He's My Man: A psychological thriller short story

by Daniel Hurst

A short story with a shocking twist...

He comes home to me. He eats dinner with me. He sleeps close to me. But there is a distance between us, and I can feel him slipping further away. So I need to fight for us. I cannot give up on what we have.

I cannot give up on my man. Especially not if somebody else is coming in between us. Because he's not anybody else's man. He's mine. I'll do anything to keep it that way...

A shocking standalone short story from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 The Doctor's Wife

What readers are saying about the first two books in The Shocking Standalone Short Story

'Usually I am not totally shocked by the ending of a book! But I was never prepared for that ending. WOW! I had to go back to make sure I read it correctly!! If He Finds Us is the BEST short story I have ever read. WAY TO GO DANIEL HURST!!!! You are surely my favorite author!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads reviewer)

'Wow! Daniel Hurst has done it again! This was a fast-paced thriller with an amazing twist! If you haven't read any of Daniel Hurst's books, this is a good place to start, then you will be hooked for life!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads reviewer)

'Fast paced psychological thriller with totally unexpected final twist from the master of the psychological thriller. Thoroughly recommended reading for Daniel Hurst fans.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Goodreads reviewer)

Genres: Short Stories, Thriller, Fiction

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2025

About the author

Daniel Hurst is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of fast paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include Til Death Do Us Part, The Passenger and The Doctor's Wife, the latter title reaching #1 on the Amazon UK Kindle store in February 2023. A regular KDP Select All Star since he became a full-time author in 2021, Daniel prides himself on writing fast, releasing stories often and engaging with his readers.

You can visit him at www.danielhurstbooks.com, where you can also download a copy of his FREE thriller 'Just One Second.'

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style is horrible. Here are two examples from just the first pages: My name is Mel, and I had a man. He was all mine, and he was a good man.
Then again I have my Harry, and he has me, and together, we take on the world.
That being said, I liked the plot and the twist.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful short story with a killer twist

This is a gripping quick read from start to finish. It’s twisted in all the right ways. Daniel Hurst never disappoints! This could easily be a prequel to an addictive series. I highly recommend this intriguing short story.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in this standalone series and DH offers us a quick, dark tale with a shuddery ending, anymore will give clues…….a worthy standalone read

Book 4 due Jan….

[Melody McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 3 in Daniel Hurst's standalone series, and my least favorite so far. I felt that the prologue gave away too much of the plot, and I pretty much guessed the twist early on.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for something to end the year with a bang, I turned to this story by Daniel Hurst. This psychological thriller is sure to have the reader take note as they forge onwards. There's nothing like being in a relationship and feeling close to one's partner. Mel loves the fact that her husband, Harry, lives with her, eats next to her, and sleeps close at hand when the lights go out. But, there is a strain emerging, one that is troublesome and will require fighting to ensure her man does not slip away. With the sense that someone may be capturing his attention, action will be required, which will mean doing anything necessary to ensure complete connection. Whatever the cost, it will be done...no questions asked. Then again...there is a twist! Daniel Hurst gets the spine tingling with this piece!

The holiday season is the ideal reading time, no matter what genre interests you. This piece by Daniel Hurst was a quick and highly entertaining read, with a dark undertone. The story is complemented by a strong narrative that clips along from start to finish. The reader cannot help but wonder how far things might go, pushing things to the limit. Hurst knows how to write and keep the reader curious until the final reveal that no one saw coming!

Characters are not plentiful, but Hurst knows how to create those who will pique much interest. The story is seen through Mel's eyes, who has little doubt in her abilities to be successful. She seeks to quell any doubt and will do whatever is needed to push for complete control. Harry plays a minor role in comparison, but there is no lack of tension built into the story all the same. Hurst delivers a well-crafted set of characters and little time to question what's going on.

Surprises emerge to keep the reader on their toes.I was not expecting what came to pass by the end, but that is the brilliance of this piece. I liked how Daniel Hurst delivered a great twist once more and kept things going until the final page turn, where the larger surprise awaited me. I will have to read Daniel Hurst's full-length novels in 2026, as this was a piece of writing that kept me curious from beginning to end.

Kudos, Mr. Hurst, for a great way to end the year!

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

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild kind of twist.

[Rosie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m infatuation is a dangerous thing a very good read #KindleUnlimited

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

He’s My Man by Daniel Hurst was an entertaining and quick read, but ultimately not one of my favorites by this author. The premise was intriguing and definitely had the potential for more, and I found myself turning the pages wanting to see how everything would play out.

That said, the story felt somewhat predictable, and the twists didn’t pack the punch I’ve come to expect from Daniel Hurst. Some of the characters were underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect or feel invested in their choices. While the pacing was fast, the plot itself felt a bit surface-level and rushed in places.

Overall, this was an okay read—good for a short, easy thriller—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. Fans of the author may still enjoy it, but compared to his other books, this one fell a little flat for me.

[Tony da Napoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 of 3 standalone short stories "with a shock endings" from Daniel Hurst, the bestselling author of UK #1 ... Reading these while on a trip at the recommendation of a reviewer I respect (Matt).
Too short to say much without spoiling. This one is a true psychological piece about a woman obsessed with her man- who is not giving her the time and attention she needs. Surprise ending. A third good read. Free on Kindle Unlimited else $1.32.

[Ritta Kloss · Rating 2 out of 5]

More disappointment

I only gave you two stars because I usually like your stories. However, these short stories have definitely put a damper on that. My thought is if you were to develop these characters, from all your short stories and turn them in to full length thrillers, I think you’d do well!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story that packs a punch

Mel adores her husband, Harry, until she discovers his affair. Then she kills him. It’s easy to feel sympathy for Mel, when she is so devoted and making such efforts to please, only to be rebuffed every time. She is literally a woman scorned. After the murder, she turns herself in, to serve a life sentence. The writing is taut, our sympathy is engaged, though Mel is not a likable character. But Harry seems mean, too. Strong writing, with a lot evoked in a few pages.

[AleciaS · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Was Unexpected

At first I assumed the husband was probably messing with her. It's just seem like cheating was too obvious lol. Good lord he don't even belong to her. Had me gagged lol. Mel is crazy.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick book. My 50th Daniel Hurst book!!!! And I’ve met my reading goal for 2025!!!

[Sofia Rodrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m rather liking danial hurst as an author

[Laura Felty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had not expected that

Again, what an ending. These shorts by Hurst just leave you wanting more. The build up is crazy. The conversations and interactions.

[Abbie Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations after short story #2, the twist was interesting but the rest of the book fell flat for me and I disliked the main character

[Jess Tuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twist was good but I feel like this would have been a better read if it was a full size book than a short story.

[Regan Wilbanks · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 ⭐️ ….. 🙄

[Holly Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so good!! Loved the initial twist and the ending was perfect - definitely a good fast paced read!

[Alessandra Oliveri · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star ⭐️
its not funny but im laughing

[Kassie Rankin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun ride. The twist ending was interesting!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad, ok twist

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. 3.5 stars. Starts off with a woman named Mel explaining why she killed her husband. We then meet her husband Harry, who does not seem appreciative of dinner. She thinks they’re going through a tough patch. He works a lot in finance and she works at a library. She finds him talking on the phone with someone whom he says he’s excited to order room service with and spend a weekend at a hotel with. She sleeps in the couch. She decides to find out what is going on. Mel says it’s Harry or nothing and if she can’t have him, no one will. She also says if he’s lying and cheating, she’ll be cutting into his heart with a knife.

She intends to follow him to the hotel, and after swindling the key card out of one of the workers decides not to go into the hotel room. Harry comes home the next day and makes it clear that there is nothing between him and Mel. She decides that her only option is to stab him. She stabs him in the stomach and kills him.

She decides she is going to call the cops on herself and turn herself in. She’s charged with murder. She then sits with a detective who upon getting her confession is confused. Mel does not seem to understand that they were not married. They were not husband and wife. They were roommates.

It then flops to her telling her therapist in jail that she now understands that they were roommates and she obsessed over him so much that she acted like they were married. They did hook up one time and that led her to believe that there could be something else even after he made it clear that there wouldn’t be. He had trouble finding another place to live, and she took that to her advantage. He was seeing another woman named Claire.

Mel then sees a pink ribbon on her therapists desk that she thinks someone special must’ve given it to her. She questions who else the therapist could be seeing that is better than her. Mel admits she wants the therapist like she wanted Harry. She states this was the last time she will think of her as her therapist, from now on, she will think of her as her girlfriend. She thinks about killing her in her office, but hopes she does not have to.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super quick read at 47 pages, this took me just 45 minutes to finish. And still have time to put on a Midsomer Murders or McDonald and Dodds.

Mel is busy cooking dinner; spaghetti carbonara, Harry's favourite meal. And although he has a busy high finance job with long hours and not much downtime, tonight he's promised to be home early after the past couple of nights working late. She's looking forward to sitting down to the meal, sharing a bottle of wine and then snuggling up on the sofa watching TV together.

But when Harry arrives home, he's tired and not up for anything but dinner and bed. A jog was on the cards but after dishing up a heavy bowl of pasta that is now off the table. He leaves the room to shower and Mel awaits his return. Only he doesn't. So she tiptoes to the bedroom and is about to walk in when she hears his voice on the phone. Leaning closer to find out who he could be talking to, she hears a lot more than she bargained for.

He's seeing somebody else. How could he just give up on them without a fight?

Mel is determined to find out who she is and to put a stop to this nonsense. Harry is her man. Her's. No one else's. And she will do anything to keep it that way.

This was an OK read. He's delivered better but there are still a couple of surprises along the way though nothing earth shattering. The previous short story "The Body" is by far my favourite. The most annoying thing about this one was every second paragraph Mel keeps calling Harry "my man". My man walks to the bar...he comes home to me every night because he's my man...my man is like that...my man this, my man that. It was bordering on nauseating. And very irritating.

The reveal was a nice twist. And then there is another twist before the end. A nice quick easy read.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those short reads I absolutely devoured.

It is not overly complex and at times you can see where it might be heading, but that was not the point for me. The power of this story lies in its tone and in that very first sentence: “Isn’t it nice when somebody is yours?” From that moment on, I knew this would not be a love story. It is about possession, not connection. And that subtle difference sets the entire psychological arc in motion.

What I enjoyed most was the contained danger. It feels twisted and grim, and the narrator’s mindset is deeply unsettling, yet as a reader you are safe. It is adrenaline without physical involvement. A spike of tension that stays within the pages. Dangerous, but controlled.

The protagonist’s logic is warped in a way that makes you sit there thinking what a psycho she is, yet at the same time you understand how she justifies everything to herself. That internal rationalisation is what makes it compelling rather than just shocking.

It did not quite reach five stars for me because it delivered exactly what it promised without surprising me on a deeper level. Still, as a tight psychological short story, it worked very well. Dark, sharp and satisfyingly sick in its arc.

[Veronica]

This book pulls you deep into the mind of a woman who believes she’s in a loving, committed marriage. He comes home. He eats with her. He sleeps beside her. And yet, something is off. There’s a growing distance she can’t ignore—and she’s convinced another woman is trying to take what’s hers.

What makes this story so effective is the creeping doubt it plants in the reader’s mind. Is he really drifting away… or is this relationship something she’s built in her head? As her desperation to “fight for us” intensifies, love blurs into possession, and devotion twists into obsession.

The tension doesn’t rely on shocking moments—it simmers. Every thought feels unreliable. Every action raises the same chilling question: is he truly her man, or is this a fantasy she refuses to let go of?

Dark, psychologically sharp, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way. If you love thrillers that explore obsession, unreliable narrators, and the terrifying power of self-deception, this one will stick with you long after the final page.

[Gem Woodroofe · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s My Man by Daniel Hurst is a sharp, fast-paced short story that delivers exactly what you’d expect from him: tension, secrets, and a creeping sense that something isn’t quite right. Hurst does a great job pulling the reader in quickly, establishing unease with minimal setup, and ending on a twist that lingers after the final line. The characters feel believable, and the emotional undercurrent - especially around obsession and control - is unsettling in a way that works well for the genre.

That said, it is very short, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more depth or buildup before the conclusion. The ending is effective, but slightly rushed.

Overall, a solid, gripping read that fans of dark psychological thrillers will enjoy, even if it leaves you wanting a little more.

[Kelly (aka jsybookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrilling little novelette this was from Daniel Hurst.

Mel is determined to make her marriage to Harry work but with his long hours at work they only have limited time to ensure they have quality time together. Whenever Harry’s work means he gets to come home early Mel makes the time count with lovely meals and getting comfy on the sofa of an evening watching TV they both enjoy. It starts to appear though that maybe Harry isn’t as determined to make the marriage work as Mel however Mel is determined to keep her man……. But how far will she really go to make sure that Harry stays as hers?!

This was only my second psychological thriller novella, and I have to applaud Daniel Hurst, as to write such a great twist in a book of only 47 pages is just brilliant. I loved reading this as a short psychological thriller between rom-com ARC’s and it was a perfect pocket rocket of a story with a crazy twist I didn’t see coming.

Overall, this was a huge shot of adrenaline in so few pages. I really recommend this if you are new to Daniel Hurst’s writing or just fancy a short psychological thriller with a clever twist! It’s a 5 star rating from me and I have already bought a few of the other novella stories in the series. Out now.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

He comes home to me. He eats dinner with me. He sleeps so close to me. But there's a difference to us, and I can feel him slipping further away. So I need to fight for us. I cannot give up on what we have.

There's not a lot I can say about this short story as I would spoil it for potential readers. I did enjoy the way the story ended. It's a very quick and easy read, it only has 47 pages.

#KindleBook

[Holly Cerutti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Hurst’s short stories never miss for me. In just a few pages, he pulls you completely into a character’s world, making everything feel solid and believable—until he flips the script and proves nothing was ever what it seemed. That sudden, gut-punch shift is what he does best. Sharp, unsettling, and wildly addictive, his shorts easily rival the masters of the genre. I loved every minute of it.