Diana is split up from her husband and having to share the kids - as it is his weekend she decides to go and stay with her friends at their farm in the country rather than spend a lonely weekend on her own.

She has to stop on the hard shoulder on the motorway as she runs over a cat but when she gets back into the car she is followed by a van in a high speed chase........is this the murderer that hasn't been caught yet!

A great short story in typical Jeffrey Archer style - very quick and easy to read with his usual twist in the tale

Diana is doing her best to clear the work on her desk and be out of the office by 5:00 when a co-worker hands her another report. Grudgingly Diana tackles the report hoping that she can get out soon for her one weekend away a month to spend with friends in the country as her children spend the weekend with Diana’s ex.

At a little before 6:00 Diana heads to her car to tackle the long ride out to her friend’s farmhouse. After leaving the city traffic and heading onto the motorway though Diana ends up with quite the surprise. Before she knows it there is a black van in her rear-view mirror getting ever closer and closer.

Never Stop on the Motorway is a short story from Jeffrey Archer which was originally part of a collection of short stories called Twelve Red Herrings. Even though my first complaint is usually I want more with a short read I really didn’t feel that with this one. I would compare reading this to skipping ahead to the juicy action in a thriller.

The story is only around 25 pages but within those pages you do learn enough about Diana and her life, a bit of build up to why she’s concerned and a rather twisty ending that I loved. Easy to say this one had me gripped all the way through and would definitely recommend it to any fan of short reads.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Archer, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Lord Jeffrey Archer has made a name for himself, with spellbinding novels spanning over three decades. He has also proven to be equally talented when it comes to the short story, as is exemplified in this electronic republication of a past piece. Diana is a successful divorced mother of two, who enjoys life whenever possible. During her only childless weekend, she accepts an invitation to a country getaway. After a brief delay, Diana dodges commuter traffic and hopes to make up for lost time. However, she is soon being followed by a large van she cannot shake, its headlights glaring into her rearview mirror. No matter what she does, Diana is unable to lose this crazed driver, who follows her when she executes the most Bond-like driving off the A1. As panic sets in, Diana recollects some recent police alert about a serial rapist who has been targeting single women on the road. With this madman on her bumper, will she be the next victim? Archer weaves a wonderful story that keeps the reader on edge for the short time they are enveloped in this piece. Perfect for that coffee or lunch break, with just enough thrill to keep the heart pumping rapidly.

In all the years I have been reading Lord Jeffrey Archer, I have yet to be underwhelmed. His stories are always full of intrigue and he hashes out his characters with ease. In a short story, it is essential to pull the reader in and have them connect to the character, which Archer does as he spins the backstory needed to feel for Diana. From there, it is the swift development of the plot and some of the subplots that keep the reader pushing forward. Archer has that mastered here, leaving the reader to wonder about this mysterious van driver and how far things will go, even as Diana has her destination in sight. As with many Archer pieces, the end is where it all comes together, pushing the protagonist to the limits before injecting a wonderful twist. This is Archer at his best, bar none.

Kudos, Lord Archer for this wonderful piece, which I cannot remember reading in the past. You have such a way with words and I can only hope you will continue churing out masterful pieces for many years to come.

I enjoyed the writing. I started this, feeling as if it was going to be something great. Then when I got to the end and realized it was nothing more than the old urban legend, I wasn't amused, I was left feeling jilted and annoyed. So much build up, great characters, then, flat.

It seems like time to mention a few good mysteries since I have not done so in a while. My guess is that you are likely familiar with Jeffery Archer's writing since he has sold roughly 330 million books worldwide. I read (and reread) Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less which was published in 1974 and would still recommend it for its twists in turns. His early works continue to be my favorites, and recently some individual short stories are becoming available for purchase to be read electronically. One is "CHEAP AT HALF THE PRICE" and involves Consuela Rosenheim who is shopping in London for an ideal birthday present for herself and thinking about finding a new husband, too. It's light, short and typically Archer with a fun twist at the end. Another is "NEVER STOP ON THE MOTORWAY" which is more of a thriller and involves the danger which Diana, a single Mum, faces as she attempts to flee a menacing van on the highway. Once again, classic Archer in that the ending is almost impossible to predict.

Excellent book. Great main characters and plot. I would recommend this book.

An excellent story, gripping, edge of your seat but far too short. Would b fine in a short story anthology but would be disappointed as a one off due to the length.

Definitely a five star short story! Tension built throughout and then I was blown away by the surprise ending. Archer has written an edge of your seat, thrilling car chase. A quick read but well worth your time.

Thanks to Archer and St. Martin's Press through NetGalley for an advance copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.

For what the story was it was good. I so think that I probably misses something with it since it just didn't have all the meat I was looking for

Definitely a story for reading aloud - & definitely NOT a story to read when alone!!
Jeffrey Archer is a natural born storyteller, & once again he has not let us down.
Whilst each novel both enthralls & surprises, he is also totally master of the short
story form. This has to be one of the most gripping, though.... & we certainly did
not guess at the conclusion.
The author will be remaining on our absolutely-all-time-favourites list, that is for sure.

A clever and exciting short story. The pace was excellent and the style was reminiscent of a horror story told by teenagers to each other around a camp fire. Definitely up to Archer's usual standard.

I wanted a quick read last night when I was in bed as I couldn't sleep and saw this one on my Kindle - Oh my goodness, I loved it - such a good read, it was fast paced and I didn't see the ending coming - definately one I'd recommend but maybe people should read it a bit earlier in the evening than I did!! (

Never Stop on the Motorway
by Jeffrey Archer
St. Martin's Press
General Fiction (Adult)
Diana, successful business woman and single parent, feels pressure on multiple fronts. She still feels the sting of the year-old divorce. Yet she chooses to remain single, partially because the single choices left much to be desired. And the men tend to think of her promiscuous after a single mistake:
"[E]very other man on the premises either smirks behind your back or treats your thigh as an extension of the arm on his chair."
Driving her Audi suburban and jamming out to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." She does have a good friend, Daniel, who has been married for twelve years with three children, she being the godmother. It is their family she is driving out to visit in the country.

After she accidentally hits a cat and mourns its passing, headlights gleam in her rearview mirror. She tries to let him pass. She slows down. She speeds in excess of a hundred miles an hour, hoping to get pulled over by the cops, but he won't stop tailgating. His bumper won't leave hers, no matter what she chooses to do.

The story leaves one surprise for the end. This pulse-pounder will leave fingernail impressions in the couch. The price for this story is reasonable. If you're into thrillers, you'll want this one. If there's any critique, it's that there feels like we need one more story beat after the surprise--not that it's needed.

END OF REVIEW

Okay, stop reading until you buy and read this for yourself. Commentary with spoilers below for those who like to discuss stories.

Link to Kindle version (available July 4)
Commentary with Spoilers
You have read the story, yes? It's only a dollar.

Unless there's a nuance I'm missing, the title "Never Stop on the Motorway" suggests this is a thriller, nothing more and nothing less. However, a quarter of the opening text or so deals with the problems women have with men. Yet she goes to a man for help. This may irk some feminists, so I was pondering what more could be meant.

If anything is meant to be said here on the topic of feminism, it may be that men can be allies, not necessarily in the background. And some men only seem to be the problem (you'll have to read the story to know what I'm referring to.

That is an "if"--whether author wanted anything more than to thrill. Nothing wrong with stories that only aim to entertain.

It was too short for me to praise the plot, but though enough to assume that it was good written.
But it still felt like a chapter from the book I've never finished.

Probably this short suspended road movie is more suitable for those readers who enjoy the author's works and also know his strength as a writer.

Never Stop on the Motorway is a fabulous short story with its plot twist and well written storyline I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short story and look forward to reading more.

I have ready many Jeffrey Archer books both full length and his short stories and have always found them addictive and extremely well written.
Jeffrey Archer is definitely an excellent story teller and his work is always entertaining. This short story is much the same, fast flowing, tense and addictive.
This short story features single mother Diana, attempting to escape a dangerous van on the highway. However, the unplanned high-speed journey is not the only surprise in this fast paced story that keeps you guessing to the very end.
I would like to thank Net Galley and St Martin's press for supplying a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.

Very quick read about a woman traveling alone that has a minor accident. After leaving her car briefly, she gets back in only to have a van constantly follow her. The reason why the van is following her is a twist. Good read, quick and easy. Thanks to NetGalley, , the author and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.