15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings


Fiction - Anthology
44 Pages
Reviewed on 03/26/2025
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Mario Chávez Jovel (1980) is a Salvadoran-Canadian writer whose gripping short stories with shocking endings have captivated many readers, delving into the darkest corners of human nature.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Mario Chávez Jovel’s 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is a collection of original tales, all with unique, unsettling, and completely unexpected arcs and even more surprising character fates. In The Survivor, a man wakes up buried alive, injured and disoriented, with no recollection of how he ended up in the ground, why, and if he will make it out. Amen, Then Fire follows Raúl as he plans to interrupt a church service to publicly accuse and shoot the priest who abused him, in an act of vigilante justice where the disparity between justice and power is skewed. In My Girlfriend, a man spies on his girlfriend, suspecting infidelity, and nearly shoots the wrong people before discovering if his suspicions are correct and the best way to handle it.

In his book 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings, Mario Chávez Jovel delivers exactly what he promises—deeply uncomfortable, thoughtful, bite-sized fiction that forces readers to surrender to the ultimate collection of anti-heroes. The writing style is simple, crisp, and imaginative, with settings that are as textured as their eerie, invariably grim scenarios. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I eventually landed on two. The Wandering Stranger builds up a haunting meditation on guilt and the afterlife, following a man unknowingly walking toward his doom. Selling Coffins in a War Zone is an intelligently witty, darkly satirical glimpse into the ruthless world of funeral sales in a society numbed by violence. Jovel’s ability to balance macabre humor with existential dread is perfection, making this book a must-read for fans of short speculative fiction.

Pikasho Deka

Prepare yourself for a collection of 15 nail-biting tales in 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings by Mario Chávez Jovel. A man wakes up inside a coffin buried deep underground with gaps in his memories. Two robbers lay a trap for their unsuspecting victims but catch a large prey. The public demands answers for the arrest of a famous author, leading to the revelation of the dark secrets behind his masterpieces. A scorned ex-wife ruthlessly gets revenge on her cheating former husband. A young man finally gets the chance to confront and humiliate his childhood abuser. A woman teases her lover for having an affair with her mother. Plagued by jealousy, a man is shocked to discover the identity of the person with whom his girlfriend is cheating on him.

Mario Chávez Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings truly lives up to its name. This collection of short stories will have you biting your nails for most parts of the book. Each story has a twist ending that pulls the rug away from under your feet. You never know what to expect once you begin a new story. The author has a clear knack for crafting engrossing tales with shocking endings that you never see coming. Jovel also excels in creating characters who are easy to follow, and I was very much invested in their storylines. Although I enjoyed every single one of these tales, "The Catch," "The Secret Behind the Masterpiece," and "My Girlfriend" were my top three personal favorites. I highly recommend this collection to fans of psychological thrillers and horror!

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

Mario Chávez Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings presents an anthology of concise stories. Characters are buried alive in a coffin, are presented with cold, hard revenge and betrayal, descend into substance misuse, meet a beast who turns her lovers into something they never imagined, witness an unnatural being who attacks young women, and are pulled into lust, greed, and death. The book challenges readers with intricate plots and deep insights. Most of the narratives are realistic, proving that darkness is born out of circumstance and that you are only limited by your imagination. Some of these twisted stories end with room for a continuation, but the author's glimpse into the lives of these poor souls is just enough to keep you awake at night.

Mario Chávez Jovel's stories are brief but impactful. His work leads you to the edge and exceeds the limits of what you consider possible. Readers who only have a few moments each day to be surprised, shocked, or horrified will like dipping their toes into the lake of his thoughts, where the living or dead may tug you into the depths. The pieces resonate so deeply that you may wonder if Jovel's work is as real as the doomed author in one of his stories. Jovel twists his stories so tightly that you may need to come up for air between them. No matter how many you read at one time, you will surface with a much darker view of human nature and will look at people a little differently. Readers who enjoy psychological stories with realistic, ironic, or dark endings will love 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Mario Chávez Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is a dark and twisted collection of tales that delve into sinister themes prevalent in society. The stories feature a man who miraculously survives an organ trafficking ring, a daughter who experiences unsettling feelings toward her late mother and her boyfriend's illicit affair, and a drug-addicted man who believes that his wife and boss are conspiring against him. The collection also includes paranormal narratives, such as a man who visits a ghost town and another about a man who falls in love with a creature of the night. Additionally, the author presents revenge stories about individuals who have been sexually assaulted and seek justice. Prepare to immerse yourself in these chilling tales that explore the complexities of the human psyche.

Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is a captivating compilation that addresses themes of fear, betrayal, and the consequences of moral choices. The stories draw readers into a world where psychological turmoil leads to shocking conclusions. Mario Chávez Jovel’s storytelling is compelling, featuring suspenseful moments and unsettling endings that prompt reflection on the darkness inherent in humanity. Each narrative is unique and thought-provoking, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society. The book covers sensitive topics such as child molestation, perversion, organ harvesting, and addiction in relatable ways. It encompasses various genres, including horror, psychological thriller, and supernatural fiction, making it a multifaceted read for anyone who enjoys dark and twisted narratives. As a fan of such stories, I appreciate how the author skillfully weaves together disturbing themes that reflect the complexities of human nature and societal issues. Overall, this is great work.

Mary Clarke

Mario Chávez Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is a collection of fifteen stand-alone stories that show the darker side of human nature, fear, and paranoia. From the organ-harvesting nightmare of “The Survivor,” where a man awakens buried alive to the dark tale of “Selling Coffins in a War Zone,” the book recounts deep and haunting stories that touch on themes of horror, rape, eroticism, murder, paranoia, delusion, insecurity, and dark humor. Some stories feature protagonists who discover terrible secrets, while some show ordinary individuals who are pushed to carry out extreme actions by unseen forces, each with a shocking or violent conclusion.

One of the things that stood out to me was how the author was able to create a tense atmosphere in a story instead of relying on graphic horror. I loved how very unpredictable the stories were; at any moment, when a story started to move in a certain direction, an unexpected twist would change everything. Despite the nature of this book, I was able to pick some morals out of it. It shows the dangers of obsession and the pursuit of twisted ambitions, the importance of empathy and the risks of dehumanizing others, the destructive nature of vengeance, and the darkness that can be found in most virtuous people. I loved the narrative style Mario Chávez Jovel used; it was spooky and added tension. Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is inappropriate for younger readers due to its extreme content. I recommend it to adults who enjoy horror that will stay in your mind for a long time.

K.C. Finn

Mario Chávez Jovel's 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings is a collection of short fiction that plunges readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. In these tales, we see paranoia, guilt, and desperation fuel characters who find themselves in chilling situations with no easy escape. Whether it's a man waking up buried alive with no memory of how he got there or a writer haunted by the horrors that made him famous, each story weaves a web of psychological suspense with a sharp, unexpected sting at the end. The urban landscapes and eerie supernatural elements enhance the tension so that every story feels eerily plausible and nightmarishly surreal. Greed, betrayal, and revenge are at the heart of these twisted tales, ensuring that no character escapes unscathed. With brutal twists and mind-bending revelations, this collection is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy stories that leave a lingering sense of unease.

Author Mario Chávez Jovel has a real skill for timing the reveal in a short story, and this collection quickly becomes a masterclass in psychological suspense where each twist is sharper and more unexpected than the last. Jovel's storytelling is raw, visceral, and impossible to forget once the sinister images and clever concepts have been planted in your mind. These stories will haunt you long after the final page because they’re so often rooted in the deepest human fears we all hold in our hearts. I personally loved ‘The Beast’s Kiss’, which had several unique twists to its primal storytelling, and this is just one example of the perfect blend of horror and thriller elements that the author uses to deliver unsettling surprises at every turn. Overall, readers seeking an intense, pulse-pounding collection that explores the darkest corners of the human mind with chilling precision need look no further than 15 Disturbing Short Stories of Psychological Mayhem with Killer Endings. A recommended horror read that delivers what it promises.