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Ain't Worth A Shit
From Jack Bantry, editor of Splatterpunk Zine and author of The Lucky Ones Died First and Robert Essig, author of Death Obsessed, In Black and People of the Ethereal Realm comes a story of gut-wrenching noir.Issy has become used to her new life in the UK, away from poverty in her native land. New beginnings weren’t without struggle, and sometimes the past comes back when you least expect it.Mark dealt a little weed on the side, just enough to get him a few bucks and provide some for personal use. No big deal. Not until he makes a little mistake. Sometimes even the smallest error can turn into a dire situation.There’s another world under the veneer of city streets in London’s Leicester Square, streets people walk every day without suspicion. Issy and Matt find out about this world in the worst ways imaginable, and they must fight for their lives to get out.In this underworld, people Ain’t Worth A Shit!
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2019
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72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 24, 2019
This is a mean little story about a young woman attempting to make a better life for herself by coming to America who is kidnapped by a gang of human garbage. In that moment her life is changed forever. She is now forced to have sex with strangers in a dirty room day in, day out. This is horror of the real kind and it is not easy to read. Her only bright light in all of this darkness is Mark who shows her glimpses of kindness. But Mark is a prisoner of the gang as well and is forced to work for them against his will or his innocent sister will pay the ultimate price.
As you can see, this is the human monster variety of horror. The subject matter is chilling because you can’t close the book knowing that you’ve shut door on those made up monsters and get on with your day. This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
Andrew Vacchs writes this sort of too-true-to-life horror as did Jack Ketchum and their words can devastate you for days, weeks, possibly forever. Perhaps I’ve been a little ruined by reading them first but this story seemed to miss the impact I felt it could’ve had on me. As I was reading I felt like an outsider being told about these terrible, harrowing, life ruining things and never truly felt the emotional impact these horrible wrong doings should’ve had on me.
I felt like something was missing in the writing and that some of the traumatizing bits were skimmed over and because of that I can only give this story a three. Also, that last line was like a kick in the head. Grrrrr!
As you can see, this is the human monster variety of horror. The subject matter is chilling because you can’t close the book knowing that you’ve shut door on those made up monsters and get on with your day. This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
Andrew Vacchs writes this sort of too-true-to-life horror as did Jack Ketchum and their words can devastate you for days, weeks, possibly forever. Perhaps I’ve been a little ruined by reading them first but this story seemed to miss the impact I felt it could’ve had on me. As I was reading I felt like an outsider being told about these terrible, harrowing, life ruining things and never truly felt the emotional impact these horrible wrong doings should’ve had on me.
I felt like something was missing in the writing and that some of the traumatizing bits were skimmed over and because of that I can only give this story a three. Also, that last line was like a kick in the head. Grrrrr!
September 11, 2019
The noir infused plot had promise but was hindered by writing which felt shallow and lacked depth; at times the book read more like a story outline rather than a fully fledged novella in its own right.
A couple characters saved the book from being completely derailed with Issy and later Rachel being written perfectly into their roles; one as an accidental victim, the other as a 'hopes and dreams dashed damsel in distress'. However, 'protagonist' Mark, for his part, didn't fit the hero troupe, as much as I like the a-typical, there needs to be some plausibility and his character just didn't work.
I was really looking forward to giving this a shot and I'm still glad I did, I just wish the writing had more depth. Still a solid 3.5/5 stars.
A couple characters saved the book from being completely derailed with Issy and later Rachel being written perfectly into their roles; one as an accidental victim, the other as a 'hopes and dreams dashed damsel in distress'. However, 'protagonist' Mark, for his part, didn't fit the hero troupe, as much as I like the a-typical, there needs to be some plausibility and his character just didn't work.
I was really looking forward to giving this a shot and I'm still glad I did, I just wish the writing had more depth. Still a solid 3.5/5 stars.
July 28, 2024
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Ain’t Worth A Shit by Robert Essig & Jack Bantry
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Mark, a pizza delivery driver, is forced to pay back a debt by delivering drugs on his “pizza route.” Driving around with a car full of drugs, Mark gets caught up in the all too real world of murder, missing persons, snuff films and human trafficking. As he tries to escape the underbelly of extreme criminal brutality, not only is his life in jeopardy but his loved ones as well. Mark begins to hatch a daring escape plan for his family and himself.
Two heavy hitting authors of the extreme/splatterpunk community have joined forces to produce an unnerving story of ultimate decadence. Robert Essig and Jack Bantry hold the reader captive as they are forced to witness a lawless underground. This criminal coercion of prostitution and its violent ways is the gritty subject matter of intense violence of sexual predators.
I think the realism is the most terrifying part of this book. Evil monsters aren’t necessarily demonic clowns or a deep-space alien. These pop culture images are nothing compared to the all-too-real evil created by Essig and Bantry. Many creepy moments await, which in turn causes a constant sense of dread in the pit of your stomach.
Ain’t Worth A Shit by Robert Essig and Jack Bantry is anything but ordinary. You know perversion has reached a new level when the gimp is brought out…shit just got real. I felt like a discarded used condom after reading this dirty and stained bit of literature. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (long cleansing shower) Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
Ain’t Worth A Shit by Robert Essig & Jack Bantry
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Mark, a pizza delivery driver, is forced to pay back a debt by delivering drugs on his “pizza route.” Driving around with a car full of drugs, Mark gets caught up in the all too real world of murder, missing persons, snuff films and human trafficking. As he tries to escape the underbelly of extreme criminal brutality, not only is his life in jeopardy but his loved ones as well. Mark begins to hatch a daring escape plan for his family and himself.
Two heavy hitting authors of the extreme/splatterpunk community have joined forces to produce an unnerving story of ultimate decadence. Robert Essig and Jack Bantry hold the reader captive as they are forced to witness a lawless underground. This criminal coercion of prostitution and its violent ways is the gritty subject matter of intense violence of sexual predators.
I think the realism is the most terrifying part of this book. Evil monsters aren’t necessarily demonic clowns or a deep-space alien. These pop culture images are nothing compared to the all-too-real evil created by Essig and Bantry. Many creepy moments await, which in turn causes a constant sense of dread in the pit of your stomach.
Ain’t Worth A Shit by Robert Essig and Jack Bantry is anything but ordinary. You know perversion has reached a new level when the gimp is brought out…shit just got real. I felt like a discarded used condom after reading this dirty and stained bit of literature. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (long cleansing shower) Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
July 7, 2024
Issy escaped Poland and went to live a better life in the UK. She was escaping bad men. One night walking home from work, she has this sense of being followed. Once she gets home, she's greeted by more than just her boyfriend.
Mark was a pizza delivery boy and needed a real job that pays real money! One day when he's buying a bag of weed, his friend directs him to another guy and before Mark knows it, he's selling weed. Weed then turns to the harder stuff. But Mark starts seeing the guys for what they are and wants out. He tries to protect his family, specially his sister Rachel. Unfortunately for Mark, there is no way out.
Another banger from Essig and a great introduction to Bantry for me. I loved the UK/Poland setting and characters. There is some SA and heavy stuff but overall this was a great read! My heart broke for Issy 💔 oh man! This played in my head like a movie when I was reading it. I highly suggest!
Mark was a pizza delivery boy and needed a real job that pays real money! One day when he's buying a bag of weed, his friend directs him to another guy and before Mark knows it, he's selling weed. Weed then turns to the harder stuff. But Mark starts seeing the guys for what they are and wants out. He tries to protect his family, specially his sister Rachel. Unfortunately for Mark, there is no way out.
Another banger from Essig and a great introduction to Bantry for me. I loved the UK/Poland setting and characters. There is some SA and heavy stuff but overall this was a great read! My heart broke for Issy 💔 oh man! This played in my head like a movie when I was reading it. I highly suggest!
October 8, 2019
An unflinching foray into the dark work of sex trafficking. It moves along at a rocket's pace and you never know what fresh hell is lurking around the corner. A compelling read.
July 14, 2024
This is a re-release from Essig and Bantry, of which I hadn't read before. It's simple, easy to read prose and short chapters help to make this a quick, addictive, fast-paced crime noir read about drug running, prostitution, human trafficking and the Polish mafia. Some truly shocking scenes are included, showing how two innocent young people inadvertently get caught up in some serious criminal activities. This could be happening on your street corner and it's scary stuff. Pretty thought provoking too.
Issy had managed to escape the horrors of her home country, Poland, and find a better life, and a boyfriend, in the UK. Or so she thought. It seems that the trouble back home has tracked her down somehow, and she finds herself in a whole new, terrifying world of hurt and degradation.
Mark is a pizza delivery guy and small-time stoner, he needs a new dealer and he ends up meeting a guy called Lucasz, a Polish guy who manipulates him into more than just buying and selling the odd bag of weed alongside his pizzas. That's when things start to spiral out of control for him and he becomes trapped in this new venture. Things continue to spiral, dramatically so, until they cant get any worse and he fears for his and his family’s life.
Mark is determined to get himself and Issy out of their dire situation, but every plan he comes up with is destined to fail, or to bring even more harm to them and their loved ones and when his sister becomes involved, through no fault of her own, the guilt he feels spurs him on to get revenge and get home safely.
Issy had managed to escape the horrors of her home country, Poland, and find a better life, and a boyfriend, in the UK. Or so she thought. It seems that the trouble back home has tracked her down somehow, and she finds herself in a whole new, terrifying world of hurt and degradation.
Mark is a pizza delivery guy and small-time stoner, he needs a new dealer and he ends up meeting a guy called Lucasz, a Polish guy who manipulates him into more than just buying and selling the odd bag of weed alongside his pizzas. That's when things start to spiral out of control for him and he becomes trapped in this new venture. Things continue to spiral, dramatically so, until they cant get any worse and he fears for his and his family’s life.
Mark is determined to get himself and Issy out of their dire situation, but every plan he comes up with is destined to fail, or to bring even more harm to them and their loved ones and when his sister becomes involved, through no fault of her own, the guilt he feels spurs him on to get revenge and get home safely.
July 17, 2024
Mark is just your average young guy delivering pizzas while he tries to figure out his life. His weed habit ends up putting him in a position he never wanted to be in. Now he’s faced with much harder choices than what he wants out of life.
I liked the story idea. It kept me interested, and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. It does cover a very real subject that would trigger some. Certain situations were uncomfortable to read and knowing this stuff really happens makes it even more chilling. These human monsters are the worst, especially Reuben. I do feel the authors handled the matter well though. I didn’t find anything to be overly graphic. The authors did an amazing job creating such a grim read for such a short book. The criminal underworld is dark and dirty, and it was captured well in this book.
I liked the story idea. It kept me interested, and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. It does cover a very real subject that would trigger some. Certain situations were uncomfortable to read and knowing this stuff really happens makes it even more chilling. These human monsters are the worst, especially Reuben. I do feel the authors handled the matter well though. I didn’t find anything to be overly graphic. The authors did an amazing job creating such a grim read for such a short book. The criminal underworld is dark and dirty, and it was captured well in this book.
July 29, 2024
You'll probably need a shower after this. The book is brutally realistic crime horror, pulling no punches when it comes to the depiction of horrible events (sex trafficking, psychological and physical abuse, forced prostitution). It's not extreme horror, however: no geysers of blood swamping the plot, no body parts splattering the walls, not even any sex-fueled shenanigans blurring reality and fiction with the occasional splash of steamy body horror. The book is relentlessly grim, constantly operating on a level of realism where the terse writing and the matter-of-fact descriptions of uncomfortable situations are enough to induce moral vertigo, righteous indignation, even raw, intense feelings such as rage at what's happening on the page. Though the characters' emotional reactions are intentionally kept at a minimum, the story thus giving off strong "hard-boiled/noir" vibes, neither Issy, the young Romanian who left her home for a better life in the UK, nor Mark, the young man who just wanted some weed and never realized what he was getting into, are devoid of deeply felt despair towards both their place in life and the threats they have to face; that said, there's a total lack of any "this isn't fair"-type of reactions, however - I mention this because, if you're after justice and retribution, this isn't the book for you. The title says it all: the story's London is brimming with dystopian elements, a permanent hellplace with similarly filthy and nasty people.
If the point was to portray a world where survival does not imply the lifting of darkness, 'Ain't Worth a Shit' not only hits the nail on the head, it takes the hammer and breaks some skulls as well!
If the point was to portray a world where survival does not imply the lifting of darkness, 'Ain't Worth a Shit' not only hits the nail on the head, it takes the hammer and breaks some skulls as well!
July 1, 2024
Keeping in mind that this is a novella, it was a shorter quick read with some things being VERY detailed and others not as detailed. I was left with my jaw dropped a few times and squirming part of the time!
This novella is about a trafficking gang that kidnaps and forces people to work for them, whether that be in a brothel or dealing products. It concentrates on a couple of specific people trapped in this world and what they are faced with.
As I said above, there were many things well detailed and I was able to imagine myself right there in the story. Some parts of the story could have used a bit more depth, but overall I really enjoyed it and with how it ended I'm hoping for another part!
This novella is about a trafficking gang that kidnaps and forces people to work for them, whether that be in a brothel or dealing products. It concentrates on a couple of specific people trapped in this world and what they are faced with.
As I said above, there were many things well detailed and I was able to imagine myself right there in the story. Some parts of the story could have used a bit more depth, but overall I really enjoyed it and with how it ended I'm hoping for another part!
June 25, 2024
Fast paced story that's full of grit and blood. I think the most horrifying thing about the book for me is that it actually happens. People get wrapped up in bad company every day. Mafia and drug lords are people you don't want to cross. There is true darkness in this world, and this book gives us a small glimpse of that.
Another fantastic book from Essig! I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Another fantastic book from Essig! I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2019
Ain’t Worth a Shit by Jack Bantry and Robert Essig is a suspenseful horror thriller posing as crime noir. This genre blending novella is a gruesome read.
While not terribly graphic in description, the content of this novella is both disturbing and horrifying. The fact that the premise is based on reality makes it even more horrifying. Fans of general thrillers may find this a little darker than they are comfortable with. Fans of hardcore horror will find this an enjoyable, dark little story where the horror is humanity.
One might find the title and/or cover art to be questionable, maybe even a touch off-putting, however, both are symbolic of the storyline. The classic crime noir style of the cover coupled with the type of graphic title often seen in extreme horror illustrates how this book falls between both genres. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure that I care for either cover or title, but there is no denying how both fit the book. So, if this gives you pause, understand that the cover is symbolic, the synopsis is an understated tease, and you should test your psychological fortitude with the realistic horrors of this gruesome dark thriller.
I read this novella in one day. I could not put it down. Ain’t Worth a Shit is fast-paced, compelling, and entertaining on a sick horror fan level. It is a gruesome and disturbing story full of suspense and action.
Did I mention it’s disturbing?
Without giving anything away, I will say that upon reading the ending, I was torn between laughing and throwing my Kindle. Judging by my husband’s reaction to me, I had an out loud verbal reaction that included bad words. Well played, gentlemen. Well played.
While not terribly graphic in description, the content of this novella is both disturbing and horrifying. The fact that the premise is based on reality makes it even more horrifying. Fans of general thrillers may find this a little darker than they are comfortable with. Fans of hardcore horror will find this an enjoyable, dark little story where the horror is humanity.
One might find the title and/or cover art to be questionable, maybe even a touch off-putting, however, both are symbolic of the storyline. The classic crime noir style of the cover coupled with the type of graphic title often seen in extreme horror illustrates how this book falls between both genres. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure that I care for either cover or title, but there is no denying how both fit the book. So, if this gives you pause, understand that the cover is symbolic, the synopsis is an understated tease, and you should test your psychological fortitude with the realistic horrors of this gruesome dark thriller.
I read this novella in one day. I could not put it down. Ain’t Worth a Shit is fast-paced, compelling, and entertaining on a sick horror fan level. It is a gruesome and disturbing story full of suspense and action.
Did I mention it’s disturbing?
Without giving anything away, I will say that upon reading the ending, I was torn between laughing and throwing my Kindle. Judging by my husband’s reaction to me, I had an out loud verbal reaction that included bad words. Well played, gentlemen. Well played.
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September 26, 2019Issy thought she was safe from the mafia after leaving Poland for the UK, and Mark thought he had it made as a small time pot dealer, but both find themselves in over their heads trapped in a human trafficking ring, with no way out.
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right kind of mood to really appreciate this, or if maybe I just wasn't the right reader for it, but I didn't really connect to this novella. There seemed to be a lack of tension, and the emotional impact that certain scenes should have had simply wasn't there for me (and of course there is always the possibility that the problem is me, not the book). However, there are elements here that I really appreciated.
Human trafficking is a horrifying subject, and I think it was handled quite well here. It didn't feel exploitive or overly graphic (though there are some very brutal scenes), and there was a noticeable effort to humanize Issy and make her more than just a victim (although I wish it had been extended to the other woman a bit more, rather than painting Issy as someone more "special" or "pure"). As much as I liked that sections were told from other perspectives, as a whole it did disrupt the flow. Most of the story is viewed through Mark's perspective, and he easily could have been an insufferable protagonist. He does feel sorry for himself an awful lot (it's not undeserved) but he has the awareness to realize and acknowledge that he is far from having the worst of it.
The story certainly has it's merits, it just felt very one note to me, (but I can see it working well for other readers). As for myself, this ain't exactly it, but I'm still interested enough to seek out other works from Essig and Bantry, and I'll be keeping an eye out for what they do next.
I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right kind of mood to really appreciate this, or if maybe I just wasn't the right reader for it, but I didn't really connect to this novella. There seemed to be a lack of tension, and the emotional impact that certain scenes should have had simply wasn't there for me (and of course there is always the possibility that the problem is me, not the book). However, there are elements here that I really appreciated.
Human trafficking is a horrifying subject, and I think it was handled quite well here. It didn't feel exploitive or overly graphic (though there are some very brutal scenes), and there was a noticeable effort to humanize Issy and make her more than just a victim (although I wish it had been extended to the other woman a bit more, rather than painting Issy as someone more "special" or "pure"). As much as I liked that sections were told from other perspectives, as a whole it did disrupt the flow. Most of the story is viewed through Mark's perspective, and he easily could have been an insufferable protagonist. He does feel sorry for himself an awful lot (it's not undeserved) but he has the awareness to realize and acknowledge that he is far from having the worst of it.
The story certainly has it's merits, it just felt very one note to me, (but I can see it working well for other readers). As for myself, this ain't exactly it, but I'm still interested enough to seek out other works from Essig and Bantry, and I'll be keeping an eye out for what they do next.
July 2, 2024
Delving the reader into the world of human trafficking, this dark and disturbing novella left me feeling sickened.
It kicks off with a strong prologue, letting you know right away this is going to be a grim story, followed by short chapters giving just enough to keep the pages turning. This isn’t an all out gore fest of a read, instead it sinks deep unsettling feelings into you through a story that is not fiction for many unfortunate souls.
It kicks off with a strong prologue, letting you know right away this is going to be a grim story, followed by short chapters giving just enough to keep the pages turning. This isn’t an all out gore fest of a read, instead it sinks deep unsettling feelings into you through a story that is not fiction for many unfortunate souls.
July 13, 2024
This was a gut punch of a story.
One wrong choice spirals into an emotional rollercoaster for Mark. Pulled into the seedy underbelly of organized crime Mark is forced to go against his nature to keep his family safe. But every action has a consequence and that is a bloody lesson Mark learns very quickly.
One wrong choice spirals into an emotional rollercoaster for Mark. Pulled into the seedy underbelly of organized crime Mark is forced to go against his nature to keep his family safe. But every action has a consequence and that is a bloody lesson Mark learns very quickly.
January 15, 2025
This story was a bit different than what I'm used to reading from Essig, but I really enjoyed it.
This story brought on different emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.
The ending left me wanting to hear more!
This was a collab with Jack Bantry, whom I had never read before. Both authors did amazing writing this book together.
This story brought on different emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next.
The ending left me wanting to hear more!
This was a collab with Jack Bantry, whom I had never read before. Both authors did amazing writing this book together.
August 7, 2019
Weed. Or, The gateway drug into human trafficking.
July 20, 2023
It’s just a little weed. Right?
Oof this story is a whirlwind into the deep dark alleyways of our real lives. It takes us into the world of the drug lords, human traffickers and the deep dark web. It’s honestly terrifying what happens in this world and if you are looking for a true to life type of horror novel I’d absolutely recommend picking this up.
I found it to be a easy read in terms of flow, it kept me turning pages wanting to know where this story was going and it left me feeling yucky, so I’d call that a great success!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Oof this story is a whirlwind into the deep dark alleyways of our real lives. It takes us into the world of the drug lords, human traffickers and the deep dark web. It’s honestly terrifying what happens in this world and if you are looking for a true to life type of horror novel I’d absolutely recommend picking this up.
I found it to be a easy read in terms of flow, it kept me turning pages wanting to know where this story was going and it left me feeling yucky, so I’d call that a great success!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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