I’m not an avid short stories fan, but I was intrigued when I saw this collection for review. I was looking for something to help bust the reading slump I was in, and this did the trick!

*many thanks to FSG and Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Fiona McFarlane's Highway Thirteen is a thriller like no other. Through a collection of linked stories, she lays out the effects on numerous lives fostered by the actions of one serial killer, a central figure that never appears as a character, but whose reach is seemingly limitless. The stories are interconnected and written well, but the pacing is slower. The connection is clear from the start and having a thread to tie these stories together was nice. If you're interested in that particular ripple effect, this one might be for you.

Highway Thirteen subverts the serial killer genre by examining the quiet aftershocks of violence in a community rather than the killer themselves. Though skillfully woven together, these interconnected tales favor methodical exploration of mundane consequences over dramatic tension. While this measured approach to showing how tragedy reshapes daily life may frustrate thriller fans, it offers a thoughtful meditation on trauma's ripple effects.

This book was not my jam, I had a hard time getting and staying into it. I think this was a me problem and not a book or author problem. This was my 1st time reading Fiona McFarlane and I will give her another try.

This work is a collection of short stories that are all in some way related to a serial killer who murdered hitchhikers in Australia during the 1990s. The protagonists of the stories range from family members of the murderer to true crime junkies to a politician with the same last name of the murderer. They range in time from the 1950s to the present day.

I actually ended up listening to this book twice. The first time I just picked it up and went about my business, and spent over half the book confused, not remembering that this was a collection of short stories (my bad). Then I waited several months and gave it a relisten so I could focus on the stories and not my confusion.

The author’s creativity was evident in the wide range and variance of these stories. I loved how the stories were all vaguely related but were so unique in their own right. There was only one that I rated less than three stars, but most were solidly four stars for me.

If you enjoy short stories that are interconnected and tell a larger story, then this is a must read. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Just as the book description says, this is a collection of short stories that are intertwined.... albeit very loosely and in some cases hard to link together. The writing style was very interesting and well done so it makes for a unique reading experience centered around a serial killer (although not always apparent) along a stretch of highway.

I was pleasantly surprised by this collection. It was, in my opinion, a thoughtful, nuanced examination of the effects of crime that went far beyond the sympathy for the offender. McFarlane was able to weave a web of stories that worked together to form a cohesive whole while also standing alone. I'm grateful for the author's efforts here and eager to see more from her in the future. A significant addition to and expansion of the true crime literature is Highway Thirteen.

Unfortunately not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

This collection exceeded my expectations. I found it to be a thoughtful, nuanced look at the impact of crime that went well beyond the pathos of the criminal. McFarlane managed to weave a web of stories that both stood singularly and created a cohesive whole. I very much appreciate what the author has done here and look forward to her work in the future. Highway Thirteen is a strong contribution and extension of the true crime literature.

Highway Thirteen is an interesting take on the serial killer trope in that it both is and is not about the serial killer himself.

The stories are interconnected and written well, but the pacing is slower. The connection is clear from the start and having a thread to tie these stories together was nice.

I expected more from the stories. They were slower and very detailed, but never quite got where I was hoping they'd go. Many of the stories were about the more mundane every day side of how a killer's actions impact the daily lives of others. If you're interested in that particular ripple effect, this one might be for you.

This is a book of short stories, using mass murder as the common starting point. Being a fan of true crime dramas and podcasts, I was drawn to this title. It was okay, and perhaps I went in with high hopes. I did enjoy the book, but don't think I will read/listen to it a second time. Some of the tales were more interesting than others. I don't know if it's because I listen/watch so many true crime shows that it felt so predictable to me. I do think it was well written and there was good character and plot development considering the short story format.

I would say this is less a book of short stories or an anthology, in my opinion. I would consider it more a group of vignettes that surround an Australian serial killer, spamming continents and decades. The stories are slices of people's lives who have, in some way, been affected by this serial killer--directly and indirectly. Stories that explore the mundanity of everyday life while also touching on the maniacal nature that follows serial killers.
This was an interesting and fun read. And I no longer want to visit Australia.

This was such a neat concept—the butterfly effect has always fascinated me and this book perfectly encapsulated it. I requested this and went into it blindly. I didn’t realize immediately that this would be a collection of stories that tie into each other, but once I picked up on where this was going, I was hooked!

This one is a DNF for me. I’m not sure if it’s the narrator or the writing itself, but I cannot get into the audiobook. I got through the first short story and found myself both bored and a bit confused, but not interested enough to continue to see if it makes more sense through the other stories.

Highway Thirteen is a collection of linked short stories about how a serial killer’s crimes connect and impact a community of everyday people.

Thank you to Fiona McFarlane, Macmillan Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

McFarlane’s newest collection of crime stories deals with murder, from its conception, planning, execution and aftermath. From the United States to Australia and beyond, this in an intelligent and disturbing collection

The concept of the book, which begins with a murder and explores its rippling effects through a series of short stories from various global perspectives, initially intrigued me. I am always appreciative of authors who take creative risks to bring something distinct and innovative to the table.

However, I found it challenging to fully immerse myself in the narratives, as the connections between the stories felt tenuous. Despite this, the book prompted me to reflect on national tragedies and the threads that connect us in the face of such events. One standout was the podcast chapter, which offered a refreshingly different perspective compared to the rest. I'm keen to explore more of McFarlane’s work in the future, as I really admired her ambitious approach to storytelling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Emma Jones does a great job narrating this collection of short stories and I highly recommend the audiobook if that is of interest.

I love to read stories about serial killers and jumped at the opportunity to read this collection of linked stories that explore the ripple effects of a serial killer's actions on a cast of characters. What I did not realize is that the killer is not a character. Like anything else in life, we all have connections with others that may impact another person's life. Here, the killer's impact on the variety of characters ranges from subtle to profound.

I love how the stories are connected, sometimes in ways that don't become clear until the very end. The stories are very well written and not overtly scarey. Really nicely done!!!

Highway Thirteen by Fiona McFarlane is an eerie book which consists of a collection of short stories that all expertly connect in some way to a serial killer in Australia. Each story is very unique from the last. I was a bit confused at the end of the first couple of stories, as I felt there had to be a purpose to each but couldn’t shake the disjointedness. But atlas, then around the fourth story, BAM, the connection hit me out of nowhere! I was not expecting the strategic tie in from the previous stories. I went back to listen to certain parts of the other stories to confirm. I enjoyed the detective vibes, as it kept me on my toes for the upcoming stories, trying to figure out the relationship between the characters to the serial killer. This was different from anything I have read before and welcomed the engrossing change!

I would like to thank Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me the opportunity to review Highway Thirteen by Fiona McFarlane, in exchange for an honest opinion. This book is out for publication on August 13, 2024. #highwaythirteen #netgalley #netgalleyreads #macmillan.audio #fionamcfarlane #eerie #shortstories #shortstorycollection #darkmystery

DNF after 2.5ish stories or 22%.

This collection will work for many readers. The concept is cool - connected stories all indirectly about a serial killer. For me, the stories are too mundane and meandering. Instead of being intrigued, I've lost interest. But if you like slow, quiet short stories with an undercurrent of darkness, this might be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I’m throwing all my stars at Highway Thirteen: Stories by Fiona McFarlane! All of them! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This crafty collection of short stories intertwines to create a fuller narrative about a serial killer who preyed on victims along a highway near Sydney, Australia. Each story stands alone, offering its own creepy and intriguing perspective, but when strung together, they form a whole story that is beyond unique; it is extraordinary.

I highly recommend the audiobook version - the narrators are each perfectly suited to their characters, enhancing the experience tenfold. And!!! it’s a Halloween read, so be sure to add it to your spooky TBR list!