The Line

Deadly Ambition #6

by Tim Weaver

A career-making rumor about a Hollywood icon could save a struggling journalist—or destroy her—in this twisting and atmospheric short story by Sunday Times bestselling author Tim Weaver.

Los Angeles, 1985. Journalist Hallie Pitney is fighting to keep her head above water selling minor stories to gossip magazines. She still dreams of her byline on something better—something that could finally launch her career.

Then a whisper reaches a legendary movie star may be hiding a devastating secret. For Hallie, this could be the story that changes everything. But a dark choice lurks behind Hollywood’s shuttered the story of a lifetime—or everything she stands for.

Tim Weaver’s The Line is part of the Deadly Ambition collection, stories about greed, control, and the sinister side of making dreams come true. They can be read or listened to in one bingeable sitting.

Genres: Audiobook, Short Stories, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Adult, Mystery Thriller

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2026

About the author

Tim Weaver is the Sunday Times Top 3 bestselling author of the David Raker missing persons series, the standalone thriller, Missing Pieces, and the novella collection, The Shadow at the Door. His novels have been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club four times, and his work has been nominated for a National Book Award and the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. He is currently developing an original TV drama with the team behind Line of Duty. He lives near Bath in the UK. Find out more about Tim and his writing at www.timweaverbooks.com.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read from award winning UK author Tim Weaver-who is the author of the 13 book David Raker series about a Missing Persons investigator. I love how these collections give me a chance to read short stories by “new to me” authors.

Since I was listening to a story a day from this collection on my morning walk, I didn’t read the blurb in advance, so my initial thoughts were “that this story seemed dated”.

But, I soon realized that it was set in 1985, in Los Angeles.

Struggling Journalist Hallie Pitney is selling minor stories to gossip magazines while she waits for the story which could finally launch her career.

Then she is given a lead about a legendary movie star who may be hiding a devastating secret-AIDS.

Is she cutthroat enough to break the story?

This wasn’t a favorite for me, but it was a pretty strong collection and I enjoyed 4 of the 6.
About 43 pages

Tim Weaver’s “The Line” is part of Amazon’s “Deadly Ambition” collection-stories about greed, control, and the sinister side of making dreams come true. They can be read or listened to in one bingeable sitting and they are available now for free if you have Amazon Prime.

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
It’s 1985 Los Angeles and Hallie Pitney’s dreams of being a journalist with a major byline seem to be fading fast. She’s barely subsisting on tired stories sold to gossip rags, facing eviction from her apartment. Then she receives a tip about a legendary Hollywood actor, one that could put her into the sights of a major news outlet. But she reaches a crossroad where she must choose to go over that line into the dark for the limelight or do the right thing.

the heart of the story…
Hallie’s life was beyond bleak and I understood her desperation. The choices she faced were difficult but was it going to be worth crushing her soul in the long run?

the narration…
Kristin Atherton completely captured her character and did a wonderful job of providing distinct voices for all. Her storytelling was amazing.

the bottom line…
This was beyond dark and for a short story, it delivered some powerful themes. When it came time for Hallie to cross that line or turn back, I could barely breathe. I am still haunted by this one.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)

[Alan (on cat-sitting hiatus) Teder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crossing the Line to the Dark Side
A review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook released on Kindle and Audio on April 1, 2026.

But at least the money I make can give me some breathing room, she says to herself. And if I’ve got breathing room, I can give this a real shot. I can research the kind of pieces that actually matter. I can get my bylines. I can be the best version of myself.

This was well written even if it didn't come with any surprises or twists. The reason for a time setting back in 1985 becomes guessable very quickly. Gutter journalist Hallie Pitney is looking for a big story to break her into the national limelight and a tip about a possibly sickened big movie star may be her meal ticket.

I was curious to learn that Tim Weaver's regular series with the David Raker character is about a missing persons investigator. Those were being written well before Jeffery Deaver's Colter Shaw series and the current Tracker TV show, so it would be interesting to check some of those out.

Trivia and Links
Author Tim Weaver is a British writer of crime thrillers. His most popular book (based on current GR ratings and reviews) is The Blackbird (2022). His most recent book is The Missing Family (2024). Both of those are in the missing persons investigator David Raker series (2009 - ongoing?).

The Line is the 6th of 6 stories in the Deadly Ambition anthology collection from Amazon Original Stories released on April 1, 2026. The promo for the collection reads:

What drives someone to keep reaching for all that glitters, no matter the price? It’s easy to believe that more is better: more acclaim, more control, more wealth. But when dreams are fueled by greed, they can quickly twist into nightmares. These six propulsive short stories explore what happens when the true cost of ambition comes due.

You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here and see the Deadly Ambition collection here (links goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike other reviewers, I actually enjoyed this one. It is a historical drama/suspense. I found the story very interesting and well written.

The only thing I did not like is the ending felt abrupt and I would have preferred a more concrete ending and a few more pages to round it all out.

[Alya ( 20 comments restriction ) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoughts
Unfortunately this was my second miss from the collection... I just found it boring and not entertaining..

Plot Summary
In 1985 Los Angeles, struggling journalist Hallie Pitney is desperate for a breakthrough beyond small gossip. When she hears a rumour that a famous film star is hiding a damaging secret, she sees her chance at a career-making story,
but digging deeper forces Hallie to face a difficult choice—chase the scoop of a lifetime or hold on to her principles.

My Bookstagram

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for free with Kindle Unlimited
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[˚⟡˖ ࣪ desiree ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah no after reading this?? i’m 100% going through this author’s entire backlist and anything they put out next.

[Shannon Moeser · Rating 3 out of 5]

One short story in the Deadly Ambitions Collection.

"The Line" takes place in Hollywood in 1985 and its main protagonist is Hallie, an ambitious woman, who at age 30 is still barely surviving as a freelance journalist. As I lived in Hollywood in the early 1960s, I found the picture of its decay since I had lived there fascinating; the author, Tim Weaver, is a good descriptive writer. It was also an accurate representation of the misconceptions surrounding AIDS in the mid-1980s, although younger readers would probably be confused by what we now know to be errors based on faulty assumptions. The plot was fairly complex, although the ending was a letdown because it left readers hanging. This was a short story that should have been a novella in length in order to effectively execute all the narrative threads. 3.5⭐️

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

*audiobook

Definitely the weakest story in this collection. It didn’t keep me interested and wasn’t memorable. It was “on theme” for the collection but I couldn’t care less about it.

[Aggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth and final installment of the Deadly Ambition collection. I would like to see this turned into a series.

[Suzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star! ⭐️

This was not good. None of these shorties are great, but this one I disliked the most!

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 80s L.A., The Line follows Hallie, a struggling journalist chasing a big break—until a rumour about a movie star’s dark secret forces her to decide just how far she’s willing to go.

This one is more character-focused than twist-driven compared to the others, but it still brings plenty of tension to keep the stakes high. I liked the brief look at how cut-throat journalism can be, especially the pressure to land the next “scoop,” while also highlighting the ethical issues that come with chasing it.

Overall, this one was quieter than the others, but still effective and an enjoyable read.

2.5⭐️

[Tierney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 for another solid, fun entry in this series. Conscience vs. success is again central to the tale.

This has been a strong series of shorts. Not perfect, because shorts rarely are given that different readers have different needs, preferecnes, and bugbears. But a lot fo fun to read :)

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5🌟
This story had sooo much potential :(.
I hated the MC and I wish the story revolved around sloane more. My least favorite of the series.

My rating for Deadly Ambition series-
(Not reading in order)
1)The Roomate(#2 by Andrea Mara)-3.75/5🌟
2) A Fatal Delivery(#4 by Lauren Oliver)-2/5🌟
3)The Muse(#5 by Lauren Ting Brown)-3/5🌟
4)The line(#6 by Tim Weaver)-2/5🌟

[STEPH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more. Could this be a full-length novel? I needed more of Hallie, please.

This novella really makes you contemplate morality—the thin red line between doing what’s right and surviving. For a struggling, unknown journalist like Hallie, a single choice could either save or destroy her entire sense of humanity.

I guess Hallie made her choice. One she will surely regret—and perhaps deserves to suffer for.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I read the last page, I felt like I must have missed something. But nope, that’s how it ended. I was honestly expecting more. And an unlikable MC made it even harder to connect to anyone or anything in this short story. Many readers may enjoy it, but it fell flat for me.

**2.5 stars!

[Nikos Drosinos · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️- I feel genuinely gaslit by this book 😅 I went in expecting a thriller, and this was mostly drama dressed up as one. 😔 The plot was very meh, and never really built any real tension. It just drifted along without ever feeling gripping or urgent. 😴

And the twist? Honestly, I’m still looking for it 😭 Nothing landed, nothing surprised me, and nothing changed how I saw the story.

Overall, not a thriller, not particularly engaging, just underwhelming. Quite forgettable 😪

[mimi (catching up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most “I succeeded, but at what cost” you’ll ever read.

↠ 4 stars

Thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the weakest of the Deadly Ambition Collection that I have read.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1985 L.A., in the Dirty-Dirty world of Hollywood where dog-eats-dog world of celebrity gossip, TMZ style sleazy news and a fast spreading fatal disease that is ravaging playboys. Like Porter Sloan. He's the stuff legends are made of, 4 marriages, 100s of women on the side, a successful career behind him...is now a recluse.
Why?..well that's where the rumor mill starts humming loud and fast.
Two journalists - Hallie Pitney & Jordan Sanchez are leaked a gossip thread by an agent and they both see it as a meal ticket out of their penury and in one case- a life & death situation.
Ethics wages a war against money and guess who wins?
You'd be surprised!
There's also a monkey on their back - blackmailing dirty cop. Is there any other kind?!!
It's a caustic, sharp account of gruesome underbelly of bright lights of celebrity culture.
Narration by Kristin Atherton is brilliant and I love third person POV too
“5 stars for anonymous reporter”
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[Lisbet Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I missed 2 of the novellas in this collection, but I’m just not enjoying myself so I think I’m done. This one was so boring and had such an unimpressive outcome.

[Vuseor · Rating 2 out of 5]

YAWNNNN YAWWNN 😴😴😴 plenty of boring material to read, this amazon series full of short stories was so disappointing for me.

To end the series with this was not.. really it for me. The start was mediocre, climax was predictable. End was like the others. honestly why did I even try to enjoy this.

Rating this book with the theme in mind 8/10. Theme was obviously there, so I appreciate that as much. But this as a whole was boring and stupid.

I didn’t enjoy this series and will be giving it overall 2 stars. There’s only 1 short story I sorta liked in here. 😬😬

[Howard Iske · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t really have too much to say about this, other than I didn’t enjoy it. I found the main character extremely unlikable, and some of her choices infuriated me.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narration was OK. Nothing overly fantastic.

This is a hard pass for me.

[~Bellegirl91~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I spoke too soon....


This one was boring as hell not gonna lie. What are the odds of me rating the book ends of this collection 1 star? I had so much potential for this last one but it seemed to repetitive to me personally and not the greatest.

All I say is good luck and kudos to those who end up liking this one. Not for me personally.

[Vanessa (Nessreadsalot) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whispers reach a journalist about a devastating secret that a major star is hiding. This could be the story that makes her career but destroys his life. 

This matched the overall theme of the collection but the story just didn't quite grip me. 

[Esme Merrily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my humble opinion the best of the whole series. Very noir, but with an 80s setting I loved. Poses some uncomfortable questions that striked close to home for me as a retired journalist.

[Kristin Katsuye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how it ended kind of open. We know what she decided at the moment in taking the pictures and her plan going forward. But in reality should could change her mind to any of the variations at any point. After we finish reading, she could choose to publish the full story with her name added in or she could keep it anonymous or even choose to not go through with it. Although the latter is unlikely a long with her already choosing to go through with letting Sanche die, anything can happen still.

I did enjoy the story well enough. I didn’t love it or hate it. I don’t believe I’ve read anything else from the author.

The only critique I’ll make is this is supposed to be considered historical as it’s set in the 80’s? I’m even second guessing myself because it never felt like a different time while reading it. I always pictured today’s time. Only when I was reminded did I recall but even so it either didn’t last long or still didn’t feel like a different time, even with a Walkman being mentioned.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Line by Tim Weaver: in mid-1980s Los Angeles, freelance journalist Hallie needs a decent story if she’s going to pay her rent. The tip-off to a big story about an ageing star could make her career, but why hasn’t her rival already run with the story? When she confronts him, it seems the situation is much more complicated. Can she ignore her conscience and make it work?
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

[ReadWithRyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is a short story as part of the Deadly Ambitions collection for Amazon Original Stories.

What I enjoyed most about this one was the main character and the 80’s Hollywood setting and references throughout.

The story itself had more potential and ended quite abruptly. It did feel impacted by the low page count but what was there was the type of book I would read in a full-length novel format.