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The Grindhouse Experience #1
The Grindhouse Experience
A group of University students sign up to The Grindhouse Experience, a non-profit extreme haunt with an exploitation cinema twist. The waiting list is long, the acceptance rate small. On the night of Halloween, the lucky winners will be kidnapped and taken to the secret location where The Grindhouse Experience will commence…
The operation is run by Ethan Blake, the millionaire, playboy son of the notorious and world-renowned British film director, Jefferson Blake. Blake died in 1992, but his legacy lives on. His films helped define exploitation cinema in the 60s and 70s, and are some of the most violent and disturbing ever produced.
Ethan has a secret agenda. He has plans for the next bunch of entrants into The Grindhouse Experience. There is a lot that the public don’t know about Jefferson Blake who did far more than just make era-defining, sleazy movies. Ethan will show these curious students exactly what it was that his father used to do.
He will honour his father’s name with their blood.
The operation is run by Ethan Blake, the millionaire, playboy son of the notorious and world-renowned British film director, Jefferson Blake. Blake died in 1992, but his legacy lives on. His films helped define exploitation cinema in the 60s and 70s, and are some of the most violent and disturbing ever produced.
Ethan has a secret agenda. He has plans for the next bunch of entrants into The Grindhouse Experience. There is a lot that the public don’t know about Jefferson Blake who did far more than just make era-defining, sleazy movies. Ethan will show these curious students exactly what it was that his father used to do.
He will honour his father’s name with their blood.
- GenresHorror
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2020
About the author
Sam West
62 books245 followersSam West is a British, extreme horror author with more than forty books to her name. If you like your fiction dark, gritty, gory, perverse and truly terrifying, then you're in the right place.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 5, 2021
This had the perfect buildup. An extreme haunted house run by some psychotic film maker? Yes, please sign me up. To either watch or play. Either way, it's totally right up my alley.
Then it's not what I expected at all.
It's a fine story. There's rape and a bit of gore.
It just wasn't what I was expecting.
There was an unexpected twist. My biggest complaint is the ending. It came out of nowhere and I feel like there was plenty of story left. Then it just abruptly ended
Then it's not what I expected at all.
It's a fine story. There's rape and a bit of gore.
It just wasn't what I was expecting.
There was an unexpected twist. My biggest complaint is the ending. It came out of nowhere and I feel like there was plenty of story left. Then it just abruptly ended
March 9, 2022
This was an entertaining little read. It had a good storyline, though I did guess a few things throughout, which turned out right. I enjoyed this a lot, and the cliffhanger was perfect 👌🏼 bring on the next one!
September 10, 2021
“The hunters will get her. I told them to take her to Monster House. That’s if she doesn’t fall prey to anyone else en-route, of course.”
I'm definitely looking forward to book 2 in the series.
I'm definitely looking forward to book 2 in the series.
April 3, 2020
One of Sam West's best! This book takes a bit to get going, but in a good way. Sam West takes the time to develop the characters. You get to know who you like and dislike before the mayhem starts. Then modeling the story after a set of fictitious grindhouse movies was brilliant. I could visualize the old movies and then imagine what kind of environment the characters were in. Then the violence was completely masterful and not at all for the squeamish. If excessive violence is something you're sensitive about, then this story isn't for you. My only complaint was the ending. Right as things are ramping up to a finale, it ended with a cliffhanger. I pre-ordered Monster House and can't wait for it to come out. Sam West continues to be one of my extreme favorites.
February 23, 2020
A very extreme experience
Sam West has a specific style: introduce the characters and background to the story before throwing them into something completely depraved; keeping to a universe that reappears in other books. I enjoy Sam West stories. The Grindhouse Experience is really hardcore though and had me clutching my shirt as I was reading. You can absolutely feel the anxiety and terror, and you never know which characters will survive. What is even more disturbing is that once West has you rooting for the “hero” character, you are devastated if that character is killed or is put through something completely horrendous. Brutal!
Sam West has a specific style: introduce the characters and background to the story before throwing them into something completely depraved; keeping to a universe that reappears in other books. I enjoy Sam West stories. The Grindhouse Experience is really hardcore though and had me clutching my shirt as I was reading. You can absolutely feel the anxiety and terror, and you never know which characters will survive. What is even more disturbing is that once West has you rooting for the “hero” character, you are devastated if that character is killed or is put through something completely horrendous. Brutal!
February 1, 2020
Extreme Experience
I've been obsessed with McKamy Manor since the day I found out about it, so I was really excited when I saw the synopsis for The Grindhouse Experience, (and the wait was killing me!). I hate that I devoured it so quickly!
I love the Grindhouse/Arthouse aspect, and the Jefferson Blake backstory sucked me in DEEP. My only disappointment is that, to me, the ending felt kind of abrupt. I want to experience more of the Experience. There are a couple of teasers that could have been explored, but...no spoilers 🤐
I wish I could make this 4½ stars, instead of 4.
I've been obsessed with McKamy Manor since the day I found out about it, so I was really excited when I saw the synopsis for The Grindhouse Experience, (and the wait was killing me!). I hate that I devoured it so quickly!
I love the Grindhouse/Arthouse aspect, and the Jefferson Blake backstory sucked me in DEEP. My only disappointment is that, to me, the ending felt kind of abrupt. I want to experience more of the Experience. There are a couple of teasers that could have been explored, but...no spoilers 🤐
I wish I could make this 4½ stars, instead of 4.
July 20, 2020
With a tag line like "Extreme Horror Meets Exploration Cinema" I was prepared for a wild, crazy and disturbing ride! Welll....that's not exactly what I got. Not even close.
This was a badly written and dull story with no climax and a crap ending.
Don't label yourself as Extreme Horror when you're nowhere close to being in the same league as the Masters of Splatterpunk.
This was a badly written and dull story with no climax and a crap ending.
Don't label yourself as Extreme Horror when you're nowhere close to being in the same league as the Masters of Splatterpunk.
February 24, 2020
I knew it! Ended just how I wanted it to. Good read.
February 12, 2020
Brilliant!!
This book was brilliant! I loved it. It had you gripped from the first page and kept you captivated all the way through. I enjoyed it that much I actually read it twice. It's full force brutal and full of violence and gore. It really isn't for those with a weak stomach or easily offended. But I loved it. The storyline is good and the characters you could just picture each one and see them all together. Then the twist at the end! I was expecting something but not what it was. This has to be one of my favourites. If you like brutal violent reads this is definitely one read.
This book was brilliant! I loved it. It had you gripped from the first page and kept you captivated all the way through. I enjoyed it that much I actually read it twice. It's full force brutal and full of violence and gore. It really isn't for those with a weak stomach or easily offended. But I loved it. The storyline is good and the characters you could just picture each one and see them all together. Then the twist at the end! I was expecting something but not what it was. This has to be one of my favourites. If you like brutal violent reads this is definitely one read.
March 1, 2020
Doritos get raped, hair gets fisted over and over, humans get raped, one character isn't quite what they seem, then it abruptly ends.
September 6, 2020
Snuff the Punks!
The Grindhouse Experience by Sam West appealed to my interests immensely! Especially after reading my first book written by her Flesh Factory. If you haven’t read Flesh Factory it is an amazing novella, and a must read for any extreme horror fan!
With that said Sam writes some very extreme, graphic, and brutal material! She is amazing at what she does, and I really love the flow of her writing. She always throws me for a loop at the end too! I always feel like something is a bit off, and SURPRISE! A twist always catches me by surprise. Which isn’t easy to do these days I feel for me at least.
The Grindhouse Experience is a phenomenal idea that Sam conjured up! I thought, oh well maybe this will be like the film Fear Inc, WRONG! Totally different! Sam creates a world revolving around an enigmatic Grindhouse film director Jefferson Blake. Although Blake died in 1992 after his collaboration with renowned author Cillian Smith in his final film. Of which he died before release his legacy lives on, and many fans still dote on his work! If Cillian sounds familiar you may want to check out Sam’s Novella Writers’ Retreat. It isn’t necessary, but it is mentioned in The Grindhouse Experience.
The story revolves around four students in University. Lucy and Mason are studying film and cinematography, Anoushka is studying law, and Rob is studying mathematics. Regardless, all four love Blake’s films, and grindhouse in general.
Oddly enough Anoushka is the one who convinces the others to sign the waiver for The Grindhouse Experience which takes place once a year on Halloween. Rob is easily ready to jump on board, even though a numbers wiz, he has a vast knowledge and passion for the films. Lucy and Mason are reluctant, but Anoushka convinces them to go with it.
Months later on Halloween they all decide to gather for a viewing of Jefferson Blake’s films, and speculate if they will be chosen. They also speculate as to whom is the one behind the whole thing. Which they all assume is Blake’s only child. A reclusive man named Ethan Blake. However, no one knows for certain.
As the night wears on persistent knocks begin to occur at the door. By the time they answer the door everything becomes extremely too real! Rob is stoked, Anoushka has changed her tone, and Lucy and Mason feel like I told you so.
Upon the invasion of masked men to take them to The Grindhouse Experience horrible things already start to occur. Following they are drugged and awake in a nightmare of Jefferson Blake’s films! All being re-enacted, only there is one problem, they are the victims! Will they survive the experience? Fun and games has become blood and guts in this roller coaster ride of an extreme novella!
Overall, I give The Grindhouse Experience by Sam West four and a half stars out of five. It is utterly fantastic! I only deducted half a star because damn, what a cliffhanger of a book! All in all, I loved it so much I was on to part two in a heartbeat!
The Grindhouse Experience by Sam West appealed to my interests immensely! Especially after reading my first book written by her Flesh Factory. If you haven’t read Flesh Factory it is an amazing novella, and a must read for any extreme horror fan!
With that said Sam writes some very extreme, graphic, and brutal material! She is amazing at what she does, and I really love the flow of her writing. She always throws me for a loop at the end too! I always feel like something is a bit off, and SURPRISE! A twist always catches me by surprise. Which isn’t easy to do these days I feel for me at least.
The Grindhouse Experience is a phenomenal idea that Sam conjured up! I thought, oh well maybe this will be like the film Fear Inc, WRONG! Totally different! Sam creates a world revolving around an enigmatic Grindhouse film director Jefferson Blake. Although Blake died in 1992 after his collaboration with renowned author Cillian Smith in his final film. Of which he died before release his legacy lives on, and many fans still dote on his work! If Cillian sounds familiar you may want to check out Sam’s Novella Writers’ Retreat. It isn’t necessary, but it is mentioned in The Grindhouse Experience.
The story revolves around four students in University. Lucy and Mason are studying film and cinematography, Anoushka is studying law, and Rob is studying mathematics. Regardless, all four love Blake’s films, and grindhouse in general.
Oddly enough Anoushka is the one who convinces the others to sign the waiver for The Grindhouse Experience which takes place once a year on Halloween. Rob is easily ready to jump on board, even though a numbers wiz, he has a vast knowledge and passion for the films. Lucy and Mason are reluctant, but Anoushka convinces them to go with it.
Months later on Halloween they all decide to gather for a viewing of Jefferson Blake’s films, and speculate if they will be chosen. They also speculate as to whom is the one behind the whole thing. Which they all assume is Blake’s only child. A reclusive man named Ethan Blake. However, no one knows for certain.
As the night wears on persistent knocks begin to occur at the door. By the time they answer the door everything becomes extremely too real! Rob is stoked, Anoushka has changed her tone, and Lucy and Mason feel like I told you so.
Upon the invasion of masked men to take them to The Grindhouse Experience horrible things already start to occur. Following they are drugged and awake in a nightmare of Jefferson Blake’s films! All being re-enacted, only there is one problem, they are the victims! Will they survive the experience? Fun and games has become blood and guts in this roller coaster ride of an extreme novella!
Overall, I give The Grindhouse Experience by Sam West four and a half stars out of five. It is utterly fantastic! I only deducted half a star because damn, what a cliffhanger of a book! All in all, I loved it so much I was on to part two in a heartbeat!
May 24, 2020
No editing, no ending
This book suffered from a lack of editing and an ending. There were multiple instances of identical prose used on the same page, repeated descriptions, for example, that could have been caught with an author's read-through. The book ends before the climax, ostensibly to hook the reader into buying the next one, which is cheap. It makes me feel like West doesn't respect his audience much.
Also, isn't it about time to retire the crossdressing villain trope? It was old when Silence of the Lambs did it thirty years ago, considering you could probably trace it back to Psycho. It feels tone deaf and lazy.
This book suffered from a lack of editing and an ending. There were multiple instances of identical prose used on the same page, repeated descriptions, for example, that could have been caught with an author's read-through. The book ends before the climax, ostensibly to hook the reader into buying the next one, which is cheap. It makes me feel like West doesn't respect his audience much.
Also, isn't it about time to retire the crossdressing villain trope? It was old when Silence of the Lambs did it thirty years ago, considering you could probably trace it back to Psycho. It feels tone deaf and lazy.
March 17, 2020
I have to give the author credit, this was an interesting premise for an extreme horror novel. Utilizing old grindhouse films as the fodder for action. However the characters were one dimensional, and the ending... the ending was just not well done. It’s just too abrupt with nothing really foreshadowing what was to come.
2 1/2 if I could. Entertaining and has potential but the ending hurt it for me.
2 1/2 if I could. Entertaining and has potential but the ending hurt it for me.
September 6, 2020
I had neve read a Sam West book before but, be assured, I will be reading a lot more.
The Grindhouse Experience has four friends entering a competition to be chosen for an experience at the Grindhouse. Experience is what they get. If you insert yourself into the situation of any one of these four people, you will experience absolute horror in so many ways.
This book is a marathon read. I loved it. More Sam West coming up shortly.
The Grindhouse Experience has four friends entering a competition to be chosen for an experience at the Grindhouse. Experience is what they get. If you insert yourself into the situation of any one of these four people, you will experience absolute horror in so many ways.
This book is a marathon read. I loved it. More Sam West coming up shortly.
March 9, 2020
Decent, but not exceptional
Fairly decent shock horror, you get what it says on the tin. The ending is abrupt and fairly weak, ending in the middle of a scene as if the writer ran out of ideas and just decided to stop. Some aspects of the story never went anywhere, and again it seems like the author just stopped writing in the middle.
Fairly decent shock horror, you get what it says on the tin. The ending is abrupt and fairly weak, ending in the middle of a scene as if the writer ran out of ideas and just decided to stop. Some aspects of the story never went anywhere, and again it seems like the author just stopped writing in the middle.
April 16, 2020
Scary
I love the writings of Sam West and Matt Shaw so I fully enjoyed this book by Mr. West. The style of writing is always visceral and like a train wreck, you can't look away. Not for the squeamish, but totally worth it if you can look beyond the wreck. This one deserves a solid 4 star rating. If you enjoy this genre, this book is for you.
I love the writings of Sam West and Matt Shaw so I fully enjoyed this book by Mr. West. The style of writing is always visceral and like a train wreck, you can't look away. Not for the squeamish, but totally worth it if you can look beyond the wreck. This one deserves a solid 4 star rating. If you enjoy this genre, this book is for you.
May 19, 2020
A Solid, Fun Jaunt
this made for a flavorful, fast read with a couple of badass twists. this gory excursion is closer to a 3.5 star, but i took half a star off for a few typos and misspellings that took away from the experience.
fans of Sam’s splatterpunk will enjoy this; know that it’s tame compared to much of his stuff, though.
this made for a flavorful, fast read with a couple of badass twists. this gory excursion is closer to a 3.5 star, but i took half a star off for a few typos and misspellings that took away from the experience.
fans of Sam’s splatterpunk will enjoy this; know that it’s tame compared to much of his stuff, though.
Read
October 1, 2020Can't give this my recommendation, Sam West is a good writer I've read other's of his that were rather chilling and entertaining but this one wasn't one of them only reason I stuck it out was because it was so short sorry pass by this one and try another of his books this one kinda sucked.
March 30, 2026
I really loved this!! Brutal and intense, and I loved how fleshed out the characters were. Sometimes with EH character development kind of falls to the sides but here I really felt like I knew them.
The ending was really abrupt though and I'm hoping we get more!
The ending was really abrupt though and I'm hoping we get more!
February 16, 2020
Excellent
I loved it. Bloody disgusting good fun. So extreme, I felt guilty enjoying all the painful torture sex. Looking forward to more of the same.
I loved it. Bloody disgusting good fun. So extreme, I felt guilty enjoying all the painful torture sex. Looking forward to more of the same.
June 25, 2020
Like most of Sam West's books this was extreme in every aspect of .... well, your darkest imagination.
That's why I read his stuff. Looking forward to the next addition. Because this didn't end.
That's why I read his stuff. Looking forward to the next addition. Because this didn't end.
July 19, 2020
A Sick, Sick, Sick Story
A group of friends get the opportunity to live through some of their favorite horror films...only it is all too real.
A group of friends get the opportunity to live through some of their favorite horror films...only it is all too real.
August 8, 2020
Horrifying!
Completely horrific and a fantastically surprising twist.
One of the more graphic of this genre that I've come across so far. Not for the faint hearted.
Completely horrific and a fantastically surprising twist.
One of the more graphic of this genre that I've come across so far. Not for the faint hearted.
January 18, 2021
Good
Good little read. Well written with a killer twist at the end. No pun intended. Well worth a read !!
Good little read. Well written with a killer twist at the end. No pun intended. Well worth a read !!
July 23, 2021
This author is one sick puppy. It’s extreme for sure. An abrupt ending with a decent surprise.
July 22, 2025
Rough
This is rough, nasty, mean spirited, not fun. But that's what it's trying to be and it does that pretty well.
This is rough, nasty, mean spirited, not fun. But that's what it's trying to be and it does that pretty well.
September 26, 2020
Great read
Having already read other books by Sam West was looking forward to this next read and as always I wasn't disappointed! Looking forward to reading Monster House next.
Having already read other books by Sam West was looking forward to this next read and as always I wasn't disappointed! Looking forward to reading Monster House next.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews