Short Story Sunday: Slow Burner by Laura Lippman
Slow Burner
Series: Hush Collection
Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Author: Laura Lippman
Published: July 30, 2020
46 minute read/ 33 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: October 29, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description:
A woman watches her marriage implode over text message and decides that ignorance is not bliss in this bitterly satisfying short mystery by the New York Times bestselling author of Lady in the Lake.
Liz Kelsey promised herself she’d never again spy on her feckless husband, Phil. But then she discovers a string of suggestive texts on his secret burner phone. Even worse, he’s flirting with the woman who shook their unstable marriage once before. But knowledge is power. What’s more dangerous—what Liz knows or what Phil doesn’t know?
Jessica’s Review:
I found most of this short story annoying with Liz reading her husband’s texts to another woman. He may not be having a physical affair, but he is still having an affair: Scumbag!!! The texts were annoying for me but then we get to the ending of this short story…. and YES!!! That’s all I can say with this one. It’s short, so give it a quick read or listen!
Short Story Sunday: Treasure by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Treasure
Series: Hush Collection
Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite
Published: July 30, 2020
Audiobook: 40 minute read/ 31 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: October 7, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars
Short Story Description:
Treasure is a wannabe Instagram influencer in Lagos, Nigeria. She shows off a luxurious life in a gated community that her almost five thousand followers can only dream of. @Sho4Sure is determined to be part of it. The macho mechanic is Treasure’s number one fan, and double taps and blushing emojis are no longer enough. He needs to meet her in the flesh. If only Treasure were more prepared for destiny.
Jessica’s Review:
Taking place in Nigeria, Treasure dreams to become an Instagram sensation and in some ways, she already has… and not in a good way… This is another story about the dangers of social media and putting yourself out there whether it is the truth or not. Our society has become narcissistic in ways and we are all ‘walking zombies’ constantly connected to our phones; some people can’t stand to be away from their phones at all. Smart phones have dumbed down us as a species. This is a well written story, that shows one to be aware and think about what you post on social media before you actually do it.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Short Story Sunday: Snowflakes by Ruth Ware
Snowflakes
Series: Hush Collection
Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Author: Ruth Ware
Published: July 30, 2020
Audiobook: 33 minute read/ 24 Pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: October 7, 2021
Jessica’s Rating: 2 stars
Short Story Description:
Leah has spent her formative years isolated on a remote island with her family. But their quiet existence, far from the devastated mainland, is cracking. Father, sensing a coming threat, demands that a wall be built. As the stone blockade rises, Father’s paranoia escalates. So does Leah’s dread that the violence the family left behind has found its way to their sanctuary.
Jessica’s Review:
I adore Ruth Ware but Snowflakes did not work for me. It has a dystopian feel to it, but the short story devolves into a political message. There is a conclusion that gives a small bit of a shock to the reader. The short story does go in a way I did not expect, but this one was not for me.
I listened to the audiobook version which lasted for my commute home from work. Short stories can be a nice way to pass the time, provided the story itself works for you.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK