🩸 Horror Fiction

Blister

✍️ Jeff Strand
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$14.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A cartoonist discovers a disfigured woman living in a shed during a forced vacation.

Jason Tray, a professional cartoonist, finds himself isolated at his agent's lakeside cabin for a required break. His boredom leads him to a local bar where he meets residents who offer to show him Blister. The encounter reveals a young woman confined to a shed next to her father's home. Jason's reaction is one of shock and subsequent remorse. The narrative examines the boundary between human monstrosity and supernatural horror. Strand utilizes his background in award-winning fiction to craft a tale that balances grotesque imagery with wit. The story does not rely on complex plot twists but rather on character interaction and atmospheric dread. Readers interested in the intersection of comedy and horror will find this approach engaging. The text avoids excessive exposition, focusing instead on immediate visceral reactions.

Key Themes
fiendish secrets ghastly crimes human monsters
Literary Context

Jeff Strand is a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author. His previous works include Pressure, Dweller, and Wolf Hunt. This book aligns with the tradition of American horror fiction that blends supernatural elements with dark humor. The narrative reflects contemporary independent publishing trends in the genre.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Peter Adam Salomon · Stephen King
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798706158262

📝 Description: Blister

Jeff Strand, a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author known for works such as Pressure, Deller, and Wolf Hunt, presents Blister. The narrative follows Jason Tray, a successful cartoonist who retreats to his agent's lakeside cabin for mandatory rest. While visiting a local dive bar, Jason accepts an invitation from residents to meet a figure named Blister. He discovers her living in a shed beside her father's house, hidden from public view. Jason witnesses a hideously disfigured twenty-three-year-old woman through the window. The sight disturbs him deeply, leading to feelings of regret and a desire to apologize upon waking. The story explores themes of fiendish secrets and ghastly crimes alongside the concept of human monsters. Peter Adam Salomon, author of All Those Broken Angels, describes the work as impossible to put down. It offers a blend of character development and humor within a supernatural framework. This title suits readers who appreciate dark comedy mixed with gothic horror elements. It may not appeal to those seeking purely traditional or serious literary fiction without comedic undertones.

💎 Our verdict on Blister

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Jeff Strand crafts a tale that successfully merges dark comedy with gothic horror, creating an atmosphere of immediate visceral dread without relying on complex twists. The narrative focuses on character interaction and the exploration of human monstrosity, offering a refreshing approach for readers weary of traditional serious literary fiction. While it may not appeal to those seeking purely straightforward horror, its blend of humor and grotesque imagery makes it compelling. The work excels in atmospheric tension and character development, making it ideal for enthusiasts of dark fantasy and psychological horror who enjoy wit alongside their scares.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of comedy and horror will find this narrative engaging, as it balances grotesque imagery with wit rather than relying on complex plot twists. It suits those interested in the boundary between human monstrosity and supernatural horror, offering character development amidst atmospheric dread. The story appeals to fans of dark fantasy and gothic elements who enjoy immediate visceral reactions over excessive exposition. By focusing on character interaction and the concept of fiendish secrets, it provides a unique experience for those seeking a blend of humor and terror in a short, impactful format.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Jeff Strand crafts a tale that successfully merges dark comedy with gothic horror, creating an atmosphere of immediate visceral dread without relying on complex twists. The narrative focuses on character interaction and the exploration of human monstrosity, offering a refreshing approach for readers weary of traditional serious literary fiction. While it may not appeal to those seeking purely straightforward horror, its blend of humor and grotesque imagery makes it compelling. The work excels in atmospheric tension and character development, making it ideal for enthusiasts of dark fantasy and psychological horror who enjoy wit alongside their scares.

✍️ More books by this author Jeff Strand

The Horror Collection Toxic Edition
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeff Strand
The Horror Collection Toxic Edition
$19.99
81
Read →
Fun Times at the Bloodbath
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Jeff Strand
Fun Times at the Bloodbath
$19.99
86
Read →
Your Body Will Never Be Found
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeff Strand
Your Body Will Never Be Found
$15.99
81
Read →
The Horror Collection: Sinister Edition
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeff Strand
The Horror Collection: Sinister Edition
$16.99
81
Read →
The Horror Collection: Crystal Edition
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Jeff Strand
The Horror Collection: Crystal Edition
$15.99
86
Read →
Karma
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jeff Strand
Karma
$19.99
81
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
78
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
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
The Odds ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jeff Strand
The Odds
$14.99
86
Read →
Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary) ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jeff Strand
Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary)
$14.99
86
Read →
La noche grita ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
David Rey Fernandez
La noche grita
$14.99
86
Read →
Within Me Without Me: A Book of Dark Poetry ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Sumiko Saulson
Within Me Without Me: A Book of Dark Poetry
$14.99
86
Read →
Am I Beautiful? ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Jon Athan
Am I Beautiful?
$14.99
86
Read →
Figures in the Forest and other tales ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
C L Phillips
Figures in the Forest and other tales
$14.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist