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A Bouquet of Viscera
2023 Splatterpunk Award Winner for Best Collection and Best Short Story! An overzealous vigilante, who sees her victims' auras, finds herself in a very uncomfortable situation. A young woman, injected with a microchip in a futuristic America, develops unusual and grisly cravings. Four high school graduates end up on the menu of a giant, mutant sea creature. Diary entries share shocking and disturbing confessions...but who is the author? Bridgett Nelson, a fresh new talent in the world of horror, makes her debut with this short fiction collection containing these stories and more! These gory tales of revenge and retribution are sure to terrify and delight readers in equal measure. Before opening the pages of A BOUQUET OF VISCERA, be sure to take a deep, calming breath. Because these nightmare scenarios, and many others, are lurking under the covers and waiting just for you. Foreword by Ronald Kelly. Praise for A BOUQUET OF “From genuinely disturbing body horror, to savage sea creatures, to grisly satire and much more, this absolutely stellar collection has something for any horror fan who’s ready to be kicked in the gut. It’s dark stuff, sometimes very dark, so don’t come crying to me if you can’t handle it!” – Jeff Strand, author of CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS "Gnarly and excellent, the stories in A BOUQUET OF VISCERA will grab you by the throat and not let you go." - Richard Dansky, author of GHOST OF A MARRIAGE
220 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2022
86 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
Bridgett Nelson
41 books614 followersOnce an operating room registered nurse, Bridgett Nelson so enjoyed playing with human organs, she decided to turn her macabre interest into a horror writing career. She loves bubble baths (because nothing says spooooky writer like orange-scented bubbles), hates not knowing what’s swimming in the water with her, lives for Halloween season (but loathes chainsaw-wielding dudes in haunted houses), adores her West Virginia University Mountaineers, is very pro-Oxford comma, and thinks bananas are absolutely disgusting.
Her first collection, A Bouquet of Viscera, is a two-time Splatterpunk Award winner, recognized both for the collection itself and its standout story, "Jinx." Deadgirl, the novelization of the cult classic film, is now available from Encyclopocalypse Publications and includes forewords from the film's actors, Noah Segan and Shiloh Fernandez, a Q&A from screenwriter, Trent Haaga, and a fan fiction piece from noted horror author, Jeff Strand. Her latest collection, Embracing the Profane, includes fifteen extreme stories that play on Bridgett's dark humor and twisted brain. She is also the author of Poisoned Pink, What the Fuck Was That?, Sweet, Sour, & Spicy, and Red Inside, a finalist in the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl.
Her work has appeared in multiple anthologies, including the iconic Deathrealm Spirits, Crystal Lake's Hotel Macabre, Edward Lee's Erotic Horror for Horny Housewives, The Rack, GhabaGhoul, To Hell and Back, Evil Little Fucks, Y'all Ain't Right, Splatterpunk's Basement of Horror, Dark Disasters, October Screams, American Cannibal, A Woman Unbecoming, and the legendary Splatterpunk Zine.
Bridgett is working on her first original novel, a sequel novel to her most popular short story, and a collaborative novel with a very funny writer.
When Edward Lee read her story "Giggly," available in the Poisoned Pink collection, he said to her:
"Giggly kicked my ass. Outstanding job! I need therapy now."
Bridgett is mom to Parker and Autumn, three pugs, a Saint Bernard, and a ball python. She is a 2022 Michael Knost WINGS award nominee, won second-place in the '22 Gross-Out contest at KillerCon in Austin, Texas, and third-place in the ’23 Gross-Out contest.
She's a freelance editor. Audiobook proofer. Bookworm. Dog lover. Tarantula whisperer. Bra avoider. ENJF. Amaretto Sour obsessor. She/her.
Bridgett currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota, with Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Jeff Strand, and their ball python, Indie Hellspawn McFangy Serenity Strand.
Visit her website at www.bridgettnelson.com.
Her first collection, A Bouquet of Viscera, is a two-time Splatterpunk Award winner, recognized both for the collection itself and its standout story, "Jinx." Deadgirl, the novelization of the cult classic film, is now available from Encyclopocalypse Publications and includes forewords from the film's actors, Noah Segan and Shiloh Fernandez, a Q&A from screenwriter, Trent Haaga, and a fan fiction piece from noted horror author, Jeff Strand. Her latest collection, Embracing the Profane, includes fifteen extreme stories that play on Bridgett's dark humor and twisted brain. She is also the author of Poisoned Pink, What the Fuck Was That?, Sweet, Sour, & Spicy, and Red Inside, a finalist in the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl.
Her work has appeared in multiple anthologies, including the iconic Deathrealm Spirits, Crystal Lake's Hotel Macabre, Edward Lee's Erotic Horror for Horny Housewives, The Rack, GhabaGhoul, To Hell and Back, Evil Little Fucks, Y'all Ain't Right, Splatterpunk's Basement of Horror, Dark Disasters, October Screams, American Cannibal, A Woman Unbecoming, and the legendary Splatterpunk Zine.
Bridgett is working on her first original novel, a sequel novel to her most popular short story, and a collaborative novel with a very funny writer.
When Edward Lee read her story "Giggly," available in the Poisoned Pink collection, he said to her:
"Giggly kicked my ass. Outstanding job! I need therapy now."
Bridgett is mom to Parker and Autumn, three pugs, a Saint Bernard, and a ball python. She is a 2022 Michael Knost WINGS award nominee, won second-place in the '22 Gross-Out contest at KillerCon in Austin, Texas, and third-place in the ’23 Gross-Out contest.
She's a freelance editor. Audiobook proofer. Bookworm. Dog lover. Tarantula whisperer. Bra avoider. ENJF. Amaretto Sour obsessor. She/her.
Bridgett currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota, with Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Jeff Strand, and their ball python, Indie Hellspawn McFangy Serenity Strand.
Visit her website at www.bridgettnelson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
December 25, 2022
Full review available at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...
Wow!!
Bridgett Nelson is a name that has popped up a lot lately, so my expectations were high going into this. How could it not be? Both Ronald Kelly (who did the foreword) and Jeff Strand (who did the blurb) endorsed this book – no small feat for a debut.
Well, most Indie authors write their first work and hope to get a foot in the door. Bridgett used another approach. She stormed through it like it was an old cowboy saloon with swinging doors, both hands fisted with a raised middle finger and screamed:
“Here I am, bitches, let’s get this party started!”
This does not read like a debut. It is well polished, clever, original and dynamic. Right off the bat, the story “Auras” shows you not only the strength of her writing, but just how clever she can be. There was not a single story that I felt was one dimensional and, while it might be clear she comes from a medical background, the ideas were vastly different.
I am willing to go all in with this author – don’t let the pretty smile fool ya, she’s got a twisted imagination and the writing skills to back it up. If she keeps at it, I predict she will become a name and force to be reckoned with in the industry.
BUT:
“Content Warning
A graphic, violent sexual assault is depicted in this story. It may not be suitable for all readers.”
That’s the way the story “Jinx” starts. You’d do well to heed that warning.
For those of you who may not be familiar with me, I read a lot of extreme and splatterpunk horror. I might be desensitized to certain things by now. But this story – and I am not saying this lightly – is the darkest short story I have ever read. In fact, currently it falls in the top 3 darkest STORIES I have ever read.
If you are familiar with either THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Jack Ketchum or WHAT GOOD GIRLS DO by Jonathan Butcher, this one is right up there with them. It rips your insides to shreds and you feel not only sick afterwards, but sickened.
I CAN NOT STATE THIS STRONGLY ENOUGH:
If you are not an extreme horror or splatterpunk fan, who’ve got some experience under your belt with the genre, DO NOT read this one. It WILL upset you. Fuck, I am seasoned and it upset me. Don’t try to be a hero, it is not going to work. Just enjoy the rest of the book, because it is a great read.
So far this year, this book has been the most impressive.
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...
Wow!!
Bridgett Nelson is a name that has popped up a lot lately, so my expectations were high going into this. How could it not be? Both Ronald Kelly (who did the foreword) and Jeff Strand (who did the blurb) endorsed this book – no small feat for a debut.
Well, most Indie authors write their first work and hope to get a foot in the door. Bridgett used another approach. She stormed through it like it was an old cowboy saloon with swinging doors, both hands fisted with a raised middle finger and screamed:
“Here I am, bitches, let’s get this party started!”
This does not read like a debut. It is well polished, clever, original and dynamic. Right off the bat, the story “Auras” shows you not only the strength of her writing, but just how clever she can be. There was not a single story that I felt was one dimensional and, while it might be clear she comes from a medical background, the ideas were vastly different.
I am willing to go all in with this author – don’t let the pretty smile fool ya, she’s got a twisted imagination and the writing skills to back it up. If she keeps at it, I predict she will become a name and force to be reckoned with in the industry.
BUT:
“Content Warning
A graphic, violent sexual assault is depicted in this story. It may not be suitable for all readers.”
That’s the way the story “Jinx” starts. You’d do well to heed that warning.
For those of you who may not be familiar with me, I read a lot of extreme and splatterpunk horror. I might be desensitized to certain things by now. But this story – and I am not saying this lightly – is the darkest short story I have ever read. In fact, currently it falls in the top 3 darkest STORIES I have ever read.
If you are familiar with either THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Jack Ketchum or WHAT GOOD GIRLS DO by Jonathan Butcher, this one is right up there with them. It rips your insides to shreds and you feel not only sick afterwards, but sickened.
I CAN NOT STATE THIS STRONGLY ENOUGH:
If you are not an extreme horror or splatterpunk fan, who’ve got some experience under your belt with the genre, DO NOT read this one. It WILL upset you. Fuck, I am seasoned and it upset me. Don’t try to be a hero, it is not going to work. Just enjoy the rest of the book, because it is a great read.
So far this year, this book has been the most impressive.
April 24, 2022
So it should come as no surprise that I loved this compilation. Writing an engaging short story is hard. It’s hard to hook, develop, keep the reader’s interest, and then wrap up a complete, cogent story in 10,000 to maybe 15,000 words.
And spoiler alert, I’m going to unapologetically gush here because I have loved seeing Bridgett Nelson grow in much deserved popularity.
First off, this cover is pure, horrifically visceral, sicko genius. I want to hire the person who came up with his as my guy-in-the-padded-room-that-I-keep-on-retainer-as-a-twisted-as-hell-demented-consultant-who-answers-at-my-beck-and-call. As an extension on this idea, I really thought the graphic used as scene breaks.
Now on to the stories…
The collection starts in earnest with Auras , a tale about a vigilante with a sort of pre-cognitive way to see what people's crimes are (and then respond with what is so far appropriate levels of retributive violence). Very creative. It was a great sort of revenge by proxy coupled with the complex issues of vigilantism. And a brutal vigilante the MC is. It’s pretty aptly “visceral” in the way the MC reacts to taking the law into their own hands. It makes one consider whether the “cure” is better than the problem of the crime that spurs the MC. And this one also had a pretty cool ending. Oh, and as far as,
Ever since I first read Political Suicide in an SSP compilation, it blew me away. Still does. Damn. This one remains one of the best short stories I have EVER read in my whole life. And I am not just saying that. (Although a later one in this volume is pretty damn close.) It has, hands down, the best first line: It has a good, sympathetic protagonist, a despicable antagonist, lots of suspense, and plenty of thriller/horror emotions it evokes. I wish this could be required reading for politicians. It has really good suspense. I didn’t know how it was going to develop or if the character was really going to go through with what I thought she would or if she would do something different that the antagonist also deserved. I liked the contrast of how the MC acts when confronting the bad guy politician and her dialogue vs. the inner thoughts. This one has—and will—stay with me for a long time. Okay, I do have one sort of tongue in cheek sort of beef with this one. The MC characterizes But she redeems herself with one of my now currently favorite insults for a person who acts like a jerk. You’ll just have to read it to know what I’m talking about.
Spores was pretty damn gross. Holy hostile takeovers, Batman! I’ve got a strong stomach. But I have to say, this story almost ruins me for mushrooms. So Ms. Nelson, thanks a lot for that! Yeesh! But it’s also a really great, creative story. My only really soft critique on this one is that I did candidly wonder why But I accepted the narrative explanation so it was pretty easy to move on.
Then Invader offers up a wonderfully grisly revenge story. A great creature feature. I’m a huge sucker (pun intended) for a plot twist at the end and Invader sure as hell delivers on that! It also was probably among the scariest of the bunch because she conjures up an iteration of a creature that most people – and me especially – would find very difficult to face without . I remember This got to me too because it is a great story set once again in the PNW! Nelson also does a great job of putting you in the character’s head that she wants you to see. I was utterly convinced of the teenagers’ minds and actions. They exuded authenticity with their dialogue, thoughts and how they narrated the events from their point of view. The deaths were entertaining to say the least. Another job well done.
Cooked!: This one is different from Nelson’s normal fare (another pun intended!). It will challenge you, I promise. It is a new take on a zombie sort of story. Such a cool idea. It takes all the vivid stuff that life has thrown at humanity the last several years and extrapolates and riffs on it to a frightening extreme. Largely because there is quite a bit of it that might—just might—be plausible. That being said, at first I was thinking But then she explained it in a narrative way that made sense so I went with it. Also had a great, “visceral,” twisty end. One thing that Nelson excels at is revenge tales. (More on that below). This one was no different. Nicely done!
The one that ended up surprising me the most was another sort of vigilante tale in Reflections . I never saw this ending coming. Truthfully, there were parts I was hoping might be a bit more graphic, but that too is a very soft idea on my part. I suppose if she had, it might have been over the top.
And then there’s Jinx . Hmmm… Where to start. I guess, it would be definitely heed the warning. It’s not a typical revenge tale like the others. It’s moving and heart-wrenching and will make you question whether humanity can conceivably have any goodness. It was different for another reason that I can’t really get into without ruining the whole feel of it, even if I were to use a spoiler tag. I want you to think very carefully about it before you reveal this spoiler because it is horrific— I wanted everything to be okay for Jinx, but of course it can’t be and that is what makes it so horrifying. And it was like a punch to my head, even days later, because even as I type this, another thought occurred to me as to what I think Nelson was trying to get across. It was an idea that made me so despondently sad I’m struggling to see these words through teary ears. But toward the end, Jinx I might not be expressing this idea very well. It is just the thought that occurred to me as I ruminated on this story.
The Show Must Go On: was marvelously creative. As you sit and read it you might be tempted to compare it to a typical sort of ghost story. When you start, it certainly seemed like, on its surface, a straightforward tale to me. That in itself is not a bad thing. It’s just that it can be hard to pull off and seem interesting at the same time. But as I got toward the end, I realized it doesn’t really matter because as you progress through this story, The Show Must Go On took ideas of haunting, desperate ambition, love, violence, fear taking what doesn’t belong to you and added little ideas that made it, in my humble opinion, intriguingly nuanced and a joy to read. The same goes for the imagery created, whether describing feelings or people. For example, there is a part where it says someone had That, to me, is just one of many ways that she created a person that was instantly distinguishable from what might have otherwise been a stereotyped description. Just a little tiny thing that made that character special. Or how Also, how the main baddie dispatched their victims felt pretty insanely brutal and visceral (yup, there’s that word again and how applicable it is to this collection) and interesting at the same time. Oh, and it had a twist (which by now I hope you can see I’m always a sucker for) that I never in A MILLION YEARS would have guessed or seen coming. The whole story also gives new meaning to the phrases be careful what you wish for and being sold a bill of goods.
Another nice touch was having the author’s notes at the end. That was cool to get a glimpse of insight into what she was thinking, her personal history as it relates to the inspiration, and her humor.
I totally recommend this volume.
And spoiler alert, I’m going to unapologetically gush here because I have loved seeing Bridgett Nelson grow in much deserved popularity.
First off, this cover is pure, horrifically visceral, sicko genius. I want to hire the person who came up with his as my guy-in-the-padded-room-that-I-keep-on-retainer-as-a-twisted-as-hell-demented-consultant-who-answers-at-my-beck-and-call. As an extension on this idea, I really thought the graphic used as scene breaks.
Now on to the stories…
The collection starts in earnest with Auras , a tale about a vigilante with a sort of pre-cognitive way to see what people's crimes are (and then respond with what is so far appropriate levels of retributive violence). Very creative. It was a great sort of revenge by proxy coupled with the complex issues of vigilantism. And a brutal vigilante the MC is. It’s pretty aptly “visceral” in the way the MC reacts to taking the law into their own hands. It makes one consider whether the “cure” is better than the problem of the crime that spurs the MC. And this one also had a pretty cool ending. Oh, and as far as,
Ever since I first read Political Suicide in an SSP compilation, it blew me away. Still does. Damn. This one remains one of the best short stories I have EVER read in my whole life. And I am not just saying that. (Although a later one in this volume is pretty damn close.) It has, hands down, the best first line: It has a good, sympathetic protagonist, a despicable antagonist, lots of suspense, and plenty of thriller/horror emotions it evokes. I wish this could be required reading for politicians. It has really good suspense. I didn’t know how it was going to develop or if the character was really going to go through with what I thought she would or if she would do something different that the antagonist also deserved. I liked the contrast of how the MC acts when confronting the bad guy politician and her dialogue vs. the inner thoughts. This one has—and will—stay with me for a long time. Okay, I do have one sort of tongue in cheek sort of beef with this one. The MC characterizes But she redeems herself with one of my now currently favorite insults for a person who acts like a jerk. You’ll just have to read it to know what I’m talking about.
Spores was pretty damn gross. Holy hostile takeovers, Batman! I’ve got a strong stomach. But I have to say, this story almost ruins me for mushrooms. So Ms. Nelson, thanks a lot for that! Yeesh! But it’s also a really great, creative story. My only really soft critique on this one is that I did candidly wonder why But I accepted the narrative explanation so it was pretty easy to move on.
Then Invader offers up a wonderfully grisly revenge story. A great creature feature. I’m a huge sucker (pun intended) for a plot twist at the end and Invader sure as hell delivers on that! It also was probably among the scariest of the bunch because she conjures up an iteration of a creature that most people – and me especially – would find very difficult to face without . I remember This got to me too because it is a great story set once again in the PNW! Nelson also does a great job of putting you in the character’s head that she wants you to see. I was utterly convinced of the teenagers’ minds and actions. They exuded authenticity with their dialogue, thoughts and how they narrated the events from their point of view. The deaths were entertaining to say the least. Another job well done.
Cooked!: This one is different from Nelson’s normal fare (another pun intended!). It will challenge you, I promise. It is a new take on a zombie sort of story. Such a cool idea. It takes all the vivid stuff that life has thrown at humanity the last several years and extrapolates and riffs on it to a frightening extreme. Largely because there is quite a bit of it that might—just might—be plausible. That being said, at first I was thinking But then she explained it in a narrative way that made sense so I went with it. Also had a great, “visceral,” twisty end. One thing that Nelson excels at is revenge tales. (More on that below). This one was no different. Nicely done!
The one that ended up surprising me the most was another sort of vigilante tale in Reflections . I never saw this ending coming. Truthfully, there were parts I was hoping might be a bit more graphic, but that too is a very soft idea on my part. I suppose if she had, it might have been over the top.
And then there’s Jinx . Hmmm… Where to start. I guess, it would be definitely heed the warning. It’s not a typical revenge tale like the others. It’s moving and heart-wrenching and will make you question whether humanity can conceivably have any goodness. It was different for another reason that I can’t really get into without ruining the whole feel of it, even if I were to use a spoiler tag. I want you to think very carefully about it before you reveal this spoiler because it is horrific— I wanted everything to be okay for Jinx, but of course it can’t be and that is what makes it so horrifying. And it was like a punch to my head, even days later, because even as I type this, another thought occurred to me as to what I think Nelson was trying to get across. It was an idea that made me so despondently sad I’m struggling to see these words through teary ears. But toward the end, Jinx I might not be expressing this idea very well. It is just the thought that occurred to me as I ruminated on this story.
The Show Must Go On: was marvelously creative. As you sit and read it you might be tempted to compare it to a typical sort of ghost story. When you start, it certainly seemed like, on its surface, a straightforward tale to me. That in itself is not a bad thing. It’s just that it can be hard to pull off and seem interesting at the same time. But as I got toward the end, I realized it doesn’t really matter because as you progress through this story, The Show Must Go On took ideas of haunting, desperate ambition, love, violence, fear taking what doesn’t belong to you and added little ideas that made it, in my humble opinion, intriguingly nuanced and a joy to read. The same goes for the imagery created, whether describing feelings or people. For example, there is a part where it says someone had That, to me, is just one of many ways that she created a person that was instantly distinguishable from what might have otherwise been a stereotyped description. Just a little tiny thing that made that character special. Or how Also, how the main baddie dispatched their victims felt pretty insanely brutal and visceral (yup, there’s that word again and how applicable it is to this collection) and interesting at the same time. Oh, and it had a twist (which by now I hope you can see I’m always a sucker for) that I never in A MILLION YEARS would have guessed or seen coming. The whole story also gives new meaning to the phrases be careful what you wish for and being sold a bill of goods.
Another nice touch was having the author’s notes at the end. That was cool to get a glimpse of insight into what she was thinking, her personal history as it relates to the inspiration, and her humor.
I totally recommend this volume.
February 24, 2022
As I said in my blurb: From genuinely disturbing body horror, to savage sea creatures, to grisly satire and much more, this absolutely stellar collection has something for any horror fan who’s ready to be kicked in the gut. It’s dark stuff, sometimes very dark, so don’t come crying to me if you can’t handle it!
July 10, 2022
A first collection of short horror stories from the very promising Bridgett Nelson. The stories are cleverly conceived and well written even if they tend to lack the bite that one feels will come in time. My favorite was ‘Spore’ which gradually got more and more repulsive as it got nearer and nearer to the end. It's a very readable debut collection and she's a writer to keep an eye out for in the future!
April 29, 2022
Story 5/5
Narration 2/5
I loved all the stories!
Number 1, 5, 7 and 8 are my favorites.
Narration 2/5
I loved all the stories!
Number 1, 5, 7 and 8 are my favorites.
April 27, 2022
Wow, wow, wow! This collection blew me away. I loved every single story, all so clever and original. Jinx is one of the most brutal stories I’ve ever read, heed the content warning for that one. I’m an instant Bridgett Nelson fan, her writing is phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. This book is one of my favourites of the year.
September 7, 2022
A diverse collection of stories.
Nothing that really blew me away, but, I had fun with some of these stories. The new take on zombies was one of my favourites. There's plenty of body horror -which is always a good thing. The crown jewel of this collection for me though, was 'The Show Must Go On'. A cracking tale about a cursed theatre, with a cool twist.
3.5 Stars.
Nothing that really blew me away, but, I had fun with some of these stories. The new take on zombies was one of my favourites. There's plenty of body horror -which is always a good thing. The crown jewel of this collection for me though, was 'The Show Must Go On'. A cracking tale about a cursed theatre, with a cool twist.
3.5 Stars.
June 25, 2022
Well damn!! I’m not a huge anthology fan but these stories were great Ms. Nelson !
Great variety of stories that kept my interest.
Her ability to grab the reader so quickly for such short stories bodes to her amazing ability to write and write well!
I do get early King and Koontz vibes from these stories with added and amped up gore and horror . While I wouldn’t call this true splatterpunk, they hold their own.
My fav story was jinx. Damn brutal , touchy and painful 😓. My heart ached for the women.
I’d love to see a full novel from this young amazing writer 😁
You have a fan!
Great variety of stories that kept my interest.
Her ability to grab the reader so quickly for such short stories bodes to her amazing ability to write and write well!
I do get early King and Koontz vibes from these stories with added and amped up gore and horror . While I wouldn’t call this true splatterpunk, they hold their own.
My fav story was jinx. Damn brutal , touchy and painful 😓. My heart ached for the women.
I’d love to see a full novel from this young amazing writer 😁
You have a fan!
June 22, 2022
An Outstanding Collection!
If you're a horror fan, there's a lot to love in this one. I enjoyed all the stories, but "Jinx" is my favorite. Nelson's prose is luminous, and her settings, pacing, and characterizations are excellent. I'm looking forward to more from this author. Highly recommended!
If you're a horror fan, there's a lot to love in this one. I enjoyed all the stories, but "Jinx" is my favorite. Nelson's prose is luminous, and her settings, pacing, and characterizations are excellent. I'm looking forward to more from this author. Highly recommended!
August 31, 2023
Five freaking Viscera flowers, stars ⭐
I loved every story from the book, I was of course fan of Jinx but Spore, wow. I'm such a fan of body horror. Not one bad story. I'm officially a Bridgett Nelson fan
I loved every story from the book, I was of course fan of Jinx but Spore, wow. I'm such a fan of body horror. Not one bad story. I'm officially a Bridgett Nelson fan
May 13, 2022
HOLY COW!
First of all: the cover art is amazing!
Secondly: I loved every single story in this book, with Jinx being my favorite. After reading it I had to put my Kindle down and let the story sink in. Jinx is brutal and as a woman, It will leave a seriously bad taste in your mouth. However, being a woman also makes you understand this story, the importance of it and its truth.
This book has it all. Sea Creatures, Fungus, Revenge Murder, Auras, Zombies (that stories was fun... ), and a greedy, envious ghost that makes a bad deal.
This book truly has it all. And I have a new favorite author.
First of all: the cover art is amazing!
Secondly: I loved every single story in this book, with Jinx being my favorite. After reading it I had to put my Kindle down and let the story sink in. Jinx is brutal and as a woman, It will leave a seriously bad taste in your mouth. However, being a woman also makes you understand this story, the importance of it and its truth.
This book has it all. Sea Creatures, Fungus, Revenge Murder, Auras, Zombies (that stories was fun... ), and a greedy, envious ghost that makes a bad deal.
This book truly has it all. And I have a new favorite author.
July 1, 2022
Wow! I finished the one last night and I’m still thinking about it this morning. This is my first read by Bridgett Nelson and it won’t be my last. Out of all the stories in “A Bouquet of Viscera”, I loved ‘Spores’. There aren’t many things that can utterly creep me out, but fungus definitely does. All the stories in here are grisly (to say the least), and I couldn’t stop reading. If you love horror and short stories, you should definitely check this one out; you won’t be disappointed.
‘Auras’- 5/5 this was definitely a unique story with an ending that had me like 😬.
‘Political Suicide’- 5/5 Great plot, story and ending.
‘Spores’-5/5 This one is my favorite. Strange fungus, body horror and a lot of creepy moments.
‘Invader’-5/5 Horrifying ocean creatures and teenagers, need I say more?
‘Cooked!’-5/5 A new take on a zombie(?) story.
‘Reflections’-5/5 Very interesting, unnerving, gross and kept me questioning.
‘Jinx’-3/5 Okay, this was the only one I really didn’t care for; not to say it wasn’t well written. (This one has a hard CW)
‘The Show Must Go On’-5/5 I love supernatural horror and this one takes place in a theater (win-win)!
‘Auras’- 5/5 this was definitely a unique story with an ending that had me like 😬.
‘Political Suicide’- 5/5 Great plot, story and ending.
‘Spores’-5/5 This one is my favorite. Strange fungus, body horror and a lot of creepy moments.
‘Invader’-5/5 Horrifying ocean creatures and teenagers, need I say more?
‘Cooked!’-5/5 A new take on a zombie(?) story.
‘Reflections’-5/5 Very interesting, unnerving, gross and kept me questioning.
‘Jinx’-3/5 Okay, this was the only one I really didn’t care for; not to say it wasn’t well written. (This one has a hard CW)
‘The Show Must Go On’-5/5 I love supernatural horror and this one takes place in a theater (win-win)!
June 18, 2022
West Virginia is definitely pumping out some new writers. It's a collection of longer shorts, some will hit better than others of course.
June 25, 2022
Every single one of these short stories is absolutely fantastic!!
April 23, 2022
Blooms of cratered flesh, plasma that drips like nectar, and an entire well-tended garden of mutilation and disturbia...this is what you'll find in Bridgett Nelson's Bouquet of Viscera.
This collection features lush prose, revolting imagery, and psychological onslaughts that take the reader by the throat and squeeze until the final page.
Nelson's writing style is confident & meticulous, and one central theme that jumped out to me in all of her stories is the realism of medical terminology and knowledge of anatomy. I know Nelson has past experience working in the medical field, and that bleeds over into her fiction, making every single scene of bodily destruction feel wholeheartedly authentic.
Favorite stories were:
Spores: A fungal nightmare, body horror done right.
Cooked: Full of twists & turns and it pulls inspiration from the pandemic.
Jinx: This story was insanely dark, harrowing, and the ending is a shiv to the heart that twists. I loved this one most of all.
A debut collection from Nelson, but this Appalachian author is making waves in the world of horror fiction, and I can't wait to see what she sets her sights on next.
This collection features lush prose, revolting imagery, and psychological onslaughts that take the reader by the throat and squeeze until the final page.
Nelson's writing style is confident & meticulous, and one central theme that jumped out to me in all of her stories is the realism of medical terminology and knowledge of anatomy. I know Nelson has past experience working in the medical field, and that bleeds over into her fiction, making every single scene of bodily destruction feel wholeheartedly authentic.
Favorite stories were:
Spores: A fungal nightmare, body horror done right.
Cooked: Full of twists & turns and it pulls inspiration from the pandemic.
Jinx: This story was insanely dark, harrowing, and the ending is a shiv to the heart that twists. I loved this one most of all.
A debut collection from Nelson, but this Appalachian author is making waves in the world of horror fiction, and I can't wait to see what she sets her sights on next.
June 25, 2022
Absolutely stunning book from the cover to all the stories inside. I sat down with this one and didn't get up until I finished it.
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
April 25, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK
This one starts with a bang with the short story, "Auras" and continues on through revenge, disgusting body horror, sea monsters, zombies, and ghosts. I will say, heed the content warning with "Jinx." It was difficult to read.
My favorites were "Auras" and "Cooked," but they are all written well.
I also really dug the author notes at the very end of the book. I wish more authors did this!
This one starts with a bang with the short story, "Auras" and continues on through revenge, disgusting body horror, sea monsters, zombies, and ghosts. I will say, heed the content warning with "Jinx." It was difficult to read.
My favorites were "Auras" and "Cooked," but they are all written well.
I also really dug the author notes at the very end of the book. I wish more authors did this!
January 28, 2023
What a great collection of stories. Each story was very different and on different scales of horror. This would make a great tv mini series. My favorites are
Spores
Invader
Jinx
Spores
Invader
Jinx
October 3, 2022
I absolutely adore short stories as it gives me a nice break in between the longer murder mysteries I read. In fact, I had this pulled up on my computer at work and read the stories in between patient calls! I may or may not have let a few of them go to voicemail, especially while reading "Cooked" this afternoon. I may be re-thinking my flu vaccine now.. (just kidding!) The stories are gross, bloody, horrific, sometimes funny, and filled with a lot of revenge, or what I like to call Karma!
The only thing that was a disappointment was I bought this in the Kindle edition. I'm going to purchase the Hardback so I can display this book proudly on my coffee table. It's such a unique and beautifully designed book. I will definitely be reading her other books for sure!
Happy Spooky Season reading!!
The only thing that was a disappointment was I bought this in the Kindle edition. I'm going to purchase the Hardback so I can display this book proudly on my coffee table. It's such a unique and beautifully designed book. I will definitely be reading her other books for sure!
Happy Spooky Season reading!!
March 17, 2022
A Bouquet of Viscera has everything you’d want in a collection of short horror: Demons, ghosts, vengeful spirits, hunters of evil, and a story so dark and bleak it rates its own content warning. An awesome addition to any horror lover’s collection. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Nelson in the future.
May 15, 2022
Bridgett Nelson is already an inspiration to me and this is a debut others should envy.
I first met Bridgett at Scares That Care and got Bouquet shortly after. It took me a while to review it because it is not an easy collection TO review. I will warn everyone: Bridgett pulls no punches in these stories, so I will be pulling none in regards to spoilers. You, my friends, have been warned.
The first story is "Auras," a black comedy vigilante tale of Blair, the latest heir in a family line who can see auras that expose crimes. As explained by her supportive grandmother, their family are vigilantes. In fact, they murder the living hell out of people who deserve it and Blair wastes little time in dedicating herself to following in those footsteps. As I will be saying again and again? Bridgett Nelson "goes there." The story is unapologetic in how visceral it is. Blair tortures her victims. She murders them. She has sex with them for the sheer enjoyment of it and she gains sexual pleasure while torturing them. It's brutal, it's funny and it's enjoyable, with a pretty dark twist...granted, there is a slight feeling of "wait, what now?" When that particular curtain is lifted. We're left to wonder if Blair is really an instrument of justice. But here's the thing:
She doesn't really care overmuch. She gets hers and erases people brutally who she feels deserve it. We're along for the ride.
The next story I want to discuss is "Invaders." A full revenge story, a delightful little tale of a wronged girlfriend really getting a bit back on a cheating boyfriend and best friend. And takes place right by the sea. The sea is scary. Ocean creatures are scary. Lampreys are really, really scary. nd that's what we get: a fun, gory story that is almost a breather from the visceral rawness of many others. I was having fun with this, up to the final "Good For Her!" moment at the end.
And here's the moment I've been avoiding. Let's talk about Jinx.
Jinx is a story of the Rape And Revenge genre. I Spit On Your Grave, Revenge...Jinx is a teenager, violated cruelly by a group of privileged scumbags and grows up tormented by the experience, craving revenge. Nothing, not her loving girlfriend, not her good sense, not the insurmountable odds can turn her from it.
This story broke my heart. I hated it. I loved it. I found myself loving Jinx, which seems strange to say for a character who never existed. Her thoughts, her internalization of her pain, the skill in which this is conveyed, her past and how she tries to break from it but cannot...all of it embedded itself in my heart thanks to people I have known and circumstances I have seen. I wished Jinx had more people, to tell her it wasn't her fault. To love her as she deserved. To help her beyond her pain. But she chooses revenge.
And she fails.
Jinx's revenge avails her nothing. Her girlfriend is murdered. Jinx is left to watch, dying with her only victory being her defiance. I hated it. I coiuldn't look away. I read through tears when I realize,d reading it again in the hopes I was wrong, that Bridgett Nelson wouldn't do this to such a character. That she would move on. That she could be happy at the end of it.
But there wasn't. And I mourned Jinx for it so much. I wanted to reread it, in hopes I could change it somehow, that she could move on and stop her path, to be happy. But she wouldn't be Jinx if she did that, would she? I know Jinx is not real, but I wanted to tell her she was not a curse, that she didn't bring misfortune. The only victory she has is her defiance, her refusal to fear. If her violators find justice, it won't be at her hands. We can hope karma will catch them, but Jinx's story is over, at leaat in this life.
I'm still thinking of it. Despondent and tragic, and in the hands of a lesser writer it would fail. But Bridgett Nelson goes there. And wow.
Now please write a sequel where her ghost kills these guys. Please?
4.5/5. Wow.
I first met Bridgett at Scares That Care and got Bouquet shortly after. It took me a while to review it because it is not an easy collection TO review. I will warn everyone: Bridgett pulls no punches in these stories, so I will be pulling none in regards to spoilers. You, my friends, have been warned.
The first story is "Auras," a black comedy vigilante tale of Blair, the latest heir in a family line who can see auras that expose crimes. As explained by her supportive grandmother, their family are vigilantes. In fact, they murder the living hell out of people who deserve it and Blair wastes little time in dedicating herself to following in those footsteps. As I will be saying again and again? Bridgett Nelson "goes there." The story is unapologetic in how visceral it is. Blair tortures her victims. She murders them. She has sex with them for the sheer enjoyment of it and she gains sexual pleasure while torturing them. It's brutal, it's funny and it's enjoyable, with a pretty dark twist...granted, there is a slight feeling of "wait, what now?" When that particular curtain is lifted. We're left to wonder if Blair is really an instrument of justice. But here's the thing:
She doesn't really care overmuch. She gets hers and erases people brutally who she feels deserve it. We're along for the ride.
The next story I want to discuss is "Invaders." A full revenge story, a delightful little tale of a wronged girlfriend really getting a bit back on a cheating boyfriend and best friend. And takes place right by the sea. The sea is scary. Ocean creatures are scary. Lampreys are really, really scary. nd that's what we get: a fun, gory story that is almost a breather from the visceral rawness of many others. I was having fun with this, up to the final "Good For Her!" moment at the end.
And here's the moment I've been avoiding. Let's talk about Jinx.
Jinx is a story of the Rape And Revenge genre. I Spit On Your Grave, Revenge...Jinx is a teenager, violated cruelly by a group of privileged scumbags and grows up tormented by the experience, craving revenge. Nothing, not her loving girlfriend, not her good sense, not the insurmountable odds can turn her from it.
This story broke my heart. I hated it. I loved it. I found myself loving Jinx, which seems strange to say for a character who never existed. Her thoughts, her internalization of her pain, the skill in which this is conveyed, her past and how she tries to break from it but cannot...all of it embedded itself in my heart thanks to people I have known and circumstances I have seen. I wished Jinx had more people, to tell her it wasn't her fault. To love her as she deserved. To help her beyond her pain. But she chooses revenge.
And she fails.
Jinx's revenge avails her nothing. Her girlfriend is murdered. Jinx is left to watch, dying with her only victory being her defiance. I hated it. I coiuldn't look away. I read through tears when I realize,d reading it again in the hopes I was wrong, that Bridgett Nelson wouldn't do this to such a character. That she would move on. That she could be happy at the end of it.
But there wasn't. And I mourned Jinx for it so much. I wanted to reread it, in hopes I could change it somehow, that she could move on and stop her path, to be happy. But she wouldn't be Jinx if she did that, would she? I know Jinx is not real, but I wanted to tell her she was not a curse, that she didn't bring misfortune. The only victory she has is her defiance, her refusal to fear. If her violators find justice, it won't be at her hands. We can hope karma will catch them, but Jinx's story is over, at leaat in this life.
I'm still thinking of it. Despondent and tragic, and in the hands of a lesser writer it would fail. But Bridgett Nelson goes there. And wow.
Now please write a sequel where her ghost kills these guys. Please?
4.5/5. Wow.
March 11, 2022
I think the title alone kinda says it all here. Bridgett Nelson has given us all a bouquet for sure with this book. Mine came delivered in a brown truck by a bald man who was very nice but seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. I was bummed about that, he could have hung out and we could have read these stories to one another. He could have told me about not eating weird stuff in the woods after reading Spores, I could have told him how cool I think sea monsters are after Invader. It would have been a really nice evening. Alas, I had to go this one alone, and honestly that’s totally fine because I didn’t want someone to read me the extreme brutality of Jinx. Nelson has crafted a collection that really reads like a bouquet. There’s not a story in here that is the same as the last, no tired trope after tired trope. This collection reads like smaller pieces making a bigger piece much the same way as the flowers that forty something year old guy bought for his wife on Valentine’s Day, you know the one. He purposely waited until the last minute so he could complain about even having to do it. That guy could fit right in in one of Bridgetts stories, although he wouldn’t like the role he played. Stories are mostly told in the first person, but Bridgett makes each persons mind and words feel like a new place each time. This is where she has a real knack for getting in the readers head. We start to read these narratives and understand more and more how these people are relatable to ourselves. Some in good ways, and others in… yah… ooey gooey gross ways. This is a stunning debut collection from an author who has an extremely bright future ahead of her. I just sort of hope if she ever gives me a bouquet of anything it’s little dinosaur toys. K thx.
May 28, 2022
This debut of short story collections is brilliantly dark and has me in line for the next Nelson release with anticipation! My favorites were "Spores" and "Invader", but "Jinx" was a perfect display of what I crave when it comes to the unpredictability in Horror. This book also marks the first time I got interested based solely on the cover art. All around 5 stars, an easy rating to give this book!!
March 29, 2023
A fantastic collection of stories that feel both tender and vicious at the same time (not sure how she done that) My favourite was probably Jinx, but yeah...
October 16, 2022
A Bouquet of Viscera by Bridgett Nelson is aptly named; it is indeed a bouquet of viscera. That this sweet, lovely person can produce literary horror of such depth and magnitude is a testament to her skill and talent. Brace yourself.
These stories are meticulously cause-and-effect, that is to say, for all the horror and graphic content, nothing is gratuitous, everything is vivid and valid and relevant. They are as evocative and engrossing as they are horrifying and disturbing. And they are quite horrifying and disturbing, though each in its own way. “Reflections” is a combination of horror thriller, real-life horrors, and psychological horror, a unique blend; while “Cooked!” is a futuristic sci-fi horror about corruption, exploitation, and terror. Both very different from one another but horrifying and disturbing nonetheless.
But I am going to speak to the most controversial tale in the lot: “Jinx.” This story comes with a deserved content warning for “graphic, violent sexual assault.” Now, to be honest, it is not the most violent or graphic sexual assault I have read, not even in the top five. But it is the most well-written, the most evocative, the most wrenching, and not just the event but the whole story. If you have the fortitude to get through it, you will find this is the best written sexual assault story ever. But it will wreck you … as good horror does.
Other themes include creature horror, supernatural horror, the science fungal horror of “Spores” (a gruesome, fascinating story, loved it), a Splatterpunk revenge horror, so many horrors. And Bridgett Nelson brings them to vivid life, makes them personal, adds a touch of realism so that the stories invade the dark corners of your mind and take up residence.
This intense, evocative, and brutal collection is a must-read for fans of Extreme Horror. I look forward to more from this author.
These stories are meticulously cause-and-effect, that is to say, for all the horror and graphic content, nothing is gratuitous, everything is vivid and valid and relevant. They are as evocative and engrossing as they are horrifying and disturbing. And they are quite horrifying and disturbing, though each in its own way. “Reflections” is a combination of horror thriller, real-life horrors, and psychological horror, a unique blend; while “Cooked!” is a futuristic sci-fi horror about corruption, exploitation, and terror. Both very different from one another but horrifying and disturbing nonetheless.
But I am going to speak to the most controversial tale in the lot: “Jinx.” This story comes with a deserved content warning for “graphic, violent sexual assault.” Now, to be honest, it is not the most violent or graphic sexual assault I have read, not even in the top five. But it is the most well-written, the most evocative, the most wrenching, and not just the event but the whole story. If you have the fortitude to get through it, you will find this is the best written sexual assault story ever. But it will wreck you … as good horror does.
Other themes include creature horror, supernatural horror, the science fungal horror of “Spores” (a gruesome, fascinating story, loved it), a Splatterpunk revenge horror, so many horrors. And Bridgett Nelson brings them to vivid life, makes them personal, adds a touch of realism so that the stories invade the dark corners of your mind and take up residence.
This intense, evocative, and brutal collection is a must-read for fans of Extreme Horror. I look forward to more from this author.
May 25, 2022
This collection was gruesomely good. Every story was cleverly weaved together with a punch or a twist at the end that spoke to my dark heart.
The descriptions were so vivid that you easily lost yourself in the stories. I love and appreciate when an author gives you story notes at the end. Nelson's stories spoke to my love for the human anatomy and medical terminology. It was so refreshing to read stories where the author knew what she was talking about. Loved that part. It made the stories feel authentic. It's all in the details and Nelson is aware of that. Phenomenal writing.
Consider yourself warned though. These stories are not for the faint-hearted. There are some trigger warnings and one of the stories is brutal in all it's glory. I'm looking forward to read more from Nelson. She definitely piqued my interest and became one of my new favorite indie authors.
The descriptions were so vivid that you easily lost yourself in the stories. I love and appreciate when an author gives you story notes at the end. Nelson's stories spoke to my love for the human anatomy and medical terminology. It was so refreshing to read stories where the author knew what she was talking about. Loved that part. It made the stories feel authentic. It's all in the details and Nelson is aware of that. Phenomenal writing.
Consider yourself warned though. These stories are not for the faint-hearted. There are some trigger warnings and one of the stories is brutal in all it's glory. I'm looking forward to read more from Nelson. She definitely piqued my interest and became one of my new favorite indie authors.
April 12, 2022
Wow, I’m so impressed with this short story collection! Every story had be enraptured. And I love how each story was so completely different than the others - it’s a personal pet peeve of mine when it feels like I’m just reading the same story over and over again with short story collections. Bridgett Nelson is a natural horror writer, and her prior job as a nurse really made all the hospital/medical/sci-fiction parts stand out. In this wonderful collection, you’ll be reading revenge stories, body horror, hauntings, and much more. I can’t wait to see what else this author publishes in the future!
September 21, 2022
Macabre and intense, A Bouquet of Viscera is a fantastic collection of extreme horror. With plenty of blood, gore, and suspenseful plot twists, each story will hook you and hold you hostage. From deadly fungus, to underwater monsters, and deranged psychopaths, this book has something for everyone.
If I had to pick a favorite in the collection, I’d say I enjoyed “The Show Must Go On” on the most with “Political Suicide” a close second.
If you’re in the mood for something dark and wicked this poky season, you won’t be disappointed with this selection!
If I had to pick a favorite in the collection, I’d say I enjoyed “The Show Must Go On” on the most with “Political Suicide” a close second.
If you’re in the mood for something dark and wicked this poky season, you won’t be disappointed with this selection!
July 6, 2022
A horror feast with something for everyone
This horror anthology delivers a little something for all horror fans. There is body horror, creatures, serial killers, revenge stories, zombies and cannibalism and much more. A real horror treat that you won't want to put down. I read it across two sittings. This author was new to me but I can assuredly say that I will be reading more. She is an author to watch for sure, I look forward to seeing what else she cooks up for us.
This horror anthology delivers a little something for all horror fans. There is body horror, creatures, serial killers, revenge stories, zombies and cannibalism and much more. A real horror treat that you won't want to put down. I read it across two sittings. This author was new to me but I can assuredly say that I will be reading more. She is an author to watch for sure, I look forward to seeing what else she cooks up for us.
March 17, 2022
Fantastic Stories
I love horror! I love short stories! I love horror short stories! And now that I have read this collection, I can say that I love Bridgett Nelson’s twisted sense of horror. Which story is my favorite? Wow! Do I have to choose a favorite? I recommend that you read this collection and choose YOUR favorite!
I love horror! I love short stories! I love horror short stories! And now that I have read this collection, I can say that I love Bridgett Nelson’s twisted sense of horror. Which story is my favorite? Wow! Do I have to choose a favorite? I recommend that you read this collection and choose YOUR favorite!
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