EXCERPT: Duvall leaned forward, rested his forearms on the edge of the table. "Martin, do you see what I'm struggling with here? You don't get on the train and it crashes. You don't go to school and half your homeroom gets riddled with bullets."
"Mr. Duvall, you think there's something suspicious about me because I wasn't shot in a school shooting and I didn't die in a train crash." He craned his neck and peered around them in an exaggerated way. "Better take a look around. You're surrounded by people who didn't die in school shootings and weren't killed in train crashes. If that makes someone a criminal, you better call for backup. You're going to be arresting a lot of people tonight."

ABOUT 'USHERS': Martin Lorensen is a twenty-three-year-old counselor for disturbed teenagers. He’s bright, compassionate, attractive, and outgoing. He’s also—and this is the most interesting thing—not dead. Martin has improbably survived not one but two deadly disasters that claimed dozens of lives. The kid is riding one hell of a lucky streak. Two federal agents think there is something darker at play. Now that they’ve arranged to interview Martin, they want answers. Martin is ready to share everything he knows. One thing is for certain: when it comes to escaping death, luck doesn’t figure into it at all.

MY THOUGHTS: Unsettling. Chilling. Superb.

I said after I read the novel NOS4A2 by this author that he may have just outwritten his father. He has done it again here.

A short twenty minute read ideally suited to a wet and stormy day. Hold on, (reader), hold on. Something wonderful is coming.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#Ushers #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: JOE HILL born in 1972 as Joseph Hillstrom King, is an American writer of speculative fiction. Hill is the second child of the authors Stephen and Tabitha King. His younger brother Owen King is also a writer.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Original Stories via NetGalley for providing a digital e-ARC of Ushers by Joe Hill for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I’m not usually drawn to short stories, but this one really surprised me—in the best way. I was hooked from the very beginning and thoroughly enjoyed every page. Joe Hill’s storytelling is sharp, engaging, and incredibly immersive. A fantastic read!

This might be a short story, but it is definitely something that is going to stick with me for a long, long time. The descriptive writing brought this story to life, and that ending left me speechless. A fantastic, quick read that I can't recommend enough.

I felt that this short story was very cleverly written. I really liked the descriptiveness and that it had the perfect amount of creepiness to really push the envelope. This author really offers something unique and I want more. Thanks for the ARC,NetGalley.

This was a super interesting short story! While the format doesn't leave much time to explain what exactly is going on with the suspect, it gives just enough information that I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I would love a longer story in this world but I still feel satisfied.

I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but this was brilliantly written, and everything a short story should be. This was my introduction to Joe Hill's work, and I will definitely need to check out more. Four and a half stars!

What a fun, quick horror story to sample. I’ll be checking out more by Hill now. I definitely wanted this to be longer but enjoyed the quick one and done.

A really good, tightly written short story. In just a few economical scenes, Hill creates believable characters and a tantalizing glimpse into an intriguing world. I really must read more of his work.

This high-stakes thriller delivers nonstop suspense with a plot that’s as clever as it is unpredictable. Each twist tightens the grip, making it impossible to stop reading. The characters are complex and unforgettable, grounding the tension in real emotion. It’s a breathtaking, expertly written ride from beginning to end.

I wanted to know more! I hate that this was so short but it was good! I felt like we dove in quickly to what was going on but it was such an intriguing story that I would have read a full book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc. I love Joe Hill. I’ve loved him even before I knew he was Stephen kings son. This book did not disappoint. It was a little different than his other stories, but kept me intrigued!

This was a perfect spooky short story. I loved how the author dripped in a few details at a time to build the sense of impending doom. This would be a great choice for someone who wants a little scary without any gore.

This was fairly interesting but a bit predictable. For a short story it seemed to take awhile to get to the point though.

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.