This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

A quick and disturbing novella.

David Lagercrantz tells a story of an abusive father and his meek son in a way that keeps you engaged and questioning what is going to happen. I was not expecting that ending and I look forward to reading more of David's work in the future.

Graham Halstead did a great job narrating this story. I look forward to listening to more of Graham's work as well.

’m honestly not sure what to make of this one. It was a short story, but by the end, I felt more puzzled than anything else. I kept waiting for something to click — for the meaning or direction to become clear — but it never really did, at least not for me.

That said, there was something oddly compelling about the experience. The writing had a strange pull to it, and even if I couldn’t always follow what was happening or why, I still wanted to keep reading. Maybe it was the mood, or the mystery of it all — or maybe it’s the kind of story that makes more sense the second time around (if I ever decide to revisit it).

Right now, though, I’m left a little lost, but not necessarily in a bad way. Just... confused.

A toxic father-son bond spirals into unthinkable darkness. Lies, resentment, and betrayal unravel fast… but I saw the ending coming. Great tension, but didn’t fully land for me.

This dark and riveting short thriller packs a punch! Part of the Alibis collection—where six master storytellers explore lies, truth, and what people can get away with—False Note dives deep into betrayal, revenge, and the scars of a *toxic father-son relationship.*⁣
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It’s suspenseful and twisted in the best way, with secrets unraveling fast and furiously. I loved the sharp tension and the feeling that no one could be trusted.⁣
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Narrated by Graham Halstead, whose performance was outstanding. His intensity carried the story and added a whole new level of drama that kept me glued to my headphones.⁣
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If you’re in the mood for something short, sharp, and chilling, False Note delivers!

False Note is part of the Alibis Short Story collection recently released through Amazon Original Stories. Each story is written by a different author and they’re all standalone, so you can jump in wherever. This is book 3 and my first time reading David Lagercrantz.
One thing I like about these short story collections is discovering new writers - sometimes it leads me to explore more of their work.

False Note follows William and his strained relationship with his father, it is set in Stockholm. It’s clear early on that things between them aren’t great and that tension is the main focus throughout the 41 pages. There's a theme of deception and while there’s definitely a lot packed into such a short read, it was an okay story.

I listened to the audiobook version, it was mildly entertaining, the plot felt rushed, pretty predictable and honestly not very original. I couldn’t help but feel like it might’ve worked better as a full novel with more room for depth of character and plot development. But given the size it was an ok read, actually a listen since I went the audio route.

My thanks to Brillance Publishing for a e-audio copy in exchange for a honest review.

False Note - Alibis Collection #3

This next book in the Alibis Collection by @lagercrantzdavid had a bit of a dark Phantom of the Opera vibe (at least in my limited knowledge opinion!)

William’s connection to his father’s haunting legacy was intriguing, and I loved the mix of psychological suspensel. The pacing was fast, which made it a breeze to read, but at times I wished for a little more depth and development, especially with the relationship between William and Ebba. Still, it kept me curious and had some great chilling moments. A moody, quick thriller that’s perfect for when you’re in the mood for something slightly unsettling and quick to read.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the advanced copy of the book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

False Note is a short story in the Alibis collection by David Lagercrantz. It is translated by Elizabeth DeNoma. The audio version is narrated by Graham Halstead. Since he was five, William Homberg has been raised by his father, and seen the way he treats women: he has no intention of ever behaving the way Knut does. But his new girlfriend, Ebba convinces him to reconnect with his dad, and the famous opera singer welcomes them effusively: Ebba is starstruck. When he finds out what has transpired with Ebba, William pays his father an angry visit. But he didn’t kill him, definitely not: he has an alibi. Ultimately, though, is he more like his father than he thought?
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

This was okay. Its short but i felt like it should have been longer and more fledged out. It left something to be desired.

Dark and twisty. A quick and entertaining read about a toxic relationship between father and son and how that can bleed into other relationships. Although all three characters aren't good people in the end, you can see how opinions and behaviours from others can greatly influence good people to do bad things.
I liked the style of writing and the narration fit it well.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 6/2
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False Note is the third book in the Alibis Collection. This story is about a famous opera singer found dead and the strained relationship that he had with his son. This was definitely a bit on the odd but interesting side. This is more of a slow burn, but it's interesting enough to keep you wanting to know more. I liked the turmoil between father and son, and I really really liked the ending of this one. It's a very quick read so even if it wasnt my favorite it is definitely worth the read.
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Huge thank you to NetGalley, David Largercrantz and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Graham Halstead’s narration on this book kept me interested throughout! He’s clear, concise, and made it easy to listen to this book in a single sitting. It’s a short story about a troubled father and son relationship with some opera talk thrown in. I really liked the ending and how the short story came full circle! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fiction and family dramas!

False Note by David Lagercrantz
Narrator Graham Halstead
Short and definitely not sweet. Unkind, unhappy people in a tangled relationship. Too dark and disturbing for me. The narrator was not someone I was familiar with but he did a good job.

2.5 stars rounded up

I found this short story very engaging so that gave it the extra half a star, but overall I didn’t enjoy how this story ended. It felt very abrupt. It could’ve had just a smidge extra context.

This was very boring and just didn't work for me. I couldn't care less about the characters. The story didn't make sense and it just fell flat.

"False Note" presents a dark, intimate look at the suffocating legacy of an opera singer father and his son William's desperate search for light. While the premise of a charismatic yet cruel father and his son's attempt to break free is compelling, the execution in this Alibis Collection entry left me wanting more.
The story centers on William, who has spent his life in the shadow of his famous father's addictions and erratic behavior. His budding romance with Ebba offers a glimmer of hope, a chance to escape the cycle of darkness. However, the narrative quickly reveals that his father's influence, even after death, is a pervasive, almost inescapable force. Lagercrantz does a decent job of establishing the oppressive atmosphere and William's internal struggle.
However, where "False Note" falters is in its development. Compared to the intricate and often mind-bending plots found in other entries within the Alibis Collection, this story feels remarkably underdeveloped. The twists, when they come, are somewhat telegraphed, and the psychological depth I've come to expect from this series isn't quite there. It's a shame, as the core idea had the potential for a truly gripping and disturbing tale.
Ultimately, I'd rate "False Note" 3 stars. If this were a full-length novel, I would likely have given it only 2 stars. The brevity of the short story format, while appreciated for a quick read, also means that the narrative can't fully explore its themes or its characters' complexities. It's a fleeting glimpse into a troubled life, rather than a fully realized exploration, and doesn't quite hit the high notes of the Alibis Collection.

Not my fav of the alibis collection but overall I did enjoy the story. The ending wasn’t my favorite. But still a pretty good short story!

Im sorry this book was written in a way that I hated every character and the storyline. I feel like the plot jumped around in an unorganized way and I didn’t feel anything after reading this book except confusion. 🫠

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I liked the narration. This is a short story and it was a quick listen. This is a story about the toxic relationship between a father and a son. William’s father is a famous opera singer in Stockholm who has been selfish his whole life. William was raised in the shadow of his drunken cruelty so he has been pretty distant from him since becoming an adult. When William has a series girlfriend she talks him into seeing his father and this decision changes everything. The story is quick but one that made me think. Definitely an author I will keep an eye out for.