"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.

The Alibis Collection 📚

- Book 1: Death Row, by Freida McFadden ⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Book 2: The Ex-Wives Club, by Sally Hepworth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Book 3: False Note, by David Lagercrantz ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Book 4: The Skydivers, by Chris Bohjalian ⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Book 5: Good Neighbors, by Chad Zunker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

- Book 6: Small Things, by Wanda M. Morris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this collection from Amazon Original Stories! These were all super quick short stories and were great to read and listen to (I toggled back and forth between both formats). I enjoyed some of them more than others, but they were consistently three or four stars which is always a plus ✅

I have read plenty of Freida McFadden and Sally Hepworth books before, but the rest of the authors were new to me and I was not disappointed!

Definitely check these out if you haven’t already. They do not need to be read in order, so you can certainly pick and choose!

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for these ARC’s! 🫶🏻

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories, Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris for the copy of the Alibis collection.

I’ve read Freida and Sally before and thought I would give this set a shot. These were all fun reads and I really enjoyed them all!

Overall enjoyable reads! It’s hard to have a ripper ending when the story is only 50 pages but had fun either way. I think Death Row was frustrating specifically because the ending was so up in the air - but the rest of the endings were decent. :)

I feel like I just read a script to an episode of the Twilight Zone.

The Ex-Wives Club had an interesting premise for a whodunit mystery, but the story was bogged down with too many characters crammed into a short story. The “twist” wasn’t exciting and overall the entire story felt very lackluster.

False Note was bland and one dimensional. The characters were very unlikable, and rightfully so, but also boring and the ending was no surprise. I feel this short story could have benefited from multiple POVs, particularly Ebba’s, to add some depth and interest.

This was one of the stronger entries in the Alibis collection. It was well-paced, engaging, and the dual POV gave insight to the incident from all angles. It held my attention the whole way through, and although I was happy with the ending, the story wrapped up abruptly and crammed too much into the epilogue. I wish it had maybe one more chapter to really let the ending unfold. Still, it had a great balance of suspense and intrigue for such a short story.

One of the top two stories in the Alibi collection so far. It was fast-paced, suspenseful, and unlike many short stories, it didn’t feel rushed or overloaded, making it a super easy read. It gave Desperate Housewives vibes and I quite enjoyed this one.

Small Things is the final short story of the Alibis Collection, and it was another one of the better ones. It is very much trad wife slowly rolling into hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. It was a fun read that delivers satisfying justice against verbally and emotionally abusive husbands – we all know I love giving a big middle finger to the patriarchy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for a complimentary copy of the Alibis Collection.

Great collection of short stories. What's your alibi?

Death Row- 5⭐️
Wow! Jam packed with intensity for a short story. Really makes you think at the end. On to read the rest of the Alibis collection.

The Ex-Wives Club- 5⭐️
Trifecta! Drama, humor, suspense. Fantastic detail crammed into a short story.

False Note- 4⭐️
Emotional roller-coaster for such a quick short story.

The Skydivers- 5⭐️
Intense right from the start! Flips between the day it happened and the night before with a few key characters. It is a very clever short story.

Good Neighbors- 3⭐️
Quickest drama-action with not much of a surprise in the end.

Small Things- 5⭐️
Great short story with emotion and trauma. Will there be revenge? No spoilers here. Love the title, very fitting.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a collection of short reads by six authors of which I have only read 1 of them before. Each story will keep your interest and by the end you will have discovered the villain. Each story has a different plot and style and, on that basis, I am looking forward to reading more from each of the other 5 that haven't done previously.

Each story will have you wanting to read the next story right away. This is definitely a book worth getting!

Death Row by Freida McFadden
Short stories are difficult to write because, well, they are short. Every word matters, and there are only so many in which to make a plot happen and develop characters. Even though this is longer than a typical short story (it encroaches into novella land), Freida somehow executes all the twists she is known for. Reading some of the reviews though, a lot of readers don't get the ending. Those of us in healthcare will immediately get it. The question is: was the ending deserved?

The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth
This story had a noire feel to it. He had it coming... from everyone.

False Note by David Lagercrantz
This alibis installment was just OK for me. It is a letdown on humanity from all angles.

The Skydivers by Chis Bohjalian
This is the classic "don't judge a book by its Goodreads reviews"... barely 3 stars and a really convoluted and clever story. I had suspicions that there was a hidden truth but not quite the one that came to light. In retrospect though, the breadcrumbs were there all along.

Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker
Good neighbors. Good friends. Good grief! If there ever is a lesson on MYOB, it is this story.

Small Things by Wanda M. Morris
I do love a story about sharp revenge by a scorned woman.

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review these ARCs.

3.5 ⭐
The Alibis Collection 

Death Row Frieda McFadden 
⭐⭐⭐

This story kicked off with such a strong hook: did she kill her husband, or was she truly innocent? I was all in at the start. But somewhere along the way, it spiraled into a bit of a fever dream. It started to feel chaotic, like no one (characters or author) really knew what was happening, and the ending felt rushed, leaving too many unanswered questions.

Still, I’m giving it three stars because the fast pace kept me turning pages. Honestly, if this had been a full-length novel, I might’ve dropped it to two stars or even DNF’ed. Quick and punchy and admittedly an interesting concept for a twist, but ultimately a bit unsatisfying.

The Ex Wives Club Sally Hepworth 
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story was such a standout in the collection. I genuinely wish it had been a full-length novel because I didn’t want to leave these characters behind. Sally Hepworth did such a fantastic job, as always, weaving together multiple points of view, each layered with just enough motive and mystery to keep me constantly second-guessing myself.

What I loved most was how each ex-wife brought their own backstory, secrets, and suspicions to the table. They all had strong reasons to potentially want the same man dead, but they also had solid alibis, which made the puzzle so much fun to try and piece together. It really kept me hooked right to the end.

It was fast-paced, but still had enough character depth to make me feel invested in everyone’s story. Entertaining, sharp, and satisfyingly twisty, definitely what I think will be a highlight of The Alibis Collection and a story I would happily read again if Sally ever expanded it.

False Note by David Lagercrantz
⭐️⭐️

This story was packed with dark, unlikeable characters. Honestly, I found no one to root for. The premise itself was intriguing, but for such a short story, it was surprisingly heavy with toxicity, betrayal, and crimes of passion.

I stayed interested, holding out for a twist or some moment that would elevate the story, but in the end, it just fell flat. There was no real tension or surprise, just 42 pages that ultimately felt like a journey to nowhere.

That said, I did appreciate the short, punchy chapters. I just wish the story had delivered more.

The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story really pulled me in with its weight of grief, family tension, and the complicated love between two brothers. After their father’s death, they can’t agree on what to do with the family farm, but they do agree to fulfill his final wish: to skydive and scatter his ashes over the land he loved. What should have been a moment of closure quickly spirals into tragedy. Or maybe something more deliberate.

There’s an unsettling, almost suffocating sense of doom from the very first page, and the story doesn’t hold back from the raw, sometimes gory details. It’s layered with bitterness, loss, and the kind of sibling rivalry that can quietly grow into something much darker. The final twist, revealed in the epilogue, genuinely made me pause, it reframes everything you’ve just read.

My only wish is that it had been longer. I wanted more time to really know these brothers, to sit with their grief, their history, their choices. Even so, it’s a story I’d happily revisit, especially if a fuller version ever existed.

It’s haunting, it’s thought-provoking, and it lingers long after the last page.

Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this one! For such a short story, it packed in a great balance of twists, tension, and thriller-style action. The suspense kicks off right from the first page and the pacing keeps you fully hooked. It doesn’t waste any time getting into the heart of the story.

I loved that I actually connected with the characters, which can be rare in novellas. They were enjoyable to follow, and that made the twists hit even harder. I didn’t see them coming, which made it all the more exciting! The atmosphere stayed tense throughout, and the mystery was solid,it wrapped up well without leaving anything unresolved or overly ambiguous.

This definitely felt like a full-sized thriller, even though it was a quick read. Honestly, my biggest takeaway? Mind your business 😂 Sometimes getting involved in other people’s problems isn’t worth the fallout.

If you’re after a suspenseful, fast-paced thriller that still feels satisfying and complete, this is one I’d recommend!

Small Things by Wanda M Morris
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Small Things is a short but powerful story about Hannah, a jewelry maker trapped in an abusive marriage, who carefully plans her escape, determined to leave without a trace.

The tension starts immediately and builds steadily, not with dramatic twists, but through Hannah’s quiet, calculated control. I was completely hooked by the slow, deliberate unraveling of her plan. It’s not about shock value, it’s about the weight of her situation and her calm determination.

This story made a big impact in just a few pages. The ending was excellent and left me thinking about the many women who face this heartbreaking reality.

A solid, thought-provoking read. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!

The stories in this book were disappointing. I really enjoy Freida McFadden and Sally Hepworth books and out of the 6 stories, these were the best, but they weren’t nearly as good as any of their other writing. Overall I would not recommend reading these stories.

This was fantastic! I really love short stories collections because it keeps everything refreshing and I want to keep going. Freida's was a bit weird, and I was confused by the ending. I had to talk it through with a friend to make sure I was understanding correctly. That being said, I would have never guessed the twists!

"Alibis" presents a compelling collection of six short stories, each crafted by a different author and unified by the intriguing theme of an "alibi." This anthology delves into the depths of psychological suspense, masterfully exploring themes of truth, deception, and the complexities of loyalty that remain unresolved.

Many readers found this collection to be an enjoyable and chilling read, making it an ideal choice for a captivating summer experience. Individual stories, such as "Death Row" and "Small Things," were frequently singled out for their particular impact. A significant draw for reviewers was the chance to encounter and appreciate the distinct writing styles of various authors, often discovering new favorites in the process. For those who experienced the audiobook, the diverse narrators, each lending their voice to a specific story, were highly commended for enhancing the listening experience.

While the nature of short story collections can sometimes lead to varying levels of engagement across different pieces, "Alibis" generally garnered strong positive reception. It's a well-received compilation that offers a fascinating dive into the intricacies of human psychology and the art of the alibi.

Overall, this was a satisfying collection with stories that ranged from 3 stars to 4.5 stars. I would say the standout for me was Freida McFadden's "Death Row," which was full of surprises and left readers with just the right amount of ambiguity.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley for providing us this free short-stories collection. I am new to the mystery/thriller genre, and I just knew Freida McFadden since many people read her works (she's my favourite, by the way). But because of this collection, I have known another authors and intrigued to read their other works.

If I can list the title from the one that I love to least love, it would be like this:
- Small Things by Wanda M. Morris (rated 4/5)
- Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker (rated 3.5/5)
- Death Row by Freida McFadden, The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth, and The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian (all rated 3/5)
- False Note by David Lagercrantz (2.5/5)

Actually, they were all good but just too short for me. Probably because I'm used to reading novels, but in my opinion making short stories for thriller/mystery genre is a bit of a challenge so I'll still give them a praise!

This was a fun little short story collection, and a good introduction to some authors I had never read before. I love to read more from my old reliable Sally Hepworth, Frieda McFadden always comes with good twists, and Chris Bohjalian surprised me. I'm glad Amazon is putting these little collections together.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun little short story collection, and a good introduction to some authors I had never read before. I love to read more from my old reliable Sally Hepworth, Frieda McFadden always comes with good twists, and Chris Bohjalian surprised me. I'm glad Amazon is putting these little collections together.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow - I love these little series of fast reads- read them all within a few days. I love getting the small glimpses into new to me authors to discover their writing style and find new books to add to my tbr. I will continue to read more books from these authors. I really enjoyed Freida’s book but she is my favorite author

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. This book contains 6 stories from different authors, all of which truly do include lies, truth, and deception. I really enjoyed each of these stories and that they were just short stories. The only author I'd read before was Freida McFadden, but in reading these I may have found other authors to try. I think my favorites were Death Row and The Skydivers, but they were all pretty good!

Alibis Collection truly delivers a killer lineup of 6 thrilling stories from 6 different authors. It was an absolute rollercoaster, with each narrative offering a distinct flavor that kept me completely engaged.

☠️ Death Row by Freida McFadden
This short story was incredibly twisted, in the best possible way! The plot twists were so mind-bending, they left me dying for more. This was my first Freida McFadden, and I'm hooked now, line and sinker. I'm already mentally serving time reading the rest of her books (hopefully very soon!).

🧊 The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth
The Ex-Wives Club started off a tad slow, but once it hit its stride, the pacing and suspense were spot on. It was a classic whodunnit that had me going in circles, as every character felt like a suspect. This one definitely kept me guessing!

🎼 False Note by David Lagercrantz
This story began with a crescendo, the very first sentence hitting a high note and grabbing my attention. However, it quickly took a nosedive, becoming far too slow for my taste. The narrative of a toxic father-son relationship ultimately ended on a sour note for me, and I wasn't exactly a fan of how it wrapped up.

🪂 The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian
The Skydivers had so much potential! Its military background premise was fascinating and unique. Yet, the story ultimately fell flat – splat! – like a faulty parachute that just refused to open. It was a real drop in quality towards the end.

🏘️ Good Neighbours by Chad Zunker
Easily one of my favorites in the collection. I felt a rush just reading it – it was so fast-paced that I was breathless by the end! I simply couldn't put it down. This tale of a woman peeking into her neighbor's home and witnessing a crime was an absolute page-turner. It definitely got me digging into the drama!

💍 Small Things by Wanda M. Morris
Small Things unfortunately missed the mark for me. The crime didn't even happen until much later, leaving me constantly waiting for something to kick off. I honestly thought I'd somehow stumbled into a different genre! In the end, being married to a man like the one in the story felt like a true nightmare, making the book feel more like a horror.

I am a huge mystery/ thriller fan and when I heard about this collection I was excited. I am a huge Freida McFadden fan and have read many of her books. I never read any picees from the other authors but now after reading this collection I will be looking into reading some more of their work. This collection was so well written and easy to follow. While you can tell the difference in the writing styles of the authors it didn't affect the enjoyment of reading this collection. If you love mystery/ thrillers like I do then this is a must read!