A fun collection of stories around the theme of alibis. My favorites were the Sally Hepworth story and unexpectedly, the Chad Zunker story. Will be checking out more books by Chad Zunker in the future. These little spooky tales are a good way to pass a couple of hours with several discrete and well-crafted classic mystery stories with suspenseful twists and good characters.

Alibis Collection
Well, this is one of those reviews I'm going to start with 'Wow!', because this collection of stories is just that good. I'm going to write about my favorites.

Death Row by Frieda McFadden is in the running for one of the best and most unique stories I've ever read. I read it twice.

The Ex Wives Club by Sally and Hepworth is about a famous chef who was found dead in suspicious circumstances. There are numerous suspects since he was a very difficult person - his staff, his ex-wives, his current girlfriend, and his children. It also is an excellent story and the ending surprised me.

False Note by David Lagercrantz. The two main characters are a father and son - the father is a renowned opera singer. The father had two sides to his character - he was charming and charismatic in a room full of people, but with his girlfriends and his son, he was abusive. This was a good story but not my favorite.

The Skydivers is, in my opinion, one of the best and most surprising stories in this anthology. Two sons disagree on what to do with their father's estate. One son wants to keep the land and farm it; the other son wants to sell and split the proceeds. They are going skydiving to drop their father's ashes over his beloved acres. I read this one twice also.

The last story - Small Things - was somewhat chilling. A woman married to an abusive controlling husband finds a way to freedom.

Death Row
That was one wild ride! I always enjoy the journey McFadden takes readers on, and this novella was amazingly twisted. And as always, the twist at the end absolutely delivered.

The Ex-Wives Club:
How can a father/husband be so hateful? But karma has a way of turning the tables and Ian is about to face the consequences of his own actions.

False Note:
Karma is a b*tch, and this book proves it!
I absolutely loved how this story deals with the struggle we all face of trying so hard not to become our parents… only to catch ourselves acting just like them.

The Skydivers:
This one was just okay for me. It leaned more toward a military thriller than I expected, and nothing really stood out or hooked me. Not a bad read, just not quite my style.

Good Neighbors:
What a chaotic night this couple went through and all sparked by a friend’s decision to look into a potentially unfaithful husband. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

Small Things:
Ugh… I cannot stand men like the MMC in this novella! But I do love it when they finally get their comeuppance.

*Thank you to Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris, Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Death Row: Engaging, super twisty short story but it just made me really uncomfortable and sad… Turned me off from reading the rest in the collection unfortunately.

I really enjoyed this collection from Amazon Original Stories. Each story was short and easy to get into, which made it perfect for reading in between other books or during a busy week. I also liked being able to switch between the Kindle version and the audiobook. Both formats were well done and made it easy to stay engaged.

Like with most collections, I connected with some stories more than others, but overall they were consistently solid. Most landed in the four star range for me, which is a win. There was a nice variety in tone and style, so nothing felt repetitive.

I’m already very familiar with Freida McFadden, but the rest of the authors were new to me. It was a great way to discover some new voices, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of their work in the future!

Thank you authors, publishers, and NetGalley!

I love having short stories to read as cleansers in between longer novels. This collection was the perfect way to have several good stories on hand!

Death row - This one took me by surprise and I enjoyed the ending. Very different than I thought it would be.

The ex wives club - Whodunnit that goes back and forth between telling the story and police interviews.

False note - Quick one sitting read that’ll have you looking at alibis in a different way.

The Skydivers - Sad to say this was my least favorite of the alibis stories. I feel like I didn’t understand the ending or there wasn’t really an ending given.

Good Neighbors - Fast paced short story that had me hooked from page 1. This one was my favorite of the collection.


Small Things - This one was a quick one sitting read that kept me intrigued all the way through. It does have several trigger warnings to be sure to check out prior to reading.

I liked some of these but did not love any of them. I am always stuck either wanting more from the story or wishing it would end faster.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun collection of thrillers. Some I enjoyed more than others, but overall it was a fun time. I loved how quick of reads these were and almost all of them captured my attention from the beginning. This collection was a fun time and I enjoyed my reading experience.

This collection had its ups and downs, but overall, it was an engaging ride through different shades of psychological suspense.

“Death Row” by Freida McFadden opens with a compelling setup—was she really guilty, or just caught in a web of bad circumstances? I was intrigued at first, but the narrative lost its grip as the story went on. It became a little too chaotic and the ending didn’t quite land for me. Still, the pacing kept things moving, and for a short read, it held my attention better than if it were a full-length novel.

“The Ex-Wives Club” by Sally Hepworth was the highlight for me. I loved the layered storytelling and the dynamic between the women. Each ex had motive, secrets, and a unique voice. It felt sharp, smart, and perfectly balanced between character-driven drama and mystery. I would absolutely read a longer version of this.

“False Note” by David Lagercrantz was a bit of a miss. The characters were hard to connect with and the emotional weight didn’t hit. It had potential, but the dark themes felt overwhelming and didn’t build toward anything that truly paid off.

“The Skydivers” by Chris Bohjalian had an eerie, slow-burning tension that worked really well. The relationship between the brothers and the backdrop of grief was powerful. It packed a lot into a short format, and the final twist made it all the more haunting.

“Good Neighbors” by Chad Zunker was a fast-paced, fun surprise. It nailed the balance between suspense and readability, and I appreciated how complete it felt despite its length. The message? Sometimes it’s better not to get involved in things that don’t concern you.

“Small Things” by Wanda M. Morris was a quiet but powerful closer. It didn’t rely on dramatic turns, but rather the strength of one woman’s quiet determination. The emotional resonance lingered long after it ended.

Each story brings something different, and while not all hit the mark for me, the concept was strong and there are definitely a few standouts worth reading.

I love these Amazon collections because not only are they from the very best of the genre, they are also easy to binge. Unfortunately, this wasn't my favourite and was quite weak overall.

My individual reviews:

1. Death Row: ⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7669531523

2. The Ex-Wives Club: ⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7671661554

3. False Note: ⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673746036

4. The Skydivers: ⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673746945

5. Good Neighbors: ⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673747735

6. Small Things: ⭐⭐⭐
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7673748505

Overall a 4*
Death row was an absolute masterpiece. Chefs kiss

The other stories were good. Enjoyable and quick for short stories. Easy reads, well laid out with enough information on the short time.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review. Average 4.0 stars.
In general, all of them have twists, but none of them are scary will-have-nightmares kind of story. I was looking for very short thrillers and these are just suspense mini stories. I'm reviewing on this one since GR didn't add the collection unless it's the audio (this one).
1. Death Row 5stars. What a roller-coaster of twists. I'm still trying to digest what happened. Repugnant and disgusting details in the restaurant.
2. The Ex-Wives Club 4stars. Mixed feelings about this one. Not all cops swear you know. It was much about looks than fairness. It takes a village...
3. False Note 3stars. Too much violence that had nothing to do with the murder. So predictable!
4. The Skydivers 4stars. Pretty good. I thought everyone wanted to kill everyone.
5. Good Neighbors 4.5stars. An actual story that makes sense although a bit predictable. Kept me on my seat, though.
6. Small Things 3.5stars. Full of triggers, I had a hard time finishing the story. Easy to figure out.

Loved these. Great stories, and quick and easy to get through. Super cool to see a collection from several great authors!

Alibis is a tightly woven collection of six short thrillers from some of today’s most popular suspense authors, brought together by Amazon Original Stories. Each tale stands alone, meaning you can dive into any story without worrying about reading order—which makes this perfect for bite-sized suspense binges.

Here’s a peek into the stories that make up this darkly addictive collection:

🔹 Death Row by Freida McFadden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A woman on Death Row for murder insists she has an alibi—but the truth takes a shocking and sinister turn. McFadden delivers a chilling mind-bender that lingers.

🔹 The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When a womanizing restaurant owner is murdered in his own kitchen, all eyes turn to his three ex-wives. A smart whodunnit laced with Hepworth’s trademark psychological tension.

🔹 False Note by David Lagercrantz ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A toxic father-son relationship spirals into dark territory, unleashing betrayal and long-buried secrets. Emotionally complex and quietly unsettling.

🔹 The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two brothers clash over their inheritance—and what starts as a memorial skydive becomes something far more sinister. An eerie story about trust, legacy, and regret.

🔹 Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A woman spying on her neighbors thinks she sees something she shouldn’t... and becomes the target. Classic suburban paranoia with a sharp twist.

🔹 Small Things by Wanda M. Morris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My personal favorite. A woman escaping her abusive husband must use all her cunning to protect her freedom. Fierce, emotional, and satisfying with a punch of poetic justice.

Though each story has its own voice and setting, the common thread of questionable alibis and buried truths ties them together and makes this collection cohesive. The collection is full of deceit, betrayal, and those delicious "aha!" moments that thriller lovers crave.

Each story ranges from 36 to 83 pages, making this an ideal pick for quick yet immersive reads—I devoured most of them in a single sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this gripping collection in exchange for an honest review. If you're in the mood for short thrillers that pack a serious punch, Alibis is well worth the dive.

The Alibis Collection is a thrilling anthology of six short stories by bestselling authors including Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris. Each tale explores the murky territory between truth and deception, where alibis are both shields and weapons.

While not every story hits the mark, the collection as a whole offers a satisfying exploration of what people will do to protect their secrets—and how far they’ll go to get away with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC!

This was a wonderful collection of thriller/mystery novellas from authors I have not seen before.
Death Row — This was a quick read, as all of Freida McFadden books usually are. The twist came out of nowhere and was definitely not something I would have ever thought about but seems so realistic.
The Ex-Wives Club — Ian is found dead in a walk-in freezer at his restaurant. The possibility of suspects includes his 3 wives (current and exes), his son, daughter, and some waitstaff. The multiple POV is done perfectly to see different perspectives. I would definitely read this if it was a full book.
The Skydivers — This one started out really good. I was hoping for it being a full book instead of a novella but the last 10-20% it took a turn and I wasn’t a fan of the ending.
Good Neighbors — this was a 4 star read for me. I was hooked with every step and never feeling lost. I will be checking out other work from this author.
Small Things — This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. It felt very realistic and something that anyone could be experiencing in a daily basis. I was not expecting the twist at the end. I will be checking out more work from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read these ARCs. It was a fantastic way to be introduced into new authors that I haven’t come across yet!

I absolutely loved that each of these had a common theme, but were all very different. The Mystery, suspense, and mind blowing twist they all brought to the table had me feigning for more!! Each of these could have easily been made into a full length novel, but had the perfect amount to get it all in there lol I hope Amazon does it again soon!!

I love a good short story, and this had a bunch of them. Some were definitely better than others. I enjoyed the Freida McFadden the most with Sally Hepworth trailing right behind. Each story had some good development for it being so short. I'm thankful to Netgalley, to the authors and publishers for gifting these ARCs in exchange for an honest review.

The Alibis is a fun collection of short psychological thrillers perfect for summer reading. Each book is short, making it easy to read in short sittings. Authors like Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, and Chad Bunker (among others - 6 in total) offer a variety of choices. It also gives me a good idea of an author’s writing style and if I’d like to read more by them.

"The Alibis Collection" is like that big box of assorted chocolates you get for the holidays. You’re excited, full of anticipation, and then you realize some pieces are filled with nougat, while others are inexplicably stuffed with toothpaste. This collection is a delightful mishmash of the good, the bad, and the "did-I-really-just-read-that?"
Let's talk about the gems in this collection. For me, that is Death Note, The Ex-Wives Club and Small Things. The stories are gripping, the characters leap off the page, and the plot twists are chef’s kiss.
On the flip side, some stories are plagued with clichés, and the dialogue feels like it was written by someone whose idea of human interaction is based solely on soap operas.
In the end, "The Alibis Collection" is a mixed bag - thrilling ups, unexpected downs, and a few moments that leave you questioning your life choices. If nothing else, it's a conversation starter, the kind of book you can discuss with friends over a cocktail, as you debate which stories were the nougat and which were the toothpaste.