Perfect for October - very spooky and eerie. I loved the contrast between the characters and the internal monologuing around all of their questioning

4.5 stars rounded up

What a fun short story! I love Joe Hill’s writing and imaginative take on the horror genre. In this story we follow to detectives as they interview a young man who recently avoided a train accident. To say anything else may give the plot away.

I enjoyed this work and found it engaging and eerie in the short amount of time it had. Highly recommend to horror lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC

I love Joe Hill's short fiction. This was a surprisingly hard hitting and thought provoking story.

This was a short little novella with a very interesting concept. I wish it was a bit longer or perhaps a full length novel was being developed for this as I believe the concept of seeing the grim reaper and saving their victims is a great premise.

This was a very short read but even though it was short, it was not at all lacking in substance. It follows a man who manages to escape tragedy not once, but twice. But is it luck or something more?
It was a unique concept and very well written, especially considering the length of the story. Hill managed to pack an engaging and interesting story into a 20-30 minute read. I highly recommend this one!

Short, sweet, spooky, perfect palette cleanser between reads. I really enjoyed how this story was a little bittersweet around the events that happened and the way it treated death despite giving very eerie vibes with the visuals.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!

Twilight Zone meets Steven King in this delightful horror short story. Buckle up, Joe Hill delivers a phenomenonal tale that you can't put down!
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book!

Ooh this was short but strange and I loved it! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys novellas, especially anyone in that category who is also in a slump. Short but good reads like this always seem to help me break up my larger novels I'm reading at the time.

Joe Hill just got added to the list of authors for me to watch! I have my fingers crossed my request for this titles audiobook will be accepted as well, so I can compare the two and get back to you with my thoughts!

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Joe Hill and Amazon Original Sotires for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}

Joe Hill is a master of the horror short story!

It's been awhile since I've read one of his stories or novels and I was glad to dive back into his writing. Ushers is a fast paced, twisty horror story of a man who somehow keeps escaping death.

The ending was the cherry on top, definitely pick this up for a little spooky tidbit.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's not often you see a "nepo-baby" impress, but I can officially declare Joe Hill has his father's gift. I think this is the first I've read by him, but it's very well done. At just over 30ish pages on Kindle (with my font/layout choices) it's a quick read. But it's not just because it's a short story it went so quickly! It flows well, much as the style of his father Stephen King.

I won't keep comparing the two, as it does feel distinctly different. Prior to reading this, I hadn't really had a strong desire to seek out his other works, but now I'm all for it. I'll absolutely be adding his other titles to my list of "TBR". If anyone has any recommendations that'd be great, but for now I'll see what my library has available.

I give "Ushers" a solid 4.5, which I'll round up to 5 stars. An excellent semi-suspense drama with a touch of the supernatural.
Thanks for NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC.

Ushers by Joe Hill is a brilliantly crafted short story that, like all good shorts, left me wanting more. Hill has a knack for blending horror with a creeping sense of inevitability, and Ushers captures that perfectly. This story taps into the essence of suspense and fear, reminding me of the twists and atmospheric tension in movies like The Sixth Sense and Final Destination.

Hill’s storytelling is economical but impactful. He quickly establishes an eerie premise and gives just enough detail to draw you into his characters’ lives, leaving hints of a larger, more sinister world lurking in the shadows. There’s a palpable sense of dread that builds as the story unfolds, with each revelation making the conclusion feel as chilling as it is inevitable.

Ushers also plays with themes of fate and the unseen forces that seem to shape our lives—elements that are central to Final Destination and The Sixth Sense. Hill expertly walks the line between psychological and supernatural horror, leaving just enough to the imagination to keep you on edge.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful, mind-bending horror, Ushers is a short but powerful read that will linger long after you finish it. It’s a thrilling experience that leaves you wanting to dive even deeper into Hill’s darkly imaginative world.

Ushers by Joe Hill is a brilliantly crafted short story that, like all good shorts, left me wanting more. Hill has a knack for blending horror with a creeping sense of inevitability, and Ushers captures that perfectly. This story taps into the essence of suspense and fear, reminding me of the twists and atmospheric tension in movies like The Sixth Sense and Final Destination.

Hill’s storytelling is economical but impactful. He quickly establishes an eerie premise and gives just enough detail to draw you into his characters’ lives, leaving hints of a larger, more sinister world lurking in the shadows. There’s a palpable sense of dread that builds as the story unfolds, with each revelation making the conclusion feel as chilling as it is inevitable.

Ushers also plays with themes of fate and the unseen forces that seem to shape our lives—elements that are central to Final Destination and The Sixth Sense. Hill expertly walks the line between psychological and supernatural horror, leaving just enough to the imagination to keep you on edge.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful, mind-bending horror, Ushers is a short but powerful read that will linger long after you finish it. It’s a thrilling experience that leaves you wanting to dive even deeper into Hill’s darkly imaginative world.

Ushers follows Martin, a 23 year old counsellor who has managed to survive 2 mass casualty incidents in his short life. First a school shooting which claimed the lives of 18 of his peers and more recently a train derailment. Two detectives are questioning him about the events, suspecting him to be involved somewhat but they're not quite sure how. He warned two people not to get on the train.... but how could he possibly have known?

Wow. This short story had me hooked from the get go. Hill manages to set the tone and atmosphere very well. Considering it is only 29 pages long it certainly packs a punch.

The ending was somewhat predictable but the tension in the scene was palpable and that didn't spoil the experience for me.

I am excited to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon original stories for providing a copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Martin has survived two major incidents (a school shooting and a rain derailment), but is he lucky or is something else at work. Short story that had just enough space to leave you unnerved. I always enjoy Joe Hill, but this is possibly the shortest work I've read from him (and it works well).

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book was published on 11/1/24.

Rating: 4/5★ 

"Ushers” by Joe Hill is a quick, entertaining read that pulls you in with its fast-paced plot and sharp, witty banter. Hill has a knack for packing suspense and intrigue into a short story format, keeping the pace brisk without losing depth. The characters feel real and relatable, and the story’s twists keep you on your toes. If you enjoy thrillers that don’t waste time and dialogue that’s both clever and engaging, this story is a great pick.

My Blurb:

a tightly woven thriller packed with fast-paced action and smart dialogue. The story’s sharp banter and rapid twists make for a gripping read that’s hard to put down. Perfect for anyone who loves suspenseful short fiction that gets straight to the point without sacrificing impact.

Favorite Quote:

“When it comes to escaping death, luck doesn’t figure into it at all.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this short story in exchange for my honest review. This officially publishes on 11/1/24!

This is a very quick read at under 30 pages, however it packs a lot of punch. I went into this pretty blind so I had no idea where the story was going and I for sure did not see the end coming! My only personal issue with this one is that it wasn’t a full length novel, as the author definitely had a great idea going here. If you’re looking for a quick but spooky read, I absolutely recommend giving this one a try.

This is how a short, horror story should be written. The opening scenes of two Federal Agents questioning a young man about how he has amazingly escaped death from not one but two disasters catch your attention immediately. Do they suspect him of causing the events somehow?

As the story proceeds the man confesses something extraordinary to one of the agents, but it is too out there to believe. And then comes the ending which has everything a short story should have especially one which claims to be horror. The whole is as near perfect as is possible. I loved it.

When I saw this short story by Joe Hill, released yesterday, appear on NetGalley (thank you!), I immediately cleared my super busy schedule ;) to read it and I wasn’t surprised at all that I enjoyed it A LOT!!! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves his or his father’s work or just loves reading character driven paranormal stories.

This was amazing..

Two interviews with a young man named Martin, who is on the special agents’ radar because he has avoided being killed in a school shooting and in a train crash, by staying home and by making a last minute decision to not get on the train.

Are you thinking about the movie “Final Destination” like I did? If you are, don’t worry, this story is different.

It is a short story but I feel like we do get to know the characters, there are some relatable situations, backstories and even some philosophy but most of all a story you cannot stop reading, with a jaw dropping ending, intense but also peaceful in a way.

I am so excited for King Sorrow, which is his next novel, releasing next year.

Two federal officers sit down with Martin, a 23-year old counselor, for am unusual interview. Martin recently narrowly avoided a train ride that ended in disaster. But that's not the first time he managed to avoid tragedy. When he finally tells what really happened the agents will get a story they could never have imagined.
This was an enjoyable and effective little piece of storytelling. Joe Hill has as good an ability, if not better, to weave a captivating tale as his father.

Joe Hill’s latest novella packs a punch with its taut, electrifying storyline. Hill’s skill for building suspense shines as Martin unveils his disturbing secret, while two agents struggle to make sense of the unthinkable. My only complaint? I wished this had been a full-length novel—I wanted more time in Martin's world.