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Maniacs with Knives: Unapologetic Horror
To a regular person, they’re just tools. . . A chef uses them to prepare a meal. A surgeon uses them to save lives. To the maniacs in this story, however. . . Theirs is a much darker purpose. For them, the first cut is NOT the deepest. It’s just the beginning. . . This is Book 1 in the Maniacs with Knives Series. This story is from Shaun Hupp’s Unapologetic Horror Line. The author is NOT sorry this book Gore, violence, dismemberment, rape, swearing, and a dozen other things you wouldn’t want your grandmother to talk about at her Sunday church group. If you’re a sensitive reader, this book is probably NOT for you.
135 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2017
46 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 12, 2021
Yes, there will be knives. Also a machete, a chainsaw, a cleaver, a costotome, needles, thread, nails, a hammer, a baseball bat, a hacksaw, an electric circular saw, a double-sided dildo, teeth, and a garbage disposal. The maniacs wielding these weapons are out for blood (and faces, fingers, feet, heads, privates, art and more). Shaun Hupp presents brutality with extreme violence on the side, complete with a sense of humor. And he's not sorry. Neither am I. I really enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading Maniacs With Knives 2.
April 15, 2017
I've read a few of Hupp's books before, but this one is by far his best. He's dabbled with extreme horror in the past, but it feels like with Maniacs he's finally getting his legs under him. There are a lot of extreme horror books out there now that are just awful. Usually they just lack any personality. I don't expect Shakespeare, but some kind of story and a hit of character development is nice. Hupp does all of that here. What starts out like a bunch of short stories turns into a single connected tale with some fun twists. Each of the characters has a unique personality, I could almost see their facial expressions as I was reading. And of course, the gore was excellent without seeming like he was going down some check list. If you like extreme horror, then this one is a must read. I can't wait for part two.
May 4, 2017
This is Shaun Hupp's best work so far!
Full review posted HERE - come meet your maniacs, and find out why Maniacs with Knives: Unapologetic Horror is proving to be one of my main sources of hilarity so far this year! Sure, I'm a bit twisted & depraved, but if you honestly tell me that you DIDN'T laugh while reading some of the extremiest extreme moments - I'll apologize and might think about removing the awesome .gifs posted on my review ;)
P, L & N ♥
~sg
...maybe not, haha!
Full review posted HERE - come meet your maniacs, and find out why Maniacs with Knives: Unapologetic Horror is proving to be one of my main sources of hilarity so far this year! Sure, I'm a bit twisted & depraved, but if you honestly tell me that you DIDN'T laugh while reading some of the extremiest extreme moments - I'll apologize and might think about removing the awesome .gifs posted on my review ;)
P, L & N ♥
~sg
...maybe not, haha!
July 2, 2019
This book is such gory fun! There were definitely a couple twists(of the knife😉) that I didn't see coming and which made the book that much better. I can't wait to read Maniacs with Knives 2!!
May 10, 2017
SUCH A BANGING BLAST TO READ!!!
Holy Hell Hupp....I agree with the consensus, you really are a sick pup. Downright rabid but oh so cute, and in need of a good home. Awwww puppy dog eyes, gets ya every time.
So yes, I flat out LOVED THIS!
It's been too damn long since I've cozied up to some Hupp and right from the top...My God, that warning disclaimer love letter to his readers....."Fuck You", no...fuck me....yea, we're all just fucked and it feels pretty damn good.
There are way too many sensitive people out there who get offended at a bit of gleeful and demented fun so writers are having to get super inventive to avoid unfair/unwarranted bad reviews from said pansies.
A simple 'WARNING EXTREME CONTENT' banner in big bold letters across the cover just doesn't seem to be enough anymore.
I know that some readers are just more sensitive and that's all A-OK, just don't read anything with any sort of warning label then.
Personally, I ain't the least little bit peevish, it takes a lot to trigger flip me into my 'find a happy place' corner. As long as the story is strong, I'm down for any sort of shock and awe/stomach churning hellish ride and this story was STRONG.
Roid Rage Strong.
That is a perfect title too, Maniacs with Knives: Unapologetic Horror. Simple and to the point, you know exactly what you're getting into. If not, fuck off, you're dumb.
SORRY, Hupp rubbed off on me. He's a rubber. :P
I do have to admit though, I was a bit hesitant about starting a new Hupp serial caaaause I'm still waiting on his Shaun Hupp Collection Volume 2, which was a jaw dropping favorite read from last year. The way he grouped all those previously released short stories together with a weaving wrap-around tale was ingenious. And seamless.
I WANT MORE!
Not to mention another episode of Valentine Rodgers, that bumbling self professed/obsessed private dick(wad)/umbrella peddler. Just hysterical!
Yea, this guy can do the most eye-bulging brutal horror then flip that tripled sided coin of his, and hilarious slapstick satire ensues...ensnares.
Ohhhh, I've tried holding my breath in defiance for more Valentine but the blue hue clashes with my rosy cheeks.
I WANT MOOORE!! Damnittt....
So, you got knife wielding maniacs and their marks.
Simply as that, buuuut it's not so simple, it's actually quite complex in it's execution...like some kind of comfy double flesh padded corpse quilt he looms with the most tenderest loving care.
~ We got the artistic maniac with his eye on a masterpiece.
~ The seasoned/semi retired maniac who feels entitled to some bragging homage retrospect.
~ The sudden snap psyche maniac whose repression is feeling a bit cagey.
~ The brooding, towering Leatherface-esque maniac who pawn stacks his duress board.
ALL of whom take very different terror tactics to accomplish their #sliceoflifegoals.
Some of their marks are down before the fight or flee has time to register and some of them are spry and just sly enough to post-initiate a little cat and mouse play.
It may all seem random and aimless but it's quite targeted, with dead-on precision.
I love how it all bleeeeds together to form a big ole plot clot, requiring more than just a bacitracin'd up bandaid, that's for damn sure!
These are the best kinds of stories and I've only come across a handful of new authors who are able to pull it off and pull it off well ~ yea...pull that steel wool over our eyes!!
Some books I can pretty easily give a spoiler free, thorough plot run down but there are some books, some books, that...I just don't wanna. This one definitely works best knowing very little beforehand.
Ok so, if you pair this story alongside his Volume 1 collection, I've come to the conclusion that Shaun's niche is the weave. I'm a beweaver. These 3rd act holy shit (No Way!) reveals, but then when you go back and reread it, the shadowing was foremidable....he perfectly overcasts his stratospherically written skies in a hot peppered laced fog.
It's all there, even if he is quite undeniably...not.
Shaun NEEDS to write more, he's a natural. Gots appropriately hasmet labeled bucket fulls of charm, charisma, and repulsion, in unbalanced yet equal parts.
But I hear he has one of them debilitatingly life draining full time day jobs and that's bound to stifle that ripe and raw writer mindset.
Plus about half a dozen kids to cramp and crimp that wild and smooth style of his.
Totally understandable, we just...get what we get and don't throw a fit. Got it!
Ooor maybe he just needs to delegate and procrastinate with all of the above better.
So start spawning more unapologetically graphic gooey goodness.
Your fields are obviously fertile. :P
And YES, we are supposed to be getting another Maniacs with Knives in June, next month.
Little teaser epilogue sets it up perfectly to go in a totally new cutthroat direction. AWESOME!!
Holy Hell Hupp....I agree with the consensus, you really are a sick pup. Downright rabid but oh so cute, and in need of a good home. Awwww puppy dog eyes, gets ya every time.
So yes, I flat out LOVED THIS!
It's been too damn long since I've cozied up to some Hupp and right from the top...My God, that warning disclaimer love letter to his readers....."Fuck You", no...fuck me....yea, we're all just fucked and it feels pretty damn good.
There are way too many sensitive people out there who get offended at a bit of gleeful and demented fun so writers are having to get super inventive to avoid unfair/unwarranted bad reviews from said pansies.
A simple 'WARNING EXTREME CONTENT' banner in big bold letters across the cover just doesn't seem to be enough anymore.
I know that some readers are just more sensitive and that's all A-OK, just don't read anything with any sort of warning label then.
Personally, I ain't the least little bit peevish, it takes a lot to trigger flip me into my 'find a happy place' corner. As long as the story is strong, I'm down for any sort of shock and awe/stomach churning hellish ride and this story was STRONG.
Roid Rage Strong.
That is a perfect title too, Maniacs with Knives: Unapologetic Horror. Simple and to the point, you know exactly what you're getting into. If not, fuck off, you're dumb.
SORRY, Hupp rubbed off on me. He's a rubber. :P
I do have to admit though, I was a bit hesitant about starting a new Hupp serial caaaause I'm still waiting on his Shaun Hupp Collection Volume 2, which was a jaw dropping favorite read from last year. The way he grouped all those previously released short stories together with a weaving wrap-around tale was ingenious. And seamless.
I WANT MORE!
Not to mention another episode of Valentine Rodgers, that bumbling self professed/obsessed private dick(wad)/umbrella peddler. Just hysterical!
Yea, this guy can do the most eye-bulging brutal horror then flip that tripled sided coin of his, and hilarious slapstick satire ensues...ensnares.
Ohhhh, I've tried holding my breath in defiance for more Valentine but the blue hue clashes with my rosy cheeks.
I WANT MOOORE!! Damnittt....
So, you got knife wielding maniacs and their marks.
Simply as that, buuuut it's not so simple, it's actually quite complex in it's execution...like some kind of comfy double flesh padded corpse quilt he looms with the most tenderest loving care.
~ We got the artistic maniac with his eye on a masterpiece.
~ The seasoned/semi retired maniac who feels entitled to some bragging homage retrospect.
~ The sudden snap psyche maniac whose repression is feeling a bit cagey.
~ The brooding, towering Leatherface-esque maniac who pawn stacks his duress board.
ALL of whom take very different terror tactics to accomplish their #sliceoflifegoals.
Some of their marks are down before the fight or flee has time to register and some of them are spry and just sly enough to post-initiate a little cat and mouse play.
It may all seem random and aimless but it's quite targeted, with dead-on precision.
I love how it all bleeeeds together to form a big ole plot clot, requiring more than just a bacitracin'd up bandaid, that's for damn sure!
These are the best kinds of stories and I've only come across a handful of new authors who are able to pull it off and pull it off well ~ yea...pull that steel wool over our eyes!!
Some books I can pretty easily give a spoiler free, thorough plot run down but there are some books, some books, that...I just don't wanna. This one definitely works best knowing very little beforehand.
Ok so, if you pair this story alongside his Volume 1 collection, I've come to the conclusion that Shaun's niche is the weave. I'm a beweaver. These 3rd act holy shit (No Way!) reveals, but then when you go back and reread it, the shadowing was foremidable....he perfectly overcasts his stratospherically written skies in a hot peppered laced fog.
It's all there, even if he is quite undeniably...not.
Shaun NEEDS to write more, he's a natural. Gots appropriately hasmet labeled bucket fulls of charm, charisma, and repulsion, in unbalanced yet equal parts.
But I hear he has one of them debilitatingly life draining full time day jobs and that's bound to stifle that ripe and raw writer mindset.
Plus about half a dozen kids to cramp and crimp that wild and smooth style of his.
Totally understandable, we just...get what we get and don't throw a fit. Got it!
Ooor maybe he just needs to delegate and procrastinate with all of the above better.
So start spawning more unapologetically graphic gooey goodness.
Your fields are obviously fertile. :P
And YES, we are supposed to be getting another Maniacs with Knives in June, next month.
Little teaser epilogue sets it up perfectly to go in a totally new cutthroat direction. AWESOME!!
May 29, 2018
I don’t know if it was Shaun’s intention with this book to completely mind***k me or what, but that’s what it did. Shaun’s style is simplistic and abrasive which only adds to the rawness of this story. I felt like I was inside of an old Grindhouse film, or any classic 80’s era slasher. The gore alone made me queasy, and the way the stories abruptly changed had me guessing what was going on. I really enjoyed it Shaun. Can’t wait to start part two.
October 17, 2019
Just spent a bloody marvelous night with Mr. Shaun Hupp. Maniacs with Knives was non-stop, start to finish brutality that held me in place until the last page. Several interconnected stories stitched together into one abomination of a tale! This book delivered in torrents of blood and sadistic glee haha! "Unapologetic Horror"? No apologies necessary. This was just brutiful! Well done, sir. Eye take my head off to ya 🤤
April 3, 2017
I absolutely loved this! Am I sick? Yes. I love when someone can shock me enough to bring that sneaking smile out. Shaun Hupp is a twisty fucker who can really get into the dark places that make my 'creepy girl' parts tingle. Fantastic.
Highly recommend, can't wait for more.
Highly recommend, can't wait for more.
April 10, 2025
4.5 stars! this was so good & i love how it all just connected, the ending was really good too
July 25, 2022
I won this book in a competition and it's my first by Shaun Hupp, but in no way will it be my last! (Get writing Shaun, I have a bookshelf with your name on! 😂)
In this book we follow several different maniacs with a disturbing affection for knives, knives of all shapes and sizes.. We are introduced to these maniacs one by one, and also to their victims, and every chapter ups the bloody, sadistic ante! Ben, The Artist, is my fave character, he is one sick, twisted motherfucker! 😍 One scene proper made my toes curl 🤢😉
This is in your face, dont give a fuck brutality! Straight in with the horror and fear! High energy horror, soaking in an absolute bloodbath of depravity! I love the fucked up, dark humour and how the stories all interconnect.
This story has a great twist, savage revenge and an awesome ending, and it is all really cleverly done! Utter carnage the whole way through, I absolutely LOVED it!
And after reading the teaser for the sequel, I am really excited for more!!
In this book we follow several different maniacs with a disturbing affection for knives, knives of all shapes and sizes.. We are introduced to these maniacs one by one, and also to their victims, and every chapter ups the bloody, sadistic ante! Ben, The Artist, is my fave character, he is one sick, twisted motherfucker! 😍 One scene proper made my toes curl 🤢😉
This is in your face, dont give a fuck brutality! Straight in with the horror and fear! High energy horror, soaking in an absolute bloodbath of depravity! I love the fucked up, dark humour and how the stories all interconnect.
This story has a great twist, savage revenge and an awesome ending, and it is all really cleverly done! Utter carnage the whole way through, I absolutely LOVED it!
And after reading the teaser for the sequel, I am really excited for more!!
April 8, 2017
Oh wow. This is a mish-mash of the most demented and depraved story telling! There are several story lines going on at once, crossing time lines. I am pleasantly getting used to Shaun's awesome writing style.
I don't want to give anything away, so trust me when I say read this sick story!!
I can't wait for the sequel!!
I don't want to give anything away, so trust me when I say read this sick story!!
I can't wait for the sequel!!
July 13, 2018
Great
It was a very suspenseful and gory read and at first it was hard to follow because of the way the characters jumped around. But after you connected them it was fricking amazing. I hope to read more from this author.
It was a very suspenseful and gory read and at first it was hard to follow because of the way the characters jumped around. But after you connected them it was fricking amazing. I hope to read more from this author.
May 18, 2018
This book is sick, twisted, and fun. At first I didn't know what to make of it. There are multiple story lines going on which don't seem to go along with each other. As you get further into the book they begin to intertwine and mix until they reach an epic crescendo. I've never really read anything quite like it. It's a rare gem which stands out in the splatterpunk genre.
November 24, 2018
Not unlike reading a slasher film. From an abused housewife, to a retired serial killer, to the Artist who believes he is creating something special, the stories revolve around psychos and their love of knives. All different types of knives. The author admits up front in the preface that there will be lots of gore and blood and he's not sorry about any of it. Super fun and gory with an interesting tie-in at the end. Like any good slasher film, there is a sequel. Like any good horror junkie, I already started it. 4 out of 5 stars.
October 14, 2019
My head is still spinning! I'm not gonna lie, at first I was like confused. Like the story jumped all over the place and I was trying to connect all the stories ( which I couldn't). But at the end, the author connects the dots and it all makes sense. Since I love horror, I try not to think too logical ( like the chances of so many serial killers coming together). At least I don't think logical when the gore is good. And in this book, the gore was great!!!! I loved The Artist storyline and would read a book solely about him. This book is good. But oh yeah, for the author (f u 2) lol!!?!
October 29, 2018
4.5 stars!! Shaun Hupp is one sick dude! This was a super fun and gory read. I cringed multiple times while reading this. I love how all the seemingly separate story lines converged into one. Can't wait to read part 2!!
April 24, 2018
Review on Amazon. Very good read full of gore and a clever ending.
June 4, 2017
What you get when you have three serial killers and one female who has killed in self defense, be it very brutally, you get a wild ride of mayhem. While killing, they are also hurling towards a final blood filled, gore fest collision course. This is extreme horror at it's best with lots of blood, guts, gore and horrific deaths. Definitely not for the people with weak stomachs or the faint of heart as this is brutal! Extreme horror fans this is a must read.
April 8, 2017
Amazing
I love horror, and this has to be one of my favourites. I loved how this story was told by a few people, and the fact that it blended into one story. If you're a fan of blood, guts and all horror, then this is for you.
I love horror, and this has to be one of my favourites. I loved how this story was told by a few people, and the fact that it blended into one story. If you're a fan of blood, guts and all horror, then this is for you.
April 10, 2017
This is the first book that I have read from Shaun Hupp and will definitely not be the last!!! This book was filled with twists, turns, and tons of gore!!! The way that the different stories came together at the end of the book BLEW MY MIND!!! I cannot wait for the sequel to come out so that I can find out what happens next!!!
Shaun Hupp is a crazy storyteller that I plan on following for the long haul!!! Well Done!!!
Shaun Hupp is a crazy storyteller that I plan on following for the long haul!!! Well Done!!!
July 23, 2023
The Hupp delivers an e-ticket ride of unapologetic horror. Buckle up, folks! This ride has twists and turns that will make your head spin! Multiple storylines come together in a heart-pounding grand finale that will make it impossible for you to put the book down until you finish and catch your breath. If you like slashers, this is a must read. Even if you don’t like slashers, it’s a must read. Another fantastic tale from The Hupp Check it out!
5 severed fingers out of 5
October 22, 2019
Depraved, sick, twisted... fun!
August 1, 2018
This book was super gory and it was very interesting to see the way it all ended...or didn't end. I'm looking forward to reading part two. Great summer slasher read!
January 5, 2020
This was a great read. I honestly bought this book bc this man’s meme game is strong, so I was curious to see if he was as weird as I assumed he is.
This is a solid, unabashed horror, as the title clearly states. I absolutely loved the style. The gore was gory, the story was immersive, and my imagination is prolly traumatized even more so. I’ll be getting the sequel ASAP. I picked it up and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Highly recommend!
Looking forward to reading much more from this clearly deranged individual. 🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿
This is a solid, unabashed horror, as the title clearly states. I absolutely loved the style. The gore was gory, the story was immersive, and my imagination is prolly traumatized even more so. I’ll be getting the sequel ASAP. I picked it up and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Highly recommend!
Looking forward to reading much more from this clearly deranged individual. 🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿🖕🏿
June 25, 2023
5/5 Detached Heads!
What a fun and gory read for my Saturday evening! Highly recommend this to fans of extreme horror! Man…..when the stories connect…..*shudders*
What a fun and gory read for my Saturday evening! Highly recommend this to fans of extreme horror! Man…..when the stories connect…..*shudders*
May 18, 2018
If your stomach and brain can handle it, I definitely recommend reading this twisted, winding tale of unapologetic horror.
December 28, 2019
This was the first book I read by Shaun Hupp, and it had me hooked from the first few pages! Had me eagerly finishing chapters, and had me cringing at certain parts. In the best possible way of course! I ordered the second book as soon as I finished with this one!
July 3, 2023
Brutal. Brilliant!
May 2, 2018
Enjoyable slaughter
I'm well impressed with how all the characters stories blended together into one final bloodbath. Very well done indeed Mr Hupp.
I'm well impressed with how all the characters stories blended together into one final bloodbath. Very well done indeed Mr Hupp.
August 16, 2024
Probably about as sick a book as you can get...
Until I read this, my only experience of Shaun Hupp was following his memes on facebook. So when I saw this book for free, I decided to pick it up and see for myself just what he was all about.
Maniacs with knives is about as sick a book as you are ever going to read outside something by Matt Shaw.
Seriously, if you are at all sensitive, easily offended, or prone to triggers, this book is not for you.
In one scene, a young woman is sexually assaulted by two men and when one of them can’t get it up, he uses a baseball bat - and this is in one of the tamer scenes.
Hupp’s writing feels, at times, heavily influenced by Laymon, but Hupp here goes far and beyond anything Laymon ever attempted and there were more than a few moments when even I was cringing and flinching and I have a really high threshold for such things.
This really is Extreme horror at its finest and next pay day, I will definitely, definitely be paying for the sequel!!!
A very well deserved 5 stars out of 5!
Until I read this, my only experience of Shaun Hupp was following his memes on facebook. So when I saw this book for free, I decided to pick it up and see for myself just what he was all about.
Maniacs with knives is about as sick a book as you are ever going to read outside something by Matt Shaw.
Seriously, if you are at all sensitive, easily offended, or prone to triggers, this book is not for you.
In one scene, a young woman is sexually assaulted by two men and when one of them can’t get it up, he uses a baseball bat - and this is in one of the tamer scenes.
Hupp’s writing feels, at times, heavily influenced by Laymon, but Hupp here goes far and beyond anything Laymon ever attempted and there were more than a few moments when even I was cringing and flinching and I have a really high threshold for such things.
This really is Extreme horror at its finest and next pay day, I will definitely, definitely be paying for the sequel!!!
A very well deserved 5 stars out of 5!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews