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Patchwork
PATCHWORK is a gruesome romance from the twisted author behind Sick B*stards and The Octopus Trilogy!When an accident robs his wife of her beauty, a twisted husband ensures she remains beautiful by giving her the faces of pretty women he picks up from the bars. Until the rot sets in, she will wear their faces and her confidence will come back ten-fold. And, when the rot sets in, her husband is already there, waiting with another face for his love...
But how long can this arrangement continue once the guilt of their situations starts eating him alive?
But how long can this arrangement continue once the guilt of their situations starts eating him alive?
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2024
81 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,194 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 5, 2025
3.5 stars. I always love when I’m the first person to review a book. And this sounded like a very loosely related concept to my Love and Pieces story, so I just had to check it out. Now this was a very messy experience. Not so much of the slasher type of horror, which was a part of it, but the visuals of Tina and Jack as they explored dissecting prostitutes for a certain reason were sublime. The love between our two leads was quickly established, which helped the ongoing strain in the relationship seem more meaningful. Without spoiling much, some love stories aren’t your typical ‘happily ever after’ idea. Some go much deeper. Much darker. And this went there. So I enjoyed most of the content, but didn’t love some of the formatting choices. The story time jumped and POV switched, along with lots of little messages to push each segment along, because they weren’t clear on their own; which I didn’t think were necessary. This could have been a linear story and been more effective. Still a good, heart-wrenching outing with Matt Shaw, who is always dabbling with new forms of horror.
December 29, 2024
Sickening, yet captivating.
Maybe it is just me, but I am finding the more recently published Matt Shaw books more engaging. I’ve found most quite entertaining and good, short horror reads. The last two or three, however, seem to have an emotional evolution to them I didn’t see in some of the earlier works I’ve read. I suppose that’s only natural. But I saw that same deeper emotional component to Patchwork. And it made it that much more enjoyable.
In this book, as the blurb states, a husband and wife suffer horrible tragedy that “robs [the MC’s] wife of her beauty.” What follows is a twisted tale that is part concern, love, dedication, fear, and absolute sociopathy that develops (the latter based on my personal reading of what the husband does to help the wife).
I liked how I could feel Jack, the husband’s desperation and through him, Tina’s complete despair. Their situation throughout the book makes that feeling relatable, although Jack’s and Tina’s ‘solution’… maybe a bit less relatable. Or is it? Who knows. But I could see very clearly how they got to that point.
There was another nuance that really intrigued me towards the end. Throughout the whole book, .
Anyway, I understand that maybe there’s a movie for this book in the works. That would be intriguing to see. I’ll have to see if I can keep abreast of that issue.
Maybe it is just me, but I am finding the more recently published Matt Shaw books more engaging. I’ve found most quite entertaining and good, short horror reads. The last two or three, however, seem to have an emotional evolution to them I didn’t see in some of the earlier works I’ve read. I suppose that’s only natural. But I saw that same deeper emotional component to Patchwork. And it made it that much more enjoyable.
In this book, as the blurb states, a husband and wife suffer horrible tragedy that “robs [the MC’s] wife of her beauty.” What follows is a twisted tale that is part concern, love, dedication, fear, and absolute sociopathy that develops (the latter based on my personal reading of what the husband does to help the wife).
I liked how I could feel Jack, the husband’s desperation and through him, Tina’s complete despair. Their situation throughout the book makes that feeling relatable, although Jack’s and Tina’s ‘solution’… maybe a bit less relatable. Or is it? Who knows. But I could see very clearly how they got to that point.
There was another nuance that really intrigued me towards the end. Throughout the whole book, .
Anyway, I understand that maybe there’s a movie for this book in the works. That would be intriguing to see. I’ll have to see if I can keep abreast of that issue.
August 10, 2024
The things we do for love...
February 17, 2025
I must be a special kind of fucked up to go “awhh, how sweet” while reading this 😂
Jack~truly the best hubby, even though you’re a little (kinda a lot) of fucked up but so supportive.
I’m confused with my emotions right now 💀 quick read and don’t regret it!
Jack~truly the best hubby, even though you’re a little (kinda a lot) of fucked up but so supportive.
I’m confused with my emotions right now 💀 quick read and don’t regret it!
February 16, 2025
In sickness and in health, till death do us part- what a touching tell of how far one would go for their true love..with a side of disturbing, of course! Loved it 🖤
October 27, 2025
sweet lil horror that hurt me so bad
October 14, 2025
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Matt has done it again!!! A perfect story with a tragic premise, where love conquers all. It's amazing what we will do for those who we love so much. This story makes you ask the question...would I really go this far to help someone I love so much that I could get in trouble for? This book makes you ask that question and in the end, you are excepted for that undying devotion.
Highly recommended reading!!!
Matt has done it again!!! A perfect story with a tragic premise, where love conquers all. It's amazing what we will do for those who we love so much. This story makes you ask the question...would I really go this far to help someone I love so much that I could get in trouble for? This book makes you ask that question and in the end, you are excepted for that undying devotion.
Highly recommended reading!!!
June 2, 2025
A gory and disturbing love(?) story.
I thought the ending was gonna be tragic, but it ended on a pretty sweet note.
I thought the ending was gonna be tragic, but it ended on a pretty sweet note.
September 22, 2025
This is the kind of love story I want to see. Give me more (please)
November 13, 2025
yeah no
the writing style made me dnf it
the writing style made me dnf it
August 16, 2024
Matt Shaw’s Patchwork is a powerful and unsettling exploration of trauma and its effects on a relationship. The novel’s disturbing imagery and psychological depth make it a standout in the horror genre. For readers who appreciate a story that delves into the darker aspects of human experience and doesn’t shy away from the grotesque, Patchwork offers a haunting and memorable journey.
Shaw’s writing excels in creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere. His portrayal of Tina’s disfigurement and the ensuing emotional and psychological trauma is both graphic and poignant. The novel explores the profound effects of physical changes on personal identity and relationships, making Tina’s transformation a central and haunting element of the story. Shaw does not shy away from the grotesque details, which heightens the sense of dread and discomfort throughout the narrative.
The character development in Patchwork is particularly notable. Jack and Tina are portrayed with depth and complexity, allowing readers to empathize with their plight and feel the weight of their suffering. Jack’s struggle to cope with Tina’s new reality, coupled with his own sense of guilt and helplessness, adds a layer of psychological tension that drives the narrative forward. Tina’s internal battle with her altered self and her shifting relationship with Jack is rendered with sensitivity and intensity.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, building tension steadily as the story progresses. Shaw’s skillful use of suspense and his ability to weave moments of horror with quieter, more introspective scenes create a gripping reading experience. The plot twists and dark turns are executed with precision, keeping readers on edge and invested in the characters’ fates.
Shaw’s writing excels in creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere. His portrayal of Tina’s disfigurement and the ensuing emotional and psychological trauma is both graphic and poignant. The novel explores the profound effects of physical changes on personal identity and relationships, making Tina’s transformation a central and haunting element of the story. Shaw does not shy away from the grotesque details, which heightens the sense of dread and discomfort throughout the narrative.
The character development in Patchwork is particularly notable. Jack and Tina are portrayed with depth and complexity, allowing readers to empathize with their plight and feel the weight of their suffering. Jack’s struggle to cope with Tina’s new reality, coupled with his own sense of guilt and helplessness, adds a layer of psychological tension that drives the narrative forward. Tina’s internal battle with her altered self and her shifting relationship with Jack is rendered with sensitivity and intensity.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, building tension steadily as the story progresses. Shaw’s skillful use of suspense and his ability to weave moments of horror with quieter, more introspective scenes create a gripping reading experience. The plot twists and dark turns are executed with precision, keeping readers on edge and invested in the characters’ fates.
August 18, 2024
Typical Matt Shaw madness. From the cruelest of circumstances, a tale of barbarity ensues. Jogs along at a lovely pace,, and a great ending 👍
November 25, 2024
3⭐️
Quick read, would’ve loved if the “patchwork” was described in more detail- the gore seem very faded to black imo but the storyline was decent and kept me hooked
Quick read, would’ve loved if the “patchwork” was described in more detail- the gore seem very faded to black imo but the storyline was decent and kept me hooked
August 4, 2025
I killed a monster that night but, in some ways, I made two more: Her and me.
A relaxing night at home would morph into the biggest nightmare for Tina Lee and her partner Jack. Cuddled up and watching a movie, they were greeted with the knock on their door and Jack unknowingly opened the way for the infamous serial killer, Anthony S. Parker. Bound and trapped, Jack could only watch in horror as his wife was strangled and raped. Managing to escape his bonds, he would savagely kill the attacker and load his badly beaten wife in their car before racing away. Unfortunately, life would hold one more cruel trick and he would be Involved in a horrific accident. Thrown though the windshield, Tina would have her face shaved off, leaving only her skull showing. Surviving this, she is horrified when she ripped the bandages free and saw her once beautiful face now horribly destroyed. Feeling depressed and suicidal, she hires a prostitute to sleep with Jack to help fulfil the needs he couldn't find with her anymore, but it would become the start of something much for sinister.
I can still see her, laying in the hospital bed, with her head covered in bandages, hiding the fact her face had been ripped off. A consequence of flying through the car’s windscreen, which was a consequence of me taking my eyes off the road for a minute.
Unable to go through with this betrayal to his wife, he never thought by opening the bedroom door would leave Tina armed with a knife and murder that woman. Cutting and hacking, she butchered her face before draping the skin over her own skull. Screaming ‘Am I pretty yet?’ over and over, this started their own depravity of luring in woman and removing their faces. Each time the old one began to rot away, another female came along and would be greeted with a spiked drink and wake up in a bathtub alone and terrified. Offered between being kept alive and killed, every single woman chose to be put out of their misery. When they've invited their next victim, Shana, they didn't expect her to have a driver waiting for her, so they were forced to let her go. Sickened and no longer wanted to go through with these attacks anymore, Tina decided the ultimate way to guarantee Jack would never leave her. Removing his face, he felt none of the anger he expected but instead brought the two closer together. Now, they have a renown passion for one another, as well as hunting victims to fulfil the sick needs they've come to enjoy.
Her consciousness was neither here nor there. Her mind wasn’t needed for the stranger’s desired orgasm.
A relaxing night at home would morph into the biggest nightmare for Tina Lee and her partner Jack. Cuddled up and watching a movie, they were greeted with the knock on their door and Jack unknowingly opened the way for the infamous serial killer, Anthony S. Parker. Bound and trapped, Jack could only watch in horror as his wife was strangled and raped. Managing to escape his bonds, he would savagely kill the attacker and load his badly beaten wife in their car before racing away. Unfortunately, life would hold one more cruel trick and he would be Involved in a horrific accident. Thrown though the windshield, Tina would have her face shaved off, leaving only her skull showing. Surviving this, she is horrified when she ripped the bandages free and saw her once beautiful face now horribly destroyed. Feeling depressed and suicidal, she hires a prostitute to sleep with Jack to help fulfil the needs he couldn't find with her anymore, but it would become the start of something much for sinister.
I can still see her, laying in the hospital bed, with her head covered in bandages, hiding the fact her face had been ripped off. A consequence of flying through the car’s windscreen, which was a consequence of me taking my eyes off the road for a minute.
Unable to go through with this betrayal to his wife, he never thought by opening the bedroom door would leave Tina armed with a knife and murder that woman. Cutting and hacking, she butchered her face before draping the skin over her own skull. Screaming ‘Am I pretty yet?’ over and over, this started their own depravity of luring in woman and removing their faces. Each time the old one began to rot away, another female came along and would be greeted with a spiked drink and wake up in a bathtub alone and terrified. Offered between being kept alive and killed, every single woman chose to be put out of their misery. When they've invited their next victim, Shana, they didn't expect her to have a driver waiting for her, so they were forced to let her go. Sickened and no longer wanted to go through with these attacks anymore, Tina decided the ultimate way to guarantee Jack would never leave her. Removing his face, he felt none of the anger he expected but instead brought the two closer together. Now, they have a renown passion for one another, as well as hunting victims to fulfil the sick needs they've come to enjoy.
Her consciousness was neither here nor there. Her mind wasn’t needed for the stranger’s desired orgasm.
November 4, 2025
Stop.
Fast forward.
…Rewind.
When I first started reading this, I was questioning what I had gotten myself into.
Yes, I knew this was supposed to be twisted and gory, but honestly? It just made me sad at first.
Thinking about how one decision can shatter so many lives, spiraling into a chain of cause and effect.
Yes, there are “monsters” in this book, but they’re monsters I found myself feeling sorry for.
In the beginning, I kept asking: Why? Would this really happen?
But when you start thinking about real love, loyalty, partnership, and the extremes people go to for each other…the more I read, the more I realized this story was far more plausible than I expected.
Then the story said, “Nope—you thought you knew where this was going?”
And twisted itself again.
I went from shocked -> to nodding -> to a shoulder shrug -> to a grin because, to be frank, this was right up my alley of disturbing. People made it sound worse than it was (to me, at least)—but it absolutely delivered the unsettling punch I wanted.
How this author pulled all of this off in only 75 pages is beyond me.
Could I say I wanted more? Sure.
But honestly, it did exactly what it needed to do in the space it had.
A quick, sharp, unsettling read.
The perfect way to end my Halloween night.
And it definitely made me want to devour more short, gripping, disturbing stories like this.
A quick little nightmare stitched together perfectly…and it’s still crawling under my skin.
Fast forward.
…Rewind.
When I first started reading this, I was questioning what I had gotten myself into.
Yes, I knew this was supposed to be twisted and gory, but honestly? It just made me sad at first.
Thinking about how one decision can shatter so many lives, spiraling into a chain of cause and effect.
Yes, there are “monsters” in this book, but they’re monsters I found myself feeling sorry for.
In the beginning, I kept asking: Why? Would this really happen?
But when you start thinking about real love, loyalty, partnership, and the extremes people go to for each other…the more I read, the more I realized this story was far more plausible than I expected.
Then the story said, “Nope—you thought you knew where this was going?”
And twisted itself again.
I went from shocked -> to nodding -> to a shoulder shrug -> to a grin because, to be frank, this was right up my alley of disturbing. People made it sound worse than it was (to me, at least)—but it absolutely delivered the unsettling punch I wanted.
How this author pulled all of this off in only 75 pages is beyond me.
Could I say I wanted more? Sure.
But honestly, it did exactly what it needed to do in the space it had.
A quick, sharp, unsettling read.
The perfect way to end my Halloween night.
And it definitely made me want to devour more short, gripping, disturbing stories like this.
A quick little nightmare stitched together perfectly…and it’s still crawling under my skin.
September 18, 2025
review incoming
✃𓄧꒷꒦
while reading this book i thought i would be giving it 3-4 stars as i was like this is so crazy, just get her the help she needed but then i thought about it. you have a woman who literally lost something that makes you, YOU and instead of dealing with it? she has a husband that is so full of guilt that he’s willing to enable the craziness. This is so fucked up to say but this husband is a green ((red) flag tbh. he said yup that’s mine and i’ll stick beside her no matter what. LOL. i really enjoyed this and i felt so sad for tina.
✃𓄧꒷꒦
while reading this book i thought i would be giving it 3-4 stars as i was like this is so crazy, just get her the help she needed but then i thought about it. you have a woman who literally lost something that makes you, YOU and instead of dealing with it? she has a husband that is so full of guilt that he’s willing to enable the craziness. This is so fucked up to say but this husband is a green ((red) flag tbh. he said yup that’s mine and i’ll stick beside her no matter what. LOL. i really enjoyed this and i felt so sad for tina.
August 13, 2024
I really liked this book. If you’ve read any of Matt Shaws other books then I’m certain you will enjoy this one too. A twisted love story, a couple torn apart by a tragic turn of fate, and a man’s desperate bid to hold their relationship together, you won’t be disappointed!! If you’re squeamish and don’t like blood and gore, then don’t read it 👍
March 15, 2025
Gore galore
This book was good I wasn't sure what to expect as I went in blind I didn't read the blurb i just picked this book by its cover !! It's a a gory love story of sorts lol . Check the trigger warnings nor for the faint hearted
This book was good I wasn't sure what to expect as I went in blind I didn't read the blurb i just picked this book by its cover !! It's a a gory love story of sorts lol . Check the trigger warnings nor for the faint hearted
May 28, 2025
Nothing special,
but decent for a short story. More like 2.5 ⭐️ Decent writing, coulda been more gory but I think that’s just cuz I’ve been reading some really insane extreme horror lately
but decent for a short story. More like 2.5 ⭐️ Decent writing, coulda been more gory but I think that’s just cuz I’ve been reading some really insane extreme horror lately
July 24, 2025
The things we do...for love
Matt Shaw had a way. A way of taking, what, in lesser scribes, would feel contingent on shock and gore to draw in an audience and crafting a heart felt Macabre story.
Patchwork is no different.
Matt Shaw had a way. A way of taking, what, in lesser scribes, would feel contingent on shock and gore to draw in an audience and crafting a heart felt Macabre story.
Patchwork is no different.
September 5, 2025
Evil love
What would you do if you were disfigured from a car accident? Would you murder other people and take their face? Would you try to kill for a face to cover your ugly damaged face. Make sure to read this story you will not be disappointed.
What would you do if you were disfigured from a car accident? Would you murder other people and take their face? Would you try to kill for a face to cover your ugly damaged face. Make sure to read this story you will not be disappointed.
October 26, 2025
There was ALOT going on at the start and I found it a bit hard to follow at first but then there was understanding along with annoyance with had me torn but then ultimately hypocrisy but overall this was actually a good read, bit heartbreaking though
September 1, 2024
WHAAAAAT!
September 6, 2024
This was actually kind of sweet…..
In a grotesque kind of way.
In a grotesque kind of way.
September 20, 2024
Another fine read by Shaw.
October 2, 2024
This is my second book delving into the splatterpunk scene and I am definitely a fan. I love the way Matt tells his stories.
January 17, 2025
An interesting concept, and an enjoyable read!
February 6, 2025
Quick easy gripping read.
March 17, 2025
As awful as the plot is, I really enjoyed it!
Quick, short, gory, gross read!
Quick, short, gory, gross read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews