Butchered

By: Matthew A. Clarke

Narrated by: Lucas Boyd

Ed and Wink are two friends in search of a good time. Drugs, trespass, the odd bit of petty theft, who’s going to mind? Burlow Farm is just another place ripe for the plucking. An easy target.

But the friends are about to realise they are wholly unprepared for the horrors that lie in wait both above, and below ground. Horrors that have no place in this world. Horrors that will leave them broken for the remainder of their days… should they survive.

Friendships will be tested. The bond of family will be strained.

Butchered is a dark and brutal tale from the author of INCEL and TEDDY.

©2024 Matthew A. Clarke (P)2025 Matthew A. Clarke

GRIMY!

Short and matter of fact, Butchered wastes no time getting into all of the grimy details I came for! Teen potheads Ed and Wink trespass onto the wrong farm and wind up being forced to participate in the worst kind of show. Ralphie grew up with only pigs for friends, and he didn’t even like them. Starved for a social life and a good meal, he can’t help but do whatever it takes to please his abusive parents. Ed and Wink are about to learn they made a huge mistake sneaking onto Burlow Farm.

Although I had things mostly figured out pretty early on, it did not squelch my enjoyment of hearing it play out. There was one unexpected scene that made me go eww (in a good way, of course!) If I could do half stars I’d give Butchered a hefty 4.5. I’m extremely stingy with my 5’s and this one came close.

The imagery is fantastic - not overdone, but certainly enough to paint a vivid picture. Clarke’s ability to describe brutal details in such a straightforward yet effective manner keeps me coming back for more. There isn’t too much emotion injected - it is what it is and then we move on to describe the next messed up thing. That’s just how I like it.

The performance was spectacular! The narrator’s gravelly voice is perfectly suited to this story and really sets the mood. The vocal changes between characters were well suited to their descriptions. I especially loved the sound effects - I’m almost embarrassed to say that one actually got me on my drive to work so well that I swerved a bit. Oops. It’s okay, I’m fine, we’re all fine.

My only criticism for the audio is the quick transitions between chapters. I like a brief pause to sit and marinate with the content at the end of a chapter, or for a signal when to hit pause. The transitions flowed just a little too quickly for me. (It just occurred to me that this could very well be something I can adjust in my Audible settings - I’ll have to check on that. If not, it should be!)

As always, the cover art is incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed my work commute with the pig head on my CarPlay screen. Love me a creepy co-captain! The covers are so fun that I fully intend for Clarke’s books to eventually end up on my real bookshelves! (Ya know, after the next payday or a few..)

I also wanted to mention my appreciation for the lack of certain content (SA) while still keeping it absolutely horrific. I’m a constant horror/thriller reader, and while SA doesn’t personally trigger me, it can become a bit exhausting if not overused. It’s quite refreshing to be repulsed by something different!