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The Stuffing
Jocelyn Hargrove expects the stuffed bear to be forgotten at the bottom of her younger sister Rosie's toy box. After all, it has a ripped seam and matted fur... hardly the kind of toy a child treasures. But despite its worn exterior, Rosie immediately falls in love with the bear she names Rupert.
Soon after Rupert's arrival, strange occurrences begin plaguing the Hargrove household, followed by a series of increasingly violent and unexplainable accidents. No matter where Jocelyn looks, Rupert always appears to be close by, silently watching...
As Rosie grows more attached to her new playmate, Jocelyn becomes convinced something evil has taken up residence in their home. As her sister becomes more withdrawn, Jocelyn is forced to confront a terrifying question: will her sister choose flesh and blood or her new stuffed friend?
Soon after Rupert's arrival, strange occurrences begin plaguing the Hargrove household, followed by a series of increasingly violent and unexplainable accidents. No matter where Jocelyn looks, Rupert always appears to be close by, silently watching...
As Rosie grows more attached to her new playmate, Jocelyn becomes convinced something evil has taken up residence in their home. As her sister becomes more withdrawn, Jocelyn is forced to confront a terrifying question: will her sister choose flesh and blood or her new stuffed friend?
212 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2026
That's another homerun for the Terrorcore Rewind series!
It's honestly hard to believe that The Stuffing is Hinderliter's first ever book, but it's clear that he knows his stuff and the influences that spawned this entire series flow deep in his veins. The atmosphere here is masterfully crafted, set in the winter throughout the course of multiple snowstorms that leave the reader feeling just as trapped and claustrophobic as the characters. Is there a malevolent force haunting the teddy bear known as Rupert? There's only one way to find out, READ THIS BOOK!
Another excellent entry in the Terrorcore Rewind series. If you're a fan of Fear Street, Point horror, Christopher Pike, or any of the myriad of 90s YA horror novels, this series NEEDS to be on your radar.
It's honestly hard to believe that The Stuffing is Hinderliter's first ever book, but it's clear that he knows his stuff and the influences that spawned this entire series flow deep in his veins. The atmosphere here is masterfully crafted, set in the winter throughout the course of multiple snowstorms that leave the reader feeling just as trapped and claustrophobic as the characters. Is there a malevolent force haunting the teddy bear known as Rupert? There's only one way to find out, READ THIS BOOK!
Another excellent entry in the Terrorcore Rewind series. If you're a fan of Fear Street, Point horror, Christopher Pike, or any of the myriad of 90s YA horror novels, this series NEEDS to be on your radar.
July 14, 2026
What's wrong with Rupert the bear??? It's just child's play....right?...Right???
"The Stuffing" by Austin Hinderliter is a fantastic addition to the Terrorcore Rewind series, joining other great titles like "Baby's Breath" and "The Hushed Boys" .... The best part: each story in the series feels different...they were all written by different authors after all, but still cohesive in the genre of nostalgic horror.
"The Stuffing" takes place in a cold, wintery town and follows local teen Jocelyn and her sister Rosie. You'll have to pick up a copy if you want to see what happens but I'll just say this....my jaw dropped while reading. It would be a great read during winter but I quite liked reading it during summer because the descriptions of the cold weather sounded so nice when it was actually 110 degrees outside lol
Terrorcore Rewind is dedicated to making nostalgic horror that doesn't just evoke the pages of the past ...it makes it real again. When I read Terrorcore, I feel like I'm time traveling. And I definitely had that feeling reading "The Stuffing"....Whether you're an adult who loved horror and never really grew out of it or a teen discovering these stories for the first time, definitely pick up a copy!
"The Stuffing" by Austin Hinderliter is a fantastic addition to the Terrorcore Rewind series, joining other great titles like "Baby's Breath" and "The Hushed Boys" .... The best part: each story in the series feels different...they were all written by different authors after all, but still cohesive in the genre of nostalgic horror.
"The Stuffing" takes place in a cold, wintery town and follows local teen Jocelyn and her sister Rosie. You'll have to pick up a copy if you want to see what happens but I'll just say this....my jaw dropped while reading. It would be a great read during winter but I quite liked reading it during summer because the descriptions of the cold weather sounded so nice when it was actually 110 degrees outside lol
Terrorcore Rewind is dedicated to making nostalgic horror that doesn't just evoke the pages of the past ...it makes it real again. When I read Terrorcore, I feel like I'm time traveling. And I definitely had that feeling reading "The Stuffing"....Whether you're an adult who loved horror and never really grew out of it or a teen discovering these stories for the first time, definitely pick up a copy!
September 7, 2026
Another killer entry into Terrorcore's Rewind series has arrived with The Stuffing!
Jocelyn and her little sister Rosie have had a difficult time. Their father passed away and their mother has buried her grief in work. Now Jo is left to take care of Rosie on her own. It's hard, but they're making due. That is until Rupert enters into their life. Rupert is a mangy teddy bear Rosie finds in a charity bin. Or is he something more? Pretty scary things start happening wherever Rupert (and Rosie) go. Rosie claims that the bear is talking ot her, but no one believes her... until it's too late.
It's pretty hard to believe that this is Hinderliter's first novel. The pacing is excellent, with powerful, punchy chapters that always end on a cliffhanger to keep you hooked. The characters are engaging with real emotional stakes. Best of all, given that this is a horror novel, it's frickin' scary! Rupert is creepy, there's loads of dread and it really feels like everything could come crashing down on Jocelyn and Rosie at any time.
Be warned: The final twist at the end is genuinely shocking in the best way.
Highly recommend The Stuffing to anyone who is a fan of Fear Street, Point Horror, and just great spooky stories in general.
Jocelyn and her little sister Rosie have had a difficult time. Their father passed away and their mother has buried her grief in work. Now Jo is left to take care of Rosie on her own. It's hard, but they're making due. That is until Rupert enters into their life. Rupert is a mangy teddy bear Rosie finds in a charity bin. Or is he something more? Pretty scary things start happening wherever Rupert (and Rosie) go. Rosie claims that the bear is talking ot her, but no one believes her... until it's too late.
It's pretty hard to believe that this is Hinderliter's first novel. The pacing is excellent, with powerful, punchy chapters that always end on a cliffhanger to keep you hooked. The characters are engaging with real emotional stakes. Best of all, given that this is a horror novel, it's frickin' scary! Rupert is creepy, there's loads of dread and it really feels like everything could come crashing down on Jocelyn and Rosie at any time.
Be warned: The final twist at the end is genuinely shocking in the best way.
Highly recommend The Stuffing to anyone who is a fan of Fear Street, Point Horror, and just great spooky stories in general.
July 21, 2026
The Stuffing by Austin Hinderliter
“Rupert wants to play a game...” 🧸
When Rosie Hargrove finds a stuffed bear at a church toy drive, she quickly becomes infatuated with her new toy. But there’s something wrong with Rupert that Rosie’s sister, Jo, can’t quite put her finger on. Not long after, things start to unravel for the Hargrove sisters.
I loved this book, the latest addition to Terrorcore Publishing's Rewind nostalgic horror line. Austin is a beautiful writer, and his descriptions of snowy settings, sparkling Christmas lights, and icy streets are gorgeous.
Yet among the beauty, darkness lurks. This is a genuinely unsettling read in a soft, poetic way. The dread creeps in slowly, rather than smashing you in the face, and Rupert’s character builds in a way that is both brilliant and deeply creepy.
As a huge Point Horror fan, I love these kinds of books, but don’t often find them properly chilling. The Stuffing is. Highly recommend along with the rest of this cracking series so far. All absolute bangers!
“Rupert wants to play a game...” 🧸
When Rosie Hargrove finds a stuffed bear at a church toy drive, she quickly becomes infatuated with her new toy. But there’s something wrong with Rupert that Rosie’s sister, Jo, can’t quite put her finger on. Not long after, things start to unravel for the Hargrove sisters.
I loved this book, the latest addition to Terrorcore Publishing's Rewind nostalgic horror line. Austin is a beautiful writer, and his descriptions of snowy settings, sparkling Christmas lights, and icy streets are gorgeous.
Yet among the beauty, darkness lurks. This is a genuinely unsettling read in a soft, poetic way. The dread creeps in slowly, rather than smashing you in the face, and Rupert’s character builds in a way that is both brilliant and deeply creepy.
As a huge Point Horror fan, I love these kinds of books, but don’t often find them properly chilling. The Stuffing is. Highly recommend along with the rest of this cracking series so far. All absolute bangers!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Terrorcore Publishing for the ARC!
"The Stuffing"... Not cute or cuddly, but eerie and entertaining!
The central mystery surrounding Rupert the teddy bear is a real page-turner. Is there something supernatural going on, or can there be a more logical explanation?
The cast of characters is strong—particularly Jocelyn. We really get to understand how she feels and what she’s going through. Even with everything thrown at her, she pushes ahead, looking for answers. She’s a great sister and a great protagonist.
The teenagers here behave like teenagers do, not always making the best or brightest decisions. This goes for Rosie, too—the little girl just wants a friend, even if the one she’s chosen for herself isn’t exactly the ideal companion…
Overall, "The Stuffing" is more twisted than any "Toy Story"—playful yet dark fun!
"The Stuffing"... Not cute or cuddly, but eerie and entertaining!
The central mystery surrounding Rupert the teddy bear is a real page-turner. Is there something supernatural going on, or can there be a more logical explanation?
The cast of characters is strong—particularly Jocelyn. We really get to understand how she feels and what she’s going through. Even with everything thrown at her, she pushes ahead, looking for answers. She’s a great sister and a great protagonist.
The teenagers here behave like teenagers do, not always making the best or brightest decisions. This goes for Rosie, too—the little girl just wants a friend, even if the one she’s chosen for herself isn’t exactly the ideal companion…
Overall, "The Stuffing" is more twisted than any "Toy Story"—playful yet dark fun!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was dark and impossible to stop reading. What appears to be a harmless stuffed bear soon reveals a far darker side.
The atmosphere was creepy and tense throughout, with a growing sense of dread that made even ordinary moments feel unsettling.
Rupert the bear was especially effective as a source of unease, always seeming to be present at exactly the wrong moment.
What surprised me most was where the story ultimately went. It was disturbing and genuinely creepy, this was a horror novel that kept me guessing until the very end.
Thank you Terrorcore Publishing & Austin Hinderliter for the #gifted earc!
All opinions are my own 🖤
The atmosphere was creepy and tense throughout, with a growing sense of dread that made even ordinary moments feel unsettling.
Rupert the bear was especially effective as a source of unease, always seeming to be present at exactly the wrong moment.
What surprised me most was where the story ultimately went. It was disturbing and genuinely creepy, this was a horror novel that kept me guessing until the very end.
Thank you Terrorcore Publishing & Austin Hinderliter for the #gifted earc!
All opinions are my own 🖤
July 16, 2026
Rosie's new toy Rupert is no ordinary bear. Rupert talks to Rosie and listens to her when no other adults have since her father died. But when others around Rosie start to get hurt, her older sister Jocelyn thinks something is off. Are Rupert and Rosie to blame?
I found The Stuffing to be mostly enjoyable. However, I didn't like the ending as Jocelyn figured things out a little too conveniently. Despite this, I would read more from the author in the future.
Thank you to Terrorcore for the ARC!
I found The Stuffing to be mostly enjoyable. However, I didn't like the ending as Jocelyn figured things out a little too conveniently. Despite this, I would read more from the author in the future.
Thank you to Terrorcore for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow this was intense and very dark. It reminded me of the mr Teddy story in the goosebumps book but much scarier .
I was surprised at what was really going on. I wouldn't have guessed.
It was really sad also with what happened to jocelyn and Rosie .
The ending left you thinking.
I was surprised at what was really going on. I wouldn't have guessed.
It was really sad also with what happened to jocelyn and Rosie .
The ending left you thinking.
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September 24, 2026I absolutely love this cover. ⚡️🧸⚡️
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews