🩸 Horror Fiction

An Army of Skin

✍️ Morgan K Tanner
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$7.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A grieving man skins victims to frame his doctor, only for the skins to kill on their own.

Trevor King’s world collapses when his mother dies from a brain tumor. He holds Dr Mellick responsible and decides to destroy him through elaborate revenge. This involves killing innocent people and using their skin as part of a twisted artistic display inspired by a specific textbook. The situation escalates when the flayed skins animate and commit further murders independently. Trevor must confront whether he is still in control or merely a puppet to these undead creations. The plot twists as he uncovers hidden truths about his past and his mother’s final days, recontextualizing his entire mission.

Key Themes
revenge skin art madness
Literary Context

This novella sits within the modern independent publishing landscape of horror fiction. It appeals to readers who appreciate visceral body horror and psychological unraveling. The work reflects contemporary interests in unreliable narrators and supernatural revenge tales without relying on classic gothic settings.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Clive Barker · Thomas Ligotti · Poppy Z. Brite
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 📖 123 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781793133243

📝 Description: An Army of Skin

Trevor King loses his mother to a brain tumor and blames Dr Mellick, his work colleague and family GP. This grief drives him to frame the doctor for multiple murders by murdering and skinning innocent victims. He uses a mysterious textbook to create elaborate art pieces from the flayed skins. These skins come to life and continue the killings for him, pushing Trevor deeper into insanity. As Dr Mellick goes missing, Trevor suspects the doctor is planning a similar scheme against him. The narrative follows this descent as Trevor discovers the truth about his mother's death and his own life, turning his murderous path into a calling. Morgan K Tanner writes this compellingly menacing first novella with a firm grip on horror mechanics. It draws on traditions of body horror and psychological thriller elements where revenge blurs with supernatural consequence. The story focuses on Trevor’s internal state and the external chaos he creates. Readers who enjoy gore, moral ambiguity, and tales of vengeful protagonists will find this suitable. Those seeking lighthearted plots or clear resolutions may not connect with its dark tone.

💎 Our verdict on An Army of Skin

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Tanner delivers a menacing novella that effectively blends body horror with psychological thriller elements. The concept of flayed skins acting independently provides a unique twist on revenge tropes, pushing the protagonist toward insanity while maintaining suspense. The narrative excels in focusing on internal states amidst external chaos, creating a palpable sense of dread. It is best suited for readers who enjoy gore and moral ambiguity in their horror fiction. Those preferring clear resolutions may find the dark tone challenging, but fans of cosmic and psychological horror will appreciate the nuanced exploration of grief-driven madness and supernatural consequence without revealing the final outcome.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave visceral, uncompromising horror will find this novella compelling for its firm grip on dark mechanics and moral ambiguity. It suits those interested in the intersection of psychological thriller elements and body horror, where revenge spirals into supernatural chaos. The narrative offers a deep dive into a protagonist's descent into insanity, appealing to fans who enjoy tales of vengeful figures losing control. Those who appreciate gore and unsettling atmospheric tension will find value here. However, it is not for those seeking lighthearted plots or clear resolutions, as the tone remains consistently dark and morally complex throughout the journey.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Tanner delivers a menacing novella that effectively blends body horror with psychological thriller elements. The concept of flayed skins acting independently provides a unique twist on revenge tropes, pushing the protagonist toward insanity while maintaining suspense. The narrative excels in focusing on internal states amidst external chaos, creating a palpable sense of dread. It is best suited for readers who enjoy gore and moral ambiguity in their horror fiction. Those preferring clear resolutions may find the dark tone challenging, but fans of cosmic and psychological horror will appreciate the nuanced exploration of grief-driven madness and supernatural consequence without revealing the final outcome.

✍️ More books by this author Morgan K Tanner

The Unbeliever & The Intruder
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Morgan K Tanner
The Unbeliever & The Intruder
$7.00
78
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
81
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
81
Read →

You might also like

See more →
The Boats of the Glen Carrig ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
William Hope Hodgson
The Boats of the Glen Carrig
$7.99
86
Read →
Heartfelt Horrors: Nine Short Stories ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Michael Sellars
Heartfelt Horrors: Nine Short Stories
$7.99
86
Read →
Those Who Dwell in the Dark: Baron's Hollow: Volume 3 ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jake Anderson
Those Who Dwell in the Dark: Baron's Hollow: Volume 3
$7.99
86
Read →
The Last Known Position: Lost Without Witness ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Steve Goldsmith
The Last Known Position: Lost Without Witness
$7.99
86
Read →
Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist