Life, Death and the In-Between

De: Matt Shaw

Narrado por: Matt Shaw

Life, Death, and the In-between: A heartbreaking supernatural horror dealing with themes of suicide, grief and the after-life. I guess I wanted to write this given my own personal struggles with thoughts of suicide. Every day I deal with some degree of pain where some days are better than others. When the pain is at its worst, my thoughts often drift to ending my own life.

When a person has exhausted all other options and doctors can find nothing "obviously" wrong, so just keep prescribing strong pain-relief which barely scratches the surface the more you take it, why would a person not look to alternative, arguably darker options? Just because my thoughts often drift in this location, it doesn't mean I am about to give up. This book, in a way, is a way for me to cope with my feelings and distract from the pain I find myself in — while exposing my inner most private thoughts and beliefs to my listeners through a fictional tale.

From the blurb within the book: I struggle with suicidal thoughts. My doctors are aware. My family and friends are too. The next time someone asks me about them, I will simply hand them this — my most personal book.

It's not all doom and gloom: Themes of grief and suicide are obviously heavy and can make for a difficult read from whatever side you come from but while I never mock either subject, there is dark humour weaved through the pages; easy really given the story is told through the eyes of the main character (1st person narration). That's not to say I won't rip your heart out throughout our journey together but, there is some light relief to be found here too and — as mentioned — hopefully further understanding to what others (or yourself may feel).

©2025 Matt Shaw Publications (P)2025 Matt Shaw Publications

If You Can Relate, self or loved one, PLEASE READ!

This book popped up on Audible & I bought it immediately. I have enjoyed everything about Matt Shaw. Love his books, his social media posts & especially his dark humor. I've never understood all the hate he gets or why people can't separate fiction from real life. I don't have any triggers or anything but when I saw the title details, I had to take a quick self inventory to make sure I was in a good enough place to read his "most personal book". I felt I was in a decent head space and would be able to listen without it sending me into my own dark spaces.

I am so grateful that Matt wrote this book and felt that he needed to narrated it. I am also stunned by the timing of it coming into my life & that I was able to listen & consider his words. I pretty much cried through the whole story. Yes it's fiction but there seems to be much truth here too. It is personal, yet eerily relatable for far too many of us. I have "lived" with intrusive thoughts of suicide for about 37 years. Some of the thoughts, feelings, pain, actions & conversations in this book could have come out of my own brain. Some of the ideas, beliefs and events discussed in this story really made me stop & think. To think about things I hadn't previously. Especially after the end, which I personally needed. I was so into the story, the ending spun me out. It also gave me food for thought, especially related to any repurcussions or consequences I had previously considered (or not). It may seem strange but I have added this book to my coping/self care board, to be reread when I next start to spiral. As a reminder.

Thank You Matt Shaw for writing this. You have a true talent. Thank you for sharing it with us.