Cold Woods

by Jerry Blaze

The Stone family is on a vacation.

This vacation is to a rural mountain cabin for two days to try to overcome the loss of their father after an untimely demise from cancer. Joining the family is the daughter's boyfriend and the brother's best friend.

However, the Stone family will soon learn they are not the only ones on the mountain and the unknown neighbors are brutal, murderous cannibal hillbillies with a misinformed sense of ownership of the mountain.

Will the Stone family survive the night or will they be left to die in the...

COLD WOODS

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2024

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of you who are wrestling fans, remember Ken Kennedy? He came to the ring and announced himself in an epic fashion. I just kept imagining him shouting his name as I read the Hillbilly's surname, Cannedy, here. Great stuff! Now, if you've read any cannibalistic hillbilly story, you've read them all. They rape and murder and eat human flesh, all while involved in their own unique forms in incest and inbreeding. And this was no different. No real standouts, but each character definitely got their own time in the spotlight, with some good background information, too. It didn't blow me out of the water but was still a fun experience, especially for fans of tie'm up and torture'm kind of situations. My only critique here was that Lenore and her kids had lost their father not too long ago and now they were faced with all this, with no satisfactory conclusion. Like the plot sort of, unnecessarily, doubled down on their traumatic journey, but then fell flat. Lots of creative options to resolve this, but it just felt like way too much bad luck with a select few people. I'm not saying that every story should have a happy ending, but this just needed to shift around in a few spots to make it all flow better. Nonetheless, Jerry Blaze continues to entertain Peter Topside.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brutal

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenore Stone takes her two teenage children, along with one guest each, on a getaway to a cabin, hoping it would give them a chance to rekindle some of their family bond and happiness. Ever since their father - her husband - passed away a year ago, the family dynamic has not been the same; stress, arguments and tension the new norm.
During dinner that first night, a teenage girl appears at their door, pleading for help, saying there are people coming for her. She tells them it's the mountain folk - that they live up here and kill, rape and murder everyone they can get their hands on.
It looks like this vacation will force the family to come together again after all - they just didn't imagine it would be to try to survive inbred cannibals!

[Shannon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this book! If you like The Hills Have Eyes and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Then this book is for you! Inbreds, cannibals, gore galore.

[Paige Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Woods by Jerry Blaze

This book is near and dear to me because it’s honestly a gift to me from Mr Blaze. He turned my trauma into something disgusting and hilarious as a new way for me to cope with it. 😂 For context, my maiden name is Cannedy. Jerry asked me about my family name and the rest was history. I’m totally giving these out to my family for Christmas gifts this year. 🤭 Just to clarify my family IRL aren’t rapist inbred cannibalistic murderers. Okay now that we have that awkwardness out of the way, let’s dive in…

If one had to compare Cold Woods to anything of relevance it would be The Hills Have Eyes meets Wrong Turn. Now, do I have your attention?

This story is set in the state of Oklahoma out in the middle of bum fuck nowhere at the infamous Cannedy Cabin. A family that’s trying to move forward with their lives after the loss of their father find themselves in the presence of a family of backwoods hillbillies. Once you arrive at Cannedy Cabin there’s no leaving the Cannedy Cabin…

The writing was so atmospheric and vividly detailed it was like watching a movie in my mind. The kills are INSANE. Each of the characters have a significant role in this story and they were all developed extremely well. Inbred Hillbillies, Orgies, Extremely GRAPHIC kills, Compelling story telling and dialogue, and just a constant state of unsettling dread that never leaves. The ending is absolutely PERFECT. I didn’t feel disappointed or left wandering but what if? It just works. Trust me🤌 This story is gonna be a huge hit within the indie horror community🙌

[Ali O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Woods by Jerry Blaze
🌟🌟🌟🌟
A family trip to a remote cabin in the mountains for the Stone family gets a bit crazy when they realize they are not alone on the mountain.

This story offers hillbillies, cannibals, gore and lots of intense action! Entertaining from start to finish!

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did an excellent job! It’s a fun and short listen!!
*It’s out now!!* ⛰️🩸🍖

[C.A. Baynam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Blaze’s Cold Woods is an unrelenting splatterpunk horror that grabs you from the first chilling page and drags you kicking and screaming into its brutal and blood-soaked world. With a masterful blend of psychological dread, grotesque imagery, and characters teetering on the edge of sanity, this novella is an intense and unforgettable experience.

🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨

Set in the icy, desolate expanse of the Entainu Mountains, Cold Woods follows the grim tale of Bartin Harrington, a man seeking solace in a remote cabin after a series of personal tragedies. What begins as a quiet retreat spirals into a horrifying nightmare when a mysterious woman, Grace, appears on his doorstep, warning him of shadowy figures stalking the mountains. The tension is palpable as Bartin’s skepticism gives way to sheer terror when he encounters the brutal and sadistic mountain cult known as the Shadowed Ones.

The cult’s horrific methods are described in excruciating detail—scenes of dismemberment and psychological torment are not for the faint of heart. Grace’s struggle to survive alongside Bartin leads to some of the novella’s most gripping moments, particularly the heart-stopping confrontation in the cabin’s final act, where survival feels both impossible and inevitable.

The moment when Bartin discovers the human remains used in the cult’s grotesque rituals is a jaw-dropping mix of horror and awe. Blaze’s ability to describe these macabre scenes with vivid, unsettling detail makes them linger in your mind.

"In the Cold Woods, mercy is a myth—and the only law is survival."

Jerry Blaze’s writing is sharp and immersive, painting a stark picture of the unforgiving wilderness and the horrors lurking within. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter building on the tension until it explodes in a climax that’s as satisfying as it is horrifying.

For fans of extreme horror and splatterpunk, Cold Woods is an absolute must-read. Just be warned—this isn’t a story you’ll forget anytime soon.

#Splatterpunk #ColdWoods #JerryBlaze #ExtremeHorror #UnrelentingTerror 🩸🌲

[Sara Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say that this book has put me off wanting to go on a relaxing mountain getaway vacay. Probably forever. I liked all the characters, most of them anyways, and the premise of wanting to have a last family getaway after the tragedy the family endured. But, in true Blaze fashion, a metaphorical bomb is dropped on them and they wind up in a devastating fight for their lives. And I gotta say, I greatly approve of the way it ends. All around, another epic story that checks all the boxes for me!

[Shaun A.I.C. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly gifted an ARC copy of this by Jerry, and even though it’s less than 60 pages, this book packs a punch! Jerry masterfully sets the scene with such vivid imagery that you truly feel like you’re right there in the thick of it. Each gruesome detail is perfectly executed, fitting seamlessly into the narrative without feeling excessive—no cannibalistic overkill here!

If you’re looking for a thrilling read that bites back, I highly recommend this one. It’s a real page-turner that will leave you hungry for more! You won’t want to miss this hillbilly horror gem.

[Jessie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family head off on a trip away after a traumatic loss. A cabin in the middle of nowhere. Nothing could go wrong. Apart from hillbilly’s!

Let’s start this off with its hills have eyes vibes. The descriptions of the kills, of the hillbillys made me feel sick. I am loving the books that are similar to movies at the minute and this one definitely scratched that itch. It was such a fun read and it very well could have been a longer novel with how well Jerry has wrote this!

[Jessica Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family goes camping up in the mountains and unbeknownst to them, there is a local family of Hillbilly cannibals living nearby. Jerry made this such a fun story to read! Between the family trying to stay safe together and work as a team to stay alive and the hillbillies trying to kidnap the women and use them for future babies. Highly recommend!!

[Jasmine Higdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenore and her kids head to the mountains for a relaxing family weekend...Until they meet the back woods mountain folk who own the mountain. This book had me hooked from the first page! Well written, I could picture every scene as I read. My only complaint is I wish it was longer!! Definitely a good read!

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenore takes her kids and their friends camping at a secluded cabin. They encounter some very unfriendly uninvited guests. Intense page turner.

[Ameriah Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Mr. Blaze. I will say this as a reader with barely any triggers, be sure to check your triggers. This was a great splatterpunk novella start to finish

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Blaze’s Cold Woods stands as a quintessential example of splatterpunk horror, offering readers a raw, visceral experience. This gripping novella follows the Stone family, still reeling from the loss of their father, on a seemingly innocuous vacation to a secluded cabin in the woods. The mother, desperate to mend their fractured bonds, brings along her son and his best friend, as well as her daughter and her boyfriend. What begins as an attempt to heal quickly devolves into a nightmare of unimaginable proportions.

The woods, it turns out, have been home for centuries to a sinister family unlike any other—predators who kill, torture, and consume their victims with chilling ease. Their twisted way of life plunges the vacationing Stones into a relentless struggle for survival, forcing them to confront unspeakable horrors.

As a first-time reader of splatterpunk, I found myself both horrified and enthralled. Blaze doesn’t shy away from graphic detail, delivering grotesque scenes that lay bare the darkest facets of human (and inhuman) nature. The killers, far from being mere monsters, are portrayed with a disturbing complexity, complete with their own hierarchy and rituals. This depth adds an unsettling authenticity to their savagery.

Despite the brutal carnage, the Stone family’s characterization remains vivid and compelling. Small glimpses into their pasts and the nuances of their responses to the unfolding terror create a stark contrast to the killers’ depravity. Each member’s reaction—to fight, to succumb, to lose their grip on sanity—adds layers of tension and keeps the reader deeply invested. These moments of humanity amplify the stakes and heighten the emotional impact.

Blaze’s storytelling is relentless, balancing suspense and shock in a fast-paced narrative that grips from start to finish. Cold Woods is not for the faint-hearted, but for fans of unapologetic horror, it delivers in spades. The novella’s brevity only sharpens its edge, leaving readers disturbed, breathless, and craving more.

[❤ArtfullySinful❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The mountain folk. They live up here and they kill everyone they can get their hands on, they eat people, they rape and murder them and then, they fucking eat them!”

A family vacation to bring everyone back together would end in bloodshed and demise as this family wondered into the wrong people's lands. Lenore Stone is still feeling down after her husband's bout with cancer ended in his death a year ago and is desperate for some bonding with her children. Carissa and David Battle one another in typical sibling fashion, but her boyfriend Kurt has had nearly enough of the name calling. As he steps in and inserts himself into their dynamic, David's best friend Kevin is busy on his own adventures. Hiking alone through the woods, he spies four females naked and getting stoned while playing in a hot spring. Thinking this is the chance of a lifetime, he never expected to see them all killed by mountainmen before he also would be slain. As his friends wait for him back at the cabin, they are shocked when a practically nude woman stumbled to their doorstep pleasing for rescue. When they were distracted, it allowed the members of the Cannedy family a chance to strike. Immobilizing Lenore by slicing an axe through her wrist, they easily overpowered Kurt, David and Carissa and brought them back to their family cabin in the woods. Raped by the same man they stumbled into at town, Carissa is angered and ready to fight for her freedom especially after watching them stab and kill both her mother and Kurt at the dining table. Trying to force feed he parts of Kevin and her mother in the stew, the siblings managed to escape and leave the blood ath behind, or so they believed. Finally back at their vacation cabin, David how to shower while his sister tries to contact emergency services. Now, imagine their shock when Felton (the youngest brother) appears in the doorway wielding am axe and ready to kill.

Please, can I come in?

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this as an arc from the awesome Jerry Blaze, This is a truly fantasic story of a family who are trying to recover from the death of the father by going on a holiday...... but it all goes horribly, horribly wrong. I really liked the family members and wanted the best for them. It was a fast paced, action packed story with some great violence but not too gratuitous on the jerry blaze scale! As per usual I'd thoroughly recommend this book. Solid 4/5

[Jon Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story! Will be reading more from Blaze!