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Puddle
Urban legends are told every day. We hear them and laugh, then they're forgotten. If you live in the town of DeSoto, you can't forget. Every autumn rain, there's a reminder of something sinister, something deadly. If you aren't safe in your home or traveling by car, you're not long for this world. Every puddle could be an illusion, a trap for something waiting below. Be careful in the rain, especially when walking through a puddle.
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2014
24 people want to read
About the author
A. Renee Hunt
12 books73 followers My name's Alyssa and I'm a Homeschool Mom, a Tea Drinker, UK Lover, a Book Reader and Reviewer, a Book Hoarder and a collector of Funko Pops!.
Cheers,❤
Cheers,❤
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 5, 2016
This short story by A. Renee Hunt is a fun and easy read that warms the heart, awakens the senses, and tickles the soul. In Puddle, first person narrator Quinn Beasley looks back and tells the frightening, exciting, and fun-filled tale of an experience she and best friend, Maxine encountered when they were thirteen and in the eighth grade. It’s the stuff campfire stories are made of, and it keeps you turning pages.
Hunt’s talent is creating an authentic voice that teeters somewhere between her adult self and the thirteen-year-old she once was. Beasley is the quintessential unreliable narrator and the language Hunt uses is perfect for the occasion. Check it out. “My momma told me I was a pluviophile. That meant I was crazy partial to rain, puddle jumping, and such.” Almost a little Forest Gump there.
Hunt also does a good job keeping the tension up throughout the piece between Quinn and Max and the reader in suspense, especially at chapter breaks. The writing is very descriptive, the dialogue authentic, and the pacing on point. Hunt is a natural at showing over telling and uses literary devices like metaphors and simile to create a type of imagery that puts the reader in the pages. And … it’s funny. Sample the words. “Slowly, her knees bent, carrying her forward like a chopped tree. Her hair flew behind her, like a golden tail on a comet as I held my breath and saw a splash. It was the most beautiful arc I’d ever seen.” If you’re looking for a short, fun, and easy read. You’ll find it here, but watch out for the puddles. I’ll never see ’em the same.
Hunt’s talent is creating an authentic voice that teeters somewhere between her adult self and the thirteen-year-old she once was. Beasley is the quintessential unreliable narrator and the language Hunt uses is perfect for the occasion. Check it out. “My momma told me I was a pluviophile. That meant I was crazy partial to rain, puddle jumping, and such.” Almost a little Forest Gump there.
Hunt also does a good job keeping the tension up throughout the piece between Quinn and Max and the reader in suspense, especially at chapter breaks. The writing is very descriptive, the dialogue authentic, and the pacing on point. Hunt is a natural at showing over telling and uses literary devices like metaphors and simile to create a type of imagery that puts the reader in the pages. And … it’s funny. Sample the words. “Slowly, her knees bent, carrying her forward like a chopped tree. Her hair flew behind her, like a golden tail on a comet as I held my breath and saw a splash. It was the most beautiful arc I’d ever seen.” If you’re looking for a short, fun, and easy read. You’ll find it here, but watch out for the puddles. I’ll never see ’em the same.
January 9, 2021
A lovely, little scare story in the best tradition of urban legends. The author captures the voice of thirteen year old Quinn perfectly. The dialogue is sharp and very believable (and so many people cannot write a teenage voice).
Although short, the build up is well paced with some beautiful descriptives - 'Her hair flew behind her, like a golden tail on a comet' and just the right amount of menace.
I remember thinking that the cracks in the pavement might get me as a young teen, this brings back all of those heart-jumping moments!
Although short, the build up is well paced with some beautiful descriptives - 'Her hair flew behind her, like a golden tail on a comet' and just the right amount of menace.
I remember thinking that the cracks in the pavement might get me as a young teen, this brings back all of those heart-jumping moments!
October 22, 2014
A frightful read for October. I really enjoyed this short story. I remember puddle jumping as a youth and always wondering what was in the deep ones. Still wondering but not looking, lol.
September 15, 2015
This was a cute quick read. Excellent story to tell out camping by the fire at night with s'mores and friends!
July 5, 2018
A very short but definitely not sweet little story by A. Renee Hunt. This was not what I was expecting, a horror story, but was horrific none the less. A clever and simple little tale told from the viewpoint of a young schoolgirl and her best friend on their way home from school one rainy day.
Could the impossible tale her friend tells her about the dangers of puddles be true?
An enjoyable, well-written story, which left me wanting more and keen to look out more, maybe longer, books by this author.
Could the impossible tale her friend tells her about the dangers of puddles be true?
An enjoyable, well-written story, which left me wanting more and keen to look out more, maybe longer, books by this author.
February 5, 2017
I love Urban Legends and short stories that get under your skin. Told like an old woman speaking directly to you, we hear her story about when she was a kid walking with a friend as it rains. She loves splashing in puddles (and who didn't as a kid?), but her friend is deathly afraid and soon she finds out why.
As I was reading this, it took me back to my childhood when I would read the short stories that started my love for horror and the macabre - for instance, the story of the woman with the ribbon around her neck. You all remember that right? This short story is along those lines. I want to know more! What exactly IS down there? Anybody who takes a normal occurrence from childhood play and makes it into something sinister gets my vote!
Looking forward to your novel, miss! <3
As I was reading this, it took me back to my childhood when I would read the short stories that started my love for horror and the macabre - for instance, the story of the woman with the ribbon around her neck. You all remember that right? This short story is along those lines. I want to know more! What exactly IS down there? Anybody who takes a normal occurrence from childhood play and makes it into something sinister gets my vote!
Looking forward to your novel, miss! <3
June 26, 2016
Clever!
I really liked this story! It was the perfect blend of creepy, suspenseful, unique, and interesting to keep me hooked for the entire duration of the piece. Definitely recommend it!
I really liked this story! It was the perfect blend of creepy, suspenseful, unique, and interesting to keep me hooked for the entire duration of the piece. Definitely recommend it!
February 7, 2017
Puddle - what a thrill! Such a well crafted short story with great pace, and a quirky style. A dark tale of something nasty lurking in the puddles; sent shivers down my spine. A story that I'm sure I'll recall everytime it rains. Fabulously enjoyable 5⭐
March 16, 2017
This was such a good little read! I read it while sitting on my back deck on a stormy day, which was poetic. The writing was vivid and the storytelling was in a style not seen very much anymore. I highly recommend this story. I think it would make a great audiobook with the right narrator.
February 7, 2017
I loved this book! Not only do I love anything that has to do with Urban Legends, but I loved this because it felt like I was being told about it. Like when you're sitting at a fire with your friends, trying to scare them with Urban Legends and other scary stories. It also reminded me of when your aunts, uncles, or grandparents would tell you different stories and what they would say to keep you focused, or when you didn't believe them. This made the story feel intimate and helped keep your attention.
Short stories with bite are the best. It'll definitely make you second guess jumping in puddles after an autumn storm.
Short stories with bite are the best. It'll definitely make you second guess jumping in puddles after an autumn storm.
December 20, 2017
Awesome short scary story. It a great story to read to kids to scare them. Lol
I love everything about this story. It has perfect story line. I recommend eveybody to read this book and go scare your kids. Every page was a pege tuner! Can't wait for her next book. Bring it on!💖🎉💖🎉
I love everything about this story. It has perfect story line. I recommend eveybody to read this book and go scare your kids. Every page was a pege tuner! Can't wait for her next book. Bring it on!💖🎉💖🎉
February 13, 2017
This was a short and fast-paced read ever. This type of genre is the one I like the most and this was so blooming creepy. But what really caught my attention was the title, why puddle? That is what caught my attention. And let me tell you, just by reading every single word, I admit that it is the most nerve racking thing in life.
You feel like you are right there with the girls trying to figure out how they are going to cross the puddles. Also you can see through their eyes! Even more, on how they felt when they got home safe!
I need more stories like this. Not many people (I believe) love this genre. Because it has different types.
You feel like you are right there with the girls trying to figure out how they are going to cross the puddles. Also you can see through their eyes! Even more, on how they felt when they got home safe!
I need more stories like this. Not many people (I believe) love this genre. Because it has different types.
March 2, 2017
Are you afraid of puddles left over from the rain? Well you should be!
I am usually not one for horror stories, but when I saw this one, I had to read it. I am so happy that I did.
Like the mc in this short story, I liked to splash in rain puddles. I used to think it was fun, but now I don't know if my nostalgia for my childhood is worth it. I do NOT want to end up with ice cold dead hands pulling at me trying to drown me.
Oh no, I will leave that to other brave souls. My sense of adventure has it limits. Going forward I will reserve my puddle splashing to the spring and summer months only. You won't catch me near a puddle in the fall. If you have good sense you will heed this warning. Lol Beware of the puddles!
I am usually not one for horror stories, but when I saw this one, I had to read it. I am so happy that I did.
Like the mc in this short story, I liked to splash in rain puddles. I used to think it was fun, but now I don't know if my nostalgia for my childhood is worth it. I do NOT want to end up with ice cold dead hands pulling at me trying to drown me.
Oh no, I will leave that to other brave souls. My sense of adventure has it limits. Going forward I will reserve my puddle splashing to the spring and summer months only. You won't catch me near a puddle in the fall. If you have good sense you will heed this warning. Lol Beware of the puddles!
June 11, 2022
What a good scare!
What a good scare! The author pulls you into the storyline with ease and the does a great job of scaring you even though you know it's a scary story. I know I will never look at puddles in the way ever again, that's for sure. I truly enjoyed the read and recommended it, just not late at night when you're all alone!!
What a good scare! The author pulls you into the storyline with ease and the does a great job of scaring you even though you know it's a scary story. I know I will never look at puddles in the way ever again, that's for sure. I truly enjoyed the read and recommended it, just not late at night when you're all alone!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews