BOURBON & SUEDE

by S. R. Mallery

Bourbon & A Different kind of Plant Short Story
What happens when, at eight years old, you watch your wonderful, plant-loving mother leave this world far too early and soon after that, your father turns into a shell of the man he was? Growing up in that kind of environment, in time, Cassie discovered how much PTSD had become a potent staple in her life. Yet, in spite of her “auras,” she managed to become a successful accountant; someone who, just like her mother, was also surrounded by beloved plants in her Brooklyn apartment. But after a relationship that hadn’t worked for her, when she met Simon, a man who right away treated her like the cherished woman she had craved to be, she figured her life had finally come together, to full fruition––and all was perfect.
But…was it?
#Plants, #Romance, and #Thriller, this story is à la Hitchcock, Rod Serling, and O. Henry.

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2025

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. R. Mallery really wants us to think deeply, I think. I love my plants, but... Someone aligned this short novel with Alfred Hitchcock. Or Rod Sterling. Or O Henry. I was thinking David Decovney, myself. He and Jillian Anderson would have fit in quite well. Though very short, this was an eye opener, I couldn't believe how involved I became, how quickly. Everyone should read it, and then give the lady author a standing ovation.
REVIEWED on June 21, 2025 at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review at B&N or Kobo.

[Linda Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do plants have a secret life, hidden from the humans who tend them? Short story, Bourbon & Suede by USA Today bestselling author, S. R. Mallery, explores this question. The story’s protagonist, Cassie, is a plant lover as was her mother, who suffered an untimely death. Cassie’s father, distraught, drowned himself in alcohol and, as a result, neglected and verbally abused his young daughter. Cassie, now an adult, struggles to build self-esteem and is more relaxed and at home with her plants than with her fellow humans. Enter Simon, who works at an antique store, and is, to Cassie, the perfect companion. A previous romance with a detective, who lives in Cassie’s building, went sour because, in Cassie’s eyes, he didn’t give her as much attention as she deserved. Simon, on the other hand, is always available. But strange things start happening with Cassie’s plants and she wonders if she is losing her grip on reality.

This was a fun read, full of twists and turns and unexpected events. It’s a short read – sort of like diving into an episode of The Twilight Zone. Highly recommended!

[Steven Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I used to enjoy watching Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour on television. The stories were often dark, and sometimes funny. Reading “Bourbon and Suede” brought me back to those days. The story gets its spark from Cassie, a troubled young woman with a dark past of her own. Though she works hard to stay positive, there’s always a hint of menace just around the corner. Then she meets Simon. All the characters are well drawn, and like those old TV series, there’s a nice twisty ending. By the way, the story is best read surrounded by house plants while sipping a calming cup of chamomile tea.

[Inge-Lise Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Intriguing Mystery/Thriller
Deception, danger, and romance come together in this captivating tale. Cassie has had a dark childhood that she is striving to overcome. Like her mother, she has a unique ability to communicate with plants. When a new guy enters her life, she suddenly notices a strange smell in her apartment and her plants are beginning to wilt. Are they warning her about the danger approaching?

This is a well-paced short story. The author’s vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue brought the characters to life. I highly recommend this suspenseful, engaging read!

[Mary Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy mystery, easy to read with a satisfying end.

[Marta Moran Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Mallery’s latest story, Bourbon & Suede, held me spellbound in a Twilight sort of way. The way she portrayed Cassie and her love of plants, & attempts to overcome her own PTSD from past trauma, kept me connected to her in ways that felt personal to me.

Do plants speak to each other and to some people? Is Cassie gone crazy like her father? Or is something more sinister happening?

I was mesmerized reading this short story and could not put it down. As only a truly great author can do, Mallery, holds you in the story till the end, wanting more and wishing the story wouldn’t end.

Bourbon & Suede is the type of story that you can reread repeatedly and find something new in the reading. I highly recommend this story.