Motive. Means. Opportunity. Without proof of all three, the guilty can walk free. But even with an alibi, the innocent can still be condemned. For six award-winning, bestselling authors of psychological suspense, truth and lies weave together in a tangle of conflicting loyalties, hidden crimes, and dark secrets. Pull one thread, and there’s no telling what will unravel.
Death Row by Freida McFadden With all hope of an appeal fading away, the fate of a condemned murderess takes a shocking turn in a breathtaking short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid.
The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth When a restaurateur and serial philanderer turns up stone-cold dead, his trio of exes falls under suspicion in a sharp-witted and suspenseful short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Darling Girls.
False Note by David Lagercrantz A toxic father-son relationship unleashes dark impulses and unthinkable betrayals in a riveting short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl in the Spider’s Web.
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian For two brothers, an inheritance triggers a dark chain of events in a thrilling short story of loyalty and revenge by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant.
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker Curiosity could get the best of a watchful neighbor in a chilling short story about friendship, secrets, and sneaking suspicions by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Family Money.
Small Things by Wanda M. Morris When a jewelry maker’s only escape from an abusive marriage is threatened, she must go to creative lengths to protect it in a haunting short story by the award-winning author of What You Leave Behind.
#1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She lives with her family and possessed cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
Note that I am maxed out on friends, so I apologize in advance that I can't friend anyone back!
In a Nutshell: A collection of six suspense thrillers set around the concept of alibis. A fairly mixed collection, with two stories outstanding, two just average, and two not worth a read.
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The 'Alibis’ series is described on Amazon as “stories about lies, truth, and deception. It’s just a matter of what you can get away with.”
This isn’t the best of the Amazon Original Collections, but is a decent enough option in general. The six stories are too much of a mixed bag in terms of quality.
I have already reviewed the individual stories of this series as follows:
Story 1: Death Row by Freida McFadden – 4 stars. A compelling dual-timeline story with a clever twist and an ending that blew me away. The best story of the collection for me.
Not a must-read, but a good option (except for the middle two stories) to those looking for quick reads.
My thanks to Amazon Original Stories for providing the DRC of the Alibis collection via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the series.
I enjoyed every story in this collection and it’s one of the best I’ve read in some time. Here are the reviews for each.
Staged by Freida McFadden ★★★★ the setup… Despite having an airtight alibi, Talia Kemper was convicted of murdering her husband Noel and sits on death row, awaiting execution now that her appeals are exhausted. But Talia is adamant that she didn’t kill her husband. When her lawyer comes for his last visit, she sees a man in the visiting area who looks remarkably like Noel! Could it be he’s still alive?
the heart of the story… Everything is through Talia’s point of view and she takes us back in time from when she first met Noel to the present. Pay careful attention because everything matters.
the narration… Lauryn Allman is the narrator and whoa was she great! I’ve a new voice to add to my list of favorites with her low, mellow tone. She was perfect as Talia and as a storyteller.
the bottom line… See, this is why I’m a sucker for short stories because there’s always the possibility they will land as solidly as this one. Oh, what a clever little path that was laid, leading me down one I thought I knew but ending in a place that had me rewinding. My first by the author and I like her style.
The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth ★★★★ the setup… Ian Curley is a renowned chef and restaurateur with a thriving restaurant in Melbourne. His three ex-wives, Anita, Mary-Jane (MJ) and Rosie, meet there every Friday in the same corner booth to share their past marital woes (he foots the bill). His two children, Max and Daisy, work for him. When Ian is discovered dead in his commercial freezer, there’s no shortage of suspects, including his new child girlfriend Emma. But, they all seem to have rock solid alibis.
the heart of the story… Detective Charlene Li and her hapless partner Adrian Collins are tasked with figuring out who murdered Ian and untangling the suspects’ whereabouts. I loved getting everyone’s point of view and Detective Li’s follow up interrogations. It was intriguing from the onset, especially after each gave color to who Ian was, really.
the narration… I loved Anthea Greco’s voice tone, accent and storytelling! She was part of the “thing” that hooked me so quickly.
the bottom line… Despite its brevity, there’s a lot of meat here. I got a strong sense of every character, tough to accomplish in a short story with this many characters. Thought I had it solved but that twisty little ending caught me off guard. This so perfectly fits in with the collection and Hepworth does it again.
False Note by David Lagercrantz ★★★★ the setup… William Homberg is the son of Stockholm’s beloved baritone opera singer, Knut. He was raised solely by him following his mother’s death. Knut lived in excess…alcohol, women and lavish spending on himself and sadistically cruel to the women who adored him. William has lived his life dedicated to not be like this man and rarely sees him. However, when his beloved girlfriend Ebba encourages him to reach out to Knut with her at his side, he agrees and it’s life changing.
the heart of the story… This was on the bleak side but compelling in a foreboding way. When Knut turns up murdered, all the evidence points to William, who has an alibi but is reluctant to reveal it. I had a feeling where this was going and my heart began to ache for William who was losing the struggle to not be the man his father was.
the narration… Graham Halstead made all the difference in my enjoyment of this story. I would encourage everyone to listen to this one versus reading. He completely captures William and his storytelling is superb.
the bottom line… This one will haunt me because William is such a tragic character, trying to not be his father and sort of failing in the attempt. I saw betrayal coming and just wanted to save him.
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian> ★★★1/2 the setup… A woman is cycling around the dairy farmland near Burlington, Vermont when she’s distracted by the sight of two skydivers. Recalling her own great experience, she stops to watch. But then she sees that one of them changes course and starts heading towards an active forage harvester. She watches in horror at the impending disaster. Brothers Pete and Leo Hamilton have returned home following their father’s death to settle his estate but disagree on what to do with the farm. They both agree to his request that they sprinkle his ashes over the fields and are the skydivers seen by the cyclist.
the heart of the story… Even though the cyclist is the alibi, she comes from a background that makes her an exceptional witness and knows something was off. One of those brothers died and given their disagreement about the farm, suspicion is cast on the survivor. We get a tiny glimpse about the two when it transitions back to before it happened and pick up a few clues. Nothing was as it seemed.
the narration… Eric Altheide, Soneela Nankani and Pete Simonelli give voice to the brothers and the cyclist. All were great at their storytelling, especially the cyclist who sets up the skydiving scene perfectly.
the bottom line… I wish this was just a smidgen longer because I just couldn’t get a good sense of the brothers before the skydiving disaster. However, the epilogue wrapped things up nicely with a sweet little twist. I liked it but had to rewind to make sure I heard things right. 3.5 stars
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker ★★★★ the setup… Kara is new to the neighborhood and has only made friends with her next door neighbor Mindy who shares her fears about her husband’s possible philandering. Kara decides she’ll look out for her whenever she’s away from home. When she sees someone there through the window while Mindy is out, Kara decides to do some closer snooping and gets the surprise of her life.
the heart of the story… What is it they say about good fences make good neighbors? Definitely something Kara should have kept in mind as things quickly got dangerous. The cat and mouse game that later ensued was filled with tension and surprises. The alibi? Well, that’s a spoiler.
the narration… Amara Jasper (new to me) was fabulous! She did a great job of storytelling and characterized Kara perfectly. It’s five for five with the narrators in this collection.
the bottom line… This one is a winner! It grabbed me right away and never let go. And, I couldn’t believe how quickly the time went because I was completely immersed in the story. Well done.
Small Things by Wanda M. Morris ★★★★ the setup… From the outside, Hannah and Rusty Ferguson seem to have the ideal marriage. But Rusty is an emotional abuser and Hannah’s his constant target. Her only outlet is her backyard shed where she secretly designs and creates jewelry. When Rusty takes steps to destroy this smallest thing, it’s a step too far for Hannah.
the heart of the story… Hannah constantly dreams of ways Rusty could experience lots of bad luck, all of it harmless until he threatens that shed. He’s cruel, selfish and spiteful so you know something’s coming. I could hear the Jaws music in the background.
the narration… I’m a fan of Susannah Jones and she delivers an inspired and wonderful performance. She had me listening intently to every word and inflection.
the bottom line… This story ends the collection with a flourish. There wasn’t a question of if but how and so that little twist was a bit unexpected. Well done as I finished this in one session, surprised that it was over so quickly as I lost track of time. Gotta check out more from this author.
Death Row is a short story by Freida McFadden. Talia Kemper is on death row for the murder of her husband. She’s innocent, she says, even had an alibi, but it made no difference and, as her lawyer is breaking the news that her appeal has failed, she spots a man who, impossibly, could be her husband. How? Does the alternating Before narrative really explain what has happened? It certainly throws in twists to keep the reader guessing, and the ending will still have them wondering if they got it right… or not. 4/5
The Ex-Wives Club is a short story by Sally Hepworth. When well-known Melbourne restaurateur, Ian Curley is found dead in his restaurant freezer, DI Charlene Li is appointed SIO. She’s pleased to have a high-profile case, less so to have half-witted, lazy Detective Adrian Collins, as her assistant. The list of suspects includes his three ex-wives, his girlfriend, his children and the restaurant staff. Among them, most have apparently strong alibis, and quite a few have strong motives, although not all of those are apparent to DI Li: it’s a puzzle to which she doesn’t have all the pieces… Very clever! 5/5
False Note is a short story by David Lagercrantz. It is translated by Elizabeth DeNoma. The audio version is narrated by Graham Halstead. Since he was five, William Homberg has been raised by his father, and seen the way he treats women: he has no intention of ever behaving the way Knut does. But his new girlfriend, Ebba convinces him to reconnect with his dad, and the famous opera singer welcomes them effusively: Ebba is starstruck. When he finds out what has transpired with Ebba, William pays his father an angry visit. But he didn’t kill him, definitely not: he has an alibi. Ultimately, though, is he more like his father than he thought? 3/5
The Skydivers is a short story by Chris Bohjalian. The audio version is narrated by Eric Altheide, Soneela Nankani and Peter Simonelli. Brothers Leo and Peter Hamilton, in disagreement about the disposal of their father’s estate, go skydiving to scatter his ashes over his beloved farm: what could go wrong? War veteran and Pentagon analyst, Ceci Fitzgerald witnesses their descent, and sees one brother come to grief. She’s not convinced it’s a tragic accident. Some excellent twists and red herrings in this one. 5/5
Good Neighbors is a short story by Chad Zunker. The version is narrated by Amara Jasper. Intent on being a good neighbor, Kara Reed is checking to see if Bill McGregor’s evening visitor while his wife, Mindy is absent, might be the other woman she suspects. Kara’s husband has told her not to get involved, but there she is, jaw dropping as something entirely unexpected happens. And suddenly, she’s a target for a very nasty person. Lots of action and a predictable twist, but alibis didn’t feature. 3/5
Small Things is a short story by Wanda M. Morris. The audio version is narrated by Susannah Jones. Stuck in a marriage to a toxic husband, Hannah Ferguson’s only respite is in the little Etsy jewellery-making business she conducts in her little shed. She puts up with criticism, psychological cruelty and infidelity, but when Rusty vindictively prevents access to her only source of pleasure, it crosses a line. Hannah’s plan needs a good alibi, but she is clever and resourceful. 5/5 This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.
Fun, evil short stories by various authors. Each one had to do with an alibi, some reliable, some not so much. These short stories had a twist and all of them were enjoyable. My favorites were Death Row, Good Neighbors and The Skydivers. I would love to read more collections like this!
Murder, Mess, and Mixed Bags — My Play-by-Play of the Alibis Collection 🔍 🩸📚 This short story collection was a ride — from absolute favorites to “wow, glad that was short.” Here’s my breakdown story-by-story:
📖 1. Death Row — Freida McFadden I’ve enjoyed McFadden’s twisty thrillers before, and since I kept seeing Death Row everywhere, I gave in and added the whole Alibis collection to my TBR. Prison setting? Check. Husband she’s accused of murdering might not be dead? Check. Things started out strong and the pacing was fast… until that epilogue ruined everything. Seriously, WTF did I just read?! The twist was pure Freida — sharp and unexpected — but that last page left me confused and in the dark. I still love a prison setting, but this one needed more fleshed-out characters and less of that final “???” moment.
🍽️ 2. The Ex-Wives Club — Sally Hepworth My first taste of Sally Hepworth’s writing, and I’m impressed! This was the longest story in the bundle, which gave it room to breathe — multiple POVs, plenty of plot, and characters with depth. Yes, almost every male character is despicable, but celebrity chef Ian Curley was the perfect victim and absolutely had it coming. The pacing and writing kept me turning pages, and while not 100% believable, it was solidly entertaining. Would happily read this as a full-length novel.
💀 3. False Note — David Lagercrantz Oof. My least favorite by far. The writing style and I did not get along — vague, stream-of-consciousness, and with no real plot to hold onto. Every character was awful, so I couldn’t care less what happened to them, and the ending was unsatisfying. Easily the weakest of the collection.
🏘️ 4. Good Neighbors — Chad Zunker The most action-packed of the bunch! Starts with a simple favor for a friend, then spirals into a nightmare scenario for Kara, our main character. Is it convenient? Yes. Is it believable? Not entirely. Did I care? Not really. This was a short, wild, and fun ride. Kara was easy to root for, and the momentum kept me flipping pages.
💔 5. Small Things — Wanda M. Morris My favorite of the collection! This one tackles an abusive marriage with a cheating, gaslighting, body-shaming husband you will love to hate. The focus on Hannah’s situation — plus themes of infertility — means this comes with definite trigger warnings, but the writing is fantastic. The ending? Chef’s kiss. Extremely satisfying and left me wanting to pick up Wanda M. Morris’s backlist ASAP.
⚖️ Final Verdict: A real mixed bag — some stories were stellar, others I wish I could unread. But if you enjoy sampling different thriller voices in bite-sized form, Alibis is worth a spin.
This book points out the essential elements of a crime: motive, means, and opportunity. If all three are not proven, a guilty person may go free, while an innocent person may still be wrongfully condemned despite having an alibi. It highlights a collaboration of six bestselling authors in psychological suspense who explore themes of truth, deception, and unresolved loyalties through intertwined narratives.
The authors include: - **Freida McFadden**: A bestselling suspense novelist with award-winning titles. (5 stars!) - **Sally Hepworth**: An acclaimed author of nine bestselling novels available in many languages. (4 stars!) - **David Lagercrantz**: A Swedish novelist known for his work on the Millennium series. (3 stars!) - **Chris Bohjalian**: A prolific author of twenty-five books, including an Emmy-winning adaptation. (3 stars!) - **Chad Zunker**: A bestselling author with notable legal-themed novels. (4 stars!) - **Wanda M. Morris**: An award-winning author recognized for her impactful stories. (4 stars!)
These six short novellas provide a glimpse into hidden crimes and dark secrets. While I enjoyed some more than others, overall, it's a great book to dive into while on vacation. Novellas can be hit or miss; they can be very enjoyable or difficult to appreciate because of their limited length, which often doesn't allow for full character development. Some of these stories were thought-provoking, while others presented new ideas to consider.
Thank you, Amazon Original Stories, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a fun and chilling collection of psychological thrillers—perfect for summer reading (or listening)!
This anthology includes six short stories by incredible thriller writers centered around the theme of an “alibi.” We all know a crime requires motive, means, and opportunity, but without an alibi, even the innocent can be condemned.
I was already familiar with Sally Hepworth and Wanda M. Morris, but it was great to sample stories from new-to-me authors and get a feel for their writing styles.
I listened to the whole collection—each story is about an hour long, making it perfect for dog walks, folding laundry, commuting, or lounging by the pool or beach.
Like most short story collections, I had a few favorites: Death Row and Small Things. But honestly, each one kept me guessing!
The Alibis Collection is a series of short stories and novelettes published by Amazon. Written by an assembly of thriller writers at the top of their game, each story uses the theme of alibi in a slightly different way. All the stories are enjoyable and propulsive, keeping up at a steady pace to their conclusion.
Without spoiling the particular mechanics or plot of each story; three were standouts for me:
The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth—Uses a classic mystery setup in which all the suspects have alibis, the detectives in this story have to figure out which alibis make the most sense in light of the victim's murder. The way this one unspools is quite fun, and Hepworth weaves through multiple POVs with efficiency.
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian—An interesting setup and regular plot turns makes the story somewhat unpredictable and still entertaining. Feels like Bohjalian set up the story as a prelude to a series, which I'd definitely be interested in reading.
Small Things by Wanda Morris—Probably my favorite of the collection. Morris easily makes the protagonist sympathetic, and her progression through the story makes the conclusion feel absolutely earned.
Death Row, Freida McFadden The Ex-Wives Club, Sally Hepworth False Note, David Lagercrantz The Skydivers, Chris Bohjalian Good Neighbors, Chad Zucker Small Things, Wanda Morris
This story kicked off with such a strong hook: did she kill her husband, or was she truly innocent? I was all in at the start. But somewhere along the way, it spiraled into a bit of a fever dream. It started to feel chaotic, like no one (characters or author) really knew what was happening, and the ending felt rushed, leaving too many unanswered questions.
Still, I’m giving it three stars because the fast pace kept me turning pages. Honestly, if this had been a full-length novel, I might’ve dropped it to two stars or even DNF’ed. Quick and punchy and admittedly an interesting concept for a twist, but ultimately a bit unsatisfying.
The Ex Wives Club Sally Hepworth ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story was such a standout in the collection. I genuinely wish it had been a full-length novel because I didn’t want to leave these characters behind. Sally Hepworth did such a fantastic job, as always, weaving together multiple points of view, each layered with just enough motive and mystery to keep me constantly second-guessing myself.
What I loved most was how each ex-wife brought their own backstory, secrets, and suspicions to the table. They all had strong reasons to potentially want the same man dead, but they also had solid alibis, which made the puzzle so much fun to try and piece together. It really kept me hooked right to the end.
It was fast-paced, but still had enough character depth to make me feel invested in everyone’s story. Entertaining, sharp, and satisfyingly twisty, definitely what I think will be a highlight of The Alibis Collection and a story I would happily read again if Sally ever expanded it.
False Note by David Lagercrantz ⭐️⭐️
This story was packed with dark, unlikeable characters. Honestly, I found no one to root for. The premise itself was intriguing, but for such a short story, it was surprisingly heavy with toxicity, betrayal, and crimes of passion.
I stayed interested, holding out for a twist or some moment that would elevate the story, but in the end, it just fell flat. There was no real tension or surprise, just 42 pages that ultimately felt like a journey to nowhere.
That said, I did appreciate the short, punchy chapters. I just wish the story had delivered more.
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story really pulled me in with its weight of grief, family tension, and the complicated love between two brothers. After their father’s death, they can’t agree on what to do with the family farm, but they do agree to fulfill his final wish: to skydive and scatter his ashes over the land he loved. What should have been a moment of closure quickly spirals into tragedy. Or maybe something more deliberate.
There’s an unsettling, almost suffocating sense of doom from the very first page, and the story doesn’t hold back from the raw, sometimes gory details. It’s layered with bitterness, loss, and the kind of sibling rivalry that can quietly grow into something much darker. The final twist, revealed in the epilogue, genuinely made me pause, it reframes everything you’ve just read.
My only wish is that it had been longer. I wanted more time to really know these brothers, to sit with their grief, their history, their choices. Even so, it’s a story I’d happily revisit, especially if a fuller version ever existed.
It’s haunting, it’s thought-provoking, and it lingers long after the last page.
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this one! For such a short story, it packed in a great balance of twists, tension, and thriller-style action. The suspense kicks off right from the first page and the pacing keeps you fully hooked. It doesn’t waste any time getting into the heart of the story.
I loved that I actually connected with the characters, which can be rare in novellas. They were enjoyable to follow, and that made the twists hit even harder. I didn’t see them coming, which made it all the more exciting! The atmosphere stayed tense throughout, and the mystery was solid,it wrapped up well without leaving anything unresolved or overly ambiguous.
This definitely felt like a full-sized thriller, even though it was a quick read. Honestly, my biggest takeaway? Mind your business 😂 Sometimes getting involved in other people’s problems isn’t worth the fallout.
If you’re after a suspenseful, fast-paced thriller that still feels satisfying and complete, this is one I’d recommend!
Small Things by Wanda M Morris ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Small Things is a short but powerful story about Hannah, a jewelry maker trapped in an abusive marriage, who carefully plans her escape, determined to leave without a trace.
The tension starts immediately and builds steadily, not with dramatic twists, but through Hannah’s quiet, calculated control. I was completely hooked by the slow, deliberate unraveling of her plan. It’s not about shock value, it’s about the weight of her situation and her calm determination.
This story made a big impact in just a few pages. The ending was excellent and left me thinking about the many women who face this heartbreaking reality.
A solid, thought-provoking read. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author!
The Alibis Collection (1-6) by Various Authors: Death Row by Freida McFadden The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth False Note by David Lagercrantz The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker Small Things by Wanda M. Morris
First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to the authors of each short story, Amazon Original Stories for publishing and to NetGalley themselves for my copy of this ebook! I have heard a lot about Freida McFadden recently, but am yet to read any of her work so this was a great introduction to not only her writing style, but the writing of many other authors. I do, however, wish that it was possible for me to access the audiobook simultaneously for peak engagement with each story. As these are all bite-size, I think these would be perfect to read or listen to on your daily commute or during routine tasks- subject to multitasking abilities, of course!
--- ‘Death Row’ by Freida McFadden
First of all, I think that this one may have been my favourite. Off of the back of this, I will definitely be reaching for some of McFadden’s full-length novels.
This one is more of a psychological sort of drama/thriller, which if you were to read to quickly, would be soured by missed clues and plot points. Our main character, Talia, is our narrator throughout- however, the jury is out on whether she’s a reliable narrator or not. This led to a lot of back and forth, on my part, when it came to forming my opinion on her guilt (or not?). Basically, just read it and all will be revealed…
3.5 ⭐.
--- ‘The Ex-Wives Club’ by Sally Hepworth
I loved this one to be honest! I have never come across any of Hepworth’s work before, but I will definitely be looking to read more. This premise grabbed my full attention straight away. Considering that this was only short, at 83 pages, I found that the characters were all quite well rounded; you could really get a feel for their personalities through the page, which I found lacking in a few of the other short stories of this collection. We had some to-ing and fro-ing, with alternating timelines to drip feed us new information from almost all of the character’s perspectives, which definitely kept it interesting and paced well. In my opinion, this story is one of the best suited to the Alibi’s collection, which is described as “stories about lies, truth, and deception. It’s just a matter of what you can get away with”.
3.5⭐.
--- ‘False Note’ by David Lagercrantz
When I was starting this, I thought there was potential for it, I felt invested in the plot- but I feel like in short format, it just fell a little flat for me. So I remember feeling frustrated, I expected more. If you like an unreliable narrator, then this may be the short story for you. However, if you hate being lulled into a false sense of security, then you must steer clear. I just don’t enjoy the way that men write female characters.
Just another reason why we should always have our wits about us. Mad-eye Moody did say *ahem* ‘CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!
TW: Domestic Abuse
2⭐.
--- ‘The Skydivers’ by Chris Bohjalian
I feel that Chapter One set this story up really well, however, for inclusion in a collection of stories named ‘Alibis’, I fear this was absent. I liked the idea of the alternating time lines with the Chapters marked by ‘The Day It Happened’ and ‘The Night Before’, but ultimately I think this story wasn’t for me.
Also, tell me why so many stories that I’m reading lately are set in Vermont! Season of the sticks, I guess.
1⭐.
--- ‘Good Neighbors’ by Chad Zunker
I enjoyed the dual point of view, alternating between Kara and her husband, Jackson. Due to this, the plot doesn’t lose its momentum so it doesn't feel like an effort to read, with twists to keep us SAT. While most plot points have been done before, it doesn’t make for any less of an interesting short story.
Moral of the story, don’t try to be good neighbours.
3⭐.
--- ‘Small Things’ by Wanda M. Morris
This one was an interesting premise but, all together, an expected result- definitely more of a domestic drama. I particularly love that Hannah chooses to do what she enjoys despite her husband’s insistence that she be more of a traditional housewife who he appears to view as less-than or subservient to him (ew!). Love the ending, stand on business girl! But I feel that detail was lacking in the latter parts of the story, meaning that we don’t get to see the action or the resolution of the drama.
One final comment for this one, I wouldn’t wish Hannah’s husband (whatever his name was) on anyone, even my worst enemy.
3⭐.
--- I had already anticipated that I would enjoy some stories more than others, but my particular favourites were ‘Death Row’ and ‘The Ex-Wives Club’. Now I don’t know what this says about me, but I enjoyed the short stories written by women a lot more. I think I would have to average this rating out at around 3 ⭐.
A major plus point, my Goodreads goal for the year is absolutely thriving.
The Alibis Collection contains six short stories from some of the biggest names in mystery and suspense. While it features equal representation between female and male writers, some of the stories were better for me than others.
The first story in the collection is "Death Row" by Freida McFadden and, true to form for McFadden, it's filled with tons of dark twists and turns with a strong female lead. The story, as the title would imply, is the story of Talia, a woman on death row for the murder of her husband, but then Talia starts seeing said husband very much alive and well. McFadden's writing really creates a sense of suspense and tension, as well as the claustrophobia, fear, and despair that come with Talia's looming execution. The ending delivers a pretty big final twist that I didn't see coming, and although it was a bit out of left field, I liked it. Four stars.
Sally Hepworth's "The Ex-Wives Club" felt very cinematic in its storytelling with a strong, well-rounded ensemble cast. Even though it's a short story with a relatively large character list, Hepworth provides a lot of character development and a great description of the setting throughout that helped me track what was happening easily. Though it did start a bit slow for me, it kept me guessing throughout. When the final timeline and truth of the murder was revealed, it felt like a satisfying conclusion. Four stars.
"False Note" by David Lagercrantz must have been a bit lost in translation for me. I couldn't like any of the characters, and in a story like this, a reader really wants to have someone to root for, even if they end up being an unreliable narrator. This story centers on the murder of an abusive opera singer and the son who is trying not to become like his father... but failing. I found the story dull and hard to get into, and I didn't really feel anything in the end. A two-star entry.
I wanted to like Chris Bohjalian's "The Skydivers," but it fell apart for me in the final pages. Bohjalian does a great job setting up a grisly and mysterious skydiving death. Is it suicide? Murder? But in the final pages, the story ties up in a very fast "tell" that felt rushed and strange. It broke all the rules of "show don't tell" that a reader wants in a mystery like this, and it was a big let-down, akin to a big reveal of unmasking a killer and then doing a quick recap of how they did it to tie up all the loose ends in a tv crime show. This was also two stars for me.
"Good Neighbors" by Chad Zunker is a twisty story of a nosy but well-meaning neighbor who witnesses a murder and is pursued by the killer in the minutes after. It was okay, but the further I got into it, the more suspension of disbelief it required until it just got totally unbelievable for me. Everything from the characters' actions to the dialogue felt unnatural. It also didn't really play into the theme of the Alibis Collection because there wasn't really any kind of alibi or investigation done; it was more suburban suspense. Another two-star entry.
The final story of Amazon's Alibis Colllection, "Small Things" by Wanda M. Morris, was perhaps the strongest for me at 4 out of 5 stars. "Small Things" tells the story of Hannah and her emotionally abusive husband Randy. Hannah's one escape from Randy's torment is her growing jewelry business, which she manages out of her backyard shed. She has small fantasies and daydreams about bad things happening to Rusty with deepening darkness as his abusive and controlling behavior increases. This one felt like it ended much too suddenly with a twist that I didn't see coming but that also felt just a bit "off." Hannah was a very likeable character, though, and she was easy to root for throughout. Rusty was, perhaps, a little "textbook" in his characterization... but that's not to say that I haven't encountered plenty of men just like him, unfortunately. A decent, quick read, it was my favorite of the collection.
This is a good collection for picking up here and there, especially for readers who are already fans of the featured authors, but some of the stories were definitely stronger than others. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A collection of psychological suspense novellas, based around crimes and alibis.
In order, from strongest to weakest.
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker
Suburban paranoia done right. Set in Austin, TX. Kara and Jackson Reed, new in town. Mindy across the street. An affair? A setup? A visitor. Cowboy boots. Black Escalade. Gunshots. Tension ramps. Then ramps again. Great pacing, sharp writing, and a twisty, emotional punch that lands. Zunker is built for the novella form—efficient, thrilling, human. The crown jewel of the collection.
“Kara really knew how to pick them.”
The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth
Dead chef. Walk-in freezer. Melbourne restaurant. Ian Curley and his trail of ex-wives. Three exes. One girlfriend. Two grown kids. Detective Li digs into the delicious mess. A little soapy. A little predictable. But fun. Could use more bite, but the ending satisfies.
“Was he always such an asshole?” “Yes. Just not to us. That was why we fell in love with him.”
The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian
Rural Vermont. Two brothers. A family farm. A fall from the sky. Ceci, former intelligence analyst, cycles past at the wrong moment. Good brother vs. bad brother—maybe. Tight prose. Grief-soaked. Unexpectedly poignant. Beautiful little epilogue ties it up just right. A quiet, layered thriller—more emotion than adrenaline, but strong.
Small Things by Wanda Morris
Infertility. Disintegrating marriage. Rusty is the worst. Hannah’s Etsy jewelry shed is the escape hatch. Narrative tone is stuck in a 1950s purgatory. Bizarre, inconsistent style—almost campy, but not enough to commit. Characters feel more like caricatures than people. An ending that barely qualifies as closure.
False Note by David Lagercrantz
Sweden. Opera. Daddy issues. Knut is a horrible human. William drinks Coke Zero (🙌🏻) and tries not to become him. A murder. An alibi. A girlfriend caught in the crossfire. Conceptually strong…until the ending faceplants. Plot stutters. Pacing is a mess. The payoff doesn’t…pay off.
Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker (5 ⭐️) The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth (4 ⭐️) The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian (4 ⭐️) Small Things by Wanda Morris (2 ⭐️) False Note by David Lagercrantz (2 ⭐️)
Six short stories of psychological suspense explore the conflict between lies and truth and the role of alibis in identifying and prosecuting the guilty. The first tale is of a woman on death row, convicted of killing her husband despite her having a solid alibi at the time of his death...are her claims of innocence true, or is there more to the story than the reader realizes? The next (and my personal favorite) features the death of a celebrated chef, found dead in the freezer of his acclaimed restaurant. With three ex-wives (who get along with one another better than they do with him), two children who have reason to resent him, and employees who aren't necessarily his biggest fans (including his latest girlfriend), there are plenty of motives to do away with him...but each suspect has a solid alibi. Then there's the self-absorbed and abusive but charismatic opera singer who steals his son's girlfriend, a skydiver who ends up mauled to death by farm equipment when his jump goes awry, a woman who's keeping watch on her friend and neighbor's husband to see if he's really cheating on her only to witness his murder, and a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who is finally pushed to protect the only outlet she has...plenty of twisty tales with nasty people doing bad things and (usually) paying the price. Some alibis shield the person who committed the crime, and sometimes the doer is caught anyway (but not always). Turns out you never know everyone who has a motive to kill, and sometimes you don't really blame the person for committing the crime. Several of the authors of these six tales are well known to most readers, so if you are a fan of Frieda McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker or Wanda M. Morris, if you enjoy the Best Mystery Short Stories collection put out each year by the Mysterious Press, or just like the reading short stories in the genre, you'll find at least some of these tales to your liking. Did I enjoy some more than the others? Yes, but overall I would rate the collection 4 ⭐️ out of 5. My thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for allowing me access to this quick but enjoyable read in exchange for my honest review.
Alibis is a tightly woven collection of six short thrillers from some of today’s most popular suspense authors, brought together by Amazon Original Stories. Each tale stands alone, meaning you can dive into any story without worrying about reading order—which makes this perfect for bite-sized suspense binges.
Here’s a peek into the stories that make up this darkly addictive collection:
🔹 Death Row by Freida McFadden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A woman on Death Row for murder insists she has an alibi—but the truth takes a shocking and sinister turn. McFadden delivers a chilling mind-bender that lingers.
🔹 The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth ⭐️⭐️⭐️ When a womanizing restaurant owner is murdered in his own kitchen, all eyes turn to his three ex-wives. A smart whodunnit laced with Hepworth’s trademark psychological tension.
🔹 False Note by David Lagercrantz ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A toxic father-son relationship spirals into dark territory, unleashing betrayal and long-buried secrets. Emotionally complex and quietly unsettling.
🔹 The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Two brothers clash over their inheritance—and what starts as a memorial skydive becomes something far more sinister. An eerie story about trust, legacy, and regret.
🔹 Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A woman spying on her neighbors thinks she sees something she shouldn’t... and becomes the target. Classic suburban paranoia with a sharp twist.
🔹 Small Things by Wanda M. Morris ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My personal favorite. A woman escaping her abusive husband must use all her cunning to protect her freedom. Fierce, emotional, and satisfying with a punch of poetic justice.
Though each story has its own voice and setting, the common thread of questionable alibis and buried truths ties them together and makes this collection cohesive. The collection is full of deceit, betrayal, and those delicious "aha!" moments that thriller lovers crave.
Each story ranges from 36 to 83 pages, making this an ideal pick for quick yet immersive reads—I devoured most of them in a single sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read this gripping collection in exchange for an honest review. If you're in the mood for short thrillers that pack a serious punch, Alibis is well worth the dive.
The Alibis collection is composed of 6 short stories by 6 well known authors that write great psychological suspenses! Below is a breakdown of each book in the collection.
Death Row 4/5 ⭐️ Love these quick reads. Frida McFaddens short story was probably my favorite of this l collection. The fast pace story had me guessing all the way to the end and I really enjoyed this one. I think I’m still questioning everything.
Ex wives club 2/5⭐️ Not my favorite for a short story there were so many characters and I found it hard to follow who everyone was. This book was just very forgettable for me.
False note 3/5⭐️ (spoilers) I did enjoy this short story but there it fell short was the predictability of it. This follows a father and sons relationship where the son swears to never be like his dad. But SHOCKER not really his solid alibi was that he was acting just like his dad 🙄 I mean it was good but I wish it wasn’t so predictable. There was however a nice little surprise at the end but I just didn’t love how it ended either. But overall this short story had a lot pact in 45 pages and held my interest the whole time.
The sky divers 3/5⭐️ This was another of the series I enjoyed. It follows 2 brothers that plan to skydive and spread their father’s ashes. But then an accident happens and pneumonia of the brothers dies. But was it an accident? I loved the twists and turns in this short story.
Good neighbors 4/5⭐️ This had a true thriller feel to the read which I enjoyed. I didnt think any of the others in the series brought that same feel. Again it was a little predictable but overall a great quick read with great characters. The base of the story is a simple favor tuns in to a huge nightmare! This one kept me wanting to turn the page and not set this one down!
Small things 4/5⭐️ This was my favorite of the collection. I really enjoyed the female main character. I felt like for a short story you could feel her emotions and really got to know her. I loved the ending on this one.
Thank you Amazon original stories for providing this collection through NetGalley I really do enjoy these short story collection drops.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞 A series of short thrillers by six award-winning, bestselling authors.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟷: 𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚁𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚢 𝙵𝚛𝚎𝚒𝚍𝚊 𝙼𝚌𝙵𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 Freida McFadden headlines this collection, and deservedly so. Her short is tragic and genuinely heart-wrenching. Not the most original tropes, but Freida weaves it together so well that it still felt twisty and left a memorable impact.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟸: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚡-𝚆𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝙲𝚕𝚞𝚋 𝚋𝚢 𝚂𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚙𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 Sally Hepworth’s domestic thriller had depth, intrigue, wit and charm. I loved that everyone was a suspect, and I didn’t guess whodunnit. This was the standout story in the collection for me - all the stars!
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟹: 𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝙳𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚍 𝙻𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚣 A toxic father-son relationship. It’s probably the bleakest of the books, full of unlikables.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟺: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚔𝚢𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚜 𝙱𝚘𝚑𝚓𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗 The Skydivers had a military backstory which isn’t my preferred sub genre but it was a bite sized opportunity to leave my comfort zone.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟻: 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝙽𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚉𝚞𝚗𝚔𝚎𝚛 I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced Good Neighbors - nonstop action with a satisfying ending.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟼: 𝚂𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚋𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊 𝙼. 𝙼𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚜 Small Things is a lot of reviewers favorite, but my least - 99% slow build and whiplash ending! Works for most!!
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗? I didn’t think I was a short story fan, but this collection proved me wrong!
It leans toward psychological and domestic thrillers, but there’s plenty of heart, sass, darkness, and revenge.
Depending on your preferred subgenres, there’s something here for everyone. My favorite was The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth, but honestly, I enjoyed them all more than I expected. A super solid, suspenseful collection.
Thanks to AmazonOriginalStories and @Netgalley for access to this arc
Death Row That was one wild ride! I always enjoy the journey McFadden takes readers on, and this novella was amazingly twisted. And as always, the twist at the end absolutely delivered.
The Ex-Wives Club: How can a father/husband be so hateful? But karma has a way of turning the tables and Ian is about to face the consequences of his own actions.
False Note: Karma is a b*tch, and this book proves it! I absolutely loved how this story deals with the struggle we all face of trying so hard not to become our parents… only to catch ourselves acting just like them.
The Skydivers: This one was just okay for me. It leaned more toward a military thriller than I expected, and nothing really stood out or hooked me. Not a bad read, just not quite my style.
Good Neighbors: What a chaotic night this couple went through and all sparked by a friend’s decision to look into a potentially unfaithful husband. As the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
Small Things: Ugh… I cannot stand men like the MMC in this novella! But I do love it when they finally get their comeuppance.
*Thank you to Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris, Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
I often have a difficult time with short stories, because by definition they do not provide a lot of time or space for establishing character. But every now and then, especially with authors whose writing styles I already know I like, I enjoy them - particularly in audio format.
This collection was solid and I liked the theme and enjoyed seeing how each author teased it out. I was very surprised that my favorite story was the Freida McFadden, since she is not normally an author I enjoy, but I found the twist to be delightful and truly surprising. I could not get into the Sally Hepworth at all and was not a fan of the narrator on that one all that much either. The Lagerkrantz was fine but didn't particularly resonate with me.
The other three, particularly the trad wife story in the Morris tale, were very interesting and even if I saw the twists coming, I did not mind because the overall arc of the stories was an engaging one in each instance. The narration in each of them was also excellent. I will be on the lookout for more from Zunker and Morris - they were the two authors I was not familiar with going in, but I did find their storytelling styles to resonate well with my reading/ listening style.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
— big thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ —
I originally requested The Alibis Collection because I’m a huge fan of Freida McFadden, and she absolutely knocked it out of the park(I had zero doubt)! Her short story was everything I’ve come to expect from her—sharp, twisty, and impossible to put down. She truly is the queen of twists.
Sally Hepworth’s story was also enjoyable, but it felt like there was a lot packed into such a short format. I think it could’ve easily been expanded into a full-length novel, and because of that, I had a harder time staying fully invested.
The third, fourth, and fifth installments were just okay for me. The third felt like the weakest of the bunch, and the fourth was a bit disappointing—nothing particularly memorable.
The final story, though, completely surprised me! It leaned more toward domestic drama but had a great pace and an engaging plot that pulled me in right away. I actually found myself wanting to pick up more of Wanda’s books after finishing it.
Overall, a mixed bag of stories, but the collection ended on a high note and was worth the read—especially for Freida McFadden fans!
I was so excited to dive into Alibis because three of my favorite authors: Frieda McFadden, Sally Hepworth, and Chris Bohjalian were part of the lineup, and they did not disappoint! I was also pleasantly surprised by the other authors I hadn’t read before, each one brought something unique and thrilling to the collection and I think I’ll add their full length books to my TBR pile.
Instead of racing through the book (which I easily could have), I paced myself by reading one story a night. It became my little evening treat each story was quick, clever, and packed with suspense and the shorter lengths had me asleep on time. This is the perfect book for anyone in a reading slump. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and so much fun.
Some of the characters were deliciously wicked, just the kind of twisty personalities I love. I actually hope a few of them show up again in future books. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, binge-worthy mystery collection from some of the best authors in the genre, Alibis is a must-read.
I received a free copy from NetGalley and I'm willingly leaving a review. Average 4.0 stars. In general, all of them have twists, but none of them are scary will-have-nightmares kind of story. I was looking for very short thrillers and these are just suspense mini stories. I'm reviewing on this one since GR didn't add the collection unless it's the audio (this one). 1. Death Row 5stars. What a roller-coaster of twists. I'm still trying to digest what happened. Repugnant and disgusting details in the restaurant. 2. The Ex-Wives Club 4stars. Mixed feelings about this one. Not all cops swear you know. It was much about looks than fairness. It takes a village... 3. False Note 3stars. Too much violence that had nothing to do with the murder. So predictable! 4. The Skydivers 4stars. Pretty good. I thought everyone wanted to kill everyone. 5. Good Neighbors 4.5stars. An actual story that makes sense although a bit predictable. Kept me on my seat, though. 6. Small Things 3.5stars. Full of triggers, I had a hard time finishing the story. Easy to figure out.
I enjoyed this collection overall. I’m not a huge fan of novellas because I don’t think they present a full story with well-developed characters and enough suspense to get my heart racing. What it does, however, is give me a good idea of what an author’s voice is like and if I’d like to read more by this author. I had already read the Freida McFadden one and loved it; I am a huge fan. I really enjoyed the Sally Hepworth and Chad Zunker stories. While I appreciated what David Lagercrantz was trying to convey in his story, I wasn’t a fan of the subject matter and will most likely not continue with his stories. Chris Bohjalian is another author I am familiar with and usually enjoy his work but this was too short. Wanda M. Morris’ story rounds this out and this was probably my favorite of the stories (outside of the one I had already read). I can’t wait to read more by her.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #DreamscapeSelect for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Amazon Original Stories for gifting me a digital ARC of the complete Alibis collection of short stories by Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, David Lagercrantz, Chris Bohjalian, Chad Zunker, and Wanda M. Morris. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
Motive. Means. Opportunity. Without proof of all three, the guilty can walk free. But even with an alibi, the innocent can still be condemned. For six award-winning, bestselling authors of psychological suspense, truth and lies weave together in a tangle of conflicting loyalties, hidden crimes, and dark secrets. Pull one thread, and there’s no telling what will unravel.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to this collection of short stories by 6 famous authors. While I liked them all, for me the women's stories outshined the men's and were my favorites. This was a good collection to take your time with, enjoying each distinct story.
This was a great collection of 6 short stories from big name authors, available as one audiobook.
One thing that stood out to me was that the narration was excellent for all 6 of these books, each performed by a different narrator (the Skydivers had 3 different narrators). They all provided such wonderful atmosphere for their book, and kept the character's voices unique.
As with all short story collections, I liked some more than others. Small things by Wanda Morris, Good neighbors by Chad Zunker and The ex-wives club by Sally Hepworth were my favorites. I was a little disappointed in Death Row by Frieda McFadden, partly because my expectations were so high, and while it was intriguing, the ending left me completely confused.
Interesting collection and I enjoyed listening to it.
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you: NetGalley for this ARC ebook. Publication Date: June 2, 2025
This was a fun collection of 6 psychological thriller short stories by some really great authors.
Out of the 6, my top 3 short stories were Death Row by Freida Mcfadden, The Ex-Wives Club by Sally Hepworth and Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker
This was an ARC Ebook provided to me for my honest review & although it was a great read, I am actually very excited to listen to my 3 favorites short stories from this collection via audiobook.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for this ARC ebook of The Alibis collection. I hope there will be more short story collections like this in the future.