Headhunter

Cassie knew exactly what she was looking for when she trawled the world of mobile dating to find the perfect man for an afternoon of rough, kinky fantasy. She only did this once a year, and this time it was going to be extra special. But, there was just one problem... Rich thinks he's hit the jackpot when he meets a hot older woman on a dating app. She's gorgeous and doesn't want any long term commitments, just an afternoon of no-strings-attached kinky fun - what could be better? But can he be man enough to tie her up and play the role of aggressor?

Two idiots, Leonhard "Rocky" Krauss and Byron "Twig" Schlaeger, escape from a mental institution, Cedar Hill Sanitarium, and go on a murderous rampage. Rocky is a large man suffering from gigantism, and Twig is a foul-mouthed and perverted little person. Separately, they had always been mistreated and bullied, but together, they are unstoppable, unleashing sadistic and barbaric acts of violence on the assholes of society.   

Two years ago, publicly shunned comedian Diddy Dave Diamond convinced the nation that he was dead, only to return from beyond the grave to seek retribution on those who ruined his career and tainted his legacy. Innocent or not, only one person survived Diddy Dave Diamond's last-ever game show, but the forfeit prize was imprisonment for similar alleged crimes. But there's a sudden glimmer of hope: Someone has surfaced in the public eye claiming to be the dead comedian.

A dark and gripping debut psychological thriller with a horrifying premise and a stinging twist. Alex Taylor wakes up tied to an operating table. The man who stands over her isn't a doctor. The choice he forces her to make is utterly unspeakable. But when Alex re-awakens, she's unharmed - and no one believes her horrifying story. Ostracised by her colleagues, her family and her partner, she begins to wonder if she really is losing her mind. And then she meets the next victim.

The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets and room six just might hold the worst of them all. Angel knows a lot about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. He's come back today to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all. Prostitute Shyla believes the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you. But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.

For Ashley and her three friends, it was supposed to be an adventure-filled weekend. A chance to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life and experience the peaceful tranquility of nature. But when they ventured into those woods, their trip turned into a horror far beyond what they could have ever imagined. Because these four friends have wandered into the territory of the violent, grotesque Webb family. A group of psychopaths who have a taste for human meat. And they are hungry!

It doesn't seem like the perfect house, but screw it, it's good enough to rent for a year. Unfortunately for Boyd, Adeline, and their two young daughters, it's immediately clear they chose the wrong place. The nightmare begins with violent coughs and headaches. Food starts to rot almost as soon as they take it inside. A pet tarantula goes missing. Some family members begin to exhibit creepy behavior. Then the ghosts arrive, and all hell breaks loose....

Is there such a thing as a second chance in life? And if there is, what price would anyone pay to take that second chance? David and Amy Carson will be given that elusive second chance but it will require them to plumb the very depths of their souls and their beliefs. As they and their eight-year-old daughter, Daisy are preparing for a dream holiday in America, they have no idea of the maelstrom of evil and madness they are entering. They've heard nothing of the series of child abductions and murders that have plagued the area they intend to visit. They know nothing of the crazed cult that has spread terror throughout the state they are all looking forward to seeing.

Tom and Sophie Sumner have been married for 10 years. They won't make it to 11. Infidelity and neglect have torn their relationship apart, and they part ways today. Sophie is going home to the village she grew up - Cottontree. If there's any chance of Tom persuading her to give their marriage one last chance, it's now. But Cottontree is a place with a much darker past than anybody knows, and the Sumners are about to have much bigger problems than their marriage. 

This year brings 22 more in-your-face stories that break boundaries and trash taboos, transgressive tales you can't "unread" (as Chuck Palahniuk says). Some of the stories you'll find here are loaded with very graphic descriptions of violence, sex, and depravities, while others may contain only one shocking moment of brutality. In others, the hardcore aspect may be less graphic and subtler than you might expect. Some of these quieter tales offer the listener some time to recover from the more disturbing ones preceding.