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The Tainted Souls
From authors Shaun Hutson and Matt Shaw comes a new horror set in the time of the Corona Virus.
The world has gone to Hell. A virus has seemingly come from no where, bringing with it a number of conspiracy theories as to its origin. Some of the theories are outlandish whilst some have an eerie ring of possible truth around them. But, as the world goes into lock down with people living in isolation only allowed out of their homes for essential journeys, people soon realise there are greater things to worry about than COVID-19.
As the virus continues to get a grip of the world, mankind reveals the many monsters within.
The world has gone to Hell. A virus has seemingly come from no where, bringing with it a number of conspiracy theories as to its origin. Some of the theories are outlandish whilst some have an eerie ring of possible truth around them. But, as the world goes into lock down with people living in isolation only allowed out of their homes for essential journeys, people soon realise there are greater things to worry about than COVID-19.
As the virus continues to get a grip of the world, mankind reveals the many monsters within.
- GenresHorror
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2020
80 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Hutson
115 books536 followersBritish horror novelist, including horror and urban thriller novels.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
His novella Slugs was made into a movie, although Hutson didn't like the movie. He also appeared in two horror movies himself.
Hutson is a Liverpool F.C. fan.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 18, 2021
“Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need of
Some strangers hand
In a desperate land.”
THE END – The Doors
I know of Shaun Hutson by reputation alone, but it is a good one.
Matt Shaw is someone I have been reading for a few years. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the work of ‘the darkest mind in horror’, his books are extreme and he likes to push the limits. Also, he writes a lot and he writes fast, with more than 200 published stories at age 40.
The flipside of the coin – with those numbers – are that there are almost always some grammatical errors in his stories. While it may not bother some, you do get the anal retentative ‘grammar police’...yes, I am one of those and I manage to annoy myself at times. It can be a real pain in the as I was saying before, prolific writer.
While I do consider myself a fan of his work – for the most part – there are some of his stories which doesn’t do anything for me. His strength lies in psychological horror and, while he can gross people out and write some uber violent scenes, those should be in the background when it comes to the story. The point is his work can be a gamble for my personal tastes.
Having said that, I’m really glad to say I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. With only a couple of grammar mistakes, it was an enjoyable experience.
What is this story about, you ask?
Well...
“It’s the end of the world as we know it...”
R.E.M.
Yes, Covid-19 changed our lives more than we could have expected. And this is probably one of the first ‘worst case scenario’ fiction stories to be published about the times we are living in. However, the virus is in the background – this is a story about what people may do because of the panic it has created.
People are stupid. There’s no two ways about it.
I think it was Einstein who said (I’m paraphrasing) there are only two things that are infinate: the universe and human stupidity.
“People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening...”
THE SOUND OF SILENCE – Simon and Garfunkel
Thanks to the media and, largely, the internet – where any and all uneducated opinions matter – there was a panic all around the world.
Is this the end? The Apocolypse? Will there be zombies? Will we run out of essentials – like tiolet paper, booze, food, booze, hemorrhoid cream, booze?
I use the phrase ‘uneducated’ loosely, since some supposedly clever people said some really stupid things: remember the guy who said Covid has been around for years (correct) and we survived the first 18 (sigh)...only human, you know.
Well, take some out of control youths – fucking millenials (yes, I’ve reached THAT age) - and let them run free and cause havoc, with no fear of consequences.
“Rip the veins from human necks
Until they’re wet with life”
MOMMY, CAN I GO OUT AND KILL TONIGHT? - Misfits
Trigger warnings galore, but I will say that this is on the lighter side of the usual Shaw extreme. The second half of the story really impressed me and I think the ending was superb – pushing my rating up to 4 stars.
Recommended to readers who don’t get offended by a lot of cursing and violence.
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
So limitless and free
Desperately in need of
Some strangers hand
In a desperate land.”
THE END – The Doors
I know of Shaun Hutson by reputation alone, but it is a good one.
Matt Shaw is someone I have been reading for a few years. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the work of ‘the darkest mind in horror’, his books are extreme and he likes to push the limits. Also, he writes a lot and he writes fast, with more than 200 published stories at age 40.
The flipside of the coin – with those numbers – are that there are almost always some grammatical errors in his stories. While it may not bother some, you do get the anal retentative ‘grammar police’...yes, I am one of those and I manage to annoy myself at times. It can be a real pain in the as I was saying before, prolific writer.
While I do consider myself a fan of his work – for the most part – there are some of his stories which doesn’t do anything for me. His strength lies in psychological horror and, while he can gross people out and write some uber violent scenes, those should be in the background when it comes to the story. The point is his work can be a gamble for my personal tastes.
Having said that, I’m really glad to say I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. With only a couple of grammar mistakes, it was an enjoyable experience.
What is this story about, you ask?
Well...
“It’s the end of the world as we know it...”
R.E.M.
Yes, Covid-19 changed our lives more than we could have expected. And this is probably one of the first ‘worst case scenario’ fiction stories to be published about the times we are living in. However, the virus is in the background – this is a story about what people may do because of the panic it has created.
People are stupid. There’s no two ways about it.
I think it was Einstein who said (I’m paraphrasing) there are only two things that are infinate: the universe and human stupidity.
“People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening...”
THE SOUND OF SILENCE – Simon and Garfunkel
Thanks to the media and, largely, the internet – where any and all uneducated opinions matter – there was a panic all around the world.
Is this the end? The Apocolypse? Will there be zombies? Will we run out of essentials – like tiolet paper, booze, food, booze, hemorrhoid cream, booze?
I use the phrase ‘uneducated’ loosely, since some supposedly clever people said some really stupid things: remember the guy who said Covid has been around for years (correct) and we survived the first 18 (sigh)...only human, you know.
Well, take some out of control youths – fucking millenials (yes, I’ve reached THAT age) - and let them run free and cause havoc, with no fear of consequences.
“Rip the veins from human necks
Until they’re wet with life”
MOMMY, CAN I GO OUT AND KILL TONIGHT? - Misfits
Trigger warnings galore, but I will say that this is on the lighter side of the usual Shaw extreme. The second half of the story really impressed me and I think the ending was superb – pushing my rating up to 4 stars.
Recommended to readers who don’t get offended by a lot of cursing and violence.
*Originally reviewed at IndieMuse
* https://www.myindiemuse.com/author/mo...
June 1, 2020
This is the right book for our depressing corona days. Some offenders use lockdown and restrictions to further irritate their fellow human beings. Some of them are more violent than ever. But there are even some you wouldn't reckon with their dark side. What about Tessa? Is she the innocent victim or did she plan to allure men to follow her? What about the youth rascals? There is even some tragedy here when Adam tries to find help with a neighbor and looks into the barrel of a shotgun. Difficult times bring the best and, the longer a crisis lasts, the worst out of your fellow humans. A very hard, partly brutal and gory book, full of crime and murder with some interesting insights and twists. Matt Shaw and Shaun Hutson know you to scare you, that's for sure. Really recommended!
October 13, 2025
1300th review!!! Unfortunately, I DNFed this at 63% in, which may be a first for me. And, to be honest, I had been skimming it for awhile before that point. I love extreme horror. I really do. And I’ve read an unsettling amount of it. And I’ve also read about 90% of Matt Shaw’s books by now, too, so I’m very accustomed to his typical content. I don’t know if Shaw and Shaun Hutson just don’t click with joint ventures or if it was the content. I’m leaning towards the latter. There were a lot of characters, none of whom were unique, and the story jumped to different situations constantly, making it very hard to follow anything. It took some notes from Clockwork Orange and Funny Games, however was nowhere near as focused as those features. It is very rough with the content, which I’m normally a big fan of, but this all felt very forced and unnecessary. Basically like a bunch of torture and rape scenes with random plot points around them to attempt to give it all some sort of purpose, making it all very disjointed and unappealing. By far, the worst Shaw experience I’ve had to date, but I remain unfamiliar with Hutson, so I’ll probably take a look at his individual works.
May 6, 2020
#CORONAGEDDON
People all over the world are [re]reading 'THE STAND' to discuss "similarities" on terror driven social media, and apocalyptic horror stories are driving the conspiracy theorists to crash Reddit.
I think that 'THE TAINTED SOULS' is exactly what we need to help us get through this... something to REALLY terrify us!! It helps us realize that things aren't as bad as they could be...
This is a good collaboration between Shaw & Shaun. They sure know how to remind us that the real monsters are human.
Full unedited NSFW review posted @ https://bit.ly/2ynvnjt
People all over the world are [re]reading 'THE STAND' to discuss "similarities" on terror driven social media, and apocalyptic horror stories are driving the conspiracy theorists to crash Reddit.
I think that 'THE TAINTED SOULS' is exactly what we need to help us get through this... something to REALLY terrify us!! It helps us realize that things aren't as bad as they could be...
This is a good collaboration between Shaw & Shaun. They sure know how to remind us that the real monsters are human.
Full unedited NSFW review posted @ https://bit.ly/2ynvnjt
September 3, 2020
A grim look at the pandemic as only Shaun Hutson and Matt Shaw could imagine it.
Brutal and very graphic!
Brutal and very graphic!
November 5, 2020
I finally popped my Matt Shaw cherry! I've seen such great things being said about his work, so it seriously has only been a matter of time. When I saw this book mentioned on the Books of Horror Facebook group, I had to get a copy and read it! Covod-19 Lockdown horror? Yes, please! The story follows two groups of trouble makers out raising hell and taking advantage of the fact that most people are obeying the lockdown orders, as well as a woman named Tessa who is about to encounter trouble of her own! Some pretty graphic violence ensues, so be warned if you are sensitive there. Loved the experience!
May 13, 2020
Great little snapshot of society collapsing from within, the coronavirus pandemic a catalyst in the background.
I wasn't sure what Matt and Shaun were going to do with this, I mean, it has a lot of scope and potential for a much bigger tale but this smaller more confined story works well too.
It got me thinking that the almost animalistic behavior and attitudes of some of the characters here would most likely be echoed across the nation/world.
Great stuff though, from two great, dark horror authors. Certainly worth the price of admission.
I wasn't sure what Matt and Shaun were going to do with this, I mean, it has a lot of scope and potential for a much bigger tale but this smaller more confined story works well too.
It got me thinking that the almost animalistic behavior and attitudes of some of the characters here would most likely be echoed across the nation/world.
Great stuff though, from two great, dark horror authors. Certainly worth the price of admission.
May 1, 2022
2020 and a deadly virus is the start of bringing out the most monstrous humans. With half trying to survive and the others causing chaos, murder and pain, the virus is just the start of the problems....
This is another creepy one because of how much of it happened. This was a real virus (and still is). People had to self-isolate, people were panic buying (nobody will forget that in a hurry!).
One of the first horrors I've read that really base around Covid, but show horrors within Covid. How the empty streets and distance could cause even further pain and really bring out the worst humans.
A brutal, short horror that wrapped up the story incredibly. Definitely recommend!
This is another creepy one because of how much of it happened. This was a real virus (and still is). People had to self-isolate, people were panic buying (nobody will forget that in a hurry!).
One of the first horrors I've read that really base around Covid, but show horrors within Covid. How the empty streets and distance could cause even further pain and really bring out the worst humans.
A brutal, short horror that wrapped up the story incredibly. Definitely recommend!
May 8, 2025
I love violence and gore but I do prefer when it fits into a narrative with purpose. This just felt like a depraved outlook on COVID from the perspective of multiple characters with no back story, development or plot.
The cover art is some of the coolest I’ve ever seen though.
The cover art is some of the coolest I’ve ever seen though.
March 1, 2021
Brilliant novella showcasing the best of both authors. Loved this and could not put it down.
It reminded me of a Richard Laymon novel, and that is the highest praise I can give a a book.
It reminded me of a Richard Laymon novel, and that is the highest praise I can give a a book.
April 12, 2020
I read this during the 2020 Corona Virus Quarantine. I wonder what people will think looking back on this in a few years. As it stands, this was a fairly entertaining look at how we're dealing as individuals during this outbreak. Corona Virus could kill you, but Self Isolation and Social Distancing will eventually make us all crazy.
June 20, 2020
Violent Delight
A twisted tale of lockdown life under covid-19. Had me chuckling and grimacing simultaneously! Thanks Matt and Shaun, I'm inspired to have a go myself (writing an extreme horror story) not what Billy gets up to in The Tainted Souls!! Well done lads, keep 'em coming!
A twisted tale of lockdown life under covid-19. Had me chuckling and grimacing simultaneously! Thanks Matt and Shaun, I'm inspired to have a go myself (writing an extreme horror story) not what Billy gets up to in The Tainted Souls!! Well done lads, keep 'em coming!
April 15, 2020
Corona
I knew it had to be done and I'm glad it was Matt Shaw. This current global pandemic is destroying everyone's livelihoods. People like Tessa and Adam is just trying to survive.
I knew it had to be done and I'm glad it was Matt Shaw. This current global pandemic is destroying everyone's livelihoods. People like Tessa and Adam is just trying to survive.
July 24, 2020
A great quick read!
I really enjoyed this book! It's creepy because these events could actually happen. I loved the characters and all of them got what they deserve. If you are looking for a creepy quick read this book is for you!
I really enjoyed this book! It's creepy because these events could actually happen. I loved the characters and all of them got what they deserve. If you are looking for a creepy quick read this book is for you!
April 15, 2020
Awesome
Awesome read!
Could imagine everything I’m here being/coming true during the current corona virus epidemic!
Well written and defiantly worth a read!
Awesome read!
Could imagine everything I’m here being/coming true during the current corona virus epidemic!
Well written and defiantly worth a read!
May 25, 2020
So real it’s scary!11
September 28, 2020
Vicious lockdown story
September 25, 2021
Entertaining, quick read but not for the faint-hearted
Let's face it, chances are, if you're reading something by Matt Shaw or Shaun Hutson, you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.
This novella is as graphic and nasty as you'd expect and I loved it.
Let's face it, chances are, if you're reading something by Matt Shaw or Shaun Hutson, you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for.
This novella is as graphic and nasty as you'd expect and I loved it.
December 24, 2021
Another stupid book.
Rape, knifes and blood, seriously ? Nothing else?
All the hardcore horror books are the same.
So boring and useless
Rape, knifes and blood, seriously ? Nothing else?
All the hardcore horror books are the same.
So boring and useless
February 28, 2023
COVID horror.... Pretty spot on actually.
July 26, 2020
Imagine an edgy, slightly disturbing and overly gory take on the Covid-19 pandemic and that is what this short story is. While I appreciate a look at what the pandemic could be and enjoyed the different viewpoints, some of the plot is violent for violent sake and serves as an attempt to shock and horrify, but just ends up being a bit dull.
December 23, 2021
A good short story
I wish it was longer. But it is what it is. I’m glad it came out quickly so as to be relevant. Interesting to have the collaboration as I only knew Shaun. They work well together.
I wish it was longer. But it is what it is. I’m glad it came out quickly so as to be relevant. Interesting to have the collaboration as I only knew Shaun. They work well together.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews