Certainty

by Laura Dave, Rebecca Lowman (Narrator)

1 hour

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.

2026 by Laura Dave. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

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

Audible Audio

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.

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This was interesting until it got to the twist which made no sense to me, because that didn’t actually change anything at all. The prosecution just didn’t do their job, so her acting like that would have changed everything was a little crazy. Were we supposed to feel like the outcome would’ve changed? Because I didn’t at all.

Strange one.

Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the advance copy.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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

[Brooke · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love Laura Dave's writing so when I saw this title, I knew I needed to read it. And she did not disappoint.
I enjoyed reading this story from Cora's POV. The procession of the jury selection and then trial was very interesting. There were a few twists and turns right at the end that peaked my interest for sure. I could see this potentially turning into a full book based on the aftermath of that trial. Since I know Dave has a penchant for mystery, I really think it could work.
Despite the shortness of the story, the characters we needed to learn about were well developed.
The conclusion is very open ended leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions about the innocence or guilt of the party on trial as well as the possible involvement of fraud with the jury.
My only issue with this was it was too short! but I wil lcontinue to read anything Dave chooses to write!
4.5 stars rounded to 5

[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.

[Mo · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I got this from Amazon's first reads and read it in less than an hour. It's a short story, so you're not going to get a whole lot of background and you're going to be left with unanswered questions, but for a story that's only 34 pages, I thought it was quite entertaining.

[Jane Rejnert]

Guilty or not guilty? I guess we’ll never know?

[Carly Capaldi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A free short story that popped up on my kindle home page and was, ultimately, bad.

[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.

[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.

[Tamara M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐ 2/5 Stars

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

The only thing I can say with certainty is that this short story left me with lots of unanswered questions!

At just 34 pages, Certainty is a very quick read. I gave it two stars because it started strong and immediately drew me in. The author is excellent at creating a story that instantly puts you there with the characters. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the story seemed to develop quite a few holes. Let me explain.

First, let’s talk about the characters.

The main character, Cora, is a recently unemployed private tutor from New York City. We learn that she is struggling with infertility, which is creating tension in her marriage. To complicate matters, she recently discovered that her husband had reconnected on social media with his college girlfriend, who is now divorced and has children.

So, we have infertility, possible infidelity, and a husband who has left for a 12-day wellness retreat in California, where he has no access to his cell phone. There’s certainly enough here to build an interesting story!

Meanwhile, Cora is selected to serve on the jury for a high-profile criminal trial. Because of her jury service, she is unable to accompany her husband on the retreat as originally planned.

The defendant, Dr. Becker, is the chairman of a prominent pharmaceutical company who has been charged with first- and second-degree murder. The charges stem from an incident in which he struck and killed the twin daughters of an FBI agent who was investigating his company.

Two other jurors become important to the story: Fiona, an influencer who eventually serves as jury foreperson, and Theo, a car salesman with whom Cora develops a connection.

Throughout the trial, testimony raises questions about Dr. Becker’s guilt or innocence. He appears distraught during the proceedings, and despite the judge’s instructions, jurors begin discussing the case before deliberations.

In one particularly interesting exchange, Fiona tells Cora that Dr. Becker had attempted suicide and that she considers this proof of his guilt. Of course, that’s hardly evidence of murder, and the prosecution still has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Ultimately, the jury returns a not-guilty verdict on both counts. But something about the trial doesn’t sit right with Cora. She continues thinking about it even after the verdict.

Eventually, she attends a car show Theo had mentioned, hoping to run into him. She succeeds, but there’s a surprise: Theo is there with his 18-month-old baby. When Cora points out that he never mentioned having a child, Theo responds that he thought it would have been insensitive to bring it up. Cora challenges him, asking how he knew she was having trouble having a baby.

And this is where I really started wondering whether I had missed something.

Here are the five questions I was left with:

1. Was Dr. Becker actually guilty?

Was he manipulating the situation, including his emotional displays, to secure an acquittal? Or was he genuinely innocent? I understand that uncertainty may have been intentional, particularly given the title, but I wanted more.

2. Is Theo somehow connected to Cora’s husband’s former girlfriend?

We learn that the girlfriend is divorced and has children. We also learn that Theo is recently divorced and has a young child. Is Theo the ex-husband of Cora’s husband’s college girlfriend? Was this a subtle connection we were supposed to make, or am I reading too much into it? And how did Theo know about Cora’s fertility struggles? Or was his statement about mentioning his baby being insensitive due to the nature of the trial and not connected to Cora’s fertility troubles at all?

3. What happened to Cora’s marriage?

When her husband returned from his wellness retreat, was he prepared to reconcile and move forward, or was he contemplating ending their relationship? The story introduced significant marital tension but never seemed to bring that storyline to a meaningful conclusion.

4. Why did Cora tell her husband that he hadn’t missed anything?

During their first conversation after his return, he asks what he missed while he was away. Her response? “Nothing.” Was she deliberately withholding information? Had something changed for her emotionally? Or was this simply another moment left open to interpretation?

5. Were Fiona and Theo somehow manipulating Cora and thew other jurors?

This is another possibility that left me wondering. During their encounter at the car show, Theo tells Cora that Dr. Becker would have gotten off regardless of what the jury decided. What exactly did he mean by that?

And then there’s Fiona. She was adamant early in the trial that Dr. Becker was guilty, even pointing to his suicide attempt as evidence. Yet, by the time the verdict was reached, she had clearly changed her position. What caused that shift? Were Fiona and Theo simply jurors whose opinions evolved as the trial progressed, or was something more going on behind the scenes?

I genuinely enjoyed the beginning of Certainty. The author knows how to capture a reader’s attention, establish tension, and introduce characters who make you want to keep reading.

Unfortunately, I felt that several potentially interesting storylines were introduced without being fully developed or resolved.

I don’t mind a story that leaves me thinking. In fact, I appreciate an ending that invites readers to draw their own conclusions. But there’s a difference between intentional ambiguity and an incomplete storyline.

For me, Certainty leaned a little too far toward the latter.

Perhaps that was the author’s intention. After all, the title itself suggests that certainty might be exactly what we’re not supposed to have. Still, I finished this one feeling less intrigued by the unanswered questions and more frustrated by them.

.

[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.

[Michelle Matejka · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

ARC copy provided by Amazon Original Stories Publishing and NetGalley for an honest review.

I jumped at the chance to read this because I have loved all the Laura Dave books I’ve read thus far. This is the kind of short story that sets the precedent in which others are judge. In just under 40 pages she has given us an emotionally and morally complex story with a clear conclusion but enough intrigue to keep the reader thinking about the story.

The story puts you in the courtroom for a man convicted of murder and you’ll have to decide for yourself if he’s innocent or guilty. The ending leaves you grappling with the decision of the court and the fallout into Cora’s life.

I could have easily read a full length novel about this. It was so well done and developed. The emotional investment in these characters is unparalleled for a story of this length.

[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!

[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!

[Anne-Marie Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of Amazon First Reads

I understand this is a short story but this is certainly just too short. I wish we got more information from the prosecution and the defense that made us as readers feel just as conflicted as Cora is. I am unsure what happened about the ending. I am confused as to who any of these people are including Cora. What’s up with her work and her marriage? Who is this guy on trial, I know she doesn’t know him but I would like to as the reader?!

Overall unsatisfying. Needed 30 more pages.

[Kelly Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC as a bonus Amazon First Reads for the month of November.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this one, so I went in the neutral middle with 3 stars. The premise was interesting but the execution was a bit underwhelming. Although, at only 34 pages I feel it'd be a little hard to really deep dive into a plot and storyline.

[Jordan Becvar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received pre-release as part of Amazon Prime’s First Reads!

God I love books that deal with jury duty or have the character in jury duty. Maybe it’s just because I want to be called for jury duty so badly, idek. This book was engaging from beginning to end, and while I didn’t get the twist (if there was one), I appreciated both the length and the topic.