A short story about how your whole world can come crashing down and then get even worse if you aren’t careful. Amber didn’t deserve how she was treated. She should have destroyed the cake before sleeping though.
This would be best in a compilation of mini stories.

The narrator was engaging.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in return for this review.

Till the Last Piece is a perfect short listen for anyone that doesn’t have the time to sit down and listen to or read a full novel. For some readers it may be predictable where the story is headed but despite that i enjoyed it as a whole. The author did a perfect job of putting together a short story that had you hooked right from the start and kept you interested until the end. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Book 1 of Macabre Minutes by Kenneth Cruz.

These are short horror stories to "Shake Your Soul and Rattle Your Nerves".

Summary:
Amber’s life seems perfect—on the surface. A loving husband, an adorable daughter, and a home where laughter once reigned. But appearances are fragile, and secrets have a way of creeping into the light.

Review:
I liked the story. I wouldn't say it is predictable as such but I was able to figure out the ending... The story really made me think: what would I do in this situation? As Cruz asks, what would you do when betrayal meets opportunity? How far would you go to take back control?
It is a 30-minute thriller - perfect for a short journey or even a lunch break! i'm interested to see what other books are available in the series.

In my honest opinion, the narrator was not the right choice for this book. I found it difficult to get into - which isn't great when the book itself is only thirty minutes long!

Thank you, NetGalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Kenneth Cruz.

This was an intriguing and very short story that I enjoyed, despite not liking the narrator’s voice, which I found monotonous and unpleasant.

A whole new take on death by chocolate. Very short but good, hell hath no furry like a woman’s scorn that’s for sure. However the woman also suffered the consequences this time around.

This was a short and sweet story. It was relatable in its mundanity but still well written and executed.

The narration was very good and held up even to a much higher speed than the original.

A quick and nasty read. Not the most original plot but the characterization was believable and the twist in the end was effective. I’ll seek out more by Cruz. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Short stories are hard because you have to draw the reader in and make them care in such a short space. This story manages to do that while filling a need I didn't know I had for shorter stories that I can finish on a short drive or lunch break. The narrator told the story well and believably, and I was satisfied in the end. I hope there really are more in this series because it's so nice to have stories I don't need to stop and pick up on later. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

🎧 Reviewing for the Audiobook 🎧

Till the Last Piece is the first in an episodic-style anthology of thrilling short stories that delve into the deepest parts of ourselves. Easily devoured during a commute, on your lunch break, or while at the gym, Till the Last Piece is a quick read - helping you cross another story off your never-ending TBR list.

Although written as a short story, the plot was not rushed and Cruz gave just enough information for us to relate to and understand the motivations of the characters, while not dragging the story on for too long. The narration by Dena Kouremetis was very well done - her pacing helped to create tension and she was able to bring life to these characters who we only met for a short time.

As an avid reader of thrillers, I was able to see the "twist" coming, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing with this series. I don't think Cruz is trying to shock the reader so much as he is trying to spark a conversation about "What would we do in these situations? Would we have acted in the same way as the characters under the circumstances?"

I think this audiobook (and hopefully the future installments in the series) would be really interesting to listen to together as a book club, and then discuss after in real time when the emotions are still fresh. I think this could lead to some really interesting discussions, and would be a fun way to mix up typical book club night.

It's a challenge to set a tone and draw a reader in within the first thirty minutes. This not only managed to do that but tell the entire story in thirty minutes. I was drawn in immediately and really enjoyed this story.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

This short macabre story was just what I needed as a refresher between longer books! While brief, the story covered everything I needed to know and the horrifying ending was perfectly fitting! I would recommend to anyone who loves scary and horror, with no triggers to cheating, poisoning, and murder!

Each story offers a glimpse into the darkest corners of the human experience, blending psychological tension, supernatural elements, and the unexplainable to leave your heart racing and your thoughts spiraling.

Prepare yourself for short stories that will haunt your mind, challenge your fears, and make you question what truly lies beneath the surface. Are you ready to dive in?

I found this to be a pretty good short story. Cruz did a good job of creating the characters and setting in a short amount of time. I liked that it is a fully fleshed-out story rather than a snippet of something that feels like it is meant to be longer. The ending was quite chilling as well. Dena Kouremetis also does an excellent job. This is a strong starter for an anthology series, and I will be interested in listening to more from Macabre Minutes based off Till the Last Piece.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kenneth Cruz, and Macabre Minutes for this audio ARC.

This was such a fun little short horror story, perfect for something quick on a break or to reach a reading goal. It's not the most original story I've read but it was well written and well narrated and a fun accompaniment to my colouring tonight. I would highly recommend this audio to anyone who doesn't read a lot of horror and wants to take a small step into the genre without too much commitment. Excited to see what comes next in this series and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other works by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Listener's Copy.

"Till the Last Piece: A Perfect Recipe for Murder" is Book 1 of Macabre Minutes by Kenneth Cruz. These are short horror stories.

The audiobook is 37 minutes long and is well narrated by Dena Kouremetis.

The story is well written, but it is also very predictable.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Kenneth Cruz for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Enjoyed this as a short story. The plot was predictable with a small twist that I didn’t expect. Listened to the audiobook version. Looking forward to future episodes!

This short story which sets out to be a quick read whilst creating a gripping story does exactly what it says on the tin. The plot is pretty straightforward which at first had me feeling slight disappointment, however the ending redeemed it in my eyes. The narrator helped give life to the characters making it an enjoyable listen on my journey to work.

Short, yes; predictable, yes; macabre nonetheless. For a short story that you ultimately know what's going to happen it still packed a little punch - a tasty little morsel lol. I look forward the next installment.

I love short story collections and this one is off to a good start. While I did see the twist coming, it was entertaining, well written and well read. I’m looking forward to Volume 2 when I can get it!

This was a great short little story to listen to on lunch break. The suspense was great, the secrets were juicy, and the narration was great. 🍰