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Member Reviews

OMG - 6 short stories by some of my favorite authors! Yes please!
Some of them were better than others (Freida and Sally and Wanda) - women are great psychological thriller storytellers.
I definitely recommend diving into these blind, just eat some popcorn and enjoy!

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I'm not very big fun of short stories but decided to give it a try because I liked the writing style of some writers who were in this collection and I'm very happy that I did.
That was interesting series that features a lot of different talented writers with a lot to say and I'm definitely looking to see more of there work.

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I wanted to read this collection for the Freida McFadden, but I stayed for all the rest. Each had a unique take on the "Alibis" theme, and provided me with hours of fresh stories, and new clues.

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-Death Row
I've never read anything from this author before and I was intrigued to see what her writing was like.
Without giving anything away I can only say this one felt too gimmicky to me. I doesn’t help that I've recently watched a show I didn’t enjoy that had a similar ending.

-The Ex-Wives Club
This was a fun one! I enjoyed the multiple POV format, it worked really well even for a short story.
I admit I didn’t try to guess who was the culprit as I read πŸ˜… but I liked how the ending unfolded.

-False Note
The way it’s narrated really worked for me, it kept me guessing what would happen next.
I'd say this was more suspense than mystery, it was good for such a short story.

-The Skydivers
As a mystery story it was ok, but the end was a bit out there for my taste.

-Good Neighbors
A short but effective thriller. It kept me on my toes even if I guessed some of the twists.

-Small Things
This was my favorite story from the Alibis collection. It was my first time reading this author and I thought the suspense and the anticipation were very well done. A nice conclusion for this anthology!

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This was my first book of all authors to read. It was different for me but I loved it. I believe i will be reading more from this author in the future. You did the best by starting out with Freida book!

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π—€π—¨π—œπ—–π—ž π—£π—Ÿπ—’π—§ π—£π—˜π—˜π—ž
A series of short thrillers by six award-winning, bestselling authors.

π—›π—’π—‘π—˜π—¦π—§ π—’π—£π—œπ—‘π—œπ—’π—‘
π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟷: π™³πšŽπšŠπšπš‘ 𝚁𝚘𝚠 πš‹πš’ π™΅πš›πšŽπš’πšπšŠ π™ΌπšŒπ™΅πšŠπšπšπšŽπš—
Freida McFadden headlines this collection, and deservedly so. Her short is tragic and genuinely heart-wrenching. Not the most original tropes, but Freida weaves it together so well that it still felt twisty and left a memorable impact.

π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟸: πšƒπš‘πšŽ π™΄πš‘-πš†πš’πšŸπšŽπšœ π™²πš•πšžπš‹ πš‹πš’ πš‚πšŠπš•πš•πš’ π™·πšŽπš™πš πš˜πš›πšπš‘
Sally Hepworth’s domestic thriller had depth, intrigue, wit and charm. I loved that everyone was a suspect, and I didn’t guess whodunnit. This was the standout story in the collection for me - all the stars!

π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟹: π™΅πšŠπš•πšœπšŽ π™½πš˜πšπšŽ πš‹πš’ π™³πšŠπšŸπš’πš π™»πšŠπšπšŽπš›πšŒπš›πšŠπš—πšπš£
A toxic father-son relationship. It’s probably the bleakest of the books, full of unlikables.

π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟺: πšƒπš‘πšŽ πš‚πš”πš’πšπš’πšŸπšŽπš›πšœ πš‹πš’ π™²πš‘πš›πš’πšœ π™±πš˜πš‘πš“πšŠπš•πš’πšŠπš—
The Skydivers had a military backstory which isn’t my preferred sub genre but it was a bite sized opportunity to leave my comfort zone.

π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟻: π™Άπš˜πš˜πš π™½πšŽπš’πšπš‘πš‹πš˜πš›πšœ πš‹πš’ π™²πš‘πšŠπš πš‰πšžπš—πš”πšŽπš›
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced Good Neighbors - nonstop action with a satisfying ending.

π™±πš˜πš˜πš” 𝟼: πš‚πš–πšŠπš•πš• πšƒπš‘πš’πš—πšπšœ πš‹πš’ πš†πšŠπš—πšπšŠ 𝙼. π™Όπš˜πš›πš›πš’πšœ
Small Things is a lot of reviewers favorite, but my least - 99% slow build and whiplash ending! Works for most!!

π—ͺ𝗒π—₯𝗧𝗛 π—§π—›π—˜ π—₯π—˜π—”π——?
I didn’t think I was a short story fan, but this collection proved me wrong!

It leans toward psychological and domestic thrillers, but there’s plenty of heart, sass, darkness, and revenge.

Depending on your preferred subgenres, there’s something here for everyone. My favorite was The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth, but honestly, I enjoyed them all more than I expected. A super solid, suspenseful collection.

Thanks to @BrilliancePublishing and @Netgalley for access to this advance readers copy

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This collection of short stories was a delightful surprise! I appreciated having such a diverse range of authors and styles gathered together in one convenient place. It's a fantastic way to discover new writers, and I've already added several to my personal reading list. While I enjoyed all the stories, Freida McFadden's "Death Row" truly stood out for meβ€”a captivating and expertly crafted piece that left a lasting impression. Each story offered a unique and compelling narrative, despite their brevity, making this a highly recommended addition to any reader's to-be-read pile. I wholeheartedly suggest giving this collection a try; you won't be disappointed!

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Oofff!!
I really liked some and others just fell flat, overall, amazing collection!
Freida dissapointed me (not like we have a love-hate relationship) but the others made up for it.
Sometimes I got really mad so I guess the authors did a good job!

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If you're a fan of quick, pulse-pounding reads that leave you second-guessing every character, *Alibis* is the perfect anthology to dive into. This collection brings together six powerhouse voices in suspense and thriller fictionβ€”Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morrisβ€”for a lineup of stories that are as varied as they are gripping.

Each author delivers a taut, standalone tale centered around the theme of alibisβ€”some rock-solid, others unraveling at the seams. Freida McFadden delivers her signature twisty mind games, while Sally Hepworth brings emotional depth to her psychological suspense. Lagercrantz offers cerebral intrigue, Bohjalian’s entry is atmospheric and chilling, Zunker brings legal tension, and Morris wraps hers in socially charged stakes and moral gray zones.

The beauty of this collection lies in its diversity of tone and storytelling. Despite the brevity of the stories, each one feels complete and satisfying, often with a clever sting in the final lines. The pacing makes it ideal for readers who want bite-sized mystery without sacrificing impact.

Whether you’re a die-hard thriller reader or just dipping your toes into suspense, *Alibis* is an addictive, well-curated collection that showcases just how versatileβ€”and dangerousβ€”the concept of an alibi can be.

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Thanks to #NetGalley and #AmazonOriginalStories for the collection of short stories, #Alibis by #FreidaMcFadden #SallyHepworth #DavidLagercrantz #ChrisBohjalian #ChadZunker and #WandaMorris. This thrilling collection was filled with many alibis and I loved every one of them. The reviews for each story is on the authors individual pages.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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WoW. . . . . . Alibis collection by Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris, so many wonderful little books, which are short psychological suspense stories all in 1 book and a wonderful find. I loved reading all these short stories and some many of my favourite authors all under one cover, it was Christmas had come early for me.

Death Row by Freida McFadden 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
False Note by David Lagercrantz 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
and Small Things by Wanda M. Morris 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic quick reads and great for a holiday.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for my copy.

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Death Row: So this is my first Freida, and I'm honestly not sure what to think. Parts of it were interesting, but the end was a let down. Not terrible, I would maybe read something else by her at some point, but this didn't make me need to read her.

The Ex-Wives Club: This one was fun. Jumping back and forth between the night of the death and the police interviews worked well. I would definitely read more by this author.

False Note: Not bad, not great. I saw what was coming, so it was okay, but not my favorite from the collection.

The Skydivers: Meh. The start was promising, but the ending honestly felt rushed, even for a short story.

Good Neighbors: I enjoyed this one. It was fast moving, and had some fun twists.

Small Things: This might be my favorite from the collection. Creepy in that, you know this could actually happen, way that makes you angry. I loved how subtle it was in fitting the collection requirement. Definitely going to try more by the author!

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What a great little preview/end to a few of the books on my TBR! Having this little peek into each one made me realize the ones I want to read in full and the ones I don’t.

I’m particularly excited to read Death Row and Small Things!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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A great set of thriller short stories!!!
Definitely worth the read! East to read and can help make your goal!

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(Death Row)-Death Row by Freida McFadden

Death Row by Freida McFadden is a gripping and intense thriller that hooks readers with its shocking premise and dark, suspenseful atmosphere. The story revolves around a woman whose life is turned upside down when she finds herself on death row, convicted of a crime she may or may not have committed. McFadden delivers a plot full of twists and turns, keeping you on edge throughout.

However, while the book's tension and unpredictability are compelling, the story leaves much to be desired in terms of clarity. The narrative becomes increasingly confusing as it progresses, with numerous plot threads that feel unresolved or too vague. The ending, in particular, is disorienting...leaving too many unanswered questions and ultimately feeling like a letdown after the buildup.

While Death Row is definitely a page-turner, the lack of closure and the convoluted ending might frustrate readers who prefer a more conclusive wrap-up. If you're okay with a bit of ambiguity and enjoy a mind-bending thriller, this book could still be worth the read. But for those seeking clarity, it might leave you feeling a bit unsatisfied.

The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a fun, twisty and short read. I thought I had it figured out so many times and I was wrong every single time. The story kept me guessing right up to the end, which was really well done and totally satisfying. It’s the kind of mystery that makes you want to go back and reread just to catch all the clues you missed. Definitely a solid 4-star read for anyone who loves a good domestic whodunit.

(False Note)
I didn't enjoy this one much. The premise was good but I didn't connect with any of the characters and the storyline was slow to me. the twist at the end was the only saving grace but even then it was not enjoyable. my least favorite so far in this series

(The Skydivers)
I enjoyed this one to a certain extent. It kept me engaged trying to figure out what happened but I still found myself getting bored at times. While the ending wrapped up the short story nicely, I didn't enjoy where the ending took us.

Would I recommend? Maybe. It's good for what it is which is a short thriller, but i'm glad it was as short as it was because I would not have liked it to be longer.

(Good Neighbor)
Probably my favorite out of the series! I loved this book and the fast pace of the story. I figured out about halfway what had happened but not the details and the people involved. Really good story for the length. 100% recommend!!!

(Small Things)
I was not the biggest fan of this one. I enjoyed it but it was fairly obvious what was going to happen from the beginning to me.

I would maybe recommend this one but it was nothing special. 2.5 stars rounded up

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This collection of short mystery/thrillers was a fun read and definitely a great collection to help get through a book slump and sample authors from this genre! I recommend reading one story at a time maybe between larger books to give you a quick fun adventure and break up longer reading.

My favorite of the collection was β€œDeath Row” by Freida McFadden. I really enjoyed the character of Talia and her story and wished it was a full novel. Her writing in this was great and Freida did a fantastic job.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this collection!

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This rating is based on the average for all six short stories: 3.66 (rounded up). I didn't hate any of these and found most of them enjoyable to read, but I really only LOVED one of them. I'm not Frieda McFadden obsessed like so many are, but I have to say, she really got me with Death Row. It was a super fun read and I definitely didn't see the twist coming. I generally feel like it isn't possible to get me to give a short story 5 stars, but she changed my mind on that!

My favorites: Death Row, False Note, and Small Things. My least favorites: The Ex-Wives Club (which made me sad because I love Sally Hepworth!), The Skydivers, and Good Neighbors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an ARC of this collection.

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Will be reviewing each book individually on NetGalley
My Freida McFadden Death Row Review
What a rollercoaster! I was absolutely hooked from page one. Death Row is another gripping, twist-filled masterpiece by Freida McFadden that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The story follows Talia, a woman on death row, fighting for an appeal after being convicted of killing her husband. But there’s one catchβ€”Talia insists she’s innocent. The narrative masterfully jumps between past and present, gradually revealing the layers of Talia’s life and the events that led to her conviction.

Freida McFadden does an exceptional job of building suspense while also giving readers a deep emotional connection to Talia. As everything began to piece together, I found myself genuinely heartbroken for her. The emotional depth and pacing of this novel are outstanding.

I highly recommend Death Row to anyone who loves psychological thrillers with emotional complexity. A truly outstanding bookβ€”definitely a five-star read!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

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Absolutely wonderful collection of mysteries here! I've loved all of them that Ive read so far and expect the rest to be the same.

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