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Six Stories #1
Six Stories
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B01MXTCYE9
1997. Scarclaw Fell. The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an outward bound centre. Verdict? Misadventure. But not everyone is convinced. And the truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of the tight-knit group of friends who embarked on that fateful trip, and the flimsy testimony of those living nearby.
2017. Enter elusive investigative journalist Scott King, whose podcast examinations of complicated cases have rivalled the success of Serial, with his concealed identity making him a cult internet figure. In a series of six interviews, King attempts to work out how the dynamics of a group of idle teenagers conspired with the sinister legends surrounding the fell to result in Jeffries’ mysterious death. And who’s to blame…
As every interview unveils a new revelation, you’ll be forced to work out for yourself how Tom Jeffries died, and who is telling the truth. A chilling, unpredictable and startling thriller, Six Stories is also a classic murder mystery with a modern twist, and a devastating ending
1997. Scarclaw Fell. The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an outward bound centre. Verdict? Misadventure. But not everyone is convinced. And the truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of the tight-knit group of friends who embarked on that fateful trip, and the flimsy testimony of those living nearby.
2017. Enter elusive investigative journalist Scott King, whose podcast examinations of complicated cases have rivalled the success of Serial, with his concealed identity making him a cult internet figure. In a series of six interviews, King attempts to work out how the dynamics of a group of idle teenagers conspired with the sinister legends surrounding the fell to result in Jeffries’ mysterious death. And who’s to blame…
As every interview unveils a new revelation, you’ll be forced to work out for yourself how Tom Jeffries died, and who is telling the truth. A chilling, unpredictable and startling thriller, Six Stories is also a classic murder mystery with a modern twist, and a devastating ending
280 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2016
490 people are currently reading
12924 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wesolowski
24 books677 followersMatt Wesolowski is an author from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK. He is an English tutor for young people in care.
'Six Stories' was published by Orenda Books in the spring of 2016 with follow-up ‘Hydra’ published in the winter of 2017, 'Changeling' in 2018, 'Beast' in 2019 and 'Deity in 2020
‘Six Stories’ has been optioned by a major Hollywood studio; ‘Changeling’ was longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, 2019 Amazon Publishing Readers’ Award for Best Thriller and Best Independent Voice.
'Beast' won the Amazon Publishing Readers' Award for Best Independent Voice in 2020
Matt is represented by Sandra Sawicka at Marjacq
Film/TV Rights - Luke Speed at Curtis Brown
'Six Stories' was published by Orenda Books in the spring of 2016 with follow-up ‘Hydra’ published in the winter of 2017, 'Changeling' in 2018, 'Beast' in 2019 and 'Deity in 2020
‘Six Stories’ has been optioned by a major Hollywood studio; ‘Changeling’ was longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, 2019 Amazon Publishing Readers’ Award for Best Thriller and Best Independent Voice.
'Beast' won the Amazon Publishing Readers' Award for Best Independent Voice in 2020
Matt is represented by Sandra Sawicka at Marjacq
Film/TV Rights - Luke Speed at Curtis Brown
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,166 reviews
April 1, 2017
This was a little bitty book that packed a mighty wallop. WOW. I just keep saying that over and over. While I was initially drawn in by the cover, and we all know Chelsea is a sucker for pretty pictures, the inside is what sealed the deal. I've never been a huge listener of pod casts, not because I find them boring or unappealing, but due to the fact I usually can't squeeze in the extra time and find a quiet place to do so. This gave me the best of both worlds; I was able to read a book per my usual routine while gaining the satisfaction of "listening" to a pod cast. It was brilliant. Utterly genius. I hate to hype this up too much, as I know when people do this to me it ends up making said book underwhelming in comparison, but this one was just
SO
good people.
This was part murder mystery, part character study, with just a tinge of horror which topped off a near perfect read, in my opinion. The idea was so unique and appealing; I feel as though I've started to grow stagnant in my mystery/thriller reads as there isn't much being published that I haven't read in some form before. Six Stories immediately tingled my spidey senses and I just knew it would end up being something special, mainly because it had the Orenda stamp of approval. By the way, I read somewhere the author wrote how grateful he was to Karen for giving him a chance when others wouldn't. I bet those ignorant turd munchers are kicking themselves in the face for missing out on what has turned out to be a buzz-worthy, highly anticipated read by many.
Ok, here's a secret; sometimes I get bored in novels that feature heavy characterization because I need all of the things to be happening for my easily distracted mind to stay focused. It's likely why I gravitate toward thrillers filled with suspense and YA novels of fantasy and adventure. My reading is typically an escape for me; I need something to take me away from kid's doctor and therapy appointments. All that to say, while this is heavy on the characterization, it is anything but boring. I am shocked at how full bodied and easily connected we are to the character's story when the book is only 225 pages long. I'm convinced that the format of "episodes" and current day scenes are what give this a special touch. It was a daring risk on the author's part, yet he pulled it off flawlessly. The thing that set this apart for me as a 5 star read was the fact that the author blurred the lines of reality and the paranormal; while reading the book you are wondering who really killed Tom Jeffries. Was it one of the fellow campers the night he disappeared? Was it one of the cultural legendary boogeymen? You'll have to read it to know more, but suffice it to say we receive full closure by the final page.
Before I sign out, I just wanted to touch on the issue of bullying and how it was portrayed in the book. I'm pleased the author not only included such a relative and timely problem, but didn't shy away from showing it's horror and unpleasantness to the full. I'm always appreciative of diverse characters being added into a book, and I felt the character portrayed with Autism was well done with respect and honor. Having a child with Autism, I could easily recognize the signs and symptoms, and I felt each scene with a realness others who don't experience that lifestyle on a daily basis might not catch as sensitively.
I'm not sure what else to say, other than READ THE BOOK! What do you have to lose? It's a teeny little thing, but I'm confident you'll be thinking about it long after you've closed the last page and moved on to the next. Highly recommended for those who enjoy crime fiction with a noir feel!
*Many thanks to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to participate in the Blog Tour and share my review!
This was part murder mystery, part character study, with just a tinge of horror which topped off a near perfect read, in my opinion. The idea was so unique and appealing; I feel as though I've started to grow stagnant in my mystery/thriller reads as there isn't much being published that I haven't read in some form before. Six Stories immediately tingled my spidey senses and I just knew it would end up being something special, mainly because it had the Orenda stamp of approval. By the way, I read somewhere the author wrote how grateful he was to Karen for giving him a chance when others wouldn't. I bet those ignorant turd munchers are kicking themselves in the face for missing out on what has turned out to be a buzz-worthy, highly anticipated read by many.
Ok, here's a secret; sometimes I get bored in novels that feature heavy characterization because I need all of the things to be happening for my easily distracted mind to stay focused. It's likely why I gravitate toward thrillers filled with suspense and YA novels of fantasy and adventure. My reading is typically an escape for me; I need something to take me away from kid's doctor and therapy appointments. All that to say, while this is heavy on the characterization, it is anything but boring. I am shocked at how full bodied and easily connected we are to the character's story when the book is only 225 pages long. I'm convinced that the format of "episodes" and current day scenes are what give this a special touch. It was a daring risk on the author's part, yet he pulled it off flawlessly. The thing that set this apart for me as a 5 star read was the fact that the author blurred the lines of reality and the paranormal; while reading the book you are wondering who really killed Tom Jeffries. Was it one of the fellow campers the night he disappeared? Was it one of the cultural legendary boogeymen? You'll have to read it to know more, but suffice it to say we receive full closure by the final page.
Before I sign out, I just wanted to touch on the issue of bullying and how it was portrayed in the book. I'm pleased the author not only included such a relative and timely problem, but didn't shy away from showing it's horror and unpleasantness to the full. I'm always appreciative of diverse characters being added into a book, and I felt the character portrayed with Autism was well done with respect and honor. Having a child with Autism, I could easily recognize the signs and symptoms, and I felt each scene with a realness others who don't experience that lifestyle on a daily basis might not catch as sensitively.
I'm not sure what else to say, other than READ THE BOOK! What do you have to lose? It's a teeny little thing, but I'm confident you'll be thinking about it long after you've closed the last page and moved on to the next. Highly recommended for those who enjoy crime fiction with a noir feel!
*Many thanks to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to participate in the Blog Tour and share my review!
June 9, 2017
This is a book that strives to bring something new to the suspense genre, riding on the coattails of the popular podcast Serial, urging readers to follow along and draw their own conclusions about the mysterious death at hand. If you haven’t experienced Serial (seriously, what are you waiting for?!), the format of this book and the many times the podcast itself is mentioned, just might drive you to give it a listen. Believe me, you won’t regret it; both seasons have proven to be wholly addicting and beyond intriguing true crime.
In fact, it was my love for the actual podcast that landed this work of fiction in my hands. Similar to Serial, this story is told over a series of weekly podcast episodes; six to be exact, hence the title. Sadly, I can’t say this book is anywhere near as gripping as the podcast it so willingly attached itself to. There’s nothing bold, noteworthy or even excitingly different about the plot itself, it’s simply the delivery that makes this feel shiny and new.
While I liked it enough to keep reading, I wasn’t gaga over the storyline or the cast of characters, like so many other readers seem to be. I guess, I shouldn’t be surprised, my picky ways tend to land me at a table for one quite often. Why would I think this particular book would be an exception?
The six people within the vicinity of Tom Jeffries that fateful night, twenty years earlier, are interviewed in an effort to unravel his mysterious death. The varying perspectives lend the plot twists, skew the attempts at nailing down a timeline, foil the flow of truth and manage to drum-up some doubt. What was absent was any inkling of feelings for these characters, on my part. To be blunt, I just didn’t care enough. Maybe it was the shorter length of the book or the fact that it was almost entirely a question and answer format (am I contradicting myself now?) that hindered any sort of emotional connection on my end.
And here I go wrestling with my own wishy-washy thoughts some more—there's one aspect of the ending I found surprising, but then there’s the part that was sort of expected. Ok, maybe expected isn’t the right word to use. I guess a better way to say this is—there are only so many possible motives—and leave it at that. Or, been there, done that . . . many times before.
While not horrible by any stretch of the imagination, this just wasn’t the stellar read I was hoping for. It’s not one I’ll look back on in a few months and reminisce about or feel the hankering to re-read. In fact, at this point in time, it feels all too forgettable. So far, it’s proven to be one that other suspense lovers are eating up though, so by all means, don’t let my sliver of discontent hold you back.
*Thank you to Orenda Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In fact, it was my love for the actual podcast that landed this work of fiction in my hands. Similar to Serial, this story is told over a series of weekly podcast episodes; six to be exact, hence the title. Sadly, I can’t say this book is anywhere near as gripping as the podcast it so willingly attached itself to. There’s nothing bold, noteworthy or even excitingly different about the plot itself, it’s simply the delivery that makes this feel shiny and new.
While I liked it enough to keep reading, I wasn’t gaga over the storyline or the cast of characters, like so many other readers seem to be. I guess, I shouldn’t be surprised, my picky ways tend to land me at a table for one quite often. Why would I think this particular book would be an exception?
The six people within the vicinity of Tom Jeffries that fateful night, twenty years earlier, are interviewed in an effort to unravel his mysterious death. The varying perspectives lend the plot twists, skew the attempts at nailing down a timeline, foil the flow of truth and manage to drum-up some doubt. What was absent was any inkling of feelings for these characters, on my part. To be blunt, I just didn’t care enough. Maybe it was the shorter length of the book or the fact that it was almost entirely a question and answer format (am I contradicting myself now?) that hindered any sort of emotional connection on my end.
And here I go wrestling with my own wishy-washy thoughts some more—there's one aspect of the ending I found surprising, but then there’s the part that was sort of expected. Ok, maybe expected isn’t the right word to use. I guess a better way to say this is—there are only so many possible motives—and leave it at that. Or, been there, done that . . . many times before.
While not horrible by any stretch of the imagination, this just wasn’t the stellar read I was hoping for. It’s not one I’ll look back on in a few months and reminisce about or feel the hankering to re-read. In fact, at this point in time, it feels all too forgettable. So far, it’s proven to be one that other suspense lovers are eating up though, so by all means, don’t let my sliver of discontent hold you back.
*Thank you to Orenda Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2017
I'd rate this 4.5 stars.
Wow, this was crazy good! I wasn't really sure what to expect but it definitely surprised me!
I may be in the minority, but I never listened to any of the Serial podcast. I know, I know...it was supposed to be fantastic, but strangely enough, I have a real problem focusing if I have to just concentrate on listening to something. Reading, watching television, listening to music are all fine, but listening to a podcast or an audio book doesn't work for me. I'm a little too manic, I guess!
Matt Wesolowski's Six Stories follows the work of investigative journalist Scott King, whose program of the same name explores complicated cases, looking at them from six different perspectives. (Get it? Six perspectives, six stories?) He doesn't have a particular purpose in selecting the case—he's not an advocate for freeing unfairly prosecuted criminals or looking to reopen cases, he's just fascinated by complicated cases.
King decides to take on the 1996 disappearance of 15-year-old Tom Jeffries, who went missing during a trip his Outward Bound-type group took to the Scarclaw Fell Woodlands Centre. Tom was one of five teenagers who participated in the trip, and none of his peers knew what happened to him—when they went to bed he was there, and when they awoke in the morning, he was gone. Tom's body wasn't discovered until a year later by the son of the man who bought the land where the Centre once stood. His death was ruled a "misadventure," and no one was found liable.
Twenty years later, King interviews many of those involved at the time—the leader of the outdoors group who took the teens on the trip, a man who became inadvertently enmeshed with the teens, and several of the participants themselves, as well as the man who discovered Jeffries' body. The story that emerges years later sheds new light on the events leading up to the night Jeffries disappeared, the dynamics of the group of teenagers and their sometimes-troubling behavior, the instances in which more adult supervision might have changed things, and the disturbing and bizarre legends and ghost stories about a sinister figure or creature who haunts the Fell.
"There is evil in the world. There is definitely evil in this world of ours. We carve monuments to our fallen, engrave them with the names of those whose lives were snuffed out when trying to stop evil. We don't forget."
What really did happen the night Jeffries disappeared, and why did it take a year for his body to surface? Was someone supposedly innocent actually guilty, or was there a supernatural force at play? Can our memories, our interpretations of events which occurred so long ago, particularly when we were young, be trusted, or is everything open to manipulation? Can the person who weaves the threads of the stories together be trusted either?
This was a tremendously compelling book, full of suspense and twists. While I might have had some suspicions about how things would unfold, Wesolowski really kept me guessing, and kept me hooked as if I were listening to one of his podcasts. The story is a little creepy, a little sad, a little frustrating, and a little confusing—just like life itself.
I'm still not 100 percent sure how everything tied together, or what really happened in the end, but I enjoyed the ride Wesolowski took me on. Definitely one of those books that grabs you and doesn't really let you go.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
Wow, this was crazy good! I wasn't really sure what to expect but it definitely surprised me!
I may be in the minority, but I never listened to any of the Serial podcast. I know, I know...it was supposed to be fantastic, but strangely enough, I have a real problem focusing if I have to just concentrate on listening to something. Reading, watching television, listening to music are all fine, but listening to a podcast or an audio book doesn't work for me. I'm a little too manic, I guess!
Matt Wesolowski's Six Stories follows the work of investigative journalist Scott King, whose program of the same name explores complicated cases, looking at them from six different perspectives. (Get it? Six perspectives, six stories?) He doesn't have a particular purpose in selecting the case—he's not an advocate for freeing unfairly prosecuted criminals or looking to reopen cases, he's just fascinated by complicated cases.
King decides to take on the 1996 disappearance of 15-year-old Tom Jeffries, who went missing during a trip his Outward Bound-type group took to the Scarclaw Fell Woodlands Centre. Tom was one of five teenagers who participated in the trip, and none of his peers knew what happened to him—when they went to bed he was there, and when they awoke in the morning, he was gone. Tom's body wasn't discovered until a year later by the son of the man who bought the land where the Centre once stood. His death was ruled a "misadventure," and no one was found liable.
Twenty years later, King interviews many of those involved at the time—the leader of the outdoors group who took the teens on the trip, a man who became inadvertently enmeshed with the teens, and several of the participants themselves, as well as the man who discovered Jeffries' body. The story that emerges years later sheds new light on the events leading up to the night Jeffries disappeared, the dynamics of the group of teenagers and their sometimes-troubling behavior, the instances in which more adult supervision might have changed things, and the disturbing and bizarre legends and ghost stories about a sinister figure or creature who haunts the Fell.
"There is evil in the world. There is definitely evil in this world of ours. We carve monuments to our fallen, engrave them with the names of those whose lives were snuffed out when trying to stop evil. We don't forget."
What really did happen the night Jeffries disappeared, and why did it take a year for his body to surface? Was someone supposedly innocent actually guilty, or was there a supernatural force at play? Can our memories, our interpretations of events which occurred so long ago, particularly when we were young, be trusted, or is everything open to manipulation? Can the person who weaves the threads of the stories together be trusted either?
This was a tremendously compelling book, full of suspense and twists. While I might have had some suspicions about how things would unfold, Wesolowski really kept me guessing, and kept me hooked as if I were listening to one of his podcasts. The story is a little creepy, a little sad, a little frustrating, and a little confusing—just like life itself.
I'm still not 100 percent sure how everything tied together, or what really happened in the end, but I enjoyed the ride Wesolowski took me on. Definitely one of those books that grabs you and doesn't really let you go.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
August 3, 2017
The book is mostly made up of the transcripts of a podcast, well maybe not transcript but I can't think of a better word so fuck it, following a series on a murder that took place years ago during a camping trip. The podcast host, Scott King, interviews six different people who knew the victim, Tom Jeffries, and presents the circumstances around Tom's death. Tom was one of the kids in a group of five that belonged to a local wilderness club started by parents. On the day of one of the trips Tom disappears over night and isn't heard from until his body is found a year later. The mystery of Tom's death had never been solved, and as the podcast proceeds it becomes more ambiguous as to what exactly killed Tom.
Definitely 4.5 stars for this one because I read it all the way through in one sitting, though I was in the car and didn't have much else to do, regardless it kept my attention all the way to the end. I have seen Serial and though I don't listen to podcasts on my own much my boyfriend loves them so I have listened to a variety of them. I personally like podcasts and how they kind of play into the oral story telling tradition, though I do tend to forget I'm listening and miss chunks of what is being said. The book really captured my favorite parts of listening to podcasts though, especially ones that have a story line that they build up on through out the episodes. I think the book did an excellent job building up the suspense and I was basically dying of anticipation to know what had happened to Tom.
I also loved the underlying hints at some kind of monster being responsible for Tom's death and I love podcasts that tell stories about creepy supernatural things the most so that was a plus. The characters were all interesting as well and complex, all of them had their own strengths and weakness which makes a book infinitely better. The ending was the best though because even though it seems like I should've seen it coming somewhat because it wasn't out of left field, I really was not expecting it and god damn it it still felt extremely satisfying and wow like it makes just a fantastic story and imagine if something like this happened in real life that would be okay kind of shitty but at the same time I'd be so amused and just like how? Anyway definitely one of the better books I've read this year.
Definitely 4.5 stars for this one because I read it all the way through in one sitting, though I was in the car and didn't have much else to do, regardless it kept my attention all the way to the end. I have seen Serial and though I don't listen to podcasts on my own much my boyfriend loves them so I have listened to a variety of them. I personally like podcasts and how they kind of play into the oral story telling tradition, though I do tend to forget I'm listening and miss chunks of what is being said. The book really captured my favorite parts of listening to podcasts though, especially ones that have a story line that they build up on through out the episodes. I think the book did an excellent job building up the suspense and I was basically dying of anticipation to know what had happened to Tom.
I also loved the underlying hints at some kind of monster being responsible for Tom's death and I love podcasts that tell stories about creepy supernatural things the most so that was a plus. The characters were all interesting as well and complex, all of them had their own strengths and weakness which makes a book infinitely better. The ending was the best though because even though it seems like I should've seen it coming somewhat because it wasn't out of left field, I really was not expecting it and god damn it it still felt extremely satisfying and wow like it makes just a fantastic story and imagine if something like this happened in real life that would be okay kind of shitty but at the same time I'd be so amused and just like how? Anyway definitely one of the better books I've read this year.
August 21, 2018
"Don't fear the dark, dear, swift is the night,
For nothing will harm you, wrapped up here, tight.
That's just a shadow, dear, don't fear a sprite.
Don't pay your mind to the tricks of the light."
Fifteen-year-old, Tom Jeffries body has been found at an outward-bound center in Scarclaw fell one year after he went missing. His disappearance was investigated and chalked up to misadventure. Twenty years later, investigative journalist Scott King, decides to investigate the case. King has reached cult internet success. He keeps his face hidden as he wants the emphasis to be on story - the podcasts a.k.a. the six stories that give the reader/listener some insight into what happened that fateful night that Jeffries went missing. The podcasts focus on various people who were on the trip with Tom Jeffries or who had contact with the teenagers during 1996-1997. Each podcast is told from that person's point of view as they are being interviewed by King. Local folk legends/tales are also discussed and add to the creepiness of the story. King emphasized he is not there to judge or to determine for himself what happened, that it is up to the audience to come up with their own conclusions.
"There is evil in the world. There is definitely evil in this world of ours."
This book started slowly for me. This book isn't a fast-paced page turner but more of a character study on teenagers, the group dynamic, bullying, and those who encounter them. As the podcasts progress, I had no idea as to what could have happened to Jeffries. Did he fall into the Fell? Was he murdered? Did some dark spooky creature or a witch claim him? Were the dark tales real? Are there really things that go bump in the night? What I liked is that I was slowly sucked into the story and could feel the damp, cold, dreary atmosphere seep in. I found myself getting sucked into this book even though it is on the slower side, but it creates such an atmosphere that I was captivated before I even knew it. This book snuck up on me!
This one gets points for originality and for telling the story from various viewpoints without becoming boring or redundant. The various characters had distinct personalities which helped set the stage and move the story along.
Again, not a fast-paced book but one that slowly creeps up on you, gets under your skin and sends shivers down your spine.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
For nothing will harm you, wrapped up here, tight.
That's just a shadow, dear, don't fear a sprite.
Don't pay your mind to the tricks of the light."
Fifteen-year-old, Tom Jeffries body has been found at an outward-bound center in Scarclaw fell one year after he went missing. His disappearance was investigated and chalked up to misadventure. Twenty years later, investigative journalist Scott King, decides to investigate the case. King has reached cult internet success. He keeps his face hidden as he wants the emphasis to be on story - the podcasts a.k.a. the six stories that give the reader/listener some insight into what happened that fateful night that Jeffries went missing. The podcasts focus on various people who were on the trip with Tom Jeffries or who had contact with the teenagers during 1996-1997. Each podcast is told from that person's point of view as they are being interviewed by King. Local folk legends/tales are also discussed and add to the creepiness of the story. King emphasized he is not there to judge or to determine for himself what happened, that it is up to the audience to come up with their own conclusions.
"There is evil in the world. There is definitely evil in this world of ours."
This book started slowly for me. This book isn't a fast-paced page turner but more of a character study on teenagers, the group dynamic, bullying, and those who encounter them. As the podcasts progress, I had no idea as to what could have happened to Jeffries. Did he fall into the Fell? Was he murdered? Did some dark spooky creature or a witch claim him? Were the dark tales real? Are there really things that go bump in the night? What I liked is that I was slowly sucked into the story and could feel the damp, cold, dreary atmosphere seep in. I found myself getting sucked into this book even though it is on the slower side, but it creates such an atmosphere that I was captivated before I even knew it. This book snuck up on me!
This one gets points for originality and for telling the story from various viewpoints without becoming boring or redundant. The various characters had distinct personalities which helped set the stage and move the story along.
Again, not a fast-paced book but one that slowly creeps up on you, gets under your skin and sends shivers down your spine.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 22, 2017
Six Stories is a creepy, atmospheric, suspense filled psychological thriller fueled by unreliable memories coupled with fear, myth, and darkness.
“We like to give things names, personify our darkness.”
On a camping trip 20 years ago in eerie Scarclaw Fell, 15 year old Tom Jeffries went missing. His body turned up a year later. While police didn’t entertain murder at the time, his story made headlines and became a national sensation.
Told in the format of six podcasts covering Tom’s disappearance, small details begin to emerge. Once again, Tom’s story has captivated a nation. Now told through the eyes of those who experienced the Fell. As each story is shared, more and more is revealed about Tom, the myths that surround Scarclaw Fell, and the group of teens who were Tom’s “friends.” Who or what was behind Tom’s disappearance?
Six Stories got under my skin and creeped me out! I enjoyed the format and the setting of Scarclaw Fell made this book into something special!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“We like to give things names, personify our darkness.”
On a camping trip 20 years ago in eerie Scarclaw Fell, 15 year old Tom Jeffries went missing. His body turned up a year later. While police didn’t entertain murder at the time, his story made headlines and became a national sensation.
Told in the format of six podcasts covering Tom’s disappearance, small details begin to emerge. Once again, Tom’s story has captivated a nation. Now told through the eyes of those who experienced the Fell. As each story is shared, more and more is revealed about Tom, the myths that surround Scarclaw Fell, and the group of teens who were Tom’s “friends.” Who or what was behind Tom’s disappearance?
Six Stories got under my skin and creeped me out! I enjoyed the format and the setting of Scarclaw Fell made this book into something special!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2018
4 STARS
An unusual approach in a mystery book ALWAYS gets my attention! This one is presented in a podcast-style format. OH YES. YES. I do love me a crime podcast. By the way, this book keeps referencing SERIAL, but SERIAL is kind of old news by now. Can we talk about ATLANTA MONSTER? MY FAVORITE MURDER? CRIMINAL? SWORD & SCALE?
Sorry, I digress.
I wanted to love this book as much as my readerly friends all seem to love it. And I do love it, BUT…while innovative and brief (a very short little book) the story actually drags in the middle. It is heavily burdened with multiple characters and while it works beautifully as an audiobook, I still struggled to keep track of all the people interviewed. Side note: lots of different actors portray the characters and the production is first rate.
I haven’t seen anyone else say this, but the book really reminds me of The Chalk Man. A wonderfully British account of a childhood mystery that is looked back upon by the now-adult age characters. I love that type of narrative. Monsters in child eyes morph into something else as you age.
Love the innovation, love the British-ness, love the story. Didn’t love the languid flow.
Definitely will read Hydra, the next book in the SIX STORIES series.
An unusual approach in a mystery book ALWAYS gets my attention! This one is presented in a podcast-style format. OH YES. YES. I do love me a crime podcast. By the way, this book keeps referencing SERIAL, but SERIAL is kind of old news by now. Can we talk about ATLANTA MONSTER? MY FAVORITE MURDER? CRIMINAL? SWORD & SCALE?
Sorry, I digress.
I wanted to love this book as much as my readerly friends all seem to love it. And I do love it, BUT…while innovative and brief (a very short little book) the story actually drags in the middle. It is heavily burdened with multiple characters and while it works beautifully as an audiobook, I still struggled to keep track of all the people interviewed. Side note: lots of different actors portray the characters and the production is first rate.
I haven’t seen anyone else say this, but the book really reminds me of The Chalk Man. A wonderfully British account of a childhood mystery that is looked back upon by the now-adult age characters. I love that type of narrative. Monsters in child eyes morph into something else as you age.
Love the innovation, love the British-ness, love the story. Didn’t love the languid flow.
Definitely will read Hydra, the next book in the SIX STORIES series.
July 28, 2018
Ingenious, inventive, gripping, unique, all and more of these words could be used to describe this wonderfully suspenseful book. "Six Stories" by Matt Wesolowski was an utter pleasure to read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It was such a refreshing change to read a story that's told in a stunningly original and modern way using up to date media such as podcasts. It's amazing how quickly you are hooked into the fabulous narrative as soon as you start reading, it really is an attention grabbing plot.
The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an Outward Bound centre at Scarclaw Fell in 1997 and judged a misadventure - but not everyone is convinced. The truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of a group of friends who embarked on that fateful trip. Ten years later elusive investigative journalist Scott King with his concealed identity and podcast examinations of complicated unsolved cases 'digging up the dead' makes him a cult internet figure. In a series of six podcast/interviews, King attempts to work out how the dynamics of a group of teenagers conspired with the sinister legends surrounding the fell to result in Jeffries’ mysterious death. As every interview unveils a new revelation, will what happened surrounding Jeffries' death be revealed and who is actually telling the truth?
Living in North East England myself I found the Northumberland setting to the story very captivating and the author (who is also from the North East) is fantastic in describing Scarclaw Fell in such atmospheric detail you'd think you were standing amongst the trees, ferns, wildlife and woodland paths yourself. The characters are just brilliant and I loved how the story was told through each of the teenagers involved now they are adults. After hearing one recollection you just had to read the next, forming your own opinion and view on the tragedy that happened.
I can see why "Six Stories" has so many glowing reviews, it truly is THAT good, guaranteeing to get under your skin. I also imagine the audible version will be fabulous too, its ready made for it. I also believe that YA readers would love this too with the angst teenager angle and without a doubt crime and mystery readers will devour this original and unique read.
Packing a punch, gripping and compelling with tremendous story telling I can't recommend it enough and can't wait to read the latest instalment in the Scott King series "Hydra" which looks equally as exciting.
5 stars
It was such a refreshing change to read a story that's told in a stunningly original and modern way using up to date media such as podcasts. It's amazing how quickly you are hooked into the fabulous narrative as soon as you start reading, it really is an attention grabbing plot.
The body of teenager Tom Jeffries is found at an Outward Bound centre at Scarclaw Fell in 1997 and judged a misadventure - but not everyone is convinced. The truth of what happened in the beautiful but eerie fell is locked in the memories of a group of friends who embarked on that fateful trip. Ten years later elusive investigative journalist Scott King with his concealed identity and podcast examinations of complicated unsolved cases 'digging up the dead' makes him a cult internet figure. In a series of six podcast/interviews, King attempts to work out how the dynamics of a group of teenagers conspired with the sinister legends surrounding the fell to result in Jeffries’ mysterious death. As every interview unveils a new revelation, will what happened surrounding Jeffries' death be revealed and who is actually telling the truth?
Living in North East England myself I found the Northumberland setting to the story very captivating and the author (who is also from the North East) is fantastic in describing Scarclaw Fell in such atmospheric detail you'd think you were standing amongst the trees, ferns, wildlife and woodland paths yourself. The characters are just brilliant and I loved how the story was told through each of the teenagers involved now they are adults. After hearing one recollection you just had to read the next, forming your own opinion and view on the tragedy that happened.
I can see why "Six Stories" has so many glowing reviews, it truly is THAT good, guaranteeing to get under your skin. I also imagine the audible version will be fabulous too, its ready made for it. I also believe that YA readers would love this too with the angst teenager angle and without a doubt crime and mystery readers will devour this original and unique read.
Packing a punch, gripping and compelling with tremendous story telling I can't recommend it enough and can't wait to read the latest instalment in the Scott King series "Hydra" which looks equally as exciting.
5 stars
April 9, 2017
Raking through the earth of old graves.......
You know the thrill of it. The creep that slithers in from drawing out ancient tales of the undead. The inability to turn away when the whispers begin to ooze out of mouths recanting stories of those dark, gnarly figures that walk soundlessly through the night. Searching, clawing their way out to encompass the unsuspecting......
Matt Wesolowski presents a story that will have you checking under your bed for more than just those ol' dust bunnies who have long taken residence there. He creates this telling within the brillance of six podcasts focusing on the murder of a teenage boy in the countryside of Northumberland twenty years ago. The body had not been found until now. Scott King, the investigative journalist, manages the episodic series quite deftly while drawing the reader into the macabre events.
Scott King interviews the now adult teenagers, the chaperones, and a village man with special needs involved in the unfolding of events that took place in Scarclaw Fell that fateful night. Their stories almost form a literary escarpment in which the reader forms the uncertainty of those actions on the edge of reality. What actually happened so long ago? Will one ever really know?
Matt Wesolowski crafts his story with descriptors imbued with a deep physical sense. You seem to hear the crunch underfoot and experience the rawness of the swampy woodland that holds a death knell for the abandoned mine shafts hidden in the choke of winding growth.
This is a dark study in characterization like no other. Wesolowski almost forces you to walk around inside the heads of these people who hold onto their secrets like the sap adhering to those well-worn trees. But it is in the telling that Wesolowski reveals just enough with each podcast to have you perplexed.....perplexed with the inability to fit the puzzle pieces together.....and the fear that they just might.
I received Six Stories through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Matt Wesolowski and to Orenda Books for the opportunity.
You know the thrill of it. The creep that slithers in from drawing out ancient tales of the undead. The inability to turn away when the whispers begin to ooze out of mouths recanting stories of those dark, gnarly figures that walk soundlessly through the night. Searching, clawing their way out to encompass the unsuspecting......
Matt Wesolowski presents a story that will have you checking under your bed for more than just those ol' dust bunnies who have long taken residence there. He creates this telling within the brillance of six podcasts focusing on the murder of a teenage boy in the countryside of Northumberland twenty years ago. The body had not been found until now. Scott King, the investigative journalist, manages the episodic series quite deftly while drawing the reader into the macabre events.
Scott King interviews the now adult teenagers, the chaperones, and a village man with special needs involved in the unfolding of events that took place in Scarclaw Fell that fateful night. Their stories almost form a literary escarpment in which the reader forms the uncertainty of those actions on the edge of reality. What actually happened so long ago? Will one ever really know?
Matt Wesolowski crafts his story with descriptors imbued with a deep physical sense. You seem to hear the crunch underfoot and experience the rawness of the swampy woodland that holds a death knell for the abandoned mine shafts hidden in the choke of winding growth.
This is a dark study in characterization like no other. Wesolowski almost forces you to walk around inside the heads of these people who hold onto their secrets like the sap adhering to those well-worn trees. But it is in the telling that Wesolowski reveals just enough with each podcast to have you perplexed.....perplexed with the inability to fit the puzzle pieces together.....and the fear that they just might.
I received Six Stories through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Matt Wesolowski and to Orenda Books for the opportunity.
April 15, 2017
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
Up from the depths of the murky muck of the marshland in Scarclaw Woods, a shambling figure emerges. All claws and teeth and long grasping fingers, and she is hungry. Is Nanna Wrack real or just the product of a stoner's wild imagination?
A group of bored teenagers encounter a childlike man, Haris Novak. He likes to watch the animals in the woods. He misinterprets the interaction between he and the teens, thinking he has found some friends. His naivete is played upon, a couple of the boys start picking at him, bullying him. When one of the group goes missing, Haris is suspected. Scapegoat or prime suspect?
This is a fine murder mystery that merely plucks at the strings of horror. It will take only six stories to get to the truth.
Up from the depths of the murky muck of the marshland in Scarclaw Woods, a shambling figure emerges. All claws and teeth and long grasping fingers, and she is hungry. Is Nanna Wrack real or just the product of a stoner's wild imagination?
A group of bored teenagers encounter a childlike man, Haris Novak. He likes to watch the animals in the woods. He misinterprets the interaction between he and the teens, thinking he has found some friends. His naivete is played upon, a couple of the boys start picking at him, bullying him. When one of the group goes missing, Haris is suspected. Scapegoat or prime suspect?
This is a fine murder mystery that merely plucks at the strings of horror. It will take only six stories to get to the truth.
May 26, 2017
What a unique read! Capitalizing on the recent success of the iTunes podcasts 'Serial', but in book form. This could have been a hot mess, but it is really well done. In fact I would bet that the audio is even better!
I grabbed this book from NetGalley after I kept seeing a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. The marketing synopsis really doesn't do it justice, so once again Goodreads came through in directing me to a great read that I would have normally taken a pass on.
Strong in characterization, the story surrounds the mysterious unsolved murder of a young teen named Tom Jeffries, dating back 20 years ago. In each podcast, those closest to him at that time share their version of what happened that fateful night as well as the months leading up to it.
This is where the author shines, and to me is what made this read so enjoyable. Each character has a different spin on what took place as well as their own perception about personalities and how everyone interacted with each other. It's left to the reader to try and filter through the muck and determine who is closest to the truth, up until that last 6th podcast...
Why not a 5 star rating?
While the author did a nice job of providing an atmospheric read, I really didn't enjoy the whole 'scary Monster' theme throughout. I actually felt it took away from the intensity instead of enhancing it, and I didn't quite get the creepy feeling I think others may have felt.
But this is definitely a read I think any mystery lover will enjoy and highly recommend you give this a read! (or listen!)
ARC provided by NetGalley
I grabbed this book from NetGalley after I kept seeing a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. The marketing synopsis really doesn't do it justice, so once again Goodreads came through in directing me to a great read that I would have normally taken a pass on.
Strong in characterization, the story surrounds the mysterious unsolved murder of a young teen named Tom Jeffries, dating back 20 years ago. In each podcast, those closest to him at that time share their version of what happened that fateful night as well as the months leading up to it.
This is where the author shines, and to me is what made this read so enjoyable. Each character has a different spin on what took place as well as their own perception about personalities and how everyone interacted with each other. It's left to the reader to try and filter through the muck and determine who is closest to the truth, up until that last 6th podcast...
Why not a 5 star rating?
While the author did a nice job of providing an atmospheric read, I really didn't enjoy the whole 'scary Monster' theme throughout. I actually felt it took away from the intensity instead of enhancing it, and I didn't quite get the creepy feeling I think others may have felt.
But this is definitely a read I think any mystery lover will enjoy and highly recommend you give this a read! (or listen!)
ARC provided by NetGalley
April 6, 2017
Dark… Twisted… Creepy… Crazy… Fantastic!!!
Matt Wesolowski is a natural born writer! It is very hard to believe that this is his debut novel.
This mind blowing novel is told in present day, 2017, through podcasts about the murder of a teenage boy, Tom Jeffries, that took place 20 years ago in 1997. With six podcast interviews and six transcripts of those interviews, Wesolowski’s story-telling is original, pure genius and works on so many different levels. He draws you in from the very first sentence on the very first page. Be prepared for a wild ride!
I could go on and give you more details about this story, but I’m not, you will know way too much. I urge you to go and buy this book… you won’t regret it!!!
An absolute winner that I highly recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Matt Wesolowski is a natural born writer! It is very hard to believe that this is his debut novel.
This mind blowing novel is told in present day, 2017, through podcasts about the murder of a teenage boy, Tom Jeffries, that took place 20 years ago in 1997. With six podcast interviews and six transcripts of those interviews, Wesolowski’s story-telling is original, pure genius and works on so many different levels. He draws you in from the very first sentence on the very first page. Be prepared for a wild ride!
I could go on and give you more details about this story, but I’m not, you will know way too much. I urge you to go and buy this book… you won’t regret it!!!
An absolute winner that I highly recommend!
*I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Want to read
March 25, 2017The amazing Chelsea from The Suspense Is Thrilling Me blog gave this book a "HOLY GUACAMOLE"! That right there is enough to convince me this is a must-read!
October 1, 2018
I’m struggling to figure out why so many readers were knocked out by the originality of this book. Comments like
An intense, unforgettable, and gripping journey into the harrowing motives behind a gruesome act. Impossible to put down; absolutely brilliant.
And I’m Uh? What was that again? For a start there’s only one single dead teenager. That’s not very many. I prefer more than one dead teenager – three is usually when the fun really begins. But that’s just me. Secondly, there were a lot of characters interviewed about the events leading up to the murder. Now, isn’t that what Hercule Poirot does, or Miss Marples? Sure, they didn’t do it for a podcast, but I thought, same thing really.
This podcast thing, I had to find out about that. I listen to the radio when not reading/watching movies/listening to music/feeding cats/etc and I thought what is this big deal about a podcast. Then I realised 2 things –
1 – podcasts are radio programmes for modern people who don’t listen to the radio. It’s a way of getting their radio from iTunes.
2 – the podcast format in Six Stories is a big riff on (or : rip-off of) a real life one called Serial which I had not heard of but is I now realise a Big Thing. I may be barking up the wrong tree here but Serial sounded quite like the radio version of Making a Murderer (Netflix series) and The Staircase Murders before that. These shows investigate real life crimes & tease out all the complexities and interrogate witnesses and evidence.
Now – about 10 years ago I stumbled on a documentary called Capturing the Friedmans. And that one really was
An intense, unforgettable, and gripping journey into the harrowing motives behind a gruesome act. Impossible to put down; absolutely brilliant.
Yes, it had the same impact on me then that Six Stories seems to have had on its readers now.
What happened was that a guy called Andrew Jarecki decided to make a documentary about children’s party entertainers in New York. It was going to be called Just a Clown. He met one such clown, David Friedman. And during his filming and research, he found out to his horror that 15 years previously David’s brother and father had been jailed for multiple acts of sexual abuse of children. He also found out that the Friedmans had a vast collection of home movies going back many years which they had kept. They had been obsessed with filming everything. So Jarecki decided right then to junk the clown stuff – his documentary was now going to be about the Friedmans. What was their terrible story?
There were many twists and turns and the whole thing is a MUST SEE. All fans of Six Stories will surely love it. And it’s all true.
Well, so there is a lot of precedent for fictional investigation of crime through a patchwork quilt of interviews – this was also what Truman Capote did in In Cold Blood and Norman Mailer in The Executioner’s Song – both brilliantly.
Six Stories is okay – I ain't saying it ain't. It tells its angsty tale of teenage rivalry, insecurity, bullying and Marilyn Mansonlite posturing very well and there’s the readerly pleasure of the twist at the end (in retrospect surely a bit implausible for reasons too spoilerish to go into). All the interviews, however, are so believable, so repetitive, so backtracking and stuffed full of so many meanderings and lapses of memory that you end up wishing a few more of these people had been found dead in the Northumbrian bog so we wouldn’t have had to listen to them any more. They are really very annoying! But that’s life.
An intense, unforgettable, and gripping journey into the harrowing motives behind a gruesome act. Impossible to put down; absolutely brilliant.
And I’m Uh? What was that again? For a start there’s only one single dead teenager. That’s not very many. I prefer more than one dead teenager – three is usually when the fun really begins. But that’s just me. Secondly, there were a lot of characters interviewed about the events leading up to the murder. Now, isn’t that what Hercule Poirot does, or Miss Marples? Sure, they didn’t do it for a podcast, but I thought, same thing really.
This podcast thing, I had to find out about that. I listen to the radio when not reading/watching movies/listening to music/feeding cats/etc and I thought what is this big deal about a podcast. Then I realised 2 things –
1 – podcasts are radio programmes for modern people who don’t listen to the radio. It’s a way of getting their radio from iTunes.
2 – the podcast format in Six Stories is a big riff on (or : rip-off of) a real life one called Serial which I had not heard of but is I now realise a Big Thing. I may be barking up the wrong tree here but Serial sounded quite like the radio version of Making a Murderer (Netflix series) and The Staircase Murders before that. These shows investigate real life crimes & tease out all the complexities and interrogate witnesses and evidence.
Now – about 10 years ago I stumbled on a documentary called Capturing the Friedmans. And that one really was
An intense, unforgettable, and gripping journey into the harrowing motives behind a gruesome act. Impossible to put down; absolutely brilliant.
Yes, it had the same impact on me then that Six Stories seems to have had on its readers now.
What happened was that a guy called Andrew Jarecki decided to make a documentary about children’s party entertainers in New York. It was going to be called Just a Clown. He met one such clown, David Friedman. And during his filming and research, he found out to his horror that 15 years previously David’s brother and father had been jailed for multiple acts of sexual abuse of children. He also found out that the Friedmans had a vast collection of home movies going back many years which they had kept. They had been obsessed with filming everything. So Jarecki decided right then to junk the clown stuff – his documentary was now going to be about the Friedmans. What was their terrible story?
There were many twists and turns and the whole thing is a MUST SEE. All fans of Six Stories will surely love it. And it’s all true.
Well, so there is a lot of precedent for fictional investigation of crime through a patchwork quilt of interviews – this was also what Truman Capote did in In Cold Blood and Norman Mailer in The Executioner’s Song – both brilliantly.
Six Stories is okay – I ain't saying it ain't. It tells its angsty tale of teenage rivalry, insecurity, bullying and Marilyn Mansonlite posturing very well and there’s the readerly pleasure of the twist at the end (in retrospect surely a bit implausible for reasons too spoilerish to go into). All the interviews, however, are so believable, so repetitive, so backtracking and stuffed full of so many meanderings and lapses of memory that you end up wishing a few more of these people had been found dead in the Northumbrian bog so we wouldn’t have had to listen to them any more. They are really very annoying! But that’s life.
April 1, 2017
I have seen so many great reviews of Six Stories since I read it and have been patiently (??!!??) awaiting my turn whilst leading up to it with a Six Stories about Six Stories set of features but now here we are my day for the blog tour and I find myself speechless. Well ok not really but Six Stories is a book that rendered me speechless for a little while after finishing it.
There is actually no way I can improve on what everyone else has been saying, Six Stories is a genuine marvel of a novel with its tense, atmospheric writing vibe and the ability to make you crazy. Inspired by the “Serial” set of podcasts this is bang on relevant in today’s wonderful world of technology but Matt Wesolowski manages to make it feel both modern and as old as time – a classic in the making, a touch of old school genius brought bang up to date.
The story itself is a beautifully twisted tale, slowly slowly things are revealed, each “episode” bringing new information to light, not necessarily traditionally but through the reader slowly coming to know the players involved in this drama. The setting is stunningly drawn, often insanely creepy, the mythology and legend embedded into the plot makes it so much more than just a mystery – it kind of gets under your skin, whilst it is not sudden jump scary you find yourself switching the light on when you awake at 3am because you feel like something is hovering. Really beautifully done.
There is not a lot else to say – Six Stories is one of those books that just envelop you into its world, intelligent plotting, multi-layered characters, a little twist in the tale and a genuinely absorbing bit of storytelling. These are the books I read for.
Highly Recommended.
There is actually no way I can improve on what everyone else has been saying, Six Stories is a genuine marvel of a novel with its tense, atmospheric writing vibe and the ability to make you crazy. Inspired by the “Serial” set of podcasts this is bang on relevant in today’s wonderful world of technology but Matt Wesolowski manages to make it feel both modern and as old as time – a classic in the making, a touch of old school genius brought bang up to date.
The story itself is a beautifully twisted tale, slowly slowly things are revealed, each “episode” bringing new information to light, not necessarily traditionally but through the reader slowly coming to know the players involved in this drama. The setting is stunningly drawn, often insanely creepy, the mythology and legend embedded into the plot makes it so much more than just a mystery – it kind of gets under your skin, whilst it is not sudden jump scary you find yourself switching the light on when you awake at 3am because you feel like something is hovering. Really beautifully done.
There is not a lot else to say – Six Stories is one of those books that just envelop you into its world, intelligent plotting, multi-layered characters, a little twist in the tale and a genuinely absorbing bit of storytelling. These are the books I read for.
Highly Recommended.
March 12, 2020
This was an interesting set-up for a book! I definitely recommend it to those into investigation and criminal matters.
January 31, 2018
Six Stories
has been on my radar since I saw everyone ranting and raving about it all summer long. I know that I'm a little late to the party, but honestly it was perfect timing for me to pick this read up. I've never listened to the podcast Serial, but I always hear water-cooler talk in the office about it. I'm more of a Bitch Sesh podcast listener #RealHousewives, but I do love crime-mysteries and figured that this story would be an original telling of a genre that has gotten so played out. I'm here to tell you ladies and gentlemen,
Six Stories
wiped the socks right off me! What an interesting, forward-thinking approach that (in my opinion) has reinvented the crime-fiction genre. Mr. Wesolowski, kudos to you for thinking outside of the box, while incorporating current pop culture phenomenon.
Six Stories mostly takes place in 2017, with Scott King as host and creator of Six Stories—a crime discovery podcast similar to the popular Serial. Scott's new series for his podcast will venture back to the 1997 murder investigation of teenager Tom Jeffries; found a year after in rural Scarclaw Fell. Scarclaw Fell is a popular forest consisting of acres and acres of wildlife brush for camping, hunting, and just outdoorsy "fun". As Scott King interviews Tom Jeffries's social circle, a picture begins to be painted that definitely should've been more accurately told back in 1997. Was Tom Jeffries murdered? Why did it take a full year for the body to be found? Why did someone want this teenager dead?!
Six Stories was a very interesting and dynamic read for me because I've never read a book that was told in the form of a podcast. Matt Wesolowski's approach to writing this story never ceased to amaze me and by the time we got to Episode 3, I really felt that I was reading the transcript of a podcast! It wasn't your typical [enter stereotypical crime-fiction plot here] kind of story, which I am truly grateful for. If you know me *somewhat* personally, you would know that thrillers, horrors, and crime-fiction novels are some of the only ways that my pea-brained attention span can focus. I really appreciate when an author can venture into a popular genre and deliver. I cannot wait to start Hydra as soon as possible. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Six Stories mostly takes place in 2017, with Scott King as host and creator of Six Stories—a crime discovery podcast similar to the popular Serial. Scott's new series for his podcast will venture back to the 1997 murder investigation of teenager Tom Jeffries; found a year after in rural Scarclaw Fell. Scarclaw Fell is a popular forest consisting of acres and acres of wildlife brush for camping, hunting, and just outdoorsy "fun". As Scott King interviews Tom Jeffries's social circle, a picture begins to be painted that definitely should've been more accurately told back in 1997. Was Tom Jeffries murdered? Why did it take a full year for the body to be found? Why did someone want this teenager dead?!
Six Stories was a very interesting and dynamic read for me because I've never read a book that was told in the form of a podcast. Matt Wesolowski's approach to writing this story never ceased to amaze me and by the time we got to Episode 3, I really felt that I was reading the transcript of a podcast! It wasn't your typical [enter stereotypical crime-fiction plot here] kind of story, which I am truly grateful for. If you know me *somewhat* personally, you would know that thrillers, horrors, and crime-fiction novels are some of the only ways that my pea-brained attention span can focus. I really appreciate when an author can venture into a popular genre and deliver. I cannot wait to start Hydra as soon as possible. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
April 11, 2021
Throughout this book I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop: When was I finally going to become invested in these characters, these six eponymous stories? When was the thrill part of “thriller” going to make an appearance?
For me, it just never happened.
Scott King is neither a particularly likeable nor memorable narrator/podcast host, the latter a more grievous sin than the former. With him at the helm, the interviews felt dull and repetitive. The stories of teenage angst and rebellion came off more trite than meaningful. As a result, I didn’t find myself sucked into this story like I’d anticipated—extra disappointing given that I was absolutely intrigued by the premise of this novel.
Meanwhile, the plot twist at the end—though it did pique my interest—was somehow both predictable () and too much. Suddenly there were all these details, this backstory, where before there was none. It felt like an intrusion rather than an epiphany.
Bottom line: High expectations and mediocre execution of this horror-thriller made for a not altogether spectacular read. :(
For me, it just never happened.
Scott King is neither a particularly likeable nor memorable narrator/podcast host, the latter a more grievous sin than the former. With him at the helm, the interviews felt dull and repetitive. The stories of teenage angst and rebellion came off more trite than meaningful. As a result, I didn’t find myself sucked into this story like I’d anticipated—extra disappointing given that I was absolutely intrigued by the premise of this novel.
Meanwhile, the plot twist at the end—though it did pique my interest—was somehow both predictable () and too much. Suddenly there were all these details, this backstory, where before there was none. It felt like an intrusion rather than an epiphany.
Bottom line: High expectations and mediocre execution of this horror-thriller made for a not altogether spectacular read. :(
April 27, 2020
Generally I found that a very satisfying read. Normally I'd say that narratives that switch place, person, time can be rather irritating however this was very well crafted. Anyone who has listened to the Serial podcast will get the idea of this very easily. This story is mainly in the form of 6 "podcasts" about a boy who went missing on Scarclaw Fell. Why he died has remained a mystery for years until it is looked at by the investigative journalist behind this podcast. The steady reveal of events around the time works really well. Throw in a supernatural aspect and some well crafted landscape and scenery and you get a dark tale. Did I find the ending as convincing as the rest of the book - probably no. However I did enjoy this and have bought the next one :-)
September 3, 2023
Holy flip flop, this was great!
It totally opened my eyes up to a new genre I didn't know I would like so much. I decided I'm going to read the other books of this series, because I absolutely adored Wesolowski's writing and the lack of filling info made reading this so quick and entertaining!
I'm not giving it 5 stars because the ending was a little predictable and rushed, and because I have some questions that I would have liked to be answered, but aside from that, this was a wild ride that I totally enjoyed.
edit sept 2023: I just found out this book became an audiobook recently and you bet I'm gonna get it and listen the shit out of it. Holy fuck, I'm so excited!!
It totally opened my eyes up to a new genre I didn't know I would like so much. I decided I'm going to read the other books of this series, because I absolutely adored Wesolowski's writing and the lack of filling info made reading this so quick and entertaining!
I'm not giving it 5 stars because the ending was a little predictable and rushed, and because I have some questions that I would have liked to be answered, but aside from that, this was a wild ride that I totally enjoyed.
edit sept 2023: I just found out this book became an audiobook recently and you bet I'm gonna get it and listen the shit out of it. Holy fuck, I'm so excited!!
December 27, 2024
Reread December 2020, December 2022, December 2023, December 2024.
Original review (December 2016): This mystery has a gimmicky, but irresistible, premise: it's told mainly through transcripts of six episodes of a podcast, the fictitious Six Stories of the title, which is a true-crime/cold-case thing similar to Serial. Its focus is the death of a teenage boy on Scarclaw Fell twenty years ago.
Buried in a marsh, the body of Tom Jeffries wasn't found until a year after his disappearance, when the landowner and a couple of his mates came upon it while hunting deer (or so they say). The official ruling was 'misadventure', but questions have always swirled around why Tom went missing and how his body could have been left undiscovered for so long. The creator of Six Stories – the pseudonymous Scott King, who, thanks to the success of previous series, has become something of a celebrity while remaining largely anonymous – believes the case warrants further investigation.
Tom was part of an informal adventure group called Rangers, comprising a handful of teenagers, some younger kids and their parents; Scott sets about interviewing the former Rangers, along with Haris Novak, an autistic man who was prime suspect at the time thanks to his familiarity with Scarclaw Fell, and Harry Saint Clement-Ramsay, who discovered Tom's body. It's through the interviews that an intriguing alternate narrative emerges. The interviewees recall tales of a 'marsh-hag' and the 'Beast of Belkeld', similar local legends about an evil presence lurking on the fell. Separately, several characters remember having glimpsed a spidery figure of unnatural height around the time of Tom's disappearance. Is the 'beast' a red herring, or an indication that this is more than just a murder mystery?
There's occasionally some clumsy phrasing, but the plot's so gripping, the different perspectives so tantalising, that it barely matters. Like Serial and Making a Murderer, Six Stories is structured to manipulate your emotions, and once the story takes hold, you'll be dying to know how it ends (no pun intended). Some details ring true: the 'weird loner' vilified by the press; the teenagers' reluctance to admit to resentment, lust and bullying within their group; adults' hysteria about silly things like their tastes in music. Others are a little harder to swallow (all I will say here is: the mask thing).
I did find that thinking about Six Stories too much brought up a lot of questions and possible plot holes. But it was great fun, and if you're in the market for compelling, zeitgeisty crime with a smidgen of horror thrown in, you could do much worse than pick this up.
TinyLetter | Linktree
Original review (December 2016): This mystery has a gimmicky, but irresistible, premise: it's told mainly through transcripts of six episodes of a podcast, the fictitious Six Stories of the title, which is a true-crime/cold-case thing similar to Serial. Its focus is the death of a teenage boy on Scarclaw Fell twenty years ago.
Buried in a marsh, the body of Tom Jeffries wasn't found until a year after his disappearance, when the landowner and a couple of his mates came upon it while hunting deer (or so they say). The official ruling was 'misadventure', but questions have always swirled around why Tom went missing and how his body could have been left undiscovered for so long. The creator of Six Stories – the pseudonymous Scott King, who, thanks to the success of previous series, has become something of a celebrity while remaining largely anonymous – believes the case warrants further investigation.
Tom was part of an informal adventure group called Rangers, comprising a handful of teenagers, some younger kids and their parents; Scott sets about interviewing the former Rangers, along with Haris Novak, an autistic man who was prime suspect at the time thanks to his familiarity with Scarclaw Fell, and Harry Saint Clement-Ramsay, who discovered Tom's body. It's through the interviews that an intriguing alternate narrative emerges. The interviewees recall tales of a 'marsh-hag' and the 'Beast of Belkeld', similar local legends about an evil presence lurking on the fell. Separately, several characters remember having glimpsed a spidery figure of unnatural height around the time of Tom's disappearance. Is the 'beast' a red herring, or an indication that this is more than just a murder mystery?
There's occasionally some clumsy phrasing, but the plot's so gripping, the different perspectives so tantalising, that it barely matters. Like Serial and Making a Murderer, Six Stories is structured to manipulate your emotions, and once the story takes hold, you'll be dying to know how it ends (no pun intended). Some details ring true: the 'weird loner' vilified by the press; the teenagers' reluctance to admit to resentment, lust and bullying within their group; adults' hysteria about silly things like their tastes in music. Others are a little harder to swallow (all I will say here is: the mask thing).
I did find that thinking about Six Stories too much brought up a lot of questions and possible plot holes. But it was great fun, and if you're in the market for compelling, zeitgeisty crime with a smidgen of horror thrown in, you could do much worse than pick this up.
TinyLetter | Linktree
March 22, 2017
Scarclaw Fell is a wild area in Northumberland popular with hikers, cavers & climbers. Its beautiful but treacherous terrain is riddled with marshes, old mine tunnels & neolithic grave sites. In 1996, two adults & 5 teens arrived for a few days of R&R during school break. Sadly, one of them went missing & was never found.
In 1997 the land was purchased by Lord Ramsay, much to the dismay of locals & environmentalists. But for his son Harry, it was the perfect place to hang with a couple of friends & plenty of booze. Or it was until they stumbled across the body. Tom Jeffries, the missing teen, is found.
Twenty years on Harry is approached by the enigmatic host of the podcast “Six Stories”. Scott King’s specialty is digging into old cases & retelling the events through multiple POV’s of the people involved. And although the Ramsays have never spoken publicly, Harry decides it’s time.
What follows are conversations between Scott & 6 of the people who were there in 1996. And just like any story, there are definitely 6 different versions. Some of their memories are shared but each has something unique to add that puts their own slant on what happened to Tom. As the conversations progress, ugly truths begin to emerge. All the participants are 20 years older now & able to look back on some of their youthful acts with clarity & regret.
As the series continues, it becomes extremely popular & reignites media attention. Everyone is on edge waiting for the final instalment & Harry begins to wonder if he made a terrible mistake. In alternate chapters, we walk with him as he visits the fell for the first time in years & reexamines everything that happened the night they found Tom’s body.
I don’t want to reveal any more of the plot as there are so many different twists & elements to the story. It’s much more fun to just “listen” to the podcasts as they unfold & see if you can guess the ending. The novel’s format is so clever & reels you in from the start. It’s a modern day version of a time when people sat around the radio listening to their favourite serials. The lack of visual distraction created an an intimacy between the faceless voices & listeners as they (and us) hang on every word.
There’s a tense, almost claustrophobic feel to the podcast chapters & it’s really tempting to race to the finish. Don’t. The devil is in the details & each of the people interviewed has a secret they’ve been keeping. Our walks with Harry are richly atmospheric & the fell itself becomes an ominous character that’s been looming over their lives for 20 years.
It’s a creepy & compelling story that also makes you think about larger issues. Some of the passages will give you goose bumps, some will have you checking the locks. There are no bells & whistles here, just great story telling that allows your imagination to run wild. What else do you need?
In 1997 the land was purchased by Lord Ramsay, much to the dismay of locals & environmentalists. But for his son Harry, it was the perfect place to hang with a couple of friends & plenty of booze. Or it was until they stumbled across the body. Tom Jeffries, the missing teen, is found.
Twenty years on Harry is approached by the enigmatic host of the podcast “Six Stories”. Scott King’s specialty is digging into old cases & retelling the events through multiple POV’s of the people involved. And although the Ramsays have never spoken publicly, Harry decides it’s time.
What follows are conversations between Scott & 6 of the people who were there in 1996. And just like any story, there are definitely 6 different versions. Some of their memories are shared but each has something unique to add that puts their own slant on what happened to Tom. As the conversations progress, ugly truths begin to emerge. All the participants are 20 years older now & able to look back on some of their youthful acts with clarity & regret.
As the series continues, it becomes extremely popular & reignites media attention. Everyone is on edge waiting for the final instalment & Harry begins to wonder if he made a terrible mistake. In alternate chapters, we walk with him as he visits the fell for the first time in years & reexamines everything that happened the night they found Tom’s body.
I don’t want to reveal any more of the plot as there are so many different twists & elements to the story. It’s much more fun to just “listen” to the podcasts as they unfold & see if you can guess the ending. The novel’s format is so clever & reels you in from the start. It’s a modern day version of a time when people sat around the radio listening to their favourite serials. The lack of visual distraction created an an intimacy between the faceless voices & listeners as they (and us) hang on every word.
There’s a tense, almost claustrophobic feel to the podcast chapters & it’s really tempting to race to the finish. Don’t. The devil is in the details & each of the people interviewed has a secret they’ve been keeping. Our walks with Harry are richly atmospheric & the fell itself becomes an ominous character that’s been looming over their lives for 20 years.
It’s a creepy & compelling story that also makes you think about larger issues. Some of the passages will give you goose bumps, some will have you checking the locks. There are no bells & whistles here, just great story telling that allows your imagination to run wild. What else do you need?
March 26, 2017
*screams* THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. Guys. Buy this book. JUST DO IT. ... ok but seriously, full review to come, but this book is AMAZING. Fiercely original, a puzzle that just hits you over the head with its final reveal.
Find my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/3...
Find my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/3...
August 12, 2020
There are stories that need to be told.
Scarclaw, where even in the daylight there is darkness; where monsters and sprites may be lurking in the marshes; where some ghosts never die; where In 1996, fifteen year old Tom Jeffries went missing; where his body was found a year later in the nearby marshland.
His death was ruled accidental. It was an open and shut case. Until it wasn't.
'Don’t fear the dark, dear, swift is the night,
For nothing will harm you, wrapped up here, tight.
That’s just a shadow, dear, don’t fear a sprite
Don’t pay your mind to the tricks of the light.'
'That’s just the wind, dear, not a knock at the door,
Father’s protecting us, he’s out on the moor.
That’s not the scraping and sneaking of feet,
That’s just the rustling of sheep who can’t sleep.'
'Mother, is that father’s form at the door?
It’s taller and longer than ever before,
His face is all white, coat black like a loon,
His teeth glow like blades in the light of the moon.'
Welcome to Six Stories. 20 years have passed since the tragedy. Now is the time to look back at what occurred in 1996. You will be given six different perspectives. Six different angles. Six people will tell their stories. Six people who knew Tom in six different ways. You will see the events unfold through six pairs of eyes.
After hearing their stories you will be able to decide for yourself. Was it an accident? If not, who killed Tom and what was the motive?
Scarclaw, where even in the daylight there is darkness; where monsters and sprites may be lurking in the marshes; where some ghosts never die; where In 1996, fifteen year old Tom Jeffries went missing; where his body was found a year later in the nearby marshland.
His death was ruled accidental. It was an open and shut case. Until it wasn't.
'Don’t fear the dark, dear, swift is the night,
For nothing will harm you, wrapped up here, tight.
That’s just a shadow, dear, don’t fear a sprite
Don’t pay your mind to the tricks of the light.'
'That’s just the wind, dear, not a knock at the door,
Father’s protecting us, he’s out on the moor.
That’s not the scraping and sneaking of feet,
That’s just the rustling of sheep who can’t sleep.'
'Mother, is that father’s form at the door?
It’s taller and longer than ever before,
His face is all white, coat black like a loon,
His teeth glow like blades in the light of the moon.'
Welcome to Six Stories. 20 years have passed since the tragedy. Now is the time to look back at what occurred in 1996. You will be given six different perspectives. Six different angles. Six people will tell their stories. Six people who knew Tom in six different ways. You will see the events unfold through six pairs of eyes.
After hearing their stories you will be able to decide for yourself. Was it an accident? If not, who killed Tom and what was the motive?
June 28, 2018
Six Stories was not exactly what I thought it would be, compared as it was to the compulsively binge-worthy podcast Serial. It was the slow pace, which surprised me, but that did not stop me from enjoying the story, though that seems the wrong word to use for such a dark tale. The author is really talented in building a creepy atmosphere, even as the story is essentially told looking backwards in an interview-style format. I can't say the ending was terribly surprising for me, however, this does not detract me from being interested in reading the sequel, Hydra. Overall, I felt this was an unusual, clever book and an interesting way to tell a story.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
October 6, 2017
This was a fun thriller. I correctly guessed the killer early on, but there was a big twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, so that made up for it! What also made up for it: the interesting format. It’s told as if it were a podcast and each chapter is an episode, focused on a conversation with someone involved in the long ago murder being investigated. Maybe more like a 3.5-3.75 - a lot of fun, but not the best thriller I’ve ever read.
February 12, 2022
Sarah Koenig’s ‘Serial’ podcast structure used to focus on what happened to a teenager whose body was discovered some twenty years earlier. I have no problems with the podcast genre and this is fairly entertaining, but I found the ‘who’ not too difficult to work out and the ‘why’ not too easy to believe. This is book one of six following online investigator Scott King. It’s OK, but I probably won’t get around to book 2 despite GR ratings suggesting they get better.
December 26, 2017
Thanks to Janel over at keeperofpages for the recommendation. I loved loved this!! The setup of this story was so dope! Im definitely looking forward to hydra. Full Review to come 😜
April 15, 2022
I’m not entirely sure what I expected this story to be. But it’s something altogether more chilling and better than I could have predicted.
"Horrible, right? We should have done something about it, shouldn’t we? We were fifteen; that’s what I have to keep reminding myself when I think about that day. We were just stupid children."
At slightly over 200 pages, Six Stories is a little book with a big punch! Riding the popularity wave of podcasts (which I feel has grown even bigger since quarantine happened), the story follows Scott King, a mysterious investigative journalist and podcaster à la Serial, as he tackles the 1997 'misadventure' death of 15 year old Tom Jeffries.
Was it an accident? Or something more sinister? It seems like there's always something to hide, especially in the shadowed and unstable lands of Scarclaw Fell.
In a series of in depth interviews with people related to the case, presented mostly as a realistic and fantastically written podcast, we follow along episode by episode as the truth is slowly drawn out. Person by person, memory by memory, I was drawn into this story, almost without realizing how invested I was. I started off liking it pretty well, enjoying myself, then was shocked to find myself halfway through and unable to put it down!
Ultimately it's a story you've seen elements of before - a dead body, people with secrets to keep, mysterious rumors, and a truth that's begging to come out. But throw in a clever format, some well plotted twists, and talented writing and it's a recipe for success.
Plus IT'S 99 CENTS! I got it for free, but I would have happily spent a dollar on it. Matter of fact, I'll probably go for the sequel too.
Long story short, Six Stories is inventive and sharply written, mysterious and creeping. If you're looking for a twist on the standard thriller format, this is where it's at.
In conclusion:
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Orenda Books for the free copy!
"Horrible, right? We should have done something about it, shouldn’t we? We were fifteen; that’s what I have to keep reminding myself when I think about that day. We were just stupid children."
At slightly over 200 pages, Six Stories is a little book with a big punch! Riding the popularity wave of podcasts (which I feel has grown even bigger since quarantine happened), the story follows Scott King, a mysterious investigative journalist and podcaster à la Serial, as he tackles the 1997 'misadventure' death of 15 year old Tom Jeffries.
Was it an accident? Or something more sinister? It seems like there's always something to hide, especially in the shadowed and unstable lands of Scarclaw Fell.
In a series of in depth interviews with people related to the case, presented mostly as a realistic and fantastically written podcast, we follow along episode by episode as the truth is slowly drawn out. Person by person, memory by memory, I was drawn into this story, almost without realizing how invested I was. I started off liking it pretty well, enjoying myself, then was shocked to find myself halfway through and unable to put it down!
Ultimately it's a story you've seen elements of before - a dead body, people with secrets to keep, mysterious rumors, and a truth that's begging to come out. But throw in a clever format, some well plotted twists, and talented writing and it's a recipe for success.
Plus IT'S 99 CENTS! I got it for free, but I would have happily spent a dollar on it. Matter of fact, I'll probably go for the sequel too.
Long story short, Six Stories is inventive and sharply written, mysterious and creeping. If you're looking for a twist on the standard thriller format, this is where it's at.
In conclusion:
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Orenda Books for the free copy!
April 9, 2017
This was mostly an inoffensive read for me - I was intrigued, but only mildly so - but my god, did it go out with a bang. Though it starts out slow, it gradually gathers steam, and then that final, satisfying denouement brings it all together in a way I hadn't been expecting. Fantastic. But let's back up.
Six Stories is a novel constructed as a series of podcasts, in which an investigative journalist looks into the mysterious death of 15-year-old Tom Jeffries, which occurred twenty years ago. By interviewing people who knew Tom, podcast host Scott King attempts to paint as clear a picture as possible of the circumstances surrounding his death.
I actually picked up this book right after finishing Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber, and I had to put it down almost immediately because the premises were just too similar. Are podcast murder mysteries the hot new trend? Anyway, so I put down Six Stories, read a different book, and returned, ready to give this style murder mystery another try. And I'm glad I did, because Six Stories blows Are You Sleeping out of the water, in my opinion. Of course, they're completely different narratives and the novels are formatted rather differently, but while I felt that Are You Sleeping suffered and lost some of its intrigue for each new information reveal, I thought Six Stories only became stronger with each successive chapter.
Part true crime investigation, part character study, and part ghost story, Six Stories balances each of these elements satisfactorily, creating an uneasy atmosphere, and you can't help but to wonder what's lurking beneath the surface of each of the six stories that are told. Matt Wesolowski does a fantastic job at playing with themes of perception and subjectivity, as each character's perspective alters the story in some fundamental way. The dynamics amongst Tom's friend group are also fascinating. There's Charlie, the 'leader,' wild and reckless; Eva, the second in command; Anyu, the sensible one; and Brian, the outsider. Where does Tom fit in? It's a compelling and intricate dynamic that Scott King does his best to untangle in his podcast.
Because of its format - interviewing six people about the same series of events - this book does undeniably suffer from an excess of repetition. The interviews really do read like podcast transcripts, so kudos to Wesolowski for nailing that format, but unfortunately, this isn't always a good thing. While interrupting interviews partway through to fill the reader in on background information and constantly reminding 'listeners' of information that was revealed in the last 'episode' seems like a realistic approach, it makes for rather tedious reading at times. Fortunately it's a short novel, coming in at 225 pages, so you won't get too bored. But I still feel that it could have been edited down to be a bit more concise.
Overall, an unexpectedly satisfying read. Though it's not the most original story ever told, the modern twist (or gimmick, you could argue) of the podcast breathes new life into this genre. I do wonder if we're going to start getting an excess of these Serial-inspired podcast murder mystery books, which I worry could become quite tedious - but for one of the pioneering novels in this unique subgenre, Six Stories is original, well-crafted, and after a certain amount of initial exposition, compelling. It takes a while to get going, but if you pick it up, you owe it to yourself to stick with it until the very end.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley, Orenda Books, and Matt Wesolowski.
Six Stories is a novel constructed as a series of podcasts, in which an investigative journalist looks into the mysterious death of 15-year-old Tom Jeffries, which occurred twenty years ago. By interviewing people who knew Tom, podcast host Scott King attempts to paint as clear a picture as possible of the circumstances surrounding his death.
I actually picked up this book right after finishing Are You Sleeping by Kathleen Barber, and I had to put it down almost immediately because the premises were just too similar. Are podcast murder mysteries the hot new trend? Anyway, so I put down Six Stories, read a different book, and returned, ready to give this style murder mystery another try. And I'm glad I did, because Six Stories blows Are You Sleeping out of the water, in my opinion. Of course, they're completely different narratives and the novels are formatted rather differently, but while I felt that Are You Sleeping suffered and lost some of its intrigue for each new information reveal, I thought Six Stories only became stronger with each successive chapter.
Part true crime investigation, part character study, and part ghost story, Six Stories balances each of these elements satisfactorily, creating an uneasy atmosphere, and you can't help but to wonder what's lurking beneath the surface of each of the six stories that are told. Matt Wesolowski does a fantastic job at playing with themes of perception and subjectivity, as each character's perspective alters the story in some fundamental way. The dynamics amongst Tom's friend group are also fascinating. There's Charlie, the 'leader,' wild and reckless; Eva, the second in command; Anyu, the sensible one; and Brian, the outsider. Where does Tom fit in? It's a compelling and intricate dynamic that Scott King does his best to untangle in his podcast.
Because of its format - interviewing six people about the same series of events - this book does undeniably suffer from an excess of repetition. The interviews really do read like podcast transcripts, so kudos to Wesolowski for nailing that format, but unfortunately, this isn't always a good thing. While interrupting interviews partway through to fill the reader in on background information and constantly reminding 'listeners' of information that was revealed in the last 'episode' seems like a realistic approach, it makes for rather tedious reading at times. Fortunately it's a short novel, coming in at 225 pages, so you won't get too bored. But I still feel that it could have been edited down to be a bit more concise.
Overall, an unexpectedly satisfying read. Though it's not the most original story ever told, the modern twist (or gimmick, you could argue) of the podcast breathes new life into this genre. I do wonder if we're going to start getting an excess of these Serial-inspired podcast murder mystery books, which I worry could become quite tedious - but for one of the pioneering novels in this unique subgenre, Six Stories is original, well-crafted, and after a certain amount of initial exposition, compelling. It takes a while to get going, but if you pick it up, you owe it to yourself to stick with it until the very end.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley, Orenda Books, and Matt Wesolowski.
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