When I decided to read Ushers, I didn't know what to expect. Granted, I rarely read synopses, and that was the case with this quick little read. I like Joe Hill's work that I've read, and this story was no exception. Ironically, I've only read his short stories (so far), and my only complaint with this one is that it wasn't a bit longer. I felt like this story would have worked really well as a prologue to something bigger, but with that being said, just a bit more short story would have been enough. I really liked the quick ride to a shock-drop finish, and it's likely that I won't forget this story for a while. It's probably about time I got around to reading some of Hill's novels! Thank you to #AmazonOriginalStories, #AmazonFirstReads, #JoeHill and #NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.

Loved this read by Joe Hill. Was a quick read that also managed to give me the chills. Who are the Ushers? You are about to find out!!

There was less horror and general creepiness than I expected, but this was still a great short story. The settings were immersive, and the characters were distinct and compelling (or as compelling as you can get within 20ish pages). The slow release of information about the main character’s past makes you doubt whether you’re being told the truth, and that in turn gives the story an unsettling vibe that I really enjoyed. The humour in this didn’t always work for me, and the ending felt pretty obvious, but the tension and pacing made it an interesting read nonetheless.

This was a very well written short story and it was an ok read - it didn’t leave much of a impression on me, other than it was predictable and I didn’t feel that is was creepy or unsettling, which is what I was expecting.

Joe’s writing style has left me a tad intrigued though and there is a possibility that I would read more of his work.

Thank-you Amazon Original Stories, Joe Hill and NetGalley for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

That was a short story where I had no idea what was going to happen.

I loved the easy atmosphere where you can follow the rhythm of the characters without mishaps, feeding only doubts of curiosity.

The creativity here was something that immediately won me over, I mean, the walk in the author's thinking about what the Ushers would be and how it would fit into the story... I never saw it coming.

And speaking of surprises, the ending!! As soon as I started to understand where that ending was headed, I knew I would have to recommend this story.

By the way, how the author manages to connect me with two characters that I only followed for a few pages, I will never understand, but I still love!!

ps: No, Im NOT talking about the two detectives iykyk

This was an interesting short story but I didn't absolutely love it. It was just too short and the ending was very predictable for mr. I also didn't find it all that spooky. That being said, the concept of the "ushers" was really cool. The character of Martin Lorensen was also really intriguing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second time I'm saying this about a book , the theme was cliched and yet the execution matters.

This book had me on the edge in just 29 pages. The book starts with an interview with two detectives and a young man. He is suspected to have hand in two mass tragedies where lot of people lost their lives. There is no evidence against him. So either he is a psycho or he is mastermind.

The conversation between them gave me chills. I wanted to know if the young man was actually afterall a psycho. The twist was unexpected and frankly I would have been happy if it had been either of the things but alas. That is why I call it cliched but the ending, on no. In just 29 pages, I felt attached to the characters.

That connection which made sense in the end had me go whattttttt.

Thank you very much Netgalley and Amazon original stories for this wonderful short story. Definitely one of my favourite and I already recommended it to many reader friends.

Joe Hill's short story Ushers follows two detectives as they interview a suspect in connection to a devastating train crash. What begins as a standard interrogation spirals into something far darker, uncovering layers of tension that keep the reader hooked until the end.

This was my first time reading Joe Hill, and it certainly won’t be my last. Hill is talented at pulling you into the story from the first page. The pacing is fast yet never feels rushed, allowing the plot to unfold seamlessly without becoming overcomplicated. The suspense is palpable, building with each exchange of dialogue, and while I did predict the ending, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story. Hill's knack for creating tension and atmosphere ensures Ushers leaves a lasting impression.

Note: Arc provided by Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Really interesting premise & a lot of great characterization of the two main characters in very limited page-space. The gripe with short stories is that I am always left wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This title released 11/1/24.

Great short story that manages to say enough in 29 pages, I wouldn’t have minded a longer story though. Perfectly eerie and tense.

I am probably a bit biased as I will read anything Joe Hill puts out, but this short story was a thrilling reprieve from the humdrum of everyday life! While the overall story is not anything completely unique, I still enjoyed it. The pacing flowed well, and this was one of those narratives that I wanted to sit down and read all at once.

Ushers
Joe Hill

4/5

I enjoyed this short. It's not a scary story, but it's a good one.
Detectives are interrogating a kid ... flavors of Final Destination ... This one's a deeper look at death itself.
I had a good time reading it.

4 / 5

*Thank you to NetGalleys Read Now*

I think this was maybe not the most effective short story.
I really didn't feel much of a connection to anything going on if l'm honest, which made the end, which guessed at about 60%, not very impactful.
I did *like* the characters, and the idea was interesting but not super original.
To be blunt, it's fine but probably won't be thinking about it after this week.

There’s nothing like a good horror short story, and Joe Hill’s "Ushers" is definitely a good horror short story.

Let’s start with the cover: vibrant, intriguing, just the right amount of creepy. There’s something about it that draws you right in. Kudos to the cover artist.

Now, onto the story. I admit I came in with a bias because I think Joe Hill is a fantastic author, and I’m a fan of his short stories particularly, but even amidst a great body of work, I think Ushers stands out.

In the span of just 29 pages, Martin Lorensen becomes an impressively memorable character — thoughtful, compassionate, wise beyond his years and yet still believably youthful character (I won’t name names, but there are other horror writers who I love but who seem to think that young folks these days still use words like “bodacious”) — and, perhaps, something more.

Twice, Martin appears to be on a deadly path, and twice he makes a narrow escape. Two federal agents interview him, wanting to know why.

"Martin Lorensen was either an extraordinarily lucky young man or extraordinarily *unlucky*, depending on how you wanted to look at it. Or—just possibly—luck didn’t figure into it at all."

Creepy, tense, and with a touch of humor that pulls the whole thing together, this short story is an enjoyable if slightly predictable tale. I’m not bothered by the predictability though; sometimes a story just needs to be what it is. Which, in this case, is an interesting take on a classic type of figure in horror — the story is only 29 pages so I won’t spoil which one, because I think it’s worth a read to find out.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for a copy of this story to review.

This was an interesting short story. I just felt it was long enough. The super natural elements really amped up at the end and it just felt unfinished. I loved the main character and it was an interesting different short story.

Ushers is a super short story by Joe Hill. Martin Lorensen is being investigated by two special agents for a train derailment and a shooting that occurred while he was in high school. There isn't much that I can say without spoiling the story because of how short it is, but it's great. No notes, read it, it'll take you 20 minutes. You won't regret it.

Ushers by Joe Hill is a gripping short horror story that delivers a quick, intense reading experience. Having read NOS4A2 a couple of years ago, I was highly impressed with Hill’s storytelling prowess, so I was eager to dive into this new work. I’m pleased to say that Ushers does not disappoint.

The story wastes no time getting started, quickly drawing readers in and building tension with Hill’s signature skill. It culminates in an unexpected and satisfying twist, making it ideal for anyone craving a sharp, chilling tale that can be devoured in a single sitting.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, well-crafted horror story, Ushers is worth the read. Joe Hill’s mastery of suspense and intrigue shines again in this short format.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an e-book ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Can a man walk away from more than one catastrophe and not be the cause of them?

Martin has done just that. And now 2 federal agents are there to investigate him. Anthony Duvall has been an agent long enough to know sometimes you just check the boxes and interview someone and sometimes - where there is smoke, there is fire. He isn't sure what's going on with Martin but he's sure he's not being totally honest.

Even though this is just a short, it packs a punch. I enjoyed this one as an audio and it was so good! The jokes landed perfect, the tension was tight and the twist was wonderful! I enjoy Joe Hill's work so much - and this was a great addition. Highly recommend!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Ushers by Joe Hill is a short horror story that can be enjoyed if you are looking for something quick to lit you up. I have read the author for the first time and I am quite impressed. The story picks up fast and ends with a wonderful twist. If you want to read something to finish within a night, then go ahead. This book is definitely going to entertain you.

I'm currently in the middle of NOS4A2 and really enjoying it when I spotted this short story. I'm fast becoming a short story fan and I'm definitely a Joe Hill fan. Instantly Joe Hill's writing draws you in and makes you care about characters that you've only met over a few pages. That is talent. This is one of the best short reads I've had the pleasure to come across this year. My only gripe... its too short!!! I absolutely want more of this story!!! Brilliant.