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Dolls
He understood why she did it. She had lost her own baby - one conceived by the unwanted advances of a sexual predator - and hated thinking of them out there in the cemetery, alone and cold. She had to bring them into the warm. She had to give them the life they'd otherwise never live. It was her mission. But with each new doll brought home, her yearning for a living child of her own continued to grow. Yes, he knew why she did it but - even so - he wasn't able to stand by her and he knew she was going to get a lot worse before she got better. But how do you help someone who doesn't want to be helped? And how do you turn your back on your own sister? From Matt Shaw - the author behind the black cover books - comes a terrifying new story of lost love and mental illness. Expect twists and turns as he takes you on a dark journey into the depths of a broken mind.
118 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2016
46 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,191 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 48 reviews
June 3, 2025
This was ok. I struggled with the nonstop character hopping with each chapter, and that’s not including the age jumps, either. That really hurt the story, and what potential this very unique premise had. Gavin and Joe’s POVs were fairly unnecessary, and their sections could have been kept between Zoe and Mark. The siblings needed much more time and development, and the book yielded too many distractions from their story. I won’t spoil anything, but the depth that Matt Shaw went with them both was plenty enough for a proper psychological horror. Even Jen just felt incomplete and no more than a glorifed placeholder. And I’m on the fence about the rape scenes. I suppose they had their place, but I wonder if snippets during flashbacks from Zoe would have sufficed, rather than full blown scenes. Again, I feel that Shaw didn’t properly utilize the limited space of this book. The story needed to be longer, more focused, and structured in a much simpler fashion.
January 6, 2019
I'm a horror fan. I have been since my teens when I stole my dad's Stephen King collection. I read both Indie and published horror authors and I like it to have two things...
1. It needs to be well-written and have a plot
2. It needs to actually be somewhat scary
Well..I grabbed Dolls on Kindle 2 days ago as I was keen to read it based on it being called extreme horror and with "some scenes may disturb" on the cover. That plus a creepy doll?! Woo-hoo!
Dolls met criteria one for me but not criteria two (boo-hoo). Matt Shaw writes really well, and this was one of those horror books when I was reading and thinking "any minute now the really disturbing scenes will happen" - but they didn't come. For me this is mild horror, very mild.
When I did get to a reveal moment it just didn't scare me or make the hairs on my arms stand up and I was gutted as the story and characters were done well and I felt excited about it taking off.
I'm not sure if calling this extreme horror is maybe setting expectations too high for the tried and tested horror reader maybe? When I think of horror authors and books that have really disturbed and scared me, on the extreme side I think of Stuart Keane, David Owain-Hughes, Brian Moreland and Latashia Figueroa (all worth checking out).
I wanted to love this so bad and be scared or at least creeped out. I will say the writing was good and character building also and because of that I will explore more of Matt's writing. 3.0-3.5 stars from me.
I can't watch a horror movie by the way! But can handle extreme scenes in horror, abuse or dark fiction. Funny that. This is a book I would recommend to those who scare very easy and prefer milder horror.
Thanks for reading my review! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
Finally to enquire about my book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
1. It needs to be well-written and have a plot
2. It needs to actually be somewhat scary
Well..I grabbed Dolls on Kindle 2 days ago as I was keen to read it based on it being called extreme horror and with "some scenes may disturb" on the cover. That plus a creepy doll?! Woo-hoo!
Dolls met criteria one for me but not criteria two (boo-hoo). Matt Shaw writes really well, and this was one of those horror books when I was reading and thinking "any minute now the really disturbing scenes will happen" - but they didn't come. For me this is mild horror, very mild.
When I did get to a reveal moment it just didn't scare me or make the hairs on my arms stand up and I was gutted as the story and characters were done well and I felt excited about it taking off.
I'm not sure if calling this extreme horror is maybe setting expectations too high for the tried and tested horror reader maybe? When I think of horror authors and books that have really disturbed and scared me, on the extreme side I think of Stuart Keane, David Owain-Hughes, Brian Moreland and Latashia Figueroa (all worth checking out).
I wanted to love this so bad and be scared or at least creeped out. I will say the writing was good and character building also and because of that I will explore more of Matt's writing. 3.0-3.5 stars from me.
I can't watch a horror movie by the way! But can handle extreme scenes in horror, abuse or dark fiction. Funny that. This is a book I would recommend to those who scare very easy and prefer milder horror.
Thanks for reading my review! For more of my book reviews, plenty of awesome books to win, author interviews and features come over to join me for book fun at: https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
To follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
To enquire about joining my reviewers team: http://goo.gl/forms/GWMOvlofZg
Finally to enquire about my book publicity services: http://goo.gl/forms/eVwa2HFKnK
November 7, 2021
Mark and Zoey, brother and sister, grow up together in a dysfunctional family. Mark turns to alcohol while is sister’s obsession arises out of the loss of her child, a child that came from her predatory stepfather. Another extreme horror not to be recommended. A well put together story with an interesting ending, but one that is not particularly recommendable.
February 16, 2016
I had to take pause before writing this review and I’m not sure I can give this book the credit it deserves with mere words. Matt Shaw has written a brilliant psychological horror that tears at the mind and stops the heart.
This story will send the world you know it into an unsettling surreal repulsion with disturbing scenes and unthinkable events.
You’re thrown into two children’s life of dreadful tragedies. Zoe and Mark are two children who go through traumatic events in a short period of time, including: suicide, rape, torture, and murder. If you have ever wondered just how much a child's mind can take before it breaks into an unrecognizable alternate reality of mentally twisted sickness, this story will give you some insight. For any parent—any normal person, really—this story is heart wrenchingly horrific—it is truly a parent’s worst nightmare.
Matt takes you on a roller-coaster of events that leads the catastrophic break of a child’s mind. This is not a story for the meek but if you can fathom the horror it is a story you won’t soon forget.
This story will send the world you know it into an unsettling surreal repulsion with disturbing scenes and unthinkable events.
You’re thrown into two children’s life of dreadful tragedies. Zoe and Mark are two children who go through traumatic events in a short period of time, including: suicide, rape, torture, and murder. If you have ever wondered just how much a child's mind can take before it breaks into an unrecognizable alternate reality of mentally twisted sickness, this story will give you some insight. For any parent—any normal person, really—this story is heart wrenchingly horrific—it is truly a parent’s worst nightmare.
Matt takes you on a roller-coaster of events that leads the catastrophic break of a child’s mind. This is not a story for the meek but if you can fathom the horror it is a story you won’t soon forget.
February 3, 2016
Tragic!
Such a sad tale showing the darkness of humanity. Tragedy hits this family over and over, leaving one mental mess after another. Hold on tight, there are plenty of amazing twists and turns with the crazy classic Shaw ending! Well done, highly recommended to all fans of modern horror.
Such a sad tale showing the darkness of humanity. Tragedy hits this family over and over, leaving one mental mess after another. Hold on tight, there are plenty of amazing twists and turns with the crazy classic Shaw ending! Well done, highly recommended to all fans of modern horror.
October 20, 2019
3 stumbling and heavy breathing stars audio
3 WTF stars story
3 WTF stars story
November 27, 2016
A child predator
A infidelity brings horror into a child's life. She must end this horror but at a huge cost and permanent torture that will ruin her adult life.
A infidelity brings horror into a child's life. She must end this horror but at a huge cost and permanent torture that will ruin her adult life.
November 13, 2023
WOWWW
This book was AMAZING. I truly was not expecting the ending, it had a new twist with each page. I finished this in one day. It is a short fast paced read and I couldn’t get enough. Can we have more? Please?
This book was AMAZING. I truly was not expecting the ending, it had a new twist with each page. I finished this in one day. It is a short fast paced read and I couldn’t get enough. Can we have more? Please?
November 11, 2024
A lot to unpack in a short time
For being a shorter story it was pretty packed full of details and twists and turns. Enjoyed this one. TW for sexual assault tho readers beware
For being a shorter story it was pretty packed full of details and twists and turns. Enjoyed this one. TW for sexual assault tho readers beware
May 4, 2017
IDK what stopped me from reading this title earlier, (published February 2, 2016), but I’m happy that I finally did! DOLLS: an extreme horror feels like one of Matt Shaw‘s older titles – it’s not a black cover, not an extreme extreme horror, and the core story totally sucked me in. I was 100% invested right from Jump Street. Now, as embarrassing as this might be, I gotta tell ya… I didn’t see the ‘oh holy shit’ moment until about 5 words before it was revealed to us! I love that Matt can still do that after all these years, and all these books.
Stop by BBB to see the full review, join the DOLLS book discussion, AND take the poll at the end of the review!
shortlink - http://wp.me/p37DRX-1Fg
Stop by BBB to see the full review, join the DOLLS book discussion, AND take the poll at the end of the review!
shortlink - http://wp.me/p37DRX-1Fg
July 24, 2016
An unsound mind!
Matt is never afraid to push boundaries and this short story is no different.
The thing for me about all his books that I have read so far is not only can he effortlessly cross genres, something most authors would neither attempt or succeed at. But his style of writing no matter how extreme always has a feeling of believability, that in the deepest recesses of a disturbed mind what we are reading could happen. That sense of underlying realism is for me the anchor that no matter how disturbing the subject matter, pulls you in and grabs hold of you and there's no escaping, we just have to see it through. And it typical Shaw style he doesn't disapoint.
Creepy with a twist. Just how I like it x
Matt is never afraid to push boundaries and this short story is no different.
The thing for me about all his books that I have read so far is not only can he effortlessly cross genres, something most authors would neither attempt or succeed at. But his style of writing no matter how extreme always has a feeling of believability, that in the deepest recesses of a disturbed mind what we are reading could happen. That sense of underlying realism is for me the anchor that no matter how disturbing the subject matter, pulls you in and grabs hold of you and there's no escaping, we just have to see it through. And it typical Shaw style he doesn't disapoint.
Creepy with a twist. Just how I like it x
October 29, 2017
The concept of this story was on the mark but the way it was presented almost led me to put it down. When writing about child sex abuse/rape it needs to be written obviously dramatically because your reading a horror but still keep in mind the normal family dynamics. Nobody noticed the daughter acting strange but they notice the son is emotionally withdrawn? The mother is always referred to by name, not as the mother. It almost disconnects her from the family.
After having said all that, I did like that each chapter was dedicated to individual characters and their age at that time. As much as I struggled with the middle of the book I'm glad I persevered as the ending I never saw coming!
After having said all that, I did like that each chapter was dedicated to individual characters and their age at that time. As much as I struggled with the middle of the book I'm glad I persevered as the ending I never saw coming!
February 8, 2016
Short, tragic, and addicting horror story
This made for a quick (goodreads claims this book is over 300 pages, but my kindle version was only around 80 pages long) and disturbing horror read. I enjoyed it. I wish it had a bit more when it came down to specifics and facts, but I still liked it. I also appreciate it being offered as a kindleunlimited. I'll definitely check out more of this writers future work.
This made for a quick (goodreads claims this book is over 300 pages, but my kindle version was only around 80 pages long) and disturbing horror read. I enjoyed it. I wish it had a bit more when it came down to specifics and facts, but I still liked it. I also appreciate it being offered as a kindleunlimited. I'll definitely check out more of this writers future work.
August 10, 2017
A mixed offering from matt. The child abuse theme is something I really don't want to read about and did consider giving up on the book because of this but it was extremely well handled and very powerfully written. I'm not entirely sure how well the macabre parts of the book tie in though. They didn't seem necessary as there was a solid enough story without including the "dolls".
February 18, 2016
Read beyond the titles of his books
Amazing writer. He's not afraid to go to the darkest corners of the mind and soul and bring back amazing horror. A new level of deviance to entertain the most desensitised mind!
Amazing writer. He's not afraid to go to the darkest corners of the mind and soul and bring back amazing horror. A new level of deviance to entertain the most desensitised mind!
February 4, 2016
Predictable
I read the sick eastward books and loved them. I just didn't feel this story at all. No shock elements at all. Very predictable.
I read the sick eastward books and loved them. I just didn't feel this story at all. No shock elements at all. Very predictable.
February 6, 2016
The dolls...I can safely say that my dreams will be haunted by this one! Kept me on the edge of my seat. I read the book in 2 hours, it was NOT getting put down! Definitely a huge must-read!!!!
October 25, 2016
Holy shit.
July 10, 2023
Zoe and Mark are children, watching their world falling around them. Their mom was cheating and eventually divorces their dad and has her sideguy come and live with them. Dejected, their father ends his own life. And, shockingly, the young lover that she choose over her husband has no interest in being a father figure and begins to take advantage of having a young woman (i.e. child) in the house.
Now we have a baby due from the 14 yr old Zoe. She won't say whose baby it is, like she's afraid to. And she is. And as bad as it is looks now, it's going to get worse.
I find Matt Shaw's work to be inconsistent. He's had some very good books, but also a number of rather pedestrian novels. Unfortunately this one comes more toward the latter. The framing of the story is strange - chapters follow individuals, often over multiple periods of time. So we go back and forth in time but are restricted to specific characters, eventually determining that the person we are following is dead/dying/abused/etc.
There is a twist of sorts, but it's called out earlier than in most books, so it's not a last-minute thing. Many readers will figure out the "twist" earlier than the book shares it, which is to no fault of Matt Shaw, as he's clearly drawing attention to the details for follow up reads.
At a brisk 88 pages, it moves along quickly but feels a little too tame to be "extreme" horror. There is a sad domestic story here, but with the clumsy story building structure it's impact is minimized, in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend this above most of Matt Shaw's work, but if you've already gone through most of them and enjoy his style, give it a look.
Now we have a baby due from the 14 yr old Zoe. She won't say whose baby it is, like she's afraid to. And she is. And as bad as it is looks now, it's going to get worse.
I find Matt Shaw's work to be inconsistent. He's had some very good books, but also a number of rather pedestrian novels. Unfortunately this one comes more toward the latter. The framing of the story is strange - chapters follow individuals, often over multiple periods of time. So we go back and forth in time but are restricted to specific characters, eventually determining that the person we are following is dead/dying/abused/etc.
There is a twist of sorts, but it's called out earlier than in most books, so it's not a last-minute thing. Many readers will figure out the "twist" earlier than the book shares it, which is to no fault of Matt Shaw, as he's clearly drawing attention to the details for follow up reads.
At a brisk 88 pages, it moves along quickly but feels a little too tame to be "extreme" horror. There is a sad domestic story here, but with the clumsy story building structure it's impact is minimized, in my opinion. I wouldn't recommend this above most of Matt Shaw's work, but if you've already gone through most of them and enjoy his style, give it a look.
May 2, 2024
I bring them in from the cold. I give them warmth. I love them. They would understand that I am providing a service. I should be rewarded but my brother says I would be condemned and taken away.
Love the cover.
Mark, 31, is Zoe’s brother. Zoe, 35, lives at his house. The siblings have always been very close.
Told in a then/now style. The events of the past weigh heavily on the present.
Their father committed suicide when Zoe was 16 and Mark was 12.
Following their dad’s passing, a bad home life for the children. Very bad. Stepfather Gavin is a nightmare…
Mark drinks a lot of whiskey.
Trauma, abuse, neglect…rape.
Some very bizarre things are going down. Zoe has a hobby.
Starts going a bit crazy (mostly in a good way) around 66%, when the truth of the dolls is revealed.
Reveal at 83%? Did not see that one coming.
How can Mark help Zoe? Is she past the point of no return?
Fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally he sticks a damn landing. 🙌 It feels like it’s been ages since one of Matt’s books had a solid conclusion. And boy oh boy…this one sure does. 💀
So fucked up. So messy. Bizarre. Insane. 😳
And that he couldn’t allow. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Not her as well.
Love the cover.
Mark, 31, is Zoe’s brother. Zoe, 35, lives at his house. The siblings have always been very close.
Told in a then/now style. The events of the past weigh heavily on the present.
Their father committed suicide when Zoe was 16 and Mark was 12.
Following their dad’s passing, a bad home life for the children. Very bad. Stepfather Gavin is a nightmare…
Mark drinks a lot of whiskey.
Trauma, abuse, neglect…rape.
Some very bizarre things are going down. Zoe has a hobby.
Starts going a bit crazy (mostly in a good way) around 66%, when the truth of the dolls is revealed.
Reveal at 83%? Did not see that one coming.
How can Mark help Zoe? Is she past the point of no return?
Fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally he sticks a damn landing. 🙌 It feels like it’s been ages since one of Matt’s books had a solid conclusion. And boy oh boy…this one sure does. 💀
So fucked up. So messy. Bizarre. Insane. 😳
And that he couldn’t allow. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Not her as well.
June 9, 2017
I can't even...
I can't even come up with an appropriate way to express what I feel about this book. It was very odd, and completely messed up--and not in a good way. There really were no good redeeming qualities about it, and it was not something I would care to read again. Definitely not what I was expecting.
I can't even come up with an appropriate way to express what I feel about this book. It was very odd, and completely messed up--and not in a good way. There really were no good redeeming qualities about it, and it was not something I would care to read again. Definitely not what I was expecting.
June 23, 2024
My first Matt Shaw but definitely not my last.
Wow! I'd definitely label this as more of a psychological thriller than extreme, although there were some extreme elements there. This book was all the right kinds of messed up. I really enjoyed it and Matt Shaw books are now on my radar.
Wow! I'd definitely label this as more of a psychological thriller than extreme, although there were some extreme elements there. This book was all the right kinds of messed up. I really enjoyed it and Matt Shaw books are now on my radar.
April 13, 2024
Best Readd Yet!
I've read many if Shaw's books. This is the crown jewel! I wouldn't read it if you are an SA survivor ,that hasn't dealt with the trauma. It left me wanting a sequel!
I've read many if Shaw's books. This is the crown jewel! I wouldn't read it if you are an SA survivor ,that hasn't dealt with the trauma. It left me wanting a sequel!
June 1, 2018
This Ketchum-esqe take proves Shaw can write some awesome character driven pieces, not just shock.
November 3, 2019
WOAH
This story was wickedly disturbing
Kudos to the Author, I discovered him through a recommendation and will continue to look through his books to find the next creepy read.
This story was wickedly disturbing
Kudos to the Author, I discovered him through a recommendation and will continue to look through his books to find the next creepy read.
July 8, 2022
Could not put this down! So good!
April 20, 2023
All I can say is WOW!!!
This book is the best book I read from MR Shaw. The ending wasn’t anything I had expected. A definitely horror story that you can’t miss!!!
This book is the best book I read from MR Shaw. The ending wasn’t anything I had expected. A definitely horror story that you can’t miss!!!
November 24, 2023
I don't think this was more disturbing than other books read, even though it had a warning on front. The story was well written.
March 28, 2024
This story started off slow but then got messed near the end. That's why I'm bumping it up a star. But I really didn't care for this one. The ending saved it though.
June 9, 2024
the authour gives great insight as to why zoe's character evolves as she did, and the reveal was just amazing. too bad matt shaw's a piece of shit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews