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Under #0.5
Signal Failure
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them get out?
Or to let something get in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel Under.
Cover image: copyright © tubesnaps 2016. Reproduced with kind permission from the tubesnaps Flickr page.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubesnaps/
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them get out?
Or to let something get in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel Under.
Cover image: copyright © tubesnaps 2016. Reproduced with kind permission from the tubesnaps Flickr page.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tubesnaps/
45 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2016
67 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
David Wailing
23 books59 followersI was born in Nineteen Davidey-Dave (all the best people were born that year) and live in London. I write contemporary fiction, a blend of mystery, thriller and humour.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 2, 2020
It’s 4 am and after a boozy night out, Emily is trapped on the Night Tube on the London Underground, along with an eclectic group of passengers. They are stuck in a tunnel, following delays due to a signal failure, and then suddenly all the lights go out, the doors slide open all along one side and then the other. Something feels very wrong, there’s a very eerie feeling, and in this claustrophobic atmosphere, the passengers wonder whether the doors have opened to let them out, or to let something in!
Ten out of ten to author David Wailing, for creating such a tense and scary atmosphere (especially from such a short read) that touches perfectly on a primeval fear that there’s something waiting out there in the dark - we can feel it but we don’t know what it is. You might want to catch the bus after reading this! Loved it.
At the time of posting my review Signal Failure was free on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
Ten out of ten to author David Wailing, for creating such a tense and scary atmosphere (especially from such a short read) that touches perfectly on a primeval fear that there’s something waiting out there in the dark - we can feel it but we don’t know what it is. You might want to catch the bus after reading this! Loved it.
At the time of posting my review Signal Failure was free on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
June 18, 2020
Trapped
David Wailing’s horror novella Signal Failure is a heart-pounding story full of terror and suspense. A scary story that reminds me of the 2004 film Creep which captures the darkness and fear of an unknown presence hunting its prey in the London Underground.
Emily is returning home on the tube’s Piccadilly line, from a night out, when the faltering train breaks-down after Knightsbridge. The next station should be South Kensington but the announcement stated the next station was Shroud Lane and she’s never heard of Shroud Lane. The lights go out, the doors open and suddenly the security of a closed carriage is blown apart and the atmosphere of panic and dread rushes in. The night is just about to turn into a horror story. With a missing driver, Emily and fellow passengers decide to leave the train and walk to what they think was a disused station and possible safety. Nothing about that is simple or appealing.
As a short story, this really captures the terror of being trapped in underground tunnels with something lurking in the darkness. With eerie old abandoned stations and an eclectic group of people, the anxiety and pursuit of safety seems more and more remote. muahahaha
Many thanks to Richard for recommending this novella and I would say it's worth reading. Next step will be the full novel from this author – Under.
David Wailing’s horror novella Signal Failure is a heart-pounding story full of terror and suspense. A scary story that reminds me of the 2004 film Creep which captures the darkness and fear of an unknown presence hunting its prey in the London Underground.
Emily is returning home on the tube’s Piccadilly line, from a night out, when the faltering train breaks-down after Knightsbridge. The next station should be South Kensington but the announcement stated the next station was Shroud Lane and she’s never heard of Shroud Lane. The lights go out, the doors open and suddenly the security of a closed carriage is blown apart and the atmosphere of panic and dread rushes in. The night is just about to turn into a horror story. With a missing driver, Emily and fellow passengers decide to leave the train and walk to what they think was a disused station and possible safety. Nothing about that is simple or appealing.
As a short story, this really captures the terror of being trapped in underground tunnels with something lurking in the darkness. With eerie old abandoned stations and an eclectic group of people, the anxiety and pursuit of safety seems more and more remote. muahahaha
Many thanks to Richard for recommending this novella and I would say it's worth reading. Next step will be the full novel from this author – Under.
May 1, 2020
Pretty good short story about a group of people who get stuck in the London Underground tube train at night… All the train doors open up, the tunnel is dark and claustrophobic, the electricity goes off. What happened to driver? What is out there in the dark? Eerie and captivating.
June 8, 2020
Thanks to a review by a goodreads friend I became aware of this free ebook. Not sure whether it’s a novella, taster, teaser or short story but the idea is to tell a tale that draws the reader in, setting the scene for an associated full length novel.
Signal Failure is a scary and claustrophobic tale set on the London Underground.
Emily catches a night tube home after a boozy night out with friends. The train is fairly quiet with the usual diverse group of tired Londoners wending their way home.
Into her journey, Emily notices a strange station flash up on the automatic notification system ‘Shroud Lane’. Mmm weird, she thinks.
Soon after, deep under London, the train stops between stations - all the doors fly open and the lights go out 😱
A strange tale begins ...........
This is a nifty devise to encourage you to take a look at Under, the novel that is somehow connected to this self contained story.
A good idea and one that’s probably worked with this reader :)
Signal Failure is a scary and claustrophobic tale set on the London Underground.
Emily catches a night tube home after a boozy night out with friends. The train is fairly quiet with the usual diverse group of tired Londoners wending their way home.
Into her journey, Emily notices a strange station flash up on the automatic notification system ‘Shroud Lane’. Mmm weird, she thinks.
Soon after, deep under London, the train stops between stations - all the doors fly open and the lights go out 😱
A strange tale begins ...........
This is a nifty devise to encourage you to take a look at Under, the novel that is somehow connected to this self contained story.
A good idea and one that’s probably worked with this reader :)
May 13, 2020
Unremarkable. A free short story that apparently is a teaser for the book Under, it mostly convinced me that the author's style wasn't for me. It's the literary equivalent of 17th Century Dutch painting.
What do I mean?
"She felt the train turning, with a harsh metallic squeal from its wheels. Quite a sharp turn judging by the way the car ahead veered to the left, showing her all the people on its right bank of seats. The fingernails-on-blackboard screech dragged on for a while, making her wince, and then faded as the train once again slowed to a halt. The sound of electric motors--a constant background hum that you only became aware of when it stopped--stopped. It would start up again when the train was ready to proceed."
I was a little afraid to read before bed, but I needn't have been. The mundane description should have lead to something eerie, but it never really gelled for me, perhaps because it was so rooted in concrete description of the underground space ("Blackness" was about as eerie as it seemed to get).
The main character is a bit of a party-girl, Emily, in her last year of school but not sure of what she wants to do next, only that she wants to stay near the London scene. There was a slight attempt to build in a backstory of an ill mother, but it didn't catch. Mostly I liked her can-do spirit, which perhaps didn't square with the drunk party girl girl riding the train in beginning. It made for a character challenge that made latching on to a short story even harder. It doesn't look like she's the heroine of the subsequent book, which is about Jake and his team.
The sense of place seemed very real. I haven't been to the London Underground, but I've ridden the NYC subway quite a bit, so I could easily imagine the noise, the grime and the movement of the cars.
What do I mean?
"She felt the train turning, with a harsh metallic squeal from its wheels. Quite a sharp turn judging by the way the car ahead veered to the left, showing her all the people on its right bank of seats. The fingernails-on-blackboard screech dragged on for a while, making her wince, and then faded as the train once again slowed to a halt. The sound of electric motors--a constant background hum that you only became aware of when it stopped--stopped. It would start up again when the train was ready to proceed."
I was a little afraid to read before bed, but I needn't have been. The mundane description should have lead to something eerie, but it never really gelled for me, perhaps because it was so rooted in concrete description of the underground space ("Blackness" was about as eerie as it seemed to get).
The main character is a bit of a party-girl, Emily, in her last year of school but not sure of what she wants to do next, only that she wants to stay near the London scene. There was a slight attempt to build in a backstory of an ill mother, but it didn't catch. Mostly I liked her can-do spirit, which perhaps didn't square with the drunk party girl girl riding the train in beginning. It made for a character challenge that made latching on to a short story even harder. It doesn't look like she's the heroine of the subsequent book, which is about Jake and his team.
The sense of place seemed very real. I haven't been to the London Underground, but I've ridden the NYC subway quite a bit, so I could easily imagine the noise, the grime and the movement of the cars.
June 26, 2020
“Our apologies for the slow running of the service tonight. This is due to an earlier signal failure on the Piccadilly Line. Repair work is underway and we should be on the move shortly. Thank You for your patience.”
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
37 page standalone story and prelude for the horror tale “Under”-which is about the abandoned “ghost stations” in the London Underground...
I picked up this gem up for free today on Kindle..if you have ever ridden “The Tube” in London, or the subways in NY, you will get goosebumps as you picture this story transpiring!
And, LOOK at that CHILLING cover art!! 🙄
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
37 page standalone story and prelude for the horror tale “Under”-which is about the abandoned “ghost stations” in the London Underground...
I picked up this gem up for free today on Kindle..if you have ever ridden “The Tube” in London, or the subways in NY, you will get goosebumps as you picture this story transpiring!
And, LOOK at that CHILLING cover art!! 🙄
August 6, 2016
Emily is taking the night tube home when, after repeated halts, passengers are told there’s a signal failure to blame. The train becomes stuck in a tunnel and then disturbing things start happening.
This short story really packs a punch. It’s creepy – very creepy. It speaks to the primitive fears we all still harbour - claustrophobia, nyctophobia, fear of the beast in the dark cave. I think because the Tube is brightly lit and full of people we can dismiss the fact that we are so far under the earth. We don’t think about it because, really, we don’t want to remember. Prepare to be disturbed. Next time, you’ll catch the bus!
This short story really packs a punch. It’s creepy – very creepy. It speaks to the primitive fears we all still harbour - claustrophobia, nyctophobia, fear of the beast in the dark cave. I think because the Tube is brightly lit and full of people we can dismiss the fact that we are so far under the earth. We don’t think about it because, really, we don’t want to remember. Prepare to be disturbed. Next time, you’ll catch the bus!
August 10, 2016
This did not work for me at all on any level. Emily trapped on the London Underground and strange things happening. How to get out? Where have the people gone. The story soon lost my interest and I felt little or no empathy with the characters, at least it was short and the tube journey was soon over! If the spookiness and claustrophobic atmosphere of the London Underground is to your liking then I strongly recommend Bakerloo Line Train by Tim Reed, at only 14 pages long it is very imaginative....this is what I said on my review in 2012.....""John continued staring until the train moved on, and her peculiar words floated back to him, resonating with threat "We'll all cook before the end" A great line in what is a cracking short horror story by a very talented author. A pulsating London, a crowded tube station, a busy rush hour and always the fear of the unknown...all these ingredients come together to make this novella an exciting albeit short read. Who is the mysterious John Rowe, where is Melody the girl he wants to marry, what is the significance of the Lady and the child and what part does the young Asian gentleman play??? All is revealed in a surprising and timely conclusion but let's leave the final word to the woman announcer "This is a Hell-bound train...to your impending demise"...read and enjoy :))
August 7, 2016
This tale is a damn fine example of a horror short story, and one I'd recommend to all fans of the genre. It takes a seemingly mundane event (albeit one that comes with its own fears) of travelling home on the underground and fills it with terror. The pacing is spot on and it gets going almost immediately. The scene is set deftly and as events unfurl it builds menace, and doesn't rely on cheap tricks to get its scares.
I don't mind a bit of gore, or splatter based horror, but I much prefer horror which uses mood and suggestion to spin the terror. The author manages just that here with his story. The moods of fear and confusion are eloquently portrayed, and effectively. It's not until near the end you get a glimpse of what is going, and even then all is not fully revealed - we'll have to wait for the following novel to reveal more.
As with his previous works, I appreciated his talent for word play. With short stories it's important to keep focused and not waste words, and a lot of craft is evident in the writing of this story.
It's an interesting technique to use a short story to build interest in a forthcoming, and larger release. It can often backfire if the short story doesn't stand on its own merits. This story works well on its own, telling the story of Emily's journey home, yet still maintaining enough mystery to entice interest in the novel. It's worked for me, and I can't wait for its release!
I don't mind a bit of gore, or splatter based horror, but I much prefer horror which uses mood and suggestion to spin the terror. The author manages just that here with his story. The moods of fear and confusion are eloquently portrayed, and effectively. It's not until near the end you get a glimpse of what is going, and even then all is not fully revealed - we'll have to wait for the following novel to reveal more.
As with his previous works, I appreciated his talent for word play. With short stories it's important to keep focused and not waste words, and a lot of craft is evident in the writing of this story.
It's an interesting technique to use a short story to build interest in a forthcoming, and larger release. It can often backfire if the short story doesn't stand on its own merits. This story works well on its own, telling the story of Emily's journey home, yet still maintaining enough mystery to entice interest in the novel. It's worked for me, and I can't wait for its release!
August 7, 2016
More of a teaser for the forthcoming novel ‘Under’ rather than a standalone short story, this is a delightfully dark piece, proving that scary works best when the horrors are hinted at instead of revealed outright.
The mixing of tenses, jarring initially, adds to the state of confusion and unease. The scenes inside and outside the Tube carriage play out so vividly that the reader is left with no choice but to read on with dread.
Possibly David Wailing’s most readable work to date, this is an excellent introduction to the following novel, for which I anticipate even higher praise.
The mixing of tenses, jarring initially, adds to the state of confusion and unease. The scenes inside and outside the Tube carriage play out so vividly that the reader is left with no choice but to read on with dread.
Possibly David Wailing’s most readable work to date, this is an excellent introduction to the following novel, for which I anticipate even higher praise.
October 24, 2016
A simple, yet atmospheric, supernatural tale set on the London Underground's new Night Tube service. Although it is a standalone story it is also a prelude to the author's forthcoming full length story Under. I eagerly look forward to the novel.
August 6, 2016
This is everything a horror short should be - tense, atmospheric and spooky.
There's a whole world underneath London, and on the tracks of the night tube there's something speeding along you dont want to run into. The air itself feels sinister down there!
A good strong lead propelled the story along at a good pace but the real show stealer was the underground itself - beautifully captured in all it's hidden glory.
I hope there will be more soon!
There's a whole world underneath London, and on the tracks of the night tube there's something speeding along you dont want to run into. The air itself feels sinister down there!
A good strong lead propelled the story along at a good pace but the real show stealer was the underground itself - beautifully captured in all it's hidden glory.
I hope there will be more soon!
August 10, 2016
If you could bottle up suspense and atmosphere in a book, this would have it in oodles. Beautifully written as a prelude to a full length novel about the dark corners of the London Underground and the actual 2016 introduction of a Night Tube service in London. An absolute page turner and yes, I can't wait for the full novel. A well deserved 5 star review for the man with the huge imagination and a talent for writing about the future in the most believable way.
June 21, 2020
Follow Emily as she catches the Night Tube home at 03:47 westbound along the Piccadilly Line. The London Underground is a reliable form of public transport, what could possibly go wrong? Her train has stopped between stations, far below the night time streets. Then the doubts set in and Emily has to decide to stay in her seat or do something.
I thought this book was BRILLIANT. David creates an intense atmosphere through his very descriptive high quality writing. There is so much tension as David gives you the feel of being a Transport for London passenger. This tale is creepy and builds on the fear that can grasp any passenger without notice on the London Underground. Signal Failure is highly charged and the horror exposed is an exciting read. David really taps into the buzz and feel of the London Underground. He plays on the fears of what lurks behind the walls of the mysterious ghost stations.
Signal Failure was simply a joy to read. It is only 37 pages long but although it is short, it is VERY GOOD. This is great for seasoned readers and ideal as a gateway book for newbie readers. Enjoy this 5 star book which should appeal to everyone, not just Londoners or transport enthusiasts. Oh, and the brilliant ending just hangs with you. Think about that when you spot pedestrians waiting to cross the road at junctions. London can be quite anonymous and now you know why.
I thought this book was BRILLIANT. David creates an intense atmosphere through his very descriptive high quality writing. There is so much tension as David gives you the feel of being a Transport for London passenger. This tale is creepy and builds on the fear that can grasp any passenger without notice on the London Underground. Signal Failure is highly charged and the horror exposed is an exciting read. David really taps into the buzz and feel of the London Underground. He plays on the fears of what lurks behind the walls of the mysterious ghost stations.
Signal Failure was simply a joy to read. It is only 37 pages long but although it is short, it is VERY GOOD. This is great for seasoned readers and ideal as a gateway book for newbie readers. Enjoy this 5 star book which should appeal to everyone, not just Londoners or transport enthusiasts. Oh, and the brilliant ending just hangs with you. Think about that when you spot pedestrians waiting to cross the road at junctions. London can be quite anonymous and now you know why.
August 19, 2016
Emily is on her way home after a night out in London. She takes the Tube in the middle of the night. Her journey starts off quite normally but then things start to take a strange turn when the train stops between stations causing the passengers to panic. I found the descriptive quality of the writing enthralling. This short story is a prelude to the author's novel due to be released next year. As a stand alone short story it is thought provoking but leaves many questions unanswered. I think that was probably deliberate because after reading this story readers will be eager to fill in the gaps. It held my interest from the beginning and is definitely a page turner. In this story we follow Emily as she tries to make her way home. This is quite a creepy tale that touches on themes such as mind control and the paranormal. A well crafted prelude to what I expect will be a brilliant novel.
August 8, 2016
Why did I do it? This isn't the book to read at 1 in the morning before heading home alone in the dark! This is, however, definitely a book to read on a well lit day, far away from any tunnels or underground systems!!
March 3, 2018
Enjoyable Read!
October 2, 2021
One of those cases where I really wish I had noticed this was self published before loading it into the kindle app on my tablet.
It has one of my pet peeves: when the characters in a story see something, but the writer doesn't share what it is with the reader. That is such a pathetic, hackneyed attempt at building suspense that it just drives me nuts. We're told the characters are really scared by what they've seen. Something even happened to one of them. Maybe. We don't actually know because we didn't get to see what the characters saw but he may have disappeared or been hurt or, really, for all we know maybe he just walked away. But we're apparently supposed to think it was scary because the writer tells us the other characters are scared.
And of course, when we finally get the reveal about what they've seen it's not even remotely scary. Seriously, I'm sure many writers could turn that into something spooky but the effect from this story, for me anyway, was a shrug and mumbled, "That's it? Who gives a flying f***?"
Despite its short length, this story dragged through an abundance of tedious description without moving the story forward or building suspense in any way.
Then there's the completely unrealistic human behavior. For example,
I did stick through this story to the end and I would normally give it at least two stars because of that, but the ending where was enough of a let down to take that star away. I just wish it had
It has one of my pet peeves: when the characters in a story see something, but the writer doesn't share what it is with the reader. That is such a pathetic, hackneyed attempt at building suspense that it just drives me nuts. We're told the characters are really scared by what they've seen. Something even happened to one of them. Maybe. We don't actually know because we didn't get to see what the characters saw but he may have disappeared or been hurt or, really, for all we know maybe he just walked away. But we're apparently supposed to think it was scary because the writer tells us the other characters are scared.
And of course, when we finally get the reveal about what they've seen it's not even remotely scary. Seriously, I'm sure many writers could turn that into something spooky but the effect from this story, for me anyway, was a shrug and mumbled, "That's it? Who gives a flying f***?"
Despite its short length, this story dragged through an abundance of tedious description without moving the story forward or building suspense in any way.
Then there's the completely unrealistic human behavior. For example,
I did stick through this story to the end and I would normally give it at least two stars because of that, but the ending where was enough of a let down to take that star away. I just wish it had
August 23, 2016
The London Underground gets you from A to B via fast trains, frequently crowded, and dark tunnels, frequently with hints of divergent tracks disappearing in the gloom. If you ride in the middle of the day you can’t see past the other passengers. But if you ride at night… in the dark… and the lights go out…
David Wailing’s Signal Failure takes everyone’s nightmare of a stalled, dark underground train, then opens the doors. Claustrophobic, with scares that pile up, recede, and pile back up again, it’s almost a novel in a story. Answers are never completely revealed, and the scares don’t vanish after all, but the story feels complete, with that scary, what-will-happen-next feel that can't be forgotten when the reading's done. I think there's a novel coming... it should be good.
Disclosure: I had just ridden an underground train. I couldn’t resist!
David Wailing’s Signal Failure takes everyone’s nightmare of a stalled, dark underground train, then opens the doors. Claustrophobic, with scares that pile up, recede, and pile back up again, it’s almost a novel in a story. Answers are never completely revealed, and the scares don’t vanish after all, but the story feels complete, with that scary, what-will-happen-next feel that can't be forgotten when the reading's done. I think there's a novel coming... it should be good.
Disclosure: I had just ridden an underground train. I couldn’t resist!
September 14, 2016
I've been waiting for the right time and place to read this so I read it in bright sunshine on board a train. It's an excellent short read so ideal for reading while in transit, though maybe not on an actual Underground train, especially at night. I don't read full-scale horror stories but this one had enough suspense for me, and the central character was both believable and a bit intriguing. Looking forward to the next one!
September 29, 2016
This was an enjoyable short read. A mundane setting goes suddenly to the unknown and frightening, and the tension builds as bizarre happenings unfold. It is a good taster for the forthcoming novel, and having seen the documentary Ghosts on the Underground I found it plausible as it is alleged that many spooky occurrences happen down there!
August 27, 2016
Scary
Wow this really made my hair stand on end. I love the Underground but this has kind of put me off. Do not read whilst you are on the tube. You will want to get off.
Wow this really made my hair stand on end. I love the Underground but this has kind of put me off. Do not read whilst you are on the tube. You will want to get off.
August 28, 2016
Tense, chokingly atmospheric, and very spooky. Read it over lunch, not right before bed, and definitely don't read it on the night tube!
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
February 6, 2018
It’s late at night, Emily is drunk and just wants to get home and crash. She decides to not pay for a taxi or uber but take the tube instead. That may be the biggest mistake of her life.
This is a prequel to a new series by author David Wailing. It’s a short story and since it’s a prequel it doesn’t resolve what is going on, but the story does resolve her situation. It’s well written, although I found it to be a little verbose at times, but that may have been due to the author needing to stretch the story a tad, although I think there were a few areas where he could have naturally stretched it out but then it could run away and become a full novella or novel instead of a short story!
Overall, though I really liked the story and it definitely got me intrigued about the new book Under which was just recently released.
If you want a decent story that gives you just enough to keep you going but doesn’t solve the mystery this is a great short story leading into the full novel.
I have to say I much prefer this approach of releasing a semi self-contained short story or novella than just releasing the first 5 chapters or 25 pages or whatever some authors do. To me it’s more of an entertaining advertisement for the book even though it takes more work than just here’s the first 5 chapters.
It is available DRM Free.
This is a prequel to a new series by author David Wailing. It’s a short story and since it’s a prequel it doesn’t resolve what is going on, but the story does resolve her situation. It’s well written, although I found it to be a little verbose at times, but that may have been due to the author needing to stretch the story a tad, although I think there were a few areas where he could have naturally stretched it out but then it could run away and become a full novella or novel instead of a short story!
Overall, though I really liked the story and it definitely got me intrigued about the new book Under which was just recently released.
If you want a decent story that gives you just enough to keep you going but doesn’t solve the mystery this is a great short story leading into the full novel.
I have to say I much prefer this approach of releasing a semi self-contained short story or novella than just releasing the first 5 chapters or 25 pages or whatever some authors do. To me it’s more of an entertaining advertisement for the book even though it takes more work than just here’s the first 5 chapters.
It is available DRM Free.
February 6, 2018
Strange story of the underground railway!
This story seemed to send haunting messages of some strange occurrences happening on the train underground! It was intriguing and well written!
This story seemed to send haunting messages of some strange occurrences happening on the train underground! It was intriguing and well written!
June 5, 2019
Tube Train Scares
A good atmospheric novella, a bit puzzled by the ending, but entertaining non the less. Four stars for this story
A good atmospheric novella, a bit puzzled by the ending, but entertaining non the less. Four stars for this story
April 24, 2017
This is a good short book to read on a journey, but not in the underground during the night. I read this book in under and hour and it is gripping from the start.
Emily has been to a birthday party and is travelling home on the London underground at 04.00 hrs. She is tired and a little drunk and just wants to get home. The tube is annoyingly slow and then suddenly comes to an abrupt halt. All the doors on both sides of the train open and remain open but they are between stations. The open doors reveal nothing but blank walls on both sides.
The passengers are frightened, they are very frightened. Is this a terrorist attack, a power failure....or what ? The fear and confusion is palpable within the carriage.
This short story is a prelude to a novel called - Under - which is set in the London Underground. Will be sure to read that.
Emily has been to a birthday party and is travelling home on the London underground at 04.00 hrs. She is tired and a little drunk and just wants to get home. The tube is annoyingly slow and then suddenly comes to an abrupt halt. All the doors on both sides of the train open and remain open but they are between stations. The open doors reveal nothing but blank walls on both sides.
The passengers are frightened, they are very frightened. Is this a terrorist attack, a power failure....or what ? The fear and confusion is palpable within the carriage.
This short story is a prelude to a novel called - Under - which is set in the London Underground. Will be sure to read that.
February 20, 2018
LOVED THIS STORY!
this story kept me glued to the edge of my seat the entire time. creepy, dark and had me thinking. i really enjoyed it! definitely want to know more! definitely recommend this to people who like to be creeped out, who like to have their minds wander & think. i'd put this in the like "Twilight Zone" category. LOVED IT!
this story kept me glued to the edge of my seat the entire time. creepy, dark and had me thinking. i really enjoyed it! definitely want to know more! definitely recommend this to people who like to be creeped out, who like to have their minds wander & think. i'd put this in the like "Twilight Zone" category. LOVED IT!
April 15, 2017
Good litte page turner
Quite a page turner, didn't understand any of it but still quite good for a short read . I'd read his next one
Quite a page turner, didn't understand any of it but still quite good for a short read . I'd read his next one
April 10, 2017
Its a prelude for the novel Under. As such it sets the stage and whets the appetite. In the way this short story develops and ends it reminds me very much of the old Astounding Stories, Amazing Stories. Looking forward to reading Under
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