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Rag Doll
Rag Doll is a short but very impressive story about a young father finding himself trapped in evidence against him and quite possibly framed for the murder of his girlfriend. A story that starts with blood and gore, part psychological thriller, and part reflection by our protagonist on his life in prison. This is a cleverly plotted story and intriguingly told as it unfolds in front of your eyes. In order to understand the twisted ending, readers must not skip a word.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2012
25 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Scarberry
10 books183 followersRebecca Scarberry was born and raised on the coast of California. She now lives on a secluded farm in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas.
She self-published Messages from Henry in June 2012. It was written for young adults, but adults are finding it very entertaining. She released the sequel, Where Love Takes You on August 9, 2013 (previously published under a different title). Henry and Cecilia, now racing pigeons, go to England!
On December 10, 2012, she published a short story called, Rag Doll. This very short story is for adults only. It's a spicy crime drama, and many readers were taken by surprise with the twist in the end. She's now being called 'The New O'Henry'.
She has also published a children's picture book series (consisting of 4 volumes). It's her Jumper series, an action-packed series of illustrated children's books about a funny red beach ball, telling all about his adventures away from the toy store. She now has the Certificate of Registration for the script she wrote for Jumper. It's for one TV episode and she'll be submitting it to film producers.
She self-published Messages from Henry in June 2012. It was written for young adults, but adults are finding it very entertaining. She released the sequel, Where Love Takes You on August 9, 2013 (previously published under a different title). Henry and Cecilia, now racing pigeons, go to England!
On December 10, 2012, she published a short story called, Rag Doll. This very short story is for adults only. It's a spicy crime drama, and many readers were taken by surprise with the twist in the end. She's now being called 'The New O'Henry'.
She has also published a children's picture book series (consisting of 4 volumes). It's her Jumper series, an action-packed series of illustrated children's books about a funny red beach ball, telling all about his adventures away from the toy store. She now has the Certificate of Registration for the script she wrote for Jumper. It's for one TV episode and she'll be submitting it to film producers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 22, 2015
Just finished "Rag Doll" by Rebecca Scarberry, a short story about a young father finding himself framed for the murder of his girlfriend, based on the current evidence.
But things are not what they seem. You will have to read this short story to find out what happened, and decide for yourself how believable it is. Great job in keeping the end a surprise.
But things are not what they seem. You will have to read this short story to find out what happened, and decide for yourself how believable it is. Great job in keeping the end a surprise.
January 12, 2026
2.5 stars. I really hate being so negative towards other authors, but there were just too many glaring issues here. The writing, itself, was fine, but the content was clunky, having no real flow, pacing that was way too quick, and, most of all, there was no purpose. No character arcs, no clear plot, a confusing conclusion, and really nothing for me as the reader to connect with. The author tried to condense something that probably should have been 200 pages into 20, skipped over many plot points, and then the twist towards the end really made the story even less interesting and more confusing than before. Really was not a good experience for me.
January 9, 2015
Feels like it has been written by a 10 year old.
The story itself has no excitement. It seems to just skip all of a sudden to what feels like a very lazy unplanned ending.
Complete drivel.
The story itself has no excitement. It seems to just skip all of a sudden to what feels like a very lazy unplanned ending.
Complete drivel.
March 24, 2014
Rag Doll by Rebecca Scarberry is a superb short story with such a kickass ending that I defy anyone not to gasp and spill their coffee or tea or beverage of choice.
The author has managed to wrap a mammoth mystery into a gift-wrapped Pandora's Box that will leave any reader begging to see this on the small screen. What starts out as a pleasant day out hunting for diamonds in a State Park turns to pain, fear and guilt as the body of a woman is discovered by a little boy.
His father is soon under suspicion and this is where the mystery evolves into a Kafkaesque style thriller full of doubting authorities, paranoia and guilt-ridden past events biting the rear end when least expected.
But it's the grand finale that really lifts this great work into a mini classic, and I must take my hat off to the author for accomplishing such a brilliant coup of literary genius.
A FIVE STAR shortie that is highly recommended.
The author has managed to wrap a mammoth mystery into a gift-wrapped Pandora's Box that will leave any reader begging to see this on the small screen. What starts out as a pleasant day out hunting for diamonds in a State Park turns to pain, fear and guilt as the body of a woman is discovered by a little boy.
His father is soon under suspicion and this is where the mystery evolves into a Kafkaesque style thriller full of doubting authorities, paranoia and guilt-ridden past events biting the rear end when least expected.
But it's the grand finale that really lifts this great work into a mini classic, and I must take my hat off to the author for accomplishing such a brilliant coup of literary genius.
A FIVE STAR shortie that is highly recommended.
May 28, 2014
Terrible
I am speechless! I cannot believe this story is available on Kindle - the writing could be that of a 6th grader. At this time, the average rating is 4.5 & the only reason I'm leaving a review is to warn other readers not to waste the 10 minutes it takes to read it.
I am speechless! I cannot believe this story is available on Kindle - the writing could be that of a 6th grader. At this time, the average rating is 4.5 & the only reason I'm leaving a review is to warn other readers not to waste the 10 minutes it takes to read it.
March 7, 2015
Welcome to the twisted world of Rag Doll, a very short tale from Rebecca Scarberry that covers, a little of everything dark while skipping the tracks mid-way to cover even more darkness as a man reflects on the circumstances of his past that brought him to where he is today. Is real? Is he dreaming? Has he killed someone or has he been a victim, as well? You be the judge, what has really happened here? Has justice been served or are we still left with unanswered questions?
A short read that will linger as you ponder each event in the brief timeline, you realize Rebecca Scarberry has connected with you on a plane that will have you wanting to know more of the gory details. Veiled in a shroud of mystery, with rapidfire events through the eyes of the protagonist, what did he miss? Love all of the questions remaining.
Publication Date: December 9, 2012
Publisher: Rebecca Scarberry
Genre: Short Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 19 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A short read that will linger as you ponder each event in the brief timeline, you realize Rebecca Scarberry has connected with you on a plane that will have you wanting to know more of the gory details. Veiled in a shroud of mystery, with rapidfire events through the eyes of the protagonist, what did he miss? Love all of the questions remaining.
Publication Date: December 9, 2012
Publisher: Rebecca Scarberry
Genre: Short Mystery/Thriller
Print Length: 19 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 23, 2015
A father and son go on an outing together when dark events, suspense and a sometimes creepy atmosphere fill the pages in this short story. The pace of this story is fast, whilst the nightmare the father finds himself in is full of tension and plot twists. I enjoyed this short story and feel that if the author ever developed it into a full length novel, plenty of readers of this short story would also enjoy that.
January 26, 2015
A very short story that packs a lot of moods and feelings into its narration.
The language can be very simplistic at time, but the story flows well.
The unexpected twist at the end felt a bit too rushed, furthermore I am not sure I am 100% convinced by it.
Definitely worth a read for a little bit of crime and mystery.
The language can be very simplistic at time, but the story flows well.
The unexpected twist at the end felt a bit too rushed, furthermore I am not sure I am 100% convinced by it.
Definitely worth a read for a little bit of crime and mystery.
March 27, 2014
Ugh, I hate giving fellow authors poor reviews but I can't say I loved something when I didn't so I'm going to use this as constructive critique and I hope the author takes it as such.
SPOILER ALERT! This review is going to be VERY detailed about the story-- it will spoil the book for you so don't read it if you don't like spoilers.
I do like suspense/horror and was suckered in by all the raving reviews. This might be like the Kill Bill movies for me-- everyone raved about them but I just didn't get it and perhaps this is the way with this story.
Rag Doll is the tale of a father and son finding a body in the woods of which the son calls the body a "rag doll." It's obvious the woman has been murdered in a heinous way. They go to the local sheriff to report the crime and then evidence is found implicating the father(like the hatchet used to kill her is found in his car's trunk and some letters implicating that he had an affair with this woman come to light.)
He is thusly arrested. Then, he is told that his wife (who he is not friendly with but was on this trip with them-- and is pregnant by an old high school flame) died in a bus accident. ALL the passengers died in the bus accident-- which I find medically hard to believe (unless a bomb was planted on it.)
Then the story shifts to a large backflash of how he met Selena-- the woman he had an affair with and who was subsequently murdered. The impetus for the affair was his horrible wife and how she treated their son. When he meets Selene-- he thinks she's a movie star (she actaully is) but then tosses it from his mind as too hard to believe. Personally, I think if a man was having an affair and he even thought it could be a movie star-- he would figure it out for sure so at the very least he could say to his friends, "You won't believe! etc . . ."
He continues the affair and he and Selena are having sex on the beach when they are filmed by someone. She insists that he get the tape back because she IS a movie star and it will ruin her career. And then he's flabbergasted by this but still doesn't end up retrieving the movie and the whole issue of the video tape goes unresolved other than while he's in jail he's searching magazines to see if it comes out in the press.
Then while in prison, he becomes ill and then wakes up in a hospital. Wait . . . he's been in a coma for two years. He had a ruptured aneurysm before he went to the park with his son-- which is where he found Selena's dead body. Then he finds out that his wife was pregnant by the sheriff that tried to frame him for Selena's murder who was also her old high school flame.
So wait-- both of the woman are alive? And his thinking both of them are dead were coma musings?
Really.
The reviews often mention this GREAT twist at the end but it honestly doesn't make logical sense. For a twist to be great it has to come in the realm of reason-- even for fiction and this whole story doesn't make sense. Some have compared the author to another great short story writer and if the comparisons are true then I'll never read that author's work either.
Other things I didn't like.
Formatting issues in the first couple of pages. It starts out double spaced and then switches to singe-spaced paragraphs with double spacing in between.
It is mostly telling with very little showing. Every character gets a cursory physical description--like the author is checking tasks off a list. Most sentences start with a pronoun.
Then-- when there is showing-- it's way overdone.
"This upset him so much, that he began to feel nauseous, his chest tightened, he got a sudden severe headache, and felt like he was giong to pass out." I think the author needs to read up on MRU units and how to work them properly into a story to deepen POV.
As I said before-- perhaps it's just me and I'm missing the boat. I'm open to constructive comments on where I went wrong in the reading of this short story.
SPOILER ALERT! This review is going to be VERY detailed about the story-- it will spoil the book for you so don't read it if you don't like spoilers.
I do like suspense/horror and was suckered in by all the raving reviews. This might be like the Kill Bill movies for me-- everyone raved about them but I just didn't get it and perhaps this is the way with this story.
Rag Doll is the tale of a father and son finding a body in the woods of which the son calls the body a "rag doll." It's obvious the woman has been murdered in a heinous way. They go to the local sheriff to report the crime and then evidence is found implicating the father(like the hatchet used to kill her is found in his car's trunk and some letters implicating that he had an affair with this woman come to light.)
He is thusly arrested. Then, he is told that his wife (who he is not friendly with but was on this trip with them-- and is pregnant by an old high school flame) died in a bus accident. ALL the passengers died in the bus accident-- which I find medically hard to believe (unless a bomb was planted on it.)
Then the story shifts to a large backflash of how he met Selena-- the woman he had an affair with and who was subsequently murdered. The impetus for the affair was his horrible wife and how she treated their son. When he meets Selene-- he thinks she's a movie star (she actaully is) but then tosses it from his mind as too hard to believe. Personally, I think if a man was having an affair and he even thought it could be a movie star-- he would figure it out for sure so at the very least he could say to his friends, "You won't believe! etc . . ."
He continues the affair and he and Selena are having sex on the beach when they are filmed by someone. She insists that he get the tape back because she IS a movie star and it will ruin her career. And then he's flabbergasted by this but still doesn't end up retrieving the movie and the whole issue of the video tape goes unresolved other than while he's in jail he's searching magazines to see if it comes out in the press.
Then while in prison, he becomes ill and then wakes up in a hospital. Wait . . . he's been in a coma for two years. He had a ruptured aneurysm before he went to the park with his son-- which is where he found Selena's dead body. Then he finds out that his wife was pregnant by the sheriff that tried to frame him for Selena's murder who was also her old high school flame.
So wait-- both of the woman are alive? And his thinking both of them are dead were coma musings?
Really.
The reviews often mention this GREAT twist at the end but it honestly doesn't make logical sense. For a twist to be great it has to come in the realm of reason-- even for fiction and this whole story doesn't make sense. Some have compared the author to another great short story writer and if the comparisons are true then I'll never read that author's work either.
Other things I didn't like.
Formatting issues in the first couple of pages. It starts out double spaced and then switches to singe-spaced paragraphs with double spacing in between.
It is mostly telling with very little showing. Every character gets a cursory physical description--like the author is checking tasks off a list. Most sentences start with a pronoun.
Then-- when there is showing-- it's way overdone.
"This upset him so much, that he began to feel nauseous, his chest tightened, he got a sudden severe headache, and felt like he was giong to pass out." I think the author needs to read up on MRU units and how to work them properly into a story to deepen POV.
As I said before-- perhaps it's just me and I'm missing the boat. I'm open to constructive comments on where I went wrong in the reading of this short story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
Rag Doll is a short story of introspection. A story of guilt and relief, of death and awakening portrayed as a thriller; but, who is dead? Who is alive? I could tell more, but then I would give it all away. You ought to read it first. My only criticism is that I got so wrapped up in the characters, I wish it was longer. Maybe the author will publish a sequel whereby she tells us more about what happens next to Jeremy and Selena.
I’d also like to say that, it’s quite different from Mrs. Scarberry’s Jumper series of children’s literature! It’s quite eclectic!
Write the author and tell her if you’d also like to hear more about these wonderful characters she’s portrayed in Rag Doll: http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Scarber...
I hope to see more of both genres and it’s a definite ‘thumbs up’!
I’d also like to say that, it’s quite different from Mrs. Scarberry’s Jumper series of children’s literature! It’s quite eclectic!
Write the author and tell her if you’d also like to hear more about these wonderful characters she’s portrayed in Rag Doll: http://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Scarber...
I hope to see more of both genres and it’s a definite ‘thumbs up’!
March 23, 2014
In a departure from her 'Jumper' series for children and her charming 'Henry' books, Ms Scarberry here weaves a murder mystery tale.
Although it is short, it is well worth a read - if only for the twists!
Although it is short, it is well worth a read - if only for the twists!
October 4, 2024
that was messy and didn’t make a ton of sense tbh
April 27, 2024
19 page short read. Hmmm...I think this could have been developed into a full read. As is, it just kind of skips into a new idea randomly and left me wondering how we got to that point.
September 26, 2013
I read the preview on amazon and was gripped instantly. The hook from the first line truly grabbed me and I could hardly stop myself from reading on.
The first chapter gave a good sense of character immediately. We meet Jeremy, a father hopelessly in love with his son, Todd, and a wife, who still yearns for her High School sweetheart. My sympathy as a reader rested with Jeremy and in such a short time, Rebecca has allowed us to associate and care for her characters in a short period of time.
The plot thickens and as the story progresses I felt bad for Jeremy but with limited information, Rebecca keeps us on our toes and keeps us guessing.
The descriptions in the novella were very vivid and visual and really painted a clear picture in my mind. It could see the story unfolding like a movie which helped me to associate with the characters and the story.
What I found particularly interesting in terms of characters was Rita’s lack of interest in her first child, and it made me sympathy for Todd grow, and my negative feelings for Rita rose. The character of Rita has many layers that truly painted her as a realistic character.
It was well written and definitely gripped me from beginning to end. The characters were well written and the dialogue was well constructed. Nothing felt false or unnatural. Rebecca managed to grip me and allow me to emotionally connect to get characters.
It was a pleasure to read on smashorwords.com and I would recommend it to anyone who wants am easy read that’s impossible to put down.
This novelette is available here: http://www.amazon.com/Rag-Doll-ebook/...
You can follow her twitter at: https://twitter.com/Scarberryfields
The first chapter gave a good sense of character immediately. We meet Jeremy, a father hopelessly in love with his son, Todd, and a wife, who still yearns for her High School sweetheart. My sympathy as a reader rested with Jeremy and in such a short time, Rebecca has allowed us to associate and care for her characters in a short period of time.
The plot thickens and as the story progresses I felt bad for Jeremy but with limited information, Rebecca keeps us on our toes and keeps us guessing.
The descriptions in the novella were very vivid and visual and really painted a clear picture in my mind. It could see the story unfolding like a movie which helped me to associate with the characters and the story.
What I found particularly interesting in terms of characters was Rita’s lack of interest in her first child, and it made me sympathy for Todd grow, and my negative feelings for Rita rose. The character of Rita has many layers that truly painted her as a realistic character.
It was well written and definitely gripped me from beginning to end. The characters were well written and the dialogue was well constructed. Nothing felt false or unnatural. Rebecca managed to grip me and allow me to emotionally connect to get characters.
It was a pleasure to read on smashorwords.com and I would recommend it to anyone who wants am easy read that’s impossible to put down.
This novelette is available here: http://www.amazon.com/Rag-Doll-ebook/...
You can follow her twitter at: https://twitter.com/Scarberryfields
October 6, 2023
wasted time
Seriously I just wasted time reading his. At first I thought this book was actually going somewhere. But as progressing through it stopped making sense. The author pulled scenes and details from nowhere. Nothing made sense at all. So glad this was a short read. But definitely not worth it
Seriously I just wasted time reading his. At first I thought this book was actually going somewhere. But as progressing through it stopped making sense. The author pulled scenes and details from nowhere. Nothing made sense at all. So glad this was a short read. But definitely not worth it
October 8, 2013
"Rag Doll" by Rebecca Scarberry is a short but very impressive story about a young father finding himself trapped in evidence against him and quite possibly framed for the murder of his girlfriend.
Not all is what it seems and I will have to leave it at that, however much I want to tell you more.
This was a surprise find for me, a story that starts with blood and gore, a metaphorical trap shutting and everything that follows after. Part psychological thriller, part reflection by our protagonist on his past from his life in prison this is a stylishly presented, cleverly plotted and intriguingly told story as it unfolds in front of our eyes.
I commend the author for keeping me guessing all through the book where the story will go and thank her for telling this twisted tale so well.
Not all is what it seems and I will have to leave it at that, however much I want to tell you more.
This was a surprise find for me, a story that starts with blood and gore, a metaphorical trap shutting and everything that follows after. Part psychological thriller, part reflection by our protagonist on his past from his life in prison this is a stylishly presented, cleverly plotted and intriguingly told story as it unfolds in front of our eyes.
I commend the author for keeping me guessing all through the book where the story will go and thank her for telling this twisted tale so well.
November 17, 2014
I admit I'm a bit of a slow reader, I usually read a few pages one day then pick up where I left off the next day. I was so hooked on this story that I finished it in one day.
I felt sorry for Jeremy and I was rooting for him to reunite with his son, Todd, who is the light of his world. My one critique of the story is I would've loved if Jeremy's relationship with his wife, Rita was explored more. I would've liked to have read about how they met and the early years in their marriage.
The story was very suspenseful and had me wondering what was going to happen. The plot twist at the end will surprise you and it also ties up a lot of loose ends from the beginning of the story.
I felt sorry for Jeremy and I was rooting for him to reunite with his son, Todd, who is the light of his world. My one critique of the story is I would've loved if Jeremy's relationship with his wife, Rita was explored more. I would've liked to have read about how they met and the early years in their marriage.
The story was very suspenseful and had me wondering what was going to happen. The plot twist at the end will surprise you and it also ties up a lot of loose ends from the beginning of the story.
February 25, 2016
Good short read that takes readers on a psychological thrill ride,
in fact the characters in the book go on one also.
I found the story line fascinating and enjoyed the twists and turns. The writing seemed a bit, I think the word might be halted, to me. But the story made up for that and I think this author did a great job. Short stories are hard to write and make them feel like a complete story, the author did a great job with this.
in fact the characters in the book go on one also.
I found the story line fascinating and enjoyed the twists and turns. The writing seemed a bit, I think the word might be halted, to me. But the story made up for that and I think this author did a great job. Short stories are hard to write and make them feel like a complete story, the author did a great job with this.
November 7, 2014
A Quick little read
A good short story, Rebecca Scarberry has written a neat compact fast little piece of entertainment. It is definitely a quirky enjoyable little tale and is probably a good introduction to those who might want to delve a little deeper into Rebecca's work. Pick it up, you will read it in a jiffy, thanks Rebecca.
A good short story, Rebecca Scarberry has written a neat compact fast little piece of entertainment. It is definitely a quirky enjoyable little tale and is probably a good introduction to those who might want to delve a little deeper into Rebecca's work. Pick it up, you will read it in a jiffy, thanks Rebecca.
February 19, 2014
Short Stories are great, BUT...they always leave you wanting more. Rag Doll is no exception. very well written. Rebecca Scarberry makes her characters real, people you might know. She does a great job in keeping the end a surprise, right to the VERY end. Great job.
February 26, 2015
3.5 rounded to 4.
A short, free ten minute read with a nice twist at the end. This brief piece shows the author can create likeable characters, an atmospheric feel and a good story. I was left wanting more and have added her longer books to my ever increasing BTR list.
A short, free ten minute read with a nice twist at the end. This brief piece shows the author can create likeable characters, an atmospheric feel and a good story. I was left wanting more and have added her longer books to my ever increasing BTR list.
September 25, 2015
I didn't really understand the point of this story, and I didn't like the writing. I appreciate how hard it must be to write and publish a story, and it is not grammatically incorrect or full of typos, I just didn't like it.
May 20, 2014
I was immediately pulled into the story and whipped around like a rag doll trying to keep up with where Jeremy was going with his narrative. I didn't expect the ending. We'll done.
October 26, 2014
No words
this book was amazing, I loved it .....kept me in suspense the whole time, not sure why it's called rag doll....but idc,,, I loved it!
this book was amazing, I loved it .....kept me in suspense the whole time, not sure why it's called rag doll....but idc,,, I loved it!
October 2, 2023
this book had potential
I was very excited for the story line , it was such a good concept , but the whole thing felt like it was rushed. Like I was reading a quick essay . There was so many more details I wanted .
I was very excited for the story line , it was such a good concept , but the whole thing felt like it was rushed. Like I was reading a quick essay . There was so many more details I wanted .
July 24, 2024
Riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. This short story leaves much to be desired. It has so many things that just don’t make sense or flow together and it reads like it was written by a child. Thankfully it was very short.
September 15, 2025
Was rush and incoherent
This book was rush and incoherent. Although I enjoy a short story this really didn’t feel that thought out, more like a book outline that wasn’t fully realized.
This book was rush and incoherent. Although I enjoy a short story this really didn’t feel that thought out, more like a book outline that wasn’t fully realized.
December 23, 2021
Fantastic
While reading this story I didn't expect the outcome to be what it was. I expected it to end much worse but it ended pleasantly.
While reading this story I didn't expect the outcome to be what it was. I expected it to end much worse but it ended pleasantly.
September 21, 2023
This was a good story. But was really confusing at the ending. I really enjoyed it though!
September 27, 2023
This was a fun short story for me. Yes, it was super fast paced and obviously doesn’t give you much back story. But the whole 10 minutes I was on edge. Honestly if it were a full length book with a lot more context and character building, it could easily be a 5 star read. The ending - perfection 😂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews