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Nest of Salt
A deviant and fun collection of horrific tales from Matthew V. Brockmeyer, author of KIND NEPENTHE and UNDER ROTTING SKY. Includes the story THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE featured in THE YEAR'S BEST HARDCORE HORROR
"Witches. Werewolves. Ghosts. Evil clowns. Brockmeyer is back! Just when you thought it was safe to read again, the acclaimed author releases another set of nightmarish short stories to ruin your evening. These twisted tales will make you check all the doors and windows before you go to sleep, and you still will not feel safe. This is the real deal. This is true horror.
--Doug Brunell, author of Black Devil Spine
"Like the blood-soaked, LSD-fueled love child of Maurice Sendak and H.P. Lovecraft, Matthew Brockmeyer's Nest of Salt does not shy away from where the wild things are. It's a mad circus, a spiked ambrosia, a frenzied cacophony of heavy metal, demented Christmas carols, and chants to summon cosmic horrors in the dark."
--Christa Carmen, award winning author of Something Borrowed, Something Blood Soaked
"A great collection of stories. Brockmeyer grabs you and doesn't let go. I had fun with this."
--Andrew Lennon, author of A Life to Waste
"Witches. Werewolves. Ghosts. Evil clowns. Brockmeyer is back! Just when you thought it was safe to read again, the acclaimed author releases another set of nightmarish short stories to ruin your evening. These twisted tales will make you check all the doors and windows before you go to sleep, and you still will not feel safe. This is the real deal. This is true horror.
--Doug Brunell, author of Black Devil Spine
"Like the blood-soaked, LSD-fueled love child of Maurice Sendak and H.P. Lovecraft, Matthew Brockmeyer's Nest of Salt does not shy away from where the wild things are. It's a mad circus, a spiked ambrosia, a frenzied cacophony of heavy metal, demented Christmas carols, and chants to summon cosmic horrors in the dark."
--Christa Carmen, award winning author of Something Borrowed, Something Blood Soaked
"A great collection of stories. Brockmeyer grabs you and doesn't let go. I had fun with this."
--Andrew Lennon, author of A Life to Waste
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
180 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2020
About the author
Matthew V. Brockmeyer
17 books339 followersMatthew Brockmeyer lives in an off-grid cabin deep in the forest of Northern California with his wife and two children. In his off time he enjoys howling at the moon and bathing his fangs in human blood.
He is the author of the novel KIND NEPENTHE: A Savage Tale of Terror Set in the Heart of California's Marijuana Country.
Praise for KIND NEPENTHE:
“Thoroughly suspenseful and haunting”—Kirkus Reviews
“Riveting. Stephen King fans may have found a new favorite author in this haunting novel”—Best Thrillers
“This story has twists and turns that will be a true pulling factor for thriller readers everywhere. 4 out of 4 stars”—Online Book Club
“An ultramodern horror thriller that has something for everyone. Fantastic read and one that is highly recommended. This is a definite five out of five read”—Media B Literary
“Mesmerizing”—Horror News
His work has appeared in numerous publications, both in print and online, including, among others, Infernal Ink Magazine, Timeless Tales Magazine, Alephi, Pulp Metal Magazine, Not One of Us, Body Parts Magazine, and Dark Fire Fiction.
He is a regular contributor to Cultured Vultures, where he writes book reviews and interviews authors.
He also writes extreme horror under the pseudonym Humboldt Lycanthrope.
He has a fun Facebook page with links to writing contests, submission requests, craft essays, and all manner of things horror: https://www.facebook.com/matthewbrock...
He is the author of the novel KIND NEPENTHE: A Savage Tale of Terror Set in the Heart of California's Marijuana Country.
Praise for KIND NEPENTHE:
“Thoroughly suspenseful and haunting”—Kirkus Reviews
“Riveting. Stephen King fans may have found a new favorite author in this haunting novel”—Best Thrillers
“This story has twists and turns that will be a true pulling factor for thriller readers everywhere. 4 out of 4 stars”—Online Book Club
“An ultramodern horror thriller that has something for everyone. Fantastic read and one that is highly recommended. This is a definite five out of five read”—Media B Literary
“Mesmerizing”—Horror News
His work has appeared in numerous publications, both in print and online, including, among others, Infernal Ink Magazine, Timeless Tales Magazine, Alephi, Pulp Metal Magazine, Not One of Us, Body Parts Magazine, and Dark Fire Fiction.
He is a regular contributor to Cultured Vultures, where he writes book reviews and interviews authors.
He also writes extreme horror under the pseudonym Humboldt Lycanthrope.
He has a fun Facebook page with links to writing contests, submission requests, craft essays, and all manner of things horror: https://www.facebook.com/matthewbrock...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 22, 2020
My first taste of Brockmeyer’s writing was his novel Kind Nepenthe which I absolutely loved. I also really enjoyed his short story collection Under Rotting Sky so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his new collection, Nest of Salt. While lacking some of the darkness of his previous work I still really enjoyed it.
Some of the highlights were The Happiest Man in the World, Blind Clown Chaos and A True Child of Woden. My favorite story was The Witches Yule where we encounter wolfie little Max from Under Rotting Sky. I love Max and it was a wonderful surprise to pay another visit to his world.
All and all I highly recommend this collection and all of Brockmeyer’s work. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Some of the highlights were The Happiest Man in the World, Blind Clown Chaos and A True Child of Woden. My favorite story was The Witches Yule where we encounter wolfie little Max from Under Rotting Sky. I love Max and it was a wonderful surprise to pay another visit to his world.
All and all I highly recommend this collection and all of Brockmeyer’s work. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
December 1, 2020
Earlier this year, I became a fan of Brockmeyer from reading Kind Nepenthe and Under Rotting Sky, so I jumped at the chance to read this new collection. I'm happy to say he's maintained his high quality.
There's a great deal of diversity on display here, and Brockmeyer delivers everything from witches and werewolves to sinister black metal musicians and monstrous insects. The stories also range from long-form short stories to flash fiction.
A couple highlights:
The Witch's Yule - Brockmeyer returns to Max, the main character from one of Under Rotting Sky's final stories. This kid's quiet, disturbed nature is fascinating to watch, and while the previous story was more grounded in gritty realism, this introduces a fantastical element that works beautifully.
The Gyppo's Clothes - A period piece following a group of loggers in the early American west, this blends natural terrors with a supernatural monster for a piece that's eerie, moody, and dripping with paranoia.
A True Child of Woden - I'm a sucker for black metal in horror fiction and this scratched the itch beautifully. This feels like the second half of Adam Nevill's The Ritual, but I might have enjoyed it even more.
A Noel in Black - A phantasmagorical, disturbing, and frequently hilarious look at the aftermath of a Vietnam soldier's struggle with PTSD. Featuring Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
I had a blast with this collection, and I recommend it highly.
There's a great deal of diversity on display here, and Brockmeyer delivers everything from witches and werewolves to sinister black metal musicians and monstrous insects. The stories also range from long-form short stories to flash fiction.
A couple highlights:
The Witch's Yule - Brockmeyer returns to Max, the main character from one of Under Rotting Sky's final stories. This kid's quiet, disturbed nature is fascinating to watch, and while the previous story was more grounded in gritty realism, this introduces a fantastical element that works beautifully.
The Gyppo's Clothes - A period piece following a group of loggers in the early American west, this blends natural terrors with a supernatural monster for a piece that's eerie, moody, and dripping with paranoia.
A True Child of Woden - I'm a sucker for black metal in horror fiction and this scratched the itch beautifully. This feels like the second half of Adam Nevill's The Ritual, but I might have enjoyed it even more.
A Noel in Black - A phantasmagorical, disturbing, and frequently hilarious look at the aftermath of a Vietnam soldier's struggle with PTSD. Featuring Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
I had a blast with this collection, and I recommend it highly.
March 8, 2021
NEST OF SALT by @humboldt_lycanthrope is a strange, dark, and absolutely wonderful collection of stories filled with witches, werewolves, ghosts, and vampires. Not for the faint of heart, these stories will take you places you didn’t want to go, but you’ll be glad you went. And maybe you’ll need a drink when you get back.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brockmeyer’s imagination surprises and impresses me every time I read his work. He’s one of my favorite writers because he writes great characters, riveting plots, and he never ever bores me. And sometimes, he really creeps me out and I like it.
Thank you for the review copy, @humboldt_lycanthrope!
#bookstagram #bookreview #horrorlit #horror #horrorfan #booklover #horrorfiction #indiebooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brockmeyer’s imagination surprises and impresses me every time I read his work. He’s one of my favorite writers because he writes great characters, riveting plots, and he never ever bores me. And sometimes, he really creeps me out and I like it.
Thank you for the review copy, @humboldt_lycanthrope!
#bookstagram #bookreview #horrorlit #horror #horrorfan #booklover #horrorfiction #indiebooks
December 14, 2020
Last year, Brockmeyer blew me away with two of my favorite books in years: Under Rotting Sky and Kind Nepenthe. Granted, Kind Nepenthe was a hardcover reissue by the time I was reading it, but damn did I love both of those books. At some point soon, I will go back and reread them (which is something I don’t generally do – too many books, so little time, you know?); those titles generally come out first when people ask me for horror recommendations.
Though I didn’t find Nest of Salt to be as deeply satisfying as Brockmeyer’s previous collection, it still provides some graphic and horrifying stories that will haunt you. Honestly, I think my anticipation for this collection was partly to blame for my expectations not being quite met. I think the other reason is that these stories are bloodier and more grotesque in actions than Under Rotting Sky, which struck me as unsettling and atmospheric above all else.
When I finished Nest of Salt, I checked my notes against the publishing history provided in the back of the book. It seems I preferred the more recently written stories to the older ones previously released elsewhere. I don’t know why this would be – maybe it has something to do with the fiction Brockmeyer was favoring at the time of writing those stories? – but I thought it was an interesting discovery.
Of the stories I really enjoyed, either “The Witch’s Yule” or “A True Child of Woden” came out on top. It’s hard to decide between the two. “The Witch’s Yule” brings back Max from Under Rotting Sky and sets him up for a bloody and magical future. I really wish Brockmeyer would do a novel about this wild boy! He needs it! As for “A True Child of Woden,” I really enjoyed Brockmeyer’s use of music in the story; like with the main character, I was lured by the metal and taken down a dark path. I also liked “The Gyppo’s Clothes” (with its old-time lingo/language and narrative), “Charybdis” (which made me chuckle), and “Noel in Black” (which held a lot of potential for a longer story). I really just hate the horrific deaths of children, though.
I originally posted a different version of this review several months back, based on the ARC I was provided by the author. The reason I have decided to return to this book and update my review is because it has been made stronger with the removal of two stories I found problematic - in the sense they were messy and too gross for my tastes - and replaced by a new tale called “The Happiest Man in the World.” Despite a horrifically triggering beginning, this additional entry reminded me of Brockmeyer’s skill in taking disturbing content and making it somehow both hellish and humorous. I enjoyed myself more and more as the story went along.
Though Nest of Salt did not blow me out of the water like Under Rotting Sky, it still features a handful of golden entries, each of which could easily spawn additional stories or expanded versions. And the changes he’s made to the collection following my original ARC definitely helped bring it up. Brockmeyer still knows horror better than most, as clearly evident in these terrifying and darkly marvelous stories!
***
Highlights: “The Witch’s Yuele” … “A True Child of Woden” … “The Gyppo’s Clothes” … “Charybdis” … “Noel Black”
Shadows: Not as atmospheric or darkly poetic as Under Rotting Sky … relies a little more on gruesome action
For Fans of: Graphic horror that touches on content and themes generally missing in the mainstream
Takeaway: Brockmeyer is a master of horror and storytelling; Nest of Salt further explores his dark and twisted imagination.
Would I read this author again? Always, he is one of my favorites
REVIEW BY AIDEN MERCHANT
→ WWW.AIDENMERCHANT.COM
CONTACT: CONTACT@AIDENMERCHANT.COM
SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM (AIDENMERCHANT.OFFICIAL) AND TWITTER (AIDENMERCHANT89)
Though I didn’t find Nest of Salt to be as deeply satisfying as Brockmeyer’s previous collection, it still provides some graphic and horrifying stories that will haunt you. Honestly, I think my anticipation for this collection was partly to blame for my expectations not being quite met. I think the other reason is that these stories are bloodier and more grotesque in actions than Under Rotting Sky, which struck me as unsettling and atmospheric above all else.
When I finished Nest of Salt, I checked my notes against the publishing history provided in the back of the book. It seems I preferred the more recently written stories to the older ones previously released elsewhere. I don’t know why this would be – maybe it has something to do with the fiction Brockmeyer was favoring at the time of writing those stories? – but I thought it was an interesting discovery.
Of the stories I really enjoyed, either “The Witch’s Yule” or “A True Child of Woden” came out on top. It’s hard to decide between the two. “The Witch’s Yule” brings back Max from Under Rotting Sky and sets him up for a bloody and magical future. I really wish Brockmeyer would do a novel about this wild boy! He needs it! As for “A True Child of Woden,” I really enjoyed Brockmeyer’s use of music in the story; like with the main character, I was lured by the metal and taken down a dark path. I also liked “The Gyppo’s Clothes” (with its old-time lingo/language and narrative), “Charybdis” (which made me chuckle), and “Noel in Black” (which held a lot of potential for a longer story). I really just hate the horrific deaths of children, though.
I originally posted a different version of this review several months back, based on the ARC I was provided by the author. The reason I have decided to return to this book and update my review is because it has been made stronger with the removal of two stories I found problematic - in the sense they were messy and too gross for my tastes - and replaced by a new tale called “The Happiest Man in the World.” Despite a horrifically triggering beginning, this additional entry reminded me of Brockmeyer’s skill in taking disturbing content and making it somehow both hellish and humorous. I enjoyed myself more and more as the story went along.
Though Nest of Salt did not blow me out of the water like Under Rotting Sky, it still features a handful of golden entries, each of which could easily spawn additional stories or expanded versions. And the changes he’s made to the collection following my original ARC definitely helped bring it up. Brockmeyer still knows horror better than most, as clearly evident in these terrifying and darkly marvelous stories!
***
Highlights: “The Witch’s Yuele” … “A True Child of Woden” … “The Gyppo’s Clothes” … “Charybdis” … “Noel Black”
Shadows: Not as atmospheric or darkly poetic as Under Rotting Sky … relies a little more on gruesome action
For Fans of: Graphic horror that touches on content and themes generally missing in the mainstream
Takeaway: Brockmeyer is a master of horror and storytelling; Nest of Salt further explores his dark and twisted imagination.
Would I read this author again? Always, he is one of my favorites
REVIEW BY AIDEN MERCHANT
→ WWW.AIDENMERCHANT.COM
CONTACT: CONTACT@AIDENMERCHANT.COM
SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM (AIDENMERCHANT.OFFICIAL) AND TWITTER (AIDENMERCHANT89)
December 11, 2020
Nest of Salt had the perfect amount of small stories that left you shocked and larger stories that had you invested in the characters. I love short story collections, but I think this is the first time where I’ve felt I had a variety lengths for all the things that pop up in my life.
The Tale of the Fearless Vampire Killing Brothers was short and sweet....well not sweet, but you get the point. Bonus points for it originally being a creepypasta!
As we’re near the holidays I loved Mall Santa (we all have friends like that) and A Noel in Black. I was disturbed enough by Noel to feel uncomfortable reading it next to my daughter so had to put it down. Can you feel sympathy for a Santa Werewolf Soldier suffering from PTSD? Well I did.
I really enjoyed this one! Pick it up if you like weird holiday horror!
The Tale of the Fearless Vampire Killing Brothers was short and sweet....well not sweet, but you get the point. Bonus points for it originally being a creepypasta!
As we’re near the holidays I loved Mall Santa (we all have friends like that) and A Noel in Black. I was disturbed enough by Noel to feel uncomfortable reading it next to my daughter so had to put it down. Can you feel sympathy for a Santa Werewolf Soldier suffering from PTSD? Well I did.
I really enjoyed this one! Pick it up if you like weird holiday horror!
February 15, 2021
This was my first venture into Matthew Brockmeyer's work.
Wow!
His writing is a well crafted variation of traditional horror with a completely fucked up twist.
Wow!
His writing is a well crafted variation of traditional horror with a completely fucked up twist.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews