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The Hate
Manhunt, the short story of the murder of the president, with a twist.
Excerpt:
Right now there is a massive manhunt for me. There’s almost no chance I will be found, but just in case, I need to set the record straight. I know you think you know what happened. I mean, it has been all over the news for days. The country in mourning, shocking act of violence, and on and on. But you only know what they told you. But once I tell you everything, tell you the truth, you’ll be thanking me. I’ll be a goddamn hero. Not that anyone will admit it. Doesn’t matter though. I’ll be long gone.
So like any good story, I have to start at the beginning. I know you’d prefer me to just cut to the chase. But there are some things you need to know first.
Bear with me, you’ll be glad you did.
The Hate,a short story of revenge done right.
Excerpt:
He glanced back at me, smirking. That bastard was smirking at me.
At that moment I knew I would kill him. I knew I would make him beg for his life and then I would kill him. The image appeared in my head like a movie. Maybe he actually felt the daggers coming from my eyes because he stopped smirking and looked away.
He shouldn’t have killed her. He shouldn’t have left me with nothing more to lose.
Approx. 10,000 words
Excerpt:
Right now there is a massive manhunt for me. There’s almost no chance I will be found, but just in case, I need to set the record straight. I know you think you know what happened. I mean, it has been all over the news for days. The country in mourning, shocking act of violence, and on and on. But you only know what they told you. But once I tell you everything, tell you the truth, you’ll be thanking me. I’ll be a goddamn hero. Not that anyone will admit it. Doesn’t matter though. I’ll be long gone.
So like any good story, I have to start at the beginning. I know you’d prefer me to just cut to the chase. But there are some things you need to know first.
Bear with me, you’ll be glad you did.
The Hate,a short story of revenge done right.
Excerpt:
He glanced back at me, smirking. That bastard was smirking at me.
At that moment I knew I would kill him. I knew I would make him beg for his life and then I would kill him. The image appeared in my head like a movie. Maybe he actually felt the daggers coming from my eyes because he stopped smirking and looked away.
He shouldn’t have killed her. He shouldn’t have left me with nothing more to lose.
Approx. 10,000 words
ebook
First published February 16, 2011
16 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 1, 2025
Apt title
Two short stories that deal with different types of hate and both have potential to be longer stories which is rare.
It is a quick read and has some interesting and fun ideas.
Two short stories that deal with different types of hate and both have potential to be longer stories which is rare.
It is a quick read and has some interesting and fun ideas.
June 9, 2011
"Revenge is sweet and not fattening" - Alfred Hitchcock
Lisa Mills lost her daughter Amy to Ray Smutres, a registered sex offender. at the trial, Ray is acquitted of the crime. in a fit of rage, Lisa drives her car into Ray's home and attacks him. Ray screams attempted murder and will only drop charges on one condition - Lisa must commit herself to stay at a mental hospital. she acquiesces to the demand. then Lisa disappears without a trace. a year later, those who prey on the innocent start showing up dead.
S.L. Pierce is a writer to watch. her protagonist Lisa simply puts blood splatter pattern expert Dexter Morgan to shame.
as a bonus, she includes another short story about revenge. initially, i thought it was a follow up to the previous one but both are unrelated. The Manhunt deals with another woman on the run for killing the most powerful leader in the world. i totally loved this one as well!
i could not believe how these short stories affected me so much. i was blown off my seat when i was done reading them. i literally had to pause and catch my breath. they were gritty, raw and very visceral. i was so impressed with the writing that i turned to Google for more information about the author.
i really hope that S.L. Pierce stays on top form with her future work. she definitely made a lasting impression on me with The Hate and The Manhunt.
Disclosure of Material Connection: i purchased this book at Smashwords through a coupon provided by the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Lisa Mills lost her daughter Amy to Ray Smutres, a registered sex offender. at the trial, Ray is acquitted of the crime. in a fit of rage, Lisa drives her car into Ray's home and attacks him. Ray screams attempted murder and will only drop charges on one condition - Lisa must commit herself to stay at a mental hospital. she acquiesces to the demand. then Lisa disappears without a trace. a year later, those who prey on the innocent start showing up dead.
S.L. Pierce is a writer to watch. her protagonist Lisa simply puts blood splatter pattern expert Dexter Morgan to shame.
as a bonus, she includes another short story about revenge. initially, i thought it was a follow up to the previous one but both are unrelated. The Manhunt deals with another woman on the run for killing the most powerful leader in the world. i totally loved this one as well!
i could not believe how these short stories affected me so much. i was blown off my seat when i was done reading them. i literally had to pause and catch my breath. they were gritty, raw and very visceral. i was so impressed with the writing that i turned to Google for more information about the author.
i really hope that S.L. Pierce stays on top form with her future work. she definitely made a lasting impression on me with The Hate and The Manhunt.
Disclosure of Material Connection: i purchased this book at Smashwords through a coupon provided by the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
November 1, 2019
Wow! Deep!
March 13, 2011
The Hate from S.L Pierce is a fast paced, exceptionally well written short story about one woman's hatred and revenge following the release of her daughter's killer. It had me captivated from the very first words with a twist at the end that left me gobsmacked. I read this story in less than an hour (and I'm quite a slow reader), and even if this hadn't been a gift from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review, I would have bought it anyway. Currently at $1.14 for the Amazon Kindle US version, this read is something that I would recommend you add your Kindle library. I loved this story. Loved it!
Bonus Material:
And there's more...
I have to admit to feeling the disappointment when I reached the end of The Hate as the author's writing style totally resonated with me. I wanted to read more! And there it was, another story tagged on to the end...
Manhunt by S.L. Pierce
Blurb/ Excerpt:
Right now there is a massive manhunt for me. There’s almost no chance I will be found, but just in case, I need to set the record straight. I know you think you know what happened. I mean, it has been all over the news for days. The country in mourning, shocking act of violence, and on and on. But you only know what they told you. But once I tell you everything, tell you the truth, you’ll be thanking me. I’ll be a goddamn hero. Not that anyone will admit it. Doesn’t matter though. I’ll be long gone.
So like any good story, I have to start at the beginning. I know you’d prefer me to just cut to the chase. But there are some things you need to know first. Bear with me, you’ll be glad you did.
My Review:
I can't really get into the bones of this story without giving too much away, and I don't review with spoilers - why ruin the ride for everyone else?
All I can say is Oh. My. God.
This short story rivalled, if not overtook the race with The Hate in sheer brilliance of conception, writing style, pace and a remarkable twist right at the very end that I wouldn't have seen coming if it smacked me in the face with a frying pan.
If you love short reads with pace and style that will leave you breathless and still thinking on it the next day, then S.L Pierce is an author to watch. Pierce has certainly just made the list as one of my new favourite authors.
5 Stars well deserved.
Bonus Material:
And there's more...
I have to admit to feeling the disappointment when I reached the end of The Hate as the author's writing style totally resonated with me. I wanted to read more! And there it was, another story tagged on to the end...
Manhunt by S.L. Pierce
Blurb/ Excerpt:
Right now there is a massive manhunt for me. There’s almost no chance I will be found, but just in case, I need to set the record straight. I know you think you know what happened. I mean, it has been all over the news for days. The country in mourning, shocking act of violence, and on and on. But you only know what they told you. But once I tell you everything, tell you the truth, you’ll be thanking me. I’ll be a goddamn hero. Not that anyone will admit it. Doesn’t matter though. I’ll be long gone.
So like any good story, I have to start at the beginning. I know you’d prefer me to just cut to the chase. But there are some things you need to know first. Bear with me, you’ll be glad you did.
My Review:
I can't really get into the bones of this story without giving too much away, and I don't review with spoilers - why ruin the ride for everyone else?
All I can say is Oh. My. God.
This short story rivalled, if not overtook the race with The Hate in sheer brilliance of conception, writing style, pace and a remarkable twist right at the very end that I wouldn't have seen coming if it smacked me in the face with a frying pan.
If you love short reads with pace and style that will leave you breathless and still thinking on it the next day, then S.L Pierce is an author to watch. Pierce has certainly just made the list as one of my new favourite authors.
5 Stars well deserved.
March 13, 2011
The Hate and Manhunt
by S. L. Pierce
Copyright 2011 by S. L. Pierce, Smashwords ISBN 978-1-4580-4598-0 Kindle ASIN B004O6MVAS $.99
I occasionally review novellas or short stories. This review is of the short stories The Hate and Manhunt. The Hate is the short story that is for sale, Manhunt accompanies it as a free gift. Both stories are very interesting for very different reasons.
I found The Hate to be a really interesting story of the revenge all of us would like to exact if we were in the protagonist's situation. There isn't a person reading the story who couldn't identify with the grief-stricken mother and her need to get even, at any cost. What I really enjoyed was the end of the story. I don't want to give it away but suffice it to say that it too is a situation I could see happening, under the right circumstances.
Manhunt is a very different type of story. It is the tale of a young woman who grows up to be an assassin and who kills the President of the United States. In a story that at first appears to bear little resemblance to the original circumstance - she killed the president - the ground work for her tale is laid. The twist at the end was great and really tied together everything I had read up until that point. It made the entire story echo through my mind as the reality of her conclusion hit me. It was great.
The Hate and Manhunt can both be read in a few hours. While a thread of commonality runs through the stories they are very different from one another in scope. I enjoyed both of them and think they are well worth the investment in their purchase.
by S. L. Pierce
Copyright 2011 by S. L. Pierce, Smashwords ISBN 978-1-4580-4598-0 Kindle ASIN B004O6MVAS $.99
I occasionally review novellas or short stories. This review is of the short stories The Hate and Manhunt. The Hate is the short story that is for sale, Manhunt accompanies it as a free gift. Both stories are very interesting for very different reasons.
I found The Hate to be a really interesting story of the revenge all of us would like to exact if we were in the protagonist's situation. There isn't a person reading the story who couldn't identify with the grief-stricken mother and her need to get even, at any cost. What I really enjoyed was the end of the story. I don't want to give it away but suffice it to say that it too is a situation I could see happening, under the right circumstances.
Manhunt is a very different type of story. It is the tale of a young woman who grows up to be an assassin and who kills the President of the United States. In a story that at first appears to bear little resemblance to the original circumstance - she killed the president - the ground work for her tale is laid. The twist at the end was great and really tied together everything I had read up until that point. It made the entire story echo through my mind as the reality of her conclusion hit me. It was great.
The Hate and Manhunt can both be read in a few hours. While a thread of commonality runs through the stories they are very different from one another in scope. I enjoyed both of them and think they are well worth the investment in their purchase.
January 15, 2012
The Hate:
This story was gritty, edgy, and graphic. But what a story! What would you do if you lost everything and had nothing else to lose?
Lisa Mills is still grieving the loss of her husband six months prior when her daughter is sexually assaulted and murdered by a pedophile, Ray Smutres.
As often happens, the court system failed the victim, and the murderer walks out of the court scott free. Lisa is distraught and snaps inside courtroom and tries to kill ray by impaling a pen in his throat. Her novice attempt is easily thwarted and Ray is rushed from the courtroom by his attorney while Lisa is being physically restrained by a bailiff.
When she arrives home, she has to sit through the perfunctory condolences offered by her neighbors and the police officers who failed her. It is at that moment when Lisa decides that she will be the harbinger and bringer of vengeance.
She embarks on a journey of macabre retribution.
The Hate was a dark and dismal tale about what could happen when a person is fed up with a criminal justice system allows repeat criminals to escape justice.
This was a novella length book but most definitely a powerful story of desperation and vigilante justice.
This story was gritty, edgy, and graphic. But what a story! What would you do if you lost everything and had nothing else to lose?
Lisa Mills is still grieving the loss of her husband six months prior when her daughter is sexually assaulted and murdered by a pedophile, Ray Smutres.
As often happens, the court system failed the victim, and the murderer walks out of the court scott free. Lisa is distraught and snaps inside courtroom and tries to kill ray by impaling a pen in his throat. Her novice attempt is easily thwarted and Ray is rushed from the courtroom by his attorney while Lisa is being physically restrained by a bailiff.
When she arrives home, she has to sit through the perfunctory condolences offered by her neighbors and the police officers who failed her. It is at that moment when Lisa decides that she will be the harbinger and bringer of vengeance.
She embarks on a journey of macabre retribution.
The Hate was a dark and dismal tale about what could happen when a person is fed up with a criminal justice system allows repeat criminals to escape justice.
This was a novella length book but most definitely a powerful story of desperation and vigilante justice.
January 21, 2012
The Hate is a short story accompanied by another short story called Manhunt. The Hate is a story of revenge. It's interesting to see the hunter become the hunted but it ends very quickly and jumps right into the action. I feel the story is very formulamatic. That may not be an actual word but you get what I mean, right. I've heard this story before and was not surprised or intrigued. The writing style doesn't stand out for me either. The story that comes with the The Hate is called Manhunt and I can say the same about it too, not great writing but Pierce gets it done and in Pierce's own style. I do not enjoy Pierce's style for short stories.
Manhunt has a crazy twist in the end. I did not care for it. It was like watching Empire Strikes Back and hearing Darth Vader reveal he is Luke's father for the 100th time. Yawn. It was too easy.
The Kindle version has bonus material at the end. Excerpts from the novels Secrets and The Devil's Game. Skip the short stories and jump to these. There are far more interesting and better written. I feel bad for giving such a bad review but I think these stories deserve it. But reading the excerpts from the novels are Pierce's saving grace. Pierce is a talented writer but needs time to tell a proper story that short stories don't allow.
Manhunt has a crazy twist in the end. I did not care for it. It was like watching Empire Strikes Back and hearing Darth Vader reveal he is Luke's father for the 100th time. Yawn. It was too easy.
The Kindle version has bonus material at the end. Excerpts from the novels Secrets and The Devil's Game. Skip the short stories and jump to these. There are far more interesting and better written. I feel bad for giving such a bad review but I think these stories deserve it. But reading the excerpts from the novels are Pierce's saving grace. Pierce is a talented writer but needs time to tell a proper story that short stories don't allow.
November 7, 2011
Have you ever experienced frustration when a failed justice system frees the guilty on technicalities and families of the victim are treated like criminals?
This gripping, fast paste short story opens as the mother of an abused and murdered child is released to once more walk the streets and repeat his pattern of crime. Lisa Mills is to determined to exact revenge on Ray Sumtres, a repeat sex offender.
Ms. Mills is committed to make Ray Sumtres' life a hell on earth. Follow her on a quest for gratification!
This gripping, fast paste short story opens as the mother of an abused and murdered child is released to once more walk the streets and repeat his pattern of crime. Lisa Mills is to determined to exact revenge on Ray Sumtres, a repeat sex offender.
Ms. Mills is committed to make Ray Sumtres' life a hell on earth. Follow her on a quest for gratification!
February 27, 2011
What do you do when the court system fails? For one woman it's a case of revenge and justice. When her daughter's killer gets away with murder, she's consumed with passionate hatred and starts a waiting game until she can finally bring him to justice. Her own type of justice.
This was a gripping tale of revenge. It's fast paced, well written, and had me hooked from page one. The bonus story is also a quick, thrilling read.
This was a gripping tale of revenge. It's fast paced, well written, and had me hooked from page one. The bonus story is also a quick, thrilling read.
July 5, 2011
This book begins with an added short story, The Manhunt, with an ending you won't see coming.
The Hate will keep your interest from beginning to end. The story of how anyone would feel if a predator took away their child. The author did a great job of developing a character you can identify with. You won't be disappointed with this book. I enjoyed it so much, that I've just purchased S.L Pierce's next book, Secrets.
The Hate will keep your interest from beginning to end. The story of how anyone would feel if a predator took away their child. The author did a great job of developing a character you can identify with. You won't be disappointed with this book. I enjoyed it so much, that I've just purchased S.L Pierce's next book, Secrets.
December 23, 2011
Like all S.L. Pierce's novels, this one grabs, and rivets, by forcing the reader to identify with a protagonist who lives out the fantasies our darker-angels are forever urging us (usually unsuccessfully) to pursue. It's difficult to put the book down, difficult to forget it once one does. I found my own vengeful fantasies stirred into new life--not necessarily a good thing. But then, maybe that's what action thrillers of this genre are supposed to do?
July 14, 2013
Good book! I don't use to read short stories, but this one is nice. Th 1st, story, The Hate, is a story about revenge. The 2nd. one called Manhunt is very interesting. In both of them the characters are well developed. The excerpts of The Secret, and The Devil's Game are very enough to have a good idea about them.
March 11, 2016
I'm not really sure what I was expecting but I was blown away by this short story of a mother seeking revenge for the death of her daughter. Having a daughter myself, I couldn't imagine what I would do in that situation. I wish there was more to this story but at the same time it was perfect the length it was. Definitely going to check out more from this author!
October 14, 2011
The hate is a riveting little thriller. i enjoyed it from start to finish. It's the perfect revenge scenario written with SL's consummate skill. Like all good thrillers it grabs you in the first sentence and doesn't let go. Do yourself a favor - read it.
Read
March 9, 2011Review forthcoming.
April 27, 2012
Twisted mentality. Great and fast read on revenge.
Read
March 2, 2019The Hate - Manhunt
Two short stories from S.L.P. The first being 'The Hate', a story about one woman's revenge on a freed paedophile who murdered her daughter.
So I don't ruin it for others...I'll just say it's worth buying this book.
The second (bonus) story is 'Manhunt'. A lady who grows up with money, looks and a 'killer' attitude. Yes, she's an assassin! One job she gets assigned to takes her back to her Past. Then, when her Past comes back to haunt her, how can she go on?
Two great stories with twists and turns galore. Ignoring the sneak peaks inside, the 2 of them take a little over an hour to read.
(I never read sneak peeks, I would rather read the full story when it comes out)
Worthwhile book to add to your collection. Go get it, just for the sheer shock-value from the two shorts...
Two short stories from S.L.P. The first being 'The Hate', a story about one woman's revenge on a freed paedophile who murdered her daughter.
So I don't ruin it for others...I'll just say it's worth buying this book.
The second (bonus) story is 'Manhunt'. A lady who grows up with money, looks and a 'killer' attitude. Yes, she's an assassin! One job she gets assigned to takes her back to her Past. Then, when her Past comes back to haunt her, how can she go on?
Two great stories with twists and turns galore. Ignoring the sneak peaks inside, the 2 of them take a little over an hour to read.
(I never read sneak peeks, I would rather read the full story when it comes out)
Worthwhile book to add to your collection. Go get it, just for the sheer shock-value from the two shorts...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews