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Death By Scrabble
A game of Scrabble has serious consequences.
4 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Fish
22 books29 followersCharlie Fish is a popular short story writer and screenwriter. His short stories have been published in several countries and inspired dozens of short film adaptations. Since 1996, he has edited www.fictionontheweb.co.uk, the longest-running short story site on the web. He was born in Mount Kisco, New York in 1980; and now lives in south London with his wife and daughters.
You can contact me at charlie@fictionontheweb.co.uk, and you can follow me on Twitter @fishcharlie.
You can contact me at charlie@fictionontheweb.co.uk, and you can follow me on Twitter @fishcharlie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
October 19, 2020
A short story, Death By Scrabble, by Charlie Fish.
Death By Scrabble is a perfect story for this year, with our months of isolation, shut up in our houses, the year of COVID 19. You'd think that the guy in the story was living through what we all lived through this year and he's not handling it very well. Or maybe he just hates his wife all the time.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Death By Scrabble is a perfect story for this year, with our months of isolation, shut up in our houses, the year of COVID 19. You'd think that the guy in the story was living through what we all lived through this year and he's not handling it very well. Or maybe he just hates his wife all the time.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
October 24, 2020
A very short story by author Charlie Fish, that begins with this unusual opening sentence - “It’s a hot day and I hate my wife”, and instinct tells you his day isn’t going to get any better!
After a year that has meant lockdowns for the whole world, it’s easy to feel the frustration of our protagonist, cooped up in the house playing Scrabble with his wife, but this game takes a really nasty turn!
Here’s the link http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
After a year that has meant lockdowns for the whole world, it’s easy to feel the frustration of our protagonist, cooped up in the house playing Scrabble with his wife, but this game takes a really nasty turn!
Here’s the link http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
September 12, 2021
Husband and wife play Scrabble on a sweltering Sunday afternoon. OMG, such an amusing story with devious characters. I love the twist. A four-page short story that puts a smile on my face! 😍💖
👉 https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-st...
👉 https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-st...
December 23, 2018
A great short story! Recommend it to all Scrabble fans 😎 I'll be careful while playing it at Xmas, that's for sure 😏
Adding the link, all thanks to Sheri's generosity :)
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Adding the link, all thanks to Sheri's generosity :)
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
October 26, 2020
An amusing, fun, and 🄸🅁🄾🄽🄸🄲 short story.
3.5 ⭐ rounded up
3.5 ⭐ rounded up
December 22, 2018
There’s perhaps no truer example of “you reap what you sow" than this humorous short story.
Read this short 4 page story for free here:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Read this short 4 page story for free here:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
March 30, 2019
Neat ending, but overall it was too mean-spirited for me. At least it's a quick read at only four pages.
October 25, 2020
An amusing and clever short story about a man whose hatred for his wife reaches fever pitch during a game of Scrabble.
You can read it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
You can read it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
October 26, 2020
3.5 *
This is what I love most about GoodReads-when my friends recommend something I would not have otherwise known about!
This is a very short story. Only 4 pages and very clever and witty. I enjoyed reading it as I sometimes enjoy playing scrabble. Luckily for my husband he's not usually the one I play with 😉😂
This story can be found for free at the courtesy of the site below.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
This is what I love most about GoodReads-when my friends recommend something I would not have otherwise known about!
This is a very short story. Only 4 pages and very clever and witty. I enjoyed reading it as I sometimes enjoy playing scrabble. Luckily for my husband he's not usually the one I play with 😉😂
This story can be found for free at the courtesy of the site below.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
June 10, 2019
WTH! 😲🙀
You know what they say... think twice before you wish for something; it just might come true but in the most unexpected way and with a price to pay!
You know what they say... think twice before you wish for something; it just might come true but in the most unexpected way and with a price to pay!
November 8, 2020
After seeing numerous friends’ reviews for this short story popping up in my feed, I had to see what all the buzz was about.
To briefly summarize: During a heated game of Scrabble (literally and figuratively, as it was a very hot day), a husband contemplates a variety of ways to murder his spouse, who apparently REALLY annoys the bejeebers out of him. He finds that his playing partner isn’t so easy to beat, as each word they play ups the ante on their game. What’s the final score? Well, it’s a super quick read, so I’ll leave it to you to discover how it plays out. (Pun intended)
First of all, it was delightful in its deviously dark funny way. You gotta love a guy that can get that bent out of shape about tea.
Second, it begs the question: who was Fish’s inspiration for this story, and should they be sleeping with one eye open? Nah … I’m sure he’s just telling a funny story. Or is he? 😏
Third: please Charlie Fish. Write this book, because I want to read more! In just a few short pages, you had me totally invested in this story, like a popcorn-shoveling spectator at the Cirque du Scrabble.
The one downside? I don’t think Scrabble has ever seen a more convenient set of letter selection in its gameplay history. Fun for the story - just put your logic way up on a shelf out of reach.
Take a couple minutes out of your day and enjoy the battle of wits.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
★★★★★ (4 1/2 bumped up to 5)
To briefly summarize: During a heated game of Scrabble (literally and figuratively, as it was a very hot day), a husband contemplates a variety of ways to murder his spouse, who apparently REALLY annoys the bejeebers out of him. He finds that his playing partner isn’t so easy to beat, as each word they play ups the ante on their game. What’s the final score? Well, it’s a super quick read, so I’ll leave it to you to discover how it plays out. (Pun intended)
First of all, it was delightful in its deviously dark funny way. You gotta love a guy that can get that bent out of shape about tea.
Second, it begs the question: who was Fish’s inspiration for this story, and should they be sleeping with one eye open? Nah … I’m sure he’s just telling a funny story. Or is he? 😏
Third: please Charlie Fish. Write this book, because I want to read more! In just a few short pages, you had me totally invested in this story, like a popcorn-shoveling spectator at the Cirque du Scrabble.
The one downside? I don’t think Scrabble has ever seen a more convenient set of letter selection in its gameplay history. Fun for the story - just put your logic way up on a shelf out of reach.
Take a couple minutes out of your day and enjoy the battle of wits.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
★★★★★ (4 1/2 bumped up to 5)
November 3, 2020
Thanks Kat for bringing this short story to my notice. How can a short story describing all the moves of a game of Scrabble between a husband and wife be exciting, scary, incredibly funny and end perfectly? Read it yourself and see:) It doesn't take long and it is definitely worth it.
Find it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Find it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
March 1, 2019
Damn. This was wicked. Wickedly fun (it shouldn't have been lol) but I loved it!
As you sow, so shall you reap. Just 4 pages, read it here:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
You can also download it from goodreads.
(Thank you Karina for sharing!)
As you sow, so shall you reap. Just 4 pages, read it here:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
You can also download it from goodreads.
(Thank you Karina for sharing!)
February 28, 2019
This is such a rude and mean spirited story! He hates his wife as they play Scrabble together. He wishes her death. He plays words and they start coming true only to meet his own destiny... Be careful what you wish for! 4 pages long. Short and to the point. Fun.
If anyone is interested!
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
If anyone is interested!
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
November 12, 2020
It's hot as hell. You hate your wife. She is grating on your last nerve with the incessant clacking of the tiles as she moves them around in the rack. Playing a simple game of Scrabble rarely carries higher stakes.
December 30, 2016
Charlie Fish's "Death By Scrabble" starts with "It is a hot day and I hate my wife." You wonder how much exactly the guy hates his wife.
Soon the story provides you with an answer. Or is it the game of Scrabble that is doing so with each move either of them play?
How many times does the husband wish during the game that he could make "MURDER" or "KILL" which would be a good sign of getting rid of his wife. He plays "ZAP". Did she get an electric shock while turning the air-conditioning on because of that? Do you see a smirk on the hubby's face as his wish seems to be coming true? Maybe his next move will prove to be her death knell.
image:
The smiles are just a mask to cover actual emotions.
How he hates her as it is hot and yet she makes tea! She is sure that he has cheated behind her back by changing a letter from the bag.
She seems to be enjoying the hot cuppa. It seems to be having an equal and opposite reaction on him. She has even played a seven-letter word scoring a bonus of 50 points. If she keeps scoring like that she is bound to beat him soon. He feels like strangulating her right now.
Is the game jinxed or what? Does each word spelled out make things come true accordingly? If he is able to play "DEATH" will it actually lead to her exit from Planet Earth? But to get those letters luck truly has to be on his side.
The guy has a bad habit of chewing on a letter whenever he feels nervous. Almost all letters have become frayed because of that.
It is a tale with a twist. You are bound to love it. And if you enjoy playing Scrabble like me, then you are bound to love it even more.
Soon the story provides you with an answer. Or is it the game of Scrabble that is doing so with each move either of them play?
How many times does the husband wish during the game that he could make "MURDER" or "KILL" which would be a good sign of getting rid of his wife. He plays "ZAP". Did she get an electric shock while turning the air-conditioning on because of that? Do you see a smirk on the hubby's face as his wish seems to be coming true? Maybe his next move will prove to be her death knell.
image:
The smiles are just a mask to cover actual emotions.
How he hates her as it is hot and yet she makes tea! She is sure that he has cheated behind her back by changing a letter from the bag.
She seems to be enjoying the hot cuppa. It seems to be having an equal and opposite reaction on him. She has even played a seven-letter word scoring a bonus of 50 points. If she keeps scoring like that she is bound to beat him soon. He feels like strangulating her right now.
Is the game jinxed or what? Does each word spelled out make things come true accordingly? If he is able to play "DEATH" will it actually lead to her exit from Planet Earth? But to get those letters luck truly has to be on his side.
The guy has a bad habit of chewing on a letter whenever he feels nervous. Almost all letters have become frayed because of that.
It is a tale with a twist. You are bound to love it. And if you enjoy playing Scrabble like me, then you are bound to love it even more.
November 19, 2016
A fun, semi-dark story that takes 10 minutes or less to read. Go for it.
November 4, 2020
4★
"It's a hot day and I hate my wife.
We're playing Scrabble. That's how bad it is. I'm 42 years old, it's a blistering hot Sunday afternoon and all I can think of to do with my life is to play Scrabble."
Well. The opening sentences leave us in no doubt as to his mood. It's an inauspicious start to his day (not to mention his wife's). As they draw their tiles and play, he points out how clever he is but becomes increasingly annoyed at the flow of the game.
It's fun, it's short, and it's free! Thanks to GR reader Kat for sharing it with us.
Take a break - you know you need it.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
I haven't wandered around the website yet, but I am certainly intrigued.
"It's a hot day and I hate my wife.
We're playing Scrabble. That's how bad it is. I'm 42 years old, it's a blistering hot Sunday afternoon and all I can think of to do with my life is to play Scrabble."
Well. The opening sentences leave us in no doubt as to his mood. It's an inauspicious start to his day (not to mention his wife's). As they draw their tiles and play, he points out how clever he is but becomes increasingly annoyed at the flow of the game.
It's fun, it's short, and it's free! Thanks to GR reader Kat for sharing it with us.
Take a break - you know you need it.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
I haven't wandered around the website yet, but I am certainly intrigued.
November 12, 2020
This mildly amusing, very short story opens thus:
“It's a hot day and I hate my wife. We're playing Scrabble. That's how bad it is.”
The narrator is (intentionally) horrid, and the turn of events is both clever and predictable. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes if you don’t have anyone to play Scrabble with. (It took less time to read than to create the photo below.)
Image: Death by Scrabble - photo is less of a spoiler than the story’s title
“I don't think I've spoken to anyone except my wife since Thursday morning. On Thursday morning I spoke to the milkman.”
Although it was written in 2006, you could imagine it being set during the current Covid pandemic lockdown. I think we’ve all mused on the things we’d be doing if we weren't cooped up - sometimes resentfully and often unrealistically:
“If she wasn't around, I'd be doing something interesting right now. I'd be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I'd be starring in the latest Hollywood blockbuster. I'd be sailing the Vendee Globe on a 60-foot clipper called the New Horizons.”
You can read the three-page story, free, HERE.
Scroll to the bottom for links to other short stories with an element of wordplay in the plot, including:
* The Case of The Lower Case Letter by Jack Delaney
and
* A Case Of Displacement by Iain Grant
“It's a hot day and I hate my wife. We're playing Scrabble. That's how bad it is.”
The narrator is (intentionally) horrid, and the turn of events is both clever and predictable. It’s an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes if you don’t have anyone to play Scrabble with. (It took less time to read than to create the photo below.)
Image: Death by Scrabble - photo is less of a spoiler than the story’s title
“I don't think I've spoken to anyone except my wife since Thursday morning. On Thursday morning I spoke to the milkman.”
Although it was written in 2006, you could imagine it being set during the current Covid pandemic lockdown. I think we’ve all mused on the things we’d be doing if we weren't cooped up - sometimes resentfully and often unrealistically:
“If she wasn't around, I'd be doing something interesting right now. I'd be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I'd be starring in the latest Hollywood blockbuster. I'd be sailing the Vendee Globe on a 60-foot clipper called the New Horizons.”
You can read the three-page story, free, HERE.
Scroll to the bottom for links to other short stories with an element of wordplay in the plot, including:
* The Case of The Lower Case Letter by Jack Delaney
and
* A Case Of Displacement by Iain Grant
October 28, 2020
This is absolute proof that a story does not need to be long to be really good! A clever five minute read about a couple playing a deadly game. Great twist.
October 25, 2020
Clack Clack Clack
If you love or hate the game of Scrabble...or have ever had murderous thoughts about your spouse...this short story is for you!
Clack Clack Clack
If you love or hate the game of Scrabble...or have ever had murderous thoughts about your spouse...this short story is for you!
Clack Clack Clack
January 26, 2021
This is a funny short story that took a couple minutes to read.
Thanks to the ladies that brought it to my attention; find it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
I liked it. It was funny, random, and I had no idea where it was going. So I enjoyed the ending.
Have fun, kids!
Thanks to the ladies that brought it to my attention; find it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
I liked it. It was funny, random, and I had no idea where it was going. So I enjoyed the ending.
Have fun, kids!
December 22, 2018
I came across this short story on a friend's page (Thank you, Sheri).
I love Scrabble, so the title was intriguing.
I thought that this was an entertaining short story. At four pages it was a nice quick read. I will be thinking of this story the next time I play Scrabble.
Click here if you would like to check it out.
I love Scrabble, so the title was intriguing.
I thought that this was an entertaining short story. At four pages it was a nice quick read. I will be thinking of this story the next time I play Scrabble.
Click here if you would like to check it out.
October 28, 2020
3.5 Stars
L O L
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February 16, 2019
It begins......"It's a hot day and I hate my wife. We're playing scrabble. That's how bad it is. I'm 42 years old, it's a blistering hot Sunday afternoon and all I can think of to do with my life is play scrabble."
Fun little horror quickie, and um......he should have found another pastime!
October 26, 2020
What can I say? 4 pages. Dark. Humorous. Read this.
You can read it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
You can read it here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
October 25, 2020
Okay...I feel like this short story should have been written during COVID self isolation times. LOL...you will know what I mean when you read it! Entertaining and takes not even 5 minutes of your time.
You can read it here: www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UB...
Thanks so much to Michael David for alerting me to this one....
You can read it here: www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UB...
Thanks so much to Michael David for alerting me to this one....
October 27, 2020
See? I knew there was a reason a stopped playing Scrabble! Now I don’t feel so bad for being so competitive while playing board games.😅
Fun and clever short story that can be read here.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Fun and clever short story that can be read here.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
March 5, 2019
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
This was a morbid, short story that made today's lunch break quite entertaining.
The writing isn't remarkable and there isn't much logic to the premise, but I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys playing Scrabble and was laughing my butt off about this idiot protagonist so I don't really care.
Mind you, I also don't understand what's so wrong about enjoying a game of Scrabble on any given day or , let alone the notion that but that's just silly old-fashioned and romantic little me.
And you all know how much I enjoy a story where a dumbass gets what they deserve (especially if said dumbass was asking for it).
P.S.: You can read the story for free here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
This was a morbid, short story that made today's lunch break quite entertaining.
The writing isn't remarkable and there isn't much logic to the premise, but I'm one of those weirdos who actually enjoys playing Scrabble and was laughing my butt off about this idiot protagonist so I don't really care.
Mind you, I also don't understand what's so wrong about enjoying a game of Scrabble on any given day or , let alone the notion that but that's just silly old-fashioned and romantic little me.
And you all know how much I enjoy a story where a dumbass gets what they deserve (especially if said dumbass was asking for it).
P.S.: You can read the story for free here: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
September 25, 2020
I'm cleaning up my tablet desktop from the dozen or so short stories that are stubbornly cluttering up my browser tabs, waiting to be set free and closed...this short story being one that cropped up on the odd google search (a few months ago!) - and there it lay until this sleepless night. Very cute death-by-willing-it, careful-what-you-wish-for, two-minute-read of a story. I loved it. A tasty little snack to clean the palate in between other reads. Delicious!
The story can be read at this site: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
The story can be read at this site: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-sto...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews