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Paralysed
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. "She told me he is dying but it's not true. It looks bad, I get that. But he will be okay. He doesn't need a hospital. Even if he did - I can't take him to one. It would be the end of the line for both of us; back to prison with a one-way ticket. He'll be okay. He just needs the right motivation. And she is just that. She is just what the doctor ordered. She's pretty, she's intelligent and - whether she wants it or not - she is all his. He just needs to move. Move and claim what is his. Do with her as he pleases.Yes, the perfect motivation."PARALYSED is the new extreme horror from Matt Shaw (Sick B*stards, PORN, WHORE and Some Kind of Cu*t). Continuing with his Black Cover series, pushing boundaries of decency, Matt Shaw takes you on a journey with a serial killer and his accomplice, Dennis - a man who'll do absolutely anything for his broken master.
- GenresHorrorShort StoriesDark
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2015
34 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
534 books2,217 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 29, 2016
"He sniffed his fingers to ensure there was a good amount of stink on them."
Should I tell you what he's sniffing? No...you'll have to find out for yourself!
Dennis and Ryan are good friends, having met in prison. As good friends, they spend a lot of time with one another and do things together. Though some may argue that they don't exactly have a healthy, normal relationship and some of the things they do might...well, let's just say that some of those things may raise an eyebrow or two.
Nevertheless, Dennis is a friend who is tried and true so when his pal is paralyzed, he will do whatever he can to help...short of actually helping, of course!
This is a tough book to review, since I don't want to give anything away. I will say, however, that Matt Shaw has a wonderfully twisted and sick mind! This is a good story--a great story, indeed. The only thing preventing this book from earning five stars is that I found the shift in scenes (transitioning from past to present events) very confusing at times. Matt Shaw often employs this method in his writing and though I think he's a great and talented author, I don't think that particular technique works effectively to do his stories justice.
Should I tell you what he's sniffing? No...you'll have to find out for yourself!
Dennis and Ryan are good friends, having met in prison. As good friends, they spend a lot of time with one another and do things together. Though some may argue that they don't exactly have a healthy, normal relationship and some of the things they do might...well, let's just say that some of those things may raise an eyebrow or two.
Nevertheless, Dennis is a friend who is tried and true so when his pal is paralyzed, he will do whatever he can to help...short of actually helping, of course!
This is a tough book to review, since I don't want to give anything away. I will say, however, that Matt Shaw has a wonderfully twisted and sick mind! This is a good story--a great story, indeed. The only thing preventing this book from earning five stars is that I found the shift in scenes (transitioning from past to present events) very confusing at times. Matt Shaw often employs this method in his writing and though I think he's a great and talented author, I don't think that particular technique works effectively to do his stories justice.
Read
May 31, 2016I've been desperate for some proper story-telling for some time. I wasn't sure this story was going to deliver that for me, but Matt Shaw has really surprised me this time.
Paralysed is certainly tough reading in parts but it also has an amazingly conflicting storyline. On one hand, it's brutal and harsh. On the other hand, we are dealing with a guy who is dealing with some real emotions. Twisted ending and a total roller-coaster of a read.
More like this one!! The black cover stuff is great but Matt Shaw has such an ability to pen a real story with a twist. I wish he would tap into that as much as he does the extreme torture and gore.
Paralysed is certainly tough reading in parts but it also has an amazingly conflicting storyline. On one hand, it's brutal and harsh. On the other hand, we are dealing with a guy who is dealing with some real emotions. Twisted ending and a total roller-coaster of a read.
More like this one!! The black cover stuff is great but Matt Shaw has such an ability to pen a real story with a twist. I wish he would tap into that as much as he does the extreme torture and gore.
April 15, 2024
one of my favourites in the black cover collection so far, and i would not have guessed that from the summary.
there’s layers here, each one more fucked up than the last
there’s layers here, each one more fucked up than the last
March 26, 2023
A sawing motion back and forth, a sound like metal grinding through wood, as the stringy muscles hit hard bone. The body dissected, put into black bags, two legs in one bag, two arms in one bag, a head in another, a torso in another. Two sick raping friends on the way home after an attack, two separate cars, one car crashed. One of the sick freaks paralysed.
January 23, 2020
This one was darkish and alittle meh to me.. we have these two guys Ryan and I honestly cant remember the others name lol who are crazy fucked up peoples who do terrible things to many ppls.. they have wired kinks and blood fun.. yeah.
But one does have a secert.. he likes his best friend his partner in crime.... but wont say nothing.. we see flashbacks on how these two act and all that.. and something happens to one that leaves him paralyzed and dying.. but the other wont accept that.
Blaming the girl the best friend brought home.. remembering the good times.. and sad moments.. and how it ends.. and the ending.. is wow..
M/M tiny moment
M/F
Torture
Rape
Necrophilia-ish
But one does have a secert.. he likes his best friend his partner in crime.... but wont say nothing.. we see flashbacks on how these two act and all that.. and something happens to one that leaves him paralyzed and dying.. but the other wont accept that.
Blaming the girl the best friend brought home.. remembering the good times.. and sad moments.. and how it ends.. and the ending.. is wow..
M/M tiny moment
M/F
Torture
Rape
Necrophilia-ish
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2024
Interesting structure and great characters with a wicked ending.
August 4, 2017
Ryan and Dennis were 2 disturbed individuals as were their actions. Flashbacks gave good history of these 2. I can see why they were such good friends....
March 1, 2017
Weird and then a little bit more weird.....
I am not easily offended, I am not prudish, I am not afraid of horror or gore - even though this book had a warning, it did nothing for me. It did not freak me out or upset me in any way, I just don't understand its purpose. It was strange. I am glad I read it as the warning intrigued me, but left me questioning what the author wanted to reader to feel. Perhaps I have read one too many horrors and seen one too many weird horror movies, like the Human Centipede and The Hostel for example, to feel shocked anymore?!?!
Worth a read if you want something different. It is a short book and can be read in less than 90minutes. Give it a try, it was just not what I expected.
I am not easily offended, I am not prudish, I am not afraid of horror or gore - even though this book had a warning, it did nothing for me. It did not freak me out or upset me in any way, I just don't understand its purpose. It was strange. I am glad I read it as the warning intrigued me, but left me questioning what the author wanted to reader to feel. Perhaps I have read one too many horrors and seen one too many weird horror movies, like the Human Centipede and The Hostel for example, to feel shocked anymore?!?!
Worth a read if you want something different. It is a short book and can be read in less than 90minutes. Give it a try, it was just not what I expected.
February 8, 2023
I like novellas. Short reads - maybe 80,90 minutes. That's my sweet spot. I lose focus after that point, so if the book is longer, it's going to be multiple 80-90 minute sessions - which is fine, but there's a certain satisfaction of getting the whole thing completed in that one day.
As such, I've read a fair number of Matt Shaw's works. I love horror, don't have any real triggers or concerns with "extreme" stuff and they are usually brisk reads that finish right when I'm about ready to put them down within my own circadian rhythm.
What does this have to do with the book at hand, Paralysed? Well, I just couldn't really find anything to maintain my interest, even in the short 80ish page text. Sure, it had the trappings of the standard horror book. It's definitely not a book for the light-hearted. But it just didn't seem to have anything to back up the occasional sex and violence. And without a story of interest, all of that just comes across as "edge-lordy" (for lack of a better term).
We only have a few characters, so it isn't like there wasn't enough time to build up some interest, but it just didn't happen for this reader. Two guys meet in prison and then after the second is released they end up back together, getting into more heinous acts together. Until one day when something happens that will make sure they are never the same again.
If you're familiar with Matt Shaw's other works - most of which are better - you may find something to enjoy in this. He is generally his strongest when getting into the mind of sick people and spilling out their thoughts all over the page without a filter. In this case, the person whose perspective we follow is certainly a sick person, but not really an interesting one, just a codependent one, clinging to the only friendship he has. I read this as part of "None More Black" a compilation of 20 or so of his novellas. Other than if it is included in a discounted bundle like that, I couldn't recommend it.
As such, I've read a fair number of Matt Shaw's works. I love horror, don't have any real triggers or concerns with "extreme" stuff and they are usually brisk reads that finish right when I'm about ready to put them down within my own circadian rhythm.
What does this have to do with the book at hand, Paralysed? Well, I just couldn't really find anything to maintain my interest, even in the short 80ish page text. Sure, it had the trappings of the standard horror book. It's definitely not a book for the light-hearted. But it just didn't seem to have anything to back up the occasional sex and violence. And without a story of interest, all of that just comes across as "edge-lordy" (for lack of a better term).
We only have a few characters, so it isn't like there wasn't enough time to build up some interest, but it just didn't happen for this reader. Two guys meet in prison and then after the second is released they end up back together, getting into more heinous acts together. Until one day when something happens that will make sure they are never the same again.
If you're familiar with Matt Shaw's other works - most of which are better - you may find something to enjoy in this. He is generally his strongest when getting into the mind of sick people and spilling out their thoughts all over the page without a filter. In this case, the person whose perspective we follow is certainly a sick person, but not really an interesting one, just a codependent one, clinging to the only friendship he has. I read this as part of "None More Black" a compilation of 20 or so of his novellas. Other than if it is included in a discounted bundle like that, I couldn't recommend it.
January 14, 2023
I loved this book!! The beginning was great, and within a few pages I was hooked. It’s dark, disturbing, and if you’re easily shocked or offended, then don’t read.
It’s a great story, you can almost visualise the 2 main characters having this totally funked up ‘bro’ mance in real life, and sadly, there are really people this deprived and messed up in the world. If you’re new to Matt shaw then I recommend reading this now!!
It’s a great story, you can almost visualise the 2 main characters having this totally funked up ‘bro’ mance in real life, and sadly, there are really people this deprived and messed up in the world. If you’re new to Matt shaw then I recommend reading this now!!
June 24, 2024
as far as extreme horrors go i ‘enjoyed’ this one. i never know how to rate this genre due to the contents of most of these books being absolutely horrendous. that said, this one had a great amount of story telling included. was it fucked up? absolutely. but the character of dennis was so well fleshed out and so human feeling. hes a terrible person, yet at times i felt pity for him. ive read much much worse. i need to go shower now.
November 13, 2024
Ive read a few of Matt Shaws books now and I thoroughly enjoy his writing style and the levels of great detail and graphic visuals he provides. A few plot twists in this and I didn’t know where it was heading in all honesty and at what point it would end. This isn’t my favourite of his though but it’s still a worth a read. He’s become my favourite author and wish I found his work sooner!
May 7, 2020
Paralyses
I gotta wonder about you mr shaw. Ok do guys really like licking a lady’s bung hole?? 😆you make me laugh yes you do
I gotta wonder about you mr shaw. Ok do guys really like licking a lady’s bung hole?? 😆you make me laugh yes you do
November 9, 2020
Solid read
You know that goodwill get a solid read with Matt Shaw Books . You know you will get twisted and sick.
You know that goodwill get a solid read with Matt Shaw Books . You know you will get twisted and sick.
July 3, 2022
For a Matt Shaw read, this one I'm disappointed in. It was dull and just plain boring
September 2, 2022
is it wrong that i liked dennis' and ryan's relationship together and only read it because of that::
other than that i loved it
teehee/10
other than that i loved it
teehee/10
May 23, 2023
2.5
Misery meets extreme horror
Misery meets extreme horror
February 11, 2025
Hard to get past the lack of proof reading/editing.
"He shut the door car"
C'mon.
"He shut the door car"
C'mon.
November 20, 2015
They had met in prison.
Dennis felt terrible about his crime, and judging from his beaten & bruised body… the other inmates didn’t find his deeds tolerable, either. Except for one man. One man befriended him when no one else could stand the sight of him. That man was Ryan, it this began a long, and very special friendship.
Things are different today, though.
Today is Dennis’s birthday. The card waiting for him from Ryan brings him no joy. He peeks his head into Ryan’s room to see if he’s awake, and the only words spoken to him by his best friend in the world are… “Please, kill me.”
This is promoted as one of Matt’s Black Cover extreme horror books, but it’s so much more than that. Paralysed isn’t just a quick ride for cheap thrills – it’s a heartbreaking story about the friendship & love that developed between two of society’s cast offs. I don’t use that term lightly, either. I could feel my heart breaking as the story unfolded. Only Matt Shaw could evoke this response from a tale about a convicted rapist, and his murderous best friend.
View my entire review, and join the PARALYSED discussion on BBBB.
Dennis felt terrible about his crime, and judging from his beaten & bruised body… the other inmates didn’t find his deeds tolerable, either. Except for one man. One man befriended him when no one else could stand the sight of him. That man was Ryan, it this began a long, and very special friendship.
Things are different today, though.
Today is Dennis’s birthday. The card waiting for him from Ryan brings him no joy. He peeks his head into Ryan’s room to see if he’s awake, and the only words spoken to him by his best friend in the world are… “Please, kill me.”
This is promoted as one of Matt’s Black Cover extreme horror books, but it’s so much more than that. Paralysed isn’t just a quick ride for cheap thrills – it’s a heartbreaking story about the friendship & love that developed between two of society’s cast offs. I don’t use that term lightly, either. I could feel my heart breaking as the story unfolded. Only Matt Shaw could evoke this response from a tale about a convicted rapist, and his murderous best friend.
View my entire review, and join the PARALYSED discussion on BBBB.
October 2, 2016
This is a much darker and nihilistic read from Matt Shaw.
Did I like it? Yes and no. The homosexual themes are not something I would choose to read although they explained a great deal about the connection between the main characters. Also the story certainly did not follow any obvious path or conclusion which was good (there is nothing worse than a predictable story) but it's all just too damn depressing. Yes I know it's an extreme horror but even so, this is dark.
Did I like it? Yes and no. The homosexual themes are not something I would choose to read although they explained a great deal about the connection between the main characters. Also the story certainly did not follow any obvious path or conclusion which was good (there is nothing worse than a predictable story) but it's all just too damn depressing. Yes I know it's an extreme horror but even so, this is dark.
January 9, 2016
This was a brilliant little read. I imagined Ryan to look a little bit like Peter Steele, which is great and I felt super sorry for Dennis right up until the end. Poor guy.
No real plot twists or big surprises in this one, it's just a great story with plenty of character background and no unanswered questions. It's all I ask for in a short(ish) story!
No real plot twists or big surprises in this one, it's just a great story with plenty of character background and no unanswered questions. It's all I ask for in a short(ish) story!
January 12, 2022
Not my favorite but still good
Although this book is fucked up just like all of matt Shaw book, this one wasnt...as extreme I would say. I mean, there are absolutely awful scenes but this book is rather short. Wish the story went a different direction to be longer, but I really enjoyed it.
Although this book is fucked up just like all of matt Shaw book, this one wasnt...as extreme I would say. I mean, there are absolutely awful scenes but this book is rather short. Wish the story went a different direction to be longer, but I really enjoyed it.
October 21, 2015
Another horror hit
Matt Shaw never disappoints, if you have the stomach for you'll love his work. Paralyzed is a story that tortured my brain while imagining what it was like for some of these characters.
Matt Shaw never disappoints, if you have the stomach for you'll love his work. Paralyzed is a story that tortured my brain while imagining what it was like for some of these characters.
October 22, 2015
What a beautiful love story of unrequited love hahaha, Mr Shaw as always has delivered what he promises, this one better than ever, no happy endings ever woohooooooooooooo
December 8, 2015
This author doesn't disappoint! Great harder core horror read!
October 20, 2015
Horrible, first book in probably 20 years I couldn't finish as saw no point.
March 28, 2017
Liked the storyline but found the switching between past and present slightly tedious. Had it been a film I would have switched off but as I love the author's writing usually I persevered to see how it ended.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews