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Rotten Tommy
“Keep the door locked night and day…”
It’s been forty years since Becky Sharp’s mother vanished without a trace. Becky has given up all hope of finding her, until she makes a strange discovery that may hold the key to solving her mother’s disappearance.
Three unmarked videotapes, hidden in the wall of her childhood home. And as Becky watches the tapes, she finds herself drawn into a horrific mystery far greater than she could possibly have imagined.
For Becky has unwittingly summoned a long-forgotten nightmare—a creature that threatens the lives and sanity of all around her. Rotten Tommy has come to play… and nothing on Earth can sate his diabolical bloodlust.
A grisly and bizarre horror fever dream, Rotten Tommy is the latest disturbing shocker from David Sodergren, author of The Haar and Maggie’s Grave.
It’s been forty years since Becky Sharp’s mother vanished without a trace. Becky has given up all hope of finding her, until she makes a strange discovery that may hold the key to solving her mother’s disappearance.
Three unmarked videotapes, hidden in the wall of her childhood home. And as Becky watches the tapes, she finds herself drawn into a horrific mystery far greater than she could possibly have imagined.
For Becky has unwittingly summoned a long-forgotten nightmare—a creature that threatens the lives and sanity of all around her. Rotten Tommy has come to play… and nothing on Earth can sate his diabolical bloodlust.
A grisly and bizarre horror fever dream, Rotten Tommy is the latest disturbing shocker from David Sodergren, author of The Haar and Maggie’s Grave.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2024
280 people are currently reading
5479 people want to read
About the author
David Sodergren
19 books2,531 followersDavid Sodergren lives in Scotland with his wife Heather and his best friend, Boris the Pug.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
Growing up, he was the kind of kid who collected rubber skeletons and lived for horror movies. Not much has changed since then.
His best known books include the gory and romantic fairy tale The Haar, the blood-drenched folk-horror Maggie’s Grave, and the analog-horror fever dream Rotten Tommy. David also writes under the pseudonym Carl John Lee, publishing splatterpunk
novels such as Psychic Teenage Bloodbath and Cannibal Vengeance.
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March 29, 2024Hey gang, this is my new novel Rotten Tommy! It’s available 6th May 2024. Kindle preorder is now up, and the paperback will be available on publication day.
September 4, 2024
So fun!! David does campy gory horror like none other. Anytime you pick up one of his books, you know you’ll have a great time.
This is pretty different from his other stuff imo, (things get WEIRD) but it’s still recognizably Sodergren. It has a sort of found footage feel I think a lot of horror fans would appreciate, and it gave me Silent Hill vibes in a way, mixed with Children Of The Corn in another.
I can’t wait for what he comes up with next!!
This is pretty different from his other stuff imo, (things get WEIRD) but it’s still recognizably Sodergren. It has a sort of found footage feel I think a lot of horror fans would appreciate, and it gave me Silent Hill vibes in a way, mixed with Children Of The Corn in another.
I can’t wait for what he comes up with next!!
August 11, 2024
ROTTEN TOMMY [2024] By David Sodergren
My Review 4.0 Stars
This recent work of Sodergren’s was an unexpected romp in a bizzarro world of Alice in a Wonderland of horror. There is a brief introduction of a mean old misogynist who hires a smart guy named Quintin with business savvy to write a kiddie show for him on a tight budget. But the best laid plans of bad guys sometimes go wrong. His friend who had control of the entire production budget and timetable could not be reached.
Golden Thistle’s flagship series Rumplejack was in some kind of trouble, so William goes to Scotland to find out what happened to his investment. All of the cast and crew were unable to be found, and the production had been buttoned up tight. William goes banging on Quintin’s door and is too blinded by the possibility of losing money to notice that Quintin is scared to death. The meeting did not go well considering the production engineer engaged in a bit of self-mutilation and William scattered to the wind.
Four decades pass and our protagonist Becky is having an extension built onto the family home. All hell breaks loose, literally, when the workman finds the films on tape sealed up within a wall. Becky finds an old photo of herself as a child labelled “Missing”, last seen on a date in December 1984, 40 years ago. This was beyond eerie since Becky had no memory of ever having been kidnapped, and also her mother had disappeared at the same time as the paper she had found with the tapes. Predictably Becky calls the authorities, and also predictably they can provide her with no useful information. The reader meets Becky’s husband John who adds very little to what Becky already knows and seems to be rather blasé about the whole thing.
Becky’s father is in a care center and his memory comes and goes but is mostly just gone. Becky takes the tapes to visit him and plans to play them for him in his antiquated recorder on the TV set to see if he recognizes his wife or helps him remember anything about her documented disappearance on the old papers she found in the wall. Her father remembers and confirms her stay at Rumplejack. It is the name of the kiddie program, but her confused father is saying it is a place.
This latest novel from the wacky imagination of David Sodergren gives us an autistic heroine we simply love, white collar thieves ready to steal “golden oldies”, the horrifying footage that is on the children’s show “Rumpklejack”, a cheating husband and a duplicitous sister, not to mention the unimaginable horror from another time and place crashing into their reality…. Tommy, Rotten Tommy. “Rotten” like a King Cobra might bite you a little but it won’t hurt you.
The author paces this other-worldly tale just perfectly. Becky calls her sister (and cheating hubby) needing help after finding the content on the tapes. That only lasts until hearing his distinctive ringtone through her phone. Larkin the detective has seen Tommy and believes her story. She had initially sent him away but soon they are going to visit the self-mutilated producer who has hidden away all these years in a madhouse. Will Quintin tell Becky and Larkin the truth about Rumplejack?
Soon Becky and Larkin are on their way to the lighthouse to find the key to unlock the truth to Rumplejack and face the giant menace of the monster called Rotten Tommy. This final stretch to find Becky’s mother and to battle the terminator named Tommy was kind of sad. Later Becky finds herself being manhandled by the police and having excessive force used. Is this still Becky or a serial murderer of the worst kind with a string of victims?
The subsequent "Assault on Precinct 13" reimagined is a riot. Tommy arrives to have a meet and greet with the police who are holding Becky. These are only a few highlights from the consistently entertaining and highly engaging and readable horror tale featuring the terror of Tommy, that is “Rotten Tommy”.
Becky's expressed feelings about her life is heart rendering. The end was a surprise and also original. "Rotten Tommy" is the marriage of inspiration and imagination, borders on whimsical and cartoonish at times but with added ingredients such as emotion, dark humor, and extreme horror. I have never read a novel quite like this one. In a book with such horrific violence, it amazes and amuses me that Sodergren can lay in puns and even situational humor.
The one scene reminds me so much of the Hostel II wherein the “wait a minute I am rich, and I will pay more than him” girl turns the tables on her would be murderer. She does not miss a beat when told it is a kill club and she must kill to leave. She might shrug at the owner of the club before she turns on her torturer who paid (too little, sadly for him) to kill her. Tommy performs this girl’s patented move but only improvises and improves it. He drags cheatin’ John up a set of stairs without dragging him by either arm or either leg. Hmmm. Before any wrenching out of body parts.
This review may sound a little slap happy since I have been sleepy all day, but if slap happy would ever be appropriate it is in reviewing this wild story that has both a kiddie puppet show and a monstrous giant from hell in the same plot. REALLY liked it.
KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED NIGHT AND DAY…SO TOMMY CAN’T COME OUT TO PLAY
My Review 4.0 Stars
This recent work of Sodergren’s was an unexpected romp in a bizzarro world of Alice in a Wonderland of horror. There is a brief introduction of a mean old misogynist who hires a smart guy named Quintin with business savvy to write a kiddie show for him on a tight budget. But the best laid plans of bad guys sometimes go wrong. His friend who had control of the entire production budget and timetable could not be reached.
Golden Thistle’s flagship series Rumplejack was in some kind of trouble, so William goes to Scotland to find out what happened to his investment. All of the cast and crew were unable to be found, and the production had been buttoned up tight. William goes banging on Quintin’s door and is too blinded by the possibility of losing money to notice that Quintin is scared to death. The meeting did not go well considering the production engineer engaged in a bit of self-mutilation and William scattered to the wind.
Four decades pass and our protagonist Becky is having an extension built onto the family home. All hell breaks loose, literally, when the workman finds the films on tape sealed up within a wall. Becky finds an old photo of herself as a child labelled “Missing”, last seen on a date in December 1984, 40 years ago. This was beyond eerie since Becky had no memory of ever having been kidnapped, and also her mother had disappeared at the same time as the paper she had found with the tapes. Predictably Becky calls the authorities, and also predictably they can provide her with no useful information. The reader meets Becky’s husband John who adds very little to what Becky already knows and seems to be rather blasé about the whole thing.
Becky’s father is in a care center and his memory comes and goes but is mostly just gone. Becky takes the tapes to visit him and plans to play them for him in his antiquated recorder on the TV set to see if he recognizes his wife or helps him remember anything about her documented disappearance on the old papers she found in the wall. Her father remembers and confirms her stay at Rumplejack. It is the name of the kiddie program, but her confused father is saying it is a place.
This latest novel from the wacky imagination of David Sodergren gives us an autistic heroine we simply love, white collar thieves ready to steal “golden oldies”, the horrifying footage that is on the children’s show “Rumpklejack”, a cheating husband and a duplicitous sister, not to mention the unimaginable horror from another time and place crashing into their reality…. Tommy, Rotten Tommy. “Rotten” like a King Cobra might bite you a little but it won’t hurt you.
The author paces this other-worldly tale just perfectly. Becky calls her sister (and cheating hubby) needing help after finding the content on the tapes. That only lasts until hearing his distinctive ringtone through her phone. Larkin the detective has seen Tommy and believes her story. She had initially sent him away but soon they are going to visit the self-mutilated producer who has hidden away all these years in a madhouse. Will Quintin tell Becky and Larkin the truth about Rumplejack?
Soon Becky and Larkin are on their way to the lighthouse to find the key to unlock the truth to Rumplejack and face the giant menace of the monster called Rotten Tommy. This final stretch to find Becky’s mother and to battle the terminator named Tommy was kind of sad. Later Becky finds herself being manhandled by the police and having excessive force used. Is this still Becky or a serial murderer of the worst kind with a string of victims?
The subsequent "Assault on Precinct 13" reimagined is a riot. Tommy arrives to have a meet and greet with the police who are holding Becky. These are only a few highlights from the consistently entertaining and highly engaging and readable horror tale featuring the terror of Tommy, that is “Rotten Tommy”.
Becky's expressed feelings about her life is heart rendering. The end was a surprise and also original. "Rotten Tommy" is the marriage of inspiration and imagination, borders on whimsical and cartoonish at times but with added ingredients such as emotion, dark humor, and extreme horror. I have never read a novel quite like this one. In a book with such horrific violence, it amazes and amuses me that Sodergren can lay in puns and even situational humor.
The one scene reminds me so much of the Hostel II wherein the “wait a minute I am rich, and I will pay more than him” girl turns the tables on her would be murderer. She does not miss a beat when told it is a kill club and she must kill to leave. She might shrug at the owner of the club before she turns on her torturer who paid (too little, sadly for him) to kill her. Tommy performs this girl’s patented move but only improvises and improves it. He drags cheatin’ John up a set of stairs without dragging him by either arm or either leg. Hmmm. Before any wrenching out of body parts.
This review may sound a little slap happy since I have been sleepy all day, but if slap happy would ever be appropriate it is in reviewing this wild story that has both a kiddie puppet show and a monstrous giant from hell in the same plot. REALLY liked it.
KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED NIGHT AND DAY…SO TOMMY CAN’T COME OUT TO PLAY
January 3, 2025
4.5 stars. This sumbitch can write his ass off. What an absolutely fantastical and whimsical horror adventure. Never seen any of those words paired together, right? It made me reminiscent of such horror classics like Willy’s Wonderland and Silent Hill. First off, my wife, daughter, and I are all autistic, so I want to compliment the author for making his lead, Becky, one of us. And he even goes as far as to clarify that this character was written not to be a completely accurate depiction of an autistic person. Kudos for all of that mindfulness and I really thought he did a solid job taking appropriate cues from the diagnosis, making them all work nicely within the story. And Becky’s story had so many layers, from her unsupportive sister and unfaithful husband, to her work uncovering her mother’s disappearance, all with her autistic insight and struggles shining through. This is a near 300 page journey, and the first portion of the book is mostly creepy atmosphere and foreshadowing of more significant events later on. So it takes a little patience, but as the author unfolds his vision, I assure you it’s all worth the effort. The town of Rumplejack and all of it’s terrifying creatures, ie Tommy and The Sausage King (Nothing to do with Ferris Bueller) were fantastic. You are kept on the edge of your seat, exploring this nightmare of a reality for Becky and cannot take yourself away from this riveting affair. The only reason that I didn’t give this a perfect 5-star rating is that I wanted the truth about Tommy. So much build and promise and possibilities. And there was an opening to do it near the very end, but it was brushed off and left a mystery. And that’s ok sometimes, but after spending several hours getting to the finale, I felt that I deserved some concrete answers, which weren’t there. Beyond that, this was a near perfect horror experience from one of the most consistently entertaining authors in our genre.
May 9, 2024
Forty years ago, when Becky Sharp was only four years-old, her actress mother vanished without a trace. Now in the process of renovating the house where she grew up, a cache of VHS tapes is found hidden in the walls, along with a missing child poster that features Becky herself. When the tapes are revealed to feature footage of a never-aired and rather demented television show called "Rumplejack" with her missing mother appearing in one troubling scene, Becky resolves to finally solve the mysteries of both her mother’s vanishing and her own apparent childhood disappearance. What Becky doesn’t realize is that by bringing the old episodes of "Rumplejack" to light, she is also calling forth its most terrifying denizen, Rotten Tommy, who is soon wreaking a bloody path of destruction straight to her door.
Rotten Tommy was a creepy and fun good time. I was sucked right into the story thanks to the truly unsettling set-up with the footage on the tapes of the creepy children’s show, and Sodergren’s solid writing and character work. I really liked Becky as a main character. She is intuitive and resourceful and is not willing to take any bullshit. I’ve read three other works by Sodergren and, along with Muriel Macauley in The Haar, I feel like Becky was one of the better developed characters I’ve come across in his books. We learn that Becky as an adult has been recently diagnosed as autistic. I can't speak to this experience, but in my (uneducated) opinion, Sodergren handles it with sensitivity, and I appreciated the representation as it's not something I've seen before. I had sympathy for Becky’s struggles in a society that dismisses her as odd, ineffectual, and worse, including individuals close to her (her husband is a real POS).
But back to why we’re really here in Sodergren-land, and that’s a bloody good time. Well, you’ll certainly get that with Rotten Tommy. There are some scenes that will stick with me (even typing those words conjures a particularly gory image from the end of the book) for a long time.
I thought for sure this would end up being a five star read, but the ending lost me a little when the bloody action scenes started dominating the creepy elements of the story. I know some readers will feel the exact opposite. And I will say that David Sodergren is the only author who has made me not only tolerate, but enjoy, romantic subplots.
Rotten Tommy was a creepy and fun good time. I was sucked right into the story thanks to the truly unsettling set-up with the footage on the tapes of the creepy children’s show, and Sodergren’s solid writing and character work. I really liked Becky as a main character. She is intuitive and resourceful and is not willing to take any bullshit. I’ve read three other works by Sodergren and, along with Muriel Macauley in The Haar, I feel like Becky was one of the better developed characters I’ve come across in his books. We learn that Becky as an adult has been recently diagnosed as autistic. I can't speak to this experience, but in my (uneducated) opinion, Sodergren handles it with sensitivity, and I appreciated the representation as it's not something I've seen before. I had sympathy for Becky’s struggles in a society that dismisses her as odd, ineffectual, and worse, including individuals close to her (her husband is a real POS).
But back to why we’re really here in Sodergren-land, and that’s a bloody good time. Well, you’ll certainly get that with Rotten Tommy. There are some scenes that will stick with me (even typing those words conjures a particularly gory image from the end of the book) for a long time.
I thought for sure this would end up being a five star read, but the ending lost me a little when the bloody action scenes started dominating the creepy elements of the story. I know some readers will feel the exact opposite. And I will say that David Sodergren is the only author who has made me not only tolerate, but enjoy, romantic subplots.
August 11, 2024
My god this book was interesting! I didn’t really know what I was expecting with this book but it definitely surprised me. I thought the concept was super original, I haven’t seen a lot of “haunted media” in horror so that was a fun surprise.
Super violent and gory. There were many parts of the book I found relatable about Becky’s autism and how she views the world. Overall just a really great read!
Super violent and gory. There were many parts of the book I found relatable about Becky’s autism and how she views the world. Overall just a really great read!
January 30, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
I feel so seen, and that’s the woof.
I’ve read some really good horror novels this year, but none of them had the effect on me that Rotten Tommy did. There are certain pieces of fiction that are so odd and off-center, that make you feel so uncomfortable and squirm in your chair. That’s what this book did to me. From the liminality of the setting to the peculiarity of its creatures, this book got under my skin in ways few others have.
Oh, and the violence and gore were top notch too.
Themes…
The hardships endured on an unmasking journey. The anxiety born out of never truly feeling accepted, or never being in a place you know you belong.
Character Work…
Becky is one of the most relatable characters in years for me. I share so many of her traits, and I’m also in the process of coming to terms with them. I’m so happy about this representation and it has helped give me a boost of much needed self-confidence.
Prose…
There were so many parts I highlighted because I felt such a deep connection with them. Not flowery or esoteric, but definitely impactful.
Pace…
Energetic without being frenetic. Perfectly paced
I feel so seen, and that’s the woof.
I’ve read some really good horror novels this year, but none of them had the effect on me that Rotten Tommy did. There are certain pieces of fiction that are so odd and off-center, that make you feel so uncomfortable and squirm in your chair. That’s what this book did to me. From the liminality of the setting to the peculiarity of its creatures, this book got under my skin in ways few others have.
Oh, and the violence and gore were top notch too.
Themes…
The hardships endured on an unmasking journey. The anxiety born out of never truly feeling accepted, or never being in a place you know you belong.
Character Work…
Becky is one of the most relatable characters in years for me. I share so many of her traits, and I’m also in the process of coming to terms with them. I’m so happy about this representation and it has helped give me a boost of much needed self-confidence.
Prose…
There were so many parts I highlighted because I felt such a deep connection with them. Not flowery or esoteric, but definitely impactful.
Pace…
Energetic without being frenetic. Perfectly paced
March 28, 2024
“Let’s go back,
To Rumplejack,
We’ve been away too long.”
I think each of us has a childhood show we used to watch that scared the ever-living-crap out of us. I distinctly remember how much the movie ‘The Monster Squad’ traumatized me at an early age, and because we watched it for the first time (and usually each year after) at Christmas, I always thought of it as a Christmas-Horror movie, which is funny to think that now. But, while that show traumatized me, it didn’t hold a candle to another show I only saw two episodes of and then it disappeared into the ether, but never left my brain.
As a young kid, most Saturday mornings meant I’d wake up and immediately run down the street, and go to my grandparents place that was only five houses down. They had satellite TV, which meant cartoons and channels I never even dreamed existed. At some point, I caught these two episodes of this show and then never saw it again. It could be that they actively changed the channel when it came on, spurred by the nightmares I had for weeks. I never knew the name and for many, many years, all I could think about was this crazy show involving kids, puppets, a giant, islands and a portal. It actually wasn’t until YESTERDAY (March 28th, 2024) while messaging with David about this novel, that I did a deeper dive and FOUND THE SHOW. For those wondering, it was called ‘Blizzard Island.’ You can read about it here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzar... – and watch part one of episode one here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUlO....
So, how does this relate to Sodergren’s forthcoming masterpiece? Well, I wasn’t completely sure if this kids show that scared me to my core was actually a real show. I thought it was, but with no concrete evidence that it actually existed, I always questioned myself that it did.
Which brings us to ‘Rotten Tommy.’ What if a kids show was made that was so cursed that almost everyone involved died? Think Tutankhamen Tomb’s curse. An urban legend. A creepypasta of sorts.
It was maybe two years ago that David had messaged me with the early inklings of this story, about the concepts and where he wanted to go, and I can confidently say that while those early bits were amazing, they don’t hold a candle to what he delivered.
What I liked: The novel follows Becky, an screenwriter in her early 40’s who has been diagnosed with autism on recently. To her, it explains a lot. Her mannerisms, her quirks and her love of her stuffed penguin, Grumpus. To her husband, John, it drives a wedge between the woman he married and the ‘weirdo’ he now lived with. Becky’s mother was an actress, but she disappeared forty-years ago and is presumed dead. Her father is now in a long-term care home suffering from dementia, and her sister Flora is self-centered and uncaring.
While some home renovations are happening, the workers alert Becky that they’ve found something in the wall. What they’ve found are three old video cassette tapes, marked ‘Rumplejack,’ and it’s from that point on that Sodergren takes us on an absolutely astounding ride. On the tapes are the forgotten episodes of the pilot for ‘Rumplejack,’ a show set in a small, ocean-side town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named ‘Stickemup,’ and a hand puppet king, known as ‘King Sausage.’ And as soon as you watch the episode, Tommy awakens, and he won’t stop until he finds you.
The character of Tommy was a perfect mix of Jason and Michael Myers. This massive, disfigured brute who speaks little, but swings a big club and is seemingly impervious to pain. Becky begins seeing him, and Tommy begins to let her know he’s near. People die. Horribly. And not until she partners up with a cop who always watched the video, does she feel like she have an ally, someone who believes her and who doesn’t judge her for her mannerisms.
A surprising element to this was the light, humorous moments. Often based around Jason Statham (you’ll understand once you read it), David perfectly placed these moments, and I say this as someone who generally doesn’t like humor in my horror.
Of course, all roads lead to this mythical town of ‘Rumplejack,’ and its here that the novel really shines. In fact, one scene was so masterful I messaged David to let him know he’d written something that made me question why I even write.
The story itself is a perfect blend of the joy we got while watching our kids shows with through the eyes of our youthful innocence, while not understanding some of the horribly dark content that was being glossed over by the use of hand puppets and shiny music.
The ending was perfect and David uses a phenomenal tie-in with the video itself, which had me so very happy, and it does leave the potential for further stories set within the same universe, especially when it relates to a mysterious corporation that is introduced.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, my only quibble was that a minor character within – a guy who transfers video’s and owns an emporium – didn’t factor in more at that time. He had an internet series that was spot on for the ‘Rumplejack’ tapes and I was hoping he’d play a slightly bigger role, but overall it didn’t change the story at all. I was just hoping to see some exciting meta moments from him, even relating to David’s other works.
Why you should buy this: When David released ‘The Haar,’ I didn’t know how he could top that. All of his work leading up to that novel was steadily growing in scope, conceptual execution and emotional development. It did everything people wished ‘The Shape of Water’ wanted to do. But with ‘Rotten Tommy’ he’s outdone even ‘The Haar.’ Tommy is a character that should please current fans of his work and invite in a whole new world of readers (and Trevor Henderson’s amazing cover art will grab even more folks’ attention), and the world and town of ‘Rumplejack’ is simply Jim Henson level brilliant. This is a novel that I’ll forever be upset about that I wasn’t able to write it. It ticks every single box in a story that I love about horror mixed with fantastical elements and the use of the missing TV show aspect was pristine.
Sodergren has created a legion of fans and has readers from every corner of the globe – but I often still see him as criminally overlooked when it comes to lists and ravings etc. etc. I think ‘Rotten Tommy’ just might be his all-time masterpiece. His ‘IT’ or his ‘Dracula’ or his ‘The Demonologist.’ The novel that blows the world away and raises him to that next level of author-ship. The one that he so deserves. Fingers crossed he just remembers my name in a few years!
‘Rotten Tommy’ is one of the best books I’ve ever read from one of the best authors out there and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Becky and visit ‘Rumplejack.’ Just lock the door.
“Your friends await,
So don’t be late,
To help them sing this song.”
To Rumplejack,
We’ve been away too long.”
I think each of us has a childhood show we used to watch that scared the ever-living-crap out of us. I distinctly remember how much the movie ‘The Monster Squad’ traumatized me at an early age, and because we watched it for the first time (and usually each year after) at Christmas, I always thought of it as a Christmas-Horror movie, which is funny to think that now. But, while that show traumatized me, it didn’t hold a candle to another show I only saw two episodes of and then it disappeared into the ether, but never left my brain.
As a young kid, most Saturday mornings meant I’d wake up and immediately run down the street, and go to my grandparents place that was only five houses down. They had satellite TV, which meant cartoons and channels I never even dreamed existed. At some point, I caught these two episodes of this show and then never saw it again. It could be that they actively changed the channel when it came on, spurred by the nightmares I had for weeks. I never knew the name and for many, many years, all I could think about was this crazy show involving kids, puppets, a giant, islands and a portal. It actually wasn’t until YESTERDAY (March 28th, 2024) while messaging with David about this novel, that I did a deeper dive and FOUND THE SHOW. For those wondering, it was called ‘Blizzard Island.’ You can read about it here – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzar... – and watch part one of episode one here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPUlO....
So, how does this relate to Sodergren’s forthcoming masterpiece? Well, I wasn’t completely sure if this kids show that scared me to my core was actually a real show. I thought it was, but with no concrete evidence that it actually existed, I always questioned myself that it did.
Which brings us to ‘Rotten Tommy.’ What if a kids show was made that was so cursed that almost everyone involved died? Think Tutankhamen Tomb’s curse. An urban legend. A creepypasta of sorts.
It was maybe two years ago that David had messaged me with the early inklings of this story, about the concepts and where he wanted to go, and I can confidently say that while those early bits were amazing, they don’t hold a candle to what he delivered.
What I liked: The novel follows Becky, an screenwriter in her early 40’s who has been diagnosed with autism on recently. To her, it explains a lot. Her mannerisms, her quirks and her love of her stuffed penguin, Grumpus. To her husband, John, it drives a wedge between the woman he married and the ‘weirdo’ he now lived with. Becky’s mother was an actress, but she disappeared forty-years ago and is presumed dead. Her father is now in a long-term care home suffering from dementia, and her sister Flora is self-centered and uncaring.
While some home renovations are happening, the workers alert Becky that they’ve found something in the wall. What they’ve found are three old video cassette tapes, marked ‘Rumplejack,’ and it’s from that point on that Sodergren takes us on an absolutely astounding ride. On the tapes are the forgotten episodes of the pilot for ‘Rumplejack,’ a show set in a small, ocean-side town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named ‘Stickemup,’ and a hand puppet king, known as ‘King Sausage.’ And as soon as you watch the episode, Tommy awakens, and he won’t stop until he finds you.
The character of Tommy was a perfect mix of Jason and Michael Myers. This massive, disfigured brute who speaks little, but swings a big club and is seemingly impervious to pain. Becky begins seeing him, and Tommy begins to let her know he’s near. People die. Horribly. And not until she partners up with a cop who always watched the video, does she feel like she have an ally, someone who believes her and who doesn’t judge her for her mannerisms.
A surprising element to this was the light, humorous moments. Often based around Jason Statham (you’ll understand once you read it), David perfectly placed these moments, and I say this as someone who generally doesn’t like humor in my horror.
Of course, all roads lead to this mythical town of ‘Rumplejack,’ and its here that the novel really shines. In fact, one scene was so masterful I messaged David to let him know he’d written something that made me question why I even write.
The story itself is a perfect blend of the joy we got while watching our kids shows with through the eyes of our youthful innocence, while not understanding some of the horribly dark content that was being glossed over by the use of hand puppets and shiny music.
The ending was perfect and David uses a phenomenal tie-in with the video itself, which had me so very happy, and it does leave the potential for further stories set within the same universe, especially when it relates to a mysterious corporation that is introduced.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, my only quibble was that a minor character within – a guy who transfers video’s and owns an emporium – didn’t factor in more at that time. He had an internet series that was spot on for the ‘Rumplejack’ tapes and I was hoping he’d play a slightly bigger role, but overall it didn’t change the story at all. I was just hoping to see some exciting meta moments from him, even relating to David’s other works.
Why you should buy this: When David released ‘The Haar,’ I didn’t know how he could top that. All of his work leading up to that novel was steadily growing in scope, conceptual execution and emotional development. It did everything people wished ‘The Shape of Water’ wanted to do. But with ‘Rotten Tommy’ he’s outdone even ‘The Haar.’ Tommy is a character that should please current fans of his work and invite in a whole new world of readers (and Trevor Henderson’s amazing cover art will grab even more folks’ attention), and the world and town of ‘Rumplejack’ is simply Jim Henson level brilliant. This is a novel that I’ll forever be upset about that I wasn’t able to write it. It ticks every single box in a story that I love about horror mixed with fantastical elements and the use of the missing TV show aspect was pristine.
Sodergren has created a legion of fans and has readers from every corner of the globe – but I often still see him as criminally overlooked when it comes to lists and ravings etc. etc. I think ‘Rotten Tommy’ just might be his all-time masterpiece. His ‘IT’ or his ‘Dracula’ or his ‘The Demonologist.’ The novel that blows the world away and raises him to that next level of author-ship. The one that he so deserves. Fingers crossed he just remembers my name in a few years!
‘Rotten Tommy’ is one of the best books I’ve ever read from one of the best authors out there and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Becky and visit ‘Rumplejack.’ Just lock the door.
“Your friends await,
So don’t be late,
To help them sing this song.”
August 6, 2024
‘Absolutely brilliant - loved it.’
‘Rotten Tommy’ is a bizarre, absurd and fantastical horror journey that takes the reader into an autistic landscape as seen through the eyes of the author, that somehow manages to go completely round full circle.
Lots of great gore-filled, adult action involving a host of fun characters that are all ‘apparently’ concentrated on the one over-riding purpose: to find out what actually happened to Becky’s, the main protagonists, long-lost mother.
If you like stories involving a murderous monster that is entwined within a blood-soaked, well hidden, cleverly constructed mystery adventure, but which ultimately is also endeavouring to deliver serious message, then this is definitely one not to be missed.
Interested? Well, go right ahead - dive right in there..The Sausage King and his friends await your presence as the gap between fictional make-believe and factual reality may well be a lot smaller than many of us actually believe.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiantly bright stars of pure horror writing genius.
‘Rotten Tommy’ is a bizarre, absurd and fantastical horror journey that takes the reader into an autistic landscape as seen through the eyes of the author, that somehow manages to go completely round full circle.
Lots of great gore-filled, adult action involving a host of fun characters that are all ‘apparently’ concentrated on the one over-riding purpose: to find out what actually happened to Becky’s, the main protagonists, long-lost mother.
If you like stories involving a murderous monster that is entwined within a blood-soaked, well hidden, cleverly constructed mystery adventure, but which ultimately is also endeavouring to deliver serious message, then this is definitely one not to be missed.
Interested? Well, go right ahead - dive right in there..The Sausage King and his friends await your presence as the gap between fictional make-believe and factual reality may well be a lot smaller than many of us actually believe.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.7 radiantly bright stars of pure horror writing genius.
March 11, 2025
Another good horror story from Sodergren. Rumplejack, is an old children’s show, set in a small town, with a lighthouse, a talking horse sheriff named Stickemup, and a hand puppet pug, known as King Sausage. And a monster of the likes of Jason/Myers, named Tommy, who once awakened, will not stop until he finds you. Told primarily from the POV of Becky, mid 40’s autistic woman, whose marriage is on the rocks and mother disappeared many years ago. Three old VHS tapes are found in her childhood home that provide some clues to what happened all those years ago but at the same time they unleash a series of gruesome events. Really amusing characters, a entertaining plot, and a perfect Sodergren style ending!
May 16, 2024
What about Tommy? What about Tommy you c*nt? Huh? You f*cking piece of sh*t motherfu-
So, this is some crazy sh*t.
I can always appreciate a vintage rehash of old muppet style children's TV shows, especially when it is spun as a twisted set of "haunted" VHS tapes.
The baseline of this story explores the rapidly evolving experiences of Becky Sharp, a woman at a generally down point in her life. Her mother went missing 40 years ago, she recently became diagnosed with Autism, and her husband has become nearly absent in her life. Reality starts to become surreal for her when construction workers find old videotapes hidden in the walls of her childhood home.
Enter the world of Rumplejack.
Rumplejack is not just a children's TV show. It seems to represent a portal to a TV show realm that tends to change a little bit every time you watch the tapes. Becky obsesses over these tapes when she finds that her mother is part of the cast. Her investigation leads her deeper into the depths of mind-bending insanity, pulling in her family and allies along the way.
You know we don't say his name.
Is he a hallucination, a haunting, or is he a real, genuine psychopath? All great questions as the bloodbath unfolds. Becky and friends are tormented and eventually torn apart by the mysterious giant pounding people into pudding mush. David Sodergren provides his slasher experience with a twilight zone twist. I felt similar to the way I felt reading Night Shoot, where at times all sense was completely out the window. The violence was senseless, yet the reactions were starkly the opposite, making the reality of it all become all the more violating and genuinely curious to a conscious mind.
I think that it was very well done, in the way that Sodergren built this reality and then stripped it apart piece by piece until that moment where all simply breaks, and a new reality is formed.
Reality is a state of mind, normal is relative, and consciousness is too easily malleable.
All of these ideologies are represented here in various ways, and ultimately that is my favorite part about this book.
In the end, I feel like I wanted to understand more of the reality. More of the micro-reality that is Rumplejack, and especially the government involvement. As I said, the violence felt senseless for a majority of the book. That is essentially the nature of slashers, and perhaps they're just not my favorite because they lack the additional details that I tend to appreciate in horror novels.
For example, when they did arrive in Rumplejack, the experiences they had there did not satisfy my curiosity of the realm, or for the story itself. When Stick'emup attacked them and The Sausage King came into play, I felt like that was a missed opportunity to expand the depth of the story a bit more. I do get the briefness of it all is essentially the style of the slasher (and the novella), but I wanted more depth overall. Nonetheless, as I continue to contemplate Becky's experiences, I see more into the mind of the author and the many layers involved in the ideas bringing this story together. This is a story about unraveling reality, and the goal was achieved.
I love David Sodergren's work because it is refreshing in the realm of horror novels. Indie, self published horror doesn't have the same scrutiny as corporate publication, paving the way for true creativity to come through.
In terms of horror, David Sodergren knows how to go there. It's difficult to keep me involved in one book straight through, and he does it for me every time. He is quickly rising to one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading his future books more so than I look forward to reading my lifetime favorite author Stephen King's. I would like to see more adventure horror novels from Sodergren. I think adventure horror doesn't get enough publication, and if I could have another adventure like The Forgotten Island, I would be so happy.
I recommend this book for horror fans and I recommend David Sodergren's work as a staple in every horror reader's lineup.
So, this is some crazy sh*t.
I can always appreciate a vintage rehash of old muppet style children's TV shows, especially when it is spun as a twisted set of "haunted" VHS tapes.
The baseline of this story explores the rapidly evolving experiences of Becky Sharp, a woman at a generally down point in her life. Her mother went missing 40 years ago, she recently became diagnosed with Autism, and her husband has become nearly absent in her life. Reality starts to become surreal for her when construction workers find old videotapes hidden in the walls of her childhood home.
Enter the world of Rumplejack.
Rumplejack is not just a children's TV show. It seems to represent a portal to a TV show realm that tends to change a little bit every time you watch the tapes. Becky obsesses over these tapes when she finds that her mother is part of the cast. Her investigation leads her deeper into the depths of mind-bending insanity, pulling in her family and allies along the way.
You know we don't say his name.
Is he a hallucination, a haunting, or is he a real, genuine psychopath? All great questions as the bloodbath unfolds. Becky and friends are tormented and eventually torn apart by the mysterious giant pounding people into pudding mush. David Sodergren provides his slasher experience with a twilight zone twist. I felt similar to the way I felt reading Night Shoot, where at times all sense was completely out the window. The violence was senseless, yet the reactions were starkly the opposite, making the reality of it all become all the more violating and genuinely curious to a conscious mind.
I think that it was very well done, in the way that Sodergren built this reality and then stripped it apart piece by piece until that moment where all simply breaks, and a new reality is formed.
Reality is a state of mind, normal is relative, and consciousness is too easily malleable.
All of these ideologies are represented here in various ways, and ultimately that is my favorite part about this book.
In the end, I feel like I wanted to understand more of the reality. More of the micro-reality that is Rumplejack, and especially the government involvement. As I said, the violence felt senseless for a majority of the book. That is essentially the nature of slashers, and perhaps they're just not my favorite because they lack the additional details that I tend to appreciate in horror novels.
For example, when they did arrive in Rumplejack, the experiences they had there did not satisfy my curiosity of the realm, or for the story itself. When Stick'emup attacked them and The Sausage King came into play, I felt like that was a missed opportunity to expand the depth of the story a bit more. I do get the briefness of it all is essentially the style of the slasher (and the novella), but I wanted more depth overall. Nonetheless, as I continue to contemplate Becky's experiences, I see more into the mind of the author and the many layers involved in the ideas bringing this story together. This is a story about unraveling reality, and the goal was achieved.
I love David Sodergren's work because it is refreshing in the realm of horror novels. Indie, self published horror doesn't have the same scrutiny as corporate publication, paving the way for true creativity to come through.
In terms of horror, David Sodergren knows how to go there. It's difficult to keep me involved in one book straight through, and he does it for me every time. He is quickly rising to one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading his future books more so than I look forward to reading my lifetime favorite author Stephen King's. I would like to see more adventure horror novels from Sodergren. I think adventure horror doesn't get enough publication, and if I could have another adventure like The Forgotten Island, I would be so happy.
I recommend this book for horror fans and I recommend David Sodergren's work as a staple in every horror reader's lineup.
July 13, 2024
3.5 For what it's worth, this is the best "cursed video of a mysterious children's show for the 80s that turns out to be real, and a nightmarish killer hunts down whoever watches it" novel I've ever read. And, surprisingly, I feel like I've read more than one. What is the subgenre of puppet horror books anyway? I love it. The is like the Ring straight-up mixed with The Terminator and it's pretty brutal and has some real creepy moments. Sodergren is really one of the best slasher novel writers right now, and this is no exception. Except, underneath it all, this is really just a silly book about a man who loves his dog.
A woman finds a missing person's flyer of herself from 40 years ago that she was too young to remember, around the time her mom went missing. After having moved back into the house she grew up in, she finds videotapes that seem like hour-long episodes of an 80s children's puppet show, but surreal and disturbing. After glimpsing her mother on the tapes she tries to get the tapes digitally copied, anyone who tries to watch it is attacked by a massive man with what seems like a scratched-out face.
What makes this book different are the comedy elements. The nightmare children's show world is ruled by a hand puppet of a pug who loves sausages. The sense of humor is kind of wholesome and silly, it kind of reminds me of what Dean Koontz would do with his more ridiculous plots. And there are so many dog jokes. Pug-based humor has actually been a theme with this author and it kind of comes to fruition here. Scary and action-packed, but also kind of silly with twenty percent more dog jokes. This would still be an awesome movie if anyone made it.
A woman finds a missing person's flyer of herself from 40 years ago that she was too young to remember, around the time her mom went missing. After having moved back into the house she grew up in, she finds videotapes that seem like hour-long episodes of an 80s children's puppet show, but surreal and disturbing. After glimpsing her mother on the tapes she tries to get the tapes digitally copied, anyone who tries to watch it is attacked by a massive man with what seems like a scratched-out face.
What makes this book different are the comedy elements. The nightmare children's show world is ruled by a hand puppet of a pug who loves sausages. The sense of humor is kind of wholesome and silly, it kind of reminds me of what Dean Koontz would do with his more ridiculous plots. And there are so many dog jokes. Pug-based humor has actually been a theme with this author and it kind of comes to fruition here. Scary and action-packed, but also kind of silly with twenty percent more dog jokes. This would still be an awesome movie if anyone made it.
July 21, 2025
This was really fun and outlandish. Lots of gore!!!
August 3, 2024
what a wild ride this was!
this author is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this is only my second book by him.
love his writing style and how he keeps you captivated until the very end.
give him a go.
you won’t be disappointed.
this author is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and this is only my second book by him.
love his writing style and how he keeps you captivated until the very end.
give him a go.
you won’t be disappointed.
December 12, 2024
4,5*
David Sodergren can do no wrong in my book. I know I can always rely on him for some good gore and violent horror.
Forty years ago, Becky’s mom disappeared without a trace. Now, while doing some home renovations in her childhood home, Becky finds 3 VHS tapes that belonged to her parents.
Her husband is also the most disgusting human being ever. I had to mention that because that guy deserves HELL.
She hopes the tapes might help her find some information about her mother and it is not a home sex tape, yikes. She goes to get the VHS tapes converted so that she can watch them on her computer.
But since the tapes were found, people around Becky start getting hurt. And when I saw hurt, I mean, people are going to be brutally murdered in the most gory ways possible. But that is what I love about David’s books. Almost nothing is off limits.
This novel is brutal, creepy, fantastical, it will take you back to your childhood and then proceed to traumatize you. And you are going to thank David for this.
The pacing was great and the short chapters made this novel so easy to read. You can easily read it in one sitting. I read half of it in one sitting.
For fans of some good bloody gore and cursed tapes.
Welcome to a new dimension of horror and prepare to be transported to a world of pain.
David Sodergren can do no wrong in my book. I know I can always rely on him for some good gore and violent horror.
Forty years ago, Becky’s mom disappeared without a trace. Now, while doing some home renovations in her childhood home, Becky finds 3 VHS tapes that belonged to her parents.
Her husband is also the most disgusting human being ever. I had to mention that because that guy deserves HELL.
She hopes the tapes might help her find some information about her mother and it is not a home sex tape, yikes. She goes to get the VHS tapes converted so that she can watch them on her computer.
But since the tapes were found, people around Becky start getting hurt. And when I saw hurt, I mean, people are going to be brutally murdered in the most gory ways possible. But that is what I love about David’s books. Almost nothing is off limits.
This novel is brutal, creepy, fantastical, it will take you back to your childhood and then proceed to traumatize you. And you are going to thank David for this.
The pacing was great and the short chapters made this novel so easy to read. You can easily read it in one sitting. I read half of it in one sitting.
For fans of some good bloody gore and cursed tapes.
Welcome to a new dimension of horror and prepare to be transported to a world of pain.
December 28, 2024
This book was gory I was on the edge of my seat I loved so much of it but would of left out certain parts rotten Tommy petrified me this had my brain imagining all sorts wow this had great autism representation and I would recommend this if you want a quick extreme horror bit please read trigger warnings I rate this 3.75 star because some parts I think could of been taken out as it turned it silly
August 2, 2025
While I found every single character insufferable, the haunted media plot was still quite intriguing.
David Sodergren’s books are the perfect summer read - cheesy, gory and all around a good time.
David Sodergren’s books are the perfect summer read - cheesy, gory and all around a good time.
August 24, 2024
Five glorious rotten stars! I actually felt quite fond of Becky and found her seduction method super adorable 😄
There was a perfect mix of horror, gore, sex, comedy, and thrill. Everything I enjoy in a book. Sodergren is fast becoming a favorite author.
There was a perfect mix of horror, gore, sex, comedy, and thrill. Everything I enjoy in a book. Sodergren is fast becoming a favorite author.
Read
August 9, 2025Sooooo…. I really enjoyed this. It was an easy quick read with plenty of gore and I found it quite addictive but then I finished that last page and I found myself feeling hugely disappointed.
There was no answers to anything. Nothing at all.
What was the point.
Who was Tommy?! What’s his deal?! Why did he want Becky?! What exactly is Rumplejack?! Like where did it come from?!
I mean what was going on with the place and the folk from the town, inc the horse and the puppet?!
Not getting any of these answers just made me feel like the whole book was kinda pointless.
Open ended is one thing - nothing at all is another.
The gore though 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
There was no answers to anything. Nothing at all.
What was the point.
Who was Tommy?! What’s his deal?! Why did he want Becky?! What exactly is Rumplejack?! Like where did it come from?!
I mean what was going on with the place and the folk from the town, inc the horse and the puppet?!
Not getting any of these answers just made me feel like the whole book was kinda pointless.
Open ended is one thing - nothing at all is another.
The gore though 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
May 14, 2024
Well. That was strange. I liked it.
June 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. I liked the whole premise of the book. The weird creepy kids' TV show the mystery of the missing mother. The weird place called Rumplejack. I have mixed feelings on the ending but overall, I loved this book.
January 24, 2025
Wow. Easily one of the best horror books I've ever read. Just, WOW. The gore, the plot, the amazingly heartfelt autism representation... A horror masterpiece at its finest.
April 6, 2024
I want to start off saying that I didn’t absolutely freaking adore this book just because I love David’s work. I just genuinely absolutely freaking adored this book because it was so well done. Rotten Tommy is deliciously bizarre, with a slew of “what the f*ck” moments thrown in. So many times I laughed out loud & at one point was literally kicking my feet, giggling. This was a wildly unique read & a peek into the glorious storytelling mind of Sodergren.
Rotten Tommy follows Becky, an autistic woman in her early forties trying to navigate life as an aspiring screenwriter. While renovating their house, Becky stumbles upon a series of video tapes, each more confusing and unsettling than the last. Hyper-fixating on trying to solve the mystery behind the VHS’s, she gets herself into an unimaginable realm, where a monster lurks…waiting for her.
Sodergren is a master of his craft. He creates such wonderful characters and even his creatures are so thoughtfully mastered. The theme of this story will resonate with a lot of lovers of The Haar; a more emotional story with a strong female lead & it’s fair share of gore. I think this is a wonderful start if you’re interested in reading horror and don’t know what to pick up first. Highly recommend!
Lastly, a huge thank you to David for sending me an ARC. There’s nothing cooler than getting to know your favorite author and being able to read their newest work. I can’t wait for you all to read Rotten Tommy & may we all have a moment in life where we can “Statham it.”
5/5 ⭐️
Rotten Tommy follows Becky, an autistic woman in her early forties trying to navigate life as an aspiring screenwriter. While renovating their house, Becky stumbles upon a series of video tapes, each more confusing and unsettling than the last. Hyper-fixating on trying to solve the mystery behind the VHS’s, she gets herself into an unimaginable realm, where a monster lurks…waiting for her.
Sodergren is a master of his craft. He creates such wonderful characters and even his creatures are so thoughtfully mastered. The theme of this story will resonate with a lot of lovers of The Haar; a more emotional story with a strong female lead & it’s fair share of gore. I think this is a wonderful start if you’re interested in reading horror and don’t know what to pick up first. Highly recommend!
Lastly, a huge thank you to David for sending me an ARC. There’s nothing cooler than getting to know your favorite author and being able to read their newest work. I can’t wait for you all to read Rotten Tommy & may we all have a moment in life where we can “Statham it.”
5/5 ⭐️
May 6, 2024
I'm a huge fan of the author's previous books (especially The Haar which, if you haven't read, stop reading this review right goddamn now and go read it). I booked Rotten Tommy on preorder because I was so excited for it. Got the notification last night that it had arrived on my Kindle, opened it to check out the first chapter, came back to the real world a few hours later having read the entire book. By then, it was way past time to get to sleep but after reading this book, it took me a long time to get there and when I did, it was with the light on!
This book continues Sodergren's streak of inspired body horror, brilliantly realised characters who ground everything even when sh!t gets crazy (and it frequently does), and playing with and often pulling apart horror movie tropes and clichés. The nostalgia aspect of it made me think back to scary shows I loved as a kid like Eerie, Indiana and American Gothic while the actual plot and Big Bad (no spoilers here) are so original while also evoking a range of horrorcentric touchstones including Blizzard Island (YouTube it).
Properly scary. Properly brilliant. Get it, read it, survive it. Keep the light on.
This book continues Sodergren's streak of inspired body horror, brilliantly realised characters who ground everything even when sh!t gets crazy (and it frequently does), and playing with and often pulling apart horror movie tropes and clichés. The nostalgia aspect of it made me think back to scary shows I loved as a kid like Eerie, Indiana and American Gothic while the actual plot and Big Bad (no spoilers here) are so original while also evoking a range of horrorcentric touchstones including Blizzard Island (YouTube it).
Properly scary. Properly brilliant. Get it, read it, survive it. Keep the light on.
October 22, 2024
David, if you're reading this, I need a prequel and a sequel right now ok thanks!
Rotten Tommy is a fantastical blend of a mystery and a slasher and I loved just about every second of it. Our main character, Becky, has just found three videotapes hidden within the walls of her home. Knowing her mother went missing 40 years ago, Becky believes the answer to her mysterious disappearance can be found on the tapes. However, once she watches them, Becky finds herself with more questions than answers, and soon, in a fight for her life when she comes face to face with Rotten Tommy.
Keep the door locked night and day, so Tommy can’t come out to play...
I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but I will talk about the characters. Becky was a super strong character for me, possibly one of my favorite characters from Sodergren's work. We come to learn that Becky was diagnosed with autism as an adult. And so, aside from all the action and murder, the plot really focuses on Becky's mind. We take a close look at the way she views the world and is affected by those around her. I think everything with her character was handled with sensitivity and was intentional in a way that truly enhances the story. There was also important conversation about the way society is set up to work for neurotypical, able-bodied people, and really no one else. Sodergren also touches on bias in the medical field and how it is often harder for women to get diagnosed than men. In the author's note, Sodergren speaks on being diagnosed with autism in adulthood himself, and goes on to point out that not every person with autism functions the same way and sees things the same way, which I really appreciated!
On the flip side, Sodergren is also fantastic when it comes to creating the worst, most hateable characters ever. And this book is no exception. But, we also get delivered some sweet justice through highly entertaining death scenes 🤭
Tommy himself I loved as well. However, this brings me to the one thing about the book that I didn't enjoy - and that is how open everything was left. There is still a lot of mystery to the story and plenty of questions left unanswered. Sodergren teases us at the very end, tempting us with the promise of answers delivered just to rip it away 😭 But, once again, leaving things off the way he did is also intentional to the story & Becky's personal journey, so I both love & hate the ending.
Live discussion delving into full spoilers and every little thought I have: https://youtube.com/live/9_-gXIjTthg?...
Rotten Tommy is a fantastical blend of a mystery and a slasher and I loved just about every second of it. Our main character, Becky, has just found three videotapes hidden within the walls of her home. Knowing her mother went missing 40 years ago, Becky believes the answer to her mysterious disappearance can be found on the tapes. However, once she watches them, Becky finds herself with more questions than answers, and soon, in a fight for her life when she comes face to face with Rotten Tommy.
Keep the door locked night and day, so Tommy can’t come out to play...
I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but I will talk about the characters. Becky was a super strong character for me, possibly one of my favorite characters from Sodergren's work. We come to learn that Becky was diagnosed with autism as an adult. And so, aside from all the action and murder, the plot really focuses on Becky's mind. We take a close look at the way she views the world and is affected by those around her. I think everything with her character was handled with sensitivity and was intentional in a way that truly enhances the story. There was also important conversation about the way society is set up to work for neurotypical, able-bodied people, and really no one else. Sodergren also touches on bias in the medical field and how it is often harder for women to get diagnosed than men. In the author's note, Sodergren speaks on being diagnosed with autism in adulthood himself, and goes on to point out that not every person with autism functions the same way and sees things the same way, which I really appreciated!
On the flip side, Sodergren is also fantastic when it comes to creating the worst, most hateable characters ever. And this book is no exception. But, we also get delivered some sweet justice through highly entertaining death scenes 🤭
Tommy himself I loved as well. However, this brings me to the one thing about the book that I didn't enjoy - and that is how open everything was left. There is still a lot of mystery to the story and plenty of questions left unanswered. Sodergren teases us at the very end, tempting us with the promise of answers delivered just to rip it away 😭 But, once again, leaving things off the way he did is also intentional to the story & Becky's personal journey, so I both love & hate the ending.
Live discussion delving into full spoilers and every little thought I have: https://youtube.com/live/9_-gXIjTthg?...
January 27, 2025
The first half was great. The second half was a bit of a mess for me...
June 1, 2024
Nah Bro.
You don't write lame stuff like this after writing masterpiece like HAAR. Not good for your writing career.
There was absolutely nothing in this story. As exciting as a grocery list and got progressively worse. Seems like something written in two weeks where the author got bored after 1st week. May be Sodergren read Kealan Patrick Burke's Milestone series and was like heck I can write something like this and ended up writing stuff that he could not figure out how to end. The third act of this story is heavily padded with word "Jason Statham". And the big corporation protecting this mystery around Rumplejack was so comically laughable I could not help imagine David Sodergren watching The Cabin in the woods few days before he finished this novel. LOL.
David Sodergren needs to get rid of all the yes men around him and number one in this list should be Steve Stred. This scratching each others back is clearly not working for them as I can see both of their works suffering really bad. They need to break up.
You don't write lame stuff like this after writing masterpiece like HAAR. Not good for your writing career.
There was absolutely nothing in this story. As exciting as a grocery list and got progressively worse. Seems like something written in two weeks where the author got bored after 1st week. May be Sodergren read Kealan Patrick Burke's Milestone series and was like heck I can write something like this and ended up writing stuff that he could not figure out how to end. The third act of this story is heavily padded with word "Jason Statham". And the big corporation protecting this mystery around Rumplejack was so comically laughable I could not help imagine David Sodergren watching The Cabin in the woods few days before he finished this novel. LOL.
David Sodergren needs to get rid of all the yes men around him and number one in this list should be Steve Stred. This scratching each others back is clearly not working for them as I can see both of their works suffering really bad. They need to break up.
February 1, 2025
My first Sodergren read and for the most part, I enjoyed it. It kind of felt like a mish-mash of various horror films, or maybe a B movie novelization, but that's no bad thing.
If you are looking for a fun-filled, 80's nostalgia slasher, with a mix of gory horror and a touch of humour thrown in, you're going to have a good time here. My only gripe is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
3.5 stars
If you are looking for a fun-filled, 80's nostalgia slasher, with a mix of gory horror and a touch of humour thrown in, you're going to have a good time here. My only gripe is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
3.5 stars
August 27, 2024
3.5/5
Rotten Tommy is a gripping and darkly humorous horror novel that combines the macabre with a suspense and satire. It's also over-the-top, but I don't mind it in pulp reads; I like them this way.
Overall, Rotten Tommy will appeal to those who enjoy a blend of horror with a twisted sense of humor and don't mind poor characterization of the secondary characters. It was fun.
Rotten Tommy is a gripping and darkly humorous horror novel that combines the macabre with a suspense and satire. It's also over-the-top, but I don't mind it in pulp reads; I like them this way.
Overall, Rotten Tommy will appeal to those who enjoy a blend of horror with a twisted sense of humor and don't mind poor characterization of the secondary characters. It was fun.
January 19, 2025
Sodergren can do NO wrong. This guy can fucking write. As always, this novel was bat-shit crazy, gory and funny. I feel like it was the perfect length. I really love our main character. I empathized with her on many levels an she gave me a lot of laughs.
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