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This Book Ends On a Cliffhanger (and There Will Be No Sequel)
The new novella from the author of Audible #1 bestsellers In The Darkness, The Physics of the Dead, The Stone Man (shortlisted for Audiobook of the Year 2015) and I’ll Quit When I’m Dead, recommended by NBC/TODAY • CrimeReads • The Orange County Register • Booklist and many more
Bruce is buying groceries when the world glitches.
One moment he is in a supermarket aisle, deciding between two jars of sauce and trying to pretend that counts as a plan. The next, the floor is gone and he is in falling through an endless chasm, one that glows with eldritch light. Arms pinwheeling, stomach lurching, the store wiped away as if someone hit delete, he tries to understand the strange wall markings and patterns that fly past. Above him there is only darkness. Below him, too… except for a purple light, a pinprick at first, hanging impossibly far away.
The distance stays wrong, the dark stays vast, and his options start to narrow. Nothing in his life has prepared him for this, except the habit of waiting things out. Bruce came here thinking the hardest decision would be dinner. Now there is only the wind, the distant light, and the first real choice he has had in a long time.
Luke Smitherd returns with his first short form fiction in six years, bringing his trademark blend of the bizarre and the unsettling. This Book... is a novella that does not just ask what you would do, but what you have been avoiding.
PRAISE FOR I’LL QUIT WHEN I’M
"A shadowy mirror maze of terror and suspense. Just when you think you know where it's going, you're blindsided by another shocking twist. I devoured it in two breathless sittings.”
—Richard Chizmar, author of MEMORIALS
"Your workout begins with reps of thrilling scenarios before stretching into an unputdownable story. All upon a mat of fantastic writing. Never has self-improvement existed on such pins and needles."
—Josh Malerman, author of BIRD BOX and INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE
"Smitherd pulls off one hell of a trick... a uniquely compelling, propulsive thriller and an eerily unsettling horror novel all rolled into one. Highly recommended!"
—Christopher Golden, author of THE NIGHT BIRDS and ROAD OF BONES
"Captivating, unique, and an utter page-turner from start to finish... shines a light on the questionable lengths humans will go to all under the guise of self-improvement. A must-read!"
—Carissa Orlando, author of THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE
"Gripping from the first page, pulling the reader deeper with every twist and turn. Smitherd is so incredibly talented and has proven himself to be a master of suspense in this surreal, nightmarish ride."
—Monika Kim, author of THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART
“A gripping thriller as well as a solid piece of horror fiction . . . intriguingly layered.”
—Kirkus Reviews
"Readers won't want to put this page-turning horror novel down.”
—Booklist
Bruce is buying groceries when the world glitches.
One moment he is in a supermarket aisle, deciding between two jars of sauce and trying to pretend that counts as a plan. The next, the floor is gone and he is in falling through an endless chasm, one that glows with eldritch light. Arms pinwheeling, stomach lurching, the store wiped away as if someone hit delete, he tries to understand the strange wall markings and patterns that fly past. Above him there is only darkness. Below him, too… except for a purple light, a pinprick at first, hanging impossibly far away.
The distance stays wrong, the dark stays vast, and his options start to narrow. Nothing in his life has prepared him for this, except the habit of waiting things out. Bruce came here thinking the hardest decision would be dinner. Now there is only the wind, the distant light, and the first real choice he has had in a long time.
Luke Smitherd returns with his first short form fiction in six years, bringing his trademark blend of the bizarre and the unsettling. This Book... is a novella that does not just ask what you would do, but what you have been avoiding.
PRAISE FOR I’LL QUIT WHEN I’M
"A shadowy mirror maze of terror and suspense. Just when you think you know where it's going, you're blindsided by another shocking twist. I devoured it in two breathless sittings.”
—Richard Chizmar, author of MEMORIALS
"Your workout begins with reps of thrilling scenarios before stretching into an unputdownable story. All upon a mat of fantastic writing. Never has self-improvement existed on such pins and needles."
—Josh Malerman, author of BIRD BOX and INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE
"Smitherd pulls off one hell of a trick... a uniquely compelling, propulsive thriller and an eerily unsettling horror novel all rolled into one. Highly recommended!"
—Christopher Golden, author of THE NIGHT BIRDS and ROAD OF BONES
"Captivating, unique, and an utter page-turner from start to finish... shines a light on the questionable lengths humans will go to all under the guise of self-improvement. A must-read!"
—Carissa Orlando, author of THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE
"Gripping from the first page, pulling the reader deeper with every twist and turn. Smitherd is so incredibly talented and has proven himself to be a master of suspense in this surreal, nightmarish ride."
—Monika Kim, author of THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART
“A gripping thriller as well as a solid piece of horror fiction . . . intriguingly layered.”
—Kirkus Reviews
"Readers won't want to put this page-turning horror novel down.”
—Booklist
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
About the author
Luke Smitherd
36 books598 followersLuke Smitherd is the author of The Stone Man (shortlisted for Audible Book of the Year 2015) and its sequels as well as several other novels. A former singer and guitarist, he now writes full time, hosts the comedy music-discussion show Cracker Juice, and performs around Los Angeles as a stand-up comic. He divides his time between the United States and the United Kingdom.
www.lukesmitherd.com
www.lukesmitherd.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 1, 2026
This is a great little story but I would suggest to anyone not to bother to listen to it on audible as the file that's been uploaded is stuttering, cuts off in the middle of the sentence, has random noises, Luke clearing his throat and is missing chunks. I don't know if the file that was uploaded is an unedited version or if that's the finalised edition, so do yourself a favour and stay clear of the audible version until a better version is uploaded which is a real shame as I expect a high level of professionalism and polish from Luke as that's normally his standard.
March 6, 2026
Believe the title
I really didn't think it would end as a cliffhanger. Surely it was just a metaphor. Nope, he told you right in the title and he meant it. I usually like my books with tidy endings, but I felt like he gave us enough I could write my own. Altho I would like to know what others came up with. It's a story that will stay with me for awhile.
I really didn't think it would end as a cliffhanger. Surely it was just a metaphor. Nope, he told you right in the title and he meant it. I usually like my books with tidy endings, but I felt like he gave us enough I could write my own. Altho I would like to know what others came up with. It's a story that will stay with me for awhile.
March 1, 2026
This review headline end on a
An original tale, one of surprising depth considering its length. Luke Smitherd shares a fascinating story where the reader gets to fill in the blanks. Such a refreshing read and experience.
An original tale, one of surprising depth considering its length. Luke Smitherd shares a fascinating story where the reader gets to fill in the blanks. Such a refreshing read and experience.
March 24, 2026
Amazing
This author is genius! I have read every book he's published. Everybody I've recommended his books too have loved him as well. The story was mesmerizing! Luke Smithered never disappoints!
This author is genius! I have read every book he's published. Everybody I've recommended his books too have loved him as well. The story was mesmerizing! Luke Smithered never disappoints!
February 28, 2026
it does indeed deliver what the title promises
March 15, 2026
The title clearly warned me, but I’m still disappointed that the story ends there!
March 23, 2026
Super original concept and world. I want more even though I know I never will.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews