A short yet captivating read from Greer Hendricks. Follows a ghostwriter through an interesting client with demanding requests. Their lives continue to get more tangled until Anne figures out the truth. How far will she go?

I was a bit confused by this story. The story follows Anne, a ghostwriter, who gets a job writing for the famous Melody Wells. Melody offers Amne to sublet her apartment that is perfect for Anne and her nine year old twins. Once Anne moves in she begins to see that things are not how they appear.

Great premise and build-up, but ultimately disappointing. Doesn't really offer much and lacks punch as a short story.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Great quick read by Greer Hendricks. She's really able to dive deep into both of the main characters in just over 60 pages. Honestly wish there could have been more.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this one being a novella. It was a quick and easy reas. I liked the plot and the writing style. I'd recommend this one!

Book Review: The Sublet by Greer Hendricks

I recently had the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy (ARC) of "The Sublet" by Greer Hendricks, courtesy of NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories. This short story is a gripping and suspenseful tale that showcases Hendricks' talent for crafting psychological thrillers.

Plot Summary: "The Sublet" follows the story of a young woman who sublets an apartment in New York City, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies. The protagonist's journey begins with excitement and hope for a fresh start, but soon turns into a nightmare as she uncovers disturbing truths about the apartment's previous tenant. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Characters: Hendricks has a knack for creating complex and relatable characters. The protagonist is well-developed, with a backstory that adds depth to her motivations and actions. The supporting characters are equally intriguing, each with their own secrets and hidden agendas. The interactions between the characters are realistic and add to the overall tension of the story.

Writing Style: Greer Hendricks' writing is engaging and immersive. The pacing is perfect for a short story, with each chapter leaving the reader wanting more. The descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the setting, making it easy to visualize the eerie atmosphere of the sublet apartment. Hendricks' ability to build suspense is evident throughout the story, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

Themes: "The Sublet" explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the search for truth. It delves into the psychological impact of living in an unfamiliar place and the fear of the unknown. The story also touches on the idea of starting over and the challenges that come with it.

Conclusion: Overall, "The Sublet" is a captivating and well-written short story that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Greer Hendricks has once again proven their ability to create a compelling narrative with memorable characters and a suspenseful plot. I highly recommend this short story to anyone looking for a quick and thrilling read.

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

Anne is a ghost-writer, working for the ever demanding Melody on her new wellness book. As Anne's life becomes more entangled with the demanding Melody, strange things begin to happen. Anne and her family move into a sublet, recommended by Melody, and incidents begin to occur in the apartment. This was just ok for me, maybe because it was just a short story, so things weren't very fleshed out.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Imagine stepping into someone else's life, only to find it wasn't what you expected. Greer Hendricks’ "The Sublet" is not just a story; it’s a psychological maze, a meticulously crafted web of suspicion and secrets that will leave you questioning everything you think you know. This is a world where every smile might hide a lie, and every friendly gesture could conceal a dangerous motive.

We are drawn into a seemingly simple situation—a sublet—that quickly spirals into a chilling game of cat and mouse. There’s an atmosphere of unease from the very first page, a sense that something is lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed. The tension builds slowly, like the quiet hum of a threat growing louder, until you’re on the edge of your seat, heart pounding.

Hendricks masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing the hidden vulnerabilities, the dark pasts, and the tangled relationships that bind them together. You’ll find yourself constantly shifting alliances, unsure who to trust, who to believe. Is what you're reading real, or is it a carefully constructed illusion?

"The Sublet" is a masterclass in suspense. It’s a book that gets under your skin, that lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve finished the final page. Prepare to be captivated, to be disoriented, and to be utterly gripped by this twisting, turning tale of secrets, obsession, and the dangerous game of playing someone else’s life

Published by Amazon Original Stories on April 1, 2025

“The Sublet” is a short story. Amazon makes it available to Kindle users for a couple of dollars. It’s also available in print on a self-publishing platform.

Anne is a ghostwriter. She agrees to help Melody Wells finish a self-help book. Melody is filled with New Age attitudes about self-improvement. In addition to teaching overpriced wellness classes and writing books, Melody is hawking supplements and crystals. Anne notices that Melody’s lifestyle advice is either simplistic or contradictory, but she needs the money so she starts grinding out the pages.

Anne is married to Paul. The story’s setup depicts the turmoil of a couple living in Manhattan with two kids. Melody tells Anne that she knows of an affordable sublet that would give them more space and a better view. Anne and Paul visit the apartment and, despite their inability to enter a locked closet, make a quick decision to move in. It apparently doesn’t occur to Anne that affordable rent in a Manhattan apartment with a view is going to come with a catch.

A batty neighbor tells Anne that the previous tenant drowned in the apartment’s jacuzzi. Since the apartment doesn’t have a jacuzzi, Anne chalks up the puzzling statement to age-related confusion.

After they have lived in the apartment a bit, Anne notices that there is no door in the hallway to their neighboring apartment. She also realizes that there are scratch marks on an interior wall that appear to have been made by a cat with six toes. Oh, and the supplements that Melody gave her seem to be upsetting her stomach.

This sounds like the setup to a horror story — what evil six-fingered monster lurks behind the locked door? — but the reader is not so lucky. A monster would have been a more credible answer to the mystery than the one that Greer Hendricks contrives.

Anne’s investigation of strange facts leads to a confrontation with Melody and a solution to the puzzle. The solution is both unbelievable and unbelievably dull. By the time Anne turns the tables on Melody, using a ploy she must have gleaned from movies in the 1940s — a ploy that depends on Melody being remarkably inattentive — I no longer cared what happened to Anne. Her Manhattan problems are unlikely to be of interest to anyone who doesn’t live in Manhattan, while Melody is a parody of a villain. New York City residents might relate to the story, but for me, the thrills and chills fell flat.

NOT RECOMMENDED

2.25/5

I found this short story to be really underwhelming. For all the build up and setting, the 'twist' at the end felt too generic. Additionally at the end, the whole getting the confession scene was completely unrealistic. Overall a rather quick read but not really worth it in my opinion.

For a short story i thought it would have had a more jaw dropping powerful twist. The characters were interesting but felt like the ending really fell sort of flat. Had the potential to be very interesting

Okayyy, this one totally caught me off guard . First of all—thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I had no idea what I was getting into with this short story, but it delivered. 👏

Anne is just out here trying to do her job—ghostwriting a new motivational book for famous author Melody Wells—and suddenly I’m questioning every word on the page and side-eyeing every creepy corner of that house. At first, I thought we were heading straight into haunted house territory (and honestly I was READY for that), but then... BAM. That ending. 😵

No spoilers, but I literally had to reread the last page twice because WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED. It wasn't jump-scare scary—it was that slow-building, “something’s not right here” kind of tension. It plays mind games with you, and I love that.

Was it short? Yes.
Was it sharp? YES.
Did I appreciate the clever twist over a neat little predictable wrap-up? 1000%. 😌

This is the kind of story that makes you sit for a second after it ends, blinking like “wait, did I just get played in the best way?”

A solid 4 stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick, clever, and delightfully eerie. If you love a short story that messes with your head just a little—this one’s for you.

Just a short, fast thriller by the lovely Greer Hendricks.
A self-made working mother, her husband, and twins are handed a bunch of new opportunities when FMC takes a writing deal with a health guru.
The new apartment opportunity is...odd. Weird vibes, even the cat thinks so. There's a wacky lady next door who loves to feed pigeons.
The guru who hired her is new-age and working her like a dog.
This is a great "short but sweet" thriller. It's not long or dark enough to get you really wound up, but perfect for a quick read that will have you feeling a little edgy but satisfied. Ideally, I would've loved more to the characters and the story. It was good for the length it was though!

A gripping short story from Greer Hendricks! The Sublet hooked me from page one and kept me turning the pages. The story follows Anne and Melody, two women whose lives collide in a way that’s unsettling and thought-provoking. Hendricks does a great job weaving psychological tension into everyday situations. The ending took a surprising turn, but overall, I really enjoyed it. Perfect for fans of quick, twisty reads!

digital arc was provided by Netgalley and the publisher

I'm an avid reader or Hendricks where she co-authored some books, but this one was such a let down.
I get that pages might contribute (it's a novella after all), but it has such a fine build up, then suddenly something happens and we're reaching the climax. I think it's wasted on such build up tho, I mean, I can take another 20 pages or so to approach the climax and ending. Also, during the build up, which often a build up does, there are a red herring that's too jarring for me that involves a weird scene on scratching I thought it's gonna descend into something supernatural. Thankfully it isn't, but it's there. Overall a so-so reading.

I love Greer Hendricks’ stories, but this one missed the mark for me. I don’t know if was the lack of ability in having time to fully develop the characters, or if the story just lacked her typical ability to draw you in and wring your nerves. 2/5 stars. Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC.

As an avid fan of Greer Hendricks (and Sarah Pekkanen), I’ve always been quick to pick up everything they're written, and this novella was no different.
The plot was unique and pulled me in from the start. That said, the ending felt a bit too abrupt and fell a little flat for me. I think that had the story been stretched into a full-length novel it would have resonated more with me. Still, it’s a compelling, fast-paced read that I’d definitely recommend.

A short and twisty story typical of Greer Hendricks previous works. I have read everything she has written and this one didn't disappoint. She pulls you in from the beginning and keeps you guessing with the surprises.
Very much enjoyed this short story and am anxiously waiting for her next story.