Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Billy Silver

Rate this book
Billy Silver, a low-life, self-downtrodden junkie, needs some cash to get his next fix. After getting kicked out of his own band, losing his girlfriend, and left with no other options, he decides to sell his flesh to the ink of a needle at a newly opening tattoo shop.
The mysterious artist, Talia, tattoos a cryptic design he’s never seen.
Shortly after getting inked, compulsions burn underneath his skin. His need to satisfy a newly arisen addiction to self-mutilation begins a descent into darker places than his miserable life never dared go.
Eventually, violence against himself is no longer enough to satisfy his cravings. The urge to commit the grotesque brings his brutal tendencies to others… To strangers, to acquaintances, to his prostitute ex-girlfriend…
When Billy finds out his band replaced him, with a new vocalist singing his lyrics on stage, Billy’s desires reach their peak, and Talia, behind the fire of his rage, bears witness to all.

135 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2020

60 people are currently reading
2183 people want to read

About the author

Daniel J. Volpe

45 books955 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
350 (26%)
4 stars
495 (37%)
3 stars
324 (24%)
2 stars
117 (8%)
1 star
39 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
Profile Image for Mort.
Author 3 books1,625 followers
March 18, 2021
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...


BILLY SILVER by Daniel Volpe surprised me – in a good way.

It’s a story about a junkie – Billy Silver – who is a despicable human being. Really, there is no other term which would fit.

How bad can one man be?
Well, he’s worse than those who doodle in the margins or tears pages out of library books.
He’s worse than those who go to bed without brushing his teeth or taking a daily shower during summer.
He’s worse than those ig’nant idjits who thinks they are better than everybody else and can judge others who are not the same as them.
He’s worse than the low life bullies who target the weak and frail.
Billy Silver is an abusive heroin addict who is willing to lie, cheat and steal his way through life, as long as he can have his next fix and make things easier for himself.

Until the day he loses his band and girlfriend. He sees an opportunity to make some money by selling a piece of his skin to be tattooed by someone who needed practice.
When he wakes up, he seems to be cured of his addiction and things seem to improve, but the urges to self-mutilate and do violence to others take over…

My thoughts:
I went into this thinking it will be an uber-violent splatterpunk story, but Volpe actually focused more on the main character. By the time bad things start to happen to him, the reader absolutely hates him and feel just about zero sympathy. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy, you sarcastically think to yourself.

But there are still victims and, while you cheer for the curse to end Billy in the worst possible way, you also feel for the ones he targets toward the end of the story.

Lessons to learn at the end of this one:
1 – Social distancing, people…come on, man, it should be a thing.
2 – Don’t smoke in a crowded room, not even in a mosh pit.
3 – Don’t give your band the name ‘Shit Fist’ and expect the lead singer to show up sober.

I am impressed by this story and I want to read more by this author!
Profile Image for Peter Topside.
Author 6 books1,451 followers
January 30, 2025
I originally read A Gift Of Death from Daniel Volpe, which was a really great story, so wasn't sure what to make of this, somewhat more, grounded tale. Simply put, it was just so gritty and raw. I love books where the story is kept simple, but done well, and this was a prime example of that. Billy Silver is a very troubled person, addicted to sex, abuse, drugs, and everything bad in life. Having dealt with addicts, I felt for him, but loathed his actions. You wanted to feel bad for him as the story progressed, but he just kept committing increasingly ugly acts, so you're really left in a state of uncertainty. I also really thought the use of Talia was brilliant, using her sparingly, but always in an important, influential way. Ending with room for her story to blossom made me automatically decide that I will be reading Talia next. I really look forward to seeing more of this interesting, sinister character, which I hope brings some closure to certain plot points in Billy Silver.
Profile Image for Reading .
496 reviews263 followers
March 9, 2021
Billy Silver, a singer and lead guitarist in a band who just happens to be a woman-beating, waste-of-space junkie ends of being kicked out of the band and starts really struggling for money..

His girlfriend ends up turning to prostitution to feed her heroin addiction and Billy comes across a tattooist who pays the first 5 customers to tattoo them (seemingly for practice) but after the tattoos he gets he becomes completely uncontrollable - self-harming and seeking vengeance on his whore girlfriend and old bandmates.

There wasn't a character in this whole book that I liked, they were all horrible people; it's written very well, it's a tense page-turner and I was always curious to what was going to happen next.
Profile Image for MadameD.
585 reviews57 followers
July 13, 2021
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!!
That was disgusting and extremely brutal!!
A great book for extreme horror and splatterpunk’s fan!!
Bravo Daniel J. Volpe!!
I can’t wait to read Talia!!
I know, there are a lot of exclamation marks ! But I just finished the book, I’m still under influence!!!😄 I’m kidding 🤣
Profile Image for Janie.
1,172 reviews
February 4, 2021
"He could think about killing and corpse rape later."

Billy Silver is not a nice guy. As a matter of fact, he is outright despicable. And this is before his transformation. Heroin addict, alcoholic, misanthropic Billy is broke. He discovers a place where he can get paid to get a tattoo. Little does he know that his brand new ink will bring on a new addiction. One that makes him yearn for blood and brutality . Things get really, really messy from here. If you are craving some violent and graphically extreme literature, look no further. Before Billy finds you.
Profile Image for Leeanne 🥀 The Book Whor3 🥀.
369 reviews192 followers
January 7, 2022
Wow!! I had read great reviews about this book, and how awesome Daniel Volpe (the author) is......they were all spot on!! This was brutal, and a gore fest from beginning to end, and I loved it!! Daniel has the kind of story telling which just flows, but is a complete mind f**k at the same time. I know a lot of my Good reads friends have read this, and are all fans of Daniel Volpe.......well Mr Volpe, you can add another fan to the list! It’s not for everyone as it’s very extreme, brutal, and sick, but ‘hell, give me more!’.
Profile Image for Aron Beauregard.
Author 86 books3,375 followers
March 21, 2021
This book is the first thing I’ve read by Daniel and what fun it was. The gritty realism of scumbag street-life infused with dreamy demonic and gore-caked consequences of choices. Choices made by the human ant farm of nobodies bound by their demons and drowning in the rancid cesspool that is the gutter. Because, typically, once you choose the streets, there’s no turning back.

Most of the main characters in the book were sinister, heartless, and downtrodden for different reasons. No one had it easy, or made it easy on anyone else. There is the feeling of a daunting constant struggle in this book that is all too relatable, for one reason or another. I enjoyed the descriptions and horrific detail provided in this fast read that keeps a great pace. The story has very little fat and keeps the reader engaged until the end. I can see why the book has received its share of praise and believe that the sky is the limit for Daniel.
526 reviews47 followers
February 9, 2021
Hell yeah Billy Silver was one hell of a ride. I really enjoyed this book. This book was funny, violent and just kicked ass. I enjoyed the characters even though Billy Silver is a junkie asshole lol. I don't think there is much I can say about this book that hasn't been said by other reviews. If you haven't read it check it out. Horns up for Billy Silver and Shit Fist 👊👊👊
Profile Image for Ronald McGillvray.
Author 8 books106 followers
November 16, 2021
Beware strangers offering free tattoos!

Billy Silver gives new meaning to a life spinning out of control. Not that he doesn’t deserve it. He is the antihero’s, antihero, with no social redeeming qualities.

Enter the bleak world of Billy Silver, an unforgettable gore fest you won’t soon forget. Although based in the seamy, sordid world of addicts and rock star wannabes, Daniel Volpe throws in a mystical tattoo artist named Talia to spice things up. Talia’s appearance ramps up the violence to brutal levels, so be prepared.

I was knocked out by Billy Silver, from its grim beginning right to its combustible ending. If you’re a gore hound this is a must read.
Profile Image for Regina Watts.
Author 92 books222 followers
January 29, 2021
A compelling and extremely gruesome splatterpunk REQUIEM FOR A DREAM with a massive pinch of occult, perhaps cosmic (certainly Karmic) horror. Excellent book from a sharp author.
Profile Image for Corrina Morse.
815 reviews124 followers
February 6, 2021
A quick, fun read.

That was a great, quick read. Brutal and gory. It made every single one of my tattoos ache!! I read it in one sitting, brilliant. This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be looking for more.
Profile Image for Diane .
359 reviews13 followers
December 21, 2022
This book was totally awesome....packed full of what I love to read... So much gore,violence,torture and very brutal....extreme horror at it's very best,Daniel J.Volpe holds nothing back in this excellent book...it is not for the faint hearted or for those who are easily offended...read this book with caution and be aware it is brutal and shocking from start to finish.
Profile Image for Lindsay Crook.
1,071 reviews37 followers
February 20, 2021
Bloody!!

That was a fun fast read.I loved Billy and all the gory happenings that took place..No big twists or over the top angst just straight to the point grungy and bloody.
Profile Image for Sea Caummisar.
Author 82 books1,358 followers
December 2, 2020
This story starts with a punch, and doesn't take its hand off your throat until the end. Billy Silver, druggie, needs cash so he gets paid for a tat artist to practice on him. What he doesn't know is that there is something sinister about her and her ink. Billy gets urges to hurt himself, and eventually others. There's also some gross stuff in there. Basic bodily functions can be gross and funny at the same time. One thing I wished was that we would have found out a tad bit more about the demon. The story is still excellent... I'm glad that it's open for a sequel. Maybe it will have some of the answers I wanted
Profile Image for Nikki.
240 reviews20 followers
February 15, 2021
Whew! If your into effed up horror, then this one is for you! Really great, fun read. It didn’t let up from the beginning of the first page to end of the last page! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Rayne Havok.
Author 38 books683 followers
November 22, 2020
Hooked me from the first sentence and shocked me with the last.
Loved it.
Recommend for sure. Warnings be damned, live a little- just read it.
Profile Image for Shadow Girl.
708 reviews98 followers
December 17, 2020
This story is dark, it’s gritty, and I kinda wanted to wash my hands when it was over. It’s the perfect backdrop for the characters you’re about to meet. You feel the loneliness, the abandonment, the despair… Hell, you almost feel the needle go into your arm!

After a particularly shitty night, Billy wakes up and those all too familiar feelings start crawling in… he needs to score, and soon. This time his hustle is… selling his skin! Lol, no! Not like that! He goes to a new tattoo shop that is about to open, and he is going to let an artist work on him so she can refresh her skills before the shop opens for business. (I’d do for a hundred bucks and a Klondike bar!) He can feel a difference in his body almost immediately. He’s essentially traded one addiction for another, but this new desire isn’t like any drug he’s ever done before. He doesn’t want the high. He wants pain. When he finally gets home and gives into the urges that overtake him, self-mutilation doesn’t even come close to describing the things he’s doing! He just fucking brutalizes his self, (loves it), but the violence and depravity inflicted on his self can’t satiate the dark urges. He needs more – so he goes out and gets it!!

Unedited, NSFW review posted here.

https://bit.ly/2KySgpy
Profile Image for Ian.
555 reviews83 followers
May 7, 2021
‘Splatterpunk on steroids’

This book starts with deeply shocking, disturbing, extremely horrific acts and just ramps up even further as it goes on. Any rays of hope, sweetness and light for our main protagonists? - absolutely none - just expect a rough, rough ride from start to finish. But still a great little story.

Billy is a vile, ultra- violent, repugnant, guitar-playing scumbag who enjoys spending most of his days drinking, shooting- up and performing all manner of sexual acts on his junkie loser girlfriend, Jeannie - and she best watch it if she don’t measure up! You picking up any triggers?

Then, one day when funds are low and things are reaching rock bottom Billy notices a new tattoo shop offering him money for trialing their new designs. What an opportunity, things just may be looking up. Little does Billy know, his life is about to be changed forever.

A good little extreme horror story which shock’s with it’s deliberately written, but cleverly constructed, totally OTT gob-smacking, jaw- dropping, vivid, disturbing narrative. Do not eat before reading - you have been warned!

Now, as for our Talia...well, that is a completely different story - cannot wait!

Rating: 4.1 Silver stars of the turbo-charged, ultra extreme, graphic horror variety.
Profile Image for Russell Holbrook.
Author 31 books88 followers
March 21, 2021
This may be the first book I've ever read where I felt that the main character was completely reprehensible, irredeemable, or any number of words that could be used to describe a horrible waste of a human being. This dude is fucking revolting. Now that I'm talking about it, I realize how much I was moved by this little book. Even though these terrible things were happening, I looked forward to going back into the story every day. I was thinking about the characters and wanting to know what was going to happen to them, who would survive (if any), and what would be left of them if they did make it out alive. Overall, I see this as a great morality tale, one that illustrates the importance of how we as human beings treat one another. I think it's a modern, extreme horror fable that reminds us how evil actions have a ripple effect and create more evil actions. Violence begets violence, hate begets hate, etc, and, what we give is what we get. Or, maybe it's just a fucked-up story about fucked-up people, but not to me. So, if you've got the stomach for it, maybe walk in Billy's shoes for a while, but be warned, they're nasty and you might not be the same afterwards.
Profile Image for Frank.
Author 36 books130 followers
February 19, 2021
Billy Silver is raw, gritty, dirty and a little too damned real. Author Daniel Volpe gets a lot of milage out of a pretty short book. Billy Silver punches you from page one, beats you to the canvas and keep pounding you until you're... done. The story so real, the characters so vivid. I've never lived a life as depraved as Billy's and yet I'm left feeling like maybe I have for just a few moments.

I don't think I've ever read a book so good that featured a protagonist that's so deplorable. To call the titular character, Billy Silver, an anti-hero would be giving him far too much credit. Yet, in a Walter White way, he hooks you early and you feel for him. Even when you shouldn't.

The prose is lean. There very little to find fault with. If I had one tiny criticism, its that one particular female character's conclusion could have been played out a bit more? That'll only maybe make sense to anyone who has already read it.

This little book came out of nowhere. All of a sudden I saw a lot of people talking about it and saying great things. The buzz was not hype. Billy Silver is the real deal. You have to read it to experience it. Just make sure your head is in a good place before you start.

Profile Image for Ryder Kinlay.
Author 6 books94 followers
May 30, 2021
Wow... what's to like about Billy Silver? What an arsehole. Different story when it comes to the author Daniel Volpe. Gritty, real - oh too real, I could feel and see some of those scenes. Great book. Very raw. Very Violent. This book is unashamedly in your face, brutal and a punch in the gut. Definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for Brandy.
19 reviews9 followers
April 24, 2021
First book of Daniel Volpe's that I read and it was definitely a rollercoaster of a ride. I really disliked Billy Silver the character from the beginning but the story I loved! Sometimes people do crazy things for a little money when they are down on their luck. And when you are an full-blown addict, it can be really hard to stay on top of your game. This is the scenario Billy Silver found himself in and everything continued to spiral out of control in his life; up until he makes his final decision on how to get out of this mess of a life he made for himself.

5 out 5 Guitars
🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

#BillySilver #DanielVolpe
Profile Image for John Maurer.
172 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2021
This book by Daniel J. Volpe was completely out of my wheel house and I feel like I need to take a shower after reading it. Dark, twisted, grotesque and flat out brutal. You are on edge the entire time. Volpe writes brilliantly! The attention to detail was incredible to the point where sometimes I almost couldn’t stomach it yet I was compelled to read more. I really enjoyed the story of “Billy Silver” and interested in what’s to come next! Enjoyed might not be the right word...I’m mortified. Graphic horror fans: this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Eric Butler.
Author 45 books198 followers
March 4, 2021
I'm rounding up to 5 for the ick factor. If you are a fan of extreme over-the-top horror, this book needs to be on your to-read list. Be warned Volpe doesn't pull any punches.

Overall the story flows well, with a couple of scenes that felt a bit like filler, but by the end, it all comes together. If you enjoy terrible people having terrible things done to them, Billy Silver is a must-read.

Profile Image for Kiera ☠.
335 reviews126 followers
November 5, 2022
Another great read by Volpe. Yet to read anything by him I haven’t loved. Didn’t realize going in this had Talia in it which I appreciated.

Only reason this lost a point - without spoiling anything - is because I wish the compulsion was only self motivated for Billy but none the less I still consumed this book in one sitting.
Profile Image for Rachael.
484 reviews25 followers
May 10, 2021
My whole day today has been filled with nothing but reading Splatterpunk. I finished one book I started and dove head first into 3 more. This nice little gem ending my night. Going out with a bang!

Billy Silver, for me, he is a fucking douche bag! I really disliked him but the story of Billy Silver is freaking awesome. The story is real, his problems are real, his life is shit in all the ways life can be shitty. What better way to solve all life's shitty problems than with some bad ass ink by a steaming hot woman.....Talia. But sometimes even ink can't solve all your shitty problems. Man, this little gem has it all.....blood, guts, sex, drugs, violence, a bad ass dog and a fucking cat.

Immediately after I finished this I went and bought Talia on my kindle. I mean who in their right fucking mind wouldn't. I really need to go to bed but I really don't want this ride to end sooooo......I can stay up a couple more hours reading right? If I am tired tomorrow and my eyes are dry I can just rub some blood in them, Blood is the best lube. Talia here I come.

Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
Profile Image for Deb Soward.
93 reviews16 followers
February 17, 2021
Coming in over a hundred pages this novella keeps your attention from the very beginning to the very end. Billy Silver is a despicable man. He beats women, lives a despicable life. Billy is the lead singer of a band, but as his drug habit grows so does his desperation to feed his addiction. One day he passes a tattoo shop that offers tattoos, but instead of paying for it they pay you. With an offer he can't refuse he receives a tattoo in exchange for money. That's when all hell breaks loose. While I couldn't help but hate the characters, I couldn't stop reading. Trigger warnings for this fucked up, but well written story. 4.5 blood soaked stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.