The Spider Silk Scarf: A Short Story

by Ana Reyes

From the New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Pines comes a haunting short story about grief, growth, and regret that asks the question, “What do you get when you steal from a witch?”

Nora has always gotten a thrill from stealing things—from shoplifting nail polish as a young teenager to now, in her twenties, reaching higher than a receptionist’s salary allows. Her handyman fiancé, Ben, doesn’t ask questions when she shows up with a new necklace or cracks open a bottle of high-end cognac that they clearly can’t afford.

When Ben comes home from a repair job for a notoriously reclusive neighbor, he passes along rumors of an extraordinary object hidden away in her gloomy old house. A scarf, woven from the silk of black widow spiders. It’s priceless, not only because it’s completely unique, but also because, as legend has it, it took twelve weavers seven years to create. Only eleven survived.

As obsession takes hold, Nora finds herself breaking into her neighbor’s home. But what happens next defies explanation. One glimpse into the world of a witch could change Nora’s life forever—if she makes it out.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Novella

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Ana Reyes has an MFA from Louisiana State University. Her work has appeared in Bodega, Pear Noir!, The New Delta Review, and elsewhere. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and teaches creative writing to older adults at Santa Monica College. The House in the Pines in her first novel.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo)]

Amazon First Reads for August

Nora has always gotten a thrill from stealing things

So when her husband Ben comes home from a repair job for a reclusive neighbor, rumored to be a “Witch”, and tells her about a priceless object he overheard her talking about-she has to have it!

Apparently it’s a scarf, woven from the silk of black widow spiders and as legend has it, it took twelve weavers seven years to create, and only eleven survived.

I was intrigued about the scarf, and hoped we would be hearing more about all of its weavers, and what made them give up on the job before it was complete, but it went in another direction entirely.

A short story, just 32 pages

It just didn’t cast a spell on me! 🕷️ 🕸️

[tiff]

Short story, but very strange! Started off strong and then went weird real fast. All for a spider scarf 😂

[Kenzie Scott]

I don’t know if you can give zero stars on Goodreads but man oh man this deserves zero. This was awful, thankfully it was free through the Amazon first reads program. The writing was confusing, it jumped around way too much and the story was dumb. Just an awful story. Would’ve been a DNF if it wasn’t 32 pages.

[Casey Reads 🌸]

This was actually one of the better short stories I have gotten for free from Amazon First Reads. It definitely sucks you in right away and halfway through, you think that you are in a fantasy world but then it all makes sense in the end.

Really weird, but very interesting and well written! I enjoyed it!

[Marcie McPherson]

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴… 🕷️

I liked the creepy, eerie atmosphere and found Nora interesting, but the story went in a very different direction from what I expected. I was hoping for something more gripping, and the mystery/thriller side just didn’t quite get there for me.

I did enjoy the ending, though, and Meg Runyan’s narration was fantastic. Her expressiveness and emotional delivery really brought the story to life.

Definitely worth a listen if you enjoy witchy, atmospheric short stories with some intrigue—but don’t go in expecting a twisty thriller.

Thank you to Ana Reyes, Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. All opinions are my own.

[Jenna Noel]

A scarf cannot be worth all that effort bffr.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

All I can say is I’m glad this was free.

[R L HERSKOWITZ]

Good Short Story

Amazon First Reads August 2026.
Spooky and creepy good.
Atmospheric.
Emotional.
I enjoyed this short story.
I look forward to reading more of Ana Reyes writings.
Thank you, Ana Reyes & Amazon.

NOTE: I read this short story on August 16, 2026.
GR will not permit me to have the same start & finish date.

[kristy_reads_]

1 ⭐️📕 ARC Amazon first reads. This book did not seem to come together for me in its short story glory. The story line didn’t make a lot of sense. Definitely liked the house in the pines better, although had a ton of questions after reading that one too…

[Stephen Lee]

A really boring story. Couldn't feel any empathy for the MC. Another free book that I'm glad I didn't pay for. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone unless they're looking for something to read to help them fall asleep.

[Carmen]

What a waste of time. Even though it was only thirtyish pages, I wanted to DNF it.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

Review to follow

[Victoria Gyulatyan]

Does the author at least know what this book was about?

[Kirsten Desorcy]

Really short story, provided by Amazon first reads. It was an interesting story and well written. As a quick read you would think it’s totally confusing and pointless but you have to think deeply about the symbolism behind the story. The MC is still grieving the loss of her sister and if you tie in how the sister died, with the story of the mirror, and the MCs compulsion to steal and think about how the spider silk scarf was made you’ll see the brilliance of the writing. I really liked how layered this story is once you actually take the time to think it through. 4⭐️

[Natalie]

2.5⭐️
I was intrigued in the beginning, but then it took a weird turn that wasn’t my vibe. Only 30 pages so you can read in one sitting.

[Ashley]

great short story

I’m not sure some of the other reviewers even read this book in its entirety, which is a very short quick read. The story was excellent with a very crazy unexpected twist. I loved it!

[Henry]

Free short story from Amazon First Reads. Mediocre at best.

[Sarah (sarahandherbookshelves)]

I really enjoyed it at first but then it turned out to be much different then expected and I know it’s a short novella but the end was way to rushed! I did like the writing style though!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my arc.

[Hannah ♡]

A spooky short story - the perfect intro to fall reads! 🕸️🕷️

[☾❀Mirelle✩]

...ok?

[Yvonne O'Connor]

What an amazing story all in only a few dozen pages! Nora is a clepto, but there is a sad reason behind it. Ben is her fiancé - does he know what she does? Ms Martin is an old woman next door who is rumoured to be a witch and who has an expensive black widow silk scarf Nora wants.

Who would think you could put this story with two life lessons into such a short format? Loved it!!

[Cassandra]

2.75 ⭐️
What was the point of this lol

[Dalana Marie]

i read this because it was amazon’s monthly pick, i know it’s a short story but at least make it interesting 🙄

[Maria Fledgling Author Park]

For The Child in US All

First of all, huge thanks to the Amazon First Reads program that allows Kindle members to choose a novel and a bonus short story every month prior to the books publication.

Ana Reyes is a magical writer. Her prose creates images in your mind as well as tactical and other sensual experiences. I was mesmerized by the cadence of her words, like a child being read to from the big book of fairy tales.

The Spider Silk Scarf is a gift for all people who appreciate poetry, children's imagination and the secret stories we tell ourselves. I am looking forward to reading Ana Reyes full length novel. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this gem of a story.

[Karolyn Wenschlag]

It’s fine

[Stacey]

What in the world? This story literally made no sense at all. Good thing it was free and short.

[Elizabeth Prevost]

Kleptomaniac wants spider silk scarf. Sinister-ish, magical-ish. Reality jumping. Meh. When I saw the author had a Reese Witherspoon book club it made sense why I didn’t rock.

[Mariah Myres]

I mean….for a short read it wasn’t that bad. I think it felt more like one of the old fable stories instead, so it didn’t really pull me in like I wanted it to.

[Shaunna]

I love a good Amazon first reads short story. This one was a good one. Self-revelations are hard but necessary.

[Victoria]

Glad this was 32 pages and free with First Reads. 😅