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Sons of Sorrow
SOME THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT ALONE
Henk has been living a relatively carefree life in the city since fleeing the horrors of the town of Sorrow with his brother, Dave. Never would he have dreamt of returning. Not even for her.
But time and banality have a funny way of eroding the memory of even the worst experiences, bringing only the better times to the forefront of recall, so when he receives a wedding invitation from the third part of their old monster-fighting trio, he finds himself unable to turn it down.
Sorrow has changed drastically from the place it once was, with the murders and suicides that once plagued the town being used as a selling point by wealthy investors to turn it into a morbid attraction for dark tourists.
Beneath the costumed mascots and smiling families, is all really as it seems? Or by returning, have Henk and Dave inadvertently awoken an ancient evil far deadlier than anything they've faced before?
Sons of Sorrow is the latest bizarre horror from the mind of Matthew A. Clarke.
Henk has been living a relatively carefree life in the city since fleeing the horrors of the town of Sorrow with his brother, Dave. Never would he have dreamt of returning. Not even for her.
But time and banality have a funny way of eroding the memory of even the worst experiences, bringing only the better times to the forefront of recall, so when he receives a wedding invitation from the third part of their old monster-fighting trio, he finds himself unable to turn it down.
Sorrow has changed drastically from the place it once was, with the murders and suicides that once plagued the town being used as a selling point by wealthy investors to turn it into a morbid attraction for dark tourists.
Beneath the costumed mascots and smiling families, is all really as it seems? Or by returning, have Henk and Dave inadvertently awoken an ancient evil far deadlier than anything they've faced before?
Sons of Sorrow is the latest bizarre horror from the mind of Matthew A. Clarke.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2022
2 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Matthew A. Clarke
61 books181 followersMatthew A. Clarke is a British horror and bizarro author.
He has published fifteen books at the time of writing, and has countless short stories lurking in the darkest corners of the library.
Bizarro
112 members
Bizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. We read that stuff (someone has to) and then write publicly to one another here about the experience of reading it. If you join this group, you can too.
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Website: www.matthewaclarkeauthor.co.uk
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B082WJJPQ3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewaclarkeauthor
He has published fifteen books at the time of writing, and has countless short stories lurking in the darkest corners of the library.
Bizarro
112 members
Bizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. We read that stuff (someone has to) and then write publicly to one another here about the experience of reading it. If you join this group, you can too.
Join Bizarro!
View this group on Goodreads »
Share book reviews and ratings with Bizarro, and even join a book club on Goodreads.
Connect
Website: www.matthewaclarkeauthor.co.uk
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B082WJJPQ3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewaclarkeauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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March 15, 2022This is my latest book! If you read, please consider leaving a review. I'll love you forever. Unless you don't want me to. Then I will simply sit in the shadows and nod my appreciation.
April 11, 2022
This is a wild ride into a small town filled with monsters!
Henk and his brother Dave left the town of Sorrow when they were kids, but when their old friend Maria invites them back for her wedding, they decide to go back to the place they long to forget. It's still being overrun with monsters, but now, it's been turned into a tourist attraction. With people dying and the town no longer safe, Henk, Dave, and Marie decide to team up and put an end to this chaos once and for all.
Clarke takes readers down a psychedelic trip filled with fingers, deception, and wild creatures! The plot bounces between past and present, and while this does slow the pace a tad at times, it also helps weave a complete backstory as to how these three characters became friends and how their relationship evolved. The horror elements are a mix of bizarre and comedic, and while I didn't love the representation of the fat character being portrayed in a grotesque manner, this book will entertain anyone looking for something a bit out-of-the box.
I got a free ARC and rounded my 3.5 review up to a 4.
Henk and his brother Dave left the town of Sorrow when they were kids, but when their old friend Maria invites them back for her wedding, they decide to go back to the place they long to forget. It's still being overrun with monsters, but now, it's been turned into a tourist attraction. With people dying and the town no longer safe, Henk, Dave, and Marie decide to team up and put an end to this chaos once and for all.
Clarke takes readers down a psychedelic trip filled with fingers, deception, and wild creatures! The plot bounces between past and present, and while this does slow the pace a tad at times, it also helps weave a complete backstory as to how these three characters became friends and how their relationship evolved. The horror elements are a mix of bizarre and comedic, and while I didn't love the representation of the fat character being portrayed in a grotesque manner, this book will entertain anyone looking for something a bit out-of-the box.
I got a free ARC and rounded my 3.5 review up to a 4.
April 1, 2022
Welcome to the town of Sorrow - full of crazy, weird, and completely bizarre goings on!
If you're a fan of the John Dies At The End books by David Wong, you are going to LOVE this book! (If you aren't a fan of the JDATE books, you are still going to LOVE this book!)
Its no secret Im a HUGE fan of Matt Clarkes work, thats because I ALWAYS have a lot of fun with his books, they are real feel good, laugh out loud, big stupid cheesey grin whilst reading, books!! 😁 I FUNKIN' LOVE THEM!! 🖤
And this book is absolutely no exception! In fact, its one of his best yet!!
Matts humour is brilliant, and is more than evident throughout the whole of this very well written book!
Sons Of Sorrow is a creepy, small town horror, with bizarre and brilliant comedy aplenty!
When Henk & Dave return to their hometown of Sorrow for an old friends wedding, things get a little crazy and a LOT weird, and its such a fun ride!
The mystery and intrigue kick in from the very beginning and unfold perfectly as you read, keeping your attention and getting you burning through the pages!
Matt has a real knack for coming up with the most brilliantly hilarious characters....'The Head', 'The Gimp', 'Knob Goblin' (my fave 😁), and 'The Gloved King' (who is terrifying!!) to name but a few!
I really loved the main characters Dave & Henk! And Maria at the end....awesome! 😉
Matt has also come up with a great new measurement that will no doubt be taught in schools across the world very soon! But you'll have to read the book to find out what it is! 😜
This story was so much fun!! The whole thing reads like an immersive and thoroughly enjoyable acid trip! 🤯
Matt, you have outdone yourself with this one! Bravo!! 🤘🗿🤘
A solid 10/5 stone heads 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿
#sorrowsurvivor #murdertown
If you're a fan of the John Dies At The End books by David Wong, you are going to LOVE this book! (If you aren't a fan of the JDATE books, you are still going to LOVE this book!)
Its no secret Im a HUGE fan of Matt Clarkes work, thats because I ALWAYS have a lot of fun with his books, they are real feel good, laugh out loud, big stupid cheesey grin whilst reading, books!! 😁 I FUNKIN' LOVE THEM!! 🖤
And this book is absolutely no exception! In fact, its one of his best yet!!
Matts humour is brilliant, and is more than evident throughout the whole of this very well written book!
Sons Of Sorrow is a creepy, small town horror, with bizarre and brilliant comedy aplenty!
When Henk & Dave return to their hometown of Sorrow for an old friends wedding, things get a little crazy and a LOT weird, and its such a fun ride!
The mystery and intrigue kick in from the very beginning and unfold perfectly as you read, keeping your attention and getting you burning through the pages!
Matt has a real knack for coming up with the most brilliantly hilarious characters....'The Head', 'The Gimp', 'Knob Goblin' (my fave 😁), and 'The Gloved King' (who is terrifying!!) to name but a few!
I really loved the main characters Dave & Henk! And Maria at the end....awesome! 😉
Matt has also come up with a great new measurement that will no doubt be taught in schools across the world very soon! But you'll have to read the book to find out what it is! 😜
This story was so much fun!! The whole thing reads like an immersive and thoroughly enjoyable acid trip! 🤯
Matt, you have outdone yourself with this one! Bravo!! 🤘🗿🤘
A solid 10/5 stone heads 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿
#sorrowsurvivor #murdertown
April 4, 2022
Full Review
Sons of Sorrow is a highly entertaining read. It’ll certainly please fans of horror, but also has enough absurd imagery to draw in fans of Bizarro and surreal fiction. Clarke has also written more straight Bizarro works, and this one would also serve as a good stepping stone for those interested in dipping their toes into the genre.
Sons of Sorrow is a highly entertaining read. It’ll certainly please fans of horror, but also has enough absurd imagery to draw in fans of Bizarro and surreal fiction. Clarke has also written more straight Bizarro works, and this one would also serve as a good stepping stone for those interested in dipping their toes into the genre.
April 23, 2022
What do you get when you mix Scooby Doo (minus the dog), The Hardy Boys, a mushroom trip, some childhood trauma and a whole lot of monsters? You get The Sons of Sorrow!
I had no idea what this book was about, but it was more than I could have ever imagined. It's wacky, and bizarre, creepy and a little depressing with the perfect amount of blood and guts. It gave me chills, it made me laugh and it made me cry. I loved every thing about this book!
I had no idea what this book was about, but it was more than I could have ever imagined. It's wacky, and bizarre, creepy and a little depressing with the perfect amount of blood and guts. It gave me chills, it made me laugh and it made me cry. I loved every thing about this book!
April 9, 2022
Sons of Sorrow is a bit like a cross between Scooby Doo and a mushroom trip, with a smattering of moments of comedy and confusion. The story revolves around two brothers, Henk and Dave, returning to their childhood town of Sorrow for the wedding of their friend Maria. As kids, the three had solved mysteries around the town, and upon their reunion they’re once more pitched against the underworld.
The novel jumps between the latest hunt and previous escapades to tell the story of Sorrow, and while this provides a lot of backstory, at one point I lost the thread and had to reread a few chapters. However, in general, it’s an easy-going read, and must be consumed as somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
The entities from the other side of the rift are all insanely constructed, and provide caricatures of typical monsters in horror stories, which injects the book with a 1960s almost Blytonesque children’s adventure vibe, and stops it from becoming too serious. Even the ending has that ‘time for tea’ feel.
Sons of Sorrow is a flight of fantasy for the inner child!
The novel jumps between the latest hunt and previous escapades to tell the story of Sorrow, and while this provides a lot of backstory, at one point I lost the thread and had to reread a few chapters. However, in general, it’s an easy-going read, and must be consumed as somewhat tongue-in-cheek.
The entities from the other side of the rift are all insanely constructed, and provide caricatures of typical monsters in horror stories, which injects the book with a 1960s almost Blytonesque children’s adventure vibe, and stops it from becoming too serious. Even the ending has that ‘time for tea’ feel.
Sons of Sorrow is a flight of fantasy for the inner child!
April 16, 2022
Henk and Dave return to their hometown to attend a wedding for their friend Maria. The town still felt off to them after all these years possibly cursed. They soon discover there is much more happening then they thought.
There was a lot of mystery surrounding the small town of Sorrow from the beginning that always has you wondering what is coming next. It starts off wacky and things only intensify from there. The Head, Mo-Gro, the creatures, all these things mixed together create an unusual but comical read. It was interesting to learn the history of the town and how it tried to keep the Head satisfied over the years.
Back to the creatures. Clarke did a fantastic job with them. As more started popping up I was anxious to see what disaster they would bring upon the town. I have to say Square Boi may have been my favorite. He brings some pretty brutal elements to the book which I enjoyed.
There was a lot of mystery surrounding the small town of Sorrow from the beginning that always has you wondering what is coming next. It starts off wacky and things only intensify from there. The Head, Mo-Gro, the creatures, all these things mixed together create an unusual but comical read. It was interesting to learn the history of the town and how it tried to keep the Head satisfied over the years.
Back to the creatures. Clarke did a fantastic job with them. As more started popping up I was anxious to see what disaster they would bring upon the town. I have to say Square Boi may have been my favorite. He brings some pretty brutal elements to the book which I enjoyed.
The sounds of death and desperation seeped from every building they passed. There was no way they could help them all, so they opted to help none.
March 23, 2022
This book was a wild and imaginative ride that I'm still laughing at days later. This felt along the lines of Haunted Forest Tour but with less teeth and the boys from Supernatural at the helm. I received this as my first ARC and planned to read it in parts but the pacing and outlandish scenarios had me closing my tablet at 5am, pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this enough to read it again so I plan to buy a paperback copy when available and I absolutely recommend checking it out yourself!
March 26, 2022
I snagged an ARC of this book and finished it the next day. Two brothers, Henk and Dave, return to their hometown responding to the wedding invitation of an old friend, Maria. Is that all? Well, no. The town is a living nightmare and the old friend is acting weird. Why? Read it and find out. You’ll never guess what’s going on. A totally bizarre trip! I felt those blue fingers growing on my face as well. It’s like someone put the tv series Supernatural and Stranger Things and the 1980s movie The Goonies into a surreal blender, and this popped out. Totally unpredictable, weird beyond any propriety! The only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is that I really liked Maria and the ending made me cringe (the less said about that the better). There's raw humor, some fun twists and a lot of adventure!
March 25, 2022
Super weird stuff. A lot of fun. A good creepy atmosphere. Definitely need to read this one.
February 14, 2023
A great mix of bizarro and "normal" horror, this book would be great for those who want to start looking into the bizarro genre.
Henk and Dave are brothers who grew initially grew up in a town called Sorrow and together with another childhood friend Maria, formed their own scooby type gang to take down entities that plague their town and eventually get rid of them.
This book picks up after this period where they have all grown up and Henk and Dave who have now moved out of sorrow get an invite to Maria's Wedding. When they get there, they discover all is not as peaceful as it initially seems.
The interplay between characters is hilarious as are the entities and the situations that arise around them. There was many a moment where I had to stifle a laughter at what would have been an inappropriate time which is a big plus mark for this book.
Full of comedic, creepy moments, Matt somehow balances both to create a melting pot of pure bizarre genius. Will definitely be reading more of Matt's work.
Henk and Dave are brothers who grew initially grew up in a town called Sorrow and together with another childhood friend Maria, formed their own scooby type gang to take down entities that plague their town and eventually get rid of them.
This book picks up after this period where they have all grown up and Henk and Dave who have now moved out of sorrow get an invite to Maria's Wedding. When they get there, they discover all is not as peaceful as it initially seems.
The interplay between characters is hilarious as are the entities and the situations that arise around them. There was many a moment where I had to stifle a laughter at what would have been an inappropriate time which is a big plus mark for this book.
Full of comedic, creepy moments, Matt somehow balances both to create a melting pot of pure bizarre genius. Will definitely be reading more of Matt's work.
March 29, 2022
I have been enjoying Matthew Clarke’s work for a while now. I mean there aren’t many writers who can paint a picture of a beautiful sunset and use the word infection.
This story was slightly different. There were quite a few times it got genuinely terrifying and creepy and you don’t see it coming as it is nestled within his usual bizarro, surreal humour. I mean who would have thought a giant baby could be scary but it is!
There were a few nice plot twists and I got nicely invested in the characters and their many many issues.
If you like nipple clamps, school trips to the morgue and intense bin chasing scenes(actually my favourite part) this is the story for you.
This story was slightly different. There were quite a few times it got genuinely terrifying and creepy and you don’t see it coming as it is nestled within his usual bizarro, surreal humour. I mean who would have thought a giant baby could be scary but it is!
There were a few nice plot twists and I got nicely invested in the characters and their many many issues.
If you like nipple clamps, school trips to the morgue and intense bin chasing scenes(actually my favourite part) this is the story for you.
March 29, 2022
This was definitely an interesting read. Not my normal choice in books, so I was happy to accept an ARC and give it a try. Brothers Henk and Dave take the reader on some crazy twists and turns in this quick-paced, bizarre tale of the supernatural. This had a Meddling Kids vibe that went completely off the rails. Lots of fun. Obviously, you should give this a read.
August 14, 2022
This book was an absolute trip! I must be honest and say in the first few chapters I thought, WHAT AM I READING?! But as the story went on I enjoyed it more and more.
March 19, 2022
Definitely a bizarre/horror read. A little more out there than I would normally read but a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it!
April 12, 2022
This was an incredible first read of Matt Clarke's! The town of Sorrow has some weird shit going down, with a lovely little twist near the end. The author sold it as Stranger Things meets Scooby Doo, which I did not think possible. How wrong was I? The only bad thing about this book was turning the last page. Awesome book
March 25, 2022
Welcome to the Town of Mystery. Come and explore, and let it slowly reveal its secrets. Every village has its oddballs and yokels. And what a village of crazies. Every English village has its hidden dark secrets. So, “Come on, children. Let’s feed the Entity.” It’s a fun place to visit.
And sit back and let the Clarke brand of inventive crazy action barrel-ride you right to the climax end on a wave of Bizarro silliness. It’s full of farcical things to investigate and souvenirs to buy. Just don’t let the Pale Groper get you. But, for sure, it will stay with you. Maybe you’ll stay forever! [Please sign the waiver forms included.]
And sit back and let the Clarke brand of inventive crazy action barrel-ride you right to the climax end on a wave of Bizarro silliness. It’s full of farcical things to investigate and souvenirs to buy. Just don’t let the Pale Groper get you. But, for sure, it will stay with you. Maybe you’ll stay forever! [Please sign the waiver forms included.]
March 23, 2022
Rating is a solid 3.5 stars so rounding it up to 4 :)
I have not read a ton of the Bizarro genre, but was thoroughly entertained by this story. Sorrow is definitely a weird little town and we get to follow along as a pair of brothers, Henk & Dave, return to there after having left years prior. We spend time with Henk in particular who reminisces on how they came to form the Sons of Sorrow and solve various cooky cases, and falling back in that mode as cooky things appear to be popping up once more.
While I did find the story a tiny bit slow paced at first it didn't take very long for it to pick up and draw me in. My only wish is that there was more background description on some of these entities-- some of them are only very briefly mentioned and you are left wondering what their deal was.
I did also come across a point in the story where I though the situation was a bit ridiculous... but then it got even more ridiculous and the more ridiculous it got the more hilarious it became (yes remaining vague on purpose to keep spoilers away ;) ).
You definitely won't be bored with this story!
I have not read a ton of the Bizarro genre, but was thoroughly entertained by this story. Sorrow is definitely a weird little town and we get to follow along as a pair of brothers, Henk & Dave, return to there after having left years prior. We spend time with Henk in particular who reminisces on how they came to form the Sons of Sorrow and solve various cooky cases, and falling back in that mode as cooky things appear to be popping up once more.
While I did find the story a tiny bit slow paced at first it didn't take very long for it to pick up and draw me in. My only wish is that there was more background description on some of these entities-- some of them are only very briefly mentioned and you are left wondering what their deal was.
I did also come across a point in the story where I though the situation was a bit ridiculous... but then it got even more ridiculous and the more ridiculous it got the more hilarious it became (yes remaining vague on purpose to keep spoilers away ;) ).
You definitely won't be bored with this story!
March 26, 2022
I received an ARC of this great book. If you like weird and unexplainable - this is for you. It just gets stranger and stranger as the book goes on. Plus, there's no way you can guess what is going to happen next - it's a total mystery to the very end. Of course, there's a twist - but is it true - it can't be - it just can't be! Ohhhhhh - read for yourself to find out!
February 21, 2023
Weird and fuckin' hilarious.
August 15, 2022
Fun impulse buy
I could tell that this was a new writer and I wanted to show support, it had some of the problems you'd expect from an inexperienced author. But it was a fun story and I ended up putting off other books I was reading because it was fun
I could tell that this was a new writer and I wanted to show support, it had some of the problems you'd expect from an inexperienced author. But it was a fun story and I ended up putting off other books I was reading because it was fun
April 16, 2023
Clarke once again finds a way to make some pretty dark subject matter, light hearted and fun! Of course there are the fantastical Bizarro creatures and monsters, but there is much more going on here. Check it out, enjoy the ride!
February 23, 2024
Sons of Sorrow
Matthew A Clark
Do you like off the wall monsters? Then Sons of Sorrow is the book for you! This one was fast-paced and a bit quirky. With elements of horror and bizzaro, this one's got something for everyone!
🗿🗿🗿🗿
Matthew A Clark
Do you like off the wall monsters? Then Sons of Sorrow is the book for you! This one was fast-paced and a bit quirky. With elements of horror and bizzaro, this one's got something for everyone!
🗿🗿🗿🗿
March 25, 2022
Quirky monster chasing fun (well maybe it’s not so fun. . .)
February 17, 2024
Brothers Henk and Dave return to there hometown of Sorrow for a wedding and find themselves back fighting monsters like the old days. I really enjoyed this one. Entertaining and well paced
March 15, 2025
For me. 3.5 stars. Well its A comic and drug Induced tale that I have to say What the hell did I just read ? well written But not for me
September 14, 2022
I had a chuckle when I saw the book is dedicated to those who have ever dealt with a demonic entity 😈
Henk and Dave, brothers who escaped the blighted town of Sorrow, return for an old friend’s wedding. Chaos and a rising body count ensues.
I really picked up Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc vibes. If the gang were on mo gro….
All in all a fun read, although I was a little confused about where the plot was heading at some points haha.
Did the author pick random names/words out of a hat and string them together? AKA: Harman Notabaddie?? Henkthaniel?? My goodness 😆
Henk and Dave, brothers who escaped the blighted town of Sorrow, return for an old friend’s wedding. Chaos and a rising body count ensues.
I really picked up Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc vibes. If the gang were on mo gro….
All in all a fun read, although I was a little confused about where the plot was heading at some points haha.
Did the author pick random names/words out of a hat and string them together? AKA: Harman Notabaddie?? Henkthaniel?? My goodness 😆
August 9, 2025
A small town, weird things going on, haven't we seen this all before? No, not really as this story turns it on its head! Three friends are back together as fully fledged adults, back to fighting the various horrors in the town. Written as a 'here we go again' and nonchalant way brings humour and is fresh take on this small town big horror trope. I really enjoyed the different horrors as well as the characters and their interactions. Well crafted and interesting, this is a must for anyone who loves small town horror, this is something new.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews