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Demon Thingy
What do you get if you cross a knobless wizard with a team of radioactive religious fanatics, a foul demon, a coven of senile, pervy devil worshippers, and the world’s crappiest con men?
This book.
Cursed from a young age, Seamus has since spent his life practising - and cocking up - the mysterious occult arts. When one day he happens upon a book offering him the chance to wreak vengeance upon the demonic entity who stole his dangly bits and reversed his digestive system, he didn’t think twice.
Unfortunately, Seamus’s decision to summon the legendary Nameless One will endanger not only his life, but also his next door neighbour’s.
Oh - and the fate of the universe, too.
And so begins a caper that will squish your brains into mush, make blood erupt from your nether regions, and squirt every other bodily fluid out through your ears, nose and tear ducts.
Surely you don’t want to miss that, right?
This book.
Cursed from a young age, Seamus has since spent his life practising - and cocking up - the mysterious occult arts. When one day he happens upon a book offering him the chance to wreak vengeance upon the demonic entity who stole his dangly bits and reversed his digestive system, he didn’t think twice.
Unfortunately, Seamus’s decision to summon the legendary Nameless One will endanger not only his life, but also his next door neighbour’s.
Oh - and the fate of the universe, too.
And so begins a caper that will squish your brains into mush, make blood erupt from your nether regions, and squirt every other bodily fluid out through your ears, nose and tear ducts.
Surely you don’t want to miss that, right?
249 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2017
3 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Butcher
33 books258 followersSplatterpunk Award-nominated author who writes disturbing horror with a difference.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 15, 2025
I know Jonathan Butcher very well from previous works, Chocolateman is still one of my favorite horror stories, and I highly recommend it. I’m not too familiar with Matthew Cash. So this story was written to be very silly and ridiculous. As if you couldn’t tell by reading the synopsis. There’s demons and possessions and talking butt monsters. Just all sorts of insanity. There are some funny bits in here, especially the use of the word ‘winky’ to describe a man’s privates. A lot of it is slapstick humor, and while this wasn’t my cup of tea, I think fans of Shane McKenzie and other similar authors will have a good time here. The story was hard to follow in the earlier portions as it felt like tons of characters were just dropped in one after another. And things move so quickly, that you don’t have time to get situated. I also didn’t realize that this was the first book in a series, so reader beware, if you’re not into committing to multiple books.
April 24, 2018
Funny, silly, puerile, loved it!
This is only part one of what might prove to be an epic tale of dark magic, ridiculous demons and sexually adventurous/disturbed elderly folk.
Not for children or the easily shocked or people with a hangover.
This is only part one of what might prove to be an epic tale of dark magic, ridiculous demons and sexually adventurous/disturbed elderly folk.
Not for children or the easily shocked or people with a hangover.
March 1, 2018
You aren’t likelier to read a dumber book all year, and once you get your head around the absurdities of the plot you may well think you’ve strayed into the wrong section of HorrorTalk, and are reading a review of one of James Ferguson’s comics. “Demon Thingy” is certainly comic in style, and the sub-genre of horror comedy is one which is very difficult to get right. How many supposed horror comedies have you read that were genuinely funny? Not many I would guess.
“A Couple O' Conjurings” is so unbelievably puerile and stupid it genuinely has a lot of funny sequences in it, and some brilliant one liners. On a few occasions I found myself laughing out loud in my empty flat (how weird is that?) at the sheer crassness of some of the scenes. As the book is relatively brief at 131 pages, does not overstay its welcome, and gets out before the penis jokes fall flat. How many fart, genitalia, masturbation, blowjob, dog-shit or otherwise bottom-basement jokes can you cram into 131 pages mixing in some supernatural and occult gags? According to Jonathan Butcher and Matthew Cash the answer is quite a lot. They don’t all work, some jokes are awful, but the authors keep them coming thick and fast and it’s easy enough to be carried along with their enthusiasm.
The sense of humour is also very British (as am I), and I did wonder how well the book will travel overseas? Do Americans know what a ‘pillock’ is? Do Americans drink Buckfast or have any awareness of its importance to British drinking culture? Do Americans get upset when they step on dog-mess in the street? The humour comes across as a very crude cross between Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt and Robert Rankin and although it lacks the subtleties of those authors I still sniggered away. I’ll certainly be interested in hearing how any American readers get on with this type of humour.
Set in a small town of the English midlands there is a group of (geriatric) black magic practitioners led by Mrs Roberts who have been trying to raise a demon from hell and early in the novel manage to summon an ‘arse demon’ which doesn’t do much apart from crap everywhere, but Mrs Roberts takes a shine to it and calls it Slyvester. Elsewhere Seamus also raises a demon, however, this is for a different purpose and harks back to a rather nasty supernatural encounter many years earlier. From that point on the plot just gets even more ridiculous, so don’t say you haven’t been warned. For example, Seamus must be the first character I’ve ever come across who (literally) craps out of his mouth and eats food by shoving it up his arse (there is a very funny baked potato moment). Along the way there are lots of other larger-than-life characters including Mr Roberts who tries to have his wicked way with the arse demon, and don’t ask what happens to the two unfortunate burglars who break into the house of the sexual deviants Mr and Mrs Roberts.
This stupid book has lots of nice touches, Mrs Roberts meets her devil worshiping buddies in a baker’s shop, and the group are called ‘The Baker’s Coven’ (get it?) and they have a secret entrance to their meeting room via ‘Disabled Toilet No 2’ (get it?) I just can’t begin to explain how dumb this book it, it certainly won’t be to all tastes. It sends up lots of other supernatural stuff, and you’ll enjoy picking up on some of the references. It caught me in the right mood and I had a good chuckle through most of it.
But is it for you? Here’s an acid test: if you see someone walking down the road and they stand on a huge steaming pile of dog-shit. If you have a silent chuckle at their misfortune then give “Demon Thingy” a whirl, on the other hand, if you are saddened by their misfortune then perhaps you should give “A Couple O' Conjurings” a swerve. Or not.
“A Couple O' Conjurings” is so unbelievably puerile and stupid it genuinely has a lot of funny sequences in it, and some brilliant one liners. On a few occasions I found myself laughing out loud in my empty flat (how weird is that?) at the sheer crassness of some of the scenes. As the book is relatively brief at 131 pages, does not overstay its welcome, and gets out before the penis jokes fall flat. How many fart, genitalia, masturbation, blowjob, dog-shit or otherwise bottom-basement jokes can you cram into 131 pages mixing in some supernatural and occult gags? According to Jonathan Butcher and Matthew Cash the answer is quite a lot. They don’t all work, some jokes are awful, but the authors keep them coming thick and fast and it’s easy enough to be carried along with their enthusiasm.
The sense of humour is also very British (as am I), and I did wonder how well the book will travel overseas? Do Americans know what a ‘pillock’ is? Do Americans drink Buckfast or have any awareness of its importance to British drinking culture? Do Americans get upset when they step on dog-mess in the street? The humour comes across as a very crude cross between Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt and Robert Rankin and although it lacks the subtleties of those authors I still sniggered away. I’ll certainly be interested in hearing how any American readers get on with this type of humour.
Set in a small town of the English midlands there is a group of (geriatric) black magic practitioners led by Mrs Roberts who have been trying to raise a demon from hell and early in the novel manage to summon an ‘arse demon’ which doesn’t do much apart from crap everywhere, but Mrs Roberts takes a shine to it and calls it Slyvester. Elsewhere Seamus also raises a demon, however, this is for a different purpose and harks back to a rather nasty supernatural encounter many years earlier. From that point on the plot just gets even more ridiculous, so don’t say you haven’t been warned. For example, Seamus must be the first character I’ve ever come across who (literally) craps out of his mouth and eats food by shoving it up his arse (there is a very funny baked potato moment). Along the way there are lots of other larger-than-life characters including Mr Roberts who tries to have his wicked way with the arse demon, and don’t ask what happens to the two unfortunate burglars who break into the house of the sexual deviants Mr and Mrs Roberts.
This stupid book has lots of nice touches, Mrs Roberts meets her devil worshiping buddies in a baker’s shop, and the group are called ‘The Baker’s Coven’ (get it?) and they have a secret entrance to their meeting room via ‘Disabled Toilet No 2’ (get it?) I just can’t begin to explain how dumb this book it, it certainly won’t be to all tastes. It sends up lots of other supernatural stuff, and you’ll enjoy picking up on some of the references. It caught me in the right mood and I had a good chuckle through most of it.
But is it for you? Here’s an acid test: if you see someone walking down the road and they stand on a huge steaming pile of dog-shit. If you have a silent chuckle at their misfortune then give “Demon Thingy” a whirl, on the other hand, if you are saddened by their misfortune then perhaps you should give “A Couple O' Conjurings” a swerve. Or not.
January 4, 2018
irst, don’t skip the pre-story stuff; the title page, quotes, that stuff… good for a snicker. Second, the quotes are very varied, which made me a bit unsettled, but the first chapter is so unrepentantly irreverent that I soon forgot my trepidation. With Chapter 2 the story slides from irreverent to bizarre. From there, it plunges to unapologetically irreverently bizarre.
This might be a good time to insert a graphic content and language warning. So, there is graphic content and language. A lot of graphic content and language. It is integral to the story and story telling. You don’t even have to be EASILY offended for this to offend you. It is offensive. It’s also hilarious, in an “I’m going to hell for laughing at this,” kind of way.
This is graphic, perverted, irreverent fantasy horror with a bizarre twist. The bizarre twist is that it’s actually a good story and, graphic content not withstanding, is actually very well written.
Is there really a Book Two?
Will there be a combo paperback?
Or is the end just a jerking of one’s chain?
Either way, I must have this on the shelf.
This is wicked fun at it’s very best!
This might be a good time to insert a graphic content and language warning. So, there is graphic content and language. A lot of graphic content and language. It is integral to the story and story telling. You don’t even have to be EASILY offended for this to offend you. It is offensive. It’s also hilarious, in an “I’m going to hell for laughing at this,” kind of way.
This is graphic, perverted, irreverent fantasy horror with a bizarre twist. The bizarre twist is that it’s actually a good story and, graphic content not withstanding, is actually very well written.
Is there really a Book Two?
Will there be a combo paperback?
Or is the end just a jerking of one’s chain?
Either way, I must have this on the shelf.
This is wicked fun at it’s very best!
May 17, 2019
Demon Thingy is so unbelievably puerile and stupid it genuinely has a lot of funny sequences in it, and some brilliant throwaway one-liners. On a few occasions I found myself laughing out loud in my empty flat (how weird is that?) at the sheer crassness of some of the scenes. As the book is relatively brief at 131 pages, it does not overstay its welcome, and concludes before the penis jokes deflate entirely! How many fart, genitalia, masturbation, blowjob, dog shit or otherwise bottom-basement jokes can you cram into this slim volume whilst brewing a few supernatural and occult gags along the way? Jonathan Butcher and Matthew Cash manage quite a few. They don’t all work, some jokes are awful, but the authors keep them coming thick and fast and their result is unchallenging entertainment and it is easy to be carried along with their enthusiasm and filthy minds.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 5, 2025
A crazy, silly and amusing little nugget. You feel like you've been thrown into a whole level of weird, crazy, demon worshipping madness. Lots of questions and lots to unpack, this story could go anywhere!! Odd perverse characters with a couple of genuinely interesting ones made for an intriguing read. Great collaboration.
November 13, 2020
'Like a crossover of early Pratchett, a bawdy 70's Carry On film and the court proceedings of a sex pest' is a pretty spot on description. Brilliant comedy horror, I could barely put it down and I really hope there'll be a sequel.
October 29, 2022
The title ain't lying
A weird, yet fun, and genitalia obsessed
story. Very UK based, and USA readers may have a little trouble deciphering slang, but should get the gist.
I'll be reading book 2
A weird, yet fun, and genitalia obsessed
story. Very UK based, and USA readers may have a little trouble deciphering slang, but should get the gist.
I'll be reading book 2
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews