loses everything in a day. His fantastic job. His condo. His assets. He quickly ends up on the street. He not only has to deal with this drastic lifestyle change, but there is a brutal killer on the loose and his victims of choice? The homeless. His signature? Skinning them. Kenneth will find himself face to face with this blood thirsty killer and will also face the demons inside of himself.
It’s very interesting to see a book told through the eyes of the homeless. The stigma. The profiling. The avoidance. The inner workings of the community. Even more interesting to see a high profile person suddenly thrust into the jaws of homelessness. How they adapt. How they act. How their views change.
Oh Kenneth, you’re such a douche for 90% of this book. His ethics are terrible, he has low morals, he’s very selfish, arrogant and an all around prick. He’s also charismatic and a natural leader. Even being on the street doesn’t change his state of mind or view of himself. He does surprisingly have sporadic moments of having an actual conscience. Like feeling bad for selling drugs to kids. Or selling a car to a suicidal person. Or being genuinely worried about his fellow homelessmen. He’s a complex character as sometimes I felt bad for him and then he would show his true colors and I would think NOPE 😂
Kenneth immediately seeks out advice of survival on the streets from transient Viv (although buegrudeoningly) with the promise to repay her for this favor when his assets return. She gives him tips and tricks of the trade and also lets him tag along with her small little group. I really like Viv. She’s hard and tough and takes no shit. She didn’t have to help Kenneth but she does anyway which says a lot about her character.
In case you’re wondering. Yes. A literal skin room. A room MADE OUT OF HUMAN SKIN. That’s just the top of the iceberg.…this villain is straight up mad!
This is a slowburn read, especially to the brutality. It’s heavily setting and character driven with the main plot of a killer kind of staying in the background at first. We learn to care for our characters, yes, even Kenneth. Then the killer aspect becomes the forefront and it becomes pretty gross and brutal in a hurry! A great horror book I very much enjoyed.
May 6, 2026
Firstly, a thank you to the author for another ARC of his work. This book was right up my alley so I am forever grateful to be included in the ARC group.
Moving on, oh my gooood this book. Be warned, this read is not for the faint of heart. Ideally I wouldn’t even recc this to a first time horror/gore reader. The violence is beautifully horrible in a way that avid fans of the genre will enjoy.
Stories like American Psycho and Saw come to mind when reading this book, if you are fans of both then you will 100% enjoy this bloody offering.
Following Kenneth’s (deserved) fall from grace right into the titular skin room where he has to decide how far he is willing to go to survive. The best horror stories not only shock us, but force us to confront those difficult questions in life. What exactly would you do to survive? Could you live with yourself after it?
As always the characters are on point, Viv being a stand out for me personally. Kenneth himself was an interesting protagonist to follow, you don’t exactly root for him in the beginning, but I wasn’t exactly against him either. It was sorta like watching how a completely opposite person lives and wanting to understand from a curiosity standpoint.
The mystery surrounding the gore and murders in the first half is paced well. The first few bodies showing up genuinely spooked at times, but by the end we were standing knee deep in the blood. It was glorious.
If you’re into splatter punk, HEAVY gore, horror genres and you are looking for that special read that is a little more intense and gripping, then definitely pick up The Skin Room.
Thank you again to the author
Moving on, oh my gooood this book. Be warned, this read is not for the faint of heart. Ideally I wouldn’t even recc this to a first time horror/gore reader. The violence is beautifully horrible in a way that avid fans of the genre will enjoy.
Stories like American Psycho and Saw come to mind when reading this book, if you are fans of both then you will 100% enjoy this bloody offering.
Following Kenneth’s (deserved) fall from grace right into the titular skin room where he has to decide how far he is willing to go to survive. The best horror stories not only shock us, but force us to confront those difficult questions in life. What exactly would you do to survive? Could you live with yourself after it?
As always the characters are on point, Viv being a stand out for me personally. Kenneth himself was an interesting protagonist to follow, you don’t exactly root for him in the beginning, but I wasn’t exactly against him either. It was sorta like watching how a completely opposite person lives and wanting to understand from a curiosity standpoint.
The mystery surrounding the gore and murders in the first half is paced well. The first few bodies showing up genuinely spooked at times, but by the end we were standing knee deep in the blood. It was glorious.
If you’re into splatter punk, HEAVY gore, horror genres and you are looking for that special read that is a little more intense and gripping, then definitely pick up The Skin Room.
Thank you again to the author
April 28, 2026
First of all, thank you to Carl for asking me to beta read for him once again. I was privileged to beta read for his debut novel 'Desire in the Damned'.
This one started off with a bang and I was invested in the main character and plot right away. I captured my attention immediately.
I'm not sure what happened, but about 20% in my brain started wandering and I just wasn't as invested in the story anymore. I think it was due to the lengthy dialogue between the MC and the other characters. There was just a lot to keep track of.
The second half of the book is disturbing and vomit inducing. There is a lot of skin, blood and bodily fluids- plus some vivid descriptions of food. Well done Carl, you made me want to vomit!
This novel definitely isn't for the weak stomached!
**Thank you so much to Carl Bluesy for sending me an eArc of Skin Room in exchange for my honest review. Expected pub date: May 5, 2026**
This one started off with a bang and I was invested in the main character and plot right away. I captured my attention immediately.
I'm not sure what happened, but about 20% in my brain started wandering and I just wasn't as invested in the story anymore. I think it was due to the lengthy dialogue between the MC and the other characters. There was just a lot to keep track of.
The second half of the book is disturbing and vomit inducing. There is a lot of skin, blood and bodily fluids- plus some vivid descriptions of food. Well done Carl, you made me want to vomit!
This novel definitely isn't for the weak stomached!
**Thank you so much to Carl Bluesy for sending me an eArc of Skin Room in exchange for my honest review. Expected pub date: May 5, 2026**
May 1, 2026
Holy hell, this splatterpunk read, book peeps…🫣🤢😳
This was my first read from Carl Bluesy and it will certainly not be my last!! This one was wild!! Kenneth is the MMC you will love to hate! The light the author sheds on the treatment of the homeless is very eye opening as well! 👏
Definitely recommend checking this one out - just be sure to check trigger warnings!! This is not for the faint of heart!! 😅
Thank you Carl Bluesy for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
This was my first read from Carl Bluesy and it will certainly not be my last!! This one was wild!! Kenneth is the MMC you will love to hate! The light the author sheds on the treatment of the homeless is very eye opening as well! 👏
Definitely recommend checking this one out - just be sure to check trigger warnings!! This is not for the faint of heart!! 😅
Thank you Carl Bluesy for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
April 24, 2026
This was such a wild ride! I’m gonna be honest I first I didn’t know what to expect. It was a little slower in the beginning but I after reading it, everything connected so well. At around 50% of this book I literally did not know what I was reading. (In a good way of course) I literally could not put it down. This is also one of the first books that made me queasy and I was unable to eat while reading. (Iykyk) it was a very unique approach to the splatterpunk genre and I’m very interested in seeing what else this author has to offer!
April 27, 2026
Depravity? Check. Gore? Check. Insanity? Check. A complete and thorough page turner? You better believe it. This is one of those stories that make you uncomfortable at times, but you cannot look away. I was pulled in during the first chapter, and writing would not release me. I enjoyed this story so much, I now have to read anything else I can find by this author.
May 15, 2026
This one’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t really try to be.
If you’re into those filthy, blood-soaked 2000s horror movies that don’t blink before going too far, you’ll probably have a good time here. It’s got the violence, the excess, the kind of scenes that feel like they’re daring you to look away.
If you’re into those filthy, blood-soaked 2000s horror movies that don’t blink before going too far, you’ll probably have a good time here. It’s got the violence, the excess, the kind of scenes that feel like they’re daring you to look away.
April 26, 2026
By: Carl Bluesy
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
ASIN: B0GKZCD7W6
Page Count: 320 pages
Triggers: Extreme gore, body horror, homelessness, captivity, torture, serial killer violence, psychological horror, graphic content
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
Well. Apparently I walked into a room made of skin, bad decisions, social collapse, and one man’s spectacular fall from “look at my fancy car and my ego” to “sir, you are now fighting for your life in the worst possible arts and crafts project ever conceived.”
The Skin Room is not a book that politely knocks on your door. It kicks it open, tracks blood across the carpet, makes eye contact, and asks if you have checked your privilege lately.
Kenneth starts off as the kind of man you want to trip in a parking lot. Arrogant, self-absorbed, flashy, entitled, and about as emotionally deep as a puddle in a Walmart parking space. He has the cars, the money, the women, the ego, and the complete inability to realize life can absolutely humble you with both hands and a shovel.
And then it does.
Mr. Carl Bluesy takes this man apart piece by piece, and not just physically, though don’t worry, splatterpunk fans, the physical part gets plenty of attention. Kenneth loses everything and is forced into homelessness, into vulnerability, into a community he once would have looked past without a second thought. That shift is where this book gets mean in the best way. Because yes, there is gore. Yes, there is blood. Yes, there are scenes that made my stomach look for the nearest exit. But underneath all that meat-wall nightmare fuel is a story with something to say.
And it says it loudly.
Here’s What Slapped:
The horror is nasty, creative, and deeply uncomfortable. This is not “oops, a little spooky” horror. This is body horror with teeth. The Panhandle Peeler is the kind of villain that makes you want to lock every door, check every window, and side-eye anyone with too much free time and access to sharp objects. The skin room itself is grotesque, disturbing, and honestly one of those concepts that makes you wonder if the author is okay. Lovingly, of course. But still. Carl, blink twice.
What impressed me most, though, was that the book did not rely on gore alone. It could have. Plenty of extreme horror does. It could have just thrown buckets of blood at the wall and called it a personality. Instead, Mr. Bluesy gives us character work, social commentary, and actual emotional movement.
Kenneth’s arc is surprisingly effective. I did not expect to care about him. In the beginning, I was ready to watch karma pull up a chair and enjoy herself. But as Kenneth is stripped of his money, safety, status, and identity, he becomes something far more interesting than the smug disaster we meet at the start. He begins to see people he once ignored. He begins to understand fear, hunger, cold, exposure, and what it means to be disposable in a world that pretends not to see suffering unless it is marketable.
That is where this book gets sharp.
The homeless community is not used as background decoration. These characters matter. Viv especially is a standout, and I loved her. She has that kind of firecracker energy where you immediately know she has seen things, survived things, and will absolutely not be putting up with Kenneth’s nonsense unless she feels like it. The people Kenneth meets bring warmth, grit, humor, and humanity into a story that could otherwise drown in blood and misery.
The pacing also worked for me. Once the story grabbed hold, I did not want to put it down. It moves from fall-from-grace survival horror into serial killer dread, then into full-blown splatterpunk captivity nightmare. It escalates in a way that feels brutal but earned.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly, not much for me. This was a five-star read because it knew exactly what it wanted to be and then had the audacity to do it well.
That said, this is absolutely not for everyone. If you do not like extreme horror, body horror, gore, torture, or books that make your soul feel like it needs a bleach bath, this is not your casual weekend read. Please check your triggers. Then check them again. Then maybe text a friend and say, “I’m going in.”
The killer reveal may be easier for some readers to catch early, but for me, that did not ruin the experience. The real horror was never only “who is doing this?” It was the why, the how, and the awful sinking feeling of watching Kenneth realize the world is much uglier from the bottom.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Extreme horror with actual substance, splatterpunk that does more than throw entrails at the page, serial killer horror, social commentary wrapped in blood-soaked madness, redemption arcs that hurt, and books that make you whisper, “What the hell did I just read?” while still turning the next page.
Final Thoughts:
I loved this book. I loved the filth of it, the nerve of it, the humanity buried under the horror, and the way Carl Bluesy managed to make something this gruesome feel meaningful instead of empty. The Skin Room is brutal, imaginative, disgusting, emotional, and unforgettable. It is the kind of book that crawls under your skin, sets up camp, and refuses to leave.
Five stars. Five skulls. A bloody, brilliant nightmare.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
Publisher: Independently Published
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
ASIN: B0GKZCD7W6
Page Count: 320 pages
Triggers: Extreme gore, body horror, homelessness, captivity, torture, serial killer violence, psychological horror, graphic content
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into?
Well. Apparently I walked into a room made of skin, bad decisions, social collapse, and one man’s spectacular fall from “look at my fancy car and my ego” to “sir, you are now fighting for your life in the worst possible arts and crafts project ever conceived.”
The Skin Room is not a book that politely knocks on your door. It kicks it open, tracks blood across the carpet, makes eye contact, and asks if you have checked your privilege lately.
Kenneth starts off as the kind of man you want to trip in a parking lot. Arrogant, self-absorbed, flashy, entitled, and about as emotionally deep as a puddle in a Walmart parking space. He has the cars, the money, the women, the ego, and the complete inability to realize life can absolutely humble you with both hands and a shovel.
And then it does.
Mr. Carl Bluesy takes this man apart piece by piece, and not just physically, though don’t worry, splatterpunk fans, the physical part gets plenty of attention. Kenneth loses everything and is forced into homelessness, into vulnerability, into a community he once would have looked past without a second thought. That shift is where this book gets mean in the best way. Because yes, there is gore. Yes, there is blood. Yes, there are scenes that made my stomach look for the nearest exit. But underneath all that meat-wall nightmare fuel is a story with something to say.
And it says it loudly.
Here’s What Slapped:
The horror is nasty, creative, and deeply uncomfortable. This is not “oops, a little spooky” horror. This is body horror with teeth. The Panhandle Peeler is the kind of villain that makes you want to lock every door, check every window, and side-eye anyone with too much free time and access to sharp objects. The skin room itself is grotesque, disturbing, and honestly one of those concepts that makes you wonder if the author is okay. Lovingly, of course. But still. Carl, blink twice.
What impressed me most, though, was that the book did not rely on gore alone. It could have. Plenty of extreme horror does. It could have just thrown buckets of blood at the wall and called it a personality. Instead, Mr. Bluesy gives us character work, social commentary, and actual emotional movement.
Kenneth’s arc is surprisingly effective. I did not expect to care about him. In the beginning, I was ready to watch karma pull up a chair and enjoy herself. But as Kenneth is stripped of his money, safety, status, and identity, he becomes something far more interesting than the smug disaster we meet at the start. He begins to see people he once ignored. He begins to understand fear, hunger, cold, exposure, and what it means to be disposable in a world that pretends not to see suffering unless it is marketable.
That is where this book gets sharp.
The homeless community is not used as background decoration. These characters matter. Viv especially is a standout, and I loved her. She has that kind of firecracker energy where you immediately know she has seen things, survived things, and will absolutely not be putting up with Kenneth’s nonsense unless she feels like it. The people Kenneth meets bring warmth, grit, humor, and humanity into a story that could otherwise drown in blood and misery.
The pacing also worked for me. Once the story grabbed hold, I did not want to put it down. It moves from fall-from-grace survival horror into serial killer dread, then into full-blown splatterpunk captivity nightmare. It escalates in a way that feels brutal but earned.
What Could’ve Been Better:
Honestly, not much for me. This was a five-star read because it knew exactly what it wanted to be and then had the audacity to do it well.
That said, this is absolutely not for everyone. If you do not like extreme horror, body horror, gore, torture, or books that make your soul feel like it needs a bleach bath, this is not your casual weekend read. Please check your triggers. Then check them again. Then maybe text a friend and say, “I’m going in.”
The killer reveal may be easier for some readers to catch early, but for me, that did not ruin the experience. The real horror was never only “who is doing this?” It was the why, the how, and the awful sinking feeling of watching Kenneth realize the world is much uglier from the bottom.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Extreme horror with actual substance, splatterpunk that does more than throw entrails at the page, serial killer horror, social commentary wrapped in blood-soaked madness, redemption arcs that hurt, and books that make you whisper, “What the hell did I just read?” while still turning the next page.
Final Thoughts:
I loved this book. I loved the filth of it, the nerve of it, the humanity buried under the horror, and the way Carl Bluesy managed to make something this gruesome feel meaningful instead of empty. The Skin Room is brutal, imaginative, disgusting, emotional, and unforgettable. It is the kind of book that crawls under your skin, sets up camp, and refuses to leave.
Five stars. Five skulls. A bloody, brilliant nightmare.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Skin Room by Carl Bluesy is a dark and dour horror story of two halves. This book offers a lot of things for fans of the more extreme side of horror to enjoy, and also some interesting character bits and setpieces that were clearly pretty well researched, which I appreciated. I received an advance copy of The Skin Room from Carl in return for an honest review.
Overall, I felt the writing was pretty strong in most parts of the book, and there’s some great creativity on display at times. The main character, Kenneth, can be interesting to follow. Despite some occasionally heavy-handed reminders of how much of a douche he is, there are some neat motivations and character choices that go unstated, which I liked. I enjoyed seeing what he finds to be the most important thing in a situation, and though he is often repugnant, many of his motives and trains of thought, though unsavory or cowardly, make sense for his character without being too preachy.
Much of the book deal with the unhoused, and there were some genuinely engaging moments and descriptions for me there. Outside the emphasis on drug-dealing and hooking, there were some good bits of researched information about how the characters spent their time wand what their primary concerns were. I also appreciated how the down-on-his-luck rich white man didn’t really become the savior he would have liked to see himself as, though it did make me wish for a little more agency from the other unhoused at times. But I think that’s also sort of the point. People can get beaten down past the point where it even makes sense to try to crawl away without a proper motivation, and that motivation is elusive and often never discovered.
As I mentioned, this is a story of two halves, literally. It is split in to two parts which follow the same story and characters, but have their own feel and tone. I think this was a good move, since I did get a bit of a tonal shift at the halfway point in the book, and I had a little trouble reconciling the two parts at times. Individually each half works well, but the narrative logic and borderline-supernatural qualities of the second half jarred me a little despite how much I enjoyed them in a vacuum. Lots of cool visuals and great ideas are on display, as well as tons of gore and gross outs. My issue was that after how relatively grounded the first half was, some stuff in the latter half felt almost silly for how extreme and bonkers it was. Again, I liked a lot of it, but my mindset was in another place after the first half.
Overall I found this a pretty well crafted, horror story. Definitely not for the queasy or those without a tolerance for mean-spirited stories. But if you appreciate gory horror with a downcast slant, then this one will sate your thirst. It flows well and I finished it without any trouble.
Overall, I felt the writing was pretty strong in most parts of the book, and there’s some great creativity on display at times. The main character, Kenneth, can be interesting to follow. Despite some occasionally heavy-handed reminders of how much of a douche he is, there are some neat motivations and character choices that go unstated, which I liked. I enjoyed seeing what he finds to be the most important thing in a situation, and though he is often repugnant, many of his motives and trains of thought, though unsavory or cowardly, make sense for his character without being too preachy.
Much of the book deal with the unhoused, and there were some genuinely engaging moments and descriptions for me there. Outside the emphasis on drug-dealing and hooking, there were some good bits of researched information about how the characters spent their time wand what their primary concerns were. I also appreciated how the down-on-his-luck rich white man didn’t really become the savior he would have liked to see himself as, though it did make me wish for a little more agency from the other unhoused at times. But I think that’s also sort of the point. People can get beaten down past the point where it even makes sense to try to crawl away without a proper motivation, and that motivation is elusive and often never discovered.
As I mentioned, this is a story of two halves, literally. It is split in to two parts which follow the same story and characters, but have their own feel and tone. I think this was a good move, since I did get a bit of a tonal shift at the halfway point in the book, and I had a little trouble reconciling the two parts at times. Individually each half works well, but the narrative logic and borderline-supernatural qualities of the second half jarred me a little despite how much I enjoyed them in a vacuum. Lots of cool visuals and great ideas are on display, as well as tons of gore and gross outs. My issue was that after how relatively grounded the first half was, some stuff in the latter half felt almost silly for how extreme and bonkers it was. Again, I liked a lot of it, but my mindset was in another place after the first half.
Overall I found this a pretty well crafted, horror story. Definitely not for the queasy or those without a tolerance for mean-spirited stories. But if you appreciate gory horror with a downcast slant, then this one will sate your thirst. It flows well and I finished it without any trouble.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A short while back I was approached and asked if I wanted to read an ARC copy of Skin Room by Carl Bluesy, in exchange for an honest review. They were transparent in that it was an extreme horror novel, and I was transparent in that extreme isn’t my go-to genre of choice. Since we were both okay with those limitations, I said, sure, let's give it a go.
Now, extreme and splatterpunk horror can be an entertaining read, or it can be torture porn with no real story. I went into Skin Room unsure which direction it would go because I’ve never read anything by Carl Bluesy before. I had my gratuitous violence shields up, and went in utterly unprepared to be hit with….
Smut.
I like smut even less than I like violence for the sake of violence, and honestly, it took me a while to make it through the first chapter as we moved directly from graphically described smut with questionable consent to sexualizing the receptionist. I was thinking I might have to DM the author and opt out of reading it after all.
However, Kenneth lost his job, and then Kenneth lost his apartment, and then the story got better.
For the first portion of the book, there is very little that I would consider extreme.
Kenneth (who is a grade a douche canoe with no redeemable qualities), ends up homeless. He’s positive its a fluke and that soon he’ll have his rich and powerful life back. He keeps telling himself this as he is bounced back and forth from the police to the bank and back to the police and back to the bank.
Meanwhile, there is a serial killer out there. Called the Panhandle Peeler, because the victims have all been completely skinned, and they have all been homeless.
As this portion of the story progresses, Kenneth realizes that getting his life back might be a little harder than expected. He’s taken under the wing of a few homeless people and they start showing him the ropes of living on the streets. There is prostitution, drug dealing, and a little bit of doing whatever it takes to stay alive.
Meanwhile, the Panhandle Peeler is still peeling.
Kenneth, still absolutely insufferable, has started to form a kinship with the homeless community, and tries to rig a way to capture the Peeler.
This, of course, goes horribly wrong and he is captured by the killer.
This is where the story turns splatter on us, but for the most part it does so in a good way. The situation Kenneth finds himself in is grotesque and I can honestly say I’ve never personally read anything even remotely close to it.
I can’t really say much about it, however, without giving away the entirety of the third act.
Despite the “Oh my god, what did I get myself into?” start, it turned into an enjoyable read and I’d give it a good 3.5 to 4 stars. I would recommend it to someone who likes extreme horror.
(Never did grow to like Kenneth though)
Now, extreme and splatterpunk horror can be an entertaining read, or it can be torture porn with no real story. I went into Skin Room unsure which direction it would go because I’ve never read anything by Carl Bluesy before. I had my gratuitous violence shields up, and went in utterly unprepared to be hit with….
Smut.
I like smut even less than I like violence for the sake of violence, and honestly, it took me a while to make it through the first chapter as we moved directly from graphically described smut with questionable consent to sexualizing the receptionist. I was thinking I might have to DM the author and opt out of reading it after all.
However, Kenneth lost his job, and then Kenneth lost his apartment, and then the story got better.
For the first portion of the book, there is very little that I would consider extreme.
Kenneth (who is a grade a douche canoe with no redeemable qualities), ends up homeless. He’s positive its a fluke and that soon he’ll have his rich and powerful life back. He keeps telling himself this as he is bounced back and forth from the police to the bank and back to the police and back to the bank.
Meanwhile, there is a serial killer out there. Called the Panhandle Peeler, because the victims have all been completely skinned, and they have all been homeless.
As this portion of the story progresses, Kenneth realizes that getting his life back might be a little harder than expected. He’s taken under the wing of a few homeless people and they start showing him the ropes of living on the streets. There is prostitution, drug dealing, and a little bit of doing whatever it takes to stay alive.
Meanwhile, the Panhandle Peeler is still peeling.
Kenneth, still absolutely insufferable, has started to form a kinship with the homeless community, and tries to rig a way to capture the Peeler.
This, of course, goes horribly wrong and he is captured by the killer.
This is where the story turns splatter on us, but for the most part it does so in a good way. The situation Kenneth finds himself in is grotesque and I can honestly say I’ve never personally read anything even remotely close to it.
I can’t really say much about it, however, without giving away the entirety of the third act.
Despite the “Oh my god, what did I get myself into?” start, it turned into an enjoyable read and I’d give it a good 3.5 to 4 stars. I would recommend it to someone who likes extreme horror.
(Never did grow to like Kenneth though)
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