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Chained
Critically acclaimed bestselling author, Matt Shaw - #1 bestseller in Horror Fiction with hundreds of 5 star reviews - brings you one hell of a messed up "romance".
He is chained to her through his own choice. She is chained to him through no choice of her own. A thick chain linking the two of them together by their ankles and kept in place with heavy-duty locks.
She knows why she is there. He has explained that once - and only once. Each subsequent time she asks, he simply tells her that she knows the reason. She knows there is no way out until he says so.
For a time of his choosing, she is his prisoner and that is all there is to it. Yet - for the two of them - things could have been so, so different.
He is chained to her through his own choice. She is chained to him through no choice of her own. A thick chain linking the two of them together by their ankles and kept in place with heavy-duty locks.
She knows why she is there. He has explained that once - and only once. Each subsequent time she asks, he simply tells her that she knows the reason. She knows there is no way out until he says so.
For a time of his choosing, she is his prisoner and that is all there is to it. Yet - for the two of them - things could have been so, so different.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2019
191 people are currently reading
430 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 69 reviews
January 18, 2019
Lying. It has become so easy, so everyday, so 'just-another-day' thing.
What if our words had consequences? Of course, they do, but I mean severe, grab-you-in-the-nuts-and-twist consequences?
On the surface, this may seem like a very straight-forward story. A man has chained a woman to him. She is a prisoner. He is a monster. It's all pretty black and white. Right?
Well, if you don't know Matt Shaw, let me explain something to you:
He can take just a sliver of gray area and write a shocking, brilliant story, making you wonder about which side you would fit best. Sometimes it makes me sick to read that people write him off as a 'torture-porn' author. Just because he doesn't sugarcoat things - yes, he will write about all the taboos and more - doesn't make him a bad writer. In fact, when it comes to psychology, I think he is far ahead of most. If you can't handle his extremes, by all means, don't try his stories. But this guy is GREAT at what he does - his stories are consistently of the highest quality.
Okay, having said that, I need to give some criticism as well. Matt Shaw burst on the scene not so long ago and the amount of published material available is staggering. His work ethic must be, to say the least, admirable. But...
Mr. Shaw...the silly editing mistakes are getting to me. It really does take away from the high quality of the story, especially when you read a sixty-odd page story and you get NINE mistakes that any decent proofreader should pick up. Hey, I'm a fan, I'll do it for free, but please do SOMETHING about it...
This is the reason why I deducted a star for this story.
What if our words had consequences? Of course, they do, but I mean severe, grab-you-in-the-nuts-and-twist consequences?
On the surface, this may seem like a very straight-forward story. A man has chained a woman to him. She is a prisoner. He is a monster. It's all pretty black and white. Right?
Well, if you don't know Matt Shaw, let me explain something to you:
He can take just a sliver of gray area and write a shocking, brilliant story, making you wonder about which side you would fit best. Sometimes it makes me sick to read that people write him off as a 'torture-porn' author. Just because he doesn't sugarcoat things - yes, he will write about all the taboos and more - doesn't make him a bad writer. In fact, when it comes to psychology, I think he is far ahead of most. If you can't handle his extremes, by all means, don't try his stories. But this guy is GREAT at what he does - his stories are consistently of the highest quality.
Okay, having said that, I need to give some criticism as well. Matt Shaw burst on the scene not so long ago and the amount of published material available is staggering. His work ethic must be, to say the least, admirable. But...
Mr. Shaw...the silly editing mistakes are getting to me. It really does take away from the high quality of the story, especially when you read a sixty-odd page story and you get NINE mistakes that any decent proofreader should pick up. Hey, I'm a fan, I'll do it for free, but please do SOMETHING about it...
This is the reason why I deducted a star for this story.
February 25, 2021
The two main characters of this story spend most of the book chained together. Making confessions to each other explains why they are bound together, but are their personal stories true? This little twister keeps you guessing until the very end. This is not a horror story, but a psychological match between two desperate characters.
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars. Short, sweet, and nasty. Best words to describe this Matt Shaw joint. Two people chained together, leading a very odd and abusive lifestyle. And the story just gets increasingly more interesting as additional information is leaked out. The flashbacks of our lead in prison were brutal, and, if that wasn't bad enough, we find out about several twists towards the end of the story to make his journey that much worse. Fairly graphic and intense. I wanted more time with the story, but I very much enjoyed what we got. Definitely one to make you wince and gasp a few times.
Read
July 14, 2023DNF @ 15%
I didn't even really get a chance to find out what this story was about because I got so irritated at the abusive main character's jokes about domestic violence. Nah, I'm good.
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I didn't even really get a chance to find out what this story was about because I got so irritated at the abusive main character's jokes about domestic violence. Nah, I'm good.
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
January 6, 2019
Unexpected ending
Wow. Just, wow! I Did NOT expect that to happen. Chained will have you chained up inside with anticipation. Loved it!
Wow. Just, wow! I Did NOT expect that to happen. Chained will have you chained up inside with anticipation. Loved it!
May 28, 2021
This is one of those stories where the plot behind the story unravels slowly but surely. I was expecting it to basically be about two people chained together. I had no clue what the reasoning would be. It definitely threw me for a loop in a great way
January 10, 2019
One of my FAVORITES
Matt Shaw is an horror talented author and this book proves as one of his best. This story starts out running and doesn't stop until the twist at the end.
A prime example of what lies can do to all involved. Wow, just read this book and next time you may think about lying, think about all the people you will destroy.
Matt Shaw is an horror talented author and this book proves as one of his best. This story starts out running and doesn't stop until the twist at the end.
A prime example of what lies can do to all involved. Wow, just read this book and next time you may think about lying, think about all the people you will destroy.
January 5, 2019
Excellent
I've read all of your books and this is by far my favorite. Thanks for an amazing read. It's really appreciated.
I've read all of your books and this is by far my favorite. Thanks for an amazing read. It's really appreciated.
January 8, 2022
A great revenge tale, with the wronged party somewhat unusually - for such stories - being a man. The typos were a little annoying, as others have mentioned. I am also going to be spending this evening cursing Matt Shaw for how this story concluded, but not because it ruined the story!
March 24, 2022
Awesome! I love how all of Shaws books have some sort of unexpected twist, and this one was great. 5/5 chained skulls 💀
March 15, 2019
Liar Liar... pants on fire
Great story. It is a very quick read but very absorbing. Who is the monster? The reader will ask this question several
times throughout the tale. He will wonder what he would do if roles were reversed.
The ending is killer.
Great story. It is a very quick read but very absorbing. Who is the monster? The reader will ask this question several
times throughout the tale. He will wonder what he would do if roles were reversed.
The ending is killer.
June 17, 2019
Not bad for a short read. Has a lot of misspellings though which was annoying. Also wasn’t really scary either.
July 7, 2019
Good story but be warned, graphic sex.
February 7, 2024
I think this one might be my favorite Matt Shaw book. This one had my on the edge of my seat. I wanted to know what had happened to him. What was going on with both of them. The stories he told from when he was locked up were BRUTAL. Devastating. They were so hard to read. I actually found myself feeling sorry for him despite what he was doing in the present time. But that ending? NO WAY. I wasn’t expecting that. I was so lost in her story of what she was saying that I did NOT see that ending coming. My mouth fell open! SO GOOD! If I could give this 10/10 stars I would. But 5/5 will have to do.
January 6, 2019
Must Read! Love me some Matt Shaw!
I think this is now my favorite Matt Shaw book! Yes, it's taut and suspenseful, and it's definitely Matt Shaw, but, evolved? Grown up?! Much more developed characters, well thought out plot and seamless transitions between then and now allow the story to build and mushroom in the reader's head, flowing SO smoothly.....until the twist that ends it!! I LOVED it! Don't get me wrong, I adore the usual chaos and crazy and gore that is Matt Shaw, but I'm really digging this tightly wound but controlled guy!
I think this is now my favorite Matt Shaw book! Yes, it's taut and suspenseful, and it's definitely Matt Shaw, but, evolved? Grown up?! Much more developed characters, well thought out plot and seamless transitions between then and now allow the story to build and mushroom in the reader's head, flowing SO smoothly.....until the twist that ends it!! I LOVED it! Don't get me wrong, I adore the usual chaos and crazy and gore that is Matt Shaw, but I'm really digging this tightly wound but controlled guy!
January 24, 2019
4.5 stars, rounded up.
This is classic Matt Shaw. Just when you think you have the story figured out he throws the reader for a loop. That’s exactly what he did in Chained.
Great short story.
Full review can be found at -
This is classic Matt Shaw. Just when you think you have the story figured out he throws the reader for a loop. That’s exactly what he did in Chained.
Great short story.
Full review can be found at -
February 6, 2023
It's all in the twist.
I've been binging Matt Shaw's works, some situations and characters bleed over from other stories and it's wonderful all in its own.
In Chained you're left confused, outraged, confused, and a ball of what?
Matt Shaw is an artist.
I've been binging Matt Shaw's works, some situations and characters bleed over from other stories and it's wonderful all in its own.
In Chained you're left confused, outraged, confused, and a ball of what?
Matt Shaw is an artist.
January 9, 2019
Entertaining as always!!
Love reading Matt Shaw books. This one was very gripping and hard to put down once I started. The back and forth writing and twists kept me enveloped. Great read
Love reading Matt Shaw books. This one was very gripping and hard to put down once I started. The back and forth writing and twists kept me enveloped. Great read
July 1, 2019
There is ALWAYS a Twist....
Damnit Matt Shaw!! Why you always gotta do this to me?!?! I expect the twists, I honestly do! But THAT twist? No! No no no!!! Alright fellow readers..... Go ahead, give it a read. It's not NEARLY as gory as most but some parts are hard to read. Even as a female, maybe MORE so because I'm a female, this story was tough to swallow. It really makes me hate my fellow ladies, if they can even be called such. I have it four stars instead of five because I disliked the ending so much.😵 Otherwise, great job by the always surprising Matt Shaw.
Damnit Matt Shaw!! Why you always gotta do this to me?!?! I expect the twists, I honestly do! But THAT twist? No! No no no!!! Alright fellow readers..... Go ahead, give it a read. It's not NEARLY as gory as most but some parts are hard to read. Even as a female, maybe MORE so because I'm a female, this story was tough to swallow. It really makes me hate my fellow ladies, if they can even be called such. I have it four stars instead of five because I disliked the ending so much.😵 Otherwise, great job by the always surprising Matt Shaw.
June 29, 2019
This is a short dark story with an O. Henry twist at the end. Well written, fast paced and well worth the surprise at the end.
April 5, 2019
Matt Shaw at his finest! A great example of how a lie can ruin a life. How revenge can destroy life. And how you shouldn't trust a liar! I spent most of this story just trying to unravel what the hell was going on. In a good way, in the way Shaw wanted you to have to work through it. Where this story seemed to be going changed so many times, and the ending was completely out of left field. Very dark, extremely twisted, ultimately deceptive.
June 7, 2021
Wow! Chained is so good. The story begins with limited information, except the reader knows there is a kidnapper and a victim, and the natural feelings that come along with such a situation. As more details are revealed, my perspective and feelings started to change. Then there's that ending. and man, it's a doozie.
January 12, 2022
Well damn
This read wasnt as gory as other novels by Matt Shaw, and I loved it. Theres always a twist, and I never saw it coming. I always enjoy his short reads and cant wait for my next.
This read wasnt as gory as other novels by Matt Shaw, and I loved it. Theres always a twist, and I never saw it coming. I always enjoy his short reads and cant wait for my next.
July 27, 2021
Love Matt Shaws books
Omg mind blowing... The story line pulls the reader in so many directions as the story unfolds. Until the twisty ending. Brilliant!!
Omg mind blowing... The story line pulls the reader in so many directions as the story unfolds. Until the twisty ending. Brilliant!!
September 21, 2022
Quick read with a great ending
The story was enjoyable enough, but I felt the characters could have used a bit more development. I didn't feel like I knew who the characters were, as individuals. All we get to know of them is what's happened to them since they met, and it didn't feel like it offered enough insight into their personalities. It would have been just so-so for me, except that the ending was so perfect. I didn't expect it to go the way it did, which landed it solidly on the "like" list for me. I'll definitely be checking out some more of Matt Shaw's work in the future.
The story was enjoyable enough, but I felt the characters could have used a bit more development. I didn't feel like I knew who the characters were, as individuals. All we get to know of them is what's happened to them since they met, and it didn't feel like it offered enough insight into their personalities. It would have been just so-so for me, except that the ending was so perfect. I didn't expect it to go the way it did, which landed it solidly on the "like" list for me. I'll definitely be checking out some more of Matt Shaw's work in the future.
February 3, 2020
Another awesome book by Shaw...
The book opens with two people chained together.
As you progress, it soon turns out that one of them has deliberately chained himself to the other and that there is a motive behind his actions...
Slowly you begin to discover what you think is the truth, and then...
Once again, Matt Shaw manages to impress.
This is a neat little tale that is right up there with his best.
To say anything more would be to give the plot away, but seriously...this book is well worth a read!
The book opens with two people chained together.
As you progress, it soon turns out that one of them has deliberately chained himself to the other and that there is a motive behind his actions...
Slowly you begin to discover what you think is the truth, and then...
Once again, Matt Shaw manages to impress.
This is a neat little tale that is right up there with his best.
To say anything more would be to give the plot away, but seriously...this book is well worth a read!
March 25, 2024
From the jump, this is a very unusual read.
A couple (man and woman) are chained together. Literally. Heavy metal chains.
Very bizarre and mysterious vibe to their domestic life.
Painful flashbacks to the man’s incarceration.
A trickle of reveals…plans…revenge…
An unfortunate hallmark of Shaw’s writing seems to be basic typographical errors. Lots of them.
Very interesting. Makes the reader so curious: wtaf is going on between these two?!?
Someone who loses everything based on someone else’s lies.
The confession.
The book is quite absorbing. Which is a shame…because the ending is so bad that it ruins it all.
A couple (man and woman) are chained together. Literally. Heavy metal chains.
Very bizarre and mysterious vibe to their domestic life.
Painful flashbacks to the man’s incarceration.
A trickle of reveals…plans…revenge…
An unfortunate hallmark of Shaw’s writing seems to be basic typographical errors. Lots of them.
Very interesting. Makes the reader so curious: wtaf is going on between these two?!?
Someone who loses everything based on someone else’s lies.
The confession.
The book is quite absorbing. Which is a shame…because the ending is so bad that it ruins it all.
May 12, 2019
NEVER TRUST A LIAR!
He trusted her and she lied, lied and lied. He paid the price for her lies, got revenge but messed up by trusting her again... what an idiot!
NEVER trust a liar!
Matt Shaw ( my brotha from anotha motha) has done it again. This was a great short unpredictable novel!
He trusted her and she lied, lied and lied. He paid the price for her lies, got revenge but messed up by trusting her again... what an idiot!
NEVER trust a liar!
Matt Shaw ( my brotha from anotha motha) has done it again. This was a great short unpredictable novel!
August 15, 2019
This should definitely be an episode in Black Mirror. There isn't the usual dark twist in the use of technology as in the series, but the story is so well thought and written that it makes you think about it.
I hated the final turn, because obviously I was taking a definite side, the one of the loser.
Women can be real bitches when they are up for survival...
I hated the final turn, because obviously I was taking a definite side, the one of the loser.
Women can be real bitches when they are up for survival...
November 10, 2019
Not what I expected
This book was nothing like I expected it to be. The beginning and middle I understood where the author was going. The end of the book went from expecting more story to its over.
I'm not sure what happened to the main characters, or why she turned out to be the crazier of the two.
This book was nothing like I expected it to be. The beginning and middle I understood where the author was going. The end of the book went from expecting more story to its over.
I'm not sure what happened to the main characters, or why she turned out to be the crazier of the two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews