Beyond Reform

by Aron Beauregard, Jon Athan, Jasper Bark

EXTERMINATION IS THE ONLY SALVATION

Most people, no matter how flawed, have at least one redeemable quality. But the foulest fraction of society is born broken, on a warpath, headed for mayhem. They don't feel, they don't care, they don't love. The deadness in their pupils reflects outward, ready to suck the blood out of everyone around them. They can't change. They won't change. They're Beyond Reform.

Meet a meth-dealing maniac with his sights set on a score that could keep him out of the clink for good. An internet predator who can't resist his latest temptation. A couple whose relationship spirals into utter depravity when they encounter an arcane artifact. A group of women who come together bonded by their devotion to a serial killer. A funeral parlor director who spends a little too much time with his work. And a mass-murderer in a burnt out tower block who kills without touching his victims.

Step into the path of darkness, meet those so wicked their souls should be evicted, in Beyond Reform!

WARNING: This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Horror, Splatterpunk

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2021

About the author

Aron Beauregard was born and raised in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He's been writing horror since the 6th grade and has now released over 25 books. An avid supporter of horror art and illustration, Aron has made it his standard to hire illustrators for every book that he puts out under his brand AB Horror.

His writing is dark and without boundaries. Known for creating a stir, his work has gone viral on several occasions. He's won the Splatterpunk Award twice after garnering four total nominations. As an independent artist, Beauregard's book "Playground" has achieved #1 Bestseller status under the category of horror on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Additionally, his work has been translated to multiple languages.

To get the latest updates about upcoming releases, signed books and merchandise, film news, and so much more, visit his website:

www.ABHorror.com

To subscribe to his free newsletter, join the AB Horror Maggot Mailing List at:

https://aronbeauregard.substack.com/

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GG9XPGL?...

When three captains of industry come together, you get a book that is…
Probably about Carnegie, Rockefeller and Morgan, which will be informative as it will be boring as fuck to those who do not really care about history as much as horror!

So, Aron Beauregard, Jon Athan and Jasper Bark came together to create BEYOND REFORM, a book where nothing is off limits and characters must be beyond any kind of salvation. With two stories each, these guys pushed the boundaries, yet again, to bring us six stories that makes you go:
https://memegenerator.net/instance/53...

And, for those of you who don’t know these guys, they are (what the professionals call) well-adjusted, all-round nice guys whose psyches might just be a little…off. If you haven’t read them before, just heed the warnings – they will push you beyond the edges of your imagination. DO NOT ask them to bring entertainment to your child’s party…is what I’m getting at.

Back to the book:
The first story is BEYOND REFORM by Aron, and it is a warm-hearted tale about reminiscing about the past, great burgers and teaching the kids to make better choices than their parents. Just one piece of advice – do not keep your eyes peeled…

The second story is MIDNIGHT GLORY by Jasper. A few things to note – even though a few of his books are on my wish lists, I’ve never read him before. And, on page 2 of this story, I had the WTF moment most readers hope for. I adored this one, and it is proof that a cursed zombie dildo has no place in a happy marriage.

The third story is TORTURED UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT by Jon. This was a superb piece of writing and I can honestly say this has become my favorite Jon Athan story. Read it and you will Gein so much more than you hoped for. Loved the fucked up ending!

The fourth story is THE MARTINI CLUB by Aron. What can I say about this one? I don’t want to give too much away, but the final death was – well, inventive? I’m not even sure I want to know if it is possible to kill someone that way, although everything seems plausible…

The fifth story is DEAD BUT ALIVE by Jon. Well, morbid curiosity aside, I’m sure a lot of people wonder why the people in a certain profession do what they do for a living…And, just for the record, eeeewwwww!

The sixth story is A MOST CHEMICAL WEDDING by Jasper. And, yes, you are absolutely right, it has nothing to do with the chemicals, both legal and illegal, you get at a wedding. So, there, enough said.

This book is more than worth the read – you get a bargain at that price. It wasn’t perfect – one of the stories left me a little wanting by the abrupt ending, though it is probably one of the sickest, and the final one was probably the lightest on the gross out factor, which might detract from the fact that it is still a damn good story, but if you are a fan of one of all of the authors, you NEED to read this one…A, the S, fucking A.P!

I think all three these guys fall into a very elite group of extreme and splatterpunk writers, who pushes the boundaries and tests the limits of the readers, which we can call the CAPTAINS OF EXTREMITIES.

[Uptown Horror Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I don't like reading short story collections, but I bought this book on impulse after thinking it was a full-length novel......and I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised with what I wound up reading.

In order to keep this review short I'll just give my personal ranking for each story in this collection:

1. The Martini Club by Aron Beauregard

2. Tortured Until Proven Innocent by Jon Athan

3. Midnight Glory by Jasper Bark

4. Dead, But Alive by Jon Athan

5. Beyond Reform by Aron Beauregard

6. A Most Chemical Wedding by Jasper Bark

It feels like each author in this collection were flexing their creative muscles with each story and all 3 of these authors were at their absolute best here. I'd love to read a part 2 some time in the future.

[A.C. Whitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of horrifying short stories from three amazing authors. This book includes lots of graphics as well to help your already lovely, twisted imagination out. Oh The Martini Club, you gross, weird, mentally disturbed women. Yall are masterminds in different ways of grotesque. And this is only one story! I could go on all day about the disturbing and fantastic stories.

[Christina Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I can even get into the reviews of the individual stories, can we take a moment to appreciate this trifecta of fucking awesome? I will give you a second or two. Did you appreciate? Good, we can move on. I had been anticipating this one since it was announced and was not disappointed at all.

Beyond Reform by Aron - holy shit was this the story to start out with. A pregnant woman. A carjacking. A young kidnap victim. And decisions that must be made. There is one scene that makes me sad for anyone with a penis. This one is fucked up from beginning to end and I enjoyed the ride.

Midnight Glory by Jasper - ugh. Talk about uncomfortable, the story and the activities that went on in it. I was surprised to see where this one went and it went straight to hell in a hand basket and I was glad to be holding the basket. Old man penis, wishes fulfilled, mistakes made. If you want twisted, insane, and to squirm, Midnight Glory is for you.

Tortured Until Proven Innocent by Jon - I was so pissed off after reading this one (not because of the writing but the story world). Jon has a way of just making you want to throw something across the room to release the anger and I love that about his writing. Tortured Until Proven Innocent is no exception. A pervert. A trio of vengeful parents. A bunch of shenanigans (see, there it is again).

The Martini Club by Aron - Absolutely had me guessing the whole time. Just when you think you have figured it out, nope! Beauregard is like, fuck your sleuthing! In regards to plot twists, this may be the best one I have read this year. A serial killer. Women who think they can change him. Hijinks.

Dead But Alive by Jon - Gotdamn it. Again, you will want to throw your Kindle, physical book, whatever across the room. Dead But Alive just made me angry all over again. A mortician. His gross secret. A family torn apart. I loved this one and I am concerned with my mental state for it. Athan has a solid home run with this one.

A Most Chemical Wedding by Jasper - A paranormal horror thriller, AMCW does not disappoint. A cop (ish). A burned building with death. A mystery to solve. Jasper gave us everything, threw it in a blender, and served it up to us and we drank every damn drop.

This book is worth every penny and then some. Available on Amazon or contact the authors for personalized copies.

[Horror Bookworm Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror Bookworm Reviews
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/

Turned on by True Crime, a “groupie” of girls that call themselves The Martini Club worship a serial killer known as The Subway Slasher to a critical point of no return. A group of parents who share the same pain, hurt and misery stemming from vicious crimes towards their loved ones, now seek a risky retribution with nothing to lose. A rare magical artifact holds a curse that offers a wish come true for the recipient’s deepest darkest desires…only to face a gore infested reality.

Three of the most talented extreme authors today have banded together to pay homage to violent carnage, morbid desires and animalistic karma dealt with raw retribution. This collection of gut-wrenching stories plays out like a gruesome field trip for the not so faint of heart. Readers will visit a funeral home where one of the staff members goes above and beyond his standard duties of medical examinations and embalming procedures. In addition, an excursion to a city’s seedy streets brings light to a much needed “re-education” for those desperately in need of reformation. Jon Athan, Aron Beauregard and Jasper Bark will be your guides for this grisly tour dubbed Beyond Reform.

A huge shout out must go to the amazing cover & interior art by the talented Anton Rosovsky. We all bow down to you. This leads us to the Terror-ible Threes… Aron Beauregard who pushes through zip ties, duct tape and heavy chains to display his “in your face” approach to grisly conceptions of vulnerability. Jon Atkins who uses enough formaldehyde induced cringe worthy moments to fill a serial killer’s nightmares. And Jasper Bark who brings this unholy alliance of authors together with his fusion of disturbing folklore and diseased obsessions.

Before I give this read a warranted five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation, a content warning is in effect. With that being said, prepare beforehand and bring your stun guns, tool belts and jumper cables to this macabre missing persons party.

[Nikolas Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard about Beyond Reform, and the authors involved in the book, I knew it was something I had to read. This need became more pronounced when Brian Keene announced the nominees for the Splatterpunk Awards at KillerCon Austin 2022. As a nominee myself, in the same category, I felt a compulsion to dive into the nominated works from my competitors/colleagues/friends. They're not mutually exclusive categorizations.
Upon reading Beyond Reform, I felt confident that it would be the title that blew the rest of us out of the water. As it turns out, I was correct, and I was waiting to post this review until after I'd confirmed my assessment.
Beauregard, Athan, and Bark capture the theme of Beyond Reform in essentially every conceivable sense. The stories are grim, fatalistic, captivating, sometimes amusing, and often horrifying in their portrayal of the worst aspects of human nature.
Aron Beauregard kicks it all off with the title story, Beyond Reform. Hoping to score some quick cash and have some fun along the way, Marcus finds himself the focus of a couple's revenge. Unfortunately, for everyone involved, Marcus has made enemies of more than just the two of them, and even the best-laid plans fall apart sometimes. Beauregard pulls no punches and dares the reader to flinch as he ups the ante with each new roll of the dice.
Midnight Glory by Jasper Bark introduces us to a dysfunctional couple with a seemingly unlimited capacity to hurt one another and a similar capacity to sustain the damage. The source of this seemingly supernatural horror is rooted in a gift that turned out to be a bit more than bargained for and a punishment a long time coming. Bark's grotesque and graphic sexual imagery was almost gag-inducing, and that's something to be proud of.
Jon Athan hits us next with Tortured Until Proven Innocent, a tale of a vile sexual predator who appears to be getting his comeuppance at the hands of distraught parents. In Athan's work, as in real life, the stories don't always have a happy ending, and he doesn't shy away from hammering that point home with painful clarity.
The Martini Club is Beauregard's second addition to the collection, and its focus on desperate, lonely women obsessed with rehabilitation and sexual fantasies oriented around a convicted serial killer is a thriller, for sure. As it turns out, not all of the women in The Martini Club have the same sort of fantasies in mind when they finally have the object of their obsessions at hand.
Athan's Dead But Alive introduces us to a funeral director with a dark and perverse secret that knows no limits, just as the man knows no shame. The disgusting, depraved, and uncompromising delivery from Athan only makes the conclusion to the tale all the more satisfying.
And finally, Jasper Bark concludes the volume with A Most Chemical Wedding, the most unique of the tales included in Beyond Reform. While it is indeed a tale of revenge like much of what came before it, it's one with numerous twists and wry humor in the mix. Spirituality, alchemy, and a voice that breaks the fourth wall with obvious pleasure make Bark's second inclusion a fun and fascinating way to wrap everything up.
As you can probably tell, I'm quite a fan of this title.
I've heard it said there's no shame in losing to the best, and the three authors involved in this project showcased why they are some of the best at what they do.

[Mark Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and I would honestly give all 6 stories 5 stars.

[Sharon Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection

This is a great collection of shorts from some amazing authors. Each story is compelling and draws you into their word. All the characters are unique in their own way and tell the story well. I can't even pick a favourite as they each are great in their own way. I'd definitely recommend to any horror fan that enjoys a short read. Even if you don't enjoy short reads, I'd recommend as I think you'd be surprised.

[Tara Losacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection was a lot of fun! I knew it would be with these three authors together. Every story was exciting and brutal with some awesome twists! I'd have to say my favorites of the bunch were Jasper Barks Midnight Glory and A Most Chemical Wedding and Aron Beauregards The Martini Club.. but really, I enjoyed every single story. 4/5 disturbed skulls 💀

[Sidney Shiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Beyond Reform. This collection of extreme/splatterpunk stories by Aron Beauregard, Jasper Bark, and Jon Athan did not disappoint. Each author brought their own unique voice to these brutal, lurid, and clever tales which focus on the worst types of people humanity has to offer.

In this collection, no two stories are alike and no subjects are too taboo. When you crack open this book, you’ll run a gauntlet that includes low life thug revenge, domestic bliss, online predators, horse shenanigans, horney morticians, and ghosts.

For those who love extreme horror, this is a must read. The last story in the collection blew my mind.

[Jason Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection. Two stories each from three great authors, each packing a punch. There's a great balance here as well as Beauregard and Athan deliver more visceral stories while Bark delivers horror of the fantastical/supernatural variety. It's hard to pick a favorite out of this bunch.

[Negan88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Reform blew my expectations beyond out of the water!

What do you get when you take three amazing extreme/Splatterpunk authors and create a compilation of two stories from each author? Greatness is what you get! Jon Athan, Aron Beauregard, and Jasper Bark man the wheel to take readers on a magnificent horrific journey!
I cannot pin down an absolute favorite by each of the authors, and being that there are six stories it was difficult to pick just one. I definitely felt that Aron’s The Martini Club took the win in my book. The story is absolutely amazing revenge horror at it’s finest, and that is my favorite type of horror.
Being that the book’s stories are short I feel obligated to not give away spoilers. All I can say is that this is a must read for anyone who is a fan of even one of the authors, and you will be a fan of the others by the end.

[John Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this title on my shelf for a bit now, but until recently, hadn't picked it up. The title is a colab between 3 extreme horror authors, and recently won a splatterpunk award for best collection. With the splatterpunks over, and the book taking home the title, I decided to dive in.

This book is insane. It is one of the most brutal things I can remember reading. There are no punches pulled here, all 3 authors take the theme and run with it, and you can just tell they all had a great time cooking up various tales of depravity. All of the stories are worth the price of entry here, and it's difficult for me to choose one of the 6, so I wont.

Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.

[Kirsty Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this collection! I love aron Beauregard and Jon Athans but also got to try a new author which is awesome!
Loved both Jon Athans stories, think the second one was my fav, short and sweet (well horrific lol!). I love his writing style, very graphic and great torture scenes.
Aron Beauregard again loved both stories but the second one was definitely my fav cos I didn't see it coming, loved that it kept you guessing! And when you finally click what's gonna happen it's woerdly satisfying 😂!
Jasper bark I haven't tried before and I really enjoyed both stories as they were different to anything I'd read! The first was quite funny! Will definitely try more of his work!

[Thomas Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! 6 short stories by 3 authors. I enjoyed each and individual story. Honestly I was hoping for a death row story by none are provided. But regardless each story had its own appeal.

[Tabathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book with disgusting and appalling plot and art that I absolutely love! I really enjoyed the peek into other authors in the genre as well.

[Michael Cushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually that big of a fan of short fiction or collections but this one was pretty damned good.

Jasper Bark was undoubtedly the star of the show. I really hope this has reignited his passion for writing Horror because his stories are always so damned powerful and unique.

Bark's Midnight Glory is the most damned twisted and perverse Monkey's Paw story that I've ever read. And his A Most Chemical Wedding reinvents the Ghost Story. I absolutely loved both stories.

Jon Nathan struck Gold with his Dead but Alive. There should be a big Trigger here --> contains graphic necrophilia <-- but my God is this a messed up story. While his Tortured until proven innocent was not as strong as Dead but Alive, it was still a very entertaining read and I'm looking forward to reading more material from this Author as this was my first taste.

Strangely, Aron Beauregard takes a back seat in this Collevction. While I thought that The Martini Club was a decent read. It's ending was kind of cliché and I saw it coming. While Beyond Reform, I've never been a fan of his when he writes in this style. The only saving grace was that I kind of enjoyed the ending. Aron's work is usually much stronger than this.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extreme horror at its best! More!

[Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some heavy authors in the extreme horror genre and 3 of them have teamed up here to knock your block off.....the 6 stories in this book hit HARD. It goes without saying that every and all trigger warnings apply. If you enjoy reading about retribution for scumbags that deserve it, you need to get this book. Beauregard, Bark and Athan really deliver the goods. Brutally satisfying, 4.5 out of 5 stars.

[Mark Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadistic and brilliant!

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

Three masters of splatterpunk in one anthology, what more could you want? Two stories by each author that will blow you away. Their ability to create characters that are reprehensible is astounding, especially since some of them you don't see that quality right away.

My favorite from Beauregard was The Martini Club. A look at something that actually happens, serial killer fans. While reading I had to wonder what exactly attracts women to killers. Definitely some food for thought. Oh, and the method of revenge? Well that was...uhhh.. nothing I could have imagined.

My favorite from Athan was Tortured Until Proven Innocent about an internet predator. It's terrifying because it really happens. I wanted to the story to end differently, was hoping that it would, but the ending is something that happens as well and shouldn't.

My favorite from Bark was A Most Chemical Wedding. Not only does he break the fourth wall, but he makes you question everything. What is happening? Who are these people? What role do they have to play? I guess I would say this was written epistolary style because it's excerpts from confessions.

Those are my favorites but I liked all 6.

[Michelle Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always a little hesitant of short story collections as I like.a story to be fleshed out but was none the less left in awe by the atrocities hidden amongst these pages. 100% recommend!!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories about people that are so messed up there is no helping them, hence the Title Beyond Reform. 3 of the best hard hitting extreme horror authors with 2 stories by each of them. This book is full of disturbing content.

Beyond Reform: 5 💀💀💀💀💀
Midnight Glory: 5 💀💀💀💀💀
Tortured Until Proven Innocent: 5 💀💀💀💀💀
The Martini Club: 5 💀💀💀💀💀
Dead But Alive: 5 💀💀💀💀💀
A Most Chemical Wedding: 4 💀💀💀💀

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fave story : Midnight Glory.
Least favorite: A Most Chemical Wedding.


Great horror story collection. Unfortunately the last one was way too long for me and I got bored so I’m not sure I appreciated it fully. The others were great.
Absolutely loved Midnight Glory though. Probably my fave splatterpunk story ever so far.

The concept of horrible people getting their karma was perfectly executed. I got exactly what I wanted out of this book.

[Final✘Girl✘Magick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Aron Beauregard books but, whew, did this one push on some boundaries I had. This one was brutal. Mostly all of his books I find are brutal but he never ceases to surprise me. Once again, I'm gagging.

[Salam Orabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start of the year!
This book was AWESOME from start to finish!!!
I'm usually not very big on short stories, but man, this one got me hooked more than I expected!

It's a very rich collection that deserves the highest praise and admiration.

Each of the stories deserves its own review, so I'll go one by one. Don't worry, it's spoiler free.

1. Beyond Reform by Aron Beauregard:
A roller coaster, basically. Very brutal. Some very repulsive scenes.You won't realise what hit you until it's too late. 
And you'll enjoy the ride along the way. Loved it!

This wasn't my first time reading Mr. Beauregard. I'd read The Slob and loved it. Very vile and amazingly done.

2. Midnight Glory by Jasper Bark:
Oh. My. Goodness! I absolutely loved this one!
It was my first time reading something by Mr. Bark, and boy was I in for a treat!

He knows exactly how to take a concept that's become a cliché and turn it into a whole new thing that's even more terrifying.

He also knows how to create a new horror concept from scratch, and also make it very terrifying.

This one was full of some of the most obscene scenarios, and it was so much fun finding out what happens.

3. Tortured Until Proven Guilty by Jon Athan:
Lots of fun, of course. It wasn't my first time reading the author; I'd read The Groomer last year and was traumatised for life. I absolutely loved it! So, I was excited about reading something else by him.

And I wasn't disappointed! Mr. Jon Athan seems to have a thing for pedophiles. Not like that, you perv. Actually, on the contrary. But I won't say more in that regard.

Very nicely done, as expected.

4. The Martini Club by Aron Beauregard:
My Gosh, this one was tons of fun!
It's one of the extreme horror novels that made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Dark humour at its finest!

The originality was off the roof. And I loved the twisted story from start to finish.
So many twists and turns. Even if you manage to guess a thing or two, Mr. Beauregard will still find a way to get you.

The ending had the potential for a sequel, so, fingers crossed!

5. Dead But Alive by Jon Athan:
This one wasn't an easy read because it was so vile! I loved it! (Duh)

It's not about a pedophile this time. I'm not sure if it's "worse". Let's say it's almost equally repulsive. And he aced it, too.

The ending of this was unforgettable in so many ways. I was literally squeaking out loud when I realised what was happening! Amazing.

6. A Most Chemical Wedding by Jasper Bark:
I don't even know where to start with this one! I don't know how to give it justice, tbh.

One of the most impressive, and most well made fantasy/horror stories I've ever seen! Like, wow!

I love the complexity to Mr. Bark's tales. They have so many layers and they always have awesome lore and references from things we know and love.
He's brilliant at it, actually.

"Ghosts" aren't an easy thing to write about cos it's kinda been overused and it takes a lot of imagination to be able to present them in a new light. That's exactly what this story does! And I'm ALL for it!

Another thing it tackles is alchemy; which I believe is one of the fields that has a lot of unused potential in horror.
If you're familiar with the anime/manga Full Metal Alchemist, you'll know what I mean.
Mr. Bark uses it in an absolutely BRILLIANT way! That's as much as I can say about this without spoilers.

Seriously, folks, do yourselves a favor and read this book. You can thank me later.

[Bunny & Mr. K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great collection of short stories that kinda ends with a flop. It doesn’t hurt my rating though because the other five shorts life it up so high. I just don’t know how the last one fits into all of this. It was a struggle to finish because the whole damn story felt so disjointed and uncharacteristic from all the others you battled with. It felt like a story that was unfolding as it was being written. Like a last minute assignment that had no due date. But like I said I can’t hate on the rest just because of this one minor misstep.
Anyways…
I’m off to fuck myself with a severed penis of a hanged man to see if my bitch of an exwife will take me back and let me see the kids. Finally! I mean fuck! I didn’t even get to see them on Christmas!

[Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The absolute power, the full control. I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy the violence like I did… but it’s like a drug, like nothing else I’ve ever tasted.

[Liam Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing on with my journey of reading Aron Beauregard's books, and Beyond Reform is a collaborative effort that sees Beauregard joining forces with Jon Athan and Jasper Bark. Now, I had yet to read anything by Jon Athan, despite his name being one I see recommended a lot. Where possible I like to buy direct from indie authors, but unfortunately Athan doesn't ship to the UK currently, and so I am patiently waiting in the hopes that at some point this will be rectified because I am very keen to get my hands on more of his work. Jasper Bark, on the other hand, I've now met twice - once at the Indie Horror Chapter event Chapter 2: Canterbury Horror Tales where I picked up Draw You In Vol. 1 - Collector's Item , and again at Chapter 3: Weston Horror Book Con where I promptly purchased the two sequels. From the one book I've read by Bark so far, I was curious how his work would stand in a splatterpunk book. It's an interesting combination of authors who have all contributed two stories to this collection.

Beyond Reform - Aron Beauregard
The titular story is Beauregard doing what he does best - unpleasant characters finding themselves in unpleasant situations of their own making. There's a satisfying structure to this story as the instruments of destruction are laid out upfront, and then steadily incorporated. Featuring plenty of brutality and a few twists and turns, this culminates in an ending that I'll confess caught me by surprise. It's a very assured story and deftly solidifies the premise of this book - these stories will be examining characters who have travelled beyond the realm of redemption. I suppose there's an inherent question here that runs throughout the book of how far does your sympathy stretch for these characters, or, once they are beyond reform does their suffering cease to matter?

Midnight Glory - Jasper Bark
Well, this is certainly one way to tackle the Monkey's Paw concept - a wish-granting mummified penis... that only works after it's been used. There's a supernatural element that Bark brings to Beyond Reform (with both his entries) but here it's married with some delightfully bonkers imagery. I had a lot of fun with this story. The narrative jumps between present and past, with Bark balancing this quite naturally, and whilst it is outlandish I do feel this story lacks a little bite. I mean, compared to both the previous entry and the next one, the characters here really don't seem quite like they belong in a book that is grappling with those that truly are beyond reform.

Tortured Until Proven Innocent - Jon Athan
My first time reading anything by Jon Athan and I absolutely loved this. It's sinister and horrible and uncomfortable reading, reminding me of one of my favourite Beauregard books Scary Bastard in places. I loved how Athan drew the characters and how the narrative splits, with a racing against time element thrown in to keep the pacing brisk. There is a truly detestable character here that entirely fits the theme of this book, with an ending that is gut-punching due to its tragic believability. Without a doubt this is my favourite story included in this collection.

The Martini Club - Aron Beauregard
At first I wasn't too sure about this, but then certain revelations are revealed and it clicked into place for me. This story escalates to a mind-blowing climax, with a tantalising hook left dangling which has me hoping for more. It's a slightly slower burn than Beauregard's previous entry, but I would say it certainly plunges into deeper depths of depravity before the end. It feels like this story takes that initial question that the first story surfaces and advances it to include - when distributing deserved punishment for those that are beyond reform, are there lines that once crossed also make you irredeemable yourself?

Dead But Alive - Jon Athan
A necrophiliac mortician just feels like the perfect inclusion to a book like this, but Athan takes that concept and adds to it in some truly horrific ways. Whilst I will confess I predicted some of the reveals, that in no way lessened their impact and the unbelievability I was experiencing reading this. Once again Athan delivers a truly impressive story. I desperately need to read more of his work, because his contributions here are incredible.

A Most Chemical Wedding - Jasper Bark
This is the longest story included in Beyond Reform, and for me it worked the least. Closely tied with the UK news story of the Grenfell Tower fire, Bark again introduces a supernatural element. The narrative follows two characters - an investigator looking into a series of murders linked to a devastating fire, and the ghost of the most recent murder victim. From here Bark weaves a story that has an inherent sadness. There is a compelling narrative device Bark uses throughout this story where the reader is directly addressed, but as for the story itself, it feels like an outlier when compared to the other contributions included here.

Each of the three authors included in Beyond Reform brings a very different flavour. Beauregard excels at placing characters in disturbing situations, whilst Athan provides intriguing studies of disturbing characters, leaving Bark to bring a supernatural element that, for me, felt like it wasn't quite as disturbing as what Beauregard and Athan deliver. When it comes to the theme of this book - characters who are beyond reform - I think Athan truly excels. There was a sense of disturbing dread his stories conveyed that wasn't quite as sharp with Beauregard's entries, and somewhat lacking with Bark's. Overall I did enjoy this book, but it was Jon Athan's work here that I was most impressed with.

3.5/5

Aron Beauregard Ranked
1) Scary Bastard - 4/5
2) Yellow - 3.5/5
3) The Slob - 3.5/5
4) Beyond Reform - 3.5/5
5) Pizza Face - 3/5
6) Son of the Slob - 3/5
7) In the Hands of the Heathens - 3/5
8) Wedding Day Massacre - 3/5
9) Hallucinations - 3/5
10) Try the New Candy - 3/5
11) Die Tommy - 3/5
12) Dark Assembly - 2/5

[DarkPsydReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was going to rank these short stories by my level of enjoyment. After completing this book I feel like that is impossible. Each author has their own style and it worked well within this collection. Here’s a breakdown of my impression of each author:

Aron Beauregard - ultra graphic revenge tales with tongue firmly in cheek.

Jon Athan - cold and clinical depictions of intense sadism and sexual predation.

Jasper Bark - wildly creative stories featuring dark magic and cursed objects.

I didn’t feel like there was any weak story in this collection and very deserving of its 2022 Splatterpunk Award win.