Only One Way Out

by D.L. Atha

Stranded on a Missouri road that holds little hope of rescue, Mara sets out in search of her own salvation. But what she finds instead is a house incapable of being remembered and a genteel woman seemingly trapped in a different decade. Is it Southern hospitality that draws Mara in or something far more sinister?

Genres: Horror, Vampires

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2014

Reviews

[Latasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a nice surprise

The story is well written and interesting. Does not take long to read. I would read more by this author.

[Steff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I enjoyed this short story and if you like this genre then I’m sure you will enjoy it as well.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a creepy short story, but worth the time. And who doesn't love a short read. Mara does all the things that our fathers have always drilled in our heads that us single females must do when traveling; watch that gas gauge, keep that phone charge and NEVER enter a stranger's house. Mara should've known that something was off when she couldn't have remembered the details of that beautiful Victorian when she turned her head. Her gut was even screaming to her when she thought to herself how would she tell the tow-truck driver where she was if she couldn't describe the house. The her hostess is shooting off creepy vibes and Mara brushes it off as being tired and wet. Girl, you should have stayed in that car.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one good creepy short story . The characters are well written and you really start to feel for them. Mara is a fearless woman who strong but can’t believe what has happened on a lonely road in a rain storm . Lucille is some what scary in her character . You just don’t really know what she is all about until the end . The house is actually its own character . It’s creepy and eerie all in its own right .
The story is a fast read and the author takes us to a place where the creepy comes at you . For me it started out just a little slow over describing the house . But over all I enjoyed this short story and would love to read more

[Rhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a creepy short story, this is an excellent one to try. Atha has a deft touch when it comes to building up the suspense without it plateauing. What I think is most intriguing is the moral question at hand. There's a lot of punch to this short story and the author draws you in, almost without you realizing. The writing is well done - gorgeous descriptions pepper it throughout. This is well worth the read and as my first book by DL Atha, I'm definitely going to be checking out other works.

[Jessica71208 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had me hooked then left hanging

This was my first story by this author and it was a really short one at that. I did enjoy the story that was there but I really felt like I wanted more. I wanted to know who the master of the house was that Maria was trapped in. You are drawn right into the book and it keeps you hooked but I feel like the end was a bit of a let down with all the build up about that Master. Since this was an extremely short story I would read more from this author because I did like this story I just think it needed more.

[Tammy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story made my skin crawl. The creepy factor is a definite 10! Remember all those things that as girls we were warned against by our parents, no, well you soon will. You will also be screaming them at Mara (the main character) as she gets drawn in further and further. No house phone, no internet, no dad to help, and no way out! I want more like this book D.L. Atha! I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for him to come as promised.

[Barbara Gartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting so much detail in such a short story but there was. Only OneWay Out is so vividly told that you can't help but feel like you are part of the storyline. I only wish that there were more pages to turn. I truely enjoyed this book and hope that there will be more to this story in the future. I'd recommend reading this!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. The author did a great job setting the scene and giving a description for everything. I don't normally read this type of short story but I really enjoyed it and would like to read more from this series.

Great for a quick read before bed.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy short very short story filled with so much detail you are going to love it. Being so short there isn’t much you can say. I will say it is very well written with a very unique plot that holds your attention. I totally LOVED IT.

[Staci Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

That is definitely a good reason to wait in the car.

Truly bone chilling tale. I have always felt creepy about approaching a strange house. Even in town let alone in the middle of nowhere. This isn't exactly why but good enough reason. ;)

[Heather Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story

It's a well written story and I can vividly see the place in my minds eye the Victorian gothic house is of course well suited to a vampire story . I enjoyed it.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began reading this book I really wasn't sure which direction this was leading. It didn't take but a few moments, a couple pages, and I truly didn't realize how much this storyline had me hooked right in. The suspense was subtle, but nevertheless it had the right effect. I became the captive audience as this writer strung me along and truly did not release me until its conclusion. Even now, I am wondering if there are more books, documenting Mara's new life. If you are a reader looking for a quick fix of suspense with a splash of paranormal, spend the afternoon with this gem!

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only One Way Out

Spine chilling and mysterious. I'm curious as to who the mystery man is and interested to find out what happens next. It definitely reminded me of a SyFy movie.

[Tresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great quick read!! Mara's car breaks down in the pouring rain on a desolate road and she searches for a house where she can use their phone and warm up. What she finds isn't at all what she expects and it will change her life forever, and not in a good way. What an engrossing read, I could not put it down and read it in one sitting!!! Just fantastic!!! Can't wait to read more from D.L. Atha!!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I couldn't help think this would make a good Twilight Zone episode. The author does a wonderful job of building the suspense throughout the story, I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going happen. This is the first story by this author I have read and it won't be my last.

I was gifted a copy of this story by the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Intriguing from beginning to end. Great book for a series. The characters and plot were well written. I look forward to reading more books by D.L. Atha
I would recommend this book to all my friends

[Jennifer Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kuddos!!!!!!!

Wow! If you want creepy, strange and mysterious this is the book for you! Just when you think you can trust Southern hospitality, think again. This book has an amazing unique storyline. Clever... very clever D.L. Atha

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew a bit psychological for a vampire short story. Will we meet this vampire? Makes you wanna read more. I had to keep reading though. Very good set up for a series. Enjoyed reading it although short. Hope its not the end for Mara.

[Crystal Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love creepy and spooky stories and this one did not disappoint. Mara found an old house after her car ran out of gas, what was she going to find in it or shall I say who will she find in it. This story kept me going the second I started reading it and I didn't put it down until I was done. I was very pleased with the story mainly because it wasn't a love story or the ending most would want or expect, it was different and I LOVE DIFFERENT.

[Christine Sobczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Pretty intense for a short story. Loved the way it was written. It reminded me of the ole Twilight zone stories. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Anna Salamatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but intriguing story. Felt like another dimension going on here with a twist of "Hotel California " on the side! .. Well done.

[Amanda Showalter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did move at a pretty good pace for me which kept me interested and made the short books seem to even shorter. The pages just seem to fly by and I was sad on the book was over. This is a spooky book and is about Mara who ran out of gas on the road and went seeking help. The question is are all Southern people really gentle and hospitable? This book is set up to be the start of a series and leaves you wondering what is going on at the end. I want more!!!!! Hopefully we will get that soon!!