Brian's Birthday Bloodbath

by Brian G. Berry

It was Brian's twelfth birthday today. He was looking forward to having a night over with his friends. Jessica, his long time crush, was coming over to babysit the three of them. It was going to be a night of fun; watching horror movies, playing video games, everything he wanted to do. But, there was a Clown on the loose; a deadly clown freshly escaped from the Shady Sands Institute, and he was hungry. Leaving behind a trail of slaughter and half-devoured bodies, Bones the Clown cuts a path to the town of Oak Falls where he smells something he likes, and it isn't birthday cake. Brian's Birthday Bloodbath is the fourth title in the Slasherback series; and the most extreme.

Genres: Horror, Splatterpunk, Fiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2022

About the author

a.k.a Brian Berry

Brian G Berry is new to the world of writing. He writes everything from 1980s inspired horror, SCIFI/Action-horror, to the strange. His biggest influences are the writers of the weird including Lovecraft, Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, to the pulp horror authors of the golden age 70s/80s- and a splattering of others. Author of The Pail, A Bloody Christmas, Splatter Fiend Series, Slasherback Series, Campfire Tales Beneath a Pallid Moon, Accursed Ground, Blood Lanes, The Night Mutilator, Thanksgiving Day Massacre, and his newest: SNOW SHARK.

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review available at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/bla...

There once was this kid that came into a guidance counsellor’s office.
GC: What can I do for you, son?
Kid: I don’t know what I want to do with my life.
GC: Well, what are you good at?
Kid: … (blush)
GC: Other than jerking off, I mean.
Kid: I like to be the center of attention.
GC: You’re too shy to act, kid.
Kid: I like to make people laugh.
GC: Really! Tell me more.
Kid: I can tell people the craziest, funniest stories with a straight face.
GC: Okay, okay…go on, a few things are coming up in my head.
Kid: Actually, that’s a lie. Only I find it funny. The other kids are all a little scared of me.
GC: Why is that?
Kid: I like to hurt people. Like…a lot.
GC: What else?
Kid: I will never admit to it. I will deny any wrong doing until I die.
GC: Got it, kid. Here’s what you need to do. Develop all those skills and then become a politician someday.
Kid: But I don’t like people!
GC: Ex-act-lee!
Kid: Will I still be able to go to MacDonald’s every day?
GC: Oh, you’re one of those. Look, I don’t care how many people you hurt or even kill, but I draw the line at killing livestock.
Kid: But…
GC: No but’s. I want you to leave. You’re just like all the other heartless clowns. Now, fuck off, Ronald.
Kid: So you’re saying clown, then?

Okay, this exchange has absolutely nothing to do with the book. But haven’t you ever wondered what makes people seek out to become a clown? Don’t get me wrong, you get good clowns too. I’m pretty sure there must be…laws of averages and all…

Anyway, in this book Brian just turned twelve and he is getting his crush as a babysitter. No, no, get your head out of the gutter, dirty birdy – not that kind of story.
It just so happens to be the same night after Bones the Clown has escaped from the asylum.
And their paths are about to cross.

Brian Berry – the writer, not the character – just went balls out, unapologetically hardcore, blood and gore with this one. His most extreme so far.

Recommended to extreme horror fans.

5 Stars

[EdIsInHell · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Anja Henriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was perfect! It delivers exactly what is promised alone by looking at the overly awesome cover! An old horror-slasher spiced with some deliciously detailed gore and blood(bath!)
Reading this is completely like watching such a movie as pre-teen/teen, but written for the adult; a combination of the simplistic story of the slasher, but also with phrases like "the knife poisoned his brain" empathizing it's definitely not written or read like a synopsis for a movie, but well-written combination of the simple and detailed which inhale the reader to have the special experience of watching the movie in a book format.

Reading this I couldn't think of anything else than this must have been Brian Berry's birthday present to himself 😁 Being the star of the slasher he always wanted. Well the last part I have no idea if is true, but that's what I tell myself ❤️

If you're into horror, especially the gory, bloody, extreme style, and you either love or loved as pre-teen or teenager all the old slasher movies, this is for you.

It is extreme, but it's done with the wit and silliness you know from those old movies.

I myself don't watch the old movies any longer, I've tried, but mostly it end up destroying the fantastic memories I have from back then. This story gave me what I don't get from the movies now as an adult - love it 🤡

[Amanda McGehee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I enjoyed all the references to all the retro things we loved in the 80s and 90s. I must give a shout out that this is one of the only birthday horror I have really seen or read, besides the movie happy birthday to me. This book does not disappoint. Brutal clowns, pizza, and gore is just the frosting on the top. There are so many good elements. I enjoyed the way the kids interacted and the babysitter crush; and let's not forget the football boyfriend with the best friend. I loved the way this writer comes in the with cliches but twists to make it a movie read that leaves you only wanting more. I give this book Five Birthday Candles.

[Jason Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berry brings us another fun slasher story for his slasherback series in 'Brian's Birthday Bloodbath'. This is a short and fast paced slasher story that gets to the point quickly, while not failing to deliver the carnage and blood we know and love Brian Berry for.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooktober 2022 Book 1

For what it is, Brian’s Birthday Bloodbath does its job as a quick paced, gore filled, no holds bared extreme horror novella. It’s mean, lean, and gets right to the slaughter within moments of the first couple of sentences. So if you’re into this sub genre of horror, no doubt this one is for you.

However I’ll be honest when I say that as I’ve grown up, matured, and had a child of my own, extreme horror has become more and more offputting to and doesn’t really do it for me like it did when I was 18. Something about excessive guts and gore, especially at the cost of innocent children and animals is more and more upsetting than it used to be (call me a softy for being a dad now).

Of course, I understand its place in horror and I appreciate the fact that plenty of authors continue to work in the medium of gore and spilled innards. And I totally appreciate Brian Berry’s work. Even if this has many of the components of the genre I don’t really enjoy, his quick writing and skills are worth mentioning and commending. Despite the subject matter, I have to admit that I couldn’t put this one down. So even if I’m more of a fan of Berry’s work with creatures and cryptids, there are far worse and far less talented authors trying to do the same thing.

[Alex | | findingmontauk1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! Quite possibly my favorite story from Brian Berry to date... and everything I've read has been excellent. I love the 80s/90s feel of it all and wanna hang out with friends and play all my NES games immediately. Castlevania was my jam! And all the Mega Man games! It gives me vibes of certain scenes from Texas Chainsaw and Terrifier and a splash of Slumber Party Massacre 2 for good measure. The deaths were INSANELY well written and bloody and scary. Ahh! I loved every page

[Aaron Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like an extremely violent underground horror film that carried an X rating in the 80's.
I couldn't put it down.
Gross and shocking, but oh so good.

[Coy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, bloody trip to 1990 with Brian Berry is always worth taking. Nobody captures that era better. Brian's birthday where's he getting NES games like Commando and Castlevania (and Grandma's sending Mega Man in the mail)--it all makes you want to go back. But don't because Bones the Clown, real name Kyle Cohen, has busted free from the asylum. And you just know these two things are going to collide in a bloody mist. You're right, too. They do.

When you set down with one of Berry's novels, you lose yourself in his world, and you forget yours for a freeing two hours. What else do you want from a writer?

[Jason Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a Brian G. Berry book, and I had a ton of fun with it. With Babysitter Bloodbath, Clownhouse and Terrifier as his obvious influences (without even reading the afterword!), this is a wildly entertaining, yet campy read and I think most horror fans would be able to appreciate it. The characters are actually well-developed which I wasn't expecting at all. This was very close to a 5/5 for me. My only real gripes are that I didn't really enjoy the antagonist nearly as much as I had hoped, and the writing seemed a little lazy toward the climax and the end. There were also a few typos and grammatical errors, but considering this was written in just a few days, I can look past that. I can't wait to read more of this author's stuff.

[Tara Losacano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brutal Berry blast!! Bones the Clown is one scary bastard and I loved getting a quick glimpse of his past and what turned him into the evil, murderous clown he became. The intense, violent ending was a shock and I loved every minute of it. 4/5 clown skulls 💀

[John Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long live Brian Berry horror! This is my third book from the author, and I'm not sure if this is my favorite, or snow shark but man I just love the stuff he is putting out. An escaped serial killer, a baby sitter, a birthday. Filled with NES references, blood, guts and nostalgia, this book was a quick, brutal read. Highly recommend

[Charlotte Taylforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge fan of Brian Berry and this book did not dissapointed. It dripped and oozed with gore! Great characters, highly recommend.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Slasher was a blast from the past. Filled with gore, and took me back to the 90's. Come meet Bones The Clown 🤡

[Holly Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick, gory read. So much that I love is in this book! Scary fucking clowns, pizza, horror and 80s vibes. And knowing he wrote it in only 3 days? Wow! The man has talent.
Little Brian is celebrating his 12th birthday doing what he loves best. Playing video games, watching horror flicks and spending time with friends. What he didn't expect was a surprise visit from Bones the clown making horror a reality.

[Matthew Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian G Berry 's books are always entertaining, I know when I pick one I'm in for a really good time. But I loved Brian's Birthday Bloodbath more than any of his other books I've read, and that say a lot! This book was everything I love about 80s slasher movies, and I can only imagine Brian had as much fun writing this as I had reading it!

[Richard Bankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella that is not for the squeamish. Lots of blood and gore and a really good time for fans of extreme horror. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books.

[Ashley Hana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! It really gives the older horror movies vibe, and I loved seeing the backstory of Bones.
I only wish it was longer!

[Mikepottz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy witnessed his mum hacked, stabbed, penetrated, pulled apart, eaten by an evil clown. The clown forced the boy to eat some of the flesh then kept him in a cellar for years. The boys mind absorbed so much trauma and pain. The boy eventually kills the clown, escapes but takes the clown outfit, shoes, make up and even the knife that killed his mum. The boy now a carbon copy of the killer clown spends 10 years in a mental institution and has been fortunate to escape taking down guards which he turned into pulp. He discovers a house with some boys and their baby sitter. As they watch the intruder (awesome movie) and eat pizza delivered by a clown themed shop the killer clown puts on the delivery mans uniform. Like Michael getting his mask back, like Jason and his hockey mask, like Freddy and his finger knives, the clown has his strength back. One of the boys face sawn through, a chainsaw splintering wood through the walls, terror unleashed, the night the clown came to visit.

[Michael Toft Adelholm (michael_learns_to_review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one thing I fear more than porcelain dolls, then it is friggin clowns. And Brian G. Berry did not help me soothe this fear. Potentially, he made it worse. Thanks, Brian. ;-) Now I sleep with a nightlight.

This was my first entry into Berry's work, and it will definitely not be my last. I believe that I straight up bought every single book the man has made (doing a double feature now with SNOW SHARK and DEATH COMMANDO) - and they are not disappointing either. Berry has figured out how to take an outrageous premise and simply make it good(!) and make it work.

Keep up the amazing writing and the VERY productive writing-speed. Loving it all.

[Nicholas Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you afraid of clowns? No? Well, you will be once you meet Bones!

This book is about Brian, who is celebrating his birthday with his friends and Babysitter, who he has a crush on. But what they don’t know is that Bones the Clown is out and about, and he is looking to have some fun!

This was an extreme and intense slasher novella that I personally think is one of Brian’s best in his Slasherback series.

This story had some twists and turns near the end which made the ending a lot of fun! Brin is a great writer and storyteller and it shows in this one.

So, if you want a more brutal read with a killer clown, this is the book for you!

Five out of five stars!

[M.C. August · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of '80s slashers, BRIAN'S BIRTHDAY BLOODBATH hit the spot. Being a novella, the pacing is terrific and I loved the set up of the characters and backstory of Bones the Clown, who is truly terrifying. And disgusting. Berry did a great job at building suspense on his way to the final showdown. He used the darkness to scare in interesting ways. And his prose shocks and cuts as deep as Bones' teeth. It was a fun ride that took me back to being a kid and now I have to decide what I want to read next from the author's vast library of books.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slasher film as novel

Reads like a fun slasher flick of the 80s, A great throwback. Does a great job in giving the evil Bones the Clown a tragic backstory. Then does a good job in making the other characters, likeable and worried about their safety. Because nobody is safe with Bones around.

Highly recommended, just a blast of a story. It's a quick read that you will devour in one sitting.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was horrifyingly disgusting and I couldn't put it down! Brian Berry you got me here. You chose to let this Bones the Clown destroy you on the page and as a reader, it worked. I'm never going to sleep again!

[Jonathan Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bones the clown is one hungry clown!! This fast paced slasher pulls no punches! Gore soaked birthday bash! Loved every minute of it!!!

[Stephen Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun gory unrelenting slasher complete with awesome Nintendo recommendations. A great mixture of 80s slashers sloshed together in filth and served with birthday cake. And that ending :o

[Cat Voleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect palate cleanser for the deranged.

I was delighted to win a copy of this book, and it turned out to be just what I needed to break up some of the more heart-wrenching titles. It was engaging, fun, and gave me a healthy dose of gore.

From beginning to end, Brian’s Birthday Bloodbath was a wild and extremely bloody time. This is one that any splatter fan wouldn’t want to miss out on.

[Sharon Leung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody

This was a gruesome bloody read, a clown that is after young blood and will not stop til he is satisfied in every possible way. He has his preferences and his needs and nothing will stop him from getting to his prize. A fast paced, non stop, violent and brutal read. Will definitely make you think twice about those clowns with the made up faces. Short to the point but fully entertaining with extreme horror. Recommended 100%.

[Mtm66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dead Pit>Intruder
Nice job, man.

[Lexie McDonough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had Brian's Birthday Bloodbath by Brian Berry for a while now. I finally sat down to read it and tore through it in one sitting tonight. My first Brian book was Snow Shark, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. This is more of a traditional slasher with an 80s feel to it. It doesn't have the camp you may expect, though. This was a gruesome story of an escaped serial killer on Brian's 12th birthday. The kills are brutal. I spent the whole book tense not knowing what would happen next, but knowing too. It didn't dampen any of the story and kept me filled with too much anxiety til the end. If you enjoy a solid slasher book, pick this up. You won't regret it. And to think Brian knocked this out in THREE DAYS?! how?? Just how?? I keep telling him I'm running out of book funds with how much he releases. Knowing this man's books swing from far from serious and campy to absolutely brutal and anxiety inducing, I look forward to working through my small library of his work hopefully sooner rather than later.