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Let Me Out I've Had Enough
Grief, depression, loneliness, suicide. Prepare to be taken by the hand to explore the darkest of human emotions and fears. Stories about those of us who have had too much and cry out desperately for help, begging for relief, asking of anyone who might listen— Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough. The first collection of shorts from Mark Matthews, the author of novels such as Milk-Blood, The Hobgoblin of Little Minds, and the Shirley Jackson Award Nominated editor of Lullabies for Suffering.
Stories range from the most basic horrors to the most cosmic—A father dangling from a noose after an attempted hanging gone wrong. A psychiatrist haunted by the spirits of his dead ex-patients. An alien woman must contract a virus to save the human race, and a father must sacrifice his life to do the same. You'll visit eight different worlds, created by the 'master of modern psychological horror,' and after you've returned to where you began, you'll arrive completely safe, but certainly not the same.
*Content Warning for frequent mentions of suicide*
Includes the previously published work Body of Christ
Includes a new story set within the world of the author's The Hobgoblin of Little Minds and multiple other pieces of never published before fiction.
Stories range from the most basic horrors to the most cosmic—A father dangling from a noose after an attempted hanging gone wrong. A psychiatrist haunted by the spirits of his dead ex-patients. An alien woman must contract a virus to save the human race, and a father must sacrifice his life to do the same. You'll visit eight different worlds, created by the 'master of modern psychological horror,' and after you've returned to where you began, you'll arrive completely safe, but certainly not the same.
*Content Warning for frequent mentions of suicide*
Includes the previously published work Body of Christ
Includes a new story set within the world of the author's The Hobgoblin of Little Minds and multiple other pieces of never published before fiction.
155 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2021
82 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
About the author
Mark Matthews
25 books415 followersMark Matthews is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a licensed professional counselor who has worked in behavioral health for over 20 years. He is the author of On the Lips of Children, All Smoke Rises, Milk-Blood, and The Hobgoblin of Little Minds. He is also the editor of a trio of 'addiction horror' anthologies including Orphans of Bliss, Lullabies for Suffering and Garden of Fiends. In 2021, he was nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. His next novel, To Those Willing to Drown, is expected in May, 2025, followed by the novella, Kali's Web, in August, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 20, 2021
This is a book of short stories that should not be read by anyone depressed. The stories are dark, and are peppered with depression and thoughts of and attempted suicide. The darkness has a magical glow about it, however, and unexpected miracles occasionally come to pass. While each piece contains an element of despair, the characters in these stories will scratch at your heart. They may hurt you, but they will also teach you the meaning of true psychological pain.
I am grateful to have won an e-copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks.
I am grateful to have won an e-copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks.
October 18, 2021
Mark Matthews is not only an author, but also a psychiatrist, and so has regularly come into contact with people with suicidal feelings. It's not hard to see how this has led to this short story collection, with every story featuring some form of suicide (or sacrifice). That does sound like rather a grim proposal, but then these are horror stories.
It was a mixed bag for me - I liked about half the stories, and half I thought weren't very interesting, some being too far fetched even for a horror story, others being quite repetitive in nature.
(Thanks to Wicked Run Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
Mastectomy Scars - 3.5 stars
Body Of Christ - 2 stars
The Last Bug Chaser - 4 stars
Mask Of Sanity - 3 stars
Tattooed All In Black - 3 stars
Burdens Of The Father - 2 stars
Howling From The Gallows - 2 stars
Met My Old Lover In The Grocery Store - 3 stars
It was a mixed bag for me - I liked about half the stories, and half I thought weren't very interesting, some being too far fetched even for a horror story, others being quite repetitive in nature.
(Thanks to Wicked Run Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
Mastectomy Scars - 3.5 stars
Body Of Christ - 2 stars
The Last Bug Chaser - 4 stars
Mask Of Sanity - 3 stars
Tattooed All In Black - 3 stars
Burdens Of The Father - 2 stars
Howling From The Gallows - 2 stars
Met My Old Lover In The Grocery Store - 3 stars
September 21, 2021
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Mark Matthews first came onto my radar when fellow KR reviewer Brian Bogart raved and raved and raved about Mark’s novella ‘Body of Christ.’ Reading that novella was a stunning experience. I remember being glued to my Kindle and devouring each line (almost like a certain character devours something in that novella).
Since then, I’ve read more of Mark’s work and I’ve become very fascinated with the dark creep of his real-world job (Counselor) as well as his own previous addictions, into his fiction. He has two edited/curated two stunning anthologies all based around addiction, and now, with ‘Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough’ we get a collection that features stories that prominently deal with suicide.
What I liked: The opening story, ‘Mastectomy Scars’ is one of the bleakest, darkest stories I think I’ve ever read. It’s also one of the best stories I’ve ever read. It follows Dakota, dealing with the aftermath of her mother taking her own life. Her mother was in the grips of cancer and decided to end her own pain. Now, Dakota tries to figure out how to stay connected to her while dealing with her father and his new female companion. Just sorrow-filled and devoid of light.
‘Body of Christ’ is up next and I’ll not go too far into this one. I’ve read it previously and have a full review available for it, but if you’ve not read this novella, get on it!
‘The Last Bug Chaser’ was a unique story about an alien-type being on Earth trying to capture a specific virus and connect to a higher power.
‘Mask of Sanity’ was another highlight for me. The story of a doctor and a drug rep who has a new drug with unknown side effects.
The other highlight for me was ‘Tattooed All in Black.’ A story of a man trying to stay connected to his wife after she dies. It was heartbreaking and ultimately had a very interesting second half.
Matthews writes his best when the story has deep emotional moments and this collection was filled to the brim with those.
What I didn’t like: As always, a few stories didn’t really connect with me. Saying that, all of the stories were great, just a few not as impactful for this reader.
Why you should buy this: This collection reminded me a lot of Sam Richards’ collection, in that I’m glad to have read it and experienced it, but I don’t think I’d want to read it again, the stories were so sad and so bleak. Matthews does such a great job of making each story as dark as possible, while also pulling the reader along one word at a time.
Excellent stuff.
Mark Matthews first came onto my radar when fellow KR reviewer Brian Bogart raved and raved and raved about Mark’s novella ‘Body of Christ.’ Reading that novella was a stunning experience. I remember being glued to my Kindle and devouring each line (almost like a certain character devours something in that novella).
Since then, I’ve read more of Mark’s work and I’ve become very fascinated with the dark creep of his real-world job (Counselor) as well as his own previous addictions, into his fiction. He has two edited/curated two stunning anthologies all based around addiction, and now, with ‘Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough’ we get a collection that features stories that prominently deal with suicide.
What I liked: The opening story, ‘Mastectomy Scars’ is one of the bleakest, darkest stories I think I’ve ever read. It’s also one of the best stories I’ve ever read. It follows Dakota, dealing with the aftermath of her mother taking her own life. Her mother was in the grips of cancer and decided to end her own pain. Now, Dakota tries to figure out how to stay connected to her while dealing with her father and his new female companion. Just sorrow-filled and devoid of light.
‘Body of Christ’ is up next and I’ll not go too far into this one. I’ve read it previously and have a full review available for it, but if you’ve not read this novella, get on it!
‘The Last Bug Chaser’ was a unique story about an alien-type being on Earth trying to capture a specific virus and connect to a higher power.
‘Mask of Sanity’ was another highlight for me. The story of a doctor and a drug rep who has a new drug with unknown side effects.
The other highlight for me was ‘Tattooed All in Black.’ A story of a man trying to stay connected to his wife after she dies. It was heartbreaking and ultimately had a very interesting second half.
Matthews writes his best when the story has deep emotional moments and this collection was filled to the brim with those.
What I didn’t like: As always, a few stories didn’t really connect with me. Saying that, all of the stories were great, just a few not as impactful for this reader.
Why you should buy this: This collection reminded me a lot of Sam Richards’ collection, in that I’m glad to have read it and experienced it, but I don’t think I’d want to read it again, the stories were so sad and so bleak. Matthews does such a great job of making each story as dark as possible, while also pulling the reader along one word at a time.
Excellent stuff.
October 23, 2021
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is another stellar testament to just how much Mark Matthews understands the power of the human mind. This collection displays the emotions and pain at play when considering suicide, coping with the effects of suicide, and the disastrous aftermath. If you want a collection of stories to touch you deeply whilst wrenching gasps and shock from you then this is a collection that needs to be devoured. Intricate, painful, and overwhelming is how Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough should be described. It leaves scars on the soul, it is that powerful.
Mastectomy Scars – is designed to shock and hook you straight away. A dysfunctional family that is rocked by the suicide of the matriarch, cancer that ravages her body and soul. A father and lover keen to move on quickly, to make a fresh start, draw a line under the unfortunate business. A daughter that can’t make sense of the devastation, questions burning into her mind, wondering what the feel of a razor would feel like against her skin. Would she feel the thrum and throb of the blood exiting her body? Her father’s lover tries to manipulate her into being with her mum, what will that action set in motion?
Body of Christ – This is the longest piece of work contained within Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough. It is a story that manifests how suicide and religion are viewed in society. Faith has lost her mother after falling into a vegetative state and her father has to take the difficult decision to turn off her life support. Keagan, who lives across the street from Faith almost mirrors her situation. He has a difficult upbringing, with his mother being super religious and his father trying to fight the fires from her behaviour. His dad plans to end it all and does so in a disturbing fashion.
The Last Bug-Chaser – this is a story that is extremely relevant in a pandemic world. The Gideons who are known reverently as Bug-Chasers can be vessels for human evolution. A virus is ravaging the human race and the last Bug-Chaser is attempting to infect themselves with the virus to create a vaccine from their blood. Without them, the human race would have become extinct at various points in history already. A story that is frighteningly relevant but with a violent ending.
Mask of Sanity – I found this story to be the most frighteningly realistic story in this collection. Can working with the mentally ill make you more inclined to suffer from mental ill-health. Are we all just slipping our mark of sanity into place when we are in public? This was a superb story and it was the strongest in my opinion.
Tattooed All In Black – another cancer sufferer, another story full of grief, pain, and destruction. Lara Is sent home to die, she tells her husband that everything will be alright, but nothing is alright. A journey of self-destruction, a hope that Lara might make herself known, a friendly neighbour that only wants to help. This story had one of the best endings to a highly emotive plot.
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a nuclear ball of energy. It taps into your humanity and makes you check on your loved ones. Unsettling, a scary look into our future as a society. It affected me in ways I’m struggling to verbalise. The brutality of it will knock you for six, bring you to your knees and leave you fighting for every breath.
Mastectomy Scars – is designed to shock and hook you straight away. A dysfunctional family that is rocked by the suicide of the matriarch, cancer that ravages her body and soul. A father and lover keen to move on quickly, to make a fresh start, draw a line under the unfortunate business. A daughter that can’t make sense of the devastation, questions burning into her mind, wondering what the feel of a razor would feel like against her skin. Would she feel the thrum and throb of the blood exiting her body? Her father’s lover tries to manipulate her into being with her mum, what will that action set in motion?
Body of Christ – This is the longest piece of work contained within Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough. It is a story that manifests how suicide and religion are viewed in society. Faith has lost her mother after falling into a vegetative state and her father has to take the difficult decision to turn off her life support. Keagan, who lives across the street from Faith almost mirrors her situation. He has a difficult upbringing, with his mother being super religious and his father trying to fight the fires from her behaviour. His dad plans to end it all and does so in a disturbing fashion.
The Last Bug-Chaser – this is a story that is extremely relevant in a pandemic world. The Gideons who are known reverently as Bug-Chasers can be vessels for human evolution. A virus is ravaging the human race and the last Bug-Chaser is attempting to infect themselves with the virus to create a vaccine from their blood. Without them, the human race would have become extinct at various points in history already. A story that is frighteningly relevant but with a violent ending.
Mask of Sanity – I found this story to be the most frighteningly realistic story in this collection. Can working with the mentally ill make you more inclined to suffer from mental ill-health. Are we all just slipping our mark of sanity into place when we are in public? This was a superb story and it was the strongest in my opinion.
Tattooed All In Black – another cancer sufferer, another story full of grief, pain, and destruction. Lara Is sent home to die, she tells her husband that everything will be alright, but nothing is alright. A journey of self-destruction, a hope that Lara might make herself known, a friendly neighbour that only wants to help. This story had one of the best endings to a highly emotive plot.
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a nuclear ball of energy. It taps into your humanity and makes you check on your loved ones. Unsettling, a scary look into our future as a society. It affected me in ways I’m struggling to verbalise. The brutality of it will knock you for six, bring you to your knees and leave you fighting for every breath.
October 22, 2021
Horror Bookworm Reviews
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A daughter embraces the overwhelming pain of losing her mother while fighting a profound guilt existing deep below her protective emotional surface. A new Black Death plague rises as a viral devastation is released upon the world’s population, and the only hope for humanity is a celestial race of Bug Chasers. A young boy discovers the “Body of Christ” through his own demented creation of communion hidden in a well kept ziploc baggie of salvation.
Mark Matthews displays his surreal poetic horror writing style within his collection of short stories titled, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough. Lining up stories by means of diseased relationships, detrimental life altering fresh starts and agonizing abandonments all converts into a powerful compilation of disturbing fiction. Each and every heavy hearted story shoulders the burden of sadness and tear driven restitution. Be prepared for an unconventional dose of salvation, vows that only flesh and blood can compensate and life-and-death decisions that can only be read to be believed.
Matthews offers a new kind of mother’s milk full of bristling bipolar swings of misshapen moments. He uses twisted seductions of false prophets and empty religious assurances as a tempting lure for his characters. These elements are a constant thread surrounded by intense images of twisted madness throughout each and every story. Published by Wicked Run Press, this formidable collection calls forth an impressive talent of agonizing scarred fiction. Its heartrending immorality offers a disturbing life lesson taught by the one and only Mr. Mark Matthews…some wounds never heal.
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A daughter embraces the overwhelming pain of losing her mother while fighting a profound guilt existing deep below her protective emotional surface. A new Black Death plague rises as a viral devastation is released upon the world’s population, and the only hope for humanity is a celestial race of Bug Chasers. A young boy discovers the “Body of Christ” through his own demented creation of communion hidden in a well kept ziploc baggie of salvation.
Mark Matthews displays his surreal poetic horror writing style within his collection of short stories titled, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough. Lining up stories by means of diseased relationships, detrimental life altering fresh starts and agonizing abandonments all converts into a powerful compilation of disturbing fiction. Each and every heavy hearted story shoulders the burden of sadness and tear driven restitution. Be prepared for an unconventional dose of salvation, vows that only flesh and blood can compensate and life-and-death decisions that can only be read to be believed.
Matthews offers a new kind of mother’s milk full of bristling bipolar swings of misshapen moments. He uses twisted seductions of false prophets and empty religious assurances as a tempting lure for his characters. These elements are a constant thread surrounded by intense images of twisted madness throughout each and every story. Published by Wicked Run Press, this formidable collection calls forth an impressive talent of agonizing scarred fiction. Its heartrending immorality offers a disturbing life lesson taught by the one and only Mr. Mark Matthews…some wounds never heal.
February 26, 2023
This book has some definite trigger warnings. When struggling with mental health, your mind and thoughts can be the scariest, and that is captured in these short tails.
September 25, 2021
LET ME OUT I'VE HAD ENOUGH is Mark Matthews' first collection of horror/sci-fi stories that has a running theme of suicide, but just to set the record straight here, everything is done with a delicate hand. It's the approach. It's the angles that Mark takes which sets it apart. Now, I don't mean he treads so carefully that these stories have no impact. Far from it. These all hit hard, and not in the same way either. This is good stuff from the get go.
MASTECTOMY SCARS: The first story in the collection pulls no punches. There's an underlying element here that leaves you shocked and heartbroken at the same time. It's a real heavy hitter that you'll be thinking about long after.
BODY OF CHRIST:
Like I said earlier, it's how Mark approaches stories and ideas from different angles that keeps his stories interesting. You never know where he is going, and there is always that urge to keep reading.
BUG CHASERS:
By the end, this one left me with a proper to-hell-with-that feeling. I kid you not.
MASK OF SANITY:
Again, it's all about the angles here and keeping things fresh and unique. What I was thinking while reading this was the replay value in Mark's work, how you could pull different things from it the closer you studied it. Great stuff.
TATTOOED ALL IN BLACK:
Brilliant title, and quite the poetic ending, too. Loved how this one played out.
THE BURDENS OF THE FATHER:
Although not quite in the same mold as the rest of the stories, it absolutely belongs here. In a way, it almost feels central, tying everything together.
HOWLING FROM THE GALLOWS:
A little stand-alone story set in the world of Mark's novel THE HOBGOBLIN OF LITTLE MINDS. I felt this one worked really well in the collection, and I'd like to add that the HOBGOBLIN novel had a lot of originality to it which I feel kind of missed the radar when it came out. A shame really, as it's worth seeking out. If you enjoy this story, I'd highly recommend picking it up. And again, it's all about putting a new spin on things. Actually, at the end of this collection, Mark has included the first chapter of HOBGOBLIN.
MET MY OLD LOVER IN THE GROCERY STORE:
A dark backstory to the Christmas song, Same Old Lang Syne, by Dan Fogelberg.
Like I've been saying in this review, Mark likes to take ideas and run from different angles, different perspectives and put a fresh spin on things.
This isn't just someone churning out stories for the sake of it. There's a lot of thought goes into these and it's very admirable. It makes me really interested in what he comes up with next.
And that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Consider me a fan.
Five stars deserved.
MASTECTOMY SCARS: The first story in the collection pulls no punches. There's an underlying element here that leaves you shocked and heartbroken at the same time. It's a real heavy hitter that you'll be thinking about long after.
BODY OF CHRIST:
Like I said earlier, it's how Mark approaches stories and ideas from different angles that keeps his stories interesting. You never know where he is going, and there is always that urge to keep reading.
BUG CHASERS:
By the end, this one left me with a proper to-hell-with-that feeling. I kid you not.
MASK OF SANITY:
Again, it's all about the angles here and keeping things fresh and unique. What I was thinking while reading this was the replay value in Mark's work, how you could pull different things from it the closer you studied it. Great stuff.
TATTOOED ALL IN BLACK:
Brilliant title, and quite the poetic ending, too. Loved how this one played out.
THE BURDENS OF THE FATHER:
Although not quite in the same mold as the rest of the stories, it absolutely belongs here. In a way, it almost feels central, tying everything together.
HOWLING FROM THE GALLOWS:
A little stand-alone story set in the world of Mark's novel THE HOBGOBLIN OF LITTLE MINDS. I felt this one worked really well in the collection, and I'd like to add that the HOBGOBLIN novel had a lot of originality to it which I feel kind of missed the radar when it came out. A shame really, as it's worth seeking out. If you enjoy this story, I'd highly recommend picking it up. And again, it's all about putting a new spin on things. Actually, at the end of this collection, Mark has included the first chapter of HOBGOBLIN.
MET MY OLD LOVER IN THE GROCERY STORE:
A dark backstory to the Christmas song, Same Old Lang Syne, by Dan Fogelberg.
Like I've been saying in this review, Mark likes to take ideas and run from different angles, different perspectives and put a fresh spin on things.
This isn't just someone churning out stories for the sake of it. There's a lot of thought goes into these and it's very admirable. It makes me really interested in what he comes up with next.
And that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Consider me a fan.
Five stars deserved.
September 2, 2021
Great read!
Great read! So poetic and beautifully written. He is a truly talented writer. I love how his books deal with mental illness. In this day and time, we need to see more books like this. Definite recommend!
Great read! So poetic and beautifully written. He is a truly talented writer. I love how his books deal with mental illness. In this day and time, we need to see more books like this. Definite recommend!
February 21, 2022
3.5 stars
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough by Mark Matthews is an anthology of his horror stories.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Wicked Run Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis and Opinions: (No major reveals)
Okay, I admit that this is a new author for me, but since I love a good horror story, I thought....sounds good! Then the author provides an introduction, and I find out that the theme of all of these stories is suicide. Now, I'm not too sure. But I decided to persevere.
Here is a brief synopsis of each story, including my thoughts.
Mastectomy Scars ... A young girl returns from school to find her mother floating in the tub. Really sad and disturbing. 2 stars
Body of Christ ... A young girl's mother is taken off life support. A little boy's father is the victim of suicide by police, right in front of him. Not sure how to describe how I feel about this one. Disquiet, disgust, and reading it felt sacrilegious. After my dislike of the first, this one almost made me stop reading the whole book. 0 stars
The Last Bug-Chaser ... An alien race sent to make humans immune from viruses is taken over by the big pharmaceutical companies. This was interesting. 3 stars
Mask of Sanity ... A psychiatrist who has had 3 patients commit suicide in one week starts doubting his own sanity. Twisted. Quite good. 4 stars
Tattooed All in Black ... A wife dies of cancer, but her husband does not handle this well. Interesting. 3 stars
The Burdens of the Father ... In a world where forests were eliminated, and clean air a thing of the past, a young man looks forward to the birth of his son. This was good. 3 stars
Howling from The Gallows ... Trying to help a patient, a man turns into the monster that she has become. This was great! 5 stars
Met My Old Lover in the Grocery Store ... A man on the brink of suicide and murder, runs into the love of his life on Christmas Eve. Entertaining! 4 stars
First, I have to say that I loved the introduction to this book, which explained how the author came up with the title, and his experience with suicide in his job, and therapy in general.
Overall, this was not a bad group of short stories, although the start had me doubting. Somewhat depressing, these stories show the depth of human emotion. They are all very graphic, and very dark, but the author can write very well. This is the first I have read from this author, but I won't be afraid to pick up anything else he has written.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and his contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
December 30, 2021
This short story collection is From the author of Hobgoblin of Little Minds (which I loved) and had a story from that universe! Stories involving mental health and suicide are not always the easiest to read, but are important to the community as a whole. The more we talk about it; we demystify the the process of reaching out for help.
Some of my favorites:
Body of Christ I had already read, but did a re-read. I love weird and this was like nothing I’d ever read. I also love religious horror. It was full of dark and light. Two children coming to terms with their adolescence and the grieving process.
Tattooed All In Black was a haunting read about grief and how selfish it makes people. Some people would go to any extremes to keep their loved ones close, even if their loved ones were right there the whole time.
And of course Howling From the Gallows is a story taken from the Hobgoblin universe that has a reappearance of Maya and introduces us to a new character who seems the have a bit of a savior complex. Monsters creating more monsters.
Stories full of darkness, the weird in the world and of course monsters, human and other.
Some of my favorites:
Body of Christ I had already read, but did a re-read. I love weird and this was like nothing I’d ever read. I also love religious horror. It was full of dark and light. Two children coming to terms with their adolescence and the grieving process.
Tattooed All In Black was a haunting read about grief and how selfish it makes people. Some people would go to any extremes to keep their loved ones close, even if their loved ones were right there the whole time.
And of course Howling From the Gallows is a story taken from the Hobgoblin universe that has a reappearance of Maya and introduces us to a new character who seems the have a bit of a savior complex. Monsters creating more monsters.
Stories full of darkness, the weird in the world and of course monsters, human and other.
October 16, 2021
This was such a deep and tough book to read through. So many differing stories, but all going through their own grief. I had to skip some parts due to the very graphic nature of scenes.
Please be advised of TRIGGER and CONTENT WARNINGS!
Suicide, suicidal thoughts, overdosing, cutting, cheating on significant other, suffering, mental illness, loss
Please be advised of TRIGGER and CONTENT WARNINGS!
Suicide, suicidal thoughts, overdosing, cutting, cheating on significant other, suffering, mental illness, loss
March 20, 2023
"If you had to live for just one moment like this, you'd not have the heart to go on living."
Let Me Out I've Had Enough is a collection of 8 stories centered around grief, depression, loneliness, and suicide. From a psychiatrist haunted by spirits to an alien contracting a virus to save the world to a hanging gone wrong, all of the stories range from horror to cosmic.
I generally enjoy short story collections, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was very intrigued with the subject matter being psychological horror centred around grief/depression, however, I couldn't find myself resonating with any of the stories. Sadly, it didn't evoke as much of an emotional response as I was hoping to get.
Out of the 8 stories, only 2 of them stood out to me the most - Masectomy Scars and Mask of Sanity. I think I just had high expectations going into this, but don't let it deter you if you're interested in reading it. The stories were still raw and emotional, and addressed important issues we face in society.
Let Me Out I've Had Enough is a collection of 8 stories centered around grief, depression, loneliness, and suicide. From a psychiatrist haunted by spirits to an alien contracting a virus to save the world to a hanging gone wrong, all of the stories range from horror to cosmic.
I generally enjoy short story collections, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was very intrigued with the subject matter being psychological horror centred around grief/depression, however, I couldn't find myself resonating with any of the stories. Sadly, it didn't evoke as much of an emotional response as I was hoping to get.
Out of the 8 stories, only 2 of them stood out to me the most - Masectomy Scars and Mask of Sanity. I think I just had high expectations going into this, but don't let it deter you if you're interested in reading it. The stories were still raw and emotional, and addressed important issues we face in society.
October 2, 2021
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough by Mark Matthews is a collection of dark stories. Common theme threaded throughout is suicide. There’s not many subjects darker than taking one’s own life. Matthews work in the mental health field, along with his expertise in writing allowed him to touch on this fragile subject. The end result, a powerful collection worth your time to read. I started this book not knowing how it would effect me. Dark space takes up much room in my own mind, but I made it through. And I’m glad I didn’t hesitate!
Job well done, Matthews!
Highly recommend!
Job well done, Matthews!
Highly recommend!
September 13, 2021
Let Me Out I've Had Enough by Mark Matthews presents a collection of short stories revolving around death, despair, and people who are at the end of their rope. It’s a raw and visceral exploration of the human psyche during people’s darkest hours—written by a licensed professional counselor.
Needless to say, this is one heavy read.
The stories vary in subject and genre, but they are all filled with the same underlying theme of sadness and desperation.
On one hand, there’s by far the most bizarre and experimental of the bunch: “Body of Christ.” This story centers around both a girl coping with the death of her mother and a boy who's coping with the death of his father in … unusual ways. This particular story teeters between grotesque and comically absurd at times, but its horrifying conclusion redeemed the story for me and made my skin crawl.
There are two standouts in this collection for me though.
First is “The Last Bug Chaser.” The story follows an alien who may be the last of its kind and whose body is key to the survival of the human species against a raging deadly virus. This was my personal favorite of the bunch and I found it to be a compelling and unique spin on the alien invasion trope.
Second is “The Burdens of the Father,” an eerie dystopian tale where Earth's oxygen is limited and an expecting father grapples with whether to try and rehome his family.
All in all, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a haunting and fascinating exploration of mental illness if you’re in an alright head space to read it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Wicked Run Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Needless to say, this is one heavy read.
The stories vary in subject and genre, but they are all filled with the same underlying theme of sadness and desperation.
On one hand, there’s by far the most bizarre and experimental of the bunch: “Body of Christ.” This story centers around both a girl coping with the death of her mother and a boy who's coping with the death of his father in … unusual ways. This particular story teeters between grotesque and comically absurd at times, but its horrifying conclusion redeemed the story for me and made my skin crawl.
There are two standouts in this collection for me though.
First is “The Last Bug Chaser.” The story follows an alien who may be the last of its kind and whose body is key to the survival of the human species against a raging deadly virus. This was my personal favorite of the bunch and I found it to be a compelling and unique spin on the alien invasion trope.
Second is “The Burdens of the Father,” an eerie dystopian tale where Earth's oxygen is limited and an expecting father grapples with whether to try and rehome his family.
All in all, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a haunting and fascinating exploration of mental illness if you’re in an alright head space to read it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Wicked Run Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2021
Thank you so much to Wicked Run Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC; it is greatly appreciated.
This book contains seven short stories, and one novella. They all vary by subject and genre, with some even having a major sci-fi feel, but they all share the dark thoughts that humans are capable of. There is an introduction by the author that I definitely think is a must read before diving into these stories, as he explains some of the major content warnings. Do not read this book if you are in a dark headspace, or are having any thoughts of suicide.
The first and last stories are probably my favorites in this collection. I found them both to be quite powerful, and play on some statistics. Even though this book is extremely bleak, the last story actually leaves us with some hope, and is probably the closest this can get to a "happy ending".
Suicide is a huge theme in these stories, but religion also plays a key part. You can definitely see the questions that the author has about existence and the afterlife. It's truly a deep-dive into the author's mind, and is fascinating even.
With that in mind, some of these stories are stomach churning. The novella, Body of Christ, is insanely dark, depressing, and even terrifying. Although the whole time I was reading this one all I could think is, "that's not how women work," so prepare for some strangeness here.
This collection will not be for everyone. It is the epitome of our dark thoughts, so many might find that these stories go too far. This is another reason why I think the author's introduction is so important. He is a professional counselor that is exposed to suicide daily, and has used writing as an outlet for that experience. I think writing is a fantastic way to deal with trauma and emotion, and it's quite personal that the author has chosen to share it with us.
This book contains seven short stories, and one novella. They all vary by subject and genre, with some even having a major sci-fi feel, but they all share the dark thoughts that humans are capable of. There is an introduction by the author that I definitely think is a must read before diving into these stories, as he explains some of the major content warnings. Do not read this book if you are in a dark headspace, or are having any thoughts of suicide.
The first and last stories are probably my favorites in this collection. I found them both to be quite powerful, and play on some statistics. Even though this book is extremely bleak, the last story actually leaves us with some hope, and is probably the closest this can get to a "happy ending".
Suicide is a huge theme in these stories, but religion also plays a key part. You can definitely see the questions that the author has about existence and the afterlife. It's truly a deep-dive into the author's mind, and is fascinating even.
With that in mind, some of these stories are stomach churning. The novella, Body of Christ, is insanely dark, depressing, and even terrifying. Although the whole time I was reading this one all I could think is, "that's not how women work," so prepare for some strangeness here.
This collection will not be for everyone. It is the epitome of our dark thoughts, so many might find that these stories go too far. This is another reason why I think the author's introduction is so important. He is a professional counselor that is exposed to suicide daily, and has used writing as an outlet for that experience. I think writing is a fantastic way to deal with trauma and emotion, and it's quite personal that the author has chosen to share it with us.
October 1, 2021
Let Me Out I've Had Enough is the first collection of short stories written by Mark Matthews, an author that I had the pleasure to know thanks to his beautiful horror novel The Hobgoblin of Little Minds.
This collection of horror / sci-fi stories heavily delves into depression, grief, loneliness, suicide: because of its content, I would not recommend this book if you're having dark thoughts (please read the introduction by the author, he explains a bit the content of each story and respective trigger warnings).
As with any collection, I didn't connect with all the stories ("The Last Bug Chaser" for example is about an alien coming to earth with the goal to contract a powerful virus to save humanity - isn't it ironic? Still to early for me, sorry), but some I really enjoyed. Here's my favorites:
- Mastectomy Scars: the story of a daughter who recently lost her mother and desperately misses her - heartbreaking but beautiful;
- Body of Christ: the longest story in the collection, possibly one of the weirdest and most disturbing novellas I've ever read in my life but so good;
- Mask of Sanity: a classic horror story of a new drug with very strange and unpredictable side effects.
Eight different worlds, but all equally dark and unsettling.
Definitely not for everybody, but still a good book. 3 stars.
* I'd like to thank Mark Matthews, Wicked Run Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This collection of horror / sci-fi stories heavily delves into depression, grief, loneliness, suicide: because of its content, I would not recommend this book if you're having dark thoughts (please read the introduction by the author, he explains a bit the content of each story and respective trigger warnings).
As with any collection, I didn't connect with all the stories ("The Last Bug Chaser" for example is about an alien coming to earth with the goal to contract a powerful virus to save humanity - isn't it ironic? Still to early for me, sorry), but some I really enjoyed. Here's my favorites:
- Mastectomy Scars: the story of a daughter who recently lost her mother and desperately misses her - heartbreaking but beautiful;
- Body of Christ: the longest story in the collection, possibly one of the weirdest and most disturbing novellas I've ever read in my life but so good;
- Mask of Sanity: a classic horror story of a new drug with very strange and unpredictable side effects.
Eight different worlds, but all equally dark and unsettling.
Definitely not for everybody, but still a good book. 3 stars.
* I'd like to thank Mark Matthews, Wicked Run Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 24, 2022
Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough (2021) is the first short-story collection from horror writer Mark Matthews and features his signature writing style which tempts you to read till the very end. Matthews is known for many novels such as Milk-Blood and Stray as well as being the editor of two notable addiction horror anthologies namely Garden of Fiends and Lullabies For Suffering. Without further ado, let’s dive into Let Me Out…
In Mastectomy Scars, Matthews shows the dark side of suicide and the psychological aftereffects it can have on one’s close relatives. This story is definitely not for the faint-hearted. I loved the metaphorical descriptions. It was also a wise decision to start off the collection with this tale as it gives a taste of what is to come.
Body of Christ is a gem of a horror novella which I reviewed when it initially came out four years ago. You can read my review of it on my website Literary Retreat.
The third story, The Last Bug Chaser, is sci-fi terror at its finest. Clearly influenced by the ongoing pandemic, Matthews does well by combining fiction with events going on in the real world. The story is really bloody so gore lovers are in for a treat.
Mask of Sanity, story number four, is perhaps my favorite. Similar to Mastectomy Scars, it shows the dark side of suicide but this time from a psychiatrist’s perspective making it one of the most original short stories I’ve read in a while.
Tattooed All In black, as the title suggests, is a dark tale and the most morbid one in the collection. It is a story of love and loss written in such prose as to turn one’s dreams into nightmares for many nights after reading.
Matthews does what he did with Body of Christ in The Burdens of the Father and mixes religion with horror. This story is not as spine-tingling as Body of Christ but a must-read nonetheless.
Howling from the Gallows is set in the same universe as Matthews’ novel The Hobgoblin of Little Minds (2021). Although, I’ve not read the latter, this short story makes me want to pick up a copy.
Met My Old Lover In The Grocery Store is the last story in this compilation but is certainly not the least. I liked how this final tale is a feel-good entry in this otherwise gruesome collection. Thus, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough ends as well as it began.
To end with, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a must-have collection for lovers of horror. It is one of the best short-story collections I’ve ever read. You should definitely add it to your TBR list as it would make a welcome addition to your bookshelf.
You can read a copy of my review here: https://www.literaryretreat.com/let-m...
In Mastectomy Scars, Matthews shows the dark side of suicide and the psychological aftereffects it can have on one’s close relatives. This story is definitely not for the faint-hearted. I loved the metaphorical descriptions. It was also a wise decision to start off the collection with this tale as it gives a taste of what is to come.
Body of Christ is a gem of a horror novella which I reviewed when it initially came out four years ago. You can read my review of it on my website Literary Retreat.
The third story, The Last Bug Chaser, is sci-fi terror at its finest. Clearly influenced by the ongoing pandemic, Matthews does well by combining fiction with events going on in the real world. The story is really bloody so gore lovers are in for a treat.
Mask of Sanity, story number four, is perhaps my favorite. Similar to Mastectomy Scars, it shows the dark side of suicide but this time from a psychiatrist’s perspective making it one of the most original short stories I’ve read in a while.
Tattooed All In black, as the title suggests, is a dark tale and the most morbid one in the collection. It is a story of love and loss written in such prose as to turn one’s dreams into nightmares for many nights after reading.
Matthews does what he did with Body of Christ in The Burdens of the Father and mixes religion with horror. This story is not as spine-tingling as Body of Christ but a must-read nonetheless.
Howling from the Gallows is set in the same universe as Matthews’ novel The Hobgoblin of Little Minds (2021). Although, I’ve not read the latter, this short story makes me want to pick up a copy.
Met My Old Lover In The Grocery Store is the last story in this compilation but is certainly not the least. I liked how this final tale is a feel-good entry in this otherwise gruesome collection. Thus, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough ends as well as it began.
To end with, Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough is a must-have collection for lovers of horror. It is one of the best short-story collections I’ve ever read. You should definitely add it to your TBR list as it would make a welcome addition to your bookshelf.
You can read a copy of my review here: https://www.literaryretreat.com/let-m...
November 8, 2021
A letter to the author:
Mark,
I adore your writing. It's full of emotion and grief. I've read some of your other works in the past and always loved them. That being said, some of the stories in this collection I couldn't read. Having recently lost my mom to cancer, it was too raw, too close to home. Seldom, does an author's writing touch me so deeply that I have to take a break from reading to dry my tears.
Horror isn't meant to be comforting, and you surely do an excellent job at making me feel uncomfortable. Even if some stories were too much for me to finish, I know they were excellent in themselves.
Mark,
I adore your writing. It's full of emotion and grief. I've read some of your other works in the past and always loved them. That being said, some of the stories in this collection I couldn't read. Having recently lost my mom to cancer, it was too raw, too close to home. Seldom, does an author's writing touch me so deeply that I have to take a break from reading to dry my tears.
Horror isn't meant to be comforting, and you surely do an excellent job at making me feel uncomfortable. Even if some stories were too much for me to finish, I know they were excellent in themselves.
September 20, 2021
Let me out, I've had enough - what an accurate title, though not for the reasons I feel the author intended. Each story felt cringe worthy and over the top, an almost juvenile attempt at horror. I had hope for each story, but each story I wanted to finish just a page in.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2025
Another book I downloaded in 2024.
This definitley has to have some trigger warnings. I don't like trigger warnings. But here we go, I guess:
Suicide.
Not too graphic mentions of sex
Gore
Depression
So, this was an anthology of stories that focused on difficult themes we face today (not the crackheads vs weretiger one), that contain some elements of erotic and cosmic horror. But... most of them didn't hit the mark. Here are the ones that are actually worth mentioning:
Mastectomy scars
Body of Christ (this one's more of a novel, with eight chapters)
That's it. The concept was great. Execution? Not so much.
This definitley has to have some trigger warnings. I don't like trigger warnings. But here we go, I guess:
Suicide.
Not too graphic mentions of sex
Gore
Depression
So, this was an anthology of stories that focused on difficult themes we face today (not the crackheads vs weretiger one), that contain some elements of erotic and cosmic horror. But... most of them didn't hit the mark. Here are the ones that are actually worth mentioning:
Mastectomy scars
Body of Christ (this one's more of a novel, with eight chapters)
That's it. The concept was great. Execution? Not so much.
October 8, 2021
An anthology collection about grief, loneliness, desperation, and suicide written by an author who worked behavioral health for over 20 years. This book is DARK and is perfect those who wear all black and smoke clove cigarettes. Just kidding! But, it is heavy and will make you feel feelings in an entertaining despairing way. Perfect for spooky season.
My top three favorites of this collection:
The Last Bug-Chaser
What seems to be the last remaining member of a cult that believes themselves to be an alien race that can catch diseases by having sex with people and eating some of them and then creating vaccines inside themselves, is out to catch a new virus. This gave me a “do what now” and I would have happily read a 300+ page book of this.
Burdens of the Father
The world is in some type of post apocalyptic state making our oxygen terrible and the government sanctioning it off. Word of religion or uselessness gets you zapped and turned into a pile of ashes. The main character is off on a stroll to the park to breathe some fresh air for half an hour when tornadoes birth out zombies and they start eating people. 5 star zombie religious horror.
Met My Old Lover in the Grocery Store
The main character is depressed and ready to end it all on Christmas Eve so walks into a grocery store to shoot the place up when he sees his first girlfriend and changes his mind. A made up backstory to a Christmas Song makes this story even better. Could even be gifted as an xmas present.
https://piratetwinkiereadsblog.wordpr...
My top three favorites of this collection:
The Last Bug-Chaser
What seems to be the last remaining member of a cult that believes themselves to be an alien race that can catch diseases by having sex with people and eating some of them and then creating vaccines inside themselves, is out to catch a new virus. This gave me a “do what now” and I would have happily read a 300+ page book of this.
Burdens of the Father
The world is in some type of post apocalyptic state making our oxygen terrible and the government sanctioning it off. Word of religion or uselessness gets you zapped and turned into a pile of ashes. The main character is off on a stroll to the park to breathe some fresh air for half an hour when tornadoes birth out zombies and they start eating people. 5 star zombie religious horror.
Met My Old Lover in the Grocery Store
The main character is depressed and ready to end it all on Christmas Eve so walks into a grocery store to shoot the place up when he sees his first girlfriend and changes his mind. A made up backstory to a Christmas Song makes this story even better. Could even be gifted as an xmas present.
https://piratetwinkiereadsblog.wordpr...
October 18, 2021
Let Me Out I've Had Enough by Mark Matthews had me screaming the very same thing after the first story. Fair warning is given upfront: the thread that connects this collection of stories is desperation and, in some form, suicide, but still I was unprepared for the emotional gut-punch that waited inside.
Mark Matthews has the innate ability to lead the reader in the depths of madness with a sympathy and compassion not always found within the genre. This collection taps into an emotional core and explores it into the extreme. For me, this is the best kind of horror—horror with a heart—even if Mark Matthews continually breaks it.
It opens with “Mastectomy Scars,” possibly the heaviest story I’ve ever read, and possibly my new favorite, which sets the tone for the rest of this collection. Although there are elements of horror in each story, they vary in approach, and a few even delve into sci-fi as well. “Howling From the Gallows” is a wonderful little story from within the world of The Hobgoblin of Little Minds, which I also enjoyed immensely. All are great in their own way, but as with any collection, my favorites may be different from yours.
This collection is heavy and haunting, beautiful yet disturbing, and I loved every bit of it. With amazing prose and unique perspective, every story ramps up until, as the title suggests, you’re begging for it to stop yet can’t look away.
Mark Matthews has the innate ability to lead the reader in the depths of madness with a sympathy and compassion not always found within the genre. This collection taps into an emotional core and explores it into the extreme. For me, this is the best kind of horror—horror with a heart—even if Mark Matthews continually breaks it.
It opens with “Mastectomy Scars,” possibly the heaviest story I’ve ever read, and possibly my new favorite, which sets the tone for the rest of this collection. Although there are elements of horror in each story, they vary in approach, and a few even delve into sci-fi as well. “Howling From the Gallows” is a wonderful little story from within the world of The Hobgoblin of Little Minds, which I also enjoyed immensely. All are great in their own way, but as with any collection, my favorites may be different from yours.
This collection is heavy and haunting, beautiful yet disturbing, and I loved every bit of it. With amazing prose and unique perspective, every story ramps up until, as the title suggests, you’re begging for it to stop yet can’t look away.
October 1, 2021
Dealing with topics like suicide, depression, angst, suffering, and loss, this collection would be a dark and complicated one for just about any reader and probably an ill-advised read for anyone who's dealt with depression, suicide, and trauma themselves. While it does manage to have a few stories I genuinely appreciated (the two at the beginning of the book), many of the stories deal in themes of disgruntled masculine characters with an ax to grind about an ex, iffy feminine characters who cater to those iffy masculine characters, and suicidal scenarios that feel a bit out of context and are often repetitively relied on for dramatic effect. I enjoyed Mastectomy Scars and the surrealism of Body of Christ, but most of the rest of the stories came off as underwritten and a bit frustrating for me as a reader.
October 9, 2021
Whoa. This collection of stories should come with a bright red sticker: DANGER! PROCEED WITH CAUTION! MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNINGS REQUIRED!
Some of Mark Matthews tales are scary, some gross as hell, some are odd, but all are unforgettable.
Any description would spoil the shock of what waits for you beyond the cover.
Enter cautiously and be aware that in one way or another every story has some form of suicide in it, even if not always as you would expect.
I for one, plan to hit up Amazon and look for everything else Mark Matthews has written.
High recommend if a true horror lover.
Thanks to @ Netgalley andMarc Matthews for this arc in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.
Some of Mark Matthews tales are scary, some gross as hell, some are odd, but all are unforgettable.
Any description would spoil the shock of what waits for you beyond the cover.
Enter cautiously and be aware that in one way or another every story has some form of suicide in it, even if not always as you would expect.
I for one, plan to hit up Amazon and look for everything else Mark Matthews has written.
High recommend if a true horror lover.
Thanks to @ Netgalley andMarc Matthews for this arc in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.
November 8, 2021
Despite the hard nature of the fiction, I enjoyed this collection. Some stories were better than others, but most were very good, and I didn't find one that wasn't good. Hard subject is suicide, so this book might not be for everyone. But it will make you think. #LetMeOutIveHadEnough #NetGalley
November 16, 2021
When it comes to short story collections, often you get a mix of stories that didn’t quite click with you and stories that you really enjoyed.
This was such a collection for me.
I’m a huge fan of Mark Matthews writing, so I found my favorites being the ones that follow Matthews’ established style (a horrific story with depth and religious theme); Body of Christ, Tattooed all in Black, and Mask of Sanity.
I also thought The Last Bug Chaser was super original and interesting and I’d love a novella that gave us more of this world.
Mastectomy Scars is the only one in the collection that I didn’t love - It gave me flashbacks to 13 Reasons Why - and while it brought down my rating average, personally, it might be someone else’s favorite because reading is subjective.
All stories in this collection feature suicide, so warning for those who are sensitive to that topic. I’m glad Matthews chose to end the book with Met My Old Lover at the Grocery Store - that was the perfect ending to a collection of such depth and depression.
So grateful to have been able to read this book early! Thanks so much to Wicked Run Press for allowing me to beta read this book!!
This was such a collection for me.
I’m a huge fan of Mark Matthews writing, so I found my favorites being the ones that follow Matthews’ established style (a horrific story with depth and religious theme); Body of Christ, Tattooed all in Black, and Mask of Sanity.
I also thought The Last Bug Chaser was super original and interesting and I’d love a novella that gave us more of this world.
Mastectomy Scars is the only one in the collection that I didn’t love - It gave me flashbacks to 13 Reasons Why - and while it brought down my rating average, personally, it might be someone else’s favorite because reading is subjective.
All stories in this collection feature suicide, so warning for those who are sensitive to that topic. I’m glad Matthews chose to end the book with Met My Old Lover at the Grocery Store - that was the perfect ending to a collection of such depth and depression.
So grateful to have been able to read this book early! Thanks so much to Wicked Run Press for allowing me to beta read this book!!
Read
August 15, 2022LET ME OUT I’VE HAD ENOUGH – by Mark Matthews – Dark Horror Story Collection
Unfortunately, LET ME OUT I’VE HAD ENOUGH is a DNF for me at twenty-four, though I am a fan of Dark Horror, the content of all the shorts in this book centers around suicide, as mentioned in the synopsis—a miss on my part.
That being said, the misgivings I have about the book are personal and my own, and not a reflection of the book itself. I look forward to reading more work from Matthews and Wicked Run Press.
Of the few stories, I read, ‘Mastectomy Scars’ is one of my favorites—Love The Ending!
I agree wholeheartedly with what Matthews says here in a snippet from the Introduction:
‘I find that dark fiction unites us, understands us. Or at least, it understands me, when it’s at its best and not afraid to talk about anything, take me to any dark place. Fiction holds my hand while I have a look, and returns me back to a more understood place.’
Thank You, NetGalley and Wicked Run Press, for providing me with an eBook of LET ME OUT I’VE HAD ENOUGH at the request of an honest review.
Unfortunately, LET ME OUT I’VE HAD ENOUGH is a DNF for me at twenty-four, though I am a fan of Dark Horror, the content of all the shorts in this book centers around suicide, as mentioned in the synopsis—a miss on my part.
That being said, the misgivings I have about the book are personal and my own, and not a reflection of the book itself. I look forward to reading more work from Matthews and Wicked Run Press.
Of the few stories, I read, ‘Mastectomy Scars’ is one of my favorites—Love The Ending!
I agree wholeheartedly with what Matthews says here in a snippet from the Introduction:
‘I find that dark fiction unites us, understands us. Or at least, it understands me, when it’s at its best and not afraid to talk about anything, take me to any dark place. Fiction holds my hand while I have a look, and returns me back to a more understood place.’
Thank You, NetGalley and Wicked Run Press, for providing me with an eBook of LET ME OUT I’VE HAD ENOUGH at the request of an honest review.
October 8, 2021
Being a fan of Mark Matthews' work, I really wanted to like this collection more than I did, but I have to admit that it was a hard read. As an unconscious grammar devotee, a lot of my steam was taken out in the first story alone - no insult ever intended to the author or his team, but a bit more time on the editing table would have done a world of good. Additionally, I found myself feeling that none of the stories included in this collection went beyond a grade of being 'ok' - the only one that stood out was 'Body of Christ', which stood out for all of the wrong reasons - it was overly long, and the length made it seem clunky and disjointed, even if the themes involved were a good and solid base.
As I said, I'm a huge fan of Mark Matthews, and will continue to look forward to his work - but this was not, in my humble opinion, among his best.
As I said, I'm a huge fan of Mark Matthews, and will continue to look forward to his work - but this was not, in my humble opinion, among his best.
October 25, 2021
I received a gifted copy of ‘Let Me Out I’ve Had Enough’ by Mark Matthews, in return for my honest review.
I must say this is a disturbing and dark collection of 8 short horror stories. They are all in some way based around suicide and mental health. In the author’s note at the beginning of the collection he explains how his stories are his release, as he deals with suicide in his daily profession as a licensed professional counsellor. This is a trigger warning though, as if suicide is a trigger for you, then this collection will not be for you.
Favourite Story: Howling From the Gallows
Scariest Story: Mask of Sanity
Most Shocking: Body of Christ
Although I found some of the stories quite confusing and very unusual, there is an important message to take from these stories. Mental Health is very important and to have thoughts of suicide is unfortunately quite common.
This collection is certainly very different in the direction that the stories take and there is a lot of imagination which has gone into creating them. The suicide element is never portrayed in a distasteful way throughout any of the collection.
Overall, a very dark and disturbing collection of horror/sci fi short stories that are definitely in a world of their own.
I must say this is a disturbing and dark collection of 8 short horror stories. They are all in some way based around suicide and mental health. In the author’s note at the beginning of the collection he explains how his stories are his release, as he deals with suicide in his daily profession as a licensed professional counsellor. This is a trigger warning though, as if suicide is a trigger for you, then this collection will not be for you.
Favourite Story: Howling From the Gallows
Scariest Story: Mask of Sanity
Most Shocking: Body of Christ
Although I found some of the stories quite confusing and very unusual, there is an important message to take from these stories. Mental Health is very important and to have thoughts of suicide is unfortunately quite common.
This collection is certainly very different in the direction that the stories take and there is a lot of imagination which has gone into creating them. The suicide element is never portrayed in a distasteful way throughout any of the collection.
Overall, a very dark and disturbing collection of horror/sci fi short stories that are definitely in a world of their own.
October 26, 2021
Interesting short horror stories
All the stories included in this book have to do with loss and death. However, every story takes a spin into horror. Some of the stories included I didn't like which is why I rated it 4 stats instead of 5.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
All the stories included in this book have to do with loss and death. However, every story takes a spin into horror. Some of the stories included I didn't like which is why I rated it 4 stats instead of 5.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
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