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!

There are six short stories in the “Alibis Collection”, an Amazon Original. Overall, I give the entire collection 4 out of 5 stars. These stories were fun, relaxing, and delightfully mind-twisting reads.
As with many short story collections, some tales felt a bit too brief to allow for deep character development. However, in others, the direct and concise storytelling worked perfectly—no extra description needed

** Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris for an eARC copy of the “Alibis Collection”.

Thank you Amazon Original Stories for this read

This collection was a mixed bag - the details follow:

DEATH ROW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book was short and sharp and had me questioning what was going on from the very beginning. The plot was so clever and the ending had me REELING. Wow. FREIDA AT HER BEST!

FALSE NOTE ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This one was set up so well but I just needed more!

THE SKYDIVERS ⭐️⭐️.5/5

For some reason I just didn't vibe with this one and felt myself getting distracted reading this one. While I liked the ending - I just feel this book wasn't for me.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Clever and twisted- this book was fast paced and did not let up until the end! Enjoyed this one!

THE EX WIVES CLUB ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This read was super clever with multiple suspects and a bit of a who did it style telling. I loved the twisty nature and the ending was brilliant. Loved it.

SMALL THINGS ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 5/5

This book made me mad and sad but it was also devious and clever. I loved the ending!

1. A tightly structured favorite
I was really loving this short — it was so well built and put together. The structure, the pacing, everything just worked, and it pulled me in right away.
It’s impossible to say much more without spoiling it, but there was a development that completely caught me off guard. I definitely didn’t see it coming, and it made the experience even more memorable.
Even though it’s short, it delivers in a way that stays with you. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys tight storytelling and unexpected turns.

2. Beautifully written, less emotionally impactful
This was a short book that I enjoyed more for the writing than anything else. The prose was genuinely lovely — elegant, clear, and sometimes even poetic.
As for the story itself, it was nice — not bad at all, just not something that stuck with me deeply after I finished. It didn’t have a huge emotional impact, and I wouldn’t call it wonderful, but I’m still glad I read it. The tone, the atmosphere, and the way the author captured certain moments really stood out.

3. Completely lost, but not unpleasantly so
I am so confused — I have no idea what I read. The story never really came together for me, and I was left wondering what the point was. Still, the writing had a strange pull to it, and even in my confusion, I wanted to keep going.
Maybe it’s the kind of story that needs a second read to fully appreciate, but as it stands, I’m just left puzzled.

4. Well done but underexplained
The fourth story was well written — the tone, pacing, and atmosphere really worked — but it lacked explanation. I kept waiting for more context, and when it didn’t come, I was left with more questions than answers. It had potential, but it didn’t fully land for me.

5. Engaging, even without full clarity
The fifth story wasn’t necessarily a standout, but I couldn’t put it down. It pulled me in more than the others, even though I still didn’t totally understand everything. There was a drive to it — a kind of momentum — that made it easy to stay engaged from start to finish.

6. Predictable but satisfying
The sixth story was pretty predictable — I had a sense of how things would unfold early on — but that didn’t stop it from being enjoyable. It was straightforward, but solid. Sometimes, a familiar story told well can be just as satisfying as a twisty one.

This 6 short story collection of quick reads is a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with new authors’ style: Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris. I liked being able to pick it up sporadically and quickly read a story by a different author. I’m looking forward to investigating other titles by a couple of the authors that were new to me.
Thank You to NetGalley, and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Alibis collection was such a fun little series to read. With each book being about 50 pages, I was able to read each book in a small block of time. They all have short chapters and great twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed all the books. I was coming off of a book slump when I read these, and they helped me thru it! I definitely recommend checking out some or all of these short stories!

Such cute short stories. Enjoying all of them so much. You should go read them too. They are all short thriller, romance, suspense books. Quick and easy reads with a good story line in them

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a copy of the Alibis Collection in exchange for an honest review!

Death Row
Frieda McFadden is always an instant read and never misses. Death Row is no exception. From start to finish I was hooked, constantly questioning what in the world was going on, what was true and what wasn’t. Even after turning the last page, I’m still thinking about this book and that’s exactly what I love about her writing. I even had to go back and reread the last few pages again and wow! Twisty, gripping, and disturbingly unsettling.

The Ex-Wives Club
This was my first Sally Hepworth book, and I’m a bit conflicted. Part of me wants to say it missed the mark for me but I’m not entirely sure. It was a quick read, but maybe a little too quick. I feel like it didn’t have enough time to fully pull me in or develop its many characters. I think for such a short book, there was just entirely too many characters. I found myself surprisingly uninvested in the mystery, something I don’t usually feel with thrillers. I’ll give this one a meh.

False Notes
This was my first read by David Lagercrantz, and despite being a short story, it completely pulled me in. It’s a slow start, which isn’t saying much given that it a novella, but the buildup was gripping. I would say it’s a fun little story. That said, the ending really didn’t work for me. It felt abrupt and unsatisfying, which left me conflicted. Still, I’d definitely be interested in reading more of his work.

The Skydivers
At first, I wasn’t sure how Skydivers fit into the Alibis collection, and even by the end, I was still left wondering. This is one of those “what the heck did I just read?” stories. But like in a in the best way if you’re into that kind of thing. Unsettling, unexpected, and impossible to look away from. What a story!

Good Neighbors
The Good Neighbors was a jam-packed, heart-pounding thriller that grabbed me from the very first page and didn’t let go even after it ended. Despite it being a novella, it never felt rushed. It delivered all the tension, twists, and depth you'd expect from a full-length mystery. A fast and satisfying read that hits all the right notes. Loved it! My only problem with this book is that I’ve found myself wanting to get back to this neighborhood and continue on with the drama!

Small Things
Reading Small Things felt like being thrown right into the middle of a story and I was never fully given all the info. The characters and plot seemed to assume I should have been familiar with them already. After I finished reading , I went back and reread the ending and I’m still unsure what actually happened. Honestly, it almost read like satire, though I couldn’t tell if that was intentional or just my own confusion. Ultimately, this one didn’t click for me.

This was a fun collection of short stories! They are easy reads, definitely engaging! I definitely recommend this collection.

These were excellent books. They are well-written. I would highly recommend these books. They were very easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

overall, i find these books really interesting despite being just below 100 pages. some were predictable but it's so easy to read that you won't even get bored or stop reading it even if you saw the twists coming. i'm not into novellas but this collection is a must read.

death row / the ex wives club - 5 ★
the skydivers - 4 ★
good neighbors - 3.5 ★
false note / small things - 3 ★

What a fun and chilling collection of psychological thrillers—perfect for summer reading (or listening)!

This anthology includes six short stories by incredible thriller writers centered around the theme of an “alibi.” We all know a crime requires motive, means, and opportunity, but without an alibi, even the innocent can be condemned.

I was already familiar with Sally Hepworth and Wanda M. Morris, but it was great to sample stories from new-to-me authors and get a feel for their writing styles.

I listened to the whole collection—each story is about an hour long, making it perfect for dog walks, folding laundry, commuting, or lounging by the pool or beach.

Like most short story collections, I had a few favorites: Death Row and Small Things. But honestly, each one kept me guessing!

Death Row is a short story by Freida McFadden. Talia Kemper is on death row for the murder of her husband. She’s innocent, she says, even had an alibi, but it made no difference and, as her lawyer is breaking the news that her appeal has failed, she spots a man who, impossibly, could be her husband. How?
Does the alternating Before narrative really explain what has happened? It certainly throws in twists to keep the reader guessing, and the ending will still have them wondering if they got it right… or not. 4/5

The Ex-Wives Club is a short story by Sally Hepworth. When well-known Melbourne restaurateur, Ian Curley is found dead in his restaurant freezer, DI Charlene Li is appointed SIO. She’s pleased to have a high-profile case, less so to have half-witted, lazy Detective Adrian Collins, as her assistant. The list of suspects includes his three ex-wives, his girlfriend, his children and the restaurant staff. Among them, most have apparently strong alibis, and quite a few have strong motives, although not all of those are apparent to DI Li: it’s a puzzle to which she doesn’t have all the pieces… Very clever! 5/5

False Note is a short story 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? 3/5

The Skydivers is a short story by Chris Bohjalian. The audio version is narrated by Eric Altheide, Soneela Nankani and Peter Simonelli. Brothers Leo and Peter Hamilton, in disagreement about the disposal of their father’s estate, go skydiving to scatter his ashes over his beloved farm: what could go wrong? War veteran and Pentagon analyst, Ceci Fitzgerald witnesses their descent, and sees one brother come to grief. She’s not convinced it’s a tragic accident. Some excellent twists and red herrings in this one. 5/5

Good Neighbors is a short story by Chad Zunker. The version is narrated by Amara Jasper. Intent on being a good neighbor, Kara Reed is checking to see if Bill McGregor’s evening visitor while his wife, Mindy is absent, might be the other woman she suspects. Kara’s husband has told her not to get involved, but there she is, jaw dropping as something entirely unexpected happens. And suddenly, she’s a target for a very nasty person. Lots of action and a predictable twist, but alibis didn’t feature. 3/5

Small Things is a short story by Wanda M. Morris. The audio version is narrated by Susannah Jones. Stuck in a marriage to a toxic husband, Hannah Ferguson’s only respite is in the little Etsy jewellery-making business she conducts in her little shed. She puts up with criticism, psychological cruelty and infidelity, but when Rusty vindictively prevents access to her only source of pleasure, it crosses a line. Hannah’s plan needs a good alibi, but she is clever and resourceful. 5/5
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories! These are perfect little palette cleansers to read in between books. I really enjoyed how each story was fast paced, twisty, and mysterious. Will definitely read longer works from this collection of authors!

I enjoyed all these short stories that had the same theme, having an alibi. The stand out for Mr was Death Row by Freida McFadden. The story packed a lot into a short story and it made you wonder what really happened.