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Claret
Reflection. Enlightenment.
An unstable family in an unstable time. There is evil in the world, but none worse than the horrors that lurk within humanity.
An alcoholic conspiracy theorist reads the teachings of a self-proclaimed messiah. He is determined to save his family from the coming apocalypse. Even if it's through blood.
The world is all used up...those that remain will be damned to the torments….We must save them...
An unstable family in an unstable time. There is evil in the world, but none worse than the horrors that lurk within humanity.
An alcoholic conspiracy theorist reads the teachings of a self-proclaimed messiah. He is determined to save his family from the coming apocalypse. Even if it's through blood.
The world is all used up...those that remain will be damned to the torments….We must save them...
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 28, 2018
Short But NOT Sweet!
This might be a short story, but it packs a hefty punch!! An abusive father's descend into madness, an alcoholic, abused mother, an older brother who just wants to be away from it all, a younger sister who is completely brainwashed, and a boy trying to survive in this hell. The epitome of a dysfunctional family. My only complaint is that it isn't longer - I want to know the background, how things escalated into this madness, and how the boy fared afterwards...
Still though, an intense read.
This might be a short story, but it packs a hefty punch!! An abusive father's descend into madness, an alcoholic, abused mother, an older brother who just wants to be away from it all, a younger sister who is completely brainwashed, and a boy trying to survive in this hell. The epitome of a dysfunctional family. My only complaint is that it isn't longer - I want to know the background, how things escalated into this madness, and how the boy fared afterwards...
Still though, an intense read.
October 13, 2019
I find that psychological horror is far more chilling than is supernatural horror. Perhaps the most horrifying psychological horror deals with the sustained abuse of children by alcoholic parents.
The themes explored in this short story are dreadful and telling. The fact that the things described can and do happen in this world only add to the dread felt while reading it.
The themes explored in this short story are dreadful and telling. The fact that the things described can and do happen in this world only add to the dread felt while reading it.
October 2, 2018
A dysfunctional family with a religious conspiracy theorist alcoholic father at the helm...what could possibly go wrong? This is a short story not short on abuse, terror and murder.
September 25, 2018
In the early 60s, Arnold Palmer was looking over his shoulder at a brash young golfer out of Ohio State. Jack Nicklaus, The Golden Bear, was hungry for The Kings crown. Then, late in the 90s, a young Tiger Woods stalked out of Stanford and pounced for The Bear’s tale. Well, Stephen King, Brian Scutt is your Bear and Tiger rolled into one horrifying package. He is formidable, he is hungry, and he is talented. Claret is just the latest example of his absorbing use of language, innate sense of timing, and disturbing imagination. Some advice for you, Mr. King: Don’t read Claret before you go to bed. You won’t be able to sleep because you’ll know that Brian Scutt is stalking you.
November 27, 2019
I had read Brian’s Korean Road a while back and absolutely loved it, so I was looking forward to Claret. I was a little disappointed to find out that this was a short story and not a novella, but none the less, I carried on. Brian has a wonderful style of writing where he can paint some great imagery without being over descriptive, so the short form worked well. While the storyline of this one wasn’t a particularly new concept, I felt Brian handled it well and I enjoyed reading about the main characters chaotic life. The ending came quickly and I would have liked a little more closure but overall this was a great read that I devoured in one sitting.
October 1, 2018
This short is closer to a 4.5/5.
This was my first go with Brian's work and it definitely won't be my last. I have kept seeing his novella Korean Road pop up in different places, but when this was shared on Facebook as a freebie, I snagged it so I could check his work out.
This is not typical horror which is fantastic. This is disturbing on many levels and the beauty of this "horror" tale is it is firmly seated in real life. This isn't a tale that uses monsters to create chaos (not that using monsters is a bad thing).
Highly recommend checking this out!
This was my first go with Brian's work and it definitely won't be my last. I have kept seeing his novella Korean Road pop up in different places, but when this was shared on Facebook as a freebie, I snagged it so I could check his work out.
This is not typical horror which is fantastic. This is disturbing on many levels and the beauty of this "horror" tale is it is firmly seated in real life. This isn't a tale that uses monsters to create chaos (not that using monsters is a bad thing).
Highly recommend checking this out!
January 30, 2020
Even as a short, it starts a little slow but the build up is good. You see snippets to keep you guessing as to what can go wrong, and it's not too long before you do. You're expecting it, but still, it can make you gasp as the actions of those in the story. Compelling writing.
This is the first I've read of this author and I'll be checking out his other works in the future.
This is the first I've read of this author and I'll be checking out his other works in the future.
September 30, 2018
Shocking reflection
Scutt has ably pullied me along. The gruling realities of poverty and abuse are vividly drawn and the inevitable conclusion although expected, is no less horrible. Another win, Brian.
Scutt has ably pullied me along. The gruling realities of poverty and abuse are vividly drawn and the inevitable conclusion although expected, is no less horrible. Another win, Brian.
October 7, 2018
I've read Korean Road, another short psychological thriller/horror from Author Brian Scutt and I was looking forward to reading more of his stories. I wasn't disappointed with Claret. I love how Author Scutt takes his reader on a journey to the dark side of the mind. In this story, even something as simple as avoiding a squeaky part of the floor was terrifying, because that meant waking up the abusive, alcoholic father. The anticipation to the end of this edge-of-your-seat horror forced me to read as fast as I could.
I now need my next fix - Author Scutt, please write more!
I now need my next fix - Author Scutt, please write more!
April 5, 2019
Yes, Brian Scutt is definitely an author to watch out for. I can't wait to see what he comes out with next. This short story is incredibly brutal from the very start. Its so well written and descriptive, its almost like you're in the house throughout the story. And you really do not want to be. This story made me cringe and shudder, and admittedly jump at a creak on my stairs that just happened to perfectly time with something in the book. I love it when a book makes me feel uncomfortable in my own skin, and then one totally did that!
October 16, 2018
A dark drama with a real world horror. In the state of the world especially America from what we see outside looking in, this story has the possibility of truth.
A trailer park type family with all the seemingly common traits of a hard drinking, God fearing barely getting by financially situation.
End of days. Violent thinking.
A good short tale to open the eyes.
A trailer park type family with all the seemingly common traits of a hard drinking, God fearing barely getting by financially situation.
End of days. Violent thinking.
A good short tale to open the eyes.
December 6, 2018
This is the second story from Scutt that I have read (the superb Korean Road being the first), and simply can’t wait to read more. Claret is a short story, so I won’t give away too much, but Scutt creates some genuine characters, with a believable storyline, in a thoroughly absorbing tale which will stay with you after you have finished reading it.
November 26, 2019
This is my first time reading Brian Scutt's work and it won't be my last. It's an absorbing tale of religious fervour heading toward a dark conclusion made all the more realistic by excellent characterisation and a society in which we all know that this is a practical reality. Thoroughly engrossing.
June 4, 2019
Well
Umm.. Wow okay so... Yeah that was heavy. Insanely well written, graphic, gritty and raw. Would recommend. Just. Wow. Not sure what to do with myself now.
But I know what you should do. Read this.
Umm.. Wow okay so... Yeah that was heavy. Insanely well written, graphic, gritty and raw. Would recommend. Just. Wow. Not sure what to do with myself now.
But I know what you should do. Read this.
October 11, 2019
Something different
This was a refreshing horror tale and different. About a family living in a trailer an alcoholic mother and father and the father is kind of a religious zealot. What happens is shocking and gruesome. Loved it definitely recommend it.
This was a refreshing horror tale and different. About a family living in a trailer an alcoholic mother and father and the father is kind of a religious zealot. What happens is shocking and gruesome. Loved it definitely recommend it.
February 4, 2020
Grabs you from the start
Great read from start to finish. You can feel the fear hanging in the air of the trailer. Feels like your sitting right there not wanting to make a sound so as not to have the attention drawn to you. The last line was a perfect end!
Great read from start to finish. You can feel the fear hanging in the air of the trailer. Feels like your sitting right there not wanting to make a sound so as not to have the attention drawn to you. The last line was a perfect end!
February 16, 2022
It's hard to review a short story without giving anything away, but this story really made me think. I know it's fiction, but how many people live like this? You really don't know what's going on behind closed doors.
February 26, 2019
Fantastic, quick read! I thought it was a very psychologically disturbing read. My only critique is that I wish it was longer! Check this one out!
October 11, 2019
Super dark. Left my stomach sour.
October 19, 2019
A very good grim, dark, malevolent little story, it packs a sizable emotional punch into a short story.
October 20, 2019
An entertaining read, dark, disturbing, richly descriptive and unforgettable. I love that cover, too.
October 10, 2018
Excellent read! Psychologically haunting, the author pulls you into the depths insanity, guiding you through the dark halls of abuse and delusion. I highly recommend this quick read, and will definitely be reading more from him.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews