🏚️ Gothic

The Sussex Fretsaw Massacre and Other Stories

✍️ C M Rosens
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$13.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A standalone collection of dark stories featuring Ricky Porter and his monstrous past.

Rosens compiles short fiction and novellas that explore the early life of Ricky Porter. The text bridges gaps between novels by revealing key moments from his youth. Readers encounter the Wes relationship mentioned in Thirteenth and events from The Day We Ate Grandad. The collection also houses new Ko-Fi exclusive stories and a Tom Brown illustration from The Crows. This arrangement allows new readers to grasp the lore without prior knowledge while rewarding existing fans with deeper context. The work relies on established supernatural themes rather than introducing entirely new mythologies.

Key Themes
Ricky Porter Sussex Fretsaw Massacre Pagan-on-Sea series
Literary Context

This 2025 release by C M Rosens sits within the contemporary independent horror market. It connects to the broader Pagham-on-Sea literary universe established in previous works like Thirteenth and The Crows. The collection serves as a bridge between standalone short fiction and longer novel narratives for American readers exploring this specific author's catalog.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Dacre Stoker · Clive Barker · Thomas Ligotti
🏚️
Gothic
🏛 C. M. Rosens 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798227381101

📝 Description: The Sussex Fretsaw Massacre and Other Stories

C M Rosens presents a standalone collection centered on Ricky Porter, offering readers a glimpse into his monstrous childhood and disturbing adolescence. This volume functions as both an entry point to the Pagham-on-Sea series and a companion to existing novels. It features the novella The Sussex Fretsaw Massacre alongside incidents from Ricky's past that reference the relationship with Wes found in Thirteenth. The text also includes flashbacks from The Day We Ate Grandad and new stories previously exclusive to Ko-Fi. The book contains an illustration by Tom Brown, originally appearing in the first edition of The Crows before its 2024 re-release by Canelo. Rosens draws on gothic and supernatural traditions to weave these disparate elements into a cohesive narrative arc. The collection is organized to provide context for longer works while standing alone as a distinct experience. This volume suits readers interested in dark character studies and interconnected horror lore. It appeals to those who enjoy detailed backstories and visual accompaniments to their reading. Fans of light romance or non-fiction will likely find the content unsuitable. The inclusion of previously exclusive material offers value for long-time followers of the author's work.

💎 Our verdict on The Sussex Fretsaw Massacre and Other Stories

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
C M Rosens delivers a compelling anthology that effectively bridges gaps in the Ricky Porter narrative. By compiling short fiction and novellas, the author creates a distinct experience that stands alone while enriching the broader series. The text successfully weaves gothic and supernatural traditions into a cohesive arc, offering new insights into the protagonist's childhood and adolescence. The inclusion of previously exclusive material and Tom Brown’s illustration enhances the reading experience for dedicated followers. This volume is best suited for readers who enjoy intricate lore building and dark psychological horror. It avoids introducing entirely new mythologies, instead relying on established themes to deepen understanding of the character's disturbing history. A strong addition for fans of interconnected horror narratives.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking deep immersion into the backstory of Ricky Porter will find this volume essential. It serves as both an accessible entry point to the Pagham-on-Sea series and a rewarding companion for those already familiar with the novels. The collection bridges narrative gaps, revealing key moments from youth and relationships mentioned in other works like Thirteenth. New readers can grasp the lore without prior knowledge, while existing fans gain deeper context through flashbacks and exclusive Ko-Fi stories. The inclusion of Tom Brown’s illustration adds visual depth to the gothic tone. Those who appreciate detailed backstories, dark character studies, and interconnected horror myths will find significant value in this cohesive exploration of a monstrous past.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

C M Rosens delivers a compelling anthology that effectively bridges gaps in the Ricky Porter narrative. By compiling short fiction and novellas, the author creates a distinct experience that stands alone while enriching the broader series. The text successfully weaves gothic and supernatural traditions into a cohesive arc, offering new insights into the protagonist's childhood and adolescence. The inclusion of previously exclusive material and Tom Brown’s illustration enhances the reading experience for dedicated followers. This volume is best suited for readers who enjoy intricate lore building and dark psychological horror. It avoids introducing entirely new mythologies, instead relying on established themes to deepen understanding of the character's disturbing history. A strong addition for fans of interconnected horror narratives.

📖 From the series “Pagham-On-Sea”

The Day We Ate Grandad
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The Crows
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