Murder on the Floor After the Party

by Amy Tackett

It's New Year's Day, and Morgan has escaped from the hospital on foot, desperate to get away from Stephen. The only question is, will she survive? A psychological horror story for the ages, where "New Year's Day" meets The Yellow Wallpaper.

ebook

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Amy is an Amazon bestselling dark fiction author who was born in the heart of Appalachia before later relocating to the Midwest. She is an active member of the International Thriller Writers association, holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism, and has a professional background in content marketing. When Amy’s not writing, you can find her playing with her wild (lovable) children, hiding her book purchases from her husband, or rambling way too much on her Instagram stories. You can connect with her here: @authoramytackett.

Reviews

[Jaymie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was short and unhinged, just what I was looking for!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s New Year’s Eve and Morgan arrives at a party in a bit of a state to put it mildly. She is being chased and needs to find a place to hide quickly. As the party rages on, a kind stranger offers to help. However, not everything is as straightforward as it seems.

When the ball drops, so does a body.

This story punches you right in the throat and pins you down until the ending knocks the wind right out of you. The writing is sharp and the characters feel like they could jump off the page at any time.

Grab your party hat and celebrate New Year’s Eve in style!

I loved this story and highly recommend it!

[Trina 🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unhinged is the word that comes to mind to describe this murdery short story! It was my last read of 2025, read it on New Years Eve~ perfect! Thank you Amy for letting me into your ‘inner circle’ this year!

[Hayley Bernard-Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was gripping, wildly intense and unforgettable. It definitely packs a punch! This was my first time reading a story by Amy Tackett and it certainly won’t be my last. Loved it!

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on the Floor After the Party
~ Amy Tackett

If you have read Murder on the Floor After the Party, then welcome to the unsettling, unforgettable world of Amy Tackett. Consider this your marker for dependable, singular psychological thrillers that push you to the brink and sometimes leave you standing there, breathless and undone. This short story is yet another example of Tackett’s talent for lingering impact. Even now, my mind is still replaying the journey it just took.

It’s New Year’s Eve. Morgan is running for her life. When a barn appears, hope sparks that she has finally found a place to hide. What she does not expect is to stumble directly into the middle of a New Year’s Eve party. Help arrives in the form of a woman from the celebration, but what follows is chilling in the most unsettling way.

Amy Tackett is a master at pulling readers to the edge of their seats and keeping them there. From the moment I began reading Murder on the Floor After the Party, my heart raced and it did not slow down until long after the final page. Though it is a short story, the impact is immense. The characters require no lengthy introductions or heavy backstory. Their lives unfold naturally as the story progresses, revealing just enough to make everything feel immediate and real. Morgan is raw, emotional, vulnerable, and deeply human. She is easy to connect with, and impossible to forget.

If you are searching for a thrilling short read to close out your 2025 reading list, I highly recommend joining Amy Tackett’s newsletter through her website, where you can receive Murder on the Floor After the Party for free. You will not regret the story, or the newsletters that follow.

Thank you to Amy Tackett for the free short story via the newsletter. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been offered any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.

 

 

[Amy Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s murder on the floor after the party…🎶🪩🔪🐝🏔️ This is a newsletter exclusive short story, previously published in the HEARTSTRINGS & HAUNTS anthology. Subscribe at authoramytackett.com to claim your free dose of trauma today. 🤭

[Crystal O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Amy Tackett! psychedelic vibes, anger, and sadness for the main character. Highly recommend

[Dana Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

you really know how to shock a person 🤯

[Danielle Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thrilling good time. 🤭

[Cassi (books.and.shh) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if the father of your baby--the man you're having an affair with--killed your son? In this is a skillfully plotted novella with a thoroughly developed setting and questionable protagonist, Morgan runs, and when her lover won't quit chasing her, she does what she needs to do; still, the most shocking part is what comes next. I highly recommend this quick, attention-grasping holiday read as the perfect way to send out the old or bring in the new year.

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder On The Floor After The Party is a completely unhinged, wildly intense and highly entertaining short horror thriller story that had me completely absorbed. Amy is one of the only authors I can confidently say that writes short stories that are completely and utterly satisfying. I am never left with an underwhelmed feeling, everything that needs to be said and done is right on the pages and provides the maximum impact. Tackett truly has a talent at gripping the reader and leaving a lasting impact, she has done so yet again with this one.

From the start of this short story I was entranced, my heart was racing, I was on the edge of my seat and just couldn't stop. The characters although in a short story truly made an impact especially Morgan, who is real, raw and just human. Her struggles and thoughts were so valid.

Overall, this is such a great short story, that is easily read in maybe 20 minutes depending how fast you read, you can find it for free by subscribing to Amy's newsletter and it's highly worth it!

[Blaiz Ferrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did something so short leave me feeling so completely mind-f**ked and terrified? This story was an absolute wild ride.
It’s New Year’s Day, and Morgan has escaped the hospital on foot—desperate to get away from Stephen. Every page is drenched in panic and dread, with one haunting question driving it forward: will she survive?

Amy never disappoints! even in her very short stories!

[Taylor Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ANXIETY this book caused me! I was STRESSED from the first sentence. Amy can pack trauma in such a short amount of pages, it's honestly impressive. The whole time I felt the same anxiety and paranoia Morgan was going through. And that ending? I immediately messaged Amy and told her she destroyed me.

Highly recommend!

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start to finish the intensity never lets up. You are in for a wild ride through this short story. There are no breaks, it's full on in your face brutally emotional read. One sitting quick page turner.

[Sarah Craven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been waiting to read this on NYE, and it did not disappoint. Wow! Part One made me feel a little crazed. The way Amy can describe scenes and people so well in 45 pages or less is such a gift. I think this short story needs to be turned into a full story. Can’t say it enough…wow.

[JesseeKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book to start the new year! Short but so crazy it won’t soon be forgotten from my mind. Definitely worth the read.

[Leah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured it. I wanted more. My heart aches for the mother in every aspect. The twist is so good!