What do you think?
Rate this book
Lights Out #1
Twisted
Stella has an injured hip, but she’s hardly ready for a retirement home. At seventy-two, she’s enjoying life on her own for the first time. But when Stella’s daughter—Jennifer—begins to question Stella’s mental state, Stella must hide the happenings in her own house, or face being sent to a home for the elderly.
Jennifer sees Stella’s mind slipping away. There’s no other explanation for her mother’s behavior, claiming to hear mysterious voices, carelessly destroying household items, and believing that someone has threatened to cut off her fingers.
Can Stella cohabitate with the original ghostly owner of the house and keep her home? Or is her daughter correct, that Stella is losing her mind?
As a lonely widow finds comfort in a new friend, danger is brewing. And not just for Stella. Her granddaughter becomes entangled in the web of deception, putting all of Stella’s family in harm’s way.
Jennifer sees Stella’s mind slipping away. There’s no other explanation for her mother’s behavior, claiming to hear mysterious voices, carelessly destroying household items, and believing that someone has threatened to cut off her fingers.
Can Stella cohabitate with the original ghostly owner of the house and keep her home? Or is her daughter correct, that Stella is losing her mind?
As a lonely widow finds comfort in a new friend, danger is brewing. And not just for Stella. Her granddaughter becomes entangled in the web of deception, putting all of Stella’s family in harm’s way.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2017
622 people are currently reading
990 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 21, 2023
Twisted is an excellent novelette length short story. It is called #1 of a Lights Out series which I have never seen. However, it is great as a stand alone narrative. I received it in exchange for a fair review.
Stella is a senior of 72. She has an injured hip, and her mental state is soon questioned as she slowly begins to believe that she is living in a haunted home. Her daughter, Jennifer, is overly concerned with Stella’s health: mental and physical. Therefore, it behooves Stella to keep the aspects of her daily existence and the fears she lives with hidden, paint a happy sheen on her face, and answer all of her daughter’s queries with an “I’m doing perfectly fine, Sweetheart.”
Clearly, she's not doing fine, and we readers voyeuristically walk that dark path with her.
Stella is a senior of 72. She has an injured hip, and her mental state is soon questioned as she slowly begins to believe that she is living in a haunted home. Her daughter, Jennifer, is overly concerned with Stella’s health: mental and physical. Therefore, it behooves Stella to keep the aspects of her daily existence and the fears she lives with hidden, paint a happy sheen on her face, and answer all of her daughter’s queries with an “I’m doing perfectly fine, Sweetheart.”
Clearly, she's not doing fine, and we readers voyeuristically walk that dark path with her.
August 14, 2019
This is a fairly short story, not even long enough to be called a novella. A nice idea, unfortunately not that well executed, all tell and not much show. 3 stars though as I liked the premise and I did find it kinda fun, though in the right hands it could've been so much better. Kindle freebie, first in a series, I don't think I'll be bothering with the others.
October 29, 2017
Hmm
I don't know if enjoy is the right word. More like a horrible accident that you can't stop looking at.
I don't know if enjoy is the right word. More like a horrible accident that you can't stop looking at.
August 16, 2019
This one surprised me. In a good way. I was just looking for a quick read and it was a freebie of the day, but the words cozy in other reviews were alarming. Cozy is great for so many things, the Scandinavians made an entire lifestyle out of coziness. But it’s really not something that should go with books. Sweaters…yes, books…no. I mean describing a book as cozy for me basically implies that the author wants to experience something…scares or thrills, but is too much of a wimp to do so properly, so it takes it watered down. So yeah, that’s cozy for books. And yet…if this is what passes for cozy, it’s actually not that terrible. It helped adjust my expectations, so I didn’t go in expecting a really terrifying ghost story or something, and instead I ended up reading a very likeable tale of an old woman who finally buys a place of her own, only to find out she isn’t alone there after all. So yeah, there is a ghost (looking like an older Sean Connery with a more luxurious mane, no less), this is a proper ghost story. It isn’t really a scary one, it’s more like…charming. Does that make it cozy? Not high literature by any account, but cute and at times funny and clever, with decent writing, realistic dialogue and even a few plot twists (as one might expect with a title like that) to boot. It read very quickly (70 minutes or so before bed) and proved to be a very pleasant diversion. I wouldn’t even be opposed to checking out further books in the series, should they ever come up as freebies. This one exceeded all my expectations. Very nice story to (gasp) cozy up to.
October 23, 2017
I certainly understand why the author named this book Twisted. There are many twists and turns throughout. I found I couldn’t put it down. I had to see what would happen next. Very entertaining, plenty of humor, fast paced, with realistic characters that reminded me of many of folks I’ve known (well, except the ghost). Loved it! This new author has a hit on her hands.
November 4, 2018
Nothing super special
There were a few enjoyable parts to this book but overall it felt incomplete. There wasn’t enough meat or depth to the story. The idea was good, but didn’t seem fully developed.
There were a few enjoyable parts to this book but overall it felt incomplete. There wasn’t enough meat or depth to the story. The idea was good, but didn’t seem fully developed.
August 31, 2018
Silly
It started off very well, but then quickly became quite silly. It was a short read that could be classed as a " cozy horror story", if such a classification exists.
It started off very well, but then quickly became quite silly. It was a short read that could be classed as a " cozy horror story", if such a classification exists.
November 3, 2018
This is a very quick and easy read and a rather silly ghost story. The book lacked character development and complex plot. Nothing in this book made me feel invested. I did, however, like the twist.
February 4, 2018
This is the first book ive won on the Goodreads giveaways!! A quick, short read at only 115 pages. Stella is a widowed 72 year old woman living on her own for the first time in her life. Strange things begin occuring in her house. ...cold spots, lights flickering on and off, things moving. Stella begins to think shes losing her mind, but there is much more going on!!! Someone doesn't want to share their house and will go to great lengths to try to achieve that goal!!
August 31, 2018
Blew through this little guy in an hour or so. Good novella {and first in a series}, but not especially scary. I felt like I'd just started when I was finished but it does tell the full story.
Overall, it was a good, quick little read that perfectly filled the bit of empty time I had. Recommended if you're looking for something fast paced and easy to finish in a short amount of time!
*4 Stars
Overall, it was a good, quick little read that perfectly filled the bit of empty time I had. Recommended if you're looking for something fast paced and easy to finish in a short amount of time!
*4 Stars
September 5, 2019
This was a quick ghostly read full of twists and turns.
I have to admit that I didn't really feel connected to the characters, but the story had a good latch and I was curious what was going to happen next.
I have to admit that I didn't really feel connected to the characters, but the story had a good latch and I was curious what was going to happen next.
October 26, 2017
Not your average ghost story.... Enjoyable.
October 25, 2017
Great short ghost story with a twist. Perfect for Halloween.
October 29, 2017
A great short ghost story.
February 25, 2020
I thought it was a quick cozy ghost story with an interesting twist.
December 27, 2017
This was a fun story. A great twisted ending hahaha. For me though, there was quite a lot missing. The characters were flat and the story could have been fleshed out more. This story is a light read, not much in the way of scares, but it's a good read nonetheless.
October 25, 2021
This was so short, I read it in…maybe a couple of hours? Maybe less. I don’t even think it’s novella length, more of a short story, although it’s always hard to tell on a Kindle version. Apparently there’s a second book in the series, and maybe if they were combined and lengthened, this would have worked out better.
I rounded up for the rating, because I really try not to give below a 3 to an independent author, unless the book it truly horrific. This one had some good ideas and interesting plot points, but the execution was not great. The seeds of a better work were in here, but needed to be expanded upon. I think this easily could have been a full length book, if all of the little threads were followed and the one-off mentions given full attention. There were a lot of questions left unanswered, and I felt like it wasn’t a decision to leave some open areas behind, but more a focus on staying under whatever word limit had been imposed.
If I ever hear that this was given proper treatment as a full book, or even a full novella, I would absolutely re-read it. But for now, all I can give it is a “meh.”
I rounded up for the rating, because I really try not to give below a 3 to an independent author, unless the book it truly horrific. This one had some good ideas and interesting plot points, but the execution was not great. The seeds of a better work were in here, but needed to be expanded upon. I think this easily could have been a full length book, if all of the little threads were followed and the one-off mentions given full attention. There were a lot of questions left unanswered, and I felt like it wasn’t a decision to leave some open areas behind, but more a focus on staying under whatever word limit had been imposed.
If I ever hear that this was given proper treatment as a full book, or even a full novella, I would absolutely re-read it. But for now, all I can give it is a “meh.”
May 25, 2021
🤔
A short read, roughly an hour and a half.
Stella is recently widowed and living in her own wee home. Recently having injured her hip. Her daughter becomes quite overbearing. Stella just wants to be left alone and to enjoy life at the age of 72. Strange things begin to happen and Stella's daughter starts to suspect she's losing her mind and suggests she either moves in with her or to a retirement home. Stella doesn't want either. Her daughter buys her an 'Alex'. As Stella puts it a magical tubular that can tell you anything (it's an Alexa device! 🤣). First night with Alex and his Scottish accent he suddenly changes to Charles and starts messing with Stella to drive her out of his home.
Ok so for a short read this book was no bad actually. Comical in a lot of parts but also with its serious side. It also could have been much better and more in depth. I didn't particularly like the ending. Characters weren't fleshed out all that great and it seemed hurried.
A short read, roughly an hour and a half.
Stella is recently widowed and living in her own wee home. Recently having injured her hip. Her daughter becomes quite overbearing. Stella just wants to be left alone and to enjoy life at the age of 72. Strange things begin to happen and Stella's daughter starts to suspect she's losing her mind and suggests she either moves in with her or to a retirement home. Stella doesn't want either. Her daughter buys her an 'Alex'. As Stella puts it a magical tubular that can tell you anything (it's an Alexa device! 🤣). First night with Alex and his Scottish accent he suddenly changes to Charles and starts messing with Stella to drive her out of his home.
Ok so for a short read this book was no bad actually. Comical in a lot of parts but also with its serious side. It also could have been much better and more in depth. I didn't particularly like the ending. Characters weren't fleshed out all that great and it seemed hurried.
November 19, 2017
The title of this short story was perfect for this somewhat classic ghost tale!! However, it soon becomes not such an ordinary story. It becomes really twisted... in the plot as well as the characters!!
The likeable, well described characters had me engrossed in this scary tale. I felt the sudden chills as unexpected events occur!! Unusual,weird!! A ghost story doesn't usually appeal to me , but I must admit , this one had me hooked! The characters started out as quite realistic, however, became a bit strange, just like the title of this creation. Romance with a ghost??? Different but interesting!
Readers will have to watch for this author! A good clean read that is VERY different from the norm.
This book was a gift. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.
The likeable, well described characters had me engrossed in this scary tale. I felt the sudden chills as unexpected events occur!! Unusual,weird!! A ghost story doesn't usually appeal to me , but I must admit , this one had me hooked! The characters started out as quite realistic, however, became a bit strange, just like the title of this creation. Romance with a ghost??? Different but interesting!
Readers will have to watch for this author! A good clean read that is VERY different from the norm.
This book was a gift. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.
October 7, 2018
The first in a series about a couple of married ghosts, Charles and Evelyn. Stella, a 72 year old woman has bought her first house, she lives there alone. Her husband has died and she fell and hurt her hip. As she works on getting better, she notices cold spots in the house and lights keep going on and off. One day her daughter brings her a new internet appliance. Suddenly, a voice with a British accent is speaking to her through it, at first very meanly. Turns out to be Charles. After a few days, the two become friends and he can even manifest. Stella thinks she is in love with him. Charles tells her that he has scared several people out of the house, but he likes her. Or, does he?
August 21, 2018
A quick little novella
Another first book in a series. Seems no one writes a stand alone novel any more. Twisted is very short. You can read it in about an hour. It's a stand alone story as the ghosts seem to be the featured characters in the series based on the preview of the second book. It's fairly simplistic in plot and character development, but I gave it three stars for holding my interest. Plus I give props to anyone who writes a story decently well. Not sure I will read more of the series, but it was worth an hour or my time. I suppose we will learn more of the ghosts' backstory in future books. Would be nice to know a little more about them in the first book.
Another first book in a series. Seems no one writes a stand alone novel any more. Twisted is very short. You can read it in about an hour. It's a stand alone story as the ghosts seem to be the featured characters in the series based on the preview of the second book. It's fairly simplistic in plot and character development, but I gave it three stars for holding my interest. Plus I give props to anyone who writes a story decently well. Not sure I will read more of the series, but it was worth an hour or my time. I suppose we will learn more of the ghosts' backstory in future books. Would be nice to know a little more about them in the first book.
August 14, 2019
Who You Gonna Call?
When Stella's husband passes away, Stella buys herself a nice little house. After she hurt her hip, Stella's daughter came every day to check on her, even buying her an Alex box (much like Alexis) so she can check the weather or play question games.
Then Charles makes an appearance, threatening to cut Stella's fingers off. Who or what is Charles, is Stella in harm's way, what in the world is going on here?
This is one heck of a slightly off the wall ghost story with a little romance and a twisted ending that will leave you just a little disturbed. But you're gonna love it! I did!
When Stella's husband passes away, Stella buys herself a nice little house. After she hurt her hip, Stella's daughter came every day to check on her, even buying her an Alex box (much like Alexis) so she can check the weather or play question games.
Then Charles makes an appearance, threatening to cut Stella's fingers off. Who or what is Charles, is Stella in harm's way, what in the world is going on here?
This is one heck of a slightly off the wall ghost story with a little romance and a twisted ending that will leave you just a little disturbed. But you're gonna love it! I did!
August 28, 2018
Delightfully Twisted
This was a great read. I couldn't put it down. It isn't often that I can devour a whole story in one sitting. I loved everything about this story. The characters' personalities were very believable and realistic. I had such conflicting emotions while reading this book. It was heart warming and yet so very disturbing. Some of the things I initially thought to be romantic and heroic were shockingly not at all. I'll be purchasing the next book in the series for sure. Thank you so much dear author for this wonderful story.
This was a great read. I couldn't put it down. It isn't often that I can devour a whole story in one sitting. I loved everything about this story. The characters' personalities were very believable and realistic. I had such conflicting emotions while reading this book. It was heart warming and yet so very disturbing. Some of the things I initially thought to be romantic and heroic were shockingly not at all. I'll be purchasing the next book in the series for sure. Thank you so much dear author for this wonderful story.
April 24, 2018
Human problems and how to deal with them: before and after death
I love this story. It deals with the sandwich generation: the middle-aged mom who has to look after her aging mother while raising her teenager. It explores the loneliness of aging alone, keeping love alive in an aging marriage, and learning about that first love. And there are ghosts, murder, and tech. Who could ask for more? Well, maybe cats...
I love this story. It deals with the sandwich generation: the middle-aged mom who has to look after her aging mother while raising her teenager. It explores the loneliness of aging alone, keeping love alive in an aging marriage, and learning about that first love. And there are ghosts, murder, and tech. Who could ask for more? Well, maybe cats...
August 15, 2018
This was a fun little take on the haunted house tale. When Stella, a widowed grandmother, is given a web-based helper (similar to Alexa) by her daughter, it is taken over by Charles, the ghost who resides in Stella's home. This is a short book, only 122 pages, but the story was crisply written and immediately takes the reader on an interesting little voyage. I don't post spoilers, but for a quick reprieve from reality, Meyers did a wonderful job.
August 16, 2018
A nice easy read which didn’t take long. It felt the equivalent of an episode of Black Mirror, the anthology show on Netflix. The ghost story begins with a hint of malevolence, but finished very cosily. Good basic idea about the use of energy by ghosts to appear and perform different tasks.
There is a part two but I will not be reading this. The characters were not strong enough to hold my interest to go back. However, no regrets and I enjoyed it.
There is a part two but I will not be reading this. The characters were not strong enough to hold my interest to go back. However, no regrets and I enjoyed it.
September 26, 2019
Sometimes creepy, but mostly ridiculous.
~ Stella has recently broken her hip, which meant that her only child, Jennifer, was being extremely overprotective. To the point that she purchased a new device called “Alex” to help keep her mother company. Being that Stella insisted on living alone in a small house she purchased after her husband died, company wasn’t a bad idea, even if it was electronic and virtual. What happened once her daughter left was certainly unexpected.
~ Stella has recently broken her hip, which meant that her only child, Jennifer, was being extremely overprotective. To the point that she purchased a new device called “Alex” to help keep her mother company. Being that Stella insisted on living alone in a small house she purchased after her husband died, company wasn’t a bad idea, even if it was electronic and virtual. What happened once her daughter left was certainly unexpected.
October 20, 2019
Twisted
1 Star
Normally i can pinpoint what went wrong with a story, but i just simply did not like this one. It being so short I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. There were too many characters crammed in this short story for me to actually care about any of them, the least I was hoping for was to be creeped out and that didn’t happen either. The plot didn’t really make sense and was just in general very weak.
1 Star
Normally i can pinpoint what went wrong with a story, but i just simply did not like this one. It being so short I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. There were too many characters crammed in this short story for me to actually care about any of them, the least I was hoping for was to be creeped out and that didn’t happen either. The plot didn’t really make sense and was just in general very weak.
November 7, 2019
An elderly woman buys a home that she hopes to spend the rest of her days, but soon finds that a resident ghost may have other plans. The story has a sort of 1950s view of ghosts, where they pop in and out of sight and shuffle things and people around. I thought we'd evolved beyond that. Maybe not. Anyway, i found the story unbelievable. One skill that a good writer has is to make even the most unlikely things seem as if they really could or did occur. This author does not have that skill.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews