Short Story Sunday: Death Row by Freida McFadden
Death Row
Series: Alibis Collection #1
Author: Freida McFadden
Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Published: June 1, 2025
Audiobook: 1 hour 44 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Listened To: June 16, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 2 stars
Short Story Description:
With all hope of an appeal fading away, the fate of a condemned murderess takes a shocking turn in a breathtaking short story.
Talia Kemper is on death row for murdering her husband. She had an alibi and no known motive, yet Talia’s unwavering protestations of innocence have always been ignored. Then one day in the visiting area, she sees a recognizable stranger she’s certain is her husband. It turns out the man she’s been convicted of killing may not be dead after all. But as the days tick away toward Talia’s execution, what will it take for her to be believed?
Freida McFadden’s Death Row is part of Alibis, a collection of stories about lies, truth, and deception. It’s just a matter of what you can get away with. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
Jessica’s Review:
I’m a Freida McFadden fan, and look forward to reading her backlist and future novels. I have given her novels/short stories ranging from 3-5 stars. Death Row receives two stars. I knew it was a short story; it has been made clear which of her stories she has written are in fact not full-length novels. Whether people notice those signs or not, that is on them: Whether they read the short story description or just hit ‘buy’ because it is a McFadden novel.
The description of this short story intrigued me. I had lots of thoughts while listening to this one. McFadden’s ‘twist’ just didn’t work for me. I wanted more of a ‘crime story’ or a “Is Talia actually innocent or guilty?” versus what actually happened.
There has been confusion with some readers with the short story. On her website she does give her interpretations with the story that she wrote. (That link is here and WILL give spoilers!) My thoughts coincided with what her intentions were. For that, I was glad that I took the story in the way she intended, but again, her ending was just not for me.
I loved that Lauryn Allman was the narrator! She IS the voice of Millie from The Housemaid series for me. And she did a good job as Talia in her narration.
Though not for me, this short story might be for you. If you haven’t read anything from McFadden I would say don’t start with this one.
Purchase Links: (This short story is available on Kindle or Audio)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
An ALC Review: Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols
Granite Harbor
Author: Peter Nichols
Narrator: Peter Ganim
To Be Published: April 30, 2024
Audiobook: 11 hours 20 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: April 2-11, 2024
Jessica’s Rating: 2 stars
Book Description:
In scenic Granite Harbor, life has continued on―quiet and serene―for decades. That is until a local teenager is found brutally murdered in the Settlement, the town’s historic archaeological site. Alex Brangwen, adjusting to life as a single father with a failed career as a novelist, is the town’s sole detective. This is his first murder case and, as both a parent and detective, Alex knows the people of Granite Harbor are looking to him to catch the killer and temper the fear that has descended over the town.
Isabel, a single mother attempting to support her family while healing from her own demons, finds herself in the middle of the case when she begins working at the Settlement. Her son, Ethan, and Alex’s daughter, Sophie, were best friends with the victim. When a second body is found, both parents are terrified that their child may be next. As Alex and Isabel race to find the killer in their midst, the town’s secrets―past and present―begin bubbling to the surface, threatening to unravel the tight-knit community.
Jessica’s Review:
This one sounded right up my alley and I was interested in reading it, but it was not for me. I was sent an advanced listening copy and looked forward to listening to it. It is the ‘whodunit’ trope and a slow burn atmospheric read.
I think this is one where the narrator did not work for me. I don’t remember much about the story other than teens being killed and toads being mentioned a lot. In fact, looking at some other reviews I was shocked that I missed many things, many which should be trigger warnings and knowing these now I would have avoided this book and maybe I am fortunate that I didn’t catch this while listening. Again, I think this was the narrator, and usually I would be interested in giving the book a try in the future, but I will skip this one.
Trigger warnings to be aware of:
Animal Abuse
Sexual Assault
Child Abuse
Teen Bullying
Many thanks to the publisher for granting me an alc, I wish I could have enjoyed it!
Pre-order Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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Audiobook Review: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Forget Me Not
Author: Julie Soto
Narrators:
Callie Dalton
Teddy Hamilton
Published: July 11, 2023
Audiobook: 9 hours 15 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: November 9-14, 2023
Jessica’s Rating: 2 stars
Book Description:
An ambitious wedding planner must work with her grumpy florist ex, whose heart she broke, on the most high-profile wedding of her career, in this spicy and emotional romance from popular fanfic author Julie Soto.
He loves me; he loves me not…
Ama Torres loves being a wedding planner. But with a mother who has been married more times than you can count on your fingers, Ama has decided that marriage is not the route for her. But weddings? Weddings are amazing. As a small business owner, she knows how to match her clients with the perfect vendor to give them the wedding of their dreams. Well, almost perfect…
Elliot hates being a florist, most of the time. When his father left him the flower shop, he considered it a burden, but he’s stuck with it. Just like how he’s stuck with the way he proposed to Ama, his main collaborator and girlfriend (or was she?) two years ago. But flowers have grown on him, just like Ama did. And flowers can’t run off and never speak to him again, like Ama did.
When Ama is hired to plan a celebrity wedding that will bring her business national exposure, there’s a catch: Elliot is already contracted to design the flowers. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. Add in a meddling ex-boss, and a reality TV film crew documenting every step of the wedding prep, and Ama and Elliot’s hearts are not only in jeopardy again, but this time, their livelihoods are too.
Jessica’s Review:
This much I can say: I love the cover!
But can I please forget Forget Me Not? This one started as a buddy read with my friend Beccie but she ended up DNFing (did not finish) it at 53%. I made it through the audiobook, but it was not for me. What kept me going was all the wedding planning: I found that interesting and wanted to know what was going to happen on the big day. That was the only reason I kept listening.
Ama and Elliot are our narrators with Ama narrating present day and Elliot in the past, where it seemed like he still was! Neither of them was likeable. And Teddy Hamilton’s narration/ voice of Elliot just rubbed me the wrong way! It made Elliot even less likeable. There was also no chemistry between the two, it was all about hooking up: There was no romance here! And I’ll just say this, those sex scenes were just too much detail for me! I was skipping through the track during them. Apparently, I need ‘sweet romances’ and fun ‘rom com’/ ‘chick lit’.
All I really know about these two characters:
Elliot is grumpy and supposedly heartbroken (but again there was no romance, just sex!). Oh yeah, he also has flower tattoos all over his body which makes him hot.
Ama loves donuts to an extreme. An extreme danger: If you are allergic to peanut butter, why do you still buy peanut butter donuts? Answer: Because they are a top seller. Really?!?!?! She also has a former boss who kept showing up. Is she trying to sabotage Ama or help her?
I’m not going to say anymore about this one other than Beccie and I seem to be in the minority here. Or are we? We both had similar thoughts on the book. I kept her up to date on what happened since I finished it. Maybe we will have better luck with another buddy read at another time!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK