Two federal agents interview Martin Lorenson, who had escaped two major deadly disasters.

I guess it feels silly to say that a short story is short, but this one was even shorter than I expected. I was about 95% through when I was thinking, what was the point of this? Then the ending came and wrapped the story up so nicely that it added meaning. This will leave you with questions but I think that’s the point. Some things in life will be mysteries until the end.

“Accept that death is as natural as the rest of life. Dogs understand that. Cats understand that. Only humans have a hard time with it. And when it’s over, at least there’s someone there. At least you aren’t alone.”

Ushers comes out 11/1.

I really enjoyed this short story by Joe Hill. It reminded me of something Stephen King would have written, and I mean that as a compliment. While not particularly scary, pulpy, or comedic, I could see this as a segment on Creepshow. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

To write a compelling short story I think shows true talent. Joe Hill creates a world, develops characters, and creates a unique voice all in 29 or so pages. Martin was a character I deemed charming and fun to follow. I found his charm to jump off the page and make him feel more real to me despite our short time together. I think there was a good balance of the darker horror and thriller side because of his escapes from death while also having some humor because it is funny to see how he escaped it and the agents are determined for him to tell them how he did it. Overall this was a great short story and I did enjoy it. It is a quick read not only in pages but because you will surely love Martin and the world Hill had created.

How has Martin survived two near death experiences? Was it luck? Or is there something more sinister happening!? This book was really good. It had me engaged from the beginning and I had to know more!

Source: Netgalley for an honest review.

Ushers tells the story of two federal investigators trying to understand how it is that Martin Lorensen has gotten so lucky to avoid deadly incidents not just once, but twice. The two got involved after Martin failed to get on a train that ended up derailing, killing and injuring a number of people. A bystander posted to social media saying that he told her daughter not to get on the train, prompting authorities to get involved. Martin had also been absent the day of a school shooting when he was in high school, making his luck look suspicious. This was a rather fun short story. Martin did not come off as very charming to me, although one of the investigators seemed charmed by him. The pacing was good and the reveal was unnerving and really interesting. This is a good one for people looking for a spooky little story.

Enjoyable and fast paced short story! The concept of being able to predict death before you die has always been fascinating, and this short story captures that fascination. Surprisingly well developed characters in such a short amount of pages. I only wish it were longer.

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

I became a fan of Joe Hill after reading 'The Fireman', a brilliant mix of horror and science fiction with a good dose of humour thrown in. At 768 pages it’s a rather long (but never boring) novel, so it’s great to see he can also write fantastic short stories with the same mix of horror and wit.

In 'Ushers', a young man who has managed to first escape dying in a mass shooting at his school and in then a major train disaster is being interviewed by federal agents Duvall and Hall, who find that suspicious. They think something darker is at play and they’re not wrong there, although it’s not at all what they think. A terrific story with a perfectly clever ending. More like this please, Mr Hill!

Joe Hill has been on my list of authors to try for quite a while now, after already loving his father Stephen King ❤️❤️❤️❤️ so it was so cool that my introduction to the author was a short story to eaaaaase my way in. I feel like this short story was the perfect way to get my feel for the author. It was thrilling and creepy, and even a little scary 🤪 There was a kind of ghosty aspect to this story, which would make it perfect for Halloween season. I can’t wait to read more by Joe Hill in the very near future!

For a very short story this was actually pretty good! I definitely had an inkling of how this would end and I was correct. but other than that it was a cool way to show how normal death is in life and that it’s just another thing that happens to everyone.
Not too much to say since it was only like 50 pages, but this was actually the first piece of work I’ve read from Joe Hill and I did enjoy his writing so I will definitely be interested in some of his other books!

Ok Joe, that was a nice short!! Not to over the top on the horror! I would love to see a longer novella, etc. on Martin. Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for my DRC

Read this book with amazon first reads.

I really liked this novella. I didn't expect to be that impacted by a short amount of pages. The characters were intriguing and interesting. The ending gave me chills!! Definetly wiil check out other books by this author!

The story was good! I gave it 4 star

Joe Hill and Stephen King are two of my favorite authors ever. When I saw this available?, I was so excited! I sat down and read it and within minutes it was perfect. I love his style and the way he writes and describes people and situations. His spooky stories and ideas are wonderful. I wish there was more to this story, but it was great for the short story it was.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was an excellent short story. The interrogation at the beginning was confusing at first and the dialogue was a little cringey at times but I was intrigued and surprised by the outcome. The ending was hinted at but still shocking nonetheless. For such a short read, it was an enjoyable horror/thriller and I think it is definitely worth the read if you are a fan of the genre. Thank you to NetGalley, Joe Hill, and Amazon Original Stories for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For the first time this month, I tried to look for books to read in NetGalley, and Ushers by Joe Hill is one that is available to read. 

Ushers is a captivating short story about a 23-year-old counselor for disturbed teens named Martin Lorenson, who is a "survivor" of not one but two incidents that left a number of victims injured and/or dead, while he is always left unscathed. Due to his questionable "involvement" in the incidents, police special agents Anthony Duvall and John Oates questioned the 23-year-old if he has something to do with the incidents. Is it just a coincidence that he was there twice, or is there another reason entirely? 

I enjoyed this short story for what it is. My only gripe is that it is too short and left me wanting more. However, I do agree with the other reviewers, stating that despite its length, the author still executed the story pretty well, and it turned out great in the end. It is captivating and kept me entertained the whole time.

Joe Hill is one of the authors that I'm not gravitating towards after I read and disliked 'The Heart Shaped Box'. Nevertheless, this might be the push that I was looking for to change that and to try out some of his other books.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a free copy of this short story.

This has all the necessary ingredients for an excellent Joe Hill short story. The amount of detail and suspense in the short amount of time keeps things exciting and has you craving to keep reading. Definitely near the top of my list with other Joe Hill short stories.

This was delightful. I really enjoyed the "ushers" and even when I saw the ending coming, I still really enjoyed the journey. There were some stylistic things of Hill that I always have issues with like his dialogue, but this was a good and quick short story!

4.5/5! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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An absolute perfect example of how a short, horror story should be. This was tense, well-written, and right to the point.

Martin has escaped death twice and two federal agents are determined to find out how he has avoided these deadly circumstances on multiple occasions, accusing him of nearly every possibility. That's all you need to know. The rest unfolds perfectly.

I've never read anything else by Joe Hill, but these 29 pages have convinced me.

If you love death, grim reaper vibes, go read this.

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Thanks NetGalley & Amazon Original Stories for this e-arc in exchange for a review!

I love this concept; I can see an entire book filled with short stories about the Ushers.
Really a masterclass in creating a great atmosphere in just a few pages.

The ending is just *chef's kisses*.

I'm a big fan of Joe Hill, and I've read a number of his anthologies. He's every bit the punchy Master of Horror as his father, but his writing has a slightly different flavor. I liked this story as much as Ive liked a lot of Hill's short stories. This one is like listening to a haunting, high, clear sound.

I was able to predict the outcome fairly early, (so will you), but it's still worth reading, because Hill's characterizations are always interesting, and the end, while predictable, managed to be satisfying, and still gave me chills.

I would read a full length novel about Martin, the cheerful and irreverent subject of this story.

Ushers" by Joe Hill is a captivating and thought-provoking work of fiction that delves into the realm of the supernatural and the complexities of human existence. The story follows Martin, a man who possesses the unique ability to see the Ushers, the angels of death that guide individuals to their final moments.
Hill's masterful storytelling weaves a narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The book's premise, which centers around Martin's interviews with two police detectives as they try to uncover how he managed to escape death twice, sets the stage for a compelling exploration of the line between life and death, the nature of mortality, and the power of human resilience.
The author's use of the "Ushers" concept, a deeply intriguing and original take on the idea of death personified, adds a layer of mysticism and wonder to the story.
As Martin recounts his experiences, the reader is drawn into a world where the supernatural and the mundane coexist, and the boundaries between the two become increasingly blurred. One of the book's standout strengths lies in its character development. Martin is a complex and multifaceted protagonist, whose struggles to come to terms with his extraordinary gift and the emotional toll it takes on his life are vividly portrayed.
The interactions between Martin and the detectives, as they navigate the intricate details of his experiences, are rich with psychological depth and nuance. Moreover, "Ushers" expertly balances elements of suspense, horror, and existential contemplation, creating a reading experience that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Hill's writing is compelling, with a sharp attention to detail and an ability to craft scenes that linger in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned. Overall,
"Ushers" is a captivating and insightful work of fiction that challenges the reader's perceptions of life, death, and the unseen forces that shape the human experience. Joe Hill's masterful storytelling and the book's unique premise make it a must-read for fans of the supernatural and those who appreciate fiction that delves into the deeper questions of existence.