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Asylum - 13 Tales of Terror
A US Horror Chart #5 best seller - Voted #5 on The Horror Novel Review's Top 10 Novels of 2013 & a 2014 Readers Favorite Gold Medal winner -
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Blackwater Heights is a building with a long dark history, some of it is well known but more is shrouded in myth and legend. None more so than that of its founding father Horace Whisker.
Martin Parcell is an ex-journalist with shattered dreams of an author’s career. Sidelined through a car crash’s injuries, he finds himself forced through governmental austerity measures having to take a custodians position at a private mental health hospital. A writer with undoubted talent, but an author without a story.
He begins his new job deep in depression and drowning under waves of his lost dreams. On his first night he meets Jimmy, his elderly supervisor who has spent most of his life within the hospital walls. Jimmy is nearing retirement age and desperate to rest his weary bones. Jimmy offers Martin a way out for both of them, access to the background histories and stories of the hospital’s patients. A collection of 13 tales from the darkly disturbed minds of the residents of Blackwater Heights.
As the long night unwinds, Martin finds himself deeply troubled as the tales unfold before him and threaten to drag him down into their insanity.
[image]
Blackwater Heights is a building with a long dark history, some of it is well known but more is shrouded in myth and legend. None more so than that of its founding father Horace Whisker.
Martin Parcell is an ex-journalist with shattered dreams of an author’s career. Sidelined through a car crash’s injuries, he finds himself forced through governmental austerity measures having to take a custodians position at a private mental health hospital. A writer with undoubted talent, but an author without a story.
He begins his new job deep in depression and drowning under waves of his lost dreams. On his first night he meets Jimmy, his elderly supervisor who has spent most of his life within the hospital walls. Jimmy is nearing retirement age and desperate to rest his weary bones. Jimmy offers Martin a way out for both of them, access to the background histories and stories of the hospital’s patients. A collection of 13 tales from the darkly disturbed minds of the residents of Blackwater Heights.
As the long night unwinds, Martin finds himself deeply troubled as the tales unfold before him and threaten to drag him down into their insanity.
252 pages, ebook
First published March 4, 2013
220 people are currently reading
1200 people want to read
About the author
Matt Drabble
63 books244 followersBorn in Bath, England in 1974, a self-professed "funny onion", equal parts sport loving jock and comic book geek.
Awards & Achievements:
"ABRA-CADAVER" is the 2017 Readers Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Horror Fiction. It is also a 2015 Kindle Book Review Finalist, an Indie Book of the Day winner and the 2016 Book Excellence Award Winner for Horror Fiction.
"GATED" is the 2015 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner. It is also a UK & US Horror Chart Top Ten Best Seller & winner of the Full Moon Awards 2014 Horror Book of the Year.
"ASYLUM - 13 TALES OF TERROR" was a US Horror Chart #5. It was also voted #5 on The Horror Novel Review's Top 10 Books of 2013 & was the Readers Favorite 2014 Gold Medal Winner for Anthology Fiction.
"THE LAST RESORT" is the 2019 Readers Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Horror Fiction & The 2019 Kindle Book Review's Winner for Horror/Suspense
Visit me at www.mattdrabble.co.uk to download free short stories.
Twitter: MattDrabble01
Facebook: matt.drabble.3
Instagram: mattdrabble01
or to sign up for a newsletter: http://mad.ly/signups/95503/join
Awards & Achievements:
"ABRA-CADAVER" is the 2017 Readers Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Horror Fiction. It is also a 2015 Kindle Book Review Finalist, an Indie Book of the Day winner and the 2016 Book Excellence Award Winner for Horror Fiction.
"GATED" is the 2015 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner. It is also a UK & US Horror Chart Top Ten Best Seller & winner of the Full Moon Awards 2014 Horror Book of the Year.
"ASYLUM - 13 TALES OF TERROR" was a US Horror Chart #5. It was also voted #5 on The Horror Novel Review's Top 10 Books of 2013 & was the Readers Favorite 2014 Gold Medal Winner for Anthology Fiction.
"THE LAST RESORT" is the 2019 Readers Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Horror Fiction & The 2019 Kindle Book Review's Winner for Horror/Suspense
Visit me at www.mattdrabble.co.uk to download free short stories.
Twitter: MattDrabble01
Facebook: matt.drabble.3
Instagram: mattdrabble01
or to sign up for a newsletter: http://mad.ly/signups/95503/join
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
September 30, 2021
Martin wants to be a writer. A heavy accident with lasting impact prevents his career as a journalist. Instead he works as a janitor at an asylum. Will he get any eerie horror stories there? Starting from the frame story the author comes up with many absolutely readable and fascinating stories. I was very enthusiastic at the beginning but the book soon turned into a bit of an overlong journey. If the author had left some tales or inserted some shorter ones the reading experience would have been better. Got a bit tedious at the end. But the author can write. No doubt about it. Nice dark and twisty tales touching many areas of horror. Recommended, but you need some stamina!
September 30, 2025
I’ve read quite a few of Matt books so I know whatever it is I read will be good. This audiobook was no exception. The stories were good and I couldn’t stop listening. This book got me through hour plus car drives.
My favorite stories in this book were:
Picking up strangers- A man driving on a dark road comes upon a woman in distress. He does what any person would do and drive her to safety away from the men trying to killer her. He doesn’t realize what he just done with his act of kindness.
Primetime Special- A very rude and self centered man has a passion for the haunted and occult makes a last hail Mary on recording live from a haunted sight. What may be a live broadcast turns into a nightmare.
Dish of the day- A food critic who knows no bounds with his harsh words is pointed in the direction of a dish that he cannot get enough of. His body craves it and he will do anything to have it again.
Honestly all of the stories in this anthology were good there wasn’t a story I didn’t like so it’s always difficult picking my favorites. The following stories were also good too: The Devil’s Music and yellow streak. If you want a good book with amazing stories look no further this is the book for you.
My favorite stories in this book were:
Picking up strangers- A man driving on a dark road comes upon a woman in distress. He does what any person would do and drive her to safety away from the men trying to killer her. He doesn’t realize what he just done with his act of kindness.
Primetime Special- A very rude and self centered man has a passion for the haunted and occult makes a last hail Mary on recording live from a haunted sight. What may be a live broadcast turns into a nightmare.
Dish of the day- A food critic who knows no bounds with his harsh words is pointed in the direction of a dish that he cannot get enough of. His body craves it and he will do anything to have it again.
Honestly all of the stories in this anthology were good there wasn’t a story I didn’t like so it’s always difficult picking my favorites. The following stories were also good too: The Devil’s Music and yellow streak. If you want a good book with amazing stories look no further this is the book for you.
March 8, 2013
Asylum by Matt Drabble is an excellent collection of short dark fiction. The wrapper for the stories reminds me a bit of a Night Gallery episode or something from an old school radio theater show. I sometimes struggle with short story collections, because inevitably I am disappointed with a few of the stories – not so with Matt’s latest. There is not one sour grape in the bunch. Each one of the 13 stories grabs you from the get go and will keep you turning pages long into the night.
So, take a tour of the asylum, with Matt as your guide, you will not be disappointed with the tales that are contained within.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC copy of this book from the author and am happy to report that Matt gets better and better with each work and he has indeed become a writer to look out for.
So, take a tour of the asylum, with Matt as your guide, you will not be disappointed with the tales that are contained within.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC copy of this book from the author and am happy to report that Matt gets better and better with each work and he has indeed become a writer to look out for.
March 30, 2015
First, what I liked about the book. I really liked the way the stories were weaved into one tale. I like a short story in a magazine, but rarely buy a collection because the stories tend to be disjointed from one another. These stories were different-ish from one to the next, but they were linked together by the sub-plot. Well played!
There were two big things I didn't like about this book: I had the end pegged at about chapter three. Bummer. Worse than that, however, was the lack of a professional editor (not just proofing, actual editing). This is my biggest pet peeve about any self-published work, and this book was no exception. Using the same descriptor four times in the same short paragraph is not interesting. Klunky transitions are not interesting. Weird syntax is not interesting. It's all distracting!
Your mom, spouse, friend, and English professor may all be telling you they love your book...and I'm sure they do...but do not rely on them to edit your work.
I may have rated 3 or 3.5 stars had I not been so distracted by the lack of editing.
There were two big things I didn't like about this book: I had the end pegged at about chapter three. Bummer. Worse than that, however, was the lack of a professional editor (not just proofing, actual editing). This is my biggest pet peeve about any self-published work, and this book was no exception. Using the same descriptor four times in the same short paragraph is not interesting. Klunky transitions are not interesting. Weird syntax is not interesting. It's all distracting!
Your mom, spouse, friend, and English professor may all be telling you they love your book...and I'm sure they do...but do not rely on them to edit your work.
I may have rated 3 or 3.5 stars had I not been so distracted by the lack of editing.
March 8, 2013
After reading Gated, by the same author, I became an instant fan! I love Matt Drabble's writing and find him to be reminiscent of Bentley Little and Richard Laymon. His narrative is laid back and flows effortlessly, dragging you into his story and forcing you to feel something for each one of his characters, whether that emotion is positive or negative.
I was pleased to be able to watch the creation of this collection take place and I know there is not one dud story among them. Every story is original and individual. Each story shows that Drabble can turn his hand to literally every genre, although every tale will make you feel as if you've just entered the Twilight Zone.
The story which interlinks all the other stories is very cleverly done and creepy as hell.
This is sure to be as big a hit as Gated and no doubt will garner a whole new set of fans for Drabble.
I was pleased to be able to watch the creation of this collection take place and I know there is not one dud story among them. Every story is original and individual. Each story shows that Drabble can turn his hand to literally every genre, although every tale will make you feel as if you've just entered the Twilight Zone.
The story which interlinks all the other stories is very cleverly done and creepy as hell.
This is sure to be as big a hit as Gated and no doubt will garner a whole new set of fans for Drabble.
October 15, 2015
Perhaps closer to 3.5*
If you enjoyed the portmanteau films of companies such as Amicus in the 70s then this book will be just your cup of tea! In fact the framing narrative is similar to the Robert Bloch scripted film also called Asylum.
The stories are nicely varied mixing supernatural with just plain sociopathic. There are two problems with the book in my opinion: first there are some very jarring word choices that break the suspension of disbelief, the book reads like an American trying to "do" British and it took me a while to realise that the problem is actually a Briton trying to write the UK for the US reader and it doesn't work, and second, and far more important, the proof reading is appalling. The book is littered with words which have passed the "smell checker" but are quite clearly not the right word for the sentence and this gets very irritating.
If you enjoyed the portmanteau films of companies such as Amicus in the 70s then this book will be just your cup of tea! In fact the framing narrative is similar to the Robert Bloch scripted film also called Asylum.
The stories are nicely varied mixing supernatural with just plain sociopathic. There are two problems with the book in my opinion: first there are some very jarring word choices that break the suspension of disbelief, the book reads like an American trying to "do" British and it took me a while to realise that the problem is actually a Briton trying to write the UK for the US reader and it doesn't work, and second, and far more important, the proof reading is appalling. The book is littered with words which have passed the "smell checker" but are quite clearly not the right word for the sentence and this gets very irritating.
March 25, 2018
I was asked to review a story, not the whole book. But after reading this one story....I will definitely read the whole book soon.
I read the story Finders Not Keepers. It begins with an archeological team finding a tomb to be around 3,800 years old. Well! It all goes downhill from there. When people start dying...but not from the tomb, or the mummy they found...well could be the mummy. You got a crazy story.
I have never been a real fan of horror. But this story is well written and intriguing. For horror fans...this book is for you!
February 14, 2019
Tales From the Crypt
Fourteen stories in the vein of Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow. All are decently written and varied enough to keep the pace and mood fresh. If you are okay with reading stories written (intentionally or not) with a "twist" ending that you'll see coming halfway through, then it's worth a read.
Fourteen stories in the vein of Tales from the Crypt or Creepshow. All are decently written and varied enough to keep the pace and mood fresh. If you are okay with reading stories written (intentionally or not) with a "twist" ending that you'll see coming halfway through, then it's worth a read.
December 26, 2018
Predictable stories but original way to link them.
All the tales are the same pretty much and seems like the edition of this book is very cheap.
Probably is just a teen mystery/horror
But I have big hopes in the writer.
All the tales are the same pretty much and seems like the edition of this book is very cheap.
Probably is just a teen mystery/horror
But I have big hopes in the writer.
July 23, 2013
“Asylum – 13 Tales of Terror” by Matt Drabble is 13 tales of terror inside a tale of terror. “Asylum” is a very interesting concept.
Matt Drabble starts his story by introducing Martin Parcell, the new assistant janitor at Blackwater Heights, a spooky looking old private mental health clinic. Martin was reporting for his first shift – a night shift, of course – on his first job since he was seriously injured in an automobile accident 14 months earlier.
Just driving up the desolate, lonely road to Blackwater Heights was creeping him out, as he reflected over the circumstances which had derailed his intended journalism career. He had to keep reminding himself to press down on the accelerator, because subconsciously his foot kept easing up, hoping to delay his arrival at the old, brooding structure.
Eventually, though, he found himself inside the building, in the company of Jimmy, the other janitor. Jimmy was a real talker. He liked to talk about the various “residents” of the clinic. He told Martin there were 13 residents, and each one had his own story. Martin thought to himself, maybe there’s a book in this job after all. He asked Jimmy to tell him the stories, so Jimmy took him to each room, one at a time, and told the story of the poor demented soul inside. Martin took careful notes.
Matt Drabble is a master storyteller himself. Each of the “13 Tales of Terror” is one of the stories from the 13 residents, all tied together with a brief bit of dialogue between the two janitors. Some of the short stories are very creepy; all of them are very good. And, of course, what’s a spooky story without a surprise ending? Matt is faithful to that tenet, too, as is any good horror writer.
“Asylum – 13 Tales of Terror” is an exceptionally captivating book. If you enjoy having the spit scared out of you, you will definitely like this book. I highly recommend it for all fans of the Horror genre.
Matt Drabble starts his story by introducing Martin Parcell, the new assistant janitor at Blackwater Heights, a spooky looking old private mental health clinic. Martin was reporting for his first shift – a night shift, of course – on his first job since he was seriously injured in an automobile accident 14 months earlier.
Just driving up the desolate, lonely road to Blackwater Heights was creeping him out, as he reflected over the circumstances which had derailed his intended journalism career. He had to keep reminding himself to press down on the accelerator, because subconsciously his foot kept easing up, hoping to delay his arrival at the old, brooding structure.
Eventually, though, he found himself inside the building, in the company of Jimmy, the other janitor. Jimmy was a real talker. He liked to talk about the various “residents” of the clinic. He told Martin there were 13 residents, and each one had his own story. Martin thought to himself, maybe there’s a book in this job after all. He asked Jimmy to tell him the stories, so Jimmy took him to each room, one at a time, and told the story of the poor demented soul inside. Martin took careful notes.
Matt Drabble is a master storyteller himself. Each of the “13 Tales of Terror” is one of the stories from the 13 residents, all tied together with a brief bit of dialogue between the two janitors. Some of the short stories are very creepy; all of them are very good. And, of course, what’s a spooky story without a surprise ending? Matt is faithful to that tenet, too, as is any good horror writer.
“Asylum – 13 Tales of Terror” is an exceptionally captivating book. If you enjoy having the spit scared out of you, you will definitely like this book. I highly recommend it for all fans of the Horror genre.
September 4, 2015
Stories I liked okay:
Picking Up Strangers - maybe it was obvious, but I didn't guess the ending at all
No Strings Attached - it reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode
Stories I disliked the most:
The Voice
Method Acting
Dish of the Day - to be honest I was going to put this in the neutral category but I realized I have way too many questions about the story. Also I guessed what the dish was just from the title (which actually isn't a negative for me, though I know it would be for some people).
To be honest, every other story (including the main wraparound one) I could probably find things I liked and disliked. My main issue was that a lot of the stories had the same basic premise: person is mean and cruel towards others (or worse) and then someone/a group/something punishes them in some way. This only works for me if the person really, really deserves what's happening to them, the other person/people/thing is at least somewhat sympathetic or likeable, or preferably both.
Also I felt like a lot of the stories had the same ending. I'm keeping this spoiler free so I won't say what the ending was. To be fair there were different variations on the theme, so it's not like the stories had the exact same ending. Although with one story, Night Class, the ending caused me to change my view from like to neutral. (Though maybe that's because it was the last story in the book, and perhaps I would have liked it more if I'd read it earlier?)
Picking Up Strangers - maybe it was obvious, but I didn't guess the ending at all
No Strings Attached - it reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode
Stories I disliked the most:
The Voice
Method Acting
Dish of the Day - to be honest I was going to put this in the neutral category but I realized I have way too many questions about the story. Also I guessed what the dish was just from the title (which actually isn't a negative for me, though I know it would be for some people).
To be honest, every other story (including the main wraparound one) I could probably find things I liked and disliked. My main issue was that a lot of the stories had the same basic premise: person is mean and cruel towards others (or worse) and then someone/a group/something punishes them in some way. This only works for me if the person really, really deserves what's happening to them, the other person/people/thing is at least somewhat sympathetic or likeable, or preferably both.
Also I felt like a lot of the stories had the same ending. I'm keeping this spoiler free so I won't say what the ending was. To be fair there were different variations on the theme, so it's not like the stories had the exact same ending. Although with one story, Night Class, the ending caused me to change my view from like to neutral. (Though maybe that's because it was the last story in the book, and perhaps I would have liked it more if I'd read it earlier?)
July 2, 2016
Asylum - 13 Tales of Terror is about a man named Martin who is starting his new job as a custodian at a mental health facility. He is being trained by an older guy named Jimmy and, after Jimmy discovers that Martin is a writer, he suggests that Martin write a book about the residents. I like that the short stories are part of the main story. After each resident's tale, it goes back to the present where Jimmy gives Martin more information about them and we get to see Martin's reaction and learn more about things. I really enjoyed that format and it worked well.
My favorite stories were "No Strings Attached" and "The Devil's Music." "No Strings Attached" is about a poor kid who works at a toy store. It could be an episode of Tales from the Crypt or a show like it. "The Devil's Music" is about a teenage devil-worshipper who plays guitar in a metal band. Sure it's a cliché, but Paul is a fun character and the last line is funny.
Unfortunately, there were some editing issues and a lot of the stories, including the main one, were predictable. It was still an enjoyable read, but it's not something that I would read again. 3.5/5 stars
My favorite stories were "No Strings Attached" and "The Devil's Music." "No Strings Attached" is about a poor kid who works at a toy store. It could be an episode of Tales from the Crypt or a show like it. "The Devil's Music" is about a teenage devil-worshipper who plays guitar in a metal band. Sure it's a cliché, but Paul is a fun character and the last line is funny.
Unfortunately, there were some editing issues and a lot of the stories, including the main one, were predictable. It was still an enjoyable read, but it's not something that I would read again. 3.5/5 stars
June 12, 2013
I absolutely found this one of the scariest reads I've come across soince the Cades Cove series by the amazing Aiden James. I actually had to read it during the day otherwise I could not get to sleep at night. Matt Drabble wove together a very tight book with 13 tales of terror that literally scaed the hell out of me. I love horror stories and the scarier the better, but this gave me shivers and left me hearing things go bump in the night.
To me Matt is the new Stephen King. Both he and Aiden James are masters of horror. Matt is the David Cronenberg of the horror novel and I look forward to being scared into another sleepeless night when i start another one of his books.
To me Matt is the new Stephen King. Both he and Aiden James are masters of horror. Matt is the David Cronenberg of the horror novel and I look forward to being scared into another sleepeless night when i start another one of his books.
April 14, 2015
Took away a star for poor editing
I really enjoyed the stories detailing each mental patient's reason for being in the institution, but I had to take away a star for sentences missing words and inconsistencies in some of the story lines. Just one example: the characters are in the living room standing in front of a fireplace, when suddenly a glass from the kitchen is flung across the room, since they are in a mansion there is no way those two rooms are actually the same.
Overlooking those missteps, the stories are really good and while though I figured out what was going on by the end that didn't detract from my enjoyment.
I really enjoyed the stories detailing each mental patient's reason for being in the institution, but I had to take away a star for sentences missing words and inconsistencies in some of the story lines. Just one example: the characters are in the living room standing in front of a fireplace, when suddenly a glass from the kitchen is flung across the room, since they are in a mansion there is no way those two rooms are actually the same.
Overlooking those missteps, the stories are really good and while though I figured out what was going on by the end that didn't detract from my enjoyment.
October 10, 2018
Some of the tales I did struggle with. They were difficult to continue with because they were very stretched out and the 'horror' happened within the last page or two which didn't really create a build up.
A few of the tales though, I did really enjoy and kept me wanting to read. I was going to give this a 2 star but the ending really did push me over the edge to give a 3 star.
If the horror in the tales was lengthened out instead of being at the ends, then this book would've been more enjoyable and would have gotten a higher rating.
A few of the tales though, I did really enjoy and kept me wanting to read. I was going to give this a 2 star but the ending really did push me over the edge to give a 3 star.
If the horror in the tales was lengthened out instead of being at the ends, then this book would've been more enjoyable and would have gotten a higher rating.
June 24, 2020
I think I got this book from bookbub or freebooksy and I periodically read it between other books. I like the horror genre and I know that there are good horror books out there but this isn't it.
This book reads like it was written by a twenty year old incel. The stories are predictable, the women are objectified. The dialogue is clunky. This was like an Asylum film in book form.
I don't even think a good editor could have fixed this book. It was bad but not bad enough to be good; would not recommend.
This book reads like it was written by a twenty year old incel. The stories are predictable, the women are objectified. The dialogue is clunky. This was like an Asylum film in book form.
I don't even think a good editor could have fixed this book. It was bad but not bad enough to be good; would not recommend.
February 15, 2016
Needing a change from my usual bodice-ripper romances, I decided to read a bit of horror...on Valentine's Day. :)
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was face paced and kept my interest. I liked most of the stories and while the ending was a bit predictable, it didn't take away from the overall feel of the book. I would recommend this to someone looking for a quick read for a different change of pace.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was face paced and kept my interest. I liked most of the stories and while the ending was a bit predictable, it didn't take away from the overall feel of the book. I would recommend this to someone looking for a quick read for a different change of pace.
February 19, 2016
13 tales of terror?
I wouldn't say I hated this book but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it much either! The tales are actually quite weak and hackneyed and don't even start me on the spelling mistakes. I felt the author tried a bit too hard to convey the scenes and had a pronounced over-use of smilies. The ending was broadcast from a mile away and, all in all, I was a little disappointed.
I wouldn't say I hated this book but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it much either! The tales are actually quite weak and hackneyed and don't even start me on the spelling mistakes. I felt the author tried a bit too hard to convey the scenes and had a pronounced over-use of smilies. The ending was broadcast from a mile away and, all in all, I was a little disappointed.
November 21, 2014
These short little horror stories are like eating chips - you quickly read one, then move on to the next. The 13 individual stories are all enjoyable, although there are some that could have been expanded into more developed stories. I was a little disappointed with the overall framing story; I was hoping for some big payoff, but the ending was abrupt and a little unsatisfying.
February 13, 2016
Dark creepy goodness
Loved this collection and headed for more with Abra Cadaver. Dark tales written wonderfully with creativity, originality and excellent darkness. Highly recommended to all fans of modern horror!
Loved this collection and headed for more with Abra Cadaver. Dark tales written wonderfully with creativity, originality and excellent darkness. Highly recommended to all fans of modern horror!
March 12, 2016
A good, creepy collection of 13 tales all loosely linked within the premise of a tour through a madhouse. I found the ending somewhat predictable but it didn't distract me from enjoying a book.
I was needing a change from the genre I had been reading and this was perfect.
I was needing a change from the genre I had been reading and this was perfect.
April 25, 2015
I would say 3.5 stars. Good quick read, but most of the stories I figured out halfway through. No real "shockers" but still some good stories.
November 17, 2015
So not what I was expecting ....LOVED IT!!
February 15, 2021
Asylum: 13 Tales of Terror would have received a four-star rating from me but for three criticisms. First is the need for a better copy editor. When I write something I know will be read by others, I pore over my copy repeatedly looking for mistakes and weak writing needing revision. I don't always catch every single flaw before publishing or posting, but that's not for want of trying. (If I'm really concerned about it, I ask my wife to proofread my copy, as she is an excellent copy editor.) Asylum needs better proofreading.
My second criticism involves not proofreading, but revision. Mr. Drabble often uses awkward or inappropriate figures of speech and metaphors, often jarringly so. He also often uses awkward adverbs. Any writing that pulls the reader away from the narrative and calls attention to the fact that a writer constructed the words, is a distraction and should be eliminated or remedied. From what I've read online, Asylum is only Matt Drabble's second published book; I would be curious to read a more-current work to see if his writing has improved in this regard.
My third criticism is that while some of the stories hit the mark close to dead center, others miss the target and just don't seem to work. Some seem over-wrought, while others just don't elicit much response in me whatsoever except "meh." I did like the use of a framing device, with all the stories being the accounts of inmates in what turns out to be a sinister and (spoiler alert, but not much of one) supernatural mental hospital. On the whole, it was a mildly entertaining read.
My second criticism involves not proofreading, but revision. Mr. Drabble often uses awkward or inappropriate figures of speech and metaphors, often jarringly so. He also often uses awkward adverbs. Any writing that pulls the reader away from the narrative and calls attention to the fact that a writer constructed the words, is a distraction and should be eliminated or remedied. From what I've read online, Asylum is only Matt Drabble's second published book; I would be curious to read a more-current work to see if his writing has improved in this regard.
My third criticism is that while some of the stories hit the mark close to dead center, others miss the target and just don't seem to work. Some seem over-wrought, while others just don't elicit much response in me whatsoever except "meh." I did like the use of a framing device, with all the stories being the accounts of inmates in what turns out to be a sinister and (spoiler alert, but not much of one) supernatural mental hospital. On the whole, it was a mildly entertaining read.
November 21, 2018
It's pretty easy to see what the author was reaching for. He wanted to write an anthology in the vein of Tales from the Crypt. This comparison becomes much more obvious with one story that lifts its entire plot from the Morton Downey, Jr. episode of that show and even has the audacity to call the main character "Morton." So there's that.
The book is framed with a wraparound story in which one character guides another through a haunted mental hospital, hearing the tales of how each patient was driven to madness. It's a good concept for an anthology, but it breaks down as not all of the narrators of the stories are the patients. In fact, in the best of the stories, the narrator is someone who is murdered at the climax.
The inability to stick with the central conceit, as well as numerous spelling and grammar errors, point to an inexperienced writer. A good editor might have helped somewhat. Most readers might not mind that commas are deployed seemingly at random, but at several points the writer uses the precise wrong word, which has the effect of undermining the horror he's trying to built. "Emasculated" doesn't mean "thin," but "emaciated" does. That's an actual example from the text, and there are many more.
In short, there are far better anthologies out there. Skip this one.
The book is framed with a wraparound story in which one character guides another through a haunted mental hospital, hearing the tales of how each patient was driven to madness. It's a good concept for an anthology, but it breaks down as not all of the narrators of the stories are the patients. In fact, in the best of the stories, the narrator is someone who is murdered at the climax.
The inability to stick with the central conceit, as well as numerous spelling and grammar errors, point to an inexperienced writer. A good editor might have helped somewhat. Most readers might not mind that commas are deployed seemingly at random, but at several points the writer uses the precise wrong word, which has the effect of undermining the horror he's trying to built. "Emasculated" doesn't mean "thin," but "emaciated" does. That's an actual example from the text, and there are many more.
In short, there are far better anthologies out there. Skip this one.
April 11, 2025
This person uses English in unexpected ways. He makes these apparent homonym mistakes, but then they kinda work, so I'm not sure whether they were mistakes or not. His modifiers dangle all over the place, but I have this feeling that he's doing it on purpose. He indulges in a few of my least favorite sentence construction habits.
Anyway, the stories were good, the frame was good, and the writing was, if not good, then at least interesting. I took off a star because the ending was not well enough developed. Anything you telegraph so far ahead should be bigger than that.
Anyway, the stories were good, the frame was good, and the writing was, if not good, then at least interesting. I took off a star because the ending was not well enough developed. Anything you telegraph so far ahead should be bigger than that.
June 22, 2020
This book was alright, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others and the ending was okay, if not a bit rushed and flat.
The text desperately needs an editor, though. I think with strong editing it would be a better book, there were just too many mistakes here that weakened the stories (like describing every main character!). Not a bad read but not missing out on much either.
The text desperately needs an editor, though. I think with strong editing it would be a better book, there were just too many mistakes here that weakened the stories (like describing every main character!). Not a bad read but not missing out on much either.
July 17, 2021
Tales within a tale
I enjoyed the narrative of the story around each individual tale. The book was enjoyable and the author has a way with his descriptions.
I think I possibly think to much like the author as I could see where most of the tales were going before they finished but still a good read.
I enjoyed the narrative of the story around each individual tale. The book was enjoyable and the author has a way with his descriptions.
I think I possibly think to much like the author as I could see where most of the tales were going before they finished but still a good read.
August 10, 2025
clever and entertaining
Everyone of these tales is so different from the last. All of them had me hooked from the first page and all well worth reading.
I absolutely loved the way they were told and by who too.
Matt has to be one of my favourite authors. His books are always well executed and so good.
Everyone of these tales is so different from the last. All of them had me hooked from the first page and all well worth reading.
I absolutely loved the way they were told and by who too.
Matt has to be one of my favourite authors. His books are always well executed and so good.
September 28, 2025
Entertaining and suspenseful stories.
I have really been surprised by some of the endings of these stories. The book was full of twists and turns and Night Class started innocently only to become a thriller by the end. If you enjoy books by King, you are likely to enjoy this read. Don’t read on a stormy night alone.
I have really been surprised by some of the endings of these stories. The book was full of twists and turns and Night Class started innocently only to become a thriller by the end. If you enjoy books by King, you are likely to enjoy this read. Don’t read on a stormy night alone.
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