What do you think?
Rate this book
Two Birds
A short mystery from the bestselling author of THIN BLOOD.
Kristine Abbey lies unconscious and bleeding on her kitchen floor. Crouched next to her with his hands clamped over the knife wound in her abdomen, her husband, Daniel, screams at the couple's sister-in-law - and his ex-mistress - rooted in the doorway. Time slips away...
Kristine Abbey lies unconscious and bleeding on her kitchen floor. Crouched next to her with his hands clamped over the knife wound in her abdomen, her husband, Daniel, screams at the couple's sister-in-law - and his ex-mistress - rooted in the doorway. Time slips away...
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
21 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Tyley
8 books101 followersVicki Tyley, a #1 Kindle bestselling author in Mystery & Suspense, is the author of Thin Blood, (Amazon 2010 Customer Favorite) , Sleight Malice, Brittle Shadows, Fatal Liaison, and Bitter Nothings.
Based in rural Victoria, Australia, Vicki Tyley writes fast-paced mystery and suspense novels in contemporary Australian settings.
Born and raised in New Zealand, she moved to Western Australia with a single suitcase when she was nineteen years old. She has travelled extensively, spending a year touring the world before terrorism was an influencing factor. She has lived in the central business districts of large cities, suburbia, idyllic seaside locations, rural areas, bushland, and remote desert mining camps.
In the lead up to her writing career, Vicki worked in a multitude of different industries including banking, stockbroking, importing and wholesaling, human resources, mining, hospitality, civil engineering, and toys, in predominantly accounting, IT and management roles.
All these life experiences are brought to bear in her writing.
Outside of writing and reading, her main interests are design and photography. She likes to laugh, drink coffee, spend time alone, spend time in company, and get close to nature. She dislikes crowds, hospitals and offal.
Based in rural Victoria, Australia, Vicki Tyley writes fast-paced mystery and suspense novels in contemporary Australian settings.
Born and raised in New Zealand, she moved to Western Australia with a single suitcase when she was nineteen years old. She has travelled extensively, spending a year touring the world before terrorism was an influencing factor. She has lived in the central business districts of large cities, suburbia, idyllic seaside locations, rural areas, bushland, and remote desert mining camps.
In the lead up to her writing career, Vicki worked in a multitude of different industries including banking, stockbroking, importing and wholesaling, human resources, mining, hospitality, civil engineering, and toys, in predominantly accounting, IT and management roles.
All these life experiences are brought to bear in her writing.
Outside of writing and reading, her main interests are design and photography. She likes to laugh, drink coffee, spend time alone, spend time in company, and get close to nature. She dislikes crowds, hospitals and offal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 5, 2015
Another winning book, quick and fast paced, so much so that my eyes did not once leave the page. Written by skilled Aussie author Vicki Tyley, who has woven a sharp murder mystery, where yet again we are left guessing. I'm never right, but that's good as it would be boring otherwise, right?! I am in the process of buying the paper books I've yet to read by this author. The sign for this reader that they're good. Recommended reading for mystery and thriller lovers. You will be left satisfied, I'm sure.
August 3, 2015
Short and sharp. Something you could snaffle up whilst eating your breakfast (as I did) or downing an afternoon cup of coffee (as I would have if I hadn't already finished the story before my morning cereal bowl was empty).
Entertaining enough and it certainly held my attention for the short time it took to complete it. One for fans of crime fiction in general or lovers of short stories.
Entertaining enough and it certainly held my attention for the short time it took to complete it. One for fans of crime fiction in general or lovers of short stories.
February 13, 2014
Leah finds her brother-in-law Daniel standing near his wife with a bloodied knife in his hand. Screaming uncontrollably Leah is confused by what she is seeing. Daniel calls for an ambulance, but will it be to late for his wife. Did Daniel do this to his wife or is there someone else involved.
This may be a short story, but boy it sure is full of suspense. And as for the ending I still can't get it out of mind and I was left wanting more. This is a fantastic short story by a fabulous Aussie author and I HIGHLY recommend as I really LOVED it and I'm very sure you'll love it just as much as I did. So what are you waiting for go and grab yourself a copy I promise you won't regret it.
This may be a short story, but boy it sure is full of suspense. And as for the ending I still can't get it out of mind and I was left wanting more. This is a fantastic short story by a fabulous Aussie author and I HIGHLY recommend as I really LOVED it and I'm very sure you'll love it just as much as I did. So what are you waiting for go and grab yourself a copy I promise you won't regret it.
July 19, 2016
Two BirdsTwo Birds (A Short Mystery) by Vicki Tyley is a strange bird indeed. Daniel Abbey’s wife Kristine lies dying on the kitchen floor, a knife sticking out of her chest. Blood covers the husband’s hands. Leah Jensen, their sister-in-law stands motionless in the doorway. Kristine’s pulse slips away with each tick of the clock. Will surgeons be able to save her?
Two witnesses. Former lovebirds. Is one guilty and the other innocent? Or do birds of a feather flock together – are they co-conspirators? I was into this story, but the ending came much too fast. It is “a short mystery,” but in my opinion, the author could have done so much more. As a police procedural, I give this one the bird. It’s as if Ms. Tyley is intent upon dropping a big fat surprise ending on us, and she does that. Splat! But I wanted more. A good lawyer would have a field day with these results!
3.5 stars
Two witnesses. Former lovebirds. Is one guilty and the other innocent? Or do birds of a feather flock together – are they co-conspirators? I was into this story, but the ending came much too fast. It is “a short mystery,” but in my opinion, the author could have done so much more. As a police procedural, I give this one the bird. It’s as if Ms. Tyley is intent upon dropping a big fat surprise ending on us, and she does that. Splat! But I wanted more. A good lawyer would have a field day with these results!
3.5 stars
February 11, 2014
When Leah came upon the dreadful scene she couldn’t stop screaming – Daniel, her brother-in-law was beside his wife Kristine where she lay on the floor in a pool of blood. But her state of shock didn’t stop her seeing the bloodied knife in his hands…..
As Leah stood, frozen in shock, Daniel brushed past her to ring for an ambulance and the police. Then as the ambulance took her away, Daniel’s panic turned to terror - was Kristine still alive?
This is an extremely short story, but a thoroughly enjoyable one. All tidied up neatly with a little shock at the end – another great mystery by Aussie author Vicki Tyley. Highly recommended.
As Leah stood, frozen in shock, Daniel brushed past her to ring for an ambulance and the police. Then as the ambulance took her away, Daniel’s panic turned to terror - was Kristine still alive?
This is an extremely short story, but a thoroughly enjoyable one. All tidied up neatly with a little shock at the end – another great mystery by Aussie author Vicki Tyley. Highly recommended.
December 29, 2014
Two Birds is a short mystery by New Zealand-born Australian author, Vicki Tyley. Daniel Abbey is discovered by his sister-in-law, Leah Jensen, knife in hand, leaning over the body of his wife, Kristine. As Leah stands frozen, Daniel tries to stem the bleeding; paramedics rush her to hospital but surgeons are unable to save Kristine’s life. Investigating police are presented with two versions of events: just who is guilty of murder? And what of the history between Daniel and Leah? This short story has a fast-paced, believable plot with a brilliant twist. It is an excellent taster of Tyley’s work that will have readers seeking out more by this talented author.
March 6, 2014
Very well done!
Amazing just how much detail and emotion can be condensed into such a short story...makes it seem very real.
From the very beginning each page is charged with suspicion, and several kinds of guilt!
Amazing just how much detail and emotion can be condensed into such a short story...makes it seem very real.
From the very beginning each page is charged with suspicion, and several kinds of guilt!
August 5, 2015
Good introduction to an author I had not read before. A quick free short story involving a murder and two suspects, each with their own version of finding the body. I read the 8 page pdf online, but it's also available on Kindle. I enjoyed the writing of mystery writer Vicki Tyley.
February 14, 2014
I needed a brief read to break up the emotionally charged books I'm in the midst of at the moment. This was a light read and just what I wanted! A clever little twist at the end. Makes me want to read more of Vicki Tyley's books!
December 30, 2014
I’m not a huge fan of short stories, but was recommended this one and was happy to find it is filled with lots of suspense and emotion and all in such a short amount of words. I loved the shock at the end!
March 8, 2014
Leah Jensen arrives home to find her brother-in-law, Daniel crouched over his wife Kristine who is lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood. He is clutching a knife that he found near her but no one was seen fleeing the house. When Kristine later dies in hospital in the operating theatre, both Daniel and Leah become suspects.
Fantastic short story. Short and economical with a great twist at the end.
Fantastic short story. Short and economical with a great twist at the end.
February 28, 2014
A captivating short story that I enjoyed during my lunch break today. Well-written with a nice twist that tied everything together nicely.
I am always on the lookout for new Australian crime fiction and have purchased the author's other titles on the strength of this one.
Can't wait to read the rest of the catalogue.
I am always on the lookout for new Australian crime fiction and have purchased the author's other titles on the strength of this one.
Can't wait to read the rest of the catalogue.
July 4, 2013
Oh my God, the best short story that I've read in a very long time. Totally check this book out. A lady is murdered and there are two suspects ... and that is all I will tell you ... the rest you just HAVE to read.
August 5, 2016
A short Murder Mystery by Australian author Vicki Tyler.
A very good read that has so much condensed in just over 3000 words. Full of suspense and twists and turns that make this book a fascinating read.
My first experience of her work but it won't be my last.
A very good read that has so much condensed in just over 3000 words. Full of suspense and twists and turns that make this book a fascinating read.
My first experience of her work but it won't be my last.
April 30, 2015
Nice quick read, kept me thinking.
December 30, 2024
3.5⭐'s
February 18, 2014
The story begins with Leah walking in on her brother in law, Daniel who is standing over the dead body of his wife. What’s more suspicious is that Daniel is also holding a bloodied knife in his hand. It seems obvious now that Daniel has murdered Kristine—or has he?
We follow Daniel as he accepts the news of his wife’s death and his interrogation by the police. There are a lot of things going on in Daniel’s mind and we can see the subtle hints to what kind of man he is. Overall, this is a very clever, well-written, and memorable story. The plot twist is an A plus.
Highly recommended!
February 25, 2013
Daniel is standing over the dead body of his wife holding a bloodied knife in his hand, when Leah, his sister-in-law and previous lover comes into the kitchen. Daniel has murdered Kristine - or has he?
A very clever short story with a great twist at the end. Well-written and memorable!
Highly recommended.
Australian writer, Vicki Tyley, is the author of best-sellers, Thin Blood, Sleight Malice, Brittle Shadows, Fatal Liaison and Bitter Nothings.
A very clever short story with a great twist at the end. Well-written and memorable!
Highly recommended.
Australian writer, Vicki Tyley, is the author of best-sellers, Thin Blood, Sleight Malice, Brittle Shadows, Fatal Liaison and Bitter Nothings.
August 8, 2013
For a short story, it was packed with suspense! I never thought that a short story, such as this one, could hold my attention so strongly. I keep changing my guess on who was the killer and was still wrong in the end!! Amazing short story!! Great mystery, the ending really made me do a double take. I read the ending twice just to be sure I read it right. I finally understand the title now!! Love it!! I recommend this short story!!
April 22, 2013
I picked up this little short ditty because it was free. Based on the cover, I didnt think it would hold my interest. Definitely cant judge a book by its cover. Things started off a little slow, but as they unfolded I found myself yearning for more. Upon completion I said only four words. "Ooowwweee... that was good!"
I understand the meaning of the cover now. BRAVA!
I understand the meaning of the cover now. BRAVA!
May 22, 2013
This short story has got to be one of the most entertaining 25 pages I have ever read! It was a very well written story that packed a lot of punch, a story to remember.
What could have been a typical murder mystery, the author turned into a wonderful twisted story. I was truly surprised at the ending and loved it!
I highly recommend this story with the two sweet birds on the cover. :)
What could have been a typical murder mystery, the author turned into a wonderful twisted story. I was truly surprised at the ending and loved it!
I highly recommend this story with the two sweet birds on the cover. :)
May 13, 2015
This was an interesting story of how someone gets aways with murder.
The protagnist gets away with mirder and removes his hurdles out of the way.
The story moved nicely and suspense revelaed in the end.
Good Read
I give this book 3/5
Devil D
The protagnist gets away with mirder and removes his hurdles out of the way.
The story moved nicely and suspense revelaed in the end.
Good Read
I give this book 3/5
Devil D
March 8, 2016
A likeable tale
I thought this very agreeable short story was very pleasant.
The main character was formed well enough for such a brief encounter.
I would certainly recommend this mystery and will look out for more fiction by this author.
I thought this very agreeable short story was very pleasant.
The main character was formed well enough for such a brief encounter.
I would certainly recommend this mystery and will look out for more fiction by this author.
February 23, 2019
This was a corker of a short story! Why have I not read this author before ..... especially given she's an Australian? A fast paced, tightly woven murder mystery with a psychological edge, it really does pack an awful lot into it's few pages. Highly recommended read.
October 27, 2013
Great short story murder mystery written by an Australian Author. I look forward to reading her other novels.
June 3, 2014
Short read that grabs your interest from the start.
You can't be sure who-dunit until the final reveal.
You can't be sure who-dunit until the final reveal.
June 27, 2014
This was a very very short story. It was a good one but right when it was really intense BAM it was over.
August 6, 2015
Didn't work for me. Over simple and assuming. Built up was fantastic but the end did disappoint a bit.
October 29, 2017
One of my collecting ambitions is to start laying in more issues of the classic mystery digest magazines of the postwar period, such as Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. A good introductory piece on these can be found at The Thrilling Detective Web Site.
Vicki Tyley's Two Birds, which is available for Kindle, is just exactly the sort of short story that would have been published in AHMM or EQMM in their heyday (or still, for that matter; both those magazines remain on the newsstands). Of necessity, a short crime story with a whodunit element is light on setting and texture because of space considerations; it might have an almost geometric quality, and so it is with Two Birds. It might take place anywhere.
But Vicki Tyley is a New Zealander transplanted to Australia, and since I have always been very attracted to Australia, I am curious to take a look at her full-length novels (five so far) for their local flavor. Mysteries with a strong sense of place are self-recommending for me.
The element of Two Birds that grabbed my attention was the psychology of the protagonist, Daniel Abbey, from whose POV the story is told. The thoughts of a married womanizer who suffers no apparent guilt or even particular concern over his habits is fascinating to me. "Don Draper!" you immediately think, but I ask you, do we ever really get Don from the inside? I haven't seen Mad Men all the way to its conclusion yet, but in the four seasons I have watched, I haven't developed a sense of how Don really thinks about what he does. He remains somewhat opaque (but still fascinating, of course).
Daniel Abbey is a little different story, because we are given access to his mental processes. Tyley effectively hints at a whole string of adulteries (and some other intriguing bits of backstory, such as the death of a brother-in-law in a "boating accident," hmm). My reader feedback to Vicki Tyley is, go all the way with this theme sometime! It truly has a lot of potential. And you have definite insight into this type of masculine psychology.
Vicki Tyley's Two Birds, which is available for Kindle, is just exactly the sort of short story that would have been published in AHMM or EQMM in their heyday (or still, for that matter; both those magazines remain on the newsstands). Of necessity, a short crime story with a whodunit element is light on setting and texture because of space considerations; it might have an almost geometric quality, and so it is with Two Birds. It might take place anywhere.
But Vicki Tyley is a New Zealander transplanted to Australia, and since I have always been very attracted to Australia, I am curious to take a look at her full-length novels (five so far) for their local flavor. Mysteries with a strong sense of place are self-recommending for me.
The element of Two Birds that grabbed my attention was the psychology of the protagonist, Daniel Abbey, from whose POV the story is told. The thoughts of a married womanizer who suffers no apparent guilt or even particular concern over his habits is fascinating to me. "Don Draper!" you immediately think, but I ask you, do we ever really get Don from the inside? I haven't seen Mad Men all the way to its conclusion yet, but in the four seasons I have watched, I haven't developed a sense of how Don really thinks about what he does. He remains somewhat opaque (but still fascinating, of course).
Daniel Abbey is a little different story, because we are given access to his mental processes. Tyley effectively hints at a whole string of adulteries (and some other intriguing bits of backstory, such as the death of a brother-in-law in a "boating accident," hmm). My reader feedback to Vicki Tyley is, go all the way with this theme sometime! It truly has a lot of potential. And you have definite insight into this type of masculine psychology.
August 18, 2014
I din't really think this could be considered an actaul book; although, I do think this short story could be a chapter inside a thriller book.
i did enjoy this short story and i didn't -at all- see that end coming.
***SPOLIER ALERT*** I did like the end though, and how the main character confused us into thinnking that he didn't know who had killed his wife. until the very end we didn't know it was him.
so overall i didn't really like this short story, the only reason i gave it a two-star review was because of the end, it was great.
if this was to be adapted into a longer story i would surely read it; i am sure that i would like the final story.
i did enjoy this short story and i didn't -at all- see that end coming.
***SPOLIER ALERT*** I did like the end though, and how the main character confused us into thinnking that he didn't know who had killed his wife. until the very end we didn't know it was him.
so overall i didn't really like this short story, the only reason i gave it a two-star review was because of the end, it was great.
if this was to be adapted into a longer story i would surely read it; i am sure that i would like the final story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews