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Masters of Horror
A selection of some of the finest horror writers of today were invited by Matt Shaw to bring him their twisted tales for this anthology. A book put together with the sole purpose of reminding readers what the horror genre is really about. Each author was told they could write about any subject matter they wanted so long as it was set in a world of horror. The only rule they had: No Paranormal Romance. Vampires do not sparkle, werewolves do not date, Witches do not scour Tinder for Virgins and ghosts do not declare their undying love whilst tidying the apartment... This is horror...
Featuring work from:
Brian Lumley,
Adam Nevill,
Guy N. Smith
Ramsey Campbell,
Gary McMahon,
Shaun Hutson,
J. R Park,
Peter McKeirnon,
Jim Goforth,
Wrath James White,
Craig Saunders,
Matt Hickman,
Sam West,
Kit Power,
Daniel Marc Chant,
Matt Shaw,
Adam Millard,
Anton Palmer,
Clare Riley Whitfield,
Jaime Johnesee,
Jeff Strand,
Andrew Freudenberg,
Michael Bray
Shane McKenzie.
Featuring work from:
Brian Lumley,
Adam Nevill,
Guy N. Smith
Ramsey Campbell,
Gary McMahon,
Shaun Hutson,
J. R Park,
Peter McKeirnon,
Jim Goforth,
Wrath James White,
Craig Saunders,
Matt Hickman,
Sam West,
Kit Power,
Daniel Marc Chant,
Matt Shaw,
Adam Millard,
Anton Palmer,
Clare Riley Whitfield,
Jaime Johnesee,
Jeff Strand,
Andrew Freudenberg,
Michael Bray
Shane McKenzie.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2017
230 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
534 books2,221 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 13, 2017
Fabulous short story collection
I have to say that I read a lot... and I read a great deal of short story collections. For a change, we have a collection of some awesome horror stories in various genres. What a total amazing surprise! Usually with a collection like this, you get some greats and a bunch of crap. It was incredibly hard for me to write down my favorites because there were so many. Before I present my list of must reads, I have a comment about the stories I did not include. They were sometimes just as terrific or just as creepy but, for me, endings are everything. A story can be a page turner and totally compelling but if I get to the end of the story and it feels rushed or it lacks oomph, then I am disappointed. That was the issue with the majority of the stories that did not make my “must read” list. I emphasize that they were not bad stories (in fact, some were brilliant) but the ending ruined it for me.
MUST READ IMMEDIATELY:
1. Letter from Hell by Matt Shaw (touching and demented. Made you think about a child’s environment and what is can create)
1. Mary by JR Park (this is just POV excellence)
2. Survival by Sam West
2. Chocolate by Mason Sabre
2. Dead-Eyed Dick by Anton Palmer (funny and unique... totally turned into something else)
2. Just Breathe by Jaime Johnesee (disturbing violent tale)
2. Loco Parentis by Kit Power
2. Eye for an Eye by Matt Hickman (murder is murder no matter the circumstances... brilliant)
3. Again by Ramsey Campbell (he is just the master... disturbing)
3. The Cyprus Shell by Brian Lumley (very disturbing)
3. Doll Face by Peter McKeirnon
3. Beast Mode by Wrath James White
3. The Pit by Graeme Reynolds (great ending)
3. Down There by Ryan Harding (great sarcasm from characters)
3. Zolem by Tonia Brown ( not really horror but funny story and should be mentioned just because of an awesome title... you’ll get it when you read the story)
3. The end is where you find it by Michael Bray (weird and unique)
3. The Clay Man by Clare Riley Whitfield (hmmm... this was so good it maybe should have been ranked a 2. Interesting moral to the story)
Lastly.... I have to mention one of my favourite authors.... Jeff Strand. As far as I am concerned, he is the king of horror comedy. Even though I didn’t care for “Don’t Make Fun of the Haunted House”, he is still getting a mention because he rules. It’s just that simple. The guy could write a book about haunted urine and I would read it. And... don’t misunderstand me... it’s not that this short story is bad because it’s not. It’s just that I have very very very (extremely) high expectation of Mr. Strand and this just didn’t cut it for me. BUT... give it a try. Maybe you will be a new fan of his work because like I said “he rules!!!!!!!”
I have to say that I read a lot... and I read a great deal of short story collections. For a change, we have a collection of some awesome horror stories in various genres. What a total amazing surprise! Usually with a collection like this, you get some greats and a bunch of crap. It was incredibly hard for me to write down my favorites because there were so many. Before I present my list of must reads, I have a comment about the stories I did not include. They were sometimes just as terrific or just as creepy but, for me, endings are everything. A story can be a page turner and totally compelling but if I get to the end of the story and it feels rushed or it lacks oomph, then I am disappointed. That was the issue with the majority of the stories that did not make my “must read” list. I emphasize that they were not bad stories (in fact, some were brilliant) but the ending ruined it for me.
MUST READ IMMEDIATELY:
1. Letter from Hell by Matt Shaw (touching and demented. Made you think about a child’s environment and what is can create)
1. Mary by JR Park (this is just POV excellence)
2. Survival by Sam West
2. Chocolate by Mason Sabre
2. Dead-Eyed Dick by Anton Palmer (funny and unique... totally turned into something else)
2. Just Breathe by Jaime Johnesee (disturbing violent tale)
2. Loco Parentis by Kit Power
2. Eye for an Eye by Matt Hickman (murder is murder no matter the circumstances... brilliant)
3. Again by Ramsey Campbell (he is just the master... disturbing)
3. The Cyprus Shell by Brian Lumley (very disturbing)
3. Doll Face by Peter McKeirnon
3. Beast Mode by Wrath James White
3. The Pit by Graeme Reynolds (great ending)
3. Down There by Ryan Harding (great sarcasm from characters)
3. Zolem by Tonia Brown ( not really horror but funny story and should be mentioned just because of an awesome title... you’ll get it when you read the story)
3. The end is where you find it by Michael Bray (weird and unique)
3. The Clay Man by Clare Riley Whitfield (hmmm... this was so good it maybe should have been ranked a 2. Interesting moral to the story)
Lastly.... I have to mention one of my favourite authors.... Jeff Strand. As far as I am concerned, he is the king of horror comedy. Even though I didn’t care for “Don’t Make Fun of the Haunted House”, he is still getting a mention because he rules. It’s just that simple. The guy could write a book about haunted urine and I would read it. And... don’t misunderstand me... it’s not that this short story is bad because it’s not. It’s just that I have very very very (extremely) high expectation of Mr. Strand and this just didn’t cut it for me. BUT... give it a try. Maybe you will be a new fan of his work because like I said “he rules!!!!!!!”
April 8, 2019
A better anthology than many these days, although the majority of the better stories were from the more veteran and well-known authors. Brian Lumley, Ramsey Campbell, Shaun Hutson, Amy Cross and Wrath James White definitely stood out among the rest, and I only found three or four tales that were so bad or uninteresting I didin't finish them.
August 10, 2022
Ok read.
This was just ok for me. As usual, Matt Shaw's story was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. There were a couple others that I liked well enough. Most just didn't hold my attention. Would recommend!
This was just ok for me. As usual, Matt Shaw's story was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. There were a couple others that I liked well enough. Most just didn't hold my attention. Would recommend!
November 30, 2017
Awesome anthology
Great story telling from some of the greatest horror authors. I enjoyed reading and discovering authors I have never heard and will most definitely read more by them, so thanks my to-be-read has grown indeed.
Great story telling from some of the greatest horror authors. I enjoyed reading and discovering authors I have never heard and will most definitely read more by them, so thanks my to-be-read has grown indeed.
November 12, 2017
A MUST-HAVE!
With horror anthologies almost a dime a dozen anymore, and most not even REAL horror, it's difficult weed out the impersonators. Look no further! Matt Shaw's new anthology will keep you awake long after putting it down! It's sneaky, brutal, subtle, visceral, gruesome and in-your-face....and more! This is horror the way it's supposed to be....almost unreadable and totally cringe-worthy! Rarely do I ever have to stop and breathe and look away from the page (like peeking at a movie from between fingers!)....it was exhilarating! And there's LOTS of stories, not just a few, from some of the best (I think) and most creative authors ever! Very, very impressed with this volume, Matt Shaw!
With horror anthologies almost a dime a dozen anymore, and most not even REAL horror, it's difficult weed out the impersonators. Look no further! Matt Shaw's new anthology will keep you awake long after putting it down! It's sneaky, brutal, subtle, visceral, gruesome and in-your-face....and more! This is horror the way it's supposed to be....almost unreadable and totally cringe-worthy! Rarely do I ever have to stop and breathe and look away from the page (like peeking at a movie from between fingers!)....it was exhilarating! And there's LOTS of stories, not just a few, from some of the best (I think) and most creative authors ever! Very, very impressed with this volume, Matt Shaw!
December 29, 2017
It's usually difficult to review anthologies because some of the stories are great and others--not so great.
That isn't the case in this book. Sure, I liked some stories more than others, but all of them were well-written and accomplished the goal of inducing horror. Horror can come from the most surreal circumstances to the most mundane. You'll find those and everything in between in this compilation.
I think one of the stories, Survival, by Sam West, really defines horror. It is something--anything--that threatens our survival be it monsters or trees or television or alcohol or strange creatures from the sea. We are horrified when our survival is threatened and you can feel that horror in all of these stories.
I wasn't familiar with most of the authors in this anthology, but now I have some new guys to check out (why are most of them men?). I look forward to that.
I definitely recommend this book. It will leave you feeling a little scared and a little disturbed and a little nauseated, but that's what it's supposed to do.
That isn't the case in this book. Sure, I liked some stories more than others, but all of them were well-written and accomplished the goal of inducing horror. Horror can come from the most surreal circumstances to the most mundane. You'll find those and everything in between in this compilation.
I think one of the stories, Survival, by Sam West, really defines horror. It is something--anything--that threatens our survival be it monsters or trees or television or alcohol or strange creatures from the sea. We are horrified when our survival is threatened and you can feel that horror in all of these stories.
I wasn't familiar with most of the authors in this anthology, but now I have some new guys to check out (why are most of them men?). I look forward to that.
I definitely recommend this book. It will leave you feeling a little scared and a little disturbed and a little nauseated, but that's what it's supposed to do.
June 26, 2020
112 of 200
Kindle
Masters of Horror: A Horror anthology
Presented by Matt Shaw
Collection of authors
Masters of Horror A selection of some of the finest horror writers of today were invited by Matt Shaw to bring him their twisted tales for this anthology. A book put together with the sole purpose of reminding readers what the horror genre is really about. Each author was told they could write about any subject matter they wanted so long as it was set in a world of horror. The only rule they had: No Paranormal Romance. Vampires do not sparkle, werewolves do not date, Witches do not scour Tinder for Virgins and ghosts do not declare their undying love whilst tidying the apartment... This is horror... Featuring work from: Introduction- Matt Shaw Brian Lumley - The Cyprus Shell Ramsey Campbell- Again Sam West- Survival J R Park - Mary Peter McKeirnon- Doll Face Andrew Freudenberg- A Taste of Mercy Mason Sabre - Chocolate Shaun Hutson- The Contract Anton Palmer- Dead-Eyed Dick Wrath James White- Beast Mode Shane McKenzie- Dewey Davenport Tonia Brown - Zolem Graeme Reynolds- The Pit Adam L.G. Nevill- Hippocampus Gary McMahon- You Can Go Now Ryan Harding - Down There Matt Shaw - Letter From Hell Matt Hickman- Eye For An Eye Daniel Marc Chant - Three Black Dogs Amy Cross- Checkout Kit Power- Loco Parentis Adam Millard - In The Family Guy N. Smith - The Priest Hole Jaime Johnesee- Just Breathe Craig Saunders- Raintown Sam Michael Bray - The End Is Where You’ll Find It Jeff Strand- Don’t Make Fun Of The Haunted House Mark Cassell - Trust Issues Paul Flewitt- The Silent Invader Clare Riley Whitfield- The Clay Man Jim Goforth- Animus Brian Lumley - The Deep-Sea Conch Chris Hall- Afterword
A few comments on the ones I enjoyed the most!
1. The Cyprus shell by Brain Lumley
This is a letter to a friend explaining his recent early departure from a dinner party. He explains his awful experience and aversion to oysters! Got to say I loved it and it captured so much in a short letter!
2. Again by Ramsey Campbell
This is a strange little story about a hiker discovering a strange old woman keeping her almost dead husband tied to a bed. It was a little strange.
4. Mary by J R Park
Ooo this was good religious symbols and lots of murder and blood!!
5 Doll Face by Peter McKeirnon
This was creepy as f**k there are no limits to what a father would do for his little girl!
6. A taste of Mercy by Andrew Freudenburg
Brilliant so sad and yet so gross! You felt every word of the woe the trenches brought these men!
7 chocolate by Mason Sabre
Ok so I will be keeping a close eye on my kids and their imaginary friends needing chocolate haha loved it!
8 The Contract by Shaun Hutson
Well this taught us one thing is certain killing death would be a very silly thing to do!!
9 Dead-eyed Dick by Anton Palmer
This had me in tears laughing and must be every mans worst nightmare! I’m definitely getting my husband to read it! Brilliant!!
11 Hippocampus by Adam L.G. Nevill
Nevill is one of my favourite authors he has a way of taking you every step of the journey with every book he writes. This one did not disappoint I walked the length of that vessel
With him! I know have some pretty gruesome scenes in my head.
12 you can go now. By Gary McMahon
Totally heartbreaking in some way and utterly creepy in others! Also an eye opener to mental illness which I took from it!
13 letter from hell by Matt Shaw
Reading this made me sick to my stomach being a mum I think it’s my worst nightmare! I can just imagine how those mothers felt when their children never came home! Totally gut wrenching!!
14 Eye for an eye by Matt Hickman
Brilliant! Gruesome and totally what you’d expect from the afterlife of a murderer!
16 Loco Parentis by Kit Power
About a man rounding up a pedophile ring and breaking some bones but in a strange twist he turns it on the reader lol very good!!
I absolutely loved most of these stories I think there is something in there for every Horror fan I’ve also found a few more authors!
December 2, 2017
This book took me right back to being a youngster in the seventies and eighties, and discovering horror books. The thrill of spending a winters afternoon reading Ghost Story, anything by SK, HP Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe. God, I nearly forgot. Ramsey Campbell! Anthologies edited by Kirby McCauley! I've still got my copy of Dark Forces!
Masters of Horror was a great read with some excellent stories. I can't tell you how much I despise that romantic-supernatural-fantasy crap that dominates the shelves in Waterstones. What happened, horror! There was always a Horror section in book shops, and you knew what you were getting. Thank you Matt Shaw. More please!
Masters of Horror was a great read with some excellent stories. I can't tell you how much I despise that romantic-supernatural-fantasy crap that dominates the shelves in Waterstones. What happened, horror! There was always a Horror section in book shops, and you knew what you were getting. Thank you Matt Shaw. More please!
January 10, 2018
A Great Selection of Horror Stories
As with all anthologies, some stories are better than others. But every story in this anthology belongs, and certainly every author included has earned the right to be represented here. Even the stories I considered to be "lesser" were better than you'll find in other collections. I highly recommend this book!
WARNING!: while there is a wide variety of Horror contained in this anthology, some of the stories are of the Extreme Horror variety, and may offend delicate constitutions (I mean, come on people... it IS Matt Shaw after all!). You've been warned.
As with all anthologies, some stories are better than others. But every story in this anthology belongs, and certainly every author included has earned the right to be represented here. Even the stories I considered to be "lesser" were better than you'll find in other collections. I highly recommend this book!
WARNING!: while there is a wide variety of Horror contained in this anthology, some of the stories are of the Extreme Horror variety, and may offend delicate constitutions (I mean, come on people... it IS Matt Shaw after all!). You've been warned.
November 5, 2018
While most of the stories are in the middle (2-3 stars), there are a few standout 5-star stories (one of them is by Ryan Harding, who isn't even on the list of authors above), and a handful of stories that make me wonder how they ended up in a collection with the word "masters" in the title. Your mileage may vary.
March 21, 2018
Matt Shaw rules!
I love this book and you are very good at what you do! Never stop! I agree with your assessment of what horror is supposed to be, and please don't forget that ever. Keep it up! Thank you.
I love this book and you are very good at what you do! Never stop! I agree with your assessment of what horror is supposed to be, and please don't forget that ever. Keep it up! Thank you.
February 15, 2018
All the stories were great. Loved them all!! Great boom
June 24, 2018
As all anothologies go...
Some great. Some not so great. All of it very subjective based on your own peccadillos when it comes to the horror genre.
Some great. Some not so great. All of it very subjective based on your own peccadillos when it comes to the horror genre.
February 27, 2019
Good
I really enjoyed quite a few of the stories in here, why do I have to write 9 more words, that's daft.
I really enjoyed quite a few of the stories in here, why do I have to write 9 more words, that's daft.
April 4, 2022
Matt Shaw has absolutely hit this one right out of the park. I had no doubt whatsoever, with a line-up of contributing Authors including greats such as Ramsay Cambell, Shaun Hutson, and even a tale from Matt himself, that it was going to be wonderful, and it certainly was.
There's something for everyone here. No spoilers, but there are gore soaked horrors that will leave you sleeping with the light on (well, what else could we expect from Matt Shaw?!) and poignant tales that actually brought a huge lump to my throat, with everything you can imagine inbetween. There really are some damned good stories in here, destined to be classics, in my own humble opinion - for whatever that's worth.
I know it's one of those standout collections that I will return to time and again...like I can't help being drawn back to Stephen King's 'Night Shift'. Why? Because the stories are just so good, that's why. They linger. They haunt you. And one day, I know I am going to think, hmmm...where's that brilliant collection Matt Shaw put together, and I will read them all again.
If you like your horror to be really horrible, Matt Shaw had to be to go-to guy for putting such an amazing collection together.
Don't miss this one. I just wish there were more than 5 stars to award, as The Masters of Horror absolutely deserves them all, and the rest!
There's something for everyone here. No spoilers, but there are gore soaked horrors that will leave you sleeping with the light on (well, what else could we expect from Matt Shaw?!) and poignant tales that actually brought a huge lump to my throat, with everything you can imagine inbetween. There really are some damned good stories in here, destined to be classics, in my own humble opinion - for whatever that's worth.
I know it's one of those standout collections that I will return to time and again...like I can't help being drawn back to Stephen King's 'Night Shift'. Why? Because the stories are just so good, that's why. They linger. They haunt you. And one day, I know I am going to think, hmmm...where's that brilliant collection Matt Shaw put together, and I will read them all again.
If you like your horror to be really horrible, Matt Shaw had to be to go-to guy for putting such an amazing collection together.
Don't miss this one. I just wish there were more than 5 stars to award, as The Masters of Horror absolutely deserves them all, and the rest!
April 29, 2022
Great collection of 20+ short stories and novelettes. Not a single dud in the whole collection.
February 10, 2018
This collection is a bit of a mixed bag.
Some of the stories are reasonably good, others are pretty lame. I suppose this must be expected with anthologies.
What marks the collection down is the fact that it is littered with spelling mistakes, incorrect word usage and even words missing entirely.
Some of the stories are reasonably good, others are pretty lame. I suppose this must be expected with anthologies.
What marks the collection down is the fact that it is littered with spelling mistakes, incorrect word usage and even words missing entirely.
January 9, 2019
So this book is kind of like when you’re scratching a CashWord and you start off with like an A and an E but then you get like Z and Y and X and you know you’re fucked and kind of just give up and grimace as you are forced to scratch the rest. It started off well but then turned into GOD THIS IS SO HARD TO FINISH WHYYYYYY
July 2, 2019
What crazy ride it was reading this horror anthology! So many different types of horror pulled me in many different directions. From the fast paced to the slow paced and everything in between. I enjoyed the stories in this anthology for the most part although there were some I enjoyed less than others. I would definitely read another horror anthology edited by Matt Shaw!
October 14, 2018
The title says it all, what an amazing collection of horror shorts by some of the biggest names in horror. This book is a definite must read for all fans of horror.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews