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Motel Styx
Tucked away in the Chihuahuan Desert lies a motel unlike any other…Fueled by online trends, a shift in the American zeitgeist has led to the instatement of the Lazarus Act, legalizing the 'recreational use' of human corpses.
Ellis Mercer, recently bereaved, embarks on a secret mission to America's first 'necrotel' to recover his wife's remains, before her corpse and his memory of her are desecrated by the motel’s twisted membership.
As he uncovers the murky inner workings of Motel Styx, evading its suspicious staff and encountering a wild array of death-obsessed guests, he will be forced to face an unsettling truth: there is more than one way to define love.
Motel Styx is an explicit, disturbing, and witty tale about lust, loss, and the last taboo.
Ellis Mercer, recently bereaved, embarks on a secret mission to America's first 'necrotel' to recover his wife's remains, before her corpse and his memory of her are desecrated by the motel’s twisted membership.
As he uncovers the murky inner workings of Motel Styx, evading its suspicious staff and encountering a wild array of death-obsessed guests, he will be forced to face an unsettling truth: there is more than one way to define love.
Motel Styx is an explicit, disturbing, and witty tale about lust, loss, and the last taboo.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2024
480 people are currently reading
5910 people want to read
About the author
Michelle von Eschen
13 books92 followersMichelle von Eschen (early works written as Michelle Kilmer) is an American author of quiet, literary horror.
She is a lover of the macabre who prefers Earl Grey tea, October, people who say goodbye on the phone, and her dreams are so real she can’t figure out what has really happened to her. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys weightlifting, dark beer, web design, singing and playing guitar, camping and hiking, and watching horror movies. She lives in England with her husband, horror author Jonathan Butcher.
She is a lover of the macabre who prefers Earl Grey tea, October, people who say goodbye on the phone, and her dreams are so real she can’t figure out what has really happened to her. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys weightlifting, dark beer, web design, singing and playing guitar, camping and hiking, and watching horror movies. She lives in England with her husband, horror author Jonathan Butcher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
August 7, 2025
You're Better Than That...
MOTEL STYX
by Michelle von Eschen, Jonathan Butcher
5 stars. Welcome to Hell. Enjoy your stay...
Ellis' wife Emeley was dead by suicide. But not before leaving him her final words: Don't come looking for me...
He thought: This is insane...
How could she have done this to him? How could she be so cruel? She was better than this!...
Well...
Ellis was going to take this situation into his own hands. A woman was waiting for him at his quasi-resort destination...
She told him: I can help you get her back...
Because of the Lazarus Act, dead people now had somewhere to go. Bodies were freely exchanged for a fair price to be used for living clients' sexual pleasure...
At the airport...
Religious zealots swarmed Ellis' rental car, screaming: Corpse f*ck*r! Necrophilia is a sin!...
No one and nothing was going to stop him. He was on a very important mission. No one was going to take advantage of his wife...
His destination was a nest of sickos and degenerates. People so afraid of a sexual encounter with someone living that they sought the company of the dead...
He took Highway 90 to a deserted motel on a dry, dusty desert road in Texas...
Motel Styx was a gathering place for the depraved. It was a den of sin...
An ex-mortician owned the place known as a necrotel. He made a bigger profit off of the dead by operating a motel for necrophiles than as a funeral director...
Ellis was undercover, looking for his wife among the many bodies stored there for later use as sexual playthings for perverts...
She was better than that. H*ll, he was better than that!...
This story was a pleasant surprise. The writing was excellent and dropped the reader convincingly at a roadside motel of a different variety.
The motel management and guests are believable, and the story, sprinkled with dark humor, progresses to a satisfying and buttoned-up ending.
Warnings to some readers: This is extreme
(but not overly so) horror about necrophilia.
Well worth a read, IMO!
MOTEL STYX
by Michelle von Eschen, Jonathan Butcher
5 stars. Welcome to Hell. Enjoy your stay...
Ellis' wife Emeley was dead by suicide. But not before leaving him her final words: Don't come looking for me...
He thought: This is insane...
How could she have done this to him? How could she be so cruel? She was better than this!...
Well...
Ellis was going to take this situation into his own hands. A woman was waiting for him at his quasi-resort destination...
She told him: I can help you get her back...
Because of the Lazarus Act, dead people now had somewhere to go. Bodies were freely exchanged for a fair price to be used for living clients' sexual pleasure...
At the airport...
Religious zealots swarmed Ellis' rental car, screaming: Corpse f*ck*r! Necrophilia is a sin!...
No one and nothing was going to stop him. He was on a very important mission. No one was going to take advantage of his wife...
His destination was a nest of sickos and degenerates. People so afraid of a sexual encounter with someone living that they sought the company of the dead...
He took Highway 90 to a deserted motel on a dry, dusty desert road in Texas...
Motel Styx was a gathering place for the depraved. It was a den of sin...
An ex-mortician owned the place known as a necrotel. He made a bigger profit off of the dead by operating a motel for necrophiles than as a funeral director...
Ellis was undercover, looking for his wife among the many bodies stored there for later use as sexual playthings for perverts...
She was better than that. H*ll, he was better than that!...
This story was a pleasant surprise. The writing was excellent and dropped the reader convincingly at a roadside motel of a different variety.
The motel management and guests are believable, and the story, sprinkled with dark humor, progresses to a satisfying and buttoned-up ending.
Warnings to some readers: This is extreme
(but not overly so) horror about necrophilia.
Well worth a read, IMO!
November 27, 2024
I really don't even know how to review this book. This was sick and depraved (which I knew going into it), but I was hooked what can I tell you 🤷
Also, men suck.
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Time for the weird, obscure and possibly traumatizing book of the month 💀
Also, men suck.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Time for the weird, obscure and possibly traumatizing book of the month 💀
September 24, 2025
4.5 stars. This was, by far, the most innovative and entertaining necrophiliac-based story that I’ve come across. We followed Ellis as he explored a very particular, fetish-laden resort, as he searched for his wife. As the story progressed, we found out his true nature and ambitions, along with meeting all of the unique and disturbing clientele that this motel catered to. Each chapter had snippets from former customers, complaints from those who despised it, and even professionals who enjoyed analyzing the entire mini empire, which was a fantastic touch. There werr a great number of very enjoyable plot points, with enough creative spins to keep you glued to the pages. And the one thing that was done here to perfection was that none of the characters were true antagonists or protagonists. Lots of room to debate either camp for each person, which just added to the fun. It also yielded a decent amount of humor to balance to extreme horror aspects. The one big critique that I had was that I didn’t feel that Ellis’s wife really clarified why she ended her life and made certain arrangements. Yes, we were given some general idea, but it just needed to be more developed and spread along in the story, as opposed to a singular, broader spurt of information. But, despite some very minor flaws, this was a really incredible story.
January 21, 2026
ya know every time i read one of these little splatterpunk or extreme horror books & find myself enjoying them more than i probably should i catch myself asking..."do i need therapy?" while that question is still up for debate i know one things for sure, this was a fun depraved ride.
the only thing keeping this from being a five star was i wanted to see more of what happens to Ellis at the end. i am a twisted girlie ok give me the gory details.
the only thing keeping this from being a five star was i wanted to see more of what happens to Ellis at the end. i am a twisted girlie ok give me the gory details.
April 12, 2025
SPLATTERPUNK GROUP BOOK READ FOR APRIL 2025 REVIEW REPOSTED
MOTEL STYX [2024] By Michelle von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher
My Review 5 Stars
“Motel Styx” by the “extreme horror” power couple of Butcher and Eschen was the Group Book Read by popular choice. EGW sponsors a contest each month with a draw, and I won! The book was an absolute winner too! Superb choice for the monthly group read.
Let’s face it. Writers of horror and dark fiction have gotten a lot of mileage out of the aberration of necrophilia. Having said that, my hat goes off to both of these talented extreme horror authors for throwing a fast pitch into the topic which resulted in a refreshing creative new angle for a very ancient “no, no”. Style points for giving the topic a makeover in this original work, and also a nifty apropos title “Hotel Styx”.
It is impossible to divorce the mythology of the Greeks from the term “Styx” (shuddering or hate) since we all remember the river Styx in the underworld that separates the living from the dead. The Styx was also guarded by Cerberus, a three-headed dog. One Cerberus was not enough, and I had two of them guarding our Halloween Display this year. They were scary and gorgeous.
The originality in the title of the novel (and BTW the Cover Art was as colorful as it was original), is not the only time the two authors dip into the jar of originality. There were catchy bumper stickers spotted, signs and plaques, call outs to extreme horror novels we all know and love, and more unique intermittent “Ratings” for the motel. Individual tales of specific customers for the night and the story of their stay at the motel. There were just enough black humor touches to prevent the implication of loving dark humor so thoroughly the pair got a little tacky with the trimmings.
The gist of the story is that a man named Ellis learned that his spouse had died from grievous injuries and her dead body had been found in the bathtub. She had already been picked up for delivery to Motel Styx. Ellis was not a wealthy man; thus, he made some weighty financial sacrifices to ideally beat her to her destination and pose as a wealthy client. The owner of the establishment Merl tries to run a tight ship and maintain a certain decorum backed up by rules for the “guests” to follow. Security Guard Chris maintains order when discipline is needed for any of the “guests” to recall the ground rules. The book suggests to me that there was a lot of thought put into the making of Motel Styx, its features, its rooms, and its available activities for the “guests” to engage with the corpses.
Lastly, the plight of Ellis and his increasing desperation to find his dead wife Emelye before she is defiled by one of the customers of the motel is absolutely frantic as the novel progresses. There are certain pertinent facts he finds out from an employee of the hotel, but “facts” could be lies for all he knows. The tense and escalating build up to Ellis finding his dear wife Emelye is executed to perfection. I had a premonition about Ellis and his search for wifey dearest. That said, I underestimated just how damn good that Jonathan Butcher and his co-author Michelle von Eschen are when it comes to pulling out all the stops and throwing all the extreme horror at you that you can handle.
Hats off to both of them. I must say if this one does not deserve 5 Stars, which one does? I LOVED it. I was expecting the ending, so I was not surprised by the revelations. But I was stunned at how terrific an ending could be contrived to squeeze every drop of blood and every sinew of tissue, in short just a perfect gorefest ending for the perfect guest.
A big thanks to the EGW Book Club and the colorful funny Ian who is really special. He is a really stellar Moderator.
SENSATIONAL STORY FROM THE TEAM OF ESCHEN AND BUTCHER. LOVED IT.
MOTEL STYX [2024] By Michelle von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher
My Review 5 Stars
“Motel Styx” by the “extreme horror” power couple of Butcher and Eschen was the Group Book Read by popular choice. EGW sponsors a contest each month with a draw, and I won! The book was an absolute winner too! Superb choice for the monthly group read.
Let’s face it. Writers of horror and dark fiction have gotten a lot of mileage out of the aberration of necrophilia. Having said that, my hat goes off to both of these talented extreme horror authors for throwing a fast pitch into the topic which resulted in a refreshing creative new angle for a very ancient “no, no”. Style points for giving the topic a makeover in this original work, and also a nifty apropos title “Hotel Styx”.
It is impossible to divorce the mythology of the Greeks from the term “Styx” (shuddering or hate) since we all remember the river Styx in the underworld that separates the living from the dead. The Styx was also guarded by Cerberus, a three-headed dog. One Cerberus was not enough, and I had two of them guarding our Halloween Display this year. They were scary and gorgeous.
The originality in the title of the novel (and BTW the Cover Art was as colorful as it was original), is not the only time the two authors dip into the jar of originality. There were catchy bumper stickers spotted, signs and plaques, call outs to extreme horror novels we all know and love, and more unique intermittent “Ratings” for the motel. Individual tales of specific customers for the night and the story of their stay at the motel. There were just enough black humor touches to prevent the implication of loving dark humor so thoroughly the pair got a little tacky with the trimmings.
The gist of the story is that a man named Ellis learned that his spouse had died from grievous injuries and her dead body had been found in the bathtub. She had already been picked up for delivery to Motel Styx. Ellis was not a wealthy man; thus, he made some weighty financial sacrifices to ideally beat her to her destination and pose as a wealthy client. The owner of the establishment Merl tries to run a tight ship and maintain a certain decorum backed up by rules for the “guests” to follow. Security Guard Chris maintains order when discipline is needed for any of the “guests” to recall the ground rules. The book suggests to me that there was a lot of thought put into the making of Motel Styx, its features, its rooms, and its available activities for the “guests” to engage with the corpses.
Lastly, the plight of Ellis and his increasing desperation to find his dead wife Emelye before she is defiled by one of the customers of the motel is absolutely frantic as the novel progresses. There are certain pertinent facts he finds out from an employee of the hotel, but “facts” could be lies for all he knows. The tense and escalating build up to Ellis finding his dear wife Emelye is executed to perfection. I had a premonition about Ellis and his search for wifey dearest. That said, I underestimated just how damn good that Jonathan Butcher and his co-author Michelle von Eschen are when it comes to pulling out all the stops and throwing all the extreme horror at you that you can handle.
Hats off to both of them. I must say if this one does not deserve 5 Stars, which one does? I LOVED it. I was expecting the ending, so I was not surprised by the revelations. But I was stunned at how terrific an ending could be contrived to squeeze every drop of blood and every sinew of tissue, in short just a perfect gorefest ending for the perfect guest.
A big thanks to the EGW Book Club and the colorful funny Ian who is really special. He is a really stellar Moderator.
SENSATIONAL STORY FROM THE TEAM OF ESCHEN AND BUTCHER. LOVED IT.
October 14, 2024
What a weird, quirky, but original book. A+ here for originality. I’ve not read anything like this. Kind of perfect for October vibes in the states. This book might challenge you a bit …I mean it’s subject matter is necrophilia and takes place in a place dubbed a “necrotel”. I personally like books that push me out of a comfort zone. I like seeing literature evolve and become more innovative and experimental. I realize that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I’m always curious about these books and glad I read them at the end of the day.
December 5, 2024
Unique!
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Motel Styx, by Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher is a Splatterpunk story that left a lasting impression like few others. The originality of the narrative, paired with razor-sharp dark humor and moments of visceral horror soaked in gore, grotesque imagery, and repulsive scenes, made it a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The characters are completely sick and deranged, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend it, if necrophilia doesn’t bother you, and you have a very dark sense of humor.
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Motel Styx, by Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher is a Splatterpunk story that left a lasting impression like few others. The originality of the narrative, paired with razor-sharp dark humor and moments of visceral horror soaked in gore, grotesque imagery, and repulsive scenes, made it a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The characters are completely sick and deranged, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend it, if necrophilia doesn’t bother you, and you have a very dark sense of humor.
June 14, 2024
I wonder what might happen to this book once social media police gets wind of it. Book burning reels? Ebook banned? City-wide protests? OK, just kidding; but the book is being called "transgressive" and "depraved," "sick" and "twisted" for a very good reason: Michelle von Eschen's idea of a "Motel Styx," a place where the 'recreational use' of human corpses is offered (NB: adult human corpses only), and the story she has written with Jonathan Butcher, are nothing to laugh about - the authors seriously entertain the notion as a fictional premise, making every effort to describe what it might entail and how far people would go for it. But this is also a hugely entertaining novel of extreme horror, so there's no actual condoning of such practices. In fact, the main character, Ellis, who's after his dead wife after she signed off her body to legalized necrophilia, totally rejects the idea and misses no chance to express his revulsion, despite being forced to pretend otherwise, in order to reach the elusive corpse. His objections are not religious (though there are Christians protesting in the book), nor moral or aesthetic in a simplistic way. He just doesn't like the smell of rot, the cold skin, and the noiseless presence of dead people. Or does he?
There's no moralizing in the book; the authors prefer to employ the notion of consensual necrophilia as an opportunity to tell a riveting story of dark, very dark adventure around a predilection still considered taboo. And what a story it is! From serial killers to affluent seniors who prefer to spend time with corpses than face the grief of true loss, the book reads like the quintessential sci-fi horror thriller, most of whose cast is ... well, dead. The images -there are individual sections about some of the disturbing clients of Motel Styx- vary, from shocking to plainly sad, always, however, with the focus on living people: their humanity or lack of.
To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement: Michelle von Escher and Jonathan Butcher have outdone themselves, even if their book is condemned, in this very same book, as "exploitative trash"! I had some good laughs at that. Subtle dark humor of this kind crops up occasionally in the book, though not often. So if sophisticated, well-written, thoughtful extreme horror is your thing. book a room at Motel Styx and ....no walking around during the night!
There's no moralizing in the book; the authors prefer to employ the notion of consensual necrophilia as an opportunity to tell a riveting story of dark, very dark adventure around a predilection still considered taboo. And what a story it is! From serial killers to affluent seniors who prefer to spend time with corpses than face the grief of true loss, the book reads like the quintessential sci-fi horror thriller, most of whose cast is ... well, dead. The images -there are individual sections about some of the disturbing clients of Motel Styx- vary, from shocking to plainly sad, always, however, with the focus on living people: their humanity or lack of.
To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement: Michelle von Escher and Jonathan Butcher have outdone themselves, even if their book is condemned, in this very same book, as "exploitative trash"! I had some good laughs at that. Subtle dark humor of this kind crops up occasionally in the book, though not often. So if sophisticated, well-written, thoughtful extreme horror is your thing. book a room at Motel Styx and ....no walking around during the night!
January 13, 2026
Okay wow I'm not really sure what to say other than this one stuck with me. It's been over a month since I read it and I'm just now writing a review. I heavily hated this one with a burning passion (no hate or disrespect for the author, your talent was noticed). The main character was so wildly unlikable that I didn't really want him to succeed in his mission to retrieve his "wife's" body. First of all, she CHOSE to donate her corpse to this hotel-- it was her decision as an adult to let them add her body to their roster after her death (and she chose to kill herself to escape him, which honestly was super valid). He was an abusive asshole and deserved the fate he got at the end of this book actually. I don't think I've genuinely despised a character (the MAIN character no less) in a book this much in a long time, if ever. Most might say the end he met with was over-the-top brutal, but does it make me a bad person that I thought it was low-key justified? Maybe. Do I give a fuck? No. I think there were some characters that maybe deserved some sympathy for what happens, like his brother-in-law (that was definitely a horrific way to go), but Ellis had this coming actually and while I didn't enjoy any part of it (other than the writing), the very ending was kind of satisfying (for the wife's memory anyway I guess). How can I unread something? I want this purged from my memory please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
This book was selected for my splatterpunk April read and this book was a great selection! I have seen this book all over my Bookstagram and figured it must be good. Which is very true this book was great!!
This book is centered around the “Lazarus Act” which allows corpses to be sold for the right price and allows others the use of their “body”. I didn’t know a book about the dead can be so rich.
This book is about a man name Ellis who unfortunately finds his wife Emeley deceased and is sent on a chase to recover her body. In his word she is “his” and his alone. This sends him to Motel Styx in Texas to find her. This begins a chain of events that gives this story so much life.
Key Players: Ellis- grieving, controlling, and determined husband.
Emeley- Deceased wife who takes control in a final rebellious act.
Damien- Twin brother of Emeley who see past Ellis charming ways.
Merl- Owner of Motel Styx a business man about his money.
Chris- Head of security that doesn’t mind binding the rules.
Veronika- A woman of many names that likes to make her own rules.
I did love the ratings about the motel and the quotes that was through out the book. This book was gory, explicit, and full of life. The playlist that was created for the book was good! You should definitely add this to your list of books to read.
This book is centered around the “Lazarus Act” which allows corpses to be sold for the right price and allows others the use of their “body”. I didn’t know a book about the dead can be so rich.
This book is about a man name Ellis who unfortunately finds his wife Emeley deceased and is sent on a chase to recover her body. In his word she is “his” and his alone. This sends him to Motel Styx in Texas to find her. This begins a chain of events that gives this story so much life.
Key Players: Ellis- grieving, controlling, and determined husband.
Emeley- Deceased wife who takes control in a final rebellious act.
Damien- Twin brother of Emeley who see past Ellis charming ways.
Merl- Owner of Motel Styx a business man about his money.
Chris- Head of security that doesn’t mind binding the rules.
Veronika- A woman of many names that likes to make her own rules.
I did love the ratings about the motel and the quotes that was through out the book. This book was gory, explicit, and full of life. The playlist that was created for the book was good! You should definitely add this to your list of books to read.
July 2, 2024
Absolutely disgusting. I LOVE IT!
What would you do for someone you love? How far would you go? For some, love is just that, being with someone you can’t live without. For some it’s owning the other person. For some it’s a form of control. You never know when you meet that special someone, what kind of love you’ll end up having. This story is about love. While brutal, the story, and the end, made me happy.
I absolutely love both Authors and this collab is perfect. I hope they do this again.
This book is not for the faint of heart, since there is a lot of love for the dead if you get my drift. If you’re not into the extreme, be warned and stay away. For the rest, enjoy your stay at the Motel Styx.
What would you do for someone you love? How far would you go? For some, love is just that, being with someone you can’t live without. For some it’s owning the other person. For some it’s a form of control. You never know when you meet that special someone, what kind of love you’ll end up having. This story is about love. While brutal, the story, and the end, made me happy.
I absolutely love both Authors and this collab is perfect. I hope they do this again.
This book is not for the faint of heart, since there is a lot of love for the dead if you get my drift. If you’re not into the extreme, be warned and stay away. For the rest, enjoy your stay at the Motel Styx.
July 13, 2024
10 out of 10 skulls 💀 That was a wild, fun ride! I loved this book. 🖤 I devoured it in 2 days and did not want to put it down. There's actually a plot to this and isn't gruesome just for shock purposes. I mean, maybe it is a liiiiiiittle but there was an actual story line here is what I'm saying. There was a twist and secrets revealed through out. And it had such a happy ending. 🙃 Complete Satisfaction.
The Sinners 🤘
The Sins 🤘
The Depravity 🤘
And really, the authors went easy on us. They could have made this so much more graphic and worse. Lol Let's praise them for giving us grace. 🙏
The Sinners 🤘
The Sins 🤘
The Depravity 🤘
And really, the authors went easy on us. They could have made this so much more graphic and worse. Lol Let's praise them for giving us grace. 🙏
December 25, 2025
“If one night stands with frigid women is your thing, you’ll love it here. Just don’t fall in love because all of these women will leave you, guaranteed.”
This was a dark one, I wonder how many places like this exist.
This was a dark one, I wonder how many places like this exist.
November 10, 2024
That was wild
September 18, 2025
This is definitely a book that will stick with me. With its unique storyline, it kept me captivated from beginning to end, and the ending was both shocking and satisfying. Disturbing yet unforgettable, it made me truly love to hate the main character, Ellis.
We follow Ellis as he searches for his wife’s remains before his memories of her and her body are desecrated at America’s first “necrotel,” a legalized establishment for the recreational use of human corpses called “Motel Styx”. As we slowly uncover why Ellis’s wife donated her body, we go on a journey through the unique rooms the motel has to offer and encounter a cast of fascinating individuals staying at the motel.
We follow Ellis as he searches for his wife’s remains before his memories of her and her body are desecrated at America’s first “necrotel,” a legalized establishment for the recreational use of human corpses called “Motel Styx”. As we slowly uncover why Ellis’s wife donated her body, we go on a journey through the unique rooms the motel has to offer and encounter a cast of fascinating individuals staying at the motel.
October 2, 2024
‘Motel Styx - totally a 5 star visit.’
This proved to be a fantastic extreme horror story based upon the fictitious legalisation of necrophilia and the many side effects that this insane state of affairs might just bring about.
Imaginative, creative and quite brilliantly thought out.
Just loved it. Would highly recommend Motel Styx to any broad-minded fan of pure horror who wants to immerse themselves in something dark, disturbing and oh so different…besides the SynthMort on offer, that is!
Excellent.
Rating: 4.8 stars of the ‘Dead’ good variety.
This proved to be a fantastic extreme horror story based upon the fictitious legalisation of necrophilia and the many side effects that this insane state of affairs might just bring about.
Imaginative, creative and quite brilliantly thought out.
Just loved it. Would highly recommend Motel Styx to any broad-minded fan of pure horror who wants to immerse themselves in something dark, disturbing and oh so different…besides the SynthMort on offer, that is!
Excellent.
Rating: 4.8 stars of the ‘Dead’ good variety.
October 20, 2024
Fan-Fucking-Tastic!
Will come again, next year.
The beds are to die for!
Goddamn what an amazing duo.
I was expecting a good book, but I was wrong it was better than that.
The characters were so well written, the story was always interesting.
The concept, revolutionary.
Can't wait to read more of them, together.
I read a lot of Jonathan Butcher books before, but I might need to get Michelle Von Eschen books too.
Will come again, next year.
The beds are to die for!
Goddamn what an amazing duo.
I was expecting a good book, but I was wrong it was better than that.
The characters were so well written, the story was always interesting.
The concept, revolutionary.
Can't wait to read more of them, together.
I read a lot of Jonathan Butcher books before, but I might need to get Michelle Von Eschen books too.
September 28, 2024
“Once You Go Slack, You Never Go Back!”
What can I say, “Motel Styx” is definitely a unique horror story, pushing necrophilia boundaries further than ever before.
A man travels incognito to the unique necrophiliac resort in Texas to find his deceased wife. Things don’t go to plan and the living start to drop like flies.
“Motel Styx: Where la petite mort meets la grande mort!”
I love these two authors and was so excited to see that they teamed up on such a cool book. Their marketing campaign was awesome and immediately put their newest work on my radar. I’m glad I moved it up my TBR list. With a gross and extreme plot, a bevy of weird characters, and a Lazarus Act approved setting, you really can’t go wrong in choosing this tale.
“It ain’t cheatin’ if her heart’s not beatin’”
What can I say, “Motel Styx” is definitely a unique horror story, pushing necrophilia boundaries further than ever before.
A man travels incognito to the unique necrophiliac resort in Texas to find his deceased wife. Things don’t go to plan and the living start to drop like flies.
“Motel Styx: Where la petite mort meets la grande mort!”
I love these two authors and was so excited to see that they teamed up on such a cool book. Their marketing campaign was awesome and immediately put their newest work on my radar. I’m glad I moved it up my TBR list. With a gross and extreme plot, a bevy of weird characters, and a Lazarus Act approved setting, you really can’t go wrong in choosing this tale.
“It ain’t cheatin’ if her heart’s not beatin’”
June 7, 2024
Probably one of the most creative reads I’ve read this year. I’m obsessed with the motel and the idea of consensual ethical necrophilia. What a beautifully written book, it flys by so effortlessly I felt completely enveloped by the story, I didn’t want it to end I wanted to keep exploring the rooms of the motel and meeting different members learning their quirks. I had an amazing stay at the motel 10/10 would visit again.
December 18, 2024
A five-star after a DNF?? Merry Christmas to me! 😭
I had to finish this as soon as I woke up! It was sooo entertaining from the secret lives of the hotel guests, vivid descriptions of absolute horror and the lovely sprinkles of dark humor, I did not want to put this down! Plus, the ending was so satisfying. Definitely a page turner and one of my favorite extreme horror novels this year.
Now I'm off to look up Karen Greenlee because she did whaaat??
I had to finish this as soon as I woke up! It was sooo entertaining from the secret lives of the hotel guests, vivid descriptions of absolute horror and the lovely sprinkles of dark humor, I did not want to put this down! Plus, the ending was so satisfying. Definitely a page turner and one of my favorite extreme horror novels this year.
Now I'm off to look up Karen Greenlee because she did whaaat??
September 4, 2025
3.5⭐️
It’s been a while since I’ve dipped into extreme horror, so I decided to pick up Motel Styx by Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher. The synopsis immediately gave me Dead Inside (Chandler Morrison) vibes, a book I never managed to finish, but what really drew me in here was the marketing. Jonathan Butcher built a Motel Styx website, the TikTok visuals are on point, there is a play list on Spotify and the book even features “customer reviews” from guests. And the cover? Absolute killer.
The premise: thanks to the Lazarus Act, necrophilia is no longer illegal. Frowned upon, sure, but businesses like Motel Styx are more than happy to cater to those with darker appetites. The story is bloody, twisted, and deeply perverse in all the ways you’d expect. Horror doesn’t always need to be reinvented, but it’s refreshing when a book steps outside the usual tropes, and Von Eschen and Butcher definitely pull that off here.
This is a story packed with taboo, layered with sharp observations, clever one-liners, and some fascinatingly grim characters. Whether it lives up to the hype is up for debate but I had a great time with it. If you’re craving horror that’s bold, stomach-churning, and a little too close to the moral edge, Motel Styx is worth checking in. Just be warned: you’ll need a strong stomach.
It’s been a while since I’ve dipped into extreme horror, so I decided to pick up Motel Styx by Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher. The synopsis immediately gave me Dead Inside (Chandler Morrison) vibes, a book I never managed to finish, but what really drew me in here was the marketing. Jonathan Butcher built a Motel Styx website, the TikTok visuals are on point, there is a play list on Spotify and the book even features “customer reviews” from guests. And the cover? Absolute killer.
The premise: thanks to the Lazarus Act, necrophilia is no longer illegal. Frowned upon, sure, but businesses like Motel Styx are more than happy to cater to those with darker appetites. The story is bloody, twisted, and deeply perverse in all the ways you’d expect. Horror doesn’t always need to be reinvented, but it’s refreshing when a book steps outside the usual tropes, and Von Eschen and Butcher definitely pull that off here.
This is a story packed with taboo, layered with sharp observations, clever one-liners, and some fascinatingly grim characters. Whether it lives up to the hype is up for debate but I had a great time with it. If you’re craving horror that’s bold, stomach-churning, and a little too close to the moral edge, Motel Styx is worth checking in. Just be warned: you’ll need a strong stomach.
June 12, 2024
A demented, depraved, grotesque work of art. This book packs an emotional punch as it revels in its stomach-churning world. No doubt, the imagery in Motel Styx will haunt me for a long time. I feel like I need a shower.
June 24, 2024
First of all, before you even start reading this review, go book your stay at Motel Styx because I have a feeling they are going to sell out real fast! 💜
This book was incredibly dark and disturbing, and done in such a way that it was a lot of fun too. The characters were believable and likable (I especially loved Yamamoto!), and their various different requests and encounters were awesome. A really enjoyable read that was immediately captivating, intriguing and immersive. It was extremely unsettling at times too, more so than I expected in fact, but strangely beautiful too, especially Linette’s story.
When your fantasies are frowned upon and protested against, it's a relief when The Lazarus Act (think about it) is approved and an establishment such as Motel Styx can thrive. There you are able to indulge as much as you like with no fear of reprisals. The most extreme, insane role play is encouraged, to enable your deepest, darkest, most chilling fantasies to be played out in comfort.
Who knew necrophilia had so many different sub-categories? 😲
Ellis has lost his wife, but he is given the opportunity to get her back. It's a bit niche, a lot controversial, and there are things he needs to do to get what he wants, things that aren't going to be easy to do, or to forget. Will he be able to resist temptation and do what he set out to do? He doesn't want his wife Emeley, to have the last laugh, or to be with anyone else other than him. Ellis has only ever wanted the best for her, for her to reach her full potential, and he wants to remember her now in the best way possible.
Motel Styx is his current destination, and Merl his host. Ellis has a contact on the inside and an ulterior motive, but it seems like nobody is what they seem at first, so he fits right in. The motel is a place for people to be themselves without retribution, but there's more to it than that, behind the scenes is a whole lot more horrifying than you could imagine. The proprietor is willing to go to any lengths to ensure the guests get what they desire, however extreme, weird or depraved that might be. I mean, it IS a motel for necrophiliacs!! 😁
Emeley chose to break free from the mind games her husband played with her, by leaving him and making him pay with a cold-hearted and sinister mind game of her own. A true mindfuck of a revenge! And the family reunion with a shot of SynthaMort was bloody perfect!!
I could not put this book down, and neither did I want to. Utterly gripping, extremely depraved, some real gory moments, some stomach churning ones, darkly humorous in places and there are heartbreaking moments in this story too. It's a powerful, emotional, uncomfortable at times and wild ride!! IT’S DEAD GOOD!!
This book was incredibly dark and disturbing, and done in such a way that it was a lot of fun too. The characters were believable and likable (I especially loved Yamamoto!), and their various different requests and encounters were awesome. A really enjoyable read that was immediately captivating, intriguing and immersive. It was extremely unsettling at times too, more so than I expected in fact, but strangely beautiful too, especially Linette’s story.
When your fantasies are frowned upon and protested against, it's a relief when The Lazarus Act (think about it) is approved and an establishment such as Motel Styx can thrive. There you are able to indulge as much as you like with no fear of reprisals. The most extreme, insane role play is encouraged, to enable your deepest, darkest, most chilling fantasies to be played out in comfort.
Who knew necrophilia had so many different sub-categories? 😲
Ellis has lost his wife, but he is given the opportunity to get her back. It's a bit niche, a lot controversial, and there are things he needs to do to get what he wants, things that aren't going to be easy to do, or to forget. Will he be able to resist temptation and do what he set out to do? He doesn't want his wife Emeley, to have the last laugh, or to be with anyone else other than him. Ellis has only ever wanted the best for her, for her to reach her full potential, and he wants to remember her now in the best way possible.
Motel Styx is his current destination, and Merl his host. Ellis has a contact on the inside and an ulterior motive, but it seems like nobody is what they seem at first, so he fits right in. The motel is a place for people to be themselves without retribution, but there's more to it than that, behind the scenes is a whole lot more horrifying than you could imagine. The proprietor is willing to go to any lengths to ensure the guests get what they desire, however extreme, weird or depraved that might be. I mean, it IS a motel for necrophiliacs!! 😁
Emeley chose to break free from the mind games her husband played with her, by leaving him and making him pay with a cold-hearted and sinister mind game of her own. A true mindfuck of a revenge! And the family reunion with a shot of SynthaMort was bloody perfect!!
I could not put this book down, and neither did I want to. Utterly gripping, extremely depraved, some real gory moments, some stomach churning ones, darkly humorous in places and there are heartbreaking moments in this story too. It's a powerful, emotional, uncomfortable at times and wild ride!! IT’S DEAD GOOD!!
January 25, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
To the authors: What the f***?
This book was so much darker and more disgusting than I expected, but in the best way. Motel Styx follows Ellis Mercer as he checks into a necrotel—a motel where people legally indulge in the "recreational use" of corpses—to recover his wife’s remains. The story is twisted, explicit, and unsettling, but the writing is sharp, and the humor (much-needed, trust me) was perfectly placed.
I have to say, there’s only one likeable character in the whole book—and it’s not Ellis. But in a story about necrophiles, does there need to be? That’s the only thing keeping me from a full 5 stars.
I’m not a splatterpunk expert, but this went beyond what I was expecting in terms of shock value. That said, it never felt like it was gross just to be gross. The story itself was unique and so well-executed that I couldn’t look away. The fake hotel reviews and political statements scattered throughout were hilarious and added just the right amount of absurdity to balance the darkness. Oh, and the authors went all out with a real website for the motel (motelstyx.com), which is just as insane as the book itself.
Motel Styx is disturbing, thought-provoking, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I’m giving it 4.75 stars, and now I need something fluffy to cleanse my brain.
To the authors: What the f***?
This book was so much darker and more disgusting than I expected, but in the best way. Motel Styx follows Ellis Mercer as he checks into a necrotel—a motel where people legally indulge in the "recreational use" of corpses—to recover his wife’s remains. The story is twisted, explicit, and unsettling, but the writing is sharp, and the humor (much-needed, trust me) was perfectly placed.
I have to say, there’s only one likeable character in the whole book—and it’s not Ellis. But in a story about necrophiles, does there need to be? That’s the only thing keeping me from a full 5 stars.
I’m not a splatterpunk expert, but this went beyond what I was expecting in terms of shock value. That said, it never felt like it was gross just to be gross. The story itself was unique and so well-executed that I couldn’t look away. The fake hotel reviews and political statements scattered throughout were hilarious and added just the right amount of absurdity to balance the darkness. Oh, and the authors went all out with a real website for the motel (motelstyx.com), which is just as insane as the book itself.
Motel Styx is disturbing, thought-provoking, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I’m giving it 4.75 stars, and now I need something fluffy to cleanse my brain.
September 5, 2024
Motel Styx is the kind of place that allows the deceased to provide a particular service to the guests—a service that will likely have some readers walking away in disgust.
But not me...
I was absolutely absorbed in this morbid tale.
Fans of extreme horror will have a blast with this beautifully pieced-together gore fest.
But not me...
I was absolutely absorbed in this morbid tale.
Fans of extreme horror will have a blast with this beautifully pieced-together gore fest.
August 21, 2024
3 stars
Motel Styx
By Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher
It is a story about a grieving husband traveling to Texas to visit a necrotel(yes, a motel for necrophiles) and hopefully, go through with his grave salvation mission.
Let me begin by saying how much admiration and respect I have for both these authors, when I heard they are releasing a book together I pissed myself(not literally you freaks). Both are amazing and always have some fun ideas and morbid topics to incorporate in their works.
The marketing for this novel was insanely good:
the webpage for the motel, the visuals created on Tiktok by Jonathan Butcher, and ofc the book’s layout (as Booking reviews from customers/guests).
Why is the rating lower than 5, then?
Well, the advertising and visuals are great, and the story is fast-paced and intriguing but, the plot was so predictable to me, and I’m sorry to say this, I expected much more creativity and «gore» from both these writers. At first, I thought I was bored because I have quite some knowledge of necs, but it turned out it was just too plain and flat of a story.
I would still definitely recommend this book for beginner splatterpunks or just someone who wants entertainment, no deep psychological turns or debates, just pure excitement.
Motel Styx
By Michelle Von Eschen and Jonathan Butcher
It is a story about a grieving husband traveling to Texas to visit a necrotel(yes, a motel for necrophiles) and hopefully, go through with his grave salvation mission.
Let me begin by saying how much admiration and respect I have for both these authors, when I heard they are releasing a book together I pissed myself(not literally you freaks). Both are amazing and always have some fun ideas and morbid topics to incorporate in their works.
The marketing for this novel was insanely good:
the webpage for the motel, the visuals created on Tiktok by Jonathan Butcher, and ofc the book’s layout (as Booking reviews from customers/guests).
Why is the rating lower than 5, then?
Well, the advertising and visuals are great, and the story is fast-paced and intriguing but, the plot was so predictable to me, and I’m sorry to say this, I expected much more creativity and «gore» from both these writers. At first, I thought I was bored because I have quite some knowledge of necs, but it turned out it was just too plain and flat of a story.
I would still definitely recommend this book for beginner splatterpunks or just someone who wants entertainment, no deep psychological turns or debates, just pure excitement.
September 2, 2024
Just finished my stay at necrotel, Motel Styx. Where they have the best gift shop I’ve ever encountered, what goes on in Motel Styx, stays in Motel Styx and like the motto says: Best beds, best bodies.
This book was amazing. It’s been on my radar for months and I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it. From the promotion/marketing, to the cover, and just the story overall. It’s a 10/10 for me.
If you ask me for recommendations on my favorite novels for 2024, this will be in the top 3. Loved beyond loved. Could not recommend this book enough.
This book was amazing. It’s been on my radar for months and I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it. From the promotion/marketing, to the cover, and just the story overall. It’s a 10/10 for me.
If you ask me for recommendations on my favorite novels for 2024, this will be in the top 3. Loved beyond loved. Could not recommend this book enough.
September 30, 2025
The concept of this story was new to me and a topic that I never thought I would read about. I actually thought the storyline was interesting. I definitely despised the main male character by the end of the story though. His demise was deserved.
There’s a lot of gore in this story and probably a lot of topics that would make some readers uncomfortable so check the trigger warnings on this one. But if you can handle gore, and bizarre horror books this one might be for you.
There’s a lot of gore in this story and probably a lot of topics that would make some readers uncomfortable so check the trigger warnings on this one. But if you can handle gore, and bizarre horror books this one might be for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
I’ve read bad books before, but I’ve never read a bad book that actually pissed me off. I was angry as I finished this book. This book is poorly written smut with the purpose to shock you, and sure it will. I don’t mind gore, as I mostly read horror, but this kind of gore pisses me off; it’s just there for shock value.
The book is about Ellis, who finds out that his wife has given consent for necrophiles to fuck her corpse after she killed herself. Ellis books a night at Motel Styx, a necrophilia love hotel, in hopes to find his wife’s body before someone defiles it. And sure, this situation is very realistic in this universe? But the only problem is that this would never happen?
Even though everyone is technically consenting adults, there is no universe where necrophilia would not only be legal but a thriving business. The only realistic part is that even though it’s legal in this universe is that it’s still frowned upon.
But that is where the book fails. For starters, the universe is not well established enough. In what universe would the American congress allow necrophilia? Who lobbied this? Which political party would ever back this? Democrats would never and certainly not Republicans. Because they make sure to establish that it’s legal, but don’t explain how on earth that happened, it takes you out of the immersion.
As I discussed this book with my friend, we kept comparing it to Tender is the flesh, a book we both consider well written horror. Where Tender is the flesh wins, and Motel Styx fails, is that 1. It spends time establishing the universe and what lead to cannibalism being legal (Virus). 2. It establishes a clear supply and demand aspect of cannibalism (the main character is a butcher). 3 It makes sure that the absurd is trivialized. It makes sure to convince (or at least attempt to convince) the reader that eating humans isn’t a novelty or weird, if it’s the humans that have been breed for that specific purpose. But in Motel Styx, fucking a corpse is the same as in real life, it’s not normal, it’s a novelty. It’s still frowned upon. Only difference is that it’s somehow fucking legal. Normal people sign up to be these corpses, and you must wonder; what kind of person consents to this? And how is there enough who consent to meet the demand? And is the demand for corpses to fuck large enough for it to be legalized?
My friend who also read the book made a good point; if it hadn’t recently been legalized and instead was something people had been doing legally for centuries, it would be easier to understand and immerse yourself. But then you’re caught with the issue of, would Ellis then even have a problem with it? Would he go out of his way to stop his wife by being ravished by a stranger? If he did, it would present a more interesting discussion of morality, and how we accept things in society until it happens to ourselves. Instead, you’re left with plain shock value.
I’m sure that the authors only wish was to shock and make people gag, and yes, there were several descriptions of the ravished corpses that made me gag. I think Veronika just put the nail in the coffin for me (pun fully intended) that the authors just want to shock you. She is deeply unserious and just wants to corrupt Ellis. She barely helps him, and she is as sick and twisted as the other people who work there. Which is the only thing that makes sense because of course you must be a total freak to own and work at a place like Motel Styx. The most disgusting part however was the not-so-subtle nod the authors made to themselves. Only thing worse than gore without purpose is meta in horror.
The twist was… A little predictable. Turns out Ellis was abusive and controlling towards his wife while she was alive, and now he continues wanting to control her, even in death. Never respecting her wishes, only doing what *he* thinks is best for her. I’m sure there is some kind of social commentary hidden within the story, but I guess I’m not flexible to reach far enough to find it. What I don’t understand more than anything is how you can have two authors and still write something so shitty and superficial as Motel Styx. Because that’s another thing; Motel Styx is not well written enough to be this bad. Sometimes I can look past a poorly written story if the prose at least is enjoyable. It isn’t. The dialogue is clumsy, the writers leave these breadcrumbs that aren’t appetizing enough to follow. Which is good because they lead nowhere. The ending also feels a little stupid and redundant, because the whole premise is: “come to the necrotel where it’s legal to fuck dead people as long as they consented while they were alive”, but then the main character dies by being fucked as he’s slowly being killed? Which is definitely not legal.
The whole books felt like it needed a stronger message and a more clear vision. Instead it’s obviously someone’s torture porn fantasy that they somehow got published. The only good thing about the books is that it's a quick read. Took me about 4 hours to get through (with breaks), so you don't have to waste too much time reading it, if you're like me and was blindly recommended it.
The book is about Ellis, who finds out that his wife has given consent for necrophiles to fuck her corpse after she killed herself. Ellis books a night at Motel Styx, a necrophilia love hotel, in hopes to find his wife’s body before someone defiles it. And sure, this situation is very realistic in this universe? But the only problem is that this would never happen?
Even though everyone is technically consenting adults, there is no universe where necrophilia would not only be legal but a thriving business. The only realistic part is that even though it’s legal in this universe is that it’s still frowned upon.
But that is where the book fails. For starters, the universe is not well established enough. In what universe would the American congress allow necrophilia? Who lobbied this? Which political party would ever back this? Democrats would never and certainly not Republicans. Because they make sure to establish that it’s legal, but don’t explain how on earth that happened, it takes you out of the immersion.
As I discussed this book with my friend, we kept comparing it to Tender is the flesh, a book we both consider well written horror. Where Tender is the flesh wins, and Motel Styx fails, is that 1. It spends time establishing the universe and what lead to cannibalism being legal (Virus). 2. It establishes a clear supply and demand aspect of cannibalism (the main character is a butcher). 3 It makes sure that the absurd is trivialized. It makes sure to convince (or at least attempt to convince) the reader that eating humans isn’t a novelty or weird, if it’s the humans that have been breed for that specific purpose. But in Motel Styx, fucking a corpse is the same as in real life, it’s not normal, it’s a novelty. It’s still frowned upon. Only difference is that it’s somehow fucking legal. Normal people sign up to be these corpses, and you must wonder; what kind of person consents to this? And how is there enough who consent to meet the demand? And is the demand for corpses to fuck large enough for it to be legalized?
My friend who also read the book made a good point; if it hadn’t recently been legalized and instead was something people had been doing legally for centuries, it would be easier to understand and immerse yourself. But then you’re caught with the issue of, would Ellis then even have a problem with it? Would he go out of his way to stop his wife by being ravished by a stranger? If he did, it would present a more interesting discussion of morality, and how we accept things in society until it happens to ourselves. Instead, you’re left with plain shock value.
I’m sure that the authors only wish was to shock and make people gag, and yes, there were several descriptions of the ravished corpses that made me gag. I think Veronika just put the nail in the coffin for me (pun fully intended) that the authors just want to shock you. She is deeply unserious and just wants to corrupt Ellis. She barely helps him, and she is as sick and twisted as the other people who work there. Which is the only thing that makes sense because of course you must be a total freak to own and work at a place like Motel Styx. The most disgusting part however was the not-so-subtle nod the authors made to themselves. Only thing worse than gore without purpose is meta in horror.
The twist was… A little predictable. Turns out Ellis was abusive and controlling towards his wife while she was alive, and now he continues wanting to control her, even in death. Never respecting her wishes, only doing what *he* thinks is best for her. I’m sure there is some kind of social commentary hidden within the story, but I guess I’m not flexible to reach far enough to find it. What I don’t understand more than anything is how you can have two authors and still write something so shitty and superficial as Motel Styx. Because that’s another thing; Motel Styx is not well written enough to be this bad. Sometimes I can look past a poorly written story if the prose at least is enjoyable. It isn’t. The dialogue is clumsy, the writers leave these breadcrumbs that aren’t appetizing enough to follow. Which is good because they lead nowhere. The ending also feels a little stupid and redundant, because the whole premise is: “come to the necrotel where it’s legal to fuck dead people as long as they consented while they were alive”, but then the main character dies by being fucked as he’s slowly being killed? Which is definitely not legal.
The whole books felt like it needed a stronger message and a more clear vision. Instead it’s obviously someone’s torture porn fantasy that they somehow got published. The only good thing about the books is that it's a quick read. Took me about 4 hours to get through (with breaks), so you don't have to waste too much time reading it, if you're like me and was blindly recommended it.
December 2, 2024
A dark, morbid, and fun tale. It's one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
What a wildly creative story with beautiful prose.
Von Eschen and Butcher do a magnificent job of bringing you into a world where necrophilia is legal as long as the corpse provides consent in the form of a contract, of course. Lots of dark humor for those who love that sort of thing.
I will be reading more from both of these authors in the future. Definitely recommended for those with darker reading tastes.
What a wildly creative story with beautiful prose.
Von Eschen and Butcher do a magnificent job of bringing you into a world where necrophilia is legal as long as the corpse provides consent in the form of a contract, of course. Lots of dark humor for those who love that sort of thing.
I will be reading more from both of these authors in the future. Definitely recommended for those with darker reading tastes.
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