Certainty

by Laura Dave

A woman serving on a high-profile jury finds that doubt casts a long shadow in this suspenseful short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me.

Recently unemployed, struggling in a marriage rocked by infertility, Cora is desperately clinging to her desire to see the best in people. Then she receives a jury summons for the murder trial of Dr. Preston Becker.

The powerful pharmaceutical executive stands accused of running down two young girls on a rainy night in a busy New York intersection. At first, the case seems straightforward. The victims’ father was investigating Becker’s company, and their mother’s devastating testimony leaves little doubt that lives were shattered.

But as the trial advances, easy answers recede. Competing accounts carry conflicting truths. Was the crash a calculated act or a terrible accident? And why does every witness reveal new shades of gray?

Sequestered with eleven strangers, eleven different views of the elusive facts, Cora reaches the limits of certainty. She must confront the unsettling realization that all the evidence in the world is not enough to truly understand another person.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

34 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels including The Last Thing He Told Me and Eight Hundred Grapes. Her novels have sold more than six million copies and have been translated into thirty-eight languages. She resides in Santa Monica, California.

Her new novel, The First Time I Saw Him, will be released in January 2026

Website:www.lauradave.com

Instagram:www.instagram.com/lauradaveauthor

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every author can write a short story that feels complete-but Laura Dave succeeded in doing so in just 37 pages!

Cora is a person who has always tried to see the best in people. Then she receives a jury summons for the murder trial of Dr. Preston Becker-a powerful pharmaceutical executive who has received a lot of negative press because of his work.

But, this high profile case isn’t regarding any of that.

He has been accused of running down two young girls on a rainy night in a busy New York intersection. And, they were the twin daughters of a father who was investigating Becker’s company.

Was the crash actually a calculated act or a terrible accident? Which attorney will offer a more compelling argument?

Two jurors who are serving with Cora seem to offer up different opinions. Who will Cora end up siding with?

And, will her VOTE be the correct choice?

Was MINE?

I love being in the courtroom (in books) so when I found this as a READ NOW today on NG, I had to squeeze it in! It will be published on December 1, 2026.

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the gifted ARC. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

[Kaceey · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Right or wrong. Guilty or innocent.
Is anything that clear? I believe that life lessons teach us it’s something in the middle… a gray area.
Cora was just called for jury duty in a high-profile murder case. A wealthy pharmaceutical executive is on trial for the murder of two kids. He struck them with his car as they were crossing a street in Manhattan.

A horrible accident? Or a malicious, purposeful murder?

Cora needs to put her own problems aside and work with her fellow jurists to come to a unanimous verdict.

Was it the correct one?

This was a (very) short story at only 34 pages. But there was a lot packed in, and I was satisfied with the ending. I think this would have made a fabulous full-length book.

✍️ Laura Dave
📄 34 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: December 1, 2026
📈 4.25/5🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
👉 Short story, legal drama

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

[Alan (The Lone Librarian) Teder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uncertainty
A review of the Amazon Original Stories eBook via a NetGalley ARC to be published December 1, 2026.

This is primarily a courtroom and jury room drama which focuses on one woman's view of a murder trial. A pharmaceutical executive is accused of intentionally running down the daughters of the FBI agent who had been investigating him. The circumstances seem completely unlikely but the prosecution feels they have a case. The defense is arguing that it was a total accident.

With a jury story you expect something like the classic Twelve Angry Men (1954) ie. one person arguing against eleven others. Certainty doesn't go down that road and instead hints at possible jury-tampering. Two other jurors are the other main characters and you question what their motivations are. It all ends somewhat vaguely though and you are left wondering if you missed some clue along the way. This is a 3-star "Like" for a story that would have been more satisfying if it had a clearer resolution.

My thanks to the publisher Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for this advance reading copy of Certainty in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

Trivia and Links
Laura Dave is a mystery and thriller novelist whose most popular novel (per current GR ratings & reviews) is The Last Thing He Told Me (Hannah Hall #1 - 2021) which was also the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award winner in the Mystery & Thriller category and was adapted for the same-titled Apple+ TV series The Last Thing He Told Me (2023) starring Jennifer Garner, with a 2nd season which premiered in 2026.. Her most recent novel is The First Time I Saw Him (Hannah Hall #2 - 2026) which concludes the Hannah Hall series.

Amazon Prime First Reads advance reading copies (ARCs) are available to Amazon Prime subscribers. They offer advance reads of books in Kindle eBook format one month before the date of official release. The current month's selection is available here (Link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).

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

[Wendy Jonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooohhh! I really enjoyed this one! It makes you think. The main character is on a jury to decide a man’s guilt in his intentions to hit and kill twin girls. We meet two of the other jurors and hear about the different things they have going on in their lives. How do their backgrounds and current situations affect their decisions about the case? How much do people not on the jury really understand about the process of how a jury comes to its conclusions? This has me excited to read other books by Laura Dave. She expertly weaves different bits and pieces together to craft a soap opera of a short story … which makes me think her full length books must be fantastic. Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the digital ARC.

[Olga · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Me dejó bastante insatisfecha porque la historia se siente plana y confusa por momentos. Aunque el juicio (que ocupa la mayor parte del relato) está muy bien construido y descrito técnicamente hablando, el final resulta anticlimático.

Aun así, la obra plantea dilemas éticos interesantes y te empuja a cuestionarte constantemente: ¿es el ser humano capaz de hacer daño intencionalmente? La respuesta corta es sí. Sin embargo, el verdadero trasfondo está en reflexionar si el castigo debería cambiar según si fue un accidente o algo premeditado, y cómo podemos determinar esa intención cuando solo existen pruebas dudosas o contradictorias. Todo esto analizado desde una perspectiva moral más que legal, considerando que un jurado está integrado por personas de carne y hueso y jamás será 100% objetivo.

​A pesar de estas reflexiones, siento que la premisa daba para mucho más y se quedó en la superficie. Funciona para hacerte pensar un momento, pero no lo suficiente como para entretener o resultar memorable.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have decided to write this review in Spanish to better express my thoughts and introduce this book to Spanish-speaking readers.

[Jenny K (on partial break) · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was a compelling, though-provoking short story in Laura Dave's gripping prose.

Plot summary: Cora is called to jury duty, and she has to abandon plans to go on a retreat to improve her marriage. The trial is painful; a driver killed twin 13-year-old girls as a light changed to red. The twist is that their father is an FBI agent who was investigating the driver's drug company. Was it payback murder? The jury needs to come together to figure it out.
Cora is assessing her marriage while this plays out and while she tries to determine, what are the important questions? After the verdict is given, Cora finds out some ugly information that makes her rethink everything, including what her marriage means.

The prose is sharp and it's a very readable story. However, it became a bit vague, sort of like an artsy feel, and I didn't really understand the end.

3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon stories, and Laura Dave for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

[Olga Rudnitska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it's a novella, I expected more plot progression. There were hints of marital issues that were never fully explored. I wanted more drama from the ending and the overall reading experience, but it just didn't deliver. Still, you might enjoy it.

[Rae | The Finer Things Club CA · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘺 is told from the perspective of Cora, a teacher who has recently been let go from her position and who is also dealing with marriage and infertility struggles. She had planned to attend a wellness retreat with her husband as a way to confront their issues, but instead she is selected to serve on the jury of a high-profile murder trial. As the court case unfolds, she begins to question not only the certainty of the charges but also her certainty in the natural goodness of people.

Certainty has a compelling premise that is skillfully written, however the format doesn’t do it favors. I feel like there was plenty of plot and characterization potential, but as it was a short story there wasn’t enough time to let things develop in an organically engaging and believable way.

3.5 stars. Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and Netgalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This is a thought-provoking novella and it had me hooked! It follows Cora who is called to jury duty where they have to determine if a man purposefully killed two girls. I WISH this was a longer story as I still have some questions! It was enjoyable and a quick read!

[ObscureVi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Okay, color me surprised.

I said it once and I will say it again... there's something about Amazon Original Stories that just hit for me most of the time (probably 9 out of 10 shorts?) and this one? I finished it few minutes ago and I still can't get over the fact, that this one (a novella with the lenght of 30-ish pages) hooked me so much, that even now, during the writing of this review, I'm still left with questions.

It was short (yes, I know I already said that) and honestly speaking, I'm a bit conflicted, because on one hand, I feel like the way it was written was what made it perfect, but on the other hand? I loved the idea/premise/plot (I'm not even fully sure how to call it, but I think you will know what I mean), that I wish it was a full-sized book instead and I could just lose myself in 300-ish pages long read full of court drama, mysteries and some moral questions.

Because yes, that's what was the main focus here (at least in my eyes): rich, powerful man who was under investigation for his business suddenly gets charged with running over two young girls who also happen to be the daughters of the man who was checking his connections in the first place. On one side we have devastated parents, on the other side witnesses give their stands... and in the middle of this all is Cora, a woman with her own problems. Someone who desperately tries to see the good in people, no matter what and she's one of the people who will decide the fate of the defendant, while fighting with her own beliefs.

If this can't convince you to give it a try? I'm not sure if anything else will.

[Stephanie · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

A jury deciding on whether a intentionally man who ran a red light and killed twin girls, leaves much for debate. Is there room for morals in a jury deliberation, or should we just use the blatant facts at hand?
Whether or not there is proof that it was intentional, or merely a tragic incident.

There is a lot of build up, could have used ten more pages and a better ending.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainty is a short story by best-selling American author, Laura Dave. Instead of going on a wellness retreat that’s meant to repair her marriage, Cora, recently unfairly unemployed, is at a New York City court house, hoping to evade jury duty. Her tactic doesn’t work because she’s never heard of the accused, so can be impartial.

At a busy intersection, Dr Preston Becker, chairman of a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, allegedly drove his car into the twin daughters of the FBI agent who has been building a case against his company.

The evidence is compelling, but the defence attorney is good: can he tip the jury’s opinion towards acquittal? Is there something else going on behind the scenes? A twisty, thought-provoking tale.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories

[Aarjavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Laura Dave, Amazon Original Stories, and NetGalley for gifting me this early copy of Certainty to read*

Huh, I don’t know what to think about this. This is a short story told in the most intriguing, interesting, and fascinating way!

We follow Cora as she serves on a jury and has to pass judgment on whether Preston intentionally killed the girls or not.

I feel pretty meh about the ending. I wish we’d gotten more details about what actually happened because I was left wanting more! This was fun to read, though, and I finished it in one sitting!

I definitely want to read the author’s other books now!

[Danielle · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an ARC of ‘Certainty’ by Laura Dave.

This was a super quick novella that was unique & intriguing. I think I would’ve enjoyed it a little bit more if it was even 15-30 pages more but overall it felt pretty complete in the short amount of pages/details.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story by Laura Dave has a lot of promise and an interesting premise, but I do think it would have benefitted from being told in a longer format. A solid read for a story this size and I enjoyed the writing style but ultimately, it left too much unexplained and unresolved to be satisfying or believable for me.

[andie z (amzreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was well written but I wanted a bit more from it; I felt like it wasn't really sure where it was trying to go and it didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Maybe that's the point but I think it could have been done in a different way.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In just 34 pages, this author manages to make you feel like you've read a full-length novel! Bravo!

This captivating short story introduces us to Cora, a character whose life is anything but simple. Recently unemployed, grappling with marital problems, and facing infertility challenges, she finds herself summoned for jury duty on a high-profile murder case. Dr. Preston Becker is on trial for a tragic (or intentional?) accident that claimed the lives of two teenage girls. While it initially seems like a straightforward case, as the trial unfolds, conflicting testimonies emerge, complicating matters significantly.

The story is tense, suspenseful, and laden with uncertainty, all set against a gripping courtroom backdrop. If you enjoy courtroom dramas and are looking for something to sink your teeth into during your lunch hour, this is the perfect pick! It delves into themes such as identity, the difference between truth and perception, trust and betrayal, as well as choices and their consequences. It's hard to believe this powerful narrative is under 50 pages; it feels utterly immersive! This short story casts a long shadow indeed!

Thank you, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rosemond Cates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short story from Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Ever Told Me. (I loved it too!) From the first page, I was sucked into the story and transported to Cora's life. Dealing with a floundering relationship and a jury duty notice, Cora heads to the courthouse while her husband goes on retreat. The remainder of the story follows Cora's experiences while serving on the jury. This is a super quick read and I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to Laura Dave and Amazon Original Stories for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

[Mo Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘A woman serving on a high-profile jury finds that doubt casts a long shadow in this suspenseful short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me.’

What in the hello was that ending??

How a 34 page short can leave me with questions, I have no idea. But… here I am. With questions.

Thanks to AOS for the opp. Pub: 12.1.2026.

[SamM · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I read this short story as a bit of a palate cleanser, and it was just what I needed! I love a good court drama, and this one delivered that along with some interesting character layers. I did find myself wanting a little more by the end, but…that’s the nature of a short story!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Publication date: December 1, 2026.

P.S. Yes, yes, YES to he addition of half stars!

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and packed short story! You don’t want to miss this one from the master, Laura Dave! Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

[Emily · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Short stories can be hit or miss, but this one was a hit. It hooked me and, while I wouldn't have minded it being a full length novel, I'm satisfied with the crisp, concise nature.

Cora was a fleshed out character, which is a tribute to the author for delivering a believable person in so few pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy

[Aimee Aylward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story follows a man on trial for the murder of two young girls. The main character is chosen as a jury member for the trial and must grapple with the devastating details of the case and the choice to find the defendant guilty or not.

As a short story, it is hard to find the right balance of a fulfilling plot and well fleshed out characters in such a short space. I found myself hooked right away by the unique premise, and the writing style and dialogue was well constructed - each character had their own voice and this helped to make them different from one another right from the start. I thought the author did a great job of highlighting how, no matter how fair and impartial our justice system wants to be, it's impossible for humans to completely separate out the person from the crime and judge completely on facts alone. We can't just ignore our own emotions or the subtle cues from the attorneys, witnesses, or defendants that ultimately contribute to our opinion, and when someone's fate is in your hands that becomes even more difficult. I thought it was well done how the author could in such a short span make me question these large themes that are socially relevant in real life.

Despite what I liked about the novel, there were other parts that felt rushed and lacking. I thought the length of the trial wasn't very believable, and while there didn't need to be much else described for the reader to understand the dilemma, it would make for a more realistic story had the main character mentioned that more had occurred. I also felt that the end was rushed and there were conclusions jumped to that I didn't totally follow - it would have benefited to have a little bit more of the main character's internal dialogue to help the reader follow these exchanges.

Overall I felt that this was a well done short story that felt like it was going to be more insightful than it was in the end, but did make me contemplate some rather large ideas about guilt, punishment, and group think.

[Lexi Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a fun time with this short story! I went in expecting a quick courtroom drama, but what I got was an intriguing little mystery that had me piecing together the details like a puzzle. Cora is called for jury duty in a high profile case involving a pharmaceutical executive accused of killing two young girls, and although the circumstances initially seem straightforward, the more we learn, the harder it becomes to know what to believe. I loved how Laura Dave took such a serious situation and made it feel like a guessing game, encouraging me to look beyond the obvious and question everyone's perspective. I found myself weighing the different arguments, examining the information presented, and wondering how much of our judgment is influenced by our own experiences and personal biases. It was fascinating to see how the jurors approached the case differently, and I enjoyed trying to figure out which details truly mattered.

What impressed me most was how much the author managed to accomplish in such a short amount of time. Despite its length, the story felt engaging and gave me plenty to think about regarding truth, morality, and the responsibility that comes with making a life changing decision. I was completely invested in figuring out what really happened, and I loved that the story didn't make everything feel as simple as it first appeared. My only real disappointment was the ending, which left me wanting a little more resolution after all the buildup. I would have loved to spend more time with the characters and see the consequences of the final decision explored further. Still, I think this was a clever, entertaining read that proves a story doesn't need hundreds of pages to capture your attention. If you enjoy courtroom mysteries that challenge your assumptions and leave you questioning your own conclusions, this is definitely worth checking out. I had a blast treating this story like a puzzle and trying to put all the pieces together!

[Manuella · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Laura Dave for the opportunity to read this story early in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, I have said this so many times before, but I absolutely love a good Amazon Short Story, especially because of how many new authors these collections introduce me to. Certainty was no exception, and Laura Dave's writing had me completely hooked from the beginning. Unfortunately, that only lasted until the ending.

The story follows Cora, a woman called for jury duty just as she and her husband are supposed to attend a retreat to work on their struggling marriage. The trial involves the tragic deaths of thirteen-year-old twin girls, but what initially seems like an accident becomes much more complicated when a possible connection between their father and the driver comes to light. As the trial unfolds, Cora also begins questioning her own marriage and how well she really knows the person she shares her life with.

I really enjoyed how the two storylines intertwined, especially the questions they raised about trust, truth, and how certain we can ever be about anything. The writing was sharp, the premise was intriguing, and I was genuinely invested in seeing how everything would play out. And then came the ending.

I don't mind ambiguity or open endings, but this one felt so abrupt that I genuinely wondered whether I had missed a few pages. It seemed like the story was trying to go for something more literary and thought-provoking, but instead, it just left me confused and a little frustrated. There was so much buildup that I expected a more satisfying conclusion.

Still, I really enjoyed Laura Dave's writing, and despite my disappointment with the ending, I'm definitely interested in reading more of her work. I just wish Certainty had given me a little more certainty by the time I finished it.

[Ashleigh Stepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review from NetGalley

Laura Dave has such a way of taking a seemingly simple story and quietly turning it into something that makes you stop and think,and Certainty definitely did that for me.

At only 37 pages, this is a very quick read, but there’s a surprising amount packed into such a small space. I found myself thinking about the questions it raises around the choices we make, the things we believe we know for certain, and how differently we might live if we were given information about what lies ahead. It’s the kind of story that lingers a little after you finish it, which is pretty impressive for something this short.

I’ve always loved Laura Dave’s writing, and her style is just as compelling here. My only hesitation was the ending. I completely understand that this was intended to be a short story, but the final portion felt a little rushed to me, and I would have loved just a few more pages to let everything breathe and give the conclusion a little more weight.

Still, this was a thoughtful, intriguing read that managed to make me reflect far more than I expected from 37 pages. Laura Dave continues to be an author I’ll happily read, and I’m glad I had the chance to read this one early.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories, and Laura Dave for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashby Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with believing the best in people is that people have an annoying habit of disappointing you.

⭐ 4/5 stars

Laura Dave has a knack for pulling me into a story, and Certainty was no exception. I flew through this short, twisty little read about a murder trial where the facts seem obvious until suddenly they aren’t.

What I loved most was how the story plays with the need to believe the best in people, even when it keeps giving us reasons not to. Everyone has their own version of the truth, and being absolutely certain about something doesn’t necessarily make you right.

My only complaint? The ending needed a little more oomph. I loved the idea behind it, but after such a strong buildup, I wanted a bigger payoff.

Still, I finished wishing there was more, which is funny because I also think it was exactly the right length. Nobody needs a perfectly good short story stretched into 300 pages just to meet a word count.

Quick, compelling, and just unsettling enough to make you question your own judgment. Definitely worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for an advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[readerdino · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This book was a quick read, but it was able to tell a story that managed to keep me engaged the whole time.
There are some short books that can take longer than it should because of how it fails to capture your attention, and this book is not one of those.

I found the whole process of the trial really interesting and, like the characters, wanted to know the truth.
It's not the type of book that will have you guessing what actually happened, but it will make you reflect.
If there's one thing that I didn't like, it's definitely the ending. I just thought it lacked something.
I was left curious, unsatisfied, and wanting more, and that's probably one of the disadvantage of it being really short.

Nonetheless, despite its length, I still absolutely enjoyed reading this.
If you want a short, quick, but engaging story, you should definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is difficult to write a short story. You have so few pages to engage the reader and still tell a compelling story. I had high hopes for this one, but it fell short for me.

Cora is selected for a jury in the trial of Dr. Preston Becker, accused of intentionally running down two young girls in an intersection in New York City. Cora usually tries to always see the best in people, but she’s finding it difficult in this case.

I appreciate that there was a twist in the end of the story, but the lead up to it wasn’t enough to make it believable or understandable. In the end, the story fell flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A note on how I rate books:
⭐️ Hated it. Don’t even bother.
⭐️⭐️ Didn’t like it. Wouldn’t recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it. Would recommend, but no rush.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it! Make this one of the next few books you read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved it! Drop what you’re doing and read this now (or go ahead and finish what you’re reading and make this the next book)!

[what ila reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Amazon Original Stories and the author for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read if you like:
- Short stories
- A sprinkle of legal thriller
- Quick reads that make you think

This is my first time reading anything by this author and I was totally captivated by this short story, it definitely made me want to pick up more of her longer books. I needed something short as a palate cleanser between longer books and this one definitely delivered.

Even though it's really short and could be read in one sitting, I feel like the author managed to pack everything that was needed into this and I didn't feel like this should have been longer, as it frequently happens with short stories.

I particularly appreciated the reflective side of the story, how much it made me think about the US justice system and the things I've often thought of a jury-based system, but also how many of those questions can be applied to life in general.