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My Family
WARNING: THIS IS AN EXTREME HORROR NOVEL. There is gore. There is bad language. There are scenes of a sexual nature. But hidden underneath it all is also a chilling story. Please do not purchase this book if you are easily shocked, disgusted or offended. This book is not for you. Would you give up your child if a stranger asked? No? What if they offered money? Still no? What if they threatened the rest of your family? Give your child up or lose your entire family in the most horrific way possible. What would you do? How would you protect those that you love and at what price?
88 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2014
101 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,205 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 13, 2025
I'm going 3.75 stars here. Don't judge. I'm feeling indecisive this morning. Matt Shaw managed to capture some of the same eerie and unsettling feelings that Elias Witherow did when he constructed The Third Parent. A married couple with kids have an unfortunate visitation that turns into a nasty, prolonged fight for their family's safety. James and Cathy as the victims here were just so relatable. Specifically James joking about which of the kids they would give up for an offer from the likes of Jeff and Dawn. Married couples can have some strange conversations, so this was a nice touch of realism. And the most unnerving part here was how the perpetrators kept staying so calm and collected when trying to arrange the adoption of two of the couple's children. Continually trying to spin things to make it like they were doing the couple a favor by taking 40% of their workload aways, giving them more freedom and privileges. I guess to sum it all up, Shaw created a great atmosphere. And he did manage to fit a pretty good story into an eighty-page book, too. Now I didn't care much for the ending. It felt rushed and incomplete. And I would have liked to see some more relationship dynamics between James and Cathy prior to Jeff and Dawn coming into the picture. But overall, I liked this story quite a bit.
December 26, 2014
I wasn't sure as to whether my review would be valid under the circumstances. The circumstances being that the creation of this book was my Christmas present from my lovely husband. In the end I decided that my opinion is just as valid as the next person and, as Matt Shaw stated, I am a person who is not afraid to speak my mind!
It is my pleasure to say that this is probably my book of the year. Yes, because it was totally about me and 'my family' but also because Matt managed to capture us all perfectly. Every description was spot on and there were times when I wondered if he'd had cameras set up around my home; the dialogue was straight out of one of our conversations. That was creepy in itself.
The story homed in on every parent's worst nightmare and made it all the more realistic with the introduction of two seemingly normal, down-to-earth characters. Whilst this wasn't as gory or extreme as other stories in Matt Shaw's catalogue, it was certainly darker than most of his psychological horrors. There is a gradual build-up of tension throughout the first few chapters which culminated in an edge-of-the-seat, climactic finale. I read this book in one sitting on Christmas Day, obviously I needed to know how I fared. To be honest, I wished I had read it during the daylight hours. Today, every time Loki growls at the front door- which, admittedly, is every time a leaf blows past- I stop and have to remind myself that it was just a story...
It is my pleasure to say that this is probably my book of the year. Yes, because it was totally about me and 'my family' but also because Matt managed to capture us all perfectly. Every description was spot on and there were times when I wondered if he'd had cameras set up around my home; the dialogue was straight out of one of our conversations. That was creepy in itself.
The story homed in on every parent's worst nightmare and made it all the more realistic with the introduction of two seemingly normal, down-to-earth characters. Whilst this wasn't as gory or extreme as other stories in Matt Shaw's catalogue, it was certainly darker than most of his psychological horrors. There is a gradual build-up of tension throughout the first few chapters which culminated in an edge-of-the-seat, climactic finale. I read this book in one sitting on Christmas Day, obviously I needed to know how I fared. To be honest, I wished I had read it during the daylight hours. Today, every time Loki growls at the front door- which, admittedly, is every time a leaf blows past- I stop and have to remind myself that it was just a story...
January 11, 2015
3.5 stars (.5 for the author's kind gesture)!*
Here we have a married couple, unable to conceive a child of their own. But they don't want one child, because then he or she would be lonely. Three kids won't do because then there would be a neglected middle child. This charming couple want exactly two children. But the wife's infertility poses a problem. What to do, what to do...?
Well, there are always options for couples like that, right? There's adoption...
Surrogate parenting...
In vitro fertilization and other such fertility procedures...
Let's face it, there are even extreme and drastic measures they can take, if willing...
This particular couple, however, have something different in mind...
Well, not that exactly. They encounter a loving couple with five children of their own--five daughters ranging in age from five to sixteen years old. They decide that it's unfair for the couple to have so many kids. Altruistically, of course, they offer to adopt two of the couple's children. That way, they'll finally have kids of their own and the other couple will be less burdened and enjoy more time for themselves. A win-win situation for both couples...right? Well, the two parents aren't too keen on the idea. But that won't stop the desperate couple from getting what they want...one way or another.
I really love the idea behind this story. And I really love Matt Shaw's writing. So I was disappointed that I didn't enjoy this story as much as I'd wanted. I found some of the situations so unforgivably frustrating. I suppose I over-analyzed things.
The mother in me wanted nothing more than to protect the kids.
The lawyer in me wanted to advise the parents not to worry about the proposed contract.
The violent side of me...uh, if I had one, of course (!)...wanted to rip into those two weirdos--bash their heads in, claw out their eyes, stick a knife through their necks--inflict great and permanent damage...!
This is a very entertaining short story, one that could easily be read in one sitting. It's well-written and engrossing. It just fell short of my expectations.
*Though I must say, I love the fact that Shaw was nice enough to write this book as a Christmas gift for one of his fans (at the request of her husband). How great is that?!?
Here we have a married couple, unable to conceive a child of their own. But they don't want one child, because then he or she would be lonely. Three kids won't do because then there would be a neglected middle child. This charming couple want exactly two children. But the wife's infertility poses a problem. What to do, what to do...?
Well, there are always options for couples like that, right? There's adoption...
Surrogate parenting...
In vitro fertilization and other such fertility procedures...
Let's face it, there are even extreme and drastic measures they can take, if willing...
This particular couple, however, have something different in mind...
Well, not that exactly. They encounter a loving couple with five children of their own--five daughters ranging in age from five to sixteen years old. They decide that it's unfair for the couple to have so many kids. Altruistically, of course, they offer to adopt two of the couple's children. That way, they'll finally have kids of their own and the other couple will be less burdened and enjoy more time for themselves. A win-win situation for both couples...right? Well, the two parents aren't too keen on the idea. But that won't stop the desperate couple from getting what they want...one way or another.
I really love the idea behind this story. And I really love Matt Shaw's writing. So I was disappointed that I didn't enjoy this story as much as I'd wanted. I found some of the situations so unforgivably frustrating. I suppose I over-analyzed things.
The mother in me wanted nothing more than to protect the kids.
The lawyer in me wanted to advise the parents not to worry about the proposed contract.
The violent side of me...uh, if I had one, of course (!)...wanted to rip into those two weirdos--bash their heads in, claw out their eyes, stick a knife through their necks--inflict great and permanent damage...!
This is a very entertaining short story, one that could easily be read in one sitting. It's well-written and engrossing. It just fell short of my expectations.
*Though I must say, I love the fact that Shaw was nice enough to write this book as a Christmas gift for one of his fans (at the request of her husband). How great is that?!?
November 10, 2022
Story 4.5/5
Narration 4/5
My Family by Matt Shaw, is the story of an unusual and unexpected, adoption proposal that ends in blood.
It is an original and absurd tale!
What was happening was so surreal that I couldn't help but laugh at times, even though I'm not sure it was meant to be funny.
I recommend it!
Narration 4/5
My Family by Matt Shaw, is the story of an unusual and unexpected, adoption proposal that ends in blood.
It is an original and absurd tale!
What was happening was so surreal that I couldn't help but laugh at times, even though I'm not sure it was meant to be funny.
I recommend it!
March 18, 2015
Thank you Matt Shaw for kicking my paranoia up a few notches..
. . . moderately better review to come :-)
. . . moderately better review to come :-)
February 12, 2023
Another great read from the marvelous Mr Matt Shaw...this book did worry me slightly when I read it had been written as a Christmas Present for one of his fans,helped by her husband..a little strange!! But I'd purchased it before I knew this information so I went ahead and read it anyway,I wasn't disappointed,but I did think it lacked a little something that I couldn't quite put my finger on...maybe somewhat farfetched??? It was still enjoyable to read but not one of the best from Matt Shaw,I'm sure there's better out there from this author that I'm still to get my brain into??? 4 out 5 stars from me.
November 26, 2022
This book was written for a fan. And I almost cried when I found it out.
It’s a home invasion story, a couple wants two of the couples (the house that was invaded) children. How would you even decide if someone asked to take two of your children?
It’s a home invasion story, a couple wants two of the couples (the house that was invaded) children. How would you even decide if someone asked to take two of your children?
November 20, 2022
A dark story which, as was intended, crossed over into the world of absurd craziness and outrage. In fact, the insane skewness of the highly disturbing main thrust of the tale reminded me more than a little of the excellent ‘Sophie’s Choice’ by William Styron.
James and Cathy are the loving parents of five beautiful daughters, whilst Jeff and Dawn, unfortunately as yet, still have no youngsters of their own. Then, one dark and stormy night, the two couples meet face to face and from that moment on things are destined never to be the same again.
Lots to enjoy, but it does contain a scene or two that some readers may find disturbing.
Finally, loved the fact that MS actually wrote this story as a surprise for one of his ‘sometimes critical’ regular reviewers. Way to go, Matt - a great idea!
Rating: 3.8 dark stars.
James and Cathy are the loving parents of five beautiful daughters, whilst Jeff and Dawn, unfortunately as yet, still have no youngsters of their own. Then, one dark and stormy night, the two couples meet face to face and from that moment on things are destined never to be the same again.
Lots to enjoy, but it does contain a scene or two that some readers may find disturbing.
Finally, loved the fact that MS actually wrote this story as a surprise for one of his ‘sometimes critical’ regular reviewers. Way to go, Matt - a great idea!
Rating: 3.8 dark stars.
December 27, 2014
4**solid ass**Stars!!!
“Wow!!...my thoughts on this one...what do I even say....I mean I'm still a little speechless...first off....IMO....I think it took some big balls to tackle a subject matter like that!!!..so In my head I'm picturing Mr.Shaw strutting around like this right now...lol!!!
Second...If I had to sum up my thoughts using only one word , GENUIS immediately comes to mind. ...it was heartbreaking...sad...and just plain fucked up..in other words...it was Matt Shaw!!!....if you have read anything from this author then you will understand what I'm trying to convey!!...I Highly recommend this one!!!
I got 4 words for you Matt!!!...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
“Wow!!...my thoughts on this one...what do I even say....I mean I'm still a little speechless...first off....IMO....I think it took some big balls to tackle a subject matter like that!!!..so In my head I'm picturing Mr.Shaw strutting around like this right now...lol!!!
Second...If I had to sum up my thoughts using only one word , GENUIS immediately comes to mind. ...it was heartbreaking...sad...and just plain fucked up..in other words...it was Matt Shaw!!!....if you have read anything from this author then you will understand what I'm trying to convey!!...I Highly recommend this one!!!
I got 4 words for you Matt!!!...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
April 21, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
James , Cathy and their five daughters are living seemingly perfect lives until one night a bad storm brings a knock at their door. Little did this family know this couple wanted some extra help .
James , Cathy and their five daughters are living seemingly perfect lives until one night a bad storm brings a knock at their door. Little did this family know this couple wanted some extra help .
October 2, 2015
**** 4.5 I AM GREEDY STARS ****
I will just say this right now....HOLY SHIT!!
Cathy and James lead a very normal happy life. Their marriage is good and they love their 5 girls aging from 16 to 4 years old. Life is good.
As a major thunder storm breaks lose on them and no one can sleep, they decide to have family fun night at midnight. As they are settled in, the doorbell rings. Cathy does not want to open that door. Nothing good can happen. James thinks she is overreacting and opens the door. This will be the biggest mistake of their lives.
As the days pass, the couple from the doorstep, Jeff and Dawn, push themselves into Cathy and James' lives. James never takes anything that happens serious, but Cathy is on high alert and knows things are not going to end well.
She's right.....
All Jeff and Dawn want in this world is to be parents. They want to adopt 2 of Cathy and James' daughters. They want kids of their own, as they can't have any. They don't want to kidnap them, they are asking nicely to adopt them. They have it all worked out, until they don't!
Of course Cathy and James do NOT agree to this adoption and this DOES NOT sit well with the kid seeking couple.
"You see....Five is just being fucking greedy."
Things go bad really fast and the lives of all of them will never ever be the same.
This is a short but unbelievable read. I was left speechless with the final pages of this book. The only reason this book did not receive 5 stars from was because of this ending. I NEEDED more.....the story could not just end the way it did. I know there is more, I pray there is a hidden epilogue. I am willing to play hide and seek to find!! Please please Matt Shaw....tell me if I am hot or cold!!!!
So good in a very freaky kind of way!!
I will just say this right now....HOLY SHIT!!
Cathy and James lead a very normal happy life. Their marriage is good and they love their 5 girls aging from 16 to 4 years old. Life is good.
As a major thunder storm breaks lose on them and no one can sleep, they decide to have family fun night at midnight. As they are settled in, the doorbell rings. Cathy does not want to open that door. Nothing good can happen. James thinks she is overreacting and opens the door. This will be the biggest mistake of their lives.
As the days pass, the couple from the doorstep, Jeff and Dawn, push themselves into Cathy and James' lives. James never takes anything that happens serious, but Cathy is on high alert and knows things are not going to end well.
She's right.....
All Jeff and Dawn want in this world is to be parents. They want to adopt 2 of Cathy and James' daughters. They want kids of their own, as they can't have any. They don't want to kidnap them, they are asking nicely to adopt them. They have it all worked out, until they don't!
Of course Cathy and James do NOT agree to this adoption and this DOES NOT sit well with the kid seeking couple.
"You see....Five is just being fucking greedy."
Things go bad really fast and the lives of all of them will never ever be the same.
This is a short but unbelievable read. I was left speechless with the final pages of this book. The only reason this book did not receive 5 stars from was because of this ending. I NEEDED more.....the story could not just end the way it did. I know there is more, I pray there is a hidden epilogue. I am willing to play hide and seek to find!! Please please Matt Shaw....tell me if I am hot or cold!!!!
So good in a very freaky kind of way!!
March 23, 2015
*Spoilers*ish*
The whole premise of this story is set around a couple of numpties forcing a couple of pussies to sign a piece of paper.
It's weak, at best.
Shame, cause I've enjoyed other books by Shaw.
The whole premise of this story is set around a couple of numpties forcing a couple of pussies to sign a piece of paper.
It's weak, at best.
Shame, cause I've enjoyed other books by Shaw.
August 25, 2023
This was quite intense, but a little underdeveloped... I wish we could see more of the family's and the intruders' background. Overall I had a good time with it
October 24, 2016
This is a very short book, so it lacks in character development. I listened to it on audible and the narrator had an extremely thick Scottish accent which made it hard to understand at times. Nonetheless, I am interested in other Matt Shaw books just by the descriptions.
May 11, 2024
This was just a slightly messed up but interesting read. I felt compelled to see what happened with the family and I wish I didn’t even finish this because the ending is not a great one.
December 17, 2024
This book got to me, because someone kidnapping my children is one of my worst fears. And the way Jeff would say "I'm not kidnapping I'm adopting" made me sick. Good quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2023
I was on edge!
This one had me on edge the entire read, as a mom of 7 I couldn't even imagine being put in this situation! I was so mad at James for opening the door! I absolutely love these short stories that Matt has put together! Definitely recommend if you're needing a quick read and need to be startled!
This one had me on edge the entire read, as a mom of 7 I couldn't even imagine being put in this situation! I was so mad at James for opening the door! I absolutely love these short stories that Matt has put together! Definitely recommend if you're needing a quick read and need to be startled!
February 14, 2024
Well this one made me feel sick. Home invasion stuff always gets me lol. Great book, with some horrible questions.
May 28, 2025
I love the fact this was written for a fan! I think if I were Cathy reading this I'd be freaked TF out, and would give it an extra star. Overall it was a fun little read, undecided about the ending though 🤷🏼♀️
September 11, 2016
STORY: 2 stars
PERFORMANCE: 4 stars
OVERALL: 3 stars
STORY:
I am very frustrated as I write this, just having spent 2 hours and 13 minutes listening to this audiobook. What an incredibly disappointing ending!!!! Luckily I've read 1 other book by Matt Shaw, one that I gave 5 stars to, or I would never read anything by him again!
Initially, I thought MY FAMILY resembled MISERY by Stephen King. The storyline is not similar but the genre or style bears some semblance to that well-known book. Although considered, "horror", MISERY and MY FAMILY are not scary or frightening. There are no poltergeists, carnivorous zombies or anything surprising to cause one to jump from their seat. MY FAMILY is a dark short story about 2 couples; 2 husbands and 2 wives. One couple is, "normal", living in a single-family residence with their 5 children. The other couple however... Let's just say that these 2 are more than a few fries short of a Happy Meal! The childless couple have fixed, unwavering delusions regarding what they feel they must do in order to complete their family. Regardless of what they must do or who might get hurt in the process, this crazy couple is 100% focused on reaching their extremely unconventional goal.
I love reading about lunatics so I really enjoyed the first 50% of this book. However, at about 51% into the book, I realized that absolutely nothing dark or horror-like had occurred. I remained patient and kept listening, entertained and fascinated by the psychotic couple. I think this book might have received a solid 4 stars from me if there had been an ending that fit with the other 99% of the book but sadly, the ending was terrible. In my opinion, there was nothing meaningful about the ending whatsoever! There's no moral to the story, no underlying message, no justice served.... NOTHING!! I was so, so frustrated and disappointed! It literally felt like Shaw started writing a book then didn't know how to end it so he just didn't! Knowing that Shaw is capable of sooooo much more makes this even more disappointing! Unless you are stuck in jail or stranded on a deserted island with absolutely nothing else to do with your time, I would not read this book.
PERFORMANCE: 4
Narrator Chris Barnes has or pretended to have a VERY thick Irish or Scottish accent. I questioned why someone with such a strong accent was chosen to narrate since the location of the story was not made evident? Luckily I was able to listen using an app that allowed me to adjust the speed, slowing down the recording to where I could understand everything Mr. Barnes said. Once that was handled and I could listen to the story instead of focusing on what words were being stated, his accent was no longer an issue. Mr. Barnes did an adequate job of expressing emotion; pitch and volume were also appropriate. Although Barnes did use a more feminine tone of voice when reading dialogue coming from a female character, it would have been nice if he had spoken with 2 slightly different feminine voices. Similarly, it surely would have been easier to differentiate between the two male characters had Mr. Barnes adjusted his tone or created different voices when speaking for these characters..
PERFORMANCE: 4 stars
OVERALL: 3 stars
STORY:
I am very frustrated as I write this, just having spent 2 hours and 13 minutes listening to this audiobook. What an incredibly disappointing ending!!!! Luckily I've read 1 other book by Matt Shaw, one that I gave 5 stars to, or I would never read anything by him again!
Initially, I thought MY FAMILY resembled MISERY by Stephen King. The storyline is not similar but the genre or style bears some semblance to that well-known book. Although considered, "horror", MISERY and MY FAMILY are not scary or frightening. There are no poltergeists, carnivorous zombies or anything surprising to cause one to jump from their seat. MY FAMILY is a dark short story about 2 couples; 2 husbands and 2 wives. One couple is, "normal", living in a single-family residence with their 5 children. The other couple however... Let's just say that these 2 are more than a few fries short of a Happy Meal! The childless couple have fixed, unwavering delusions regarding what they feel they must do in order to complete their family. Regardless of what they must do or who might get hurt in the process, this crazy couple is 100% focused on reaching their extremely unconventional goal.
I love reading about lunatics so I really enjoyed the first 50% of this book. However, at about 51% into the book, I realized that absolutely nothing dark or horror-like had occurred. I remained patient and kept listening, entertained and fascinated by the psychotic couple. I think this book might have received a solid 4 stars from me if there had been an ending that fit with the other 99% of the book but sadly, the ending was terrible. In my opinion, there was nothing meaningful about the ending whatsoever! There's no moral to the story, no underlying message, no justice served.... NOTHING!! I was so, so frustrated and disappointed! It literally felt like Shaw started writing a book then didn't know how to end it so he just didn't! Knowing that Shaw is capable of sooooo much more makes this even more disappointing! Unless you are stuck in jail or stranded on a deserted island with absolutely nothing else to do with your time, I would not read this book.
PERFORMANCE: 4
Narrator Chris Barnes has or pretended to have a VERY thick Irish or Scottish accent. I questioned why someone with such a strong accent was chosen to narrate since the location of the story was not made evident? Luckily I was able to listen using an app that allowed me to adjust the speed, slowing down the recording to where I could understand everything Mr. Barnes said. Once that was handled and I could listen to the story instead of focusing on what words were being stated, his accent was no longer an issue. Mr. Barnes did an adequate job of expressing emotion; pitch and volume were also appropriate. Although Barnes did use a more feminine tone of voice when reading dialogue coming from a female character, it would have been nice if he had spoken with 2 slightly different feminine voices. Similarly, it surely would have been easier to differentiate between the two male characters had Mr. Barnes adjusted his tone or created different voices when speaking for these characters..
November 13, 2015
What can I say? Wow! This book was awesome! It was such a great story and the fact that it was a Christmas gift for Cathy Hudson from her husband made it even better. I don't know what could be more terrifying than someone threatening to hurt your family or take your children. Well done as always Matt Shaw! I loved it!
September 13, 2023
I enjoyed the book although I thought it to be very repetitive and the story a little far fetched. Because it was written for a fan based on their family, I felt like the story held back a little in terms of violence. It was ok for me in terms of a Matt Shaw book.
April 23, 2021
“They’d come for the children...they weren’t leaving without them. Not all of them...just two. Two children.”
What would you do if a random couple offers to adopt one or more of your children because they couldn’t have any and thought you had plenty?
This was my second attempt in reading Matt Shaw’s work. Another “disturbing” warning. Another story focused around children. Another horror loving mom who is perceived as high strung and overreacting. Another dad that’s hopeless but viewed as the “fun” parent by his carelessness.
Just past midnight on a stormy night, a couple seeks help at the Hudson’s home after their car breaks down. Cathy and James were already sitting in the living room with their five frightened kids when the knock came. Unbeknownst to James, by inviting the couple into their home, he has opened the opportunity and escalated their attempts in trying to persuade the Hudsons in giving them one of their children. It starts with flowers and a letter but goes dark from there bringing both Cathy and James against each other about protecting the family. James is careless, lazy and unfazed by the events while Cathy is very cautious and does every thing in her power to remove this couple from their lives. As the events escalate, the couple grow impatient with the Hudsons and attempt to force a decision by violence. Obviously, things don’t end well when people are backed into a corner fighting for their family. Never question a mother or her will to protect her children.
The couple are psychopaths and clearly have tried this before but there’s no history on them or if the latter is true. As any short story, their background would’ve been more intriguing and help emphasize their efforts for a family by any means necessary. I may be desensitized considering the “disturbing” scenes are some torture and sexual assault. There were many grammatical errors throughout and the ending felt anticlimactic as it was rushed in a short chapter of a couple pages. Overall, I had hopes that this story would be better than the other one I had read and it did keep me intrigued until the last couple of chapters.
“My Family” by Matt Shaw gets 3 out of 5 stars! Please visit my website or GoodReads account for more reviews! Thank you!
What would you do if a random couple offers to adopt one or more of your children because they couldn’t have any and thought you had plenty?
This was my second attempt in reading Matt Shaw’s work. Another “disturbing” warning. Another story focused around children. Another horror loving mom who is perceived as high strung and overreacting. Another dad that’s hopeless but viewed as the “fun” parent by his carelessness.
Just past midnight on a stormy night, a couple seeks help at the Hudson’s home after their car breaks down. Cathy and James were already sitting in the living room with their five frightened kids when the knock came. Unbeknownst to James, by inviting the couple into their home, he has opened the opportunity and escalated their attempts in trying to persuade the Hudsons in giving them one of their children. It starts with flowers and a letter but goes dark from there bringing both Cathy and James against each other about protecting the family. James is careless, lazy and unfazed by the events while Cathy is very cautious and does every thing in her power to remove this couple from their lives. As the events escalate, the couple grow impatient with the Hudsons and attempt to force a decision by violence. Obviously, things don’t end well when people are backed into a corner fighting for their family. Never question a mother or her will to protect her children.
The couple are psychopaths and clearly have tried this before but there’s no history on them or if the latter is true. As any short story, their background would’ve been more intriguing and help emphasize their efforts for a family by any means necessary. I may be desensitized considering the “disturbing” scenes are some torture and sexual assault. There were many grammatical errors throughout and the ending felt anticlimactic as it was rushed in a short chapter of a couple pages. Overall, I had hopes that this story would be better than the other one I had read and it did keep me intrigued until the last couple of chapters.
“My Family” by Matt Shaw gets 3 out of 5 stars! Please visit my website or GoodReads account for more reviews! Thank you!
June 18, 2019
3.5-Stars.
This was my first time checking out Matt Shaw's work. He's something of a legend in the indie horror community, known for his extreme horror stories. In this outing, we have a couple with 5 kids, who let another couple use their phone on a stormy night, but in the following days, this grateful couple makes it clear they mean to adopt (legally) two of their five children as they can't have kids of their own. Then things escalate to a nightmare.
This is a short book, but it still takes well over half the book to set up the characters and setting, and Shaw does a pretty good job of making us care about the characters. The "extreme" horror that finally happens in the final quarter of the book is certainly brutal in parts, cringe-worthy in a spot or two, but nowhere near as extreme as I went in expecting based on the buzz around this author. The prose was well done, however, it seemed the author was aiming to keep things short, and this brevity is made up for by a character recalling having done something rather than showing us doing it. This was the main drawback for me. I would have been happy to see this book be twice as long as it was, even if no more violence/horror were added to it. A slightly more fleshed out version of the story likely would have resonated with me more.
That said, nothing here speaks of poor writing. It was actually stronger than what I was expecting, and that was a pleasant surprise. In fact, I'll be doing some research on this author to find what books of his (and there are a LOT) would strike my fancy most. I was left wanting to read more.
The strongest part of this story was the finale, the last few pages of the book. I won't give it away, but it was haunting and heartbreaking and thrilling...and finally soul-shattering. It also showed Shaw's ability to make you feel quite a lot while exercising brevity. However, I'd still have preferred this title to be expanded.
If you like extreme stuff, you may be into this, though the actual extreme content is very much. Still, it IS shocking when it happens. If you're not into that kind of thing, I'd skip this one, as it won't be for you.
This was my first time checking out Matt Shaw's work. He's something of a legend in the indie horror community, known for his extreme horror stories. In this outing, we have a couple with 5 kids, who let another couple use their phone on a stormy night, but in the following days, this grateful couple makes it clear they mean to adopt (legally) two of their five children as they can't have kids of their own. Then things escalate to a nightmare.
This is a short book, but it still takes well over half the book to set up the characters and setting, and Shaw does a pretty good job of making us care about the characters. The "extreme" horror that finally happens in the final quarter of the book is certainly brutal in parts, cringe-worthy in a spot or two, but nowhere near as extreme as I went in expecting based on the buzz around this author. The prose was well done, however, it seemed the author was aiming to keep things short, and this brevity is made up for by a character recalling having done something rather than showing us doing it. This was the main drawback for me. I would have been happy to see this book be twice as long as it was, even if no more violence/horror were added to it. A slightly more fleshed out version of the story likely would have resonated with me more.
That said, nothing here speaks of poor writing. It was actually stronger than what I was expecting, and that was a pleasant surprise. In fact, I'll be doing some research on this author to find what books of his (and there are a LOT) would strike my fancy most. I was left wanting to read more.
The strongest part of this story was the finale, the last few pages of the book. I won't give it away, but it was haunting and heartbreaking and thrilling...and finally soul-shattering. It also showed Shaw's ability to make you feel quite a lot while exercising brevity. However, I'd still have preferred this title to be expanded.
If you like extreme stuff, you may be into this, though the actual extreme content is very much. Still, it IS shocking when it happens. If you're not into that kind of thing, I'd skip this one, as it won't be for you.
July 15, 2018
Bloody good
Another novel of gore and horror from matt Shaw. A normal family with mum, and dad and 5 kids until a stormy night a knock on the door. Two strangers asking for help because there car broke down turn the family's life upside down.
Another novel of gore and horror from matt Shaw. A normal family with mum, and dad and 5 kids until a stormy night a knock on the door. Two strangers asking for help because there car broke down turn the family's life upside down.
December 28, 2014
My love of all things Matt Shaw knows no limits, I saw this release & was like OMG I’m stopping everything now to read this. I never read the before/after unless it’s Matt & all I have to say is Cathy’s husband wins at giving the best presents. Seriously I can’t determine if the feeling I feel is pure jealousy that her Hubs got a personalized story from him or sincere worry about the fact that he provided him with a video layout of their residence. Probably a combination of the two.
This was wonderful. I won’t give it away, the blurb gives you everything you need. Once again it’s a fucked up scenario that makes you think what would I do. I can tell you for starters I don’t open doors for strangers at midnight & seriously who can afford five kids? I did end it thinking “this is all James fault” & to remind the Hubs that the wife is always right….
This was wonderful. I won’t give it away, the blurb gives you everything you need. Once again it’s a fucked up scenario that makes you think what would I do. I can tell you for starters I don’t open doors for strangers at midnight & seriously who can afford five kids? I did end it thinking “this is all James fault” & to remind the Hubs that the wife is always right….
February 18, 2016
It comes to something when you dread reading a book. Matt Shaw has that effect. He paints a beautiful, tranquil, tapestry and drops an Thermobaric bomb on it. Only one thing is predictable about his books. Things are going to get really, really, bad.
I loved this story. A happy family life being shredded the Matt Shaw way.
I loved this story. A happy family life being shredded the Matt Shaw way.
January 11, 2015
Interesting
This wasn't as uncomfortable as "Sick B*stards" or "Whore" but definitely interesting enough to have a sit down & read.
This wasn't as uncomfortable as "Sick B*stards" or "Whore" but definitely interesting enough to have a sit down & read.
February 21, 2015
This book was pretty sick and twisted. I liked it a lot. It's the first book I read by Matt Shaw. I hope his other books are just as good!
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