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Deadly Ambition #5
The Silent Muse
An artist discovers the deadly consequences of ambition and secrets in a gripping short story by Lauren Ling Brown, national bestselling author of Society of Lies.
Struggling artist Hannah Brennan finds her muse in a gorgeous unfinished painting of a reclining woman at an amateur artist’s estate sale. It’s exactly the mix of classic and avant-garde that she’s aiming for. But inspiration crosses the line when, with just a few polishing touches, she passes off the dead man’s art as her own. Suddenly, Hannah is the one to watch in the New York art scene. And someone is watching. Someone who knows the truth about Hannah’s mysterious muse.
Lauren Ling Brown’s The Silent Muse 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.
Struggling artist Hannah Brennan finds her muse in a gorgeous unfinished painting of a reclining woman at an amateur artist’s estate sale. It’s exactly the mix of classic and avant-garde that she’s aiming for. But inspiration crosses the line when, with just a few polishing touches, she passes off the dead man’s art as her own. Suddenly, Hannah is the one to watch in the New York art scene. And someone is watching. Someone who knows the truth about Hannah’s mysterious muse.
Lauren Ling Brown’s The Silent Muse 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.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2026
About the author
Lauren Ling Brown
8 books1,014 followersLauren Ling Brown graduated from Princeton and USC School of Cinematic Arts with a BA in English literature and an MFA in film production with a focus in screenwriting. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she works as a film editor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
April 13, 2026
This short story was my first read from author Lauren Ling Brown, national bestselling author of “Society of Lies” a past Reese’s Book Club selection, and the fifth story in the “Deadly Ambition” collection.
The newest Amazon Original short story collection focuses on stories about Greed, Control, and the Sinister side of making dreams come true.
This one is about a struggling artist named Hannah Brennan who purchases an unfinished painting of a reclining woman at an artist’s estate sale-and then after adding a few brush strokes of her own-she passes off the dead man’s art as her own.
Suddenly, Hannah is the one to watch in the New York art scene.
But, somebody knows the truth-and they don’t plan on keeping her secret.
Although this wasn’t a favorite for me, that is not to say that it isn’t without its surprises!
Read or listen one story at a time or binge on them all at once! 48 pages
AVAILABLE now if you have AMAZON PRIME
The newest Amazon Original short story collection focuses on stories about Greed, Control, and the Sinister side of making dreams come true.
This one is about a struggling artist named Hannah Brennan who purchases an unfinished painting of a reclining woman at an artist’s estate sale-and then after adding a few brush strokes of her own-she passes off the dead man’s art as her own.
Suddenly, Hannah is the one to watch in the New York art scene.
But, somebody knows the truth-and they don’t plan on keeping her secret.
Although this wasn’t a favorite for me, that is not to say that it isn’t without its surprises!
Read or listen one story at a time or binge on them all at once! 48 pages
AVAILABLE now if you have AMAZON PRIME
June 3, 2026
Hannah wants to quit her job as a bartender, to focus on her career as an artist.
When she gets the opportunity to display one of her paintings in a gallery, she needs to have a painting that will knock everyone’s socks off and launch her career. Unfortunately, nobody’s interested in her paintings.
Then she gets her hands on a painting of an artist who passed away. Someone who never had their art displayed before.
Pretty straight forward story with one big twist. The main character quickly achieves fame by stealing another artist’s work, instead of taking her time to improve her own skills. But a house built on a foundation of lies is not as sturdy as a house built on a foundation of talent and hard work. It’s a solid short story with a good concept at its core.
When she gets the opportunity to display one of her paintings in a gallery, she needs to have a painting that will knock everyone’s socks off and launch her career. Unfortunately, nobody’s interested in her paintings.
Then she gets her hands on a painting of an artist who passed away. Someone who never had their art displayed before.
Pretty straight forward story with one big twist. The main character quickly achieves fame by stealing another artist’s work, instead of taking her time to improve her own skills. But a house built on a foundation of lies is not as sturdy as a house built on a foundation of talent and hard work. It’s a solid short story with a good concept at its core.
April 25, 2026
2.5 rounded up
April 19, 2026
Thoughts
After reading Society of Lies by this author I was excited to give her writing another go and to my surprise she lowkey delivered considering how short it was it was rather enjoyable would've yet again loved a longer version
Plot Summary
Struggling artist Hannah Brennan finds an unfinished painting that perfectly suits her style and passes it off as her own. Her career quickly takes off; but someone knows the truth and is watching her closely.
My Bookstagram
After reading Society of Lies by this author I was excited to give her writing another go and to my surprise she lowkey delivered considering how short it was it was rather enjoyable would've yet again loved a longer version
Plot Summary
Struggling artist Hannah Brennan finds an unfinished painting that perfectly suits her style and passes it off as her own. Her career quickly takes off; but someone knows the truth and is watching her closely.
My Bookstagram
May 3, 2026
the setup…
Hannah Brennan is a young artist trying to breakthrough the art community in New York City. An influential friend of her late mother is willing to give her a shot but the painting she submits for review doesn’t meet the woman’s expectations. A mysterious woman she meets at an estate sale gives her an unfinished painting by her late husband that Hannah finds mesmerizing, using it as inspiration for her project. But it’s the unfinished painting her mentor wants her to finish…and Hannah claims it as her own work. Uh, oh.
the heart of the story…
I tried not to judge Hannah’s decision as her heart was in the right place and she piled enough guilt on herself once she’d crossed that bridge. I also knew there would be a reckoning.
the narration…
This is my first listening experience of Jess Nahikian and she has a wonderful tone, great storytelling skills and mastery of voice distinctions. I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line…
I liked Hannah and got caught up in her circumstances. The story sort of glides to that reckoning, one I saw coming, though there was a nice little surprise I hadn’t foreseen. While a little predictable, it was still highly entertaining. Ambition can indeed be deadly. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
Hannah Brennan is a young artist trying to breakthrough the art community in New York City. An influential friend of her late mother is willing to give her a shot but the painting she submits for review doesn’t meet the woman’s expectations. A mysterious woman she meets at an estate sale gives her an unfinished painting by her late husband that Hannah finds mesmerizing, using it as inspiration for her project. But it’s the unfinished painting her mentor wants her to finish…and Hannah claims it as her own work. Uh, oh.
the heart of the story…
I tried not to judge Hannah’s decision as her heart was in the right place and she piled enough guilt on herself once she’d crossed that bridge. I also knew there would be a reckoning.
the narration…
This is my first listening experience of Jess Nahikian and she has a wonderful tone, great storytelling skills and mastery of voice distinctions. I enjoyed her performance.
the bottom line…
I liked Hannah and got caught up in her circumstances. The story sort of glides to that reckoning, one I saw coming, though there was a nice little surprise I hadn’t foreseen. While a little predictable, it was still highly entertaining. Ambition can indeed be deadly. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of the entire collection. All opinions are my own.)
April 29, 2026
An Eye for Art
A review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook released on Kindle and Audio on April 1, 2026.
Hannah Brennan is a young artist in New York City who is looking for a breakthrough in its art scene. She has a potential ally in a gallery owner who was her mother's friend back in their youth. But Hannah's own work isn't making an impression.
Seemingly by chance she comes upon an estate sale where there are previously unshown paintings by a deceased amateur artist. One painting is unfinished and Hannah sees it as a potential muse for her own work and takes it home. But then the gallery owner drops in unexpectantly and declares the (unsigned) unfinished piece to be perfect for Hannah's debut. Will she succumb to temptation and pass the painting off as her own?
The Silent Muse takes that starting premise and makes several surprising twists and reveals before it arrives at a potentially deadly conclusion. I quite enjoyed it.
It was a pleasure to return to my 4-star streak in the Deadly Ambition series after a disappointment in the previous entry. Fictions related to art are admittedly a tiny shelf in my sub-genre categories, but I find especial delight in stories of art forgeries and grifts. The Silent Muse was a perfect fit for that niche.
Trivia and Links
Author Lauren Ling Brown is a writer of thrillers who also works as a film editor and writing coach. Her first novel and most popular book (based on current GR ratings and reviews) is Society of Lies (2024). For further information see her website at LaurenLingBrown.com.
The Silent Muse is the 5th of 6 stories in the Deadly Ambition anthology collection from Amazon Original Stories released on April 1, 2026. The promo for the collection reads:
A review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook released on Kindle and Audio on April 1, 2026.
Twenty minutes later I’ve completed my walk through the West Village and nearly forgotten about the strange woman. But crossing the street, I see her again on the other side of the road, watching me in a way that makes my skin prickle. Has she been following me?
Hannah Brennan is a young artist in New York City who is looking for a breakthrough in its art scene. She has a potential ally in a gallery owner who was her mother's friend back in their youth. But Hannah's own work isn't making an impression.
Seemingly by chance she comes upon an estate sale where there are previously unshown paintings by a deceased amateur artist. One painting is unfinished and Hannah sees it as a potential muse for her own work and takes it home. But then the gallery owner drops in unexpectantly and declares the (unsigned) unfinished piece to be perfect for Hannah's debut. Will she succumb to temptation and pass the painting off as her own?
The Silent Muse takes that starting premise and makes several surprising twists and reveals before it arrives at a potentially deadly conclusion. I quite enjoyed it.
It was a pleasure to return to my 4-star streak in the Deadly Ambition series after a disappointment in the previous entry. Fictions related to art are admittedly a tiny shelf in my sub-genre categories, but I find especial delight in stories of art forgeries and grifts. The Silent Muse was a perfect fit for that niche.
Trivia and Links
Author Lauren Ling Brown is a writer of thrillers who also works as a film editor and writing coach. Her first novel and most popular book (based on current GR ratings and reviews) is Society of Lies (2024). For further information see her website at LaurenLingBrown.com.
The Silent Muse is the 5th 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).
May 8, 2026
The Silent Muse has a few interesting parts, but these parts didn't merge into a coherent whole. Hannah was given a painting, which she inadvertently passed off as her own work, but this misappropriation wasn't deliberate; it was an accident due to showing the original to the wrong person. Then, after Hannah found fame on the basis of her own work, it turns out that she was set up by the owner of the original painting, the person who had given her the painting that started her career rolling (and the only artwork that she didn't legitimately produce).
It was obvious quite early in narrative:
(1) who the owner of the original painting, the one given to Hannah, had once been; and
(2) who the model in the original painting had once been.
Consequently, much of the story was predictable. There was one short unexpected twist near the end. But the inconclusive ending ruined the entire narrative. 1.5⭐️
It was obvious quite early in narrative:
(1) who the owner of the original painting, the one given to Hannah, had once been; and
(2) who the model in the original painting had once been.
Consequently, much of the story was predictable. There was one short unexpected twist near the end. But the inconclusive ending ruined the entire narrative. 1.5⭐️
April 1, 2026
Thank you for reading my short story, THE SILENT MUSE. The inspiration for this story came from several places, the first being that my mother is an artist. She is a wonderful oil painter who paints landscapes and the one who first took me to the Met, who signed me up for painting and drawing lessons as a kid, and encouraged me to pursue creativity in many forms. Fortunately, the rest of the story came from imagination and the question: how much of our art is ours alone vs a product of the materials we consume and by which we are influenced?
I had read Who Is the Bad Art Friend? the 2021 article by Robert Kolker published in The New York Times Magazine as well as the book Yellowface by RF Kuang and wondered what a person would do if they were desperate for success and fame at all costs. That’s when I discovered Hannah, a struggling artist who had recently lost her mother, and what starts as a tiny little piece of inspiration spirals into stalking, revenge, and possibly even murder…
I had read Who Is the Bad Art Friend? the 2021 article by Robert Kolker published in The New York Times Magazine as well as the book Yellowface by RF Kuang and wondered what a person would do if they were desperate for success and fame at all costs. That’s when I discovered Hannah, a struggling artist who had recently lost her mother, and what starts as a tiny little piece of inspiration spirals into stalking, revenge, and possibly even murder…
April 2, 2026
Chose to read this one 2nd from the series as it had great reviews, but unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as others did.
The art story felt boring to me and everything was a bit too predictable at the end. This one wasn’t horrible, but wasn’t for me. 2.5 rounded up.
The art story felt boring to me and everything was a bit too predictable at the end. This one wasn’t horrible, but wasn’t for me. 2.5 rounded up.
April 15, 2026
Okay, I did not like this at all.
Predictable twist, unlikeable characters, and a boring premise.
Sorry, but this one just didn’t work for me.
Predictable twist, unlikeable characters, and a boring premise.
Sorry, but this one just didn’t work for me.
April 17, 2026
A short story in the Deadly Ambitions Collection. It takes about an hour to read.
The Silent Muse has a few interesting parts, but these parts didn't merge into a coherent whole. Hannah was given a painting, which she inadvertently passed off as her own work, but this misappropriation wasn't deliberate; it was an accident due to showing the original to the wrong person. Then, after Hannah found fame on the basis of her own work, it turns out that she was set up by the owner of the original painting, the person who had given her the painting that started her career rolling (and the only artwork that she didn't legitimately produce).
It was obvious quite early in narrative:
(1) who the owner of the original painting, the one given to Hannah, had once been; and
(2) who the model in the original painting had once been.
Consequently, much of the story was predictable.
There was one short unexpected twist near the end. But the inconclusive ending ruined the entire narrative. 1.5⭐️
The Silent Muse has a few interesting parts, but these parts didn't merge into a coherent whole. Hannah was given a painting, which she inadvertently passed off as her own work, but this misappropriation wasn't deliberate; it was an accident due to showing the original to the wrong person. Then, after Hannah found fame on the basis of her own work, it turns out that she was set up by the owner of the original painting, the person who had given her the painting that started her career rolling (and the only artwork that she didn't legitimately produce).
It was obvious quite early in narrative:
(1) who the owner of the original painting, the one given to Hannah, had once been; and
(2) who the model in the original painting had once been.
Consequently, much of the story was predictable.
There was one short unexpected twist near the end. But the inconclusive ending ruined the entire narrative. 1.5⭐️
April 12, 2026
3 ⭐️
A quick, overall thrilling listen. I did end up predicting the twist, but it was still entertaining enough to keep me engaged. The FMC wasn’t my favorite… like girl get it together but it made for a fun, dramatic ride. 😅
A quick, overall thrilling listen. I did end up predicting the twist, but it was still entertaining enough to keep me engaged. The FMC wasn’t my favorite… like girl get it together but it made for a fun, dramatic ride. 😅
April 23, 2026
The Silent Muse is a fast, tense short story about ambition, art, and the cost of success that isn’t really yours. Hannah Brennan finds inspiration in an unfinished painting and passes it off as her own, and her rise in the New York art scene is quick—but so is that creeping feeling someone knows exactly what she’s done.
After reading a few stories in this collection, this one especially gave me that slightly nostalgic, anthology-TV feel — like watching episodes of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (if anyone remembers that series).
This whole collection has been a fun one to read through, and I’m looking forward to finishing the last two. As a new-to-me author, I’m also looking forward to reading more of Lauren Ling Brown’s work.
After reading a few stories in this collection, this one especially gave me that slightly nostalgic, anthology-TV feel — like watching episodes of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (if anyone remembers that series).
This whole collection has been a fun one to read through, and I’m looking forward to finishing the last two. As a new-to-me author, I’m also looking forward to reading more of Lauren Ling Brown’s work.
April 15, 2026
Love fun short reads or listens in this case!
This definitely gave me Yellowface vibes but make it about art.
Enjoyable for a novella even though the twists were more of a surprise for the main character than they were for the reader but I enjoyed this! The narration on this was very atmospheric also!
Many thanks to Brilliance Publishing and Amazon stories for providing me with a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley for review.
This definitely gave me Yellowface vibes but make it about art.
Enjoyable for a novella even though the twists were more of a surprise for the main character than they were for the reader but I enjoyed this! The narration on this was very atmospheric also!
Many thanks to Brilliance Publishing and Amazon stories for providing me with a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley for review.
May 26, 2026
**2.5 stars**
An intriguing premise that ultimately didn’t work for me. The writing was great and the story started off quite good, but the ending ruined it for me, to be honest. Leaving the reader guessing a bit is often a good strategy—things don’t have to be tied up in a neat bow for me to like a book’s ending. I don’t need everything resolved and explained. But this ending left me wondering “What the heck was that?” It almost felt incomplete. But maybe it’s just me!
Regardless, I will definitely give this author another read if the story sounds like a good one!
An intriguing premise that ultimately didn’t work for me. The writing was great and the story started off quite good, but the ending ruined it for me, to be honest. Leaving the reader guessing a bit is often a good strategy—things don’t have to be tied up in a neat bow for me to like a book’s ending. I don’t need everything resolved and explained. But this ending left me wondering “What the heck was that?” It almost felt incomplete. But maybe it’s just me!
Regardless, I will definitely give this author another read if the story sounds like a good one!
April 27, 2026
Very good short story, if you enjoy mystery/thrillers its a must read!!
April 9, 2026
This was okay! These short stories in this collection have been hit or miss for me and this one hit kind of mid!
April 14, 2026
3.5 rounded to 4
The Silent Muse is the 5th book in the Deadly Ambition collection and at the time of my review the only one that I have read. Author Lauren Ling Brown has been of interest to me for awhile now because I've been wanting to read the Society of lies.
Hannah Brennan is a struggling artist in NYC who just wants her big break. She has tried to sell her work to galleries and she just never seems to make the cut. She attends an artist estate sale where she discovers an unfinished painting of a woman... But she can't stop wondering why this woman reminds her so much of herself?! She makes a rash decision to finish the art piece and pass it off entirely as her own. After finishing the painting she becomes a bit of an overnight success but it quickly becomes apparent that someone knows the truth about the painting.
The silent muse does a good job exploring the themes of greed, pressures of success and family secrets. It's a quick read, roughly an hour or two at most. There is a decent enough twist...I can't think of any reasons to not give this story and the others in the collection a chance.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Silent Muse is the 5th book in the Deadly Ambition collection and at the time of my review the only one that I have read. Author Lauren Ling Brown has been of interest to me for awhile now because I've been wanting to read the Society of lies.
Hannah Brennan is a struggling artist in NYC who just wants her big break. She has tried to sell her work to galleries and she just never seems to make the cut. She attends an artist estate sale where she discovers an unfinished painting of a woman... But she can't stop wondering why this woman reminds her so much of herself?! She makes a rash decision to finish the art piece and pass it off entirely as her own. After finishing the painting she becomes a bit of an overnight success but it quickly becomes apparent that someone knows the truth about the painting.
The silent muse does a good job exploring the themes of greed, pressures of success and family secrets. It's a quick read, roughly an hour or two at most. There is a decent enough twist...I can't think of any reasons to not give this story and the others in the collection a chance.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 11, 2026
An interesting build-up with a neat (if not too hard to work out) twist. We are required to suspend questions of how a previously unsuccessful painter could suddenly become so feted in a year. That bothered me a little since it's part of the whole plot.
Nevertheless, this is another, overall, solid and rewarding entry in the Deadly Ambition short-story series.
Nevertheless, this is another, overall, solid and rewarding entry in the Deadly Ambition short-story series.
April 16, 2026
Strange and good story.
May 11, 2026
3.5 stars
April 2, 2026
This is the fifth installment of the Deadly Ambition Collection. I enjoyed this one. Perfect quick read just as a great novella should be.
May 24, 2026
Hannah is a painter, and she’s trying to sell her art. She’s rejected, but her mother’s friend gives her some extra time. She stumbles upon an estate sale and finds a beautiful painting… and passes it off as her own by accident. Until it wasn’t an accident anymore. But now? Someone knows what she’s done. And she can’t hide.
3.5 stars because whattttttttttt theeee heckkkkk
I did NOT see that coming. Honestly? Every single character sucked for what they did. At the same time, this all could’ve been avoided had Hannah just opened her mouth and said the painting wasn’t hers.
3.5 stars because whattttttttttt theeee heckkkkk
I did NOT see that coming. Honestly? Every single character sucked for what they did. At the same time, this all could’ve been avoided had Hannah just opened her mouth and said the painting wasn’t hers.
April 21, 2026
Homegirl had a survival instincts of a paper bag
April 5, 2026
The ending was SO obvious from the start, and if she knew what her dad looked like HOW did she not recognise his photos in the house or smth. Loads of plot inconsistencies and the plot twist was more like a plot stretch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
2.75⭐️- A very quick and bingeable read 📖✨ though at only 48 pages, it felt more like an extended short story than a fully developed novella. The art-world premise 🎨 and themes of ambition and fraud definitely gave Yellowface vibes 👀.
The twist genuinely caught me off guard 😳 BUT… ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️ …how did she not recognise a portrait of her own mother?! 🤨 That completely pulled me out of the story.
I also found the ending a bit inconclusive and unsatisfying 😕. Overall fun, but forgettable and slightly OTT.
The twist genuinely caught me off guard 😳 BUT… ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️ …how did she not recognise a portrait of her own mother?! 🤨 That completely pulled me out of the story.
I also found the ending a bit inconclusive and unsatisfying 😕. Overall fun, but forgettable and slightly OTT.
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April 13, 20263.25 stars
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April 27, 2026
3.5/5
The one twist obvious but went in a different direction and ending I didn’t see.
The one twist obvious but went in a different direction and ending I didn’t see.
June 4, 2026
didn’t see that coming
This one was really good! I loved the writing style! I was surprised at the twist and didn’t see it coming!
This one was really good! I loved the writing style! I was surprised at the twist and didn’t see it coming!
June 20, 2026
Twisty short story from an author whose debut novel I enjoyed - looking forward to reading the sophomore novel when it’s released next year!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews