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Extreme Horror
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.
They said I could not become a filmmaker. They said my screenplays were dull and clumsy with thin characterisation. My plots were predictable and endings lame. They said my directing was uninspired and ideas translated poorly to screen. They said my acting was laughable; scenes that were supposed to be tragic caused ripples of laughter. They said I would never make it and that - even if I did - no one wants horror anymore. They want fantasy. They want drama. Comedy, even has its place in the market. Not horror. It's stale. It is stagnant and done to death.
Well, whatever they say, I am bringing horror back to the mainstream. It will be shown on every television station and shared across millions of social networking profiles. I am bringing horror back whether the audience wants it or not and it's going to be extreme...
They said I could not become a filmmaker. They said my screenplays were dull and clumsy with thin characterisation. My plots were predictable and endings lame. They said my directing was uninspired and ideas translated poorly to screen. They said my acting was laughable; scenes that were supposed to be tragic caused ripples of laughter. They said I would never make it and that - even if I did - no one wants horror anymore. They want fantasy. They want drama. Comedy, even has its place in the market. Not horror. It's stale. It is stagnant and done to death.
Well, whatever they say, I am bringing horror back to the mainstream. It will be shown on every television station and shared across millions of social networking profiles. I am bringing horror back whether the audience wants it or not and it's going to be extreme...
- GenresHorror
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2016
137 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
543 books2,248 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 38 reviews
February 26, 2019
NO!!
You are not a bad person, are you?
I am a good person
You don't want to hurt anybody, right?
I am a good person
You love animals and kids, fun and games, freedom and happiness, just like any normal human being does, eh?
I am a good person
You enjoy all that is beautiful and kind in the world, yes?
I am a good person
So, you would never, ever like a book about extreme horror, especially by someone as sick and depraved as that Matt Shaw guy...would you?
I am a good liar
Okay, guys and girls, you probably can't handle this book. It's sick, vile, disgusting, nauseating and just plain wrong on so many levels...
Stay far away from this filth!!
p.s. I LOVED the ending!!
You are not a bad person, are you?
I am a good person
You don't want to hurt anybody, right?
I am a good person
You love animals and kids, fun and games, freedom and happiness, just like any normal human being does, eh?
I am a good person
You enjoy all that is beautiful and kind in the world, yes?
I am a good person
So, you would never, ever like a book about extreme horror, especially by someone as sick and depraved as that Matt Shaw guy...would you?
I am a good liar
Okay, guys and girls, you probably can't handle this book. It's sick, vile, disgusting, nauseating and just plain wrong on so many levels...
Stay far away from this filth!!
p.s. I LOVED the ending!!
December 16, 2020
What the hell is wrong with me? I finished ART by Matt Shaw and Michael Bray and then immediately started another Matt Shaw book. I said in my review for the other one that it wasn't exactly a good book, but it was entertaining and made me question if I was a horrible person... guess what my reaction to this one is? Yep. More of the same.
Plot: Adam is a filmmaker... nay, Adam is an auteur. He's going to make horror great again. How? By capturing true and realistic horror. Murdering his "performers" and editing it into his film. He will be remembered. He will be loved. Horror fans are going to go crazy... until his latest victim points out how unoriginal he is and makes him question everything. Maybe it's time for a twist?
I'll be honest, I initially was just going to give this one a glimpse on amazon while looking for Kindle books that were free for me, but when glancing I saw a line in the opening chapter where our narrator discusses Nicholas Cage in the Wicker Man remake and how funny it was, well, then I was committed. Confession time: one of my deep dark secrets... I like the Wicker Man remake. It's so hilariously bad that I've rewatched it a few times. The moment I saw that line I had to find out if the sense of humor from such a statement continued. It did. Honestly, this one is a much funnier book than ART in my opinion, as the killer has several humorous scenes where he discusses horror movies and is afraid his real crimes are just imitating what he's seen in film.
I really like how some of the scenes, particularly any murder sequences, the writing changes to screenplay format, to give the reader a better glimpse at how the film would look. I also enjoyed that it does not takes itself seriously at all, and that horror fans trying to jot down all the references will find themselves practically filling up a notebook. Also, Shaw's shameless self-promotion in this one (Adam is a huge fan and references his books) came off hilarious rather than as an actual attempt at marketing.
That said, despite this being after ART, I find the book is far less polished. There's a lot of repetition and over all this one feels more rushed. On one had you can tell Shaw was having fun writing it, but on the other it felt like once it was done, it was released without much in terms of editing.
In closing: So, see how that content warning pretty much is the cover of the book? Yeah, earns it again. In fact, while this book is less disgusting than ART in terms of gore, it had a scene that made me physically recoil from the book Really, what the hell was wrong with me? Why did I read another one of these? 3/5 stars... and please, please, don't judge me too much.
Plot: Adam is a filmmaker... nay, Adam is an auteur. He's going to make horror great again. How? By capturing true and realistic horror. Murdering his "performers" and editing it into his film. He will be remembered. He will be loved. Horror fans are going to go crazy... until his latest victim points out how unoriginal he is and makes him question everything. Maybe it's time for a twist?
I'll be honest, I initially was just going to give this one a glimpse on amazon while looking for Kindle books that were free for me, but when glancing I saw a line in the opening chapter where our narrator discusses Nicholas Cage in the Wicker Man remake and how funny it was, well, then I was committed. Confession time: one of my deep dark secrets... I like the Wicker Man remake. It's so hilariously bad that I've rewatched it a few times. The moment I saw that line I had to find out if the sense of humor from such a statement continued. It did. Honestly, this one is a much funnier book than ART in my opinion, as the killer has several humorous scenes where he discusses horror movies and is afraid his real crimes are just imitating what he's seen in film.
I really like how some of the scenes, particularly any murder sequences, the writing changes to screenplay format, to give the reader a better glimpse at how the film would look. I also enjoyed that it does not takes itself seriously at all, and that horror fans trying to jot down all the references will find themselves practically filling up a notebook. Also, Shaw's shameless self-promotion in this one (Adam is a huge fan and references his books) came off hilarious rather than as an actual attempt at marketing.
That said, despite this being after ART, I find the book is far less polished. There's a lot of repetition and over all this one feels more rushed. On one had you can tell Shaw was having fun writing it, but on the other it felt like once it was done, it was released without much in terms of editing.
In closing: So, see how that content warning pretty much is the cover of the book? Yeah, earns it again. In fact, while this book is less disgusting than ART in terms of gore, it had a scene that made me physically recoil from the book Really, what the hell was wrong with me? Why did I read another one of these? 3/5 stars... and please, please, don't judge me too much.
February 15, 2016
For Matt Shaw's latest, and potentially last black cover book, he brings us Extreme Horror. If his final intention was that the black books were going to go out with a bang. Boy, did he hit the mark.
The story follows the life and sordid interests of a man named Adam; a wannabe film maker. Adam is obsessed with the dark characters portrayed in horror movies such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Freddy Kreuger. The latter, he believes should be re-cast as Nicholas Cage, due to an unfortunate meeting that he had once with the actor; Robert Englund. This really is art imitating life, and the first of many moments of satire that are scattered thoroughly throughout the book.
Adam finds himself desperate to make his mark as a film maker, sending off screenplay after screenplay and being ignored, whilst scorned by his parents that a movie maker isn't a real career prospect. As time moved on, he decided upon making his own brand of horror movies; where the content is torture, played out whilst being filmed and the actors (victims) are actually killed. His intention; to send the DVD's out to a local news station, or eventually find a way of uploading them to the internet himself to instil his legacy.
His fascination with the darker side of humanity, heavily influenced by movie characters such as Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill and real life American body snatcher and serial killer - Ed Gein. Adam finds himself a new pen pal with a real life serial killer, currently serving time in prison; Art. A murderer that was made famous when his crimes were portrayed in a book written by two well known writers; Matt Shaw and Michael Bray. This is the first clever nod of Shaw referring to his own work throughout the story. Look out for other references of Don't read, and Peter Jenkins with his infamous Birds Eye ready meals.
As the madness moves forward, Adam becomes obsessed with becoming the most prolific serial killer within the UK. Scenes are interlaced within the main story, that have actually been written in the format of screenplays:
The Lawnmower Man.
My Life.
Super 8 (inches)
From the Cutting Room Floor.
Melting Away.
Necessary Changes.
Mouth of Madness.
Waterworld.
Nails.
Indecent Proposal.
Sick.
Something Inside.
Vision.
A Special Place in Hell.
These scenes are the parts of the story where the extreme horror is expertly crafted. Expect an obligatory sex scene with a difference, and various scenarios of torture that feature anything from a vice, acid, a chainsaw, scissors, pliers, a blowtorch, and even a car. If you can think of it, its likely to have been covered. In addition, there are least two scenes that are difficult to stomach, even for the most hardened of reader, and you definitely will not want to read whilst eating.
As the twisted tale begins to develop, one of Adam's captives; Michelle, labels him nothing but a copycat, shaking his confidence and making him question his motives. He decides to take an alternative direction, and make his final movie a romance, never to be forgotten. He needs Michelle's help, but first he must see to that potty mouth of hers.
So what did I think of it? I liked it. No, in fact, I loved it. It is utterly brutal in places, but unashamedly so. Shaw has obviously gone out of his way to make the reader feel uncomfortable and has pulled it off in abundance. Parts will truly make you consider empying the contents of your stomach, other parts will make you wince. All while Shaw keeps his undertones of humour flowing throughout. In this book, he has really proven that he is the master of the extreme. There are over twenty deaths played out throughout, and Shaw manages to pull it off in a mere 148 pages, without it feeling rushed; impressive? Definitely.
Now, once again, there is a warning on the front cover, and please, please adhere to it, because if you don't, and you're not the type of audience that this book is intended for, it is likely to make you ill, or worse. It won't be for you, and the author doesn't want to offend people unintentionally. Fans of extreme horror - go grab it.
My rating 5/5 - fantastic job.
In addition, look out for a unique brand of perfume, a strange use for a toothbrush, and some stress relievers that will put a smile on your face.
The story follows the life and sordid interests of a man named Adam; a wannabe film maker. Adam is obsessed with the dark characters portrayed in horror movies such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Freddy Kreuger. The latter, he believes should be re-cast as Nicholas Cage, due to an unfortunate meeting that he had once with the actor; Robert Englund. This really is art imitating life, and the first of many moments of satire that are scattered thoroughly throughout the book.
Adam finds himself desperate to make his mark as a film maker, sending off screenplay after screenplay and being ignored, whilst scorned by his parents that a movie maker isn't a real career prospect. As time moved on, he decided upon making his own brand of horror movies; where the content is torture, played out whilst being filmed and the actors (victims) are actually killed. His intention; to send the DVD's out to a local news station, or eventually find a way of uploading them to the internet himself to instil his legacy.
His fascination with the darker side of humanity, heavily influenced by movie characters such as Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill and real life American body snatcher and serial killer - Ed Gein. Adam finds himself a new pen pal with a real life serial killer, currently serving time in prison; Art. A murderer that was made famous when his crimes were portrayed in a book written by two well known writers; Matt Shaw and Michael Bray. This is the first clever nod of Shaw referring to his own work throughout the story. Look out for other references of Don't read, and Peter Jenkins with his infamous Birds Eye ready meals.
As the madness moves forward, Adam becomes obsessed with becoming the most prolific serial killer within the UK. Scenes are interlaced within the main story, that have actually been written in the format of screenplays:
The Lawnmower Man.
My Life.
Super 8 (inches)
From the Cutting Room Floor.
Melting Away.
Necessary Changes.
Mouth of Madness.
Waterworld.
Nails.
Indecent Proposal.
Sick.
Something Inside.
Vision.
A Special Place in Hell.
These scenes are the parts of the story where the extreme horror is expertly crafted. Expect an obligatory sex scene with a difference, and various scenarios of torture that feature anything from a vice, acid, a chainsaw, scissors, pliers, a blowtorch, and even a car. If you can think of it, its likely to have been covered. In addition, there are least two scenes that are difficult to stomach, even for the most hardened of reader, and you definitely will not want to read whilst eating.
As the twisted tale begins to develop, one of Adam's captives; Michelle, labels him nothing but a copycat, shaking his confidence and making him question his motives. He decides to take an alternative direction, and make his final movie a romance, never to be forgotten. He needs Michelle's help, but first he must see to that potty mouth of hers.
So what did I think of it? I liked it. No, in fact, I loved it. It is utterly brutal in places, but unashamedly so. Shaw has obviously gone out of his way to make the reader feel uncomfortable and has pulled it off in abundance. Parts will truly make you consider empying the contents of your stomach, other parts will make you wince. All while Shaw keeps his undertones of humour flowing throughout. In this book, he has really proven that he is the master of the extreme. There are over twenty deaths played out throughout, and Shaw manages to pull it off in a mere 148 pages, without it feeling rushed; impressive? Definitely.
Now, once again, there is a warning on the front cover, and please, please adhere to it, because if you don't, and you're not the type of audience that this book is intended for, it is likely to make you ill, or worse. It won't be for you, and the author doesn't want to offend people unintentionally. Fans of extreme horror - go grab it.
My rating 5/5 - fantastic job.
In addition, look out for a unique brand of perfume, a strange use for a toothbrush, and some stress relievers that will put a smile on your face.
November 1, 2016
If you like messed up horror this is for you
I enjoyed this book and I'm pretty into most of Matt's work but this story made Peter's seem almost normal. Great read wonderful ending.
I enjoyed this book and I'm pretty into most of Matt's work but this story made Peter's seem almost normal. Great read wonderful ending.
May 28, 2016
EXTREME HORROR comes with a big red warning label, right on the cover. This alone may make you smile. It's an invitation to some of us, but if you don't want to read something truly extreme, do not begin this story - run (do not walk) away.
The title pretty much lets readers know what they are going to get. Shaw never disappoints in the arena of "extreme." Admittedly, though, this is the height of EXTREME, even to a seasoned horror and gore lover with a cast iron stomach.
Have you ever put a book down and checked your surroundings? You're sure to need to re-settle yourself more than twice throughout this read. Still, you'll probably also find your lips curling into a smile once or twice as well - at least I hope you do!
The title pretty much lets readers know what they are going to get. Shaw never disappoints in the arena of "extreme." Admittedly, though, this is the height of EXTREME, even to a seasoned horror and gore lover with a cast iron stomach.
Have you ever put a book down and checked your surroundings? You're sure to need to re-settle yourself more than twice throughout this read. Still, you'll probably also find your lips curling into a smile once or twice as well - at least I hope you do!
April 18, 2023
I liked this book but it wasn't one of the best for me by Matt Shaw, the story was pretty bland and I started getting a little bored with it towards the end...there were some graphic scenes and gore but I've read much better from this author...the title didn't fit the book in my opinion!!!!
February 13, 2016
Epic Serial Killer homage
Any fan of Shaw will love reminiscing about Art, Peter, Birdseye dinners and more! The actual story is brutally creative and horrifically disgusting! Matt literally kills it in this epic tale of a serial killer/filmmaker who just wants to be remembered just as Extreme Horror and its' twisted Shaw ending will go down as a cult classic. Most highly recommend to all fans of modern horror.
Any fan of Shaw will love reminiscing about Art, Peter, Birdseye dinners and more! The actual story is brutally creative and horrifically disgusting! Matt literally kills it in this epic tale of a serial killer/filmmaker who just wants to be remembered just as Extreme Horror and its' twisted Shaw ending will go down as a cult classic. Most highly recommend to all fans of modern horror.
February 13, 2016
When it comes to carnage no-one does it better than the master of mutilation, Matt Shaw. Gore, sick and hilarity all combined together, with a huge dollop of pain and suffering. Ideas that seem to spring from the damaged mind of a sadistic lunatic. Great fun, and some terrific pointers should the apocalypse arrive, and the internet goes down.
December 28, 2017
Wow
Bloody loved this. Loved the story, loved the deaths, loved the ending. Certain scenes had me physically gagging. Not many books have managed that!
Bloody loved this. Loved the story, loved the deaths, loved the ending. Certain scenes had me physically gagging. Not many books have managed that!
January 16, 2026
Summary: He was told he lacked talent - his writing, directing, and acting were ridiculed - and that horror was a dead genre no one wanted. Despite this, he is determined to bring horror back to the mainstream, everywhere and in extreme form.
Review: I absolutely love Matt Shaw’s books. You never quite know what you’re going to get - only that it will be brutal, disgusting, and utterly brilliant.
This is extreme horror, so it’s definitely not for everyone, but for fans of the genre, this is a must-read.
Review: I absolutely love Matt Shaw’s books. You never quite know what you’re going to get - only that it will be brutal, disgusting, and utterly brilliant.
This is extreme horror, so it’s definitely not for everyone, but for fans of the genre, this is a must-read.
September 11, 2017
What have i just read?
I wanted to read something different.... What a bizarre read, I didn't enjoy it, I wasn't repulsed or shocked, I got bored but determined to finish it. Do I want to read another horror.... After reading this NO!
I wanted to read something different.... What a bizarre read, I didn't enjoy it, I wasn't repulsed or shocked, I got bored but determined to finish it. Do I want to read another horror.... After reading this NO!
August 8, 2019
Better, but still need an editor.
December 4, 2019
Sick. Until the very last page, until the very last word.
One of those books you read with a constant expression of disgust on your face. Even though you have read a lot like it already.
One of those books you read with a constant expression of disgust on your face. Even though you have read a lot like it already.
April 17, 2024
you had me at the idea of nicolas cage playing freddy kreuger. amazing.
a very fun read, I especially like the meta aspect :) it would be a 5 but the ending didn’t work for me. so a 4.5 it is!
a very fun read, I especially like the meta aspect :) it would be a 5 but the ending didn’t work for me. so a 4.5 it is!
January 8, 2023
This was so much fun with some great gore, really vile scenes and a nice little twist at the end!
September 26, 2023
I finished this book yesterday. After reading the warning written at the beginning by author, I was expecting to be shocked throughout the book, but maybe that’s because I’m just used to this kind of stuff, it was horrifying, disgusting, and rather unpleasant/awkward, but it’s still what I was expected, a little bit lighter than what I thought.
The story is okay ; when I picked up this book, it was mainly for the gore and the horror of it, not the story. However I did like the fact that there was a mix of narration and a kind of script/description of the scenes.
I took out one star because I was expected a bit more details and gore, and because the author kept referring to himself in the book, which was really weird.
Still a good read if you like gore and horror.
The story is okay ; when I picked up this book, it was mainly for the gore and the horror of it, not the story. However I did like the fact that there was a mix of narration and a kind of script/description of the scenes.
I took out one star because I was expected a bit more details and gore, and because the author kept referring to himself in the book, which was really weird.
Still a good read if you like gore and horror.
June 29, 2025
This is a very good book about life, loss, high school, it’s horrors, teen angst, & werewolves. The main characters are Becca, Ali & John. John’s older brother is named Owen. They just moved to Pennsylvania from Ohio. Their mom is a single mom. She’s a hard worker & puts her sons to work, working for the neighbors volunteering to do yard work, shovel snow, etc. The story was solid throughout & never lagged. The events taking place were very descriptive & emotional. I loved the ending. Hopefully this author will continue this with a series spin off! I’d like to see what kind of adult mischief they get into, as well as how they & their lives evolve. Highly recommend.
July 28, 2019
A serial killer makes a film of his unpleasant murders. Yes it is very extreme, but it came across pretty disjointed to me and took a while to get into the actual story. There’s a hint of the “Happy every after” storyline which I liked but all the flashbacks to earlier murders affected the flow of the story.
I also really didn’t like all the references to the author in the book. What’s the point? They weaken the story IMHO.
Just too disjointed, so only two stars.
I also really didn’t like all the references to the author in the book. What’s the point? They weaken the story IMHO.
Just too disjointed, so only two stars.
January 12, 2018
Disgusting as opposed to extreme. Terribly disjointed writing and no real plot. The author mentions his own name/work several times throughout. I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for this. This is my first and last Matt Shaw book.
May 29, 2023
The name dropping 😅 the plot was good and some of the kills like with the pliers, that made me cringe a bit. I feel like I needed to read other books beforehand to understand some characters mentioned but not sure where to start, maybe earliest to most recent?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
Matt Shaw gets meta.
A really engaging extreme horror (haha) with a cheeky undercurrent of metatextual humor and self-references, combined with the requisite extreme horror twist. Another solid showing from Matt Shaw.
A really engaging extreme horror (haha) with a cheeky undercurrent of metatextual humor and self-references, combined with the requisite extreme horror twist. Another solid showing from Matt Shaw.
August 16, 2020
3.5 stars.
December 7, 2020
Creative, nauseating and clever!
Loved the twist at the end. Tied everything together brilliantly, with what I can only imagine to be razor wire!
Loved the twist at the end. Tied everything together brilliantly, with what I can only imagine to be razor wire!
March 18, 2021
Wow
I loved this book.
So sick and twisted.
If you love gore horror like me you will enjoy this book.
I loved this book.
So sick and twisted.
If you love gore horror like me you will enjoy this book.
February 17, 2022
Bizar boek. Vergeleken hierbij is American Psycho van Brett Easton Ellis een handboek voor brave padvinders.
July 11, 2023
I bought this as I'm getting bored of the typical
Detective murders. I'm sorry to say I was totally underwhelmed. Yes there's some good ideas but I was bored.
Detective murders. I'm sorry to say I was totally underwhelmed. Yes there's some good ideas but I was bored.
January 14, 2024
such a awesome twist
I loved this and the twist was amazing too as always I love all books by Matt Shaw. Will definitely read more by him.
I loved this and the twist was amazing too as always I love all books by Matt Shaw. Will definitely read more by him.
October 8, 2024
3.5 stars
December 4, 2024
I had to push through the first few pages, wasn’t that interesting to begin with. Didn’t like the ending
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews