I love short stories and Letter Slot did not disappoint in fact, I wanted more! It was easy to follow and had great character development for a novella. This was my first Own King book but it definitely will not be my last.

The narrator did an excellent job.

Letter Slot is a deeply disturbing look at life’s unfairness, the struggle of true poverty and what we are willing to do to change our own circumstances. King builds the tension with skill and a fine touch, as the darkness creeps slowly into the lives of teenage Blake and his widowed and sickly mother. One evening, on the walk home from school, Blake slides an anonymous note in the mail slot of an abandoned building. This note reaches a someone who is able to “trade” luck, if Blake would just submit someone else’s name.

Blake trades a name, and suddenly his fortune changes, and good luck begins to come his way. But at what cost? Dark, sad and guilt-ridden. An impactful read.

The narration by Grover Gardner was on point. He keeps a sense of aloofness and a barely suppressed chuckle in his voice during the most dark parts that really enhances the story.

I enjoyed this eerie short story that explores the consequences of decision surrounding revenge. I got Stephen King vibes listening to this audiobook! It kept me engaged the entire time, and the narrator did a nice job. Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was more of a creepy short story than a horror. This was my first book by this author and I may try another.

Firstly I would like to thank Owen King , Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of ' The Letter Slot ' in audiobook format to listen to and provide an unbiased review.
Every year I look forward to Amazon's shivers collection as I am an avid horror reader and personally love the opportunity to read these wonderful short stories and discover new authors. Upon receiving a copy of this book I was shocked to find that the author Owen king is in fact the youngest son of Stephen King so this only added to my enthusiasm

The story itself is short but impactful and follows the life of a teenage boy whom is watching the everyday deteriorating
health his single parent mother is enduring whilst trying to provide for them both. He puts all his thoughts and concerns into a letter and drops it through the letter slot of an abandoned house. He is shocked when he receives a response from an unknown party offering him good fortune in return for a name of somebody he hates and despises. It soon becomes obvious that every good deed comes at a cost.

I wanted to love this story as I was drawn in by the synopsis, but unfortunately it fell a little short for me in the sense I feel it wasn't memorable. Although there was an atmospheric tension , I couldn't class this as a horror book or one that gave any chills. It was more a psychological horror that could get under your skin. Whilst I am sure it will be enjoyed by many , on this occasion it just wasn't for me. I feel it could have gone in so many other directions .
The narrator was the perfect choice to bring this story to life . He was clear , precise and relatable .
I would love to read future works from this author

Owen King’s Letter Slot is a haunting and atmospheric entry in the horror genre that leaves a lasting impression. As part of a larger series, this story stands out with its creeping tension and masterful pacing, making it a standout installment for listeners who enjoy slow-burning suspense.

King excels at gradually building unease, carefully layering details that draw the listener deeper into the unsettling world he’s created. The story unfolds with a deliberate, ominous rhythm, keeping the listener intrigued and increasingly on edge as the mystery unravels. His storytelling in audio format enhances the eerie atmosphere, making the experience all the more immersive.

Letter Slot is a chilling, well-crafted piece that showcases Owen King’s talent for psychological horror. It’s a perfect fit for fans of subtle, slow-building dread and a strong addition to the series it inhabits.

A slower burn with a classic “be careful what you wish for” vibe. Less scary, more suspenseful and strange. Strong character development and creeping unease.
Rating: 4 ⭐

A story of how far would you go for money and life’s pleasures. Would you ruin someone’s life? Sacrifice their life even? Would all that money still make you happy? This wasn’t so much a horror story, but it was thought provoking and felt like it could be real which in turn makes it creepy. I think it serves as a good reminder to be thankful for what you have and the life you are given. It should not always be about the money and “things”. I thought the ending was very thought out for being such a short novella in The Shivers Collection. I received this audiobook from NetGalley and it was a quick, enjoyable listen!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ARC version of this title in exchange for my review.

I've been a fan of Owen King for a few years now, so I was extra excited to be approved for this ARC. This book is less 'scary' but it's super creepy. And I love it! I will take super creepy any day.

Though this was a bit predictable, it was still an enjoyable read. This is part of the Shivers collection.

4 stars.

Letter Slot is a great Horror short story. This is the 2nd-Shivers Collection release that I have picked up and I enjoyed it just as much as the 1st, Jackknife. This is the 1st-time I've read from Owen King, and I can definitely see the family resemblance. This guy knows how to tell a COMPELLING story. I was hooked from the start!

This story follows Blake, a teenage boy, who lives with his single-mom. They've been struggling and Blake's Mom's health has suffered because of stress and an accident she had at their rental property. Nothing seems to be going right for them, and Blake just wants it to be better, particularly for his Mom, who does so much. He hates seeing her in pain.

As part of a school assignment, he ends up pouring out all these thoughts and emotions into a letter, and putting that letter through a mail slot of an abandoned show house. He's floored when he receives a response with an offer to help make all of their problems disappear. All he has to do is give his new pal a name; a name of someone he hates.

Blake is left with a real Faustian dilemma on his hands. He'd do anything for his Mom, but what will it cost him?

I really enjoyed how this story played out. The way it was told, it was beautifully-plotted for such a short story. I was completely sucked in and invested in the moral dilemma. I feel like King did an exceptional job creating an unsettling atmosphere, even when you didn't know exactly what was getting under your skin. It was a whole vibe; very well done.

Thank you to Brillance Publishing for providing me with a copy to read and review. Grover Gardner's narration in the audiobook was perfect for this story. I highly recommend that format!

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this short story.

Loved this hour long "haunting story" from Owen King part of the shivers collection.

Intriguing quick story.... loved how it ended!!! 4 Stars!

Sensing his mother’s failing health, a struggling teenager pours out his worries in a letter and drops it through the mail slot of an abandoned show house. He’s surprised when a response arrives, promising good fortune for the price of just one someone he hates. He’d give anything for his mother. But the true cost may be more than he’s willing to pay.

I absolutely loved this short story. I can't wait until I can read the next book by Owen King as this was my introduction to their writing. Five out of five stars from me and would be more if I could.

I'm relatively new to the horror genre, and I am not a huge fan of short stories. I usually find their limited word count leaves a short story underdeveloped and unsatisfying. However, lately, I have come across a few that I really enjoyed. These two things coupled together made me what to try it, and I'm glad I did. It was a perfect spooky bite.

Letter Slot ipitomizes the old adage "be careful what you wish for." When MC Blake, a teenage boy who only wants to make life easier for his mom, asks the universe for help, he is surprised to receive an answer. The help comes with a price, presenting Blake with an escalating moral dilemma. Letter Slot gave me Poe type vibes and was reminiscent of a movie I saw once, but with its own original twist.

I have never read an Owen King book. I was surprised when I looked him up to find he is Stephen King's son, but I shouldn't have been. I'm sure I'm the last person to know this, but Joe Hill is also a King! I read my first Sephen King book last year, and loved it. There is so much talent for father and sons! I'll definitely be looking for more of Owen King's books.

Letter Slot is part of a five book Amazon Original Series - The Shivers. I'm looking forward to reading the others when they come out on April 15th, via Amazon Prime Reading. I'll have to read with my eyes, since Canada doesn't benefit from the included audio option, which is my preferred option, especially for these types of stories. The narration by Grover Gardener was excellent and made the story more enjoyable.

Thank you Brilliance Audio & Owen King for this audiobook!

I went in blind and it was the best way to go. Think of a be careful what you wish for type horror book.

Unfortunately I didn't love this one. Some parts were creepy but I found it a bit slow and underwhelming.

It is a super quick read though and I feel it'll be perfect for many other horror lovers!

For a short story it’s definitely a 4 because it kept my attention the entire time. On another note, I’m not one for horror stories but I dabble in them occasion. For me this book wasn’t even really scary but it's decently creepy, which is what I enjoyed. It reminded me kind of Stephen King creepy but maybe that was the narration that made it that way. This is the first thing l've ever read by Owen Kin and I enjoyed it. Maybe I’ll pick up more in the fall season.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a traditional story about good and evil and being careful what you wish for. I liked it, but it didn't knock my socks off or anything.

*Audiobook from publisher

(4.5 Stars)

Thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for reading and reviewing.

This story was really good, more psychological thriller than horror. It is a very short story, but it doesn't lack for anything. There is superb character building, a familiar world, and a compelling plot.

This is the first story I've read by Owen King, but it surely will not be the last.

Owen King’s ‘Letter Slot’ is a clever and unsettling psychological horror story that lingers in the mind long after it ends. As part of The Shivers collection, it perfectly balances eerie tension with thought-provoking moral dilemmas, making it an engaging read (or, in my case, listen).

The premise is simple yet chilling: a boy sends a letter through a disused letter slot and unexpectedly receives a response. From there, the story unfolds in a way that is both slow-burning and deeply unsettling. The creeping dread builds beautifully, and while it never leans into outright terror or graphic horror, its psychological weight makes it just as haunting. I particularly enjoyed how King explores the consequences of a seemingly small action — especially the ethical twist surrounding naming someone you hate for a bit of luck.

The writing itself is strong, with well-developed characters and a steady pace that allows the tension to simmer, and the gradual buildup makes the ending all the more impactful. The narration by Grover Gardner was also excellent, adding an extra layer of atmosphere to the experience.

This was my first time reading Owen King, and I was impressed. , ‘Letter Slot’ was an engaging and eerie read that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological horror with a moral twist.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the alc.

Ok, in true King fashion (all of the Kings), this story was a bit supernatural and all a mind f... Imagine a letter slot that said you can gain luck if you tell them someone you hate. You get what you need (money, etc.) and in return, someone has tragedy befall them. It was the ending for me that blew my mind! I am not surprised given the author. This had to be one of my favorite stories in the Shivers collection!

What would you do for a little good luck?

In Letter Slot, Owen King crafts a chillingly surreal tale that feels like a quiet whisper at the back of your mind—one that grows louder with every page. The premise is deceptively simple, yet unbearably heavy: "I'll give you a bit of good luck, and in exchange, you give me a piece of paper with the name of the person in this world that you hate the most..."

Whose name would you write?

Blake, our reluctant protagonist, finds himself caught in a quiet storm of desperation and temptation, staring down that very choice. The mysterious letter slot isn’t just some urban legend—it’s an offer. A transaction. And the cost?

As Blake’s life begins to unravel in quiet, unsettling ways, he realizes this isn’t just about luck or hate. It's about consequence. About the seductive lure of an easy fix—and the impossible weight of living with the choices you make.