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Peeler
Randy Baxter is an aspiring chef who dreams of better days ahead. He's come to work as part of the kitchen staff at Ashbury Creek Asylum, a federally funded institution for the criminally insane. Randy's not crazy but he does harbor a past filled with psychological issues including the need to cut himself to make the memories of his abusive childhood go away. When he learns about the man they call Peeler, a long term resident at Ashbury who has a severe problem with self-mutilation, all of Randy's anxieties start to rise to the surface again.
Determined to overcome his inner demons once and for all, he manipulates a face to face meeting with Peeler but as with all things, there's a price to pay. To see one of the most violent, disturbed men ever to be imprisoned in the maximum security asylum Randy must bring Peeler a small gift. Something no one in their right mind would even think of giving him.
A shiny new razor blade...
Determined to overcome his inner demons once and for all, he manipulates a face to face meeting with Peeler but as with all things, there's a price to pay. To see one of the most violent, disturbed men ever to be imprisoned in the maximum security asylum Randy must bring Peeler a small gift. Something no one in their right mind would even think of giving him.
A shiny new razor blade...
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2012
12 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Gord Rollo
61 books224 followersGord Rollo was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, but now lives in Ontario, Canada. His short stories and novella-length work have appeared in many professional publications throughout the genre and his novels include: The Jigsaw Man, Crimson, Strange Magic, and Valley Of The Scarecrow. His work has been translated into several languages and his titles are currently being adapted for audiobooks.
Besides novels, Gord edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, Unnatural Selection: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares. He also co-edited Dreaming of Angels, a horror/fantasy anthology created to increase awareness of Down's syndrome and raise money for research. He recently completed his newest horror/dark fantasy novel, entitled The Translators and can be reached at his website www.gordrollo.com
Besides novels, Gord edited the acclaimed evolutionary horror anthology, Unnatural Selection: A Collection of Darwinian Nightmares. He also co-edited Dreaming of Angels, a horror/fantasy anthology created to increase awareness of Down's syndrome and raise money for research. He recently completed his newest horror/dark fantasy novel, entitled The Translators and can be reached at his website www.gordrollo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 17, 2014
Peeler is a cool character and this is a pretty cool little story. I really liked the main villain's back-story in this and the ending was pretty great. Also, this piece takes place in an asylum, and I'm a sucker for a good asylum story. I thought the writing wasn't as clear as it could have been at times, and found myself re-reading sentences here and there to try to decipher their meanings. I also found some of the procedures at the institution less than believable, the kind of reality bending that exists chiefly to get one character in the right place to interact with another character. I think the only way the author would been able to get around this would be to give the protagonist a totally different job at the asylum.
Don't let my persnickety comments above stop you from giving this a try. I'm pretty sure you can grab this risk-free ($0.00) from the Amazon at any given time.
Don't let my persnickety comments above stop you from giving this a try. I'm pretty sure you can grab this risk-free ($0.00) from the Amazon at any given time.
March 7, 2015
Randy Baxter works at the Ashbury Creek Asylum for the criminally insane. When he learns about one of the patients, known as "Peeler," his immediate fascination compels him to find out more about this peculiar man who is intent upon peeling the skin off his body. Eventually, Randy finds a way, through another patient, to meet Peeler for himself. But it won't be what he was expecting....
I really enjoyed this unique short story. It captured my interest from the beginning and I just had to know what was going to happen next. I liked the writing style and was pleased to find some nice wince-worthy scenes. I will definitely be reading more books by this author in the near future.
May 22, 2014
It’s show and tell time at the Ashbury Creek Asylum, home to the baddest of the bad, the wildmen, the most violent and batshit crazy serial killers. Resident inmate Theodore Dorsey, aka Peeler, is profoundly disturbed, his problems are much more than skin deep. A former magician, now a crazed self-mutilator, Peeler is ready for his close-up. Now, where is that mirror?
July 30, 2013
4.5 stars
PEELER is more of a "novelette", than a novella; and I always find it a bit annoying to have the story finish when the last 30 pages or so of the book are excerpts from other novels. Thus, the half point deduction...
The Peeler is a character that makes a brief appearance in Rollo's novel STRANGE MAGIC. Having already read (and enjoyed!) that one, I couldn't resist the lure of learning Peeler's background story. Gory, grisly fun. (I just wish it had been a little longer/more in depth).”
PEELER is more of a "novelette", than a novella; and I always find it a bit annoying to have the story finish when the last 30 pages or so of the book are excerpts from other novels. Thus, the half point deduction...
The Peeler is a character that makes a brief appearance in Rollo's novel STRANGE MAGIC. Having already read (and enjoyed!) that one, I couldn't resist the lure of learning Peeler's background story. Gory, grisly fun. (I just wish it had been a little longer/more in depth).”
January 29, 2021
Not my favourite short story wasn't as frightening as I thought.and few spelling mistakes for me better as a full length book.
May 20, 2014
Peeler is quite a disturbing story. It is a bit depressing too.
It takes place in an asylum. A young man who works in the kitchen gets his curiosity peaked after he hears of a patient who seems to have similar problem. Randy Baxter can't stop himself and finds a way to talk to Peeler.
The first half of the story is a good introduction into Randy's issues. The actual meeting with Peeler is what makes this story good.
The ending is both great and horrible. The tension is built up quite well. The highlight of the story hits you over the head after you spend some time thinking Oh, my, God, but then it just stops. There are no explanations, nothing. Before you realize, it it over. Rushed.
The reason why I find this depressing is
It takes place in an asylum. A young man who works in the kitchen gets his curiosity peaked after he hears of a patient who seems to have similar problem. Randy Baxter can't stop himself and finds a way to talk to Peeler.
The first half of the story is a good introduction into Randy's issues. The actual meeting with Peeler is what makes this story good.
The ending is both great and horrible. The tension is built up quite well. The highlight of the story hits you over the head after you spend some time thinking Oh, my, God, but then it just stops. There are no explanations, nothing. Before you realize, it it over. Rushed.
The reason why I find this depressing is
May 30, 2014
For those who like (or at least can stand) their horror cringe inducingly visceral, this novella should be a treat. It was a good read all around, magic, asylums, mentally disturbed magicians, creative self mutilators, pretty good mix for a scary story. Good writing too. Rollo's real success here is originality, his creation is genuinely nightmarish and haunting. Recommended.
June 3, 2024
“Peeler” made my skin crawl! It’s a short story about a young man working at an insane asylum who meets the deeply disturbed titular character in the maximum security wing.
The characters’ backstories were horrifying, and readers can expect lots of disgusting scenes throughout the tale. I also liked that there were tie-ins to some of the author’s other works.
The characters’ backstories were horrifying, and readers can expect lots of disgusting scenes throughout the tale. I also liked that there were tie-ins to some of the author’s other works.
March 3, 2023
Quick, gory, entertaining read! I love how quickly Mr. Rollo can get you interested in his characters. Despite whatever their fate might be 😁
June 7, 2014
What happens when you work in an insane asylum and become obsessed with one of its more popular occupants?
That's the premise of Peeler, a short story that takes a simple idea and seasons it with a bit of magic, self harm and some of the more vicious mutilation scenes committed to an eBook. Easily readable in one sitting and probably unputdownable in that respect, Peeler will have you wondering where it is going and when the climax hits you, pulls the rug out from under you.
The problem for me is it's too short. The tension ratchets nicely enough but when the end comes, the tension starts to fade a little, feeling rushed at times and when you finally get to meet Peeler, the man of the hour, you can't help thinking you've seen this before...the saving grace is the description of the man himself, something you deserve to read. It's that good.
4*. Could have been 5* with a few more pages and a little more build. Mind you, despite this shortcoming and several glaring punctuation and grammatical errors, the story is well written, taut and at times, horrific. Many horror fans will enjoy this.
That's the premise of Peeler, a short story that takes a simple idea and seasons it with a bit of magic, self harm and some of the more vicious mutilation scenes committed to an eBook. Easily readable in one sitting and probably unputdownable in that respect, Peeler will have you wondering where it is going and when the climax hits you, pulls the rug out from under you.
The problem for me is it's too short. The tension ratchets nicely enough but when the end comes, the tension starts to fade a little, feeling rushed at times and when you finally get to meet Peeler, the man of the hour, you can't help thinking you've seen this before...the saving grace is the description of the man himself, something you deserve to read. It's that good.
4*. Could have been 5* with a few more pages and a little more build. Mind you, despite this shortcoming and several glaring punctuation and grammatical errors, the story is well written, taut and at times, horrific. Many horror fans will enjoy this.
September 8, 2014
An interesting idea for a story marred by some convenient plotting and average sentence structuring, Gord Rollo's Peeler is a visceral exploration of self-harm at the extreme end of the scale. Take one obsessed cook, a psychotic borderline with a particularly troubling delusional belief, and an odd friend who serves as a narrative fulcrum, toss in a side serving of ghoulish gore, along with a seasoning of a tragic back-story, and you have Peeler. Rollo delivers a satisfying enough tale as long as you can ignore some lazy plotting that requires more than the usual suspension of disbelief associated even with a horror novella, though there is little to necessitate a higher recommendation.
That said, I'm interested to see what he has conjured up from some of his longer works and will follow up with one of these in future.
2.5 to 3 Sleights of Hand for Peeler.
That said, I'm interested to see what he has conjured up from some of his longer works and will follow up with one of these in future.
2.5 to 3 Sleights of Hand for Peeler.
January 21, 2023
I've long seen this author recommended in the horror scene, but I'll confess this was my first foray into his books. This short quick and horrifying read was an excellent way to sample his style. It's easy to see why he has the reputation he does. Just the title of this book has me flinching, and that is nothing compared to what you are in store for in this extreme read. I'm excited to read more by this author.
August 22, 2014
A sharp little blade of a tale.
This is the story of Randy Baxter, a mental-asylum cook who gets enveloped in the tale of an inmate seeking enlightenment by cutting off his own skin.
This is one of my favorite reads this year, and my introduction to the work of Gord Rollo, a writer that I'm desperately behind on. This piece is fantastic and gory, every horror readers dream. It packs a massive punch, and it'll be in your head for a while afterword
Mr. Rollo, I look forward to reading more of your work.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
my link text
This is the story of Randy Baxter, a mental-asylum cook who gets enveloped in the tale of an inmate seeking enlightenment by cutting off his own skin.
This is one of my favorite reads this year, and my introduction to the work of Gord Rollo, a writer that I'm desperately behind on. This piece is fantastic and gory, every horror readers dream. It packs a massive punch, and it'll be in your head for a while afterword
Mr. Rollo, I look forward to reading more of your work.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
my link text
February 15, 2014
Good story which had a lot of promise that could of been turned into a full novel as the authours idea held a lot of possibilites for a longer story... therefore only 3 stars but a good read nonetheless.
July 22, 2020
The deepsh*t was that. Such a short story but extremely disturbing to read. You better choose wisely before reading this short tale...
Randy got some mental problem with himself, though there's a reason behind it. He had a dark, abusive past frok his childhood that he can never forget. The past traumatised his own sanity. Became he been obsessed with cutting off his own skin of body. Thus it hurts, it hurts more then anything but no matter what he juat couldn't help it out. Though he didn't do it always but when as he was a chef in a cheap restaurant somehow he heard a person's name Peeler. Thus at first he didn't about him much until another person who was Lucius by name, who happened to be Peeler's friend told him literally something very unusual about him that he (Randy) ever heard in his entire life. Randy got hooked up on it and follow Lucius to find out more about Peeler by meeting him personally face to face. Well thr surprise just waiting for him in there. To know the answer just dig out the story. But remember it would be very gore, disturbing and say tormenting too...
I go with 4...
Randy got some mental problem with himself, though there's a reason behind it. He had a dark, abusive past frok his childhood that he can never forget. The past traumatised his own sanity. Became he been obsessed with cutting off his own skin of body. Thus it hurts, it hurts more then anything but no matter what he juat couldn't help it out. Though he didn't do it always but when as he was a chef in a cheap restaurant somehow he heard a person's name Peeler. Thus at first he didn't about him much until another person who was Lucius by name, who happened to be Peeler's friend told him literally something very unusual about him that he (Randy) ever heard in his entire life. Randy got hooked up on it and follow Lucius to find out more about Peeler by meeting him personally face to face. Well thr surprise just waiting for him in there. To know the answer just dig out the story. But remember it would be very gore, disturbing and say tormenting too...
I go with 4...
February 23, 2020
It was... okay. Not the worst story I've ever read, certainly not the best. It entertained me for the thirty minutes I took to read it but it was...lack luster. A shell of a plot that could have been way more interesting if the author took the time to plan it out more. Characters that were interesting, but again just shells, just people. I didn't feel sympathy or sadness for them. I'm not saying it's a bad story, but it's...eh. I won't re-read and I won't remember it by next week. This review is short because there's just not that much to say on it. It's there, it's a story, it's fine. Some grammar mistakes but honestly, I can see why you wouldn't want to hire an editor to read and re-read, it's just a simple story that passes time. Call it the Candy Crush of stories, you read it because it's there, not because you went looking for it.
April 27, 2024
I knew going into this book it was short.. but I guess the abruptness of the ending threw me off. There was still half the book left, but it was other short stories by the author.. **And yes I know it’s a “short story” but I thought THIS short story was the only one in the book, that’s where my confusion comes from.**So I guess I thought this one would be longer and it’s okay that it’s not, it just wasn’t what I was expecting and I craved for more story. I did enjoy the character development and the way the author described Randy’s emotional experience and battles throughout the story line.
December 22, 2023
Was enjoying this intriguing story and interesting characters but was put off slightly by the sudden end and half the book being a chapter for a different book. Not sure if that's all edition or just this one. But the novelette was good, just wish I knew beforehand that it was a lot shorter than expected.
March 21, 2023
Very short story about a man an asylum because of his love for self mutilation. You also have a chef who also self mutilates that works at the asylum. But put both together in a room spells trouble. Loved it!
July 22, 2024
I had to catch myself near the end. I started to wonder, whyyy would he do that?!?! Was he crazy? But yes, of course, why else would he be in an asylum for the criminally insane? XD
July 9, 2014
Randy Baxter, after a troubled childhood including a history of cutting, is now working towards establishing his chef career. Unfortunately, his current job is pretty uninspiring, serving food to residents of the Ashbury Creek Asylum in Western New York state. While working there he hears about Peeler, a mysterious resident who is secured in the basement. He finds out he’s called Peeler because of his obsessive self-mutilation and continuous efforts to remove his own skin. He’s such a danger to himself that he is kept in solitary confinement and has even had his mouth wired shut so he can’t use his teeth.
Randy becomes fascinated and intrigued with this man and the motivation behind his need to self-harm. His curiosity grows as he seeks to find out more about Peeler. Randy gets to meet Peeler with the help of another inmate, and with a promise to bring a razor blade, and then it’s a case of be careful what you wish for.
As you can imagine, with a title and premise like this, when the gore arrives it is wet and excruciating. There is more to the story than you might assume and Peeler’s motivation is remarkable. I saw reflections of Clive Barker and Hellraiser. It all leads to a well wrapped up, satisfying conclusion that will leave a smile on your face. Well, maybe not on most people’s faces, but if you’re reading this then you’ll understand.
Gord Rollo has some really excellent short stories. It’s a medium in which he excels, and I’ve enjoyed quite a few of them. This is very short: a nice appetizer to refresh the palate between novels. You’ll most likely get through it in one sitting. It’s a definite recommendation from me.
Randy becomes fascinated and intrigued with this man and the motivation behind his need to self-harm. His curiosity grows as he seeks to find out more about Peeler. Randy gets to meet Peeler with the help of another inmate, and with a promise to bring a razor blade, and then it’s a case of be careful what you wish for.
As you can imagine, with a title and premise like this, when the gore arrives it is wet and excruciating. There is more to the story than you might assume and Peeler’s motivation is remarkable. I saw reflections of Clive Barker and Hellraiser. It all leads to a well wrapped up, satisfying conclusion that will leave a smile on your face. Well, maybe not on most people’s faces, but if you’re reading this then you’ll understand.
Gord Rollo has some really excellent short stories. It’s a medium in which he excels, and I’ve enjoyed quite a few of them. This is very short: a nice appetizer to refresh the palate between novels. You’ll most likely get through it in one sitting. It’s a definite recommendation from me.
February 18, 2015
This short story falls into the horror/suspense/thriller genre. It think it is really well written, but boy is it really GORY, sick and twisted. I'd read reviews that this short story was really gory and it lives up to the hype and then some. So, if you're not into these type of reads, then stay away. I still feel ill at ease after reading this story and a knot in the pit of my stomach. I'm not sure if I liked Peeler or not... The goriness is what got to me... This level of goriness isn't something I usually seek out or read and will be something I'll stay very far away from in the future. The story is interesting and well developed, so I don't want to give a negative review on the author's writing skills to tell a story... Because the author is good at storytelling and building suspense. Once you get into the story and it turns really gory, it's almost like you can't not read what happens next.
April 2, 2014
I wasn't sure if I was going to read this because of some of the reviews but I'm glad I did... it took me only a couple of hours so it's a pretty short story, saying that I wish it would have been a bit longer the ending felt rushed. I did enjoy the story and it kept my interest. I would recommend this book.
July 10, 2014
Another over the top story from Gord Rollo. This novella, Peeler delivered a combination of psychological thriller and horror, complete with minutely detailed gore. If a bucket of pulsing entrails were to suddenly become a book, it would be titled The Peeler. Gord Rollo never disappoints. Not for the squeamish.
April 24, 2014
Loved it
I loved the book but I'm left wondering why. So if you love reading a scary as hell book, hearing all the gruesome details , and being left wondering this is the book for you!
I loved the book but I'm left wondering why. So if you love reading a scary as hell book, hearing all the gruesome details , and being left wondering this is the book for you!
September 7, 2014
Oh. My. Goodness! An amazingly vivid story. It was so exquisitely gross and reminded me of stories written by Chuck Palahniuk, wherein there are no limits on what a person can imagine and write. I finished this story two days ago and I still cannot get the images out of my head. Well done!
October 21, 2014
This was creepy and very grotesque. It was also something very unique and I didn't know what the hell I had just read. Which kind of seemed to be the intent behind it, so it wasn't annoying.
Not a bad short story and I liked that it felt complete, even with no questions answered.
Not a bad short story and I liked that it felt complete, even with no questions answered.
June 2, 2014
Different, but I enjoyed it. Well, is enjoy the right word? It was quite gruesome, but I will still read other books by this author! LOL!
April 15, 2014
Loved this (as I do with all Gord Rollo stories, of course!)!! Juuuusssst wish it were a little bit longer. :)
June 7, 2014
I was suggested this book by a fellow author and I'm so glad I gave it a shot! A short story of gore with likeable characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews