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Her Name was Amber: An Extreme Horror Novel
From Matt Shaw, the author of Sick B*stards, the Octopus Trilogy and Below Deck, comes a new extreme horror about love and revenge.
When Amber met him, she was a struggling artist on the bottom rung of the ladder. He was at the top of his game and adored by millions. In an ill-advised relationship, Amber used him to further her own career and popularity. When she had got all she could from him, she chewed him up and spat him out.
Amber told all who would listen how she lived in fear of him. She revealed how he regularly beat her and pushed her around. Her imagination had no limits when it came to the lies she'd spit forward. While some people refused to believe her, others sided with her and turned their back on the man they once loved. But, from all those who heard her, one man decided to step forward and show her what it was really like to live in fear from someone.
Genre: Psychological horror
When Amber met him, she was a struggling artist on the bottom rung of the ladder. He was at the top of his game and adored by millions. In an ill-advised relationship, Amber used him to further her own career and popularity. When she had got all she could from him, she chewed him up and spat him out.
Amber told all who would listen how she lived in fear of him. She revealed how he regularly beat her and pushed her around. Her imagination had no limits when it came to the lies she'd spit forward. While some people refused to believe her, others sided with her and turned their back on the man they once loved. But, from all those who heard her, one man decided to step forward and show her what it was really like to live in fear from someone.
Genre: Psychological horror
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2022
81 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
534 books2,222 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 55 reviews
August 22, 2023
This is disgusting. This man has taken a domestic and sexual violence survivors abuse story and flipped it, to terrorize her more. I thought I had read pretty dark things, fictional dark things. But to use a real persons real life abuse horror story and flip it and make her the actual abuser… that’s so fuxked up. And then terrorize her on page. This is one of the most vile things anyone can do to someone.
August 22, 2023
Misogyny and cruelty couched as "a horror novel." Torture fantasy that should be banned.
Author Matt Shaw shows the hatred and disgust so many ignorant fools have in their adoration of a self-admitted drunk, drug addict and bully. This is torture fantasy and should be banned. What Shaw considers "horror," others will rightfully see as rotting tripe, written by someone who prefers the company of plastic over humans.
Author Matt Shaw shows the hatred and disgust so many ignorant fools have in their adoration of a self-admitted drunk, drug addict and bully. This is torture fantasy and should be banned. What Shaw considers "horror," others will rightfully see as rotting tripe, written by someone who prefers the company of plastic over humans.
February 16, 2022
Boring As Heck
This book is one of the worst I have ever read. Boring and foolishly written. A big flunk. Waste of time and money.
This book is one of the worst I have ever read. Boring and foolishly written. A big flunk. Waste of time and money.
August 22, 2023
boring, distasteful and just genuinely awful.
aside from the obvious fact that the author is legitimately delusional and needs to be in prison, his work just simply isn’t good. he can’t write, he isn’t imaginative, his storyline’s and pacing are total trash.
this book alone is an eye roller conceptually, but just how bad matt shaw is as a writer is what really deserves the 1 star. does this man have a loaf of bread between his ears? i refuse to believe someone with basic sentience could write something this truly bad.
not shocking, not intense, nothing. just a D- grade “author” and his ego. someone get this man a reality check, or a bed in an institution he can never crawl his way out of. yawn.
aside from the obvious fact that the author is legitimately delusional and needs to be in prison, his work just simply isn’t good. he can’t write, he isn’t imaginative, his storyline’s and pacing are total trash.
this book alone is an eye roller conceptually, but just how bad matt shaw is as a writer is what really deserves the 1 star. does this man have a loaf of bread between his ears? i refuse to believe someone with basic sentience could write something this truly bad.
not shocking, not intense, nothing. just a D- grade “author” and his ego. someone get this man a reality check, or a bed in an institution he can never crawl his way out of. yawn.
July 15, 2023
Disgusting, senseless, pointless - waste of my time.
September 15, 2023
What a disgusting person to not only write this but then torment a real life person for giving a negative review on this shit book and then to dedicate your next book to her because she doesn’t like your writing is twisted.
September 15, 2023
Tfw you write a revenge fantasy about assaulting a domestic abuse survivor yes tell me more
December 28, 2025
3.5 stars. I liked the concept more than the story itself. I can’t really say too much without spoiling something, but this was extraordinarily mean-spirited and graphic. Touching on everything from incest to physical and mental abuse to really deviant sexual acts, this had it all. Don’t think I saw our lead’s name, but I may have missed it. He was a good character, but too surface-level for my taste. I wanted a lot more on his obsession with Paul Lee and what pushed him to do such horrendous things. The introduction of Howard was pretty forced and out of place and, for such a short story, I felt like he wasn’t needed. I wanted the focus on our lead and, to a lesser extent, Amber. Both had plenty to work with. Again, a solid concept, but not the most flattering execution, it was a lukewarm experience for me.
March 24, 2022
Wow. This book was gut wrenching. Totally taboo with very sensitive subject matter.
A ton of twists that aren't expected as well.
Well done Mr. Shaw. I'm still sitting here in shock a bit.
A ton of twists that aren't expected as well.
Well done Mr. Shaw. I'm still sitting here in shock a bit.
January 5, 2023
After reading sick bastards from this author I was expecting more …. Is there was any sense to the book ? I was imagining Amber heard and Johnny Depp whole time 🥴…bcz it was their story but author wrote this in more fucked up way…
As it’s already cleared in the blurb what’s going to happen …
glass pane window and landed hard on the ground outside with small cuts on her hands and face. The noise of the glass shattering was like musical raindrops sprinkling upon the ground. Her scream was the perfect accompanying chorus. I grinned from ear to ear as I stepped through the very hole she had created for me. Glass crunched underfoot. Amber was pulling herself towards the two steps which led down to the long garden and stream which cut its way through both her yard and neighbouring properties. My grin turned to laughter as I quickened my pace with a few quick steps so that I was alongside her. Then, I kicked her hard in her side. The first blow caused her to curl around my foot. The second was hard enough to roll her onto her back. She could see my face and my smile; the pleasure I was getting from doing all of this to her. I could see her face and… I frowned. I had expected to see fear. I thought I would see pain etched on her (according to some) beautiful face. I imagined tears rolling down her cheeks and a quiver in her lip as she pleaded for me to stop and yet - there was nothing but a red, bloody grin as she laughed at me. Spittle ran down her chin.
I started to imagine spitting in her face. Even imagined what it would be like to shit in her mouth. Nothing sexual about it from my end; just to take a steaming turd in her mouth and clamp my hand shut over her filled lips so she can’t spit the shit back out.
this girl Amber was hella crazy…He was beating her ,kicking her on her vagina multiple times and made her bleed and she was laughing… and she kept on asking him to hit her more and fuck her 🥴..I m sick to my stomach after reading the sick relationship between father nd daughter 😭…why I m getting surprises like this ..father nd daughter fucking …her own father was fucking her in front of the guy and he asked the guy to fuck/rape and beat her own daughter even if she asked not to..daddy dearest…I didn’t enjoyed this book that much …I don’t know about dark ..but it’s really fucked up
As it’s already cleared in the blurb what’s going to happen …
glass pane window and landed hard on the ground outside with small cuts on her hands and face. The noise of the glass shattering was like musical raindrops sprinkling upon the ground. Her scream was the perfect accompanying chorus. I grinned from ear to ear as I stepped through the very hole she had created for me. Glass crunched underfoot. Amber was pulling herself towards the two steps which led down to the long garden and stream which cut its way through both her yard and neighbouring properties. My grin turned to laughter as I quickened my pace with a few quick steps so that I was alongside her. Then, I kicked her hard in her side. The first blow caused her to curl around my foot. The second was hard enough to roll her onto her back. She could see my face and my smile; the pleasure I was getting from doing all of this to her. I could see her face and… I frowned. I had expected to see fear. I thought I would see pain etched on her (according to some) beautiful face. I imagined tears rolling down her cheeks and a quiver in her lip as she pleaded for me to stop and yet - there was nothing but a red, bloody grin as she laughed at me. Spittle ran down her chin.
I started to imagine spitting in her face. Even imagined what it would be like to shit in her mouth. Nothing sexual about it from my end; just to take a steaming turd in her mouth and clamp my hand shut over her filled lips so she can’t spit the shit back out.
this girl Amber was hella crazy…He was beating her ,kicking her on her vagina multiple times and made her bleed and she was laughing… and she kept on asking him to hit her more and fuck her 🥴..I m sick to my stomach after reading the sick relationship between father nd daughter 😭…why I m getting surprises like this ..father nd daughter fucking …her own father was fucking her in front of the guy and he asked the guy to fuck/rape and beat her own daughter even if she asked not to..daddy dearest…I didn’t enjoyed this book that much …I don’t know about dark ..but it’s really fucked up
September 17, 2023
repulsive, poorly written, and worst of all (to the author ig) had the nerve to be utterly boring.
October 9, 2023
A disturbing premise, no one deserves to have such things written about them. Hope Amber sues someday.
December 26, 2023
OK, I came to know of this "writer" because he wrote a book about a reviewer because he felt sour because she rated her book one star. So I was like, I'm not doing anything, I can maybe try and read something so bad that will make my feelings about my own writing, improve. And that is why I'm giving this book one star, it definitely makes me feel better about my own writing. To those who don't want to read this book, it's a revenge fantasy against Amber Heard, because the " writer" of this book is a Johnny Deep mega fan; It's very fucking bad the characters are flat, and tries to be something that it isn't. I would prefer to watch the entirety of Fast and Furious than ever read this poorly written, petty worthy, and frankly hypocritical bunch of words.
And also if the author would like to write a book about this reviewer, just know I would be laughing. Cause it would be the double proof that some people, specially this " writter " might be the most thin-skinned person I have ever met.
And also if the author would like to write a book about this reviewer, just know I would be laughing. Cause it would be the double proof that some people, specially this " writter " might be the most thin-skinned person I have ever met.
September 18, 2023
trash, shit, quite literally a disgusting man’s revenge fantasy on a woman who will never know he exists. and to add the cherry on top- the author has a fragile ego the size of a pea!
October 10, 2022
Gloriously effed up! A disturbingly great read for fans of splatterpunk, splatterporn, and "extreme" horror.
November 19, 2023
No notes. Just trash. Zero stars.
January 12, 2024
When will men stop writing terrible self insert torture p**n fantasies? The world may never know
June 8, 2022
"Her Name Was Amber" by Matt Shaw
💥 Please proceed with caution in regards to this read as it is an extreme horror story and NOT for the faint of heart 💥
Paul Lee has died and his ex Amber Travers is to blame. She drove him mad with her allegations of abuse and the court trial, resulting in him taking his own life.
A super fan, we'll call him Stan, has arrived in town for Paul's funeral. He intends to pay his respects and get back home. But the thoughts of Amber are overwhelming and the urge to tell her how he really feels prevails, resulting in this extremely fucked up story.
I REALLY loved this story. I went in expecting it to be one thing and it was so incredibly far from my original thoughts that I'm still reeling. This story will keep you guessing on where it's going and what the end result will be from the very first page. It's a solid 5 🌟 read and one of the most interesting stories I've read so far this year!
💥 Please proceed with caution in regards to this read as it is an extreme horror story and NOT for the faint of heart 💥
Paul Lee has died and his ex Amber Travers is to blame. She drove him mad with her allegations of abuse and the court trial, resulting in him taking his own life.
A super fan, we'll call him Stan, has arrived in town for Paul's funeral. He intends to pay his respects and get back home. But the thoughts of Amber are overwhelming and the urge to tell her how he really feels prevails, resulting in this extremely fucked up story.
I REALLY loved this story. I went in expecting it to be one thing and it was so incredibly far from my original thoughts that I'm still reeling. This story will keep you guessing on where it's going and what the end result will be from the very first page. It's a solid 5 🌟 read and one of the most interesting stories I've read so far this year!
December 4, 2023
I have no words... Except to say that Matt Shaw decided to use the r*tard slur, not once, but twice. And I have no respect for authors who decide to go there. It is RARELY called for. When it is, for example, it could be a neurodivergent character reclaiming the slur. Like us queer people and faggots (I am one) do. Shitty book, glad it was short. Didn't have to DNF.
May 18, 2022
Good
This is a good read, I enjoyed this book but found I wasn't captivated by it. The storyline has a few twists and keeps you entertained, the characters are good too. It was an enjoyable easy read without the added spark.would still recommend!
This is a good read, I enjoyed this book but found I wasn't captivated by it. The storyline has a few twists and keeps you entertained, the characters are good too. It was an enjoyable easy read without the added spark.would still recommend!
December 29, 2023
yawnnnn
April 19, 2023
Based on the warning at the beginning of this book I was definitely not expecting what I got from this story! It's twisted and weird, it's horrible and disgusting! This is not like anything else I've read from matt Shaw!
January 24, 2023
A quick read with more than one unexpected twist!
October 20, 2023
So this book was pretty great, it started off awesome and the took a very unexpected and sadistic turn....... which I really enjoyed but did find it a little weird of a direction to go in, all in all enjoyed this book but not my favorite by this author.
April 9, 2023
So let me start by putting forward what Matt has said in the forward before you even start the book:
"If you’re on the other end of the boot (literally) then for God’s sake get out. Get out, don’t look back, and no matter how scary that thought might be… Know this… You can and will do better than the person causing you pain. No one deserves to live with that hanging over them. If you’re scared and feel trapped then - talk to someone. Get help. Be it from friends, professionals… whoever… just talk to someone. Please."
As someone who has been on the other end of the boot I can honestly say. I have so much respect and also love for Matt for saying this, because it shows his integrity as an author. That he cares about his readers, as a Domestic abuse survivor this actually made me feel more comfortable about reading this one. This is a different take on psychological and physical abuse, as a fan of Paul Lee's former talented star who committed suicide. Paul has his demons but the one demon who ruined his life is about to ruin his die-hard fans. After the funeral consumed by grief and disgust for what Paul's former put his idol through. As we go down a dark path to discover the truth, I can tell where this story finds its roots.
Reminding me of the controversy around actors whose life was ruined by false allegations of abuse. Honestly, the fact that there are people out there that would lie about something so horrible. Understandably, Matt feels so passionately about this. Especially as it makes it so much harder for genuine victims of violence to come forward. This dark and twisted tale though takes it one step further, as we look into the psyche of Amber herself when he confronts her. This gets extreme and violent very quickly, in all honesty, I did worry that maybe this would trigger some past trauma. But I was invested so fully in this story and how Matt kept the pace and action going, I had a twisted desire to know the truth myself. You will not see the ending coming, or the way Matt twists everything you thought on its head. Amber in this story is truly a broken and tormented soul and it's easy to see how she became the person she was. Considering her background and how her mind has been warped to accept a very demented form of love as the norm. Showing the consequences of years of systematic abuse as well as how false allegations can ruin someone's life. Matt did an incredible job with this story, but I will warn you it is not for the faint-hearted.
"If you’re on the other end of the boot (literally) then for God’s sake get out. Get out, don’t look back, and no matter how scary that thought might be… Know this… You can and will do better than the person causing you pain. No one deserves to live with that hanging over them. If you’re scared and feel trapped then - talk to someone. Get help. Be it from friends, professionals… whoever… just talk to someone. Please."
As someone who has been on the other end of the boot I can honestly say. I have so much respect and also love for Matt for saying this, because it shows his integrity as an author. That he cares about his readers, as a Domestic abuse survivor this actually made me feel more comfortable about reading this one. This is a different take on psychological and physical abuse, as a fan of Paul Lee's former talented star who committed suicide. Paul has his demons but the one demon who ruined his life is about to ruin his die-hard fans. After the funeral consumed by grief and disgust for what Paul's former put his idol through. As we go down a dark path to discover the truth, I can tell where this story finds its roots.
Reminding me of the controversy around actors whose life was ruined by false allegations of abuse. Honestly, the fact that there are people out there that would lie about something so horrible. Understandably, Matt feels so passionately about this. Especially as it makes it so much harder for genuine victims of violence to come forward. This dark and twisted tale though takes it one step further, as we look into the psyche of Amber herself when he confronts her. This gets extreme and violent very quickly, in all honesty, I did worry that maybe this would trigger some past trauma. But I was invested so fully in this story and how Matt kept the pace and action going, I had a twisted desire to know the truth myself. You will not see the ending coming, or the way Matt twists everything you thought on its head. Amber in this story is truly a broken and tormented soul and it's easy to see how she became the person she was. Considering her background and how her mind has been warped to accept a very demented form of love as the norm. Showing the consequences of years of systematic abuse as well as how false allegations can ruin someone's life. Matt did an incredible job with this story, but I will warn you it is not for the faint-hearted.
December 27, 2022
Yet another great read from Matt Shaw.... It was disgusting,gross,brutal,full of extreme horror and sometimes very horrific. The story keeps you gripped from start to finish and you just need to find out what happens at the end....it's very surprising with a bit of a twist.I loved this book....Matt Shaw is certainly one of the best extreme horror author's of all time. Read at your own risk....with warning!!!
October 28, 2022
If you know (Matt Shaw's work), you know! I read it in one sitting, with my face beet red; making this my favorite read of his so far. Next up: Survivor's Guilt, The Dreams They Weave, and Cum Shot. Take my money!!
May 28, 2023
I can definitely appreciate what this book is trying to say but wow its disturbing. I might return to Shaw's writing periodically because there's definitely a real life realism about his horror but just not this one.
October 11, 2022
2 ⭐️
kinda boring but it was just 80 pages
kinda boring but it was just 80 pages
November 24, 2023
Im a fan of the genre, just not this writing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews