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Time Out
You wake up and the world is different.
Not in the disaster movie sense, but much more painful and purposeful—almost sinister.
In the tradition of Lonely Road, Gone, The Disappearance and I Am Legend comes Michael Marshall Smith's Time Out, a brand new novella of displacement and unease.
Imagine waking up, as normal, but today the world is There aren't any people in it.
“Somewhere between 1am and 6am, everybody had disappeared.”
How do you behave? What do you do? How do you change?
That disagreement you had with your wife yesterday doesn't freight so heavily now that the whole slate has been wiped…does it?
Should it?
Michael Marshall Smith wins awards for this sort of thing.
Are you prepared to cope with real emptiness?
Maybe the entire world hasn't changed.
Maybe you have.
Not in the disaster movie sense, but much more painful and purposeful—almost sinister.
In the tradition of Lonely Road, Gone, The Disappearance and I Am Legend comes Michael Marshall Smith's Time Out, a brand new novella of displacement and unease.
Imagine waking up, as normal, but today the world is There aren't any people in it.
“Somewhere between 1am and 6am, everybody had disappeared.”
How do you behave? What do you do? How do you change?
That disagreement you had with your wife yesterday doesn't freight so heavily now that the whole slate has been wiped…does it?
Should it?
Michael Marshall Smith wins awards for this sort of thing.
Are you prepared to cope with real emptiness?
Maybe the entire world hasn't changed.
Maybe you have.
- GenresScience Fiction
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
6 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Michael Marshall Smith
253 books1,057 followersMichael Marshall (Smith) is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. His first novel, ONLY FORWARD, won the August Derleth and Philip K. Dick awards. SPARES and ONE OF US were optioned for film by DreamWorks and Warner Brothers, and the Straw Men trilogy - THE STRAW MEN, THE LONELY DEAD and BLOOD OF ANGELS - were international bestsellers. His most recent novels are THE INTRUDERS, BAD THINGS and KILLER MOVE.
He is a four-time winner of the BFS Award for short fiction, and his stories are collected in two volumes - WHAT YOU MAKE IT and MORE TOMORROW AND OTHER STORIES (which won the International Horror Guild Award).
He lives in Santa Cruz, California with his wife and son.
He is a four-time winner of the BFS Award for short fiction, and his stories are collected in two volumes - WHAT YOU MAKE IT and MORE TOMORROW AND OTHER STORIES (which won the International Horror Guild Award).
He lives in Santa Cruz, California with his wife and son.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 22, 2025
A great little novella about counting your blessings from the author of the trend-setting sci-fi novels Only Forward and Spares. Beautifully bound, numbered and signed, it’s a real collector’s item. The idea is familiar but Marshall takes it in an original direction, delivering some superb characterisation and a healthy dose of wry wit along the way to a wholly satisfying conclusion.
February 14, 2024
I’m delighted to be the first person to rate and review this book.
I’ve long been a fan of Michael Marshall Smith, enjoying work produced under every variation of his name. Naturally, I was excited to see a new novella of his available on Netgalley and requested it right away. Read it almost right away too, though ideally it should have been saved for right around Christmas time.
So, then, remember that now old music video by Our Lady Peace where someone wakes up to find themselves the only person around? Everywhere they go, everything they do … there’s no one. All the places remain, and all the people are gone. Well, it’s kind of like that. But in a novella form. And with a moral, because after all, it is a Christmas story.
But what lifts it above average such fare is Smith’s talent for detail. In this case, a particularly creepy detail of people stuck midway through their actions, stuck in their tracks. That is such a haunting image/metaphor, and Smith nails it, making an almost cozy read into something considerably more unsettling. Still, it’s cozy enough for Christmas. And an entertaining quick read for any season. Thanks Netgalley.
I’ve long been a fan of Michael Marshall Smith, enjoying work produced under every variation of his name. Naturally, I was excited to see a new novella of his available on Netgalley and requested it right away. Read it almost right away too, though ideally it should have been saved for right around Christmas time.
So, then, remember that now old music video by Our Lady Peace where someone wakes up to find themselves the only person around? Everywhere they go, everything they do … there’s no one. All the places remain, and all the people are gone. Well, it’s kind of like that. But in a novella form. And with a moral, because after all, it is a Christmas story.
But what lifts it above average such fare is Smith’s talent for detail. In this case, a particularly creepy detail of people stuck midway through their actions, stuck in their tracks. That is such a haunting image/metaphor, and Smith nails it, making an almost cozy read into something considerably more unsettling. Still, it’s cozy enough for Christmas. And an entertaining quick read for any season. Thanks Netgalley.
March 31, 2025
I just kept reminding myself that the purpose of a book discussion is to get you out of your comfort zone; the purpose of a book discussion is to get you out of your comfort zone ...
Science Fiction is so NOT my genre ... Ugh!
This story was what I would deem Science Fiction - Lite.
Thirty-something male has taken social-drinking to the max. That night, he falls asleep on the couch after his wife and daughter have gone to bed. When he wakes up the next morning, it's to an alternative world where there are no people. His cell phone does not work outside of the house. When he turns on CNN, the TV shows a blank screen. How would you handle a world where you are so connected - people / animals, technology, etc. and then you aren't, and there's no explanation why this has happened?
The end of the story was not at all what I expected, but you'll have to read this novella to learn more.
Science Fiction is so NOT my genre ... Ugh!
This story was what I would deem Science Fiction - Lite.
Thirty-something male has taken social-drinking to the max. That night, he falls asleep on the couch after his wife and daughter have gone to bed. When he wakes up the next morning, it's to an alternative world where there are no people. His cell phone does not work outside of the house. When he turns on CNN, the TV shows a blank screen. How would you handle a world where you are so connected - people / animals, technology, etc. and then you aren't, and there's no explanation why this has happened?
The end of the story was not at all what I expected, but you'll have to read this novella to learn more.
February 1, 2025
A book about a man in his 30s who wakes up one day to find everyone gone. He perseveres, but struggles to adapt, and discovers at some point how guilty he feels towards his family for things he has done and didn't have time to make amends.
80% of the book is excellent. It's well written, and the psychology of the protagonist on display is remarkably crafty. Unfortunately, as the situation becomes clearer and nears resolution it ends up being increasingly banal, and when the final scene comes - it's so cliche and boring it hurts.
So - from a thoughtful exploration of the human psyche under stressful circumstances, it evolves into a b-movie plot.
80% of the book is excellent. It's well written, and the psychology of the protagonist on display is remarkably crafty. Unfortunately, as the situation becomes clearer and nears resolution it ends up being increasingly banal, and when the final scene comes - it's so cliche and boring it hurts.
So - from a thoughtful exploration of the human psyche under stressful circumstances, it evolves into a b-movie plot.
June 27, 2025
Novella length. Kind of a Twilight Zone last-man-on-earth story. I was disappointed in the ending.
January 29, 2025
Not sure if this is "scifi" or not but I put it on that shelf anyway.
This is novella length but it feels like a long short story. A man wakes up one morning and something mysterious has happened. The rest of the book is about him trying to find out what exactly it was, and to try and live in his new reality.
I don't have a lot to say about this. It's an interesting idea but I wanted more from the ending I suppose.
This is novella length but it feels like a long short story. A man wakes up one morning and something mysterious has happened. The rest of the book is about him trying to find out what exactly it was, and to try and live in his new reality.
I don't have a lot to say about this. It's an interesting idea but I wanted more from the ending I suppose.
September 9, 2025
Others have described the tale so I won't bother.
It was spooky....the lack of people, the unconcerned squirrel, stopping in the road....
My only complaint is it was short!
Yes a novella rather than a novel but I read it without stopping!
One thing: The dog. OK it's an annoying dog he says, I'd still have made sure it had water and food....and was OK - earlier..
The ending? Not so great. So just 4 stars....3.95 maybe.
It was spooky....the lack of people, the unconcerned squirrel, stopping in the road....
My only complaint is it was short!
Yes a novella rather than a novel but I read it without stopping!
One thing: The dog. OK it's an annoying dog he says, I'd still have made sure it had water and food....and was OK - earlier..
The ending? Not so great. So just 4 stars....3.95 maybe.
April 27, 2024
First time reading Michael Marshall Smith. Always heard he was good, but just hadn't tried anything. Now I definitely will. Nice to get a shorter read the first time. I enjoyed the character in the book. The story was great (different, at least for me), and the pacing was good also. #TimeOut #NetGalley
May 19, 2024
3.5
Nothing like a Michael Marshall Smith novella to remind me how much I miss Michael Marshall Smith's writing. This is a shorter effort from the deft scribe who brought us Only Forward, Spares and The Straw Men, but it's evocative and beautifully observed as always. Well worth a gander for fans of the author or anyone looking for a slight but impactful little read.
Nothing like a Michael Marshall Smith novella to remind me how much I miss Michael Marshall Smith's writing. This is a shorter effort from the deft scribe who brought us Only Forward, Spares and The Straw Men, but it's evocative and beautifully observed as always. Well worth a gander for fans of the author or anyone looking for a slight but impactful little read.
February 19, 2024
Enjoyed reading this new book. It was short and very well written, wanted to read more from Michael Marshall Smith. Always enjoy his books. Thanks to NetGalley and @SubPress for the chance to read this.
May 18, 2024
A quick read and an utterly engrossing one that doesn’t overstay its welcome premise-wise. I read this on a night when nobody was home and didn’t stop reading - or take a full breath - until I was done. I’ve loved everything he’s ever done and this is no exception!
November 4, 2024
My thoughts haven’t stopped racing since I finished the book- this was so incredible. The story line was so unique; I was hooked from the beginning. I’ll definitely be seeking out more from this author.
April 30, 2024
Recommended
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
Review posted at Tzer Island book blog:
https://www.tzerisland.com/bookblog/2...
June 3, 2024
creepy and anxiety-provoking
I was on edge reading this! What was happening? How would it resolve?! What the hell is happening?! Excellent read.
I was on edge reading this! What was happening? How would it resolve?! What the hell is happening?! Excellent read.
September 13, 2024
Very short and nice read, not my favorite ending.
November 15, 2024
I'll admit that the ending of this left me a little disappointed but I think it's wonderfully written, with an appropriately jarring atmosphere and a perfectly imperfect character study.
December 9, 2025
insufferable main character. The themes of "freedom" and monotony were cool, until I reached the part where I'm supposed to feel bad for a man's "lonliness" due to his own betrayal of doing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews