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Hide and Seek
Agatha isn’t looking forward to Christmas. While other eight-year-olds are hoping for a pile of presents, she just wants her evil stepsisters to leave her alone. Summer and Rain have a cruel idea of what passes for fun, and it always involves tormenting Agatha. When the three of them get stuck inside their house on Christmas Eve, the twins force Agatha to play a twisted version of Hide and Seek. But they aren’t the only things hiding in the house, and someone is about to get more than they bargained for beneath the tree…
48 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2015
5 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Caryn Larrinaga
26 books212 followersCaryn Larrinaga is an internationally best-selling mystery and horror author. She has won multiple awards for her work, including the League of Utah Writers Gold Typewriter and the Cat Writers Association Muse Medallion. In 2021, she was named Writer of the Year by the League of Utah Writers.
In addition to her novels and short story collections, Caryn has written for tabletop RPGs, podcasts, literary journals, newspapers, and zines. Her work has been adapted for audio, short films, and a forthcoming animation. Her spooky supernatural whodunit, DONN'S HILL, topped the Amazon best seller lists for psychic mysteries and cozy animal mysteries.
Watching scary movies through split fingers terrified Caryn as a child, and those nightmares inspire her to write now. Her 90-year-old house has a colorful history, and the creaking walls and narrow hallways send her running (never walking) up the stairs. Exploring her fears through writing makes Caryn feel a little less foolish for wanting a buddy to accompany her into the tool shed.
Caryn lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and their clowder of cats. She is an active member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, the Cat Writers Association, and the League of Utah Writers.
Visit www.carynlarrinaga.com for free short fiction and true tales of haunted places.
In addition to her novels and short story collections, Caryn has written for tabletop RPGs, podcasts, literary journals, newspapers, and zines. Her work has been adapted for audio, short films, and a forthcoming animation. Her spooky supernatural whodunit, DONN'S HILL, topped the Amazon best seller lists for psychic mysteries and cozy animal mysteries.
Watching scary movies through split fingers terrified Caryn as a child, and those nightmares inspire her to write now. Her 90-year-old house has a colorful history, and the creaking walls and narrow hallways send her running (never walking) up the stairs. Exploring her fears through writing makes Caryn feel a little less foolish for wanting a buddy to accompany her into the tool shed.
Caryn lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and their clowder of cats. She is an active member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, the Cat Writers Association, and the League of Utah Writers.
Visit www.carynlarrinaga.com for free short fiction and true tales of haunted places.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 9, 2020
Good creepy, holiday, short story. Be careful what you wish for.
February 17, 2016
My original Hide and Seek audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Hide and Seek is a short, quick and creepy listen.
Agatha is an eight year old girl that has a divorced and remarried mother and step father. Her new father also has two young girls, a little older than her, but right around her age. These two step sisters are the stereotypical evil step sisters that plague Agatha's every waking moment. The story is told in the first person from Agatha's perspective. So we get to experience the torment in full force.
I had a feeling that the ending was going to end with a twist but it was not the twist I thought it was going to be. This always tells me that the author, Caryn Larrinaga, has real talent as to not give everything away in a straight forward manner. Making the paranormal aspect hit me in the face with a huge face palm.
For a horror story it was pretty tame and focused almost solely on the emotional torture that Agatha has been going through. Making it a really good psychological suspense thriller.
I really enjoyed Jessica McEvoy's voice. Female narrators, at least the ones that I have listened to, tend to have a very youthful, high pitched voice that do have their place. McEvoy does not have this, at least not in this story, she uses a soft-spoken, almost a loud whisper throughout. That was perfect for keeping the story on the creepy side.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
Hide and Seek is a short, quick and creepy listen.
Agatha is an eight year old girl that has a divorced and remarried mother and step father. Her new father also has two young girls, a little older than her, but right around her age. These two step sisters are the stereotypical evil step sisters that plague Agatha's every waking moment. The story is told in the first person from Agatha's perspective. So we get to experience the torment in full force.
I had a feeling that the ending was going to end with a twist but it was not the twist I thought it was going to be. This always tells me that the author, Caryn Larrinaga, has real talent as to not give everything away in a straight forward manner. Making the paranormal aspect hit me in the face with a huge face palm.
For a horror story it was pretty tame and focused almost solely on the emotional torture that Agatha has been going through. Making it a really good psychological suspense thriller.
I really enjoyed Jessica McEvoy's voice. Female narrators, at least the ones that I have listened to, tend to have a very youthful, high pitched voice that do have their place. McEvoy does not have this, at least not in this story, she uses a soft-spoken, almost a loud whisper throughout. That was perfect for keeping the story on the creepy side.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
December 23, 2019
Agatha is an eight year old just trying to avoid trouble with her new stepsisters. Summer and Rain are constantly tormenting her, no matter what she does. When her Mom and stepfather leave the three girls alone on Christmas Eve, Agatha hopes she can survive their cruel "games"
When the two lock Agatha in the attic, she begins to explore and finds some old Christmas decorations. When she discovers a creepy Santa doll, she asks for the one thing she really wants for Christmas: that Summer and Rain would never torment her again!
This is a short, but creepy, story that is sure to entertain readers who enjoy short horror tales. This is a great read with a surprising ending that reminds us to be careful what we wish for. The narrator does a great job and added a lot to my enjoyment of the tale. I was given the chance to listen to the Audiobook version of this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
When the two lock Agatha in the attic, she begins to explore and finds some old Christmas decorations. When she discovers a creepy Santa doll, she asks for the one thing she really wants for Christmas: that Summer and Rain would never torment her again!
This is a short, but creepy, story that is sure to entertain readers who enjoy short horror tales. This is a great read with a surprising ending that reminds us to be careful what we wish for. The narrator does a great job and added a lot to my enjoyment of the tale. I was given the chance to listen to the Audiobook version of this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
December 24, 2015
That was a fun, quick read. Nice twist.
July 7, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
Here, Agatha lives with her mother, stepfather and twin stepsisters. Agatha tries to avoid the twins as they torment her relentlessly. However, it's Christmas Eve and she is snowed in with the twins. While Agatha just wants to be left alone, the twins decide that Agatha will play their version of a torturous game of hide and seek.
This is a well written creepy short story with a great twist at the end. Agatha is a very well-developed character and as the story is told from her POV, you get to experience her terror from the cruelty/bullying. Agatha's experiences and how she dealt with them were very true to life and the ending was right out of the Twilight Zone - loved it.
I listened to this book - the narrator was great. Her tone in narrating added to the tension/fear for Agatha's character.
Here, Agatha lives with her mother, stepfather and twin stepsisters. Agatha tries to avoid the twins as they torment her relentlessly. However, it's Christmas Eve and she is snowed in with the twins. While Agatha just wants to be left alone, the twins decide that Agatha will play their version of a torturous game of hide and seek.
This is a well written creepy short story with a great twist at the end. Agatha is a very well-developed character and as the story is told from her POV, you get to experience her terror from the cruelty/bullying. Agatha's experiences and how she dealt with them were very true to life and the ending was right out of the Twilight Zone - loved it.
I listened to this book - the narrator was great. Her tone in narrating added to the tension/fear for Agatha's character.
January 31, 2021
Christmas wishes, the biters well and truly bitten!
I really enjoyed this engaging little shocker, well written, excellent and highly recommended...even after Christmas!
I really enjoyed this engaging little shocker, well written, excellent and highly recommended...even after Christmas!
January 18, 2016
I listened to the Audible version.
"An Awesomely Dark Christmas Tale/ Loved it!"
I loved everything about "Hide and Seek." This was an awesome short story by Caryn Larrinaga. It was dark, a bit scary and thrilling and I hope there's more to come like this. The setting was great and the characters were believable. I loved Agatha, and her step sisters Summer and Rain were down right scary. Also, the details were impeccable.
This author is definitely on my 'to watch' list. I have a feeling that there's a lot more awesomeness to come. Excellent!
Jessica McEvoy's narration nailed it. She was steady with spot on voice inflections that put the listener (me) right there. It was edge of your seat. She was THE perfect reader for this story. Her performance was very impressive.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
January 11, 2016
Agatha isn’t looking forward to Christmas. While other eight-year-olds are hoping for a pile of presents, she just wants her evil stepsisters to leave her alone. Summer and Rain have a cruel idea of what passes for fun, and it always involves tormenting Agatha.
When the three of them get stuck inside their house on Christmas Eve, the twins force Agatha to play a twisted version of Hide and Seek. But they aren’t the only things hiding in the house, and someone is about to get more than they bargained for beneath the tree.
When the three of them get stuck inside their house on Christmas Eve, the twins force Agatha to play a twisted version of Hide and Seek. But they aren’t the only things hiding in the house, and someone is about to get more than they bargained for beneath the tree.
January 19, 2016
The writing is very good. Children are difficult characters to write believably, so I was very impressed that such a young character felt so believably her age. And it's a simple, dark little holiday story. It wasn't quite what I expected. It's almost perfect. I'm not entirely sure if the conclusion was quite as good as the buildup, but it was satisfying.
February 16, 2016
BOOK REVIEW.....
The story was good. I liked the little twist at the end.
AUDIO REVIEW......
The narrator spoke clearly and well, with a good tone to her voice. Well done.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".
L.
The story was good. I liked the little twist at the end.
AUDIO REVIEW......
The narrator spoke clearly and well, with a good tone to her voice. Well done.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".
L.
December 25, 2015
Interesting short story. A lesson about bullying can be learned. Enjoyed it.
January 11, 2016
Fun Read
This was a fun short story. Almost reminds me of Cinderella.
This story had a great ending and what happened was well deserved.
This was a fun short story. Almost reminds me of Cinderella.
This story had a great ending and what happened was well deserved.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews