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.
The Price of Honey by Liane Moriarty When a tech billionaire’s widow and ex-wives gather for his funeral, they witness a final reversal of fortune in this razor-sharp short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty.
The Roommate by Andrea Mara A dark and dangerous secret one woman has desperately tried to forget becomes the plot of a hit TV drama in this chilling short story from Sunday Times bestselling author Andrea Mara.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone by A. R. Torre A neglected wife’s elaborate plan to save her troubled marriage takes a deadly turn in a riveting short story of psychological suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.
A Fatal Delivery by Lauren Oliver A woman’s meticulously controlled world is shaken by a brutal murder in a twisting short story about neighborhood secrets by Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of the Delirium Trilogy.
The Silent Muse by Lauren Ling Brown 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.
The Line 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.
Liane Moriarty is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and Truly Madly Guilty; the New York Times bestsellers Apples Never Fall, Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary; The Hypnotist’s Love Story; and Three Wishes. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.
I will post reviews for each book as I complete them.
1. The Price of Honey by Liane Moriarty 3.5 stars the setup… Honey Beckett takes an Uber to her tech billionaire husband’s funeral instead of a fancy hired car. Barney Beckett was larger than life and widely lauded as a genius in the AI development. She can’t believe he’s gone even though he was twice her age. When she reaches the funeral, she’s in for a few surprises and the inevitable encounters with his three ex-wives and business partners.
the heart of the story… I really liked how the Uber ride was used to get most of the background about Honey and Barney’s relationship and his backstory. It had me (and Honey) questioning whether Barney deserved her devotion and whether she really had “the good life” with this man. And, yes, that funeral provided some interesting layers and more.
the narration… Anthea Greco was excellent in giving voice to Honey and all the secondary characters, vividly bringing them to life. Loved her performance.
the bottom line… I enjoyed the story and was quickly drawn in. Using the Uber ride was a clever way of developing the characters and the ending was the ultimate sendoff to Barney. It just needed a little more to deliver that final blow. This had the makings of a really good full length story.
2. The Roommate by Andrea Mara 5 stars the setup… Elena Sullivan is spending a quiet evening at home with her husband and teenage son. They tune into a new crime drama on TV an as the show progresses, Elena is shocked to see parallels of the show to a horrible event in her life from fifteen years ago. Only one other person knows about it so how are all the relevant details appearing on this show?
the heart of the show… Elena is clear she’s never talked about what happened to anyone so that leaves her partner in crime. I felt her anxiety from the moment she realized her life was playing out on screen. Of course there’s a twist coming but I still got surprised.
the narration… Heather O’Sullivan was great with the voice distinctions and the storytelling. And, she delivered that twist perfectly.
the bottom line… I felt like the proverbial fish on a hook with this clever tale, right up until the end when I realized I’d been…well, you’ll have to read it for yourself. This is how you craft a short story. Deadly ambition indeed.
3. You'll Miss Me When I’m Gone by A. R. Torre 4 stars the setup… Rachel Redden is worried that husband Jake is losing his interest in her and their marriage so she devises a plan to “wake up” those dormant feelings. She stages their bedroom and bathroom to appear as if she’d been taken and then disappears. But as she waits to be “rescued,” things don’t even come close to going as planned.
the heart of the story… Be careful what you wish for because Rachel’s marriage is in deeper trouble than she’d imagined. I thought her plan was a little nutty but even I wasn’t prepared for Jake’s reactions. As both reflect on their marriage, I thought she was in big trouble.
the narration… Sarah Beth Goer and Eddie Lopez both sold me on their characters. They were also great storytellers, pacing this perfectly.
the bottom line… This was an interesting story that starts in one direction and soon shifts into something darker, pulling me in quickly. I got a strong sense of both characters and was unsure how this would end, though I know what I wanted to happen. This short story reads like a bigger novel. Well done, Rachel.
4. A Fatal Delivery by Lauren Oliver 3.5 stars the setup… Lenora Sforza is a delivery driver, an ideal job for someone who lives her life driven by order and routine. She’s meticulous about following her schedule and patterns so when she arrives at Anne Bridges home, the woman isn’t there to greet her as is her normal behavior. Lenora finds her bludgeoned to death inside, her nephew arriving on the scene within seconds to later point suspicion in her direction.
the heart of the story… Lenora’s routines and meticulous records serve her well and lead the authorities in the right direction but will they put the clues together in time?
the narration… Helen Laser made me think there were multiple performers here! Her voice for Lenora was dead on and her shift to the detective was perfect. No wonder she’s a favorite.
the bottom line… I knew whodunnit immediately but that’s not the point of the story. The ending is indeed clever but I needed just a little bit more to satisfy my craving for justice. 3.5 stars
5. The Silent Muse by Lauren Ling Brown 3.5 stars 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
6. The Line by Tim Weaver 4 stars 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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The Roommate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – You’ll Miss Me When I'm Gone ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Fatal Delivery ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The Silent Muse ⭐️⭐️½ – The Line ⭐️⭐️ – The Price of Honey
Overall, this was a mixed collection. A couple of solid ones, but quite a few that didn’t really land for me or felt forgettable. I would’ve liked a few more stories in the collection, but I still had fun reading through it.
The Deadly Ambition collection is tense, emotionally charged short stories, each one brief but impactful, exploring desire, ambition, secrets, and the hidden dynamics that shape relationships.
The Price of Honey byLiane Moriarty A sharp, unsettling look at desire, temptation, and the quiet control that can shape a relationship. On her way to her husband’s funeral, Honey meets an Uber driver who forces her to question the choices that led her here. As the truth about her marriage surfaces, the funeral becomes something far more revealing. A short but powerful reminder that not everything is what it seems and that hidden dynamics can shape a life more than we realize.
The Roommate by Andrea Mara A fast, gripping story about deceit, power, and the secrets we hope stay buried. Elena and Richard’s comfortable life is shaken when a TV show hits too close to home, forcing Elena to confront a past she thought she’d left behind. A tight, unsettling read that highlights how even the most ordinary lives can hide uncomfortable truths.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone by A.R. Torre A tense, intimate exploration of loneliness and emotional neglect. Feeling invisible in her marriage, Rachel stages her own disappearance to provoke a reaction—only to uncover a truth she’s been avoiding. Torre’s writing is raw and emotionally charged, capturing the ache of being unseen and the danger of letting resentment grow. A story that lingers long after it ends.
A Fatal Delivery by Lauren Oliver A chilling reminder of how quickly routine can unravel. Lenora, a delivery driver who thrives on order, discovers a murdered customer and is pulled into a mystery that disrupts her carefully structured world. A brief but impactful story about hidden dangers and the warning signs we often overlook.
The Silent Muse by Lauren Ling Brown A dark, compelling look at creativity, ambition, and stolen success. Hannah Brennan finds an unfinished painting and claims it as her own—only to learn someone knows the truth. A sharp exploration of guilt, integrity, and the risks of building a future on a lie. Short, tense, and thought‑provoking.
The Line by Tim Weaver A fast‑paced thriller about ambition, morality, and Hollywood secrets. Hallie Pitney, a struggling journalist, hears a rumor about a legendary actor that could finally make her career. But the deeper she digs, the more she’s pulled into a world of guarded reputations and dangerous truths. A powerful look at the cost of chasing the story of a lifetime.
Thank you to Amazon Prime for offering this compelling short story for free.
Overall these were such great short stories! I loved many of them! The fact they are all so short makes reading through this collection a breeze.
The Price of Honey by Liane Moriarty 34 pages I thought this one was great! I wasn't sure how to feel about Honey's character since she seemed to let her relationship shape who she became as a person, her character arc was awesome to read. The way the wives come together at the end was a high point.
The Roommate by Andrea Mara 39 pages I loved this one too and that twist!! The way Elena felt while watching the TV show was so well described!
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by A.R. Torre 64 pages This one was a bit less 'exciting' for me because it was filled with cliches about marriage, affairs, friendships, all the things. But I was still invested in how the story would play out and pleased with the ending.
A Fatal Delivery by Lauren Oliver 39 pages I loved Lenora's character and the way she was described. I felt for her when she found Anne, the feelings were well described by the writing. The way this felt unresolved left me uneasy though :-(
The Silent Muse by Lauren Ling Brown 48 pages I felt almost bored at the beginning of this one but it quickly picked up pace! I could feel the struggle for Hannah when faced with the question of what to do/ how to go forward in her career. I felt the ending of this was rushed but it was resolved well.
The Line by Tim Weaver 43 pages This wasn't a favorite of the collection but I still liked the way it was written and the storyline pacing. It's easy to feel for Hallie struggling to find her place in the journalism world. The ending of this felt a bit flat though.
Overall, loved the collection and I'd definitely recommend for those that want some quick mysteries.
The Silent Muse by Lauren Ling Brown — 4.5 STARS Well… this one hit a nerve (but in a good way)!
The Roommate by Andrea Mara — 4 STARS Read like a fun little Netflix show :)
The Price of Honey by Liane Moriarty — 4 STARS The opening was a bit slow, but then it got real juicy and the ending was sooo satisfying.
You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone by A. R. Torre — 3 STARS Not bad, but kinda bland? I love this author, so I was definitely expecting a wild twist… but it ended up feeling pretty anticlimactic and predictable. That said, the writing style and pacing still made the ride enjoyable enough.
A Fatal Delivery by Lauren Oliver — 2.75 STARS I honestly kept zoning out during this one and just wasn’t that invested. It had a decent clever moment toward the end, but the journey there felt a bit tedious for such a short read.
The Line by Tim Weaver — TBD The premise didn’t really entice me, so I haven't gotten around to reading it... yet.
These bite size books are a great palette cleanser in between books. They are a great way to experience authors styles without investing in a full title. Liane Moriarty: Andrea Mara; A. R. Torre; Lauren Oliver; Lauren Ling Brown; Tim Weaver - a fantastic selection of top writers. My favourite was The Roommate by Andrea Mara. I didn't see the twist at the end.
A collection of six short thriller stories about what people would/could do in pursuing their ambition. With a variety of writing styles and plots, some were definitely more interesting than others. Overall, an interesting collection. I got a complimentary copy of this collection from Amazon Original Stories via Netgalley. This is my honest review