נקודת שבירה

by Robert Bryndza, רוברט ברינדזה, יעל שכנאי (Translator)

*סיפור קצר*

מרגרט וג'ון ואלנס, חיים בזוגיות לא מאושרת בת ארבעים שנה, בחווה גדולה בכפר קנט שבאנגליה. יום אחד, מרגרט עושה מעשה חד-פעמי ומבצעת את הפשע המושלם.

דרמת מתח מסעירה במיטב המסורת של רוברט ברינדזה, מי שפרץ לחיינו עם הסדרה הבלתי נשכחת שעדיין לא הסתיימה, בכיכובה של מפקחת הבילוש הבכירה, אריקה פוסטר.

Genres: Short Stories, Thriller, Crime

12 pages, ebook

First published July 21, 2025

About the author

Robert Bryndza is an international bestselling author, best known for his page-turning crime and thriller novels, which have sold over seven million copies.

His crime debut, The Girl in the Ice was released in February 2016, introducing Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. Within five months it sold one million copies, reaching number one in the Amazon UK, USA and Australian charts. To date, The Girl in the Ice has sold over 1.5 million copies in the English language and has been sold into translation in 30 countries. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2016), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in France (2018), and it won two reader voted awards, The Thrillzone Awards best debut thriller in The Netherlands (2018) and The Dead Good Papercut Award for best page turner at the Harrogate Crime Festival (2016).

Robert has released a further six novels in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath, Cold Blood and Deadly Secrets, all of which have been global bestsellers, and in 2017 Last Breath was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Mystery and Thriller. Fatal Witness, is the seventh Erika Foster novel.

Most recently, Robert created a new crime thriller series based around the central character Kate Marshall, a police officer turned private detective. The first book, Nine Elms, was an Amazon USA #1 bestseller and an Amazon UK top five bestseller, and the series has been sold into translation in 18 countries. The second book in the series is the global bestselling, Shadow Sands, the third book is, Darkness Falls and the fourth, Devil’s Way has just been published.

Robert was born in Lowestoft, on the east coast of England. He studied at Aberystwyth University, and the Guildford School of Acting, and was an actor for several years, but didn’t find success until he took a play he’d written to the Edinburgh Festival. This led to the decision to change career and start writing. He self-published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels, before switching to writing crime. Robert lives with his husband in Slovakia, and is lucky enough to write full-time.

You can find out more about Robert and his books at www.robertbryndza.com

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A very short story of only 12 pages but I liked it.

Subscribe to the Robert Bryndza Readers’ Club and receive this as a free ebook:
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[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eager to read a short piece before delving into a longer novel, I found this story by Robert Bryndza. Margaret Valance has long wanted her husband dead, preferably by her own hand. A marriage of forty years has gone stale and John has taken many a mistress, though is most recent choice has Margaret even more upset. When events unfold and an opportunity arises, Margaret must decide if the idea and its actualisation align. Robert Bryndza offers up a quick read that is sure to keep readers on their toes.

Robert Bryndza has much to say in short order. He develops the themes in the opening pages, requiring the reader to pay close attention. As the narrative ramps up, the reader is able to see how all the moving parts come together well and provide something entertaining for the entirety of the reading experience. Swift storytelling keeps things edgy and leaves the reader wanting more.

Characters present decent contrasts, though there is little time to really get to know much about them. Margaret and John play centre stage, though the latter is more there in order to push things along than be impactful. Bryndza has a great ability to use his characters effectively and does not shirk this, even with few pages to handle things.

The twists that emerge in this piece are quick and provide little time for explanation. Bryndza has a purpose for what he does and lays it out for the reader to see. There are a few surprises on offer, though even these are not gasp-worthy. That said, the piece is a filler and not meant to stun or really dazzle, which is fine. Bryndza knows how to pen a great thriller and this short piece was the perfect appetizer until next one of his novels come out for all to enjoy.

Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for a quick single-sitting read!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Sharah McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little story from one of my favourite authors.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I received an email offering me the chance to read Breaking Point, a gripping short story from multi-million bestselling author, Robert Bryndza, I jumped at it.

After 40 years of unhappy marriage, Margaret Valance, dreams about killing her unfaithful husband, John. Now after her two grown up boys have left the nest, she fantasies about this, but didn’t want to get caught and go to prison.

Then one day Margaret’s best friend from childhood, and John’s mistress, Lesley, shows up at their house, to display her new set of breast implants and tease John.

But Margaret now sees a way to murder her husband and his mistress - and potentially get away with it.

To say anymore would reveal the twisted plot.

A gripping short story that gets off the ground quickly and is a sample of his excellent writing.

Published July 21, 2025 by Raven Street Publishing

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

I won't be writing a full review for this short story... I received a copy of Breaking Point from the author, and I decided to read it on a whim before it gets lost in between the other books on my kindle. I usually love his writing and I can't deny that this novella is entertaining, but I hadn't realized quite how short this story was going to be. Sure, it is easy to root for Margaret, but it was all over way too soon and it left me wanting for more. This is why I couldn't rate it more than 3 stars... With more building up of tension and a more fleshed out ending, this could have been so much better.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly short short story - just 11 pages long! Freebie from the author himself (one of my favourites) for being a subscriber to his newsletter.

[Joana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story. ⛓️

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Robert Bryndza, so when I received an email offering me the chance to read Breaking Point, a short story by the author, I jumped at it. For such a brief story, I was surprised by just how well it was written. There’s intrigue, suspense, and a shocking crime, all deliciously executed (excuse the pun).

Bryndza’s writing continues to go from strength to strength. His books seem to be getting darker and more twisted, and I absolutely love this element. Breaking Point doesn’t lack plot or character development; in fact, the best part is that the author doesn’t waste any time getting to the heart of the story.

If you haven’t read any of Robert Bryndza’s books, this is a great introduction to his writing style and devious mind!

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

מרגרט נשואה כבר 40 שנים אומללות לג'ון, שבוגד בה ללא הפסקה. השניים גרים בחווה מבודדת בקנט, אנגליה. יום אחד, שודדים מגיעים לחווה, ומרגרט מחליטה לנצל את ההזדמנות ולבצע את הפשע המושלם.
זה סיפור קצר ופה החולשה שלו. התיאור של המעשה של מרגרט הוא מעניין בסך הכול, אבל חוץ מתיאור שלו אין בספר עוד משהו. הוא פשוט נגמר וזהו. אין יותר מידי מתח. קצת התאכזבתי, כי אני אוהבת מאוד את סדרת אריקה פוסטר של ברינדזה, אז ציפיתי ליותר.

[Becki Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great short story from Robert, even though it was short it was full of suspense and a cunning plan for revenge. It was fast paced and had moments of suspense.

I will continue to read everything from Robert as I find is writing so captivating, with the twists and turns of his books.

Synopsis

Margaret Valance has been trapped in an unhappy marriage for forty years, and one day sees a way to murder her husband and his mistress - and potentially get away with it.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Bryndza sent an email out with an offer to read this short story. What a treat that is! This one is the story of Margaret Valance who is tired of her marriage to an overbearing, arrogant, cheating man. She is looking for a way out. That way comes to her one afternoon and she jumps at it.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and to the point, in a short story you very quickly feel sorry for Margaret and her years of suffering. A quick plot twist in her head as she reached breaking point changes her life. I enjoyed it!

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Point by Robert Bryndza is a short story which is short but very effective in showcasing Rober’s work, which I have always enjoyed. This story s very clever.
Highly recommended

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a novella that’s hard to rate…book would probably a 5 star but novella is only a 3, the highest I give for a novella

[Bookish Satty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... Just fabulous!

[Lu Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Bryndza's writing style and am a fan of his Kate Marshall series. Admittedly I don't have much love for novellas. They are too short to become fully invested in the characters and so it's difficult to rate such a short story. However, I think most of us would be rooting for Margaret.