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Lkw-Fahrer Chris hat einen Traum: Er möchte den perfekten Horrorroman schreiben. Die Zutaten: Sadismus, Mord und Sex. Die Story soll wirklich schockieren und jede Grenze des guten Geschmacks überschreiten …
Gut, dass er zwei junge Frauen in einer geheimen Folterkammer seines Lastwagens gefangen hält, die ihm die dafür nötige Inspiration liefern. Sie werden Teil seines Romans, ob sie wollen oder nicht. Und in seiner Vorstellung von Horror ist ein Happy End ausgeschlossen!
Horrornovelreviews.com: »Wie kommt Matt Shaw bloß auf dieses Zeug?«
Gingernutsofhorror.com: »Das Beste, was Extreme Horror zu bieten hat!«
Gut, dass er zwei junge Frauen in einer geheimen Folterkammer seines Lastwagens gefangen hält, die ihm die dafür nötige Inspiration liefern. Sie werden Teil seines Romans, ob sie wollen oder nicht. Und in seiner Vorstellung von Horror ist ein Happy End ausgeschlossen!
Horrornovelreviews.com: »Wie kommt Matt Shaw bloß auf dieses Zeug?«
Gingernutsofhorror.com: »Das Beste, was Extreme Horror zu bieten hat!«
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
119 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
533 books2,212 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 15, 2020
Sick, extreme story about a man who goes on a killing spree, in order to write his own horror story. Then again, is there any better reason to go on one?
Who knows what can make people snap these days...
Shoelace breaking in the morning...Toilet paper running out...New Taylor Swift album...who knows?
Something happening in my country since the lock-down:
(Before I start, I just need you to know that I quit smoking 2 years and 3 months ago)
So, our government decided to stop selling alcohol (understandable) and smoking products since 26 March - for 3 weeks. While it was met with huge criticism, I thought it was the right thing to do at the time to give the country an opportunity to prepare for the inevitable.
Then it was extended, which left many totally unprepared.
But, when the president appeared on television to tell the world the lock down regulations will be gradually eased and the sale of tobacco will be allowed again, the nation rejoiced. Weeks of being stuck in their homes with little to no income was stressful enough, especially if you considered the fact that some people had to go cold-turkey in their bad habits. The next day, the health minister announced that tobacco products will not be sold after all. Her reasoning, other than the fact that it was unhealthy, being that people shared the same cigarette among each other.
Now, while the sale of alcohol has been allowed for a few weeks, tobacco sales are still banned and the case is in court.
According to the minister, she managed to let 800 000 to a million people quit smoking.
Me, I call BULLSHIT!!
Here's the thing - I read an article yesterday and heard some things from others as well:
The illegal sale of tobacco products have sky-rocketed. No name brands that would cost between 10 and 20 bucks a packet (I'm not going to get into our money exchange rate), starts at 55 bucks. The best selling brands goes for 150 bucks and up. I've heard of people who are desperate enough to buy no name brands for up to 100 bucks a packet.
Since it is scarce, people have no choice BUT to share a cigarette among themselves, especially the lower income families.
Never mind the revenue the government loses monthly from the 'sin tax' - last I heard it was about 1.5 billion a month - and the rumors that both the health minister and leader of the EFF has links to the biggest illegal distributor in the country (these are unsubstantiated and I wouldn't know how much truth there is to them) - how are they helping the people?
Here's some of the things we do hear from time to time:
Gender and family violence has increased during the lock-down. Please explain to me how the powers to be thought it was going to play out when they take away people's income, forced them into rehab and enclose them in a family situation which they couldn't get away from. Please tell me how they think that allowing those people alcohol - after many have lost their jobs - and withholding something they are addicted to could have any other outcome than a spike in violence?
Well, while I hate politics and very rarely discuss it in my reviews - this is my escape from the bullshit of life - it is something that weighs heavily on my mind. I'm in this weird mood for extreme stories these days because I feel so frustrated with things that are beyond my control.
Fuck - I'll probably delete or rewrite this review when I feel better...
Who knows what can make people snap these days...
Shoelace breaking in the morning...Toilet paper running out...New Taylor Swift album...who knows?
Something happening in my country since the lock-down:
(Before I start, I just need you to know that I quit smoking 2 years and 3 months ago)
So, our government decided to stop selling alcohol (understandable) and smoking products since 26 March - for 3 weeks. While it was met with huge criticism, I thought it was the right thing to do at the time to give the country an opportunity to prepare for the inevitable.
Then it was extended, which left many totally unprepared.
But, when the president appeared on television to tell the world the lock down regulations will be gradually eased and the sale of tobacco will be allowed again, the nation rejoiced. Weeks of being stuck in their homes with little to no income was stressful enough, especially if you considered the fact that some people had to go cold-turkey in their bad habits. The next day, the health minister announced that tobacco products will not be sold after all. Her reasoning, other than the fact that it was unhealthy, being that people shared the same cigarette among each other.
Now, while the sale of alcohol has been allowed for a few weeks, tobacco sales are still banned and the case is in court.
According to the minister, she managed to let 800 000 to a million people quit smoking.
Me, I call BULLSHIT!!
Here's the thing - I read an article yesterday and heard some things from others as well:
The illegal sale of tobacco products have sky-rocketed. No name brands that would cost between 10 and 20 bucks a packet (I'm not going to get into our money exchange rate), starts at 55 bucks. The best selling brands goes for 150 bucks and up. I've heard of people who are desperate enough to buy no name brands for up to 100 bucks a packet.
Since it is scarce, people have no choice BUT to share a cigarette among themselves, especially the lower income families.
Never mind the revenue the government loses monthly from the 'sin tax' - last I heard it was about 1.5 billion a month - and the rumors that both the health minister and leader of the EFF has links to the biggest illegal distributor in the country (these are unsubstantiated and I wouldn't know how much truth there is to them) - how are they helping the people?
Here's some of the things we do hear from time to time:
Gender and family violence has increased during the lock-down. Please explain to me how the powers to be thought it was going to play out when they take away people's income, forced them into rehab and enclose them in a family situation which they couldn't get away from. Please tell me how they think that allowing those people alcohol - after many have lost their jobs - and withholding something they are addicted to could have any other outcome than a spike in violence?
Well, while I hate politics and very rarely discuss it in my reviews - this is my escape from the bullshit of life - it is something that weighs heavily on my mind. I'm in this weird mood for extreme stories these days because I feel so frustrated with things that are beyond my control.
Fuck - I'll probably delete or rewrite this review when I feel better...
August 19, 2017
2.5 stars
Chris is a serial killer who documents his killing sprees in his manuscript. He's titled it Don't Read but allows his victims to read bits and pieces of the story during captivity. He poses a question to a waitress one day and grants her her wish. Chris delivers what she wants but not in the way she was expecting.
This book went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat! The writing style was choppy, all of the scenes graphic and gory, the setting changing from the inside of a restaurant kitchen to the inside of a truck. The implements used to subdue the victims was the most interesting. The weapons ranged from a deep fryer to a chef's knife, and who knew that a bag of concrete could be used in that manner...?
► Definitely some creative bits in this story!
► The author's words to sum up this book:
Plot Minimal, Carnage Everything.
Chris is a serial killer who documents his killing sprees in his manuscript. He's titled it Don't Read but allows his victims to read bits and pieces of the story during captivity. He poses a question to a waitress one day and grants her her wish. Chris delivers what she wants but not in the way she was expecting.
This book went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat! The writing style was choppy, all of the scenes graphic and gory, the setting changing from the inside of a restaurant kitchen to the inside of a truck. The implements used to subdue the victims was the most interesting. The weapons ranged from a deep fryer to a chef's knife, and who knew that a bag of concrete could be used in that manner...?
► Definitely some creative bits in this story!
► The author's words to sum up this book:
Plot Minimal, Carnage Everything.
April 5, 2015
Don't Read is the latest book from Matt Shaw’s black cover series of extreme horror and this one features a pretty twisted individual writing a book, of sorts anyway. A story that could quite easily sit alongside Matt's, the only difference, hopefully anyway, is that this one is more of a biography.
Chris is writing a book, he's using what you would call personnel experience as his inspiration and he's doing it his way. There's no padding in this story, you can forget about character development and the like, this is just the juicy bits, the horror and the violence he creates every day.
His mode of transport is a heavy goods vehicle, custom designed with a sound proofed chamber hidden in the back and in that chamber, two small cages. Cages designed to be uncomfortable, especially to the captives that are locked inside.
We first meet Chris at a greasy spoon cafe late at night, the sole customer and what can only be described as an extremely violent introduction. In his book he likens cutting someone's eyelids off with scissors to separating the fat from his bacon. That should tell you what to expect and that's fairly tame compared to some of the stuff our wannabe writer gets up to. One particular incident sticks in my memory and will do for some time, involving nails and eyeballs, a moment that will make you truly wince.
Don't Read definitely felt more extreme than the other Black cover books I've read but no matter how horrific and gruesome, just try turning away and stop reading. Described in the kind of detail that will force a wide range of expressions and if you're conscious of your grimace then read this one alone. Chances are you'll look at HGV drivers in a slightly different light after reading this and prey that Matt Shaw can't drive a lorry.
A 3.5 Rating, Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
Chris is writing a book, he's using what you would call personnel experience as his inspiration and he's doing it his way. There's no padding in this story, you can forget about character development and the like, this is just the juicy bits, the horror and the violence he creates every day.
His mode of transport is a heavy goods vehicle, custom designed with a sound proofed chamber hidden in the back and in that chamber, two small cages. Cages designed to be uncomfortable, especially to the captives that are locked inside.
We first meet Chris at a greasy spoon cafe late at night, the sole customer and what can only be described as an extremely violent introduction. In his book he likens cutting someone's eyelids off with scissors to separating the fat from his bacon. That should tell you what to expect and that's fairly tame compared to some of the stuff our wannabe writer gets up to. One particular incident sticks in my memory and will do for some time, involving nails and eyeballs, a moment that will make you truly wince.
Don't Read definitely felt more extreme than the other Black cover books I've read but no matter how horrific and gruesome, just try turning away and stop reading. Described in the kind of detail that will force a wide range of expressions and if you're conscious of your grimace then read this one alone. Chances are you'll look at HGV drivers in a slightly different light after reading this and prey that Matt Shaw can't drive a lorry.
A 3.5 Rating, Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
February 9, 2022
I never know how to rate extreme horror/splatterpunk horror. Most books that I give four stars have a great plot, well-written characters, and an exciting conclusion. Since the writing style in extreme horror books isn’t usually the main reason people want to read them, I feel like I rate them differently, but I should really treat them as any other book.
The plot in this actually was great; a man wants to write a horror book, but he’s never read one that truly disgusted him. He’s worried that if he tries to write a horror story, it will end up as lame as everyone else’s. How can he make it more original? Maybe if it was true, that would make it more interesting? So this man sets out on a serial-killing road trip, and after each umm…encounter, he is able to write the details in his book (of course, titled “Don’t Read”).
I got the paperback “Extended Cut” version of this, which explains how and why the author upped the gore when he republished it. He felt it wasn’t as shocking once it aged, so when he let it go to paperback, he re-wrote some of the murder/rape scenes to be more disturbing. It must not have been too bad to begin with, because I read the enhanced version and it wasn’t as bad as other books like this I’ve read. (By bad I mean naughty in the best way possible!)
You’ll be grossed out (why am I always eating when I start books like this?) and disgusted, but you’ll also be entertained. This wasn’t as funny as I like my splatterpunk to be, but I did think the story was quite fresh. This could’ve been a novel instead of just a longish novella, and there would have been more character development (and more victims), but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars rounded up because the plot made up for the mediocre writing style.
The plot in this actually was great; a man wants to write a horror book, but he’s never read one that truly disgusted him. He’s worried that if he tries to write a horror story, it will end up as lame as everyone else’s. How can he make it more original? Maybe if it was true, that would make it more interesting? So this man sets out on a serial-killing road trip, and after each umm…encounter, he is able to write the details in his book (of course, titled “Don’t Read”).
I got the paperback “Extended Cut” version of this, which explains how and why the author upped the gore when he republished it. He felt it wasn’t as shocking once it aged, so when he let it go to paperback, he re-wrote some of the murder/rape scenes to be more disturbing. It must not have been too bad to begin with, because I read the enhanced version and it wasn’t as bad as other books like this I’ve read. (By bad I mean naughty in the best way possible!)
You’ll be grossed out (why am I always eating when I start books like this?) and disgusted, but you’ll also be entertained. This wasn’t as funny as I like my splatterpunk to be, but I did think the story was quite fresh. This could’ve been a novel instead of just a longish novella, and there would have been more character development (and more victims), but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars rounded up because the plot made up for the mediocre writing style.
December 16, 2025
Great concept here. Not necessarily anything brand-spanking new, but good enough. Chris is one messed up person, but he sure does care about honing in on his craft. And I'd be lying if I said that I never experimented with certain horror concepts in real world settings. Nothing crazy, mind you, but just enough to gauge the honest human response to certain words and actions. So, no judgment from the Topside camp on this kind of stuff. Anyway, this had quite a bit of the normal tie'm up and torture'm kind of stuff, which has become extremely overdone, but served its purpose. The gore is pretty darn good and the story is short enough to make its point without overstaying its welcome. Not great, but not bad, this was somewhere in the middle for me.
November 7, 2021
An extreme horror story about a guy who travels about in his truck abducting, torturing, and killing young women while writing a book with a totally accurate blow by blow account of his actions. The book is written in biro with the words “Don’t Read” on the cover. That is probably good advice if you are squeamish or aren’t into extreme horror. Don’t go there. Having said that, the writing is brilliant and there is purpose to the story and its unexpected ending.
October 17, 2021
Almost the darkest most depraved thing I've ever read, and that's saying something!
Still, about 100 more to go from Matt though, so maybe there is worse!
Can't deny the fact that he writes well though. My kind of short, straight-to-the-point style of writing when it comes to the Extreme Horror genre.
The only one that tops this so far for me is 'Lovesick by Jon Athan' both 5* though.
Well done for disturbing me, Matt!
Still, about 100 more to go from Matt though, so maybe there is worse!
Can't deny the fact that he writes well though. My kind of short, straight-to-the-point style of writing when it comes to the Extreme Horror genre.
The only one that tops this so far for me is 'Lovesick by Jon Athan' both 5* though.
Well done for disturbing me, Matt!
November 8, 2021
A serial killer writes out his gruesome murders into his own horror novel. Lots of brutal torture and sadistic killings.
January 6, 2024
Chris is creating a book he feels will be the best horror yet. It will be filled with gore rather than plot, and will be more disturbing than anything else out there, as he is so disappointed with ones he's read. The stories going into Chris' book though... are real.
Another fantastic Matt Shaw book, filled to the brim with the most disturbing, gory deaths. Matt aims to shock, and he does it well.
Another fantastic Matt Shaw book, filled to the brim with the most disturbing, gory deaths. Matt aims to shock, and he does it well.
June 28, 2017
Disturbing
I have given this book a 4 star rating because even though it was disturbing, scary/horrific, & the fact that I always give every new author for me, 2 stories to test their writing, it was... Well I am not sure if I am more disturbed for buying it & reading it or just blown away that someone could actually write these terrifying events?! I think I am "good" on this author.
Well written, no typos that I could see, I actually laughed at the audacity of the story, in the beginning; not that anything in the story was funny, but because it was so real, it was unreal.
So, if you enjoy gore, surreal imagery, intense violence & walking around with a WTF look on your face? This book is for you.
I have given this book a 4 star rating because even though it was disturbing, scary/horrific, & the fact that I always give every new author for me, 2 stories to test their writing, it was... Well I am not sure if I am more disturbed for buying it & reading it or just blown away that someone could actually write these terrifying events?! I think I am "good" on this author.
Well written, no typos that I could see, I actually laughed at the audacity of the story, in the beginning; not that anything in the story was funny, but because it was so real, it was unreal.
So, if you enjoy gore, surreal imagery, intense violence & walking around with a WTF look on your face? This book is for you.
October 13, 2016
I didn't care for this short story as much as his others I have read. Mostly it was describing torture and rape. Which yes make me gag a bit, but not my type of horror. The ending was a bit rushed and anticlimactic. But I will read more of Matt Shaw, because when he does get it right, it's perfect. This one just didn't do it for me.
January 22, 2023
Definitely do read!
Great short from Matt, always wondered where he gets all his book ideas from! Let’s hope he doesn’t play all his out for real before writing them! 😂
Great short from Matt, always wondered where he gets all his book ideas from! Let’s hope he doesn’t play all his out for real before writing them! 😂
August 28, 2015
ABR's original Don't Read audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Warning: If you you find extreme violence to, and torture scenes of women or graphic sex disturbing or distasteful. Don’t Read or listen to this book or at least think twice before you get this or any book audio or otherwise by Matt Shaw.
I swear Show is one sick and twisted individual. There is seriously something wrong with him. How else could he continuously come up with all these “extreme horror” stories?
Surprisingly enough Don’t Read is the tamest one to date. It is the story a psychopath named Chris. Who just wants to torture and kill women, in particular, in the most gruesome way possible. All while recording every detail in his notebook, with “Don’t Read” scribed on the cover, for prosperity. He thinks that doing this will make their lives mean something in the end.
Right off bat we are introduced to Chris who was eating some of the most fabulous eggs he has ever eaten. While telling the waitress just how amazing the eggs were. Her boss shows his true colors. Chris asks the waitress if she would like her boss dead. She replies “yes”. And we are off.
Chris is a lorry diver, err, um, semi truck driver (I had to look this one up). Who has a custom build sound proof trailer with hidden compartments or cells within. He know that the police are looking for him, yet doesn’t care. He know that it will all come to an end eventually and I think he is quite surprised that he hasn’t been caught yet.
I cannot say much more without giving everything away. Just know this. I threw up in my mouth, twice, while listening to the disturbingly disgusting tale.
I have listened to a number of pairing between Matt Shaw and Chris Barnes in the past. These two are now in my favorite narrator author couples and I will be listening to more. I cannot think of another voice performer who could breath so much life and creepiness into this story. I am happy to report that it sounds like Barnes has been practicing his female and other character voices as these are some of his best. He primarily reads horror, this is quite apparent by his flawless delivery and subtle innuendos.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
Warning: If you you find extreme violence to, and torture scenes of women or graphic sex disturbing or distasteful. Don’t Read or listen to this book or at least think twice before you get this or any book audio or otherwise by Matt Shaw.
I swear Show is one sick and twisted individual. There is seriously something wrong with him. How else could he continuously come up with all these “extreme horror” stories?
Surprisingly enough Don’t Read is the tamest one to date. It is the story a psychopath named Chris. Who just wants to torture and kill women, in particular, in the most gruesome way possible. All while recording every detail in his notebook, with “Don’t Read” scribed on the cover, for prosperity. He thinks that doing this will make their lives mean something in the end.
Right off bat we are introduced to Chris who was eating some of the most fabulous eggs he has ever eaten. While telling the waitress just how amazing the eggs were. Her boss shows his true colors. Chris asks the waitress if she would like her boss dead. She replies “yes”. And we are off.
Chris is a lorry diver, err, um, semi truck driver (I had to look this one up). Who has a custom build sound proof trailer with hidden compartments or cells within. He know that the police are looking for him, yet doesn’t care. He know that it will all come to an end eventually and I think he is quite surprised that he hasn’t been caught yet.
I cannot say much more without giving everything away. Just know this. I threw up in my mouth, twice, while listening to the disturbingly disgusting tale.
I have listened to a number of pairing between Matt Shaw and Chris Barnes in the past. These two are now in my favorite narrator author couples and I will be listening to more. I cannot think of another voice performer who could breath so much life and creepiness into this story. I am happy to report that it sounds like Barnes has been practicing his female and other character voices as these are some of his best. He primarily reads horror, this is quite apparent by his flawless delivery and subtle innuendos.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
September 16, 2024
Everyone loves a road trip, that is everyone except anyone who Chris deems worthy to be on his road trip of horror.
Just Chris his Lorry a couple companions and a book. Sounds innocent enough huh? You just wait...
Just Chris his Lorry a couple companions and a book. Sounds innocent enough huh? You just wait...
June 15, 2024
Fucked up. Turns out this kind of horror isnt for me. Eew. Extreme horror is good but still not into extreme horror.
June 25, 2015
This is typical Matt Shaw; gory, gruesome, bold, graphic, extreme, out there, no holds barred horror. When his books have a WARNING on the cover, take heed, as they need it. This is the kind of book that will make you have nightmares.
Chris likes to capture and cage his victims, torturing and killing them, then writing about it in his book. He makes his victims read the chapters so that he can see what their reactions will be. Why is he doing this? For the hell of it. He knows he can't get away with this, but he's having the time of his life in the meantime and making a record of everything he does.
3.75, rounded up to 4 out of 5 stars.
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2...
http://lisasandberg88.wordpress.com/
http://thezeroshour.com/
https://m.facebook.com/lisa.sandberg8...
https://m.facebook.com/thezeroshour?r...
http://1988lisa1988.tumblr.com/
Twitter - @1988Lisa1988
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A1NU...
Chris likes to capture and cage his victims, torturing and killing them, then writing about it in his book. He makes his victims read the chapters so that he can see what their reactions will be. Why is he doing this? For the hell of it. He knows he can't get away with this, but he's having the time of his life in the meantime and making a record of everything he does.
3.75, rounded up to 4 out of 5 stars.
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2...
http://lisasandberg88.wordpress.com/
http://thezeroshour.com/
https://m.facebook.com/lisa.sandberg8...
https://m.facebook.com/thezeroshour?r...
http://1988lisa1988.tumblr.com/
Twitter - @1988Lisa1988
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A1NU...
November 28, 2015
What starts off with a trucker visiting an average roadside diner and getting a bite to eat soon escalates into some pretty brutal violence. Violence that is slightly unusual in that it contains none of the characteristic humorous comments that you often find in Matt's other books.
At this point I am wondering if I am actually going to enjoy the book.
But hang on, this is just the beginning, things are about to get a whole lot more fucked up.
If you have read any of Matt's other books you already know that nobody is safe. He does a great job in bringing empathy and realism to the characters and because of this you care about them and you want them to live and this is certainly true here.
This is not a book you can just pick up and read a page here and there, its a book you need to find the time, and be in the right frame of mind to appreciate.
There is some pretty nasty scenes in this. Some of Matt's most extreme fiction - so be warned, but don't let this put you off as the whole story is executed extremely well. An amazing, but disturbing read.
At this point I am wondering if I am actually going to enjoy the book.
But hang on, this is just the beginning, things are about to get a whole lot more fucked up.
If you have read any of Matt's other books you already know that nobody is safe. He does a great job in bringing empathy and realism to the characters and because of this you care about them and you want them to live and this is certainly true here.
This is not a book you can just pick up and read a page here and there, its a book you need to find the time, and be in the right frame of mind to appreciate.
There is some pretty nasty scenes in this. Some of Matt's most extreme fiction - so be warned, but don't let this put you off as the whole story is executed extremely well. An amazing, but disturbing read.
February 2, 2016
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!...I just finished reading this...wow!!!! Matt Shaw is a very twisted author. The book was a wonderful read...but for me, it was very sad and horrific in the end. I was left in awe...I really thought it would be a happier ending...but Matt Shaw doesn't ease up!!!! I have a family too...just so sad for Hayley. I'd recommend this for true horror fans. I enjoy Matt Shaw...but I think I'll take a break from his work. It's quite disturbing.
It's been a few months since reading this book and it still disturbs me!!!!
It's been a few months since reading this book and it still disturbs me!!!!
September 7, 2016
I am not known to be easily shocked, disgusted or offended. However, this book was actually able to disgust me. There were parts that turned my stomach. I've watched gore horror movies and didn't have the reaction I got from this book. Matt Shaw got into my head and painted such a vivid picture with his words. This is the book that I picked first when I decided to experience Matt Shaw's writing. Let me tell you, I want more. He quickly became my latest favorite author.
December 30, 2019
Another terrifying tale
Another story of a depraved lunatic, done by the master of maniacs Matt Shaw. This time it revolves around Chris, a truck driver who has a side line in kidnapping, torture and murder. He also prides himself on being an eloquent writer, detailing his grisly crimes. Loved this character and although I felt bad for his victims I do love a good bad guy and he is one of the most nasty I've read!
Another story of a depraved lunatic, done by the master of maniacs Matt Shaw. This time it revolves around Chris, a truck driver who has a side line in kidnapping, torture and murder. He also prides himself on being an eloquent writer, detailing his grisly crimes. Loved this character and although I felt bad for his victims I do love a good bad guy and he is one of the most nasty I've read!
May 3, 2015
Excellent as always! I loved the little reference to one of the girls reading one of the Happy Ever After books. Hard to read in some parts since I volunteered and let Matt use my name for one of the characters. I told him to go wild and do whatever he wanted to, and oh he definitely did. I'll never eat an olive the same way again.
December 7, 2015
Not for the faint of heart.
Matt Shaw is a special kind of twisted and this book, even more so than some of his others, proves it. Like a car crash on the interstate you can't help but crane your head to see as much as possible. If you are squeamish this book is certainly not for you, however if you love the extreme and testing the limits of horror, the by all means Do Read.
Matt Shaw is a special kind of twisted and this book, even more so than some of his others, proves it. Like a car crash on the interstate you can't help but crane your head to see as much as possible. If you are squeamish this book is certainly not for you, however if you love the extreme and testing the limits of horror, the by all means Do Read.
May 18, 2015
Holy freaking cow!
The Shaw has once again exceeded my expectations to be scared, grossed out, in suspense, and psychologically baffled yet completely engrossed!! The entire idea of the plot with the book writing was unique and terrifying! Awesomesauce times 10
The Shaw has once again exceeded my expectations to be scared, grossed out, in suspense, and psychologically baffled yet completely engrossed!! The entire idea of the plot with the book writing was unique and terrifying! Awesomesauce times 10
October 3, 2015
I've read a handful of Matt Shaw's novella's and they are killer but Don't Read is my favorite up until now.
Savagely raw and brutal to the extreme edges of the minds ability to think. Had me chilled to the bone several times with suicidal thoughts. Highly recommended.
Savagely raw and brutal to the extreme edges of the minds ability to think. Had me chilled to the bone several times with suicidal thoughts. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2016
Copious amount of violence and carnage with surprisingly more plot than led to believe. No motive for the madness but I think that makes it seem more "real." Some people truly are just batshit crazy! Regardless, I liked it, a lot, and gave it a full five star THE Matt Shaw rating!
June 13, 2016
Another great read!
Matt has done it again. I must say it was a unique ending and unexpected. All in all I got my fix. Keep it up!
Matt has done it again. I must say it was a unique ending and unexpected. All in all I got my fix. Keep it up!
May 11, 2019
Yet another great read from the mi d of Matt Shaw
December 7, 2019
I was looking for something gore and horrible so I guess this book satisfied that kind of expectations. At least in the beginning. After that, I started to grew worried that the murders wouldn't shock me anymore as the pages go by. Was I going to get bored?
In somewhere between the middle and the end of it, I was getting impatient. I don't know exactly why... Maybe was longing for something more.
I guess is a common problem in stories narrated by serial killers not having a major obstacle in their lives. I mean, sure, the police could caught them anytime, they have to be careful so the victims don't escape, but couldn't have been some other thing making it more defying for the killer to get away with? Why everything is so easy for them? They're allways so beautiful, strong and smart! Not a single flaw besides their violent minds. But, worse, not a single flaw making it really hard for them to kill people.
Also, the end of this books feels indeed a little anticlimactic. I was expecting the last deaths to be more gross and glorious. Or the victims breaking free and torturing the killer in even worse ways. But I don't think any of that girls could do something like that. Maybe if Cris capture by chance a person with similar disturbed mind, she couldn't stop herself of torturing him in the end. Even if it cost her life or freedom. Yeah... It'd be insteresting to read something like that.
But, there, I enjoyed the book. Don't know if I should give it 3 or 4 stars. I guess 3,5 would be fair.
Now, I don't know if I should give a try to another story of this author or go search for something else.
In somewhere between the middle and the end of it, I was getting impatient. I don't know exactly why... Maybe was longing for something more.
I guess is a common problem in stories narrated by serial killers not having a major obstacle in their lives. I mean, sure, the police could caught them anytime, they have to be careful so the victims don't escape, but couldn't have been some other thing making it more defying for the killer to get away with? Why everything is so easy for them? They're allways so beautiful, strong and smart! Not a single flaw besides their violent minds. But, worse, not a single flaw making it really hard for them to kill people.
Also, the end of this books feels indeed a little anticlimactic. I was expecting the last deaths to be more gross and glorious. Or the victims breaking free and torturing the killer in even worse ways. But I don't think any of that girls could do something like that. Maybe if Cris capture by chance a person with similar disturbed mind, she couldn't stop herself of torturing him in the end. Even if it cost her life or freedom. Yeah... It'd be insteresting to read something like that.
But, there, I enjoyed the book. Don't know if I should give it 3 or 4 stars. I guess 3,5 would be fair.
Now, I don't know if I should give a try to another story of this author or go search for something else.
October 12, 2025
This review contains spoilers….
DNF at 36%. I like to think I have a pretty open imagination. I read the warnings, and they don’t seem very accurate. To me this is not horror, this is gore on top of gore. Gore plus gore does not equal horror. Forcing inanimate objects into a human body, whether it be one of their orifices or just straight through the body, e.g.; using kitchen knives to remove various body parts, serrated or otherwise, or using an axe to cut a human body down the middle from head to, well, you get the idea, and then fishing your fingers around the freshly open insides just to see how they feel… smell… is not something that screams horror. It’s just disgusting. Also, I’ve seen this storyline before… man drives a semi truck, man abducts woman, man keeps woman locked up in a cage. Only, every situation is to the utmost extreme in “how graphically gross can I make this?” I read another review and it advised not to read on a full stomach, and I absolutely agree. There’s no suspense, there’s no real endgame (maybe I did not read far enough into it), and there’s no hope or even false hope that the captured have a chance of getting free and exposing the killer. At no point in that first one-third of the story was I left on edge of my seat. It’s gore to the max, that’s about it. If that’s your thing, then this book is definitely for you, but it simply was not for me. You have been thoroughly warned… read or Don’t Read at your own risk.
DNF at 36%. I like to think I have a pretty open imagination. I read the warnings, and they don’t seem very accurate. To me this is not horror, this is gore on top of gore. Gore plus gore does not equal horror. Forcing inanimate objects into a human body, whether it be one of their orifices or just straight through the body, e.g.; using kitchen knives to remove various body parts, serrated or otherwise, or using an axe to cut a human body down the middle from head to, well, you get the idea, and then fishing your fingers around the freshly open insides just to see how they feel… smell… is not something that screams horror. It’s just disgusting. Also, I’ve seen this storyline before… man drives a semi truck, man abducts woman, man keeps woman locked up in a cage. Only, every situation is to the utmost extreme in “how graphically gross can I make this?” I read another review and it advised not to read on a full stomach, and I absolutely agree. There’s no suspense, there’s no real endgame (maybe I did not read far enough into it), and there’s no hope or even false hope that the captured have a chance of getting free and exposing the killer. At no point in that first one-third of the story was I left on edge of my seat. It’s gore to the max, that’s about it. If that’s your thing, then this book is definitely for you, but it simply was not for me. You have been thoroughly warned… read or Don’t Read at your own risk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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