Red Inside

By: Bridgett Nelson

Narrated by: John Wayne Comunale

From the morally corrupt, yet oddly sweet, mind of Bridgett Nelson, the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of A Bouquet of Viscera & What the F--k Was That?, comes a brand new tale of blood-spattered horror.

Bethany can’t wait for the end of her hospital shift – four glorious days of relaxation await. Secretly, she’s most excited about the fun-filled nights reveling in an unexpected flirtation with her co-worker, Michelle.

Thoughts of her long, cozy weekend vanish, however, when Francisco Delgado is admitted to her floor from the emergency room. Delgado, a man who came into contact with an unknown arachnid species in South America, and who now has something…squirming…beneath his skin.

Initially a medical curiosity, the case rapidly turns into a full-on body horror nightmare…one with eight legs, a deadly set of fangs, and the ability to spread through the hospital at a terrifying pace. Trapped inside the building under a rifle-enforced quarantine, Bethany, Michelle, and the rest of the staff must do whatever it takes to survive the grisly night, defending their patients against an unstoppable menace…one who seeks out the weakest prey.

We're all red inside, and tonight the proof will be splashed all over the hospital corridors.

Bridgett Nelson's mother wonders when she will mend her wicked ways and write something nice. Red Inside is not that book.

©2024 Bridgett Nelson (P)2024 Bridgett Nelson

Arachnophobia + Outbreak + Splatterpunk

An arachnophobe's worst nightmare, this display of grotesqueries combines all the fun of films like Arachnophobia and Outbreak with splatterpunk to create an amazingly compelling survival narrative. Author Nelson shows off her expertise as a registered nurse in the writing--sometimes giving almost TOO much information where some scenes feel like they're trying to insert shows like ER or House with their expositional info dumps to explain what's going on, and yet for the characters in these sequences, who are desperate to understand the nightmare they're quickly descending into, the info dumps come across more as stress-fueled hysterics for the characters than "THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT XYZ" handholding for the reader. My point here? If you haven't been turned off by spiders--specifically a monstrous form of tarantula--and the splatterpunk genre, don't let the medical terminology turn you off either. Trust me: You'll figure out what's going on as soon as the bodies start piling up in rather bloody fashion.
Note: I was provided a copy of the audiobook, which was well-narrated. There were some moments where I wasn't fully on board with a character voice or reaction, but otherwise I think it worked well for the story.
Finally, a pro-tip for readers like me who usually read a physical book rather than listen to an audiobook because you don't normally have an activity or time to just sit and listen because you HAVE to be doing something: I listened to this in my downtime while playing video games I didn't need to have the sound on for, e.g. Mortal Kombat, racing simulators, etc. Worked like a charm. I could focus on listening and still play. You can still veg out and listen. Give it a try. It'll be fun.

The Scream I Scrumpt

I have worked in healthcare in some shape or form my entire adult life. Top that with living in the PNW and this combo has been everything I never wanted. Nelson is an amazing story weaver (see what I did there?) and I cannot believe I read this right as spider season hit my area. Work will never be the same, they are absolutely crawling right out of Red Inside and into my facility. I am not okay and may need admitted myself after this one... considering I am in charge of an involuntary psych ward I cannot be the one screaming and yelling at these massive arachnids, ma'am. Can't say enough how much I enjoy Bridgett's creative writing style, delivery, sense of humor and character building. One of those authors where you know whatever you pick up you'll devour and ask for seconds.

Creepy!

A deadly spider outbreak and visceral body horror. What more could I ask for from a splatterpunk book?

The horror was well done, and I loved the diverse cast of characters. There were some funny moments, and some points where I was wincing imagining the horrors.

I had the honor of listening to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator really nailed the story, bringing the characters to life.

A Gory, Subversive Romp!

Bridgett Nelson’s DEAD INSIDE involves an outbreak in a hospital, ghastly body horror, and fresh, compelling characters to lead us through this cinematic, over the top yarn.. Highly recommended!

Whatch out for that web.

Wow. Loved this book. Bridgett is beginning to really become a must buy for me. I love spiders although I don’t think I’d ever have one as a pet. I’ll stick to dogs lol. Having John Wayne Communale be narrator was a big plus! I love to hear him read a book. This was a great book and I’m glad I got it in audio.

The Apocalypse is born with Eight Legs...

This story is visceral and haunting. I will never look at a spider the same again. The author's grasp of medical emergencies and her love of horror brings a highly entertaining must read or listen. Read or listen today! A perfect way to start your Halloween reads or listens. This story will stay with me for a long time.

Gross. And disgustingly perfect.

Bridgett Nelson’s Red Inside novella can best be described as Nurse Alyssa Versus Zombies by Scott M Baker with tarantulas instead of zombies. Nelson’s background in nursing is apparent and technically accurate, making this prime reading for the dark-humored paramedic or ER nurse. The assessment of patient zero, Dr. Delgado, is quite true to life and completely disturbing. So are the characters’ sense of self-preservation.
The horror of playing host to any parasite is disgusting, but Nelson masters the total gag factor in this invasive telling of what happens when something as unassuming as a household pet pulls the strings.
Narrated by fricken John Wayne Comunale means the audio version of this book is expertly animated so you are fully immersed in every intense scene without distraction. His performance over such an array of characters is top-notch voice acting from an expert storyteller. Though I’ve met John Wayne on more than a few occasions, this was my first experience of his narration, and I was not disappointed.
I gagged many times through the reading of this story, but like a train wreck, I could not look away. Who is next to go? What sort of weapons can one create on a physical therapy unit? What slightest mistake will bring upon their demise? Who will make it out alive? I can hear Bridgett Nelson’s menacing laugh already.
Five stars to all involved. Great story of terror from a former tarantula mom. Spectacular performance by John Wayne Comunale. Bravo.

Creepy Crawlies

In true Bridgett fashion, you're left tense and nauseous by her immersive storytelling. This gory story kept me anxious over what was going to happen next!