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Glimpses
After publishing some of his short stories on his blog, Hugh W. Roberts, who is dyslexic, received numerous requests to publish his short stories in a book. Here, at last, are 28 short stories that will take your mind on a roller coaster of a ride into worlds that conceal unexpected twists and turns.‘Glimpses’ allows the reader a peek into the lives of everyday people who are about to have life lead them on an unpredicted path. From a mysterious deadly iPad app to a hole in the fence that is not all it seems, to a strange lipstick that appears to have a life of its own, you will encounter terror, laughter, sadness, shock and many other emotions on journeys which promise a thrilling and gripping climax. If you are a lover of shows such as ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’, then you’re in for a real treat with this first collection of short stories from Hugh.Here's what one reader has already said about the book."If you're looking for a thoroughly entertaining read, Glimpses is the book for you. Each story, cleverly crafted through Hugh's wonderful imagination, can whisk you away to many different worlds, past, present and future. Every story makes a compelling read and just when you think you know what's going to happen next, Hugh masterfully reveals a brilliant twist. With bite-size and longer stories, Glimpses is a must-read. I loved it." - Esther Chilton, Writer, and Author.Dare you take a glimpse into the lives of these unsuspecting characters?
- GenresShort Stories
142 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2016
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503 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 12, 2017
I found Glimpses by Hugh W. Roberts to be quite a unique book. It is a collection of short stories, mainly written along a supernatural theme. I am a great lover of supernatural and horror books and have been avidly reading Stephen King since I was ten years old, so this was right up my street. I had two absolute favourite stories/groupings of stories in this lovely book. My outright favourite was The Truth App which I read twice. It is a collection of a few short stories all in the same theme and it really "creeped" me out. Maybe I identified with it so much because it is all about blogging and bloggers which is a world in which I have recently become very immersed. I must say that I had to stop reading this tale in the evenings because it was giving me bad dreams. My advice to bloggers and other readers of this book, be careful what apps you choose to download!
My other outright winner was a short story about a woman who goes to India to have eye and dental treatment. This one stayed firmly in my mind because it made me reflect on the fact that, even if you read the completely incomprehensible list of ingredients on cosmetic and facial and other products, one rarely has any idea of what really goes into that cream that you are liberally apply all over your face. It also summoned up horrible thoughts of articles that I have read recently about testing medications and products on animals. A story that can make you think like that has got to be superb.
I found rating this book a huge conundrum because five star rating doesn't allow for much scope with rating. I actually don't really like this limited system. I finally settled on four out of five because I really enjoyed this book but I have rated my favourite Stephen King books five out of five, namely, The Stand, The Shining and The Dead Zone. These are lengthily novels which gives the writer a lot more scope to flesh out the characters and his ideas and story line. It felt reasonable to give Glimpses four out of five on this comparative basis. I would recommend this book but, perhaps, don't read it at night when you are home alone.
My other outright winner was a short story about a woman who goes to India to have eye and dental treatment. This one stayed firmly in my mind because it made me reflect on the fact that, even if you read the completely incomprehensible list of ingredients on cosmetic and facial and other products, one rarely has any idea of what really goes into that cream that you are liberally apply all over your face. It also summoned up horrible thoughts of articles that I have read recently about testing medications and products on animals. A story that can make you think like that has got to be superb.
I found rating this book a huge conundrum because five star rating doesn't allow for much scope with rating. I actually don't really like this limited system. I finally settled on four out of five because I really enjoyed this book but I have rated my favourite Stephen King books five out of five, namely, The Stand, The Shining and The Dead Zone. These are lengthily novels which gives the writer a lot more scope to flesh out the characters and his ideas and story line. It felt reasonable to give Glimpses four out of five on this comparative basis. I would recommend this book but, perhaps, don't read it at night when you are home alone.
September 2, 2020
Glimpses is an eclectic mix of genres including fantasy, science fiction,ghost, horror and drama. Each story has a twist or two that either make you smile or hide behind the sofa.The serial story, The Truth App, in particular makes you look at your online activities in a new light!
The characters are well drawn, and hopefully not all from experience, as you get a very strong sense of evil from some of them. such as in The Easter Bunny and The Gingerbread House. There are also some very poignant moments in stories about people’s loss of dreams or their desire to recapture happiness such as in the first story Last Train to Aldwych.
Hugh Roberts clearly understands our human frailties and exploits them in a very entertaining way in his stories.. Humour plays its role in many of the stories even in those that explore our darkest thoughts and deeds! I thoroughly enjoyed my time glimpsing into the lives of the characters and the mind of the author.
The characters are well drawn, and hopefully not all from experience, as you get a very strong sense of evil from some of them. such as in The Easter Bunny and The Gingerbread House. There are also some very poignant moments in stories about people’s loss of dreams or their desire to recapture happiness such as in the first story Last Train to Aldwych.
Hugh Roberts clearly understands our human frailties and exploits them in a very entertaining way in his stories.. Humour plays its role in many of the stories even in those that explore our darkest thoughts and deeds! I thoroughly enjoyed my time glimpsing into the lives of the characters and the mind of the author.
January 4, 2017
Please follow this link to see more details on my blog and to links to Hugh's competition: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...
This is undoubtedly an excellent collection of short stories from Hugh W. Roberts.
In my opinion, short stories are so difficult to write as the author has to encapsulate so much into such a rigid format and end on an engaging twist too. Hugh effortlessly manages to introduce us to such a wide range of well-crafted stories, encompassing several genres, ranging from Science Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller, Drama, Humour, LGBT, to Horror, with something for everyone in this entertaining compilation.
When Hugh jokingly remarked that his horror stories might give me nightmares I really didn’t believe that this kind-hearted chap could write that scary a horror story, but I was so wrong!!!! The particular one that stays in my mind the most is undoubtedly Needles, which definitely made me wince a lot and with a title like that it’s no wonder! Other favourites of mine in the horror category are The Easter Bunny, The Gingerbread House, and Lipstick. You can see I do like to read horror! I also have a soft spot for The Cake Decorator, (Thriller) and The Last Train to Aldwych (Ghost). Every single story in the compilation is a little nugget of imagination. Hugh may be dyslexic but he certainly has no difficulty on the imagination score! His powers of imagination and creativity are first class. Often dyslexic people are amazingly talented, and Hugh certainly is.
My advice:
Glimpses is highly recommended for all short story enthusiasts. Go get a copy!!
My rating:
4 stars.
This is undoubtedly an excellent collection of short stories from Hugh W. Roberts.
In my opinion, short stories are so difficult to write as the author has to encapsulate so much into such a rigid format and end on an engaging twist too. Hugh effortlessly manages to introduce us to such a wide range of well-crafted stories, encompassing several genres, ranging from Science Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller, Drama, Humour, LGBT, to Horror, with something for everyone in this entertaining compilation.
When Hugh jokingly remarked that his horror stories might give me nightmares I really didn’t believe that this kind-hearted chap could write that scary a horror story, but I was so wrong!!!! The particular one that stays in my mind the most is undoubtedly Needles, which definitely made me wince a lot and with a title like that it’s no wonder! Other favourites of mine in the horror category are The Easter Bunny, The Gingerbread House, and Lipstick. You can see I do like to read horror! I also have a soft spot for The Cake Decorator, (Thriller) and The Last Train to Aldwych (Ghost). Every single story in the compilation is a little nugget of imagination. Hugh may be dyslexic but he certainly has no difficulty on the imagination score! His powers of imagination and creativity are first class. Often dyslexic people are amazingly talented, and Hugh certainly is.
My advice:
Glimpses is highly recommended for all short story enthusiasts. Go get a copy!!
My rating:
4 stars.
January 9, 2017
An Enjoyable Eclectic Collection!
Glimpses is a collection of short stories that will delight, surprise and shock you. Each story displays not only the talents of this author to write a myriad of genres but also his ability to write the unexpected.
There are twenty-eight stories in this collection that are sure to entertain everyone. I enjoyed them all but found one hard to read due to its gory descriptive nature. Horror fans will love it! The author has to be commended on his incredible imagination to create this wonderful collection. I look forward to his next book.
Glimpses is a collection of short stories that will delight, surprise and shock you. Each story displays not only the talents of this author to write a myriad of genres but also his ability to write the unexpected.
There are twenty-eight stories in this collection that are sure to entertain everyone. I enjoyed them all but found one hard to read due to its gory descriptive nature. Horror fans will love it! The author has to be commended on his incredible imagination to create this wonderful collection. I look forward to his next book.
March 23, 2017
A fantastic read. I love that it was full of short stories. It means it's perfect for picking up and putting down for the busy reader. I even found myself taking Roberts book to work because I knew I could read a couple of stories over lunch. Roberts has a dark and twisted mind! I can tell you that. There are a couple of quite gory stories, so if you're the more imaginative reader, be warned! There are more twists at the end of each story than a roller coaster, it makes each read fantastically enjoyable as you're always wondering what will come next. My only critique would be that I'd like to see a little more foreshadowing for some of the twists earlier in the stories. But that is merely a personal preference and not at all something that detracts from the stories. I can see commuters, mums and busy people of all varieties reading and loving Roberts book. Well recommended
August 2, 2017
In his introduction, Roberts describes a childhood fascination with The Twilight Zone and Tales of the Unexpected. His enjoyment of tales with a twist plays out in this debut collection of 28 short stories that I'd lump together into the broad category of speculative fiction. The stories range from sweet (Last Train to Aldwych) to sinister (Lipstick), from humor (Blackout) to horror (Needles). The wide variety makes this an easy and enjoyable collection to read in one sitting or visit when time allows. Highly entertaining.
May 18, 2019
This is a great collection of unique stories, usually with an unexpected twist to the tale. The stories are often a bit creepy, and not for the squeemish, so be warned. If you like that kind of thing though, you'll enjoy this book.
May 15, 2017
I was excited to begin reading Glimpses because recently, I have found a new love for short stories – especially written by a British author. I lived in England for a few years back in the early 1980’s, and I think my love of the country and people is rekindled by these stories. I could quickly read a few stories each night which fit my schedule perfectly. The author writes in numerous genres which I also found to be a pleasant surprise.
Glimpses literally gives the reader a brief look into the lives of everyday individuals who experience anything but the ordinary. Each story leads you into a different situation with different characters. Although, there is a four-part murder mystery included that I found to be an extraordinary read. I almost fell out of bed with the final reveal in the serial!
One of my favorite stories was The Last Train to Aldwych, where Grace Simmons meets the same ghost every year on the same date on the London Underground. I shivered in delight anticipating how the story would be told. Instead, I found a surprise ending that left me excited to read more. In fact, each tale had a twist or surprise which made for a satisfying read.
A couple of the stories evoked scary memories of Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone, a show I had watched as a teenager. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear the haunting melody of the introduction music playing in your mind as you read. I know, I did!
I enjoyed this collection of short stories and if you love your fiction filled with a hint of suspense along with some “shock and awe,” Glimpses is the book for you.
MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars
Glimpses literally gives the reader a brief look into the lives of everyday individuals who experience anything but the ordinary. Each story leads you into a different situation with different characters. Although, there is a four-part murder mystery included that I found to be an extraordinary read. I almost fell out of bed with the final reveal in the serial!
One of my favorite stories was The Last Train to Aldwych, where Grace Simmons meets the same ghost every year on the same date on the London Underground. I shivered in delight anticipating how the story would be told. Instead, I found a surprise ending that left me excited to read more. In fact, each tale had a twist or surprise which made for a satisfying read.
A couple of the stories evoked scary memories of Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone, a show I had watched as a teenager. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear the haunting melody of the introduction music playing in your mind as you read. I know, I did!
I enjoyed this collection of short stories and if you love your fiction filled with a hint of suspense along with some “shock and awe,” Glimpses is the book for you.
MY RATING:
Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 stars
January 12, 2017
Roberts has come to be known for his engrossing short stories in mixed genres from fantasy to frightening, and all of them keeping his audience gripped to the sometimes bitter end of each story as he has become known for, his twisted endings that will leave you in surprise from nothing you may have anticipated from the beginning of his stories.
Some of these stories are notable as Roberts had shared some of them on his blog, which initially captivated readers and had them wanting more. Some have become classics by Roberts, such as: The Truth App, about an Ipad of the future which has the power to kill off wrongdoers who dare to open the App, The Bridegroom murder mystery in 4 parts with its mind-boggling ending, The Rose Wish, which will have you thinking again to be careful what you wish for, and lessons in the tale of Father Christmas. Some character story favorites are also a delight, such as: Rusty and Richie, and the perils of Martha Dumplin. There are also some other fascinating stories to be read in this book. And no doubt with the imagination of this author, I'm sure we can be expecting more books to come.
Some of these stories are notable as Roberts had shared some of them on his blog, which initially captivated readers and had them wanting more. Some have become classics by Roberts, such as: The Truth App, about an Ipad of the future which has the power to kill off wrongdoers who dare to open the App, The Bridegroom murder mystery in 4 parts with its mind-boggling ending, The Rose Wish, which will have you thinking again to be careful what you wish for, and lessons in the tale of Father Christmas. Some character story favorites are also a delight, such as: Rusty and Richie, and the perils of Martha Dumplin. There are also some other fascinating stories to be read in this book. And no doubt with the imagination of this author, I'm sure we can be expecting more books to come.
February 16, 2017
Glimpses
Loved this so much. I follow Hugh's blog and had been eagerly awaiting this book. Read it through in one sitting. Great read, Hugh! I hope you are at work on your next!
Loved this so much. I follow Hugh's blog and had been eagerly awaiting this book. Read it through in one sitting. Great read, Hugh! I hope you are at work on your next!
January 15, 2017
I found the short stories in this book to be reminiscence of the Outer Limits TV show. The setting appear to be normal everyday situations. However they each have a startling twist to them. Some such as The Bridegroom has a dramatic twist and it is the first of a four part story that is a murder mystery. The short stories in this book cover the gamut of genres including ghost stories, horror, comedy, sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, drama and thrillers. These 28 short stories in this book are sure to have something for everyone.
If I had to choose my favorites I would say the Truth App which is a science fiction that revolves around a group of bloggers who become the victim of an app which threatens to wipe out humanity. I Believe in Father Christmas a supernatural tale of what happen when a little boy faces the consequence of telling his little sister there is no Father Christmas. Of course there were other that I also liked such as Lipstick and Ticket to 'Where'.
Truthfully I liked all of them they are well written and easy to read. I downloaded it and did not stop until I had finished. When I pick up a book and can not put it down until I have finished it is my idea of a good book.
If I had to choose my favorites I would say the Truth App which is a science fiction that revolves around a group of bloggers who become the victim of an app which threatens to wipe out humanity. I Believe in Father Christmas a supernatural tale of what happen when a little boy faces the consequence of telling his little sister there is no Father Christmas. Of course there were other that I also liked such as Lipstick and Ticket to 'Where'.
Truthfully I liked all of them they are well written and easy to read. I downloaded it and did not stop until I had finished. When I pick up a book and can not put it down until I have finished it is my idea of a good book.
December 13, 2016
Here is my 5-star Amazon review:
Glimpses is a delightfully twisted set of short stories inspired by author Roberts’ blog. If you follow his blog, you may recognize a few of his terrifying tales reminiscent of stories in the sci-fi genre of Twilight Zone or Outer Limits peppered with a dash of horror. “The Truth App” is the piece de resistance in this collection of 28 stories. Roberts’ biting wit and deft tale-telling will have you reading on the edge of your…well, your reading device! A great read that will have you begging Roberts for more!
Glimpses is a delightfully twisted set of short stories inspired by author Roberts’ blog. If you follow his blog, you may recognize a few of his terrifying tales reminiscent of stories in the sci-fi genre of Twilight Zone or Outer Limits peppered with a dash of horror. “The Truth App” is the piece de resistance in this collection of 28 stories. Roberts’ biting wit and deft tale-telling will have you reading on the edge of your…well, your reading device! A great read that will have you begging Roberts for more!
January 29, 2017
A great collection of tales of the unexpected. Each short story glimpses into someone's past or present; their little worlds telling us a tale of horror, or vengeance or humour. I loved the set of short tales that linked together through a wedding, giving different perspectives of each individual's take on the events surrounding the wedding and the dire consequences. Hugh has managed to harness the power of telling all in sweet bites that leave us with a taste, a glimpse, of the worlds that lie beneath the calm veneer of the everyday people surrounding us.
Fantastic book.
Fantastic book.
January 3, 2017
I am not usually a reader of short stories, but I was hooked on this winning collection from the outset. It includes romance, horror, thrillers...
Hugh is indeed a very talented writer with a vivid imagination. The Truth App. story was my personal favourite.
I suspect Hugh will pen many more excellent books.
Hugh is indeed a very talented writer with a vivid imagination. The Truth App. story was my personal favourite.
I suspect Hugh will pen many more excellent books.
September 15, 2017
Beautifully dark and yet made me smile so much. Fabulously written. Couldn't help but stop, take a moment and really think about each story. Smile and continue. Loved it. The Truth App, I Believe in Father Christmas, What if Summer Never Arrives, Ticket to 'Where?' and The Fence, are my favourites. Considering they are short stories, the images conjured are exquisitely detailed. Bravo, I say!
March 17, 2019
Short, Supernatural and entertaining reads
If you like short stories with a dash of the supernatural and a twist in the tale, then this is the book for you.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
If you like short stories with a dash of the supernatural and a twist in the tale, then this is the book for you.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
April 27, 2020
After reading Roberts’s second story collection, “More Glimpses”, I looked forward to checking out his first one, “Glimpses”. It didn’t disappoint! Again, the e-book’s cover, layout, and table of contents with summaries of the stories are professional and attractive. The stories are sad, sweet, romantic, funny, unimaginable, devastating. Most short; some on the longer end. The reader’s emotions are bound to swing between extremes as the characters encounter different situations in these well-written tales.
Elements of surprise pop up as Roberts continues to draw you in and baffle you with his twists and endings. I especially enjoyed his series of vignettes about a bride and groom, ending with “Mother of the Bridegroom”; a brilliant finale! Other favorites: “The Easter Bunny”, “What If Summer Never Arrives?”, “Lipstick”, “The Gingerbread House”, and “The Library”.
Because of the diversity of the stories and Roberts’s masterful use of his imagination and craft, there is truly something for everybody in his books – and on his website, "Hugh's Views & News". There, he’s been creating a plethora of wonderful new stories, worthy of a third collection!
Elements of surprise pop up as Roberts continues to draw you in and baffle you with his twists and endings. I especially enjoyed his series of vignettes about a bride and groom, ending with “Mother of the Bridegroom”; a brilliant finale! Other favorites: “The Easter Bunny”, “What If Summer Never Arrives?”, “Lipstick”, “The Gingerbread House”, and “The Library”.
Because of the diversity of the stories and Roberts’s masterful use of his imagination and craft, there is truly something for everybody in his books – and on his website, "Hugh's Views & News". There, he’s been creating a plethora of wonderful new stories, worthy of a third collection!
November 10, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories. There were stories of different lengths, so you could choose a short one if you haven't much time, or a longer one if you wanted to settle down and relax.
I began at the first story and worked my way through.
Every story has an interesting twist, which, for me, made it very interesting and exciting trying to decide what the twist would be.
Some of these stories will horrify you, some will sadden you, yet others will make you smile, but they will all surprise you.
The book is well written and I didn't notice any typos of grammatical errors.
If you are a fan of such TV programmes as The Twilight Zone or Tales of the Unexpected, then this is the book for you.
I give it 5*
I began at the first story and worked my way through.
Every story has an interesting twist, which, for me, made it very interesting and exciting trying to decide what the twist would be.
Some of these stories will horrify you, some will sadden you, yet others will make you smile, but they will all surprise you.
The book is well written and I didn't notice any typos of grammatical errors.
If you are a fan of such TV programmes as The Twilight Zone or Tales of the Unexpected, then this is the book for you.
I give it 5*
September 6, 2017
An Outstanding First Book!
I can't wait for Roberts's next book. The sequence of shorts that reveals so much beyond the wedding ... secrets that piece together in surprising installments. Other stories in multiple genres (SyFy, futuristic, historical, contemporary) all with attention to detail, smooth flow and well-paced reading that leaves you wanting more, more, more! Don't miss this anthology that takes you to great heights and depths of enjoyment!
I can't wait for Roberts's next book. The sequence of shorts that reveals so much beyond the wedding ... secrets that piece together in surprising installments. Other stories in multiple genres (SyFy, futuristic, historical, contemporary) all with attention to detail, smooth flow and well-paced reading that leaves you wanting more, more, more! Don't miss this anthology that takes you to great heights and depths of enjoyment!
July 22, 2018
Take a wild ride with author Hugh Roberts as he whisks you on unexpected journeys across the past, present, and future. Hugh’s 28 short stories will delight, surprise, shock…. and make you think. The author’s extraordinary imagination and brilliant story-crafting abilities combine together for an exceptional read. If you would like a change from predictable story endings, this is definitely the book for you.
June 20, 2019
I wanted to love this - I was hoping for something a little like Night Shift by Stephen King. The stories were ok but I was hoping for a little more development, this collection was more like a journal of ideas. Some of the stories could have been brilliant but I just needed a little more.
October 1, 2021
A collection of short stories, some about love and loss, and then some science fiction mixed in. It is a wonderful collection. My favorites are Needles, The Easter Bunny and The Fence - Stephen King type scary.
April 4, 2017
I was not sure what to expect from this collection and with each story I still did not know what to expect! A delightfully diverse collection, some of the tales are linked, all keep us on our toes. I enjoy writing about the dark and the unexpected so I really appreciate this author's imagination. I look forward to reading more from Hugh Roberts.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews