Joe Hill truly excels in short story form. "Ushers" is a great psychological thriller. While I could sense the finale, it still felt fresh when it happened. (How often does that happen, that you call the ending but still enjoy it? For me - not often.)

In "Ushers," two federal agents Duvall and Oates sit down are assigned to investigate Martin, a young man who has, incredibly survived several events where scores of others died.

Hill quickly creates a world where death and horror lurk. His characters are vivid and authentic. Their reactions to something otherworldly are very real and very scary.

Readers will devour "Ushers" in one sitting, with a little bit of terror and a lot of enjoyment.

Only Joe Hill can grip you this much in such a short amount of pages!

Master craft on engaging characters with such little time spent with them, there’s not much I can say without spoiling anything
But this is worth every single word on its 28pages

I love Joe Hill. I love the crazy ideas he comes up with, and this one was certainly interesting. For me, I think maybe a short story wasn't quite the best format for this idea and so while I got interested right away upon meeting our officers and young Martin, I felt like it kind of fell flat once we learned about the ushers. I liked the characters and wanted to know more about them, I was already feeling drawn in and asking questions about the hospice home and the high school, about Duvall's daughter...I was fully prepared to strap in for the ride. Then there was kind of the "reveal" and I went, hmmm. And that was kind of it. I knew how it was going to end and I felt, well, let down.

If you like the super weird, super creepy stories that Joe Hill usually tells, this is probably going to be a pass from you. If you just read it as a one-off short story, I think it'd be just fine (and I know the Amazon Originals tend to group a bunch of stories by authors who write a particular genre together to expose readers to a bunch of different authors....and I LOVE that about their collections!)

Please don't hate me, Joe Hill! You are still a must buy for me and I will read anything and everything you write!!

Joe Hill’s Ushers is a masterfully crafted short story that delivers a perfect blend of eerie atmosphere, psychological tension, and dark intrigue. Hill’s writing pulls you in from the very first sentence, immersing you in a haunting narrative that keeps you on edge throughout. The suspense builds steadily, with a slow burn that makes the shocking twists all the more impactful.

The characters are complex and well-drawn, and Hill’s ability to create a deeply unsettling mood within the confines of a short story is impressive. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists, drawing on themes of isolation, fear, and the unknown. Ushers is a fantastic example of Hill’s talent for blending horror with emotional depth, leaving readers not just scared, but emotionally affected by the story's outcome.

This short story is a must-read for any fan of Joe Hill or psychological horror. It showcases his ability to craft suspenseful, thought-provoking narratives in a short format. Ushers is the kind of story that lingers long after the last page is turned, and it’s a perfect example of why Hill continues to be one of the genre’s brightest talents.

Ushers left me absolutely captivated. The eerie atmosphere, combined with Hill's knack for blending psychological tension with supernatural horror, made this story impossible to put down. It follows a young man who takes a job at a mysterious, decaying theater, where the boundaries between reality and nightmare start to blur in chilling ways. Hill’s writing is sharp, and the way he slowly builds dread had me on edge throughout. The eerie setting and the creeping sense of doom felt almost cinematic, and I found myself holding my breath more than once. For such a short story, it packs a lot of punch, this one is definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Ushers by Joe Hill is a gripping short story about Martin Lorensen, a 23-year-old counselor who has survived two deadly disasters, seemingly by luck. Two federal agents interview him, suspecting something darker behind his improbable survival. As Martin shares his story, the truth about his escapes unfolds.

Critics praise Hill for crafting an engaging and suspenseful narrative in a short amount of time. Readers on Capes and Tights call it a "chill-inducing" experience, while The Fiction Fox highlights its ability to hook readers quickly. However, some reviewers, including those on NetGalley, wished for a longer, more developed story.

Overall, "Ushers" is a compelling, thought-provoking tale that leaves a lasting impression, even if it’s brief.

I enjoy the continued creativity of Joe Hill. This is a tight short story example, well-plotted, atmospheric, and strong. I’m glad I took the opportunity to read it.

What a great short story by the son of Stephen king. Always liked his writing and this story reflects his imagination.
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Hill is a master of setting the tone, and this was the kind of creepy story which made his name. Really would have liked to see this extended into a longer story. Have a season pass for anything Hill does

Short but a great lively read. I really enjoyed it and the style of writing.. Hall and Oates will never be the same!!

Maybe you'll like this one more if you've never seen Final Destination. But basically, it's that. Death is seen coming by one person, and they realized they can't stop it.

Ushers by Joe Hill was a very short story, but it was really impactful in its miniscule length. It was a very creepy story that was easy to imagine yourself in the circumstance of the lead character. I read this story in about 20 minutes and wanted to stare at a wall for a few minutes after just to process what I had just read. This story would be good for all lovers of Joe Hill, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, etc. It had a very classic feel. Really enjoyed it.

Ushers is a delicious short story, the perfect palate-cleanser in between thick books, especially if you enjoy a little bit of spookiness in your reads. A bit predictable, especially because of the cover, but still a lot of fun.

* I'd like to thank Joe Hill and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#Ushers #NetGalley

Great quick read that has a bit of spook to it.

I was given an eARC by the publisher through Netgalley.

Ushers is a short story by Joe Hill. It's 29 pages of entertainment. The story starts off with a young man being questioned by Federal Agents because he has managed to escape not one but two death disasters. The story unfolds and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Expect to be pulled into the story and left wanting more! Hill, excels at short stories. He manages to develop characters, storylines and transport a reader into his world with finesse and intrigue.

Very interesting premise and an above average payoff, especially for such a short novella. The characters managed to feel distinct and memorable, and the author was successful at creating a growing sense of dread throughout the story. Knocked off a star because of the predictability of the ending (though the “how” was painful!).

Highly recommend! Will look into his other works.

Joe Hill is a master storyteller and Ushers is a perfect example of that. A short read to begin with, but I plowed through the pages at lightning speed. I was moved by Martin’s tale as Hill covered death coming for everyone in a brilliant new manor; are you lucky or are you cursed?

CREEPY AS HECK. And such an inventive premise! This gave me literal chills. This was my first foray into Hill’s writing, but I will be devouring all of his books now.

This short story from Joe Hill asks the question: what happens immediately before and after we die? One young man, Martin Lorensen, knows the answer and has evaded death not once, but twice, much to the interest of two federal agents. The agents' interview with Martin, however, only introduces additional questions. I don't want to give anything away, so I highly recommend reading this yourself, preferably in one sitting late at night, alone in the dark.

I didn't read many great books last year - only a few shone out. This short story by an author I've never read before is a gem, and was a great way to bring in the new year. I rarely read horror, but can take some "light" horror (which is how I might categorize this short story). To be sure it has a creepy atmosphere, and at the very end some mystery clears up in a delicious "horror" twist.

Two federal agents are "interviewing" Martin Lorensen a recent college graduate whom they appear to suspect of being connected to a string of suspicious "accidents" - school shooting, train wreck, and others resulting in the deaths of multiple victims.

A chill will forever run up my spine, if anyone even tries to whisper in my ear!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for a copy of this story for my honest review. I honestly loved it!