Full Moon

Name: Full Moon
Price: 12.39 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780244754563

✍️ Matt Shaw

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$12.39

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Four desperate strangers face a deadly lunar challenge in this gothic horror tale.

The narrative follows Paul McCarron, Melissa Kazas, Steve Grace, and Chris Minen as they are drawn into a dangerous nocturnal contest. Each participant carries the weight of their specific failures, from gambling debts to addiction and homelessness. The event known as The Run requires them to traverse a route before morning using only a flashlight. While the prize is financial salvation, the true threat emerges under the full moon. Shaw utilizes the classic werewolf trope to explore themes of desperation and survival. The story does not rely on complex world-building but rather on the immediate, visceral fear of being hunted. It captures the moment where human frailty meets supernatural cruelty. The characters must rely on no one but themselves as the night progresses and their humanity is tested by the echoing howls that define this terrifying experience.

Key Themes

desperate gambling lunar horror urban isolation

Literary Context

Published in 2019 by Lulu.com, this work sits within the contemporary independent horror market. It revives classic werewolf folklore for modern readers seeking visceral fear. The setting reflects urban decay and social marginalization common in recent supernatural fiction trends.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Neil Gaiman · Ramsey Campbell · Gothic werewolf anthologies

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2019 📖 322 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780244754563

📝 Description: Full Moon

Matt Shaw presents a tense narrative centered on four desperate individuals: Paul McCarron, a gambler burdened by insurmountable debt; Melissa Kazas, a stripper supporting her daughter; Steve Grace, an unemployed cocaine addict; and Chris Minen, a homeless man with nothing left to lose. These strangers converge when they receive an invitation to participate in The Run, a nocturnal challenge where participants must travel from Point A to Point B before dawn using only a flashlight. Success promises a life-changing sum of money, but the reality proves far more sinister than the initial offer suggests. The story draws heavily on gothic horror traditions, particularly the werewolf mythos associated with lunar cycles. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, primal forces take hold, causing howls that echo through the characters' souls. Shaw structures the plot around this single night of survival, blending elements of urban decay with supernatural terror. The narrative focuses on the psychological unraveling of men who have hit rock bottom, forcing them to confront both external monsters and their own inner demons. This work suits readers who enjoy character-driven horror where personal desperation intersects with ancient folklore. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted thrillers or complex mystery plots, as the focus remains tightly on survival against a supernatural backdrop.

💎 Our verdict on Full Moon

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Matt Shaw delivers a potent blend of gothic atmosphere and psychological intensity. The narrative excels in its immediate, visceral fear, avoiding unnecessary complexity to focus on the raw struggle for survival. By centering on four desperate strangers, the author effectively highlights how primal forces take hold when humanity is stripped to its core. The use of the werewolf trope serves not just as a monster, but as a metaphor for the internal struggles of debt, addiction, and homelessness. This approach creates a tense, claustrophobic experience that resonates with readers who prefer character-focused horror over plot-heavy mysteries. It is a solid entry for those enjoying the darker side of urban folklore.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave visceral, immediate terror rather than complex world-building will find this narrative deeply engaging. It appeals to those interested in how psychological unraveling mirrors supernatural threats, offering a tight focus on survival against a backdrop of urban decay. Fans of character-driven horror where personal desperation intersects with ancient folklore will appreciate the exploration of human frailty. The book is ideal for audiences who enjoy tense, nocturnal contests that test the limits of humanity under extreme pressure. It provides a raw look at individuals hitting rock bottom, forcing them to confront both external monsters and their own inner demons in a race against time.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Matt Shaw delivers a potent blend of gothic atmosphere and psychological intensity. The narrative excels in its immediate, visceral fear, avoiding unnecessary complexity to focus on the raw struggle for survival. By centering on four desperate strangers, the author effectively highlights how primal forces take hold when humanity is stripped to its core. The use of the werewolf trope serves not just as a monster, but as a metaphor for the internal struggles of debt, addiction, and homelessness. This approach creates a tense, claustrophobic experience that resonates with readers who prefer character-focused horror over plot-heavy mysteries. It is a solid entry for those enjoying the darker side of urban folklore.