Treehouse

by J. Sharpe

A treehouse isn’t always a safe place to play!

When Grace is driving on the highway with two screaming eight-year-olds in the back seat, she’s frustrated to say the least. So when she sees a sign for a Rest Area, she’s more than happy to pull over. The boys see the treehouse first. And when they climb its ladder, it’s already too late.
Then the screaming begins.

Treehouse is a short suspense/horror story.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

17 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2020

About the author

Dutch suspense author J. Sharpe has published several mystery thrillers and short stories. He is a cross-genre writer and likes to blend themes and elements from two or more different genres in his books.

His work is often compared to that of Stephen King, Peter Straub and Dean Koontz, although Sharpe is complimented for his own distinctive style.

His novel Gebroken Geheugen (Broken Memory) – that he wrote together with the late Jos Weijmer – was nominated for the Harland Awards for best novel of 2015 and received an honorable mention for extraordinary originality. Eden was nominated for a Bastaard Fantasy Award 2016.

So far 10 novels and several short stories have been published in The Netherlands and Belgium. One of these, Eden, is translated to English, just like the first chapters of Broken Memory and a few short stories.

Sharpe has been a member of the GNM (Society for Dutch Crime Authors) since 2014.

For more information see: www.jsharpebooks.com

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very, very short story without much of a plot or ending, but an interesting concept for a story. Needs to be longer.

[Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fitting End?

Once upon a time...a woman named Grace, agrees to pickup her boyfriend’s twin sons from their mother’s house.

After a three hour drive, with the twins fighting and screaming and calling her name, Grace decides she needs a break.

So, she pulls over at a rest stop and the boys jump out of the car. They have noticed a huge tree house in the back of the parking lot.

The boys can’t wait to climb inside…

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2.5 star short story read.

Well, this was over before it began! Certainly an interesting concept that could have been substantially improved with a slightly longer length and not such a rushed ending. The author could have then heightened the tension and horror to better effect.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little short story. The writing style of J. Sharpe reminds me of my two most favorite authors, the authors are Stephen King and Peter Straub. A man eating tree?? LOVED IT!!! This was just a small taste of what the author was like for me, now that I have read this little story of his, I need to read more. If he keeps going like this, he would be the next Stephen King.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it!

A little short story about a couple of kids and their fathers girlfriend. They are taking a road trip back home when they need a rest break. At the rest stop, they find a weird tree house.

[Amanda (spooky.octopus.reads) Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean...I got into it, and then it abruptly ended. I know it was a short story, but it read more like the beginning of a story that was unfinished. It wasn’t my fav.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but enjoyable

I honestly don't understand why there are so many negative reviews for this. Yes it is a short story but I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be seeking out more books by the author.

[Hannah stressedreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very short story but quite enjoyable

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: This is a three-page story, well written and leaves you hanging. It is a sample piece. I enjoyed it, but I wish the author would have continued it by creating a novel to purchase. This was a free book on Amazon.

[MRS G · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we all know, sometimes a decent quickie is far better than an average epic! 😉

This is my 2nd taster of J Sharpe's work. I think the quality of his writing is "up there". Very happy to read all his work if it's as good as what I've tried so far..

Thank you Joris.

[Chris Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Short, maybe too short. It would make a great introduction to a novella.

J Sharpe has a good grasp on engaging his readers.

[Mike Herman · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Nine Year Old Granddaughter can write better than this guy-

[Cris (cprettyman_21) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Treehouse by J. Sharpe has an interesting concept. A woman is driving with two young boys in the car when she pulls into a rest stop so everyone can stretch their legs and catch a break. The boys spot a treehouse off the rest stop, and decide to climb it against the woman's wishes. And then the you-know-what hits the proverbial fan. Let's just say the tree isn't exactly what it seems to be. The ending had potential to be scary, but it just wasn't given time to become so. The 9 pages given to Treehouse were not nearly enough to create a fully developed story. It does give its reader a taste of the author's talent for writing, which is why I believe this story deserves 3 stars, but it's not enough of a taste to function as an actual story. I was left with more questions than pages. Not terrible, just not long enough.

[Ermentrude · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will add my voice to the chorus of other reviewers... The concept was original and had potential, but the story was way, way too short. It felt like I had just read the sample pages of a longer book. We had barely gotten past the "mundane backstory" part and into the horror part when the tale abruptly ended. I'd be interested in reading an expanded version of this story, but as a standalone work it wasn't great.

[Cassie Brooker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very, Very, Very short!

I got this book because it looked like a great short story. I read this in 5 minutes, not including snippets from Sharpes other works.

There should be more to the story and not have end in a cliff hanger.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an extremely short story but certainly has the horror instilled. It would be a great beginning to a novel.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ebook from the author and this is my honest and unsolicited opinion.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really sucks you in for only being three pages long

[thomas rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great short story. Can't wait to read more of your work. Very unique approach to short horror. Interesting reading. Loved it.

[Jill Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too short. Wish it had a little more to the plot.

[Ania Kiplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept

A very interesting concept. I noticed there were areas that could do with more description to help us really feel the horror of the situation, though.

[Lennie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little story. :) A great little example of flash fiction. Just long enough to enjoy the story and to want to read more books by J. Sharpe. I highly recommend. :)

[Nikhil · Rating 4 out of 5]

It ended before it started. Very Short story. Its a sample of what author writes.This story is a glimpse of the stories which sharpe had written and the persona he puts in his characters.

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be terrific if it were a novel! AS it is, IT IS JUST a short teaser and leaves the reader up with creek without a paddle or anything else! I was furious when it suddenly ended!!!

[Thea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh!

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Really. Why? Definitely just lost a whopping 3 minutes of my time.

[Tricia Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very short story was interesting and amusing. I enjoyed it.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A supershort. Most tree houses cause vertigo or falls, this one is carnivorous. Behave you little devils or I’ll feed you to the tree!

[Juanluis Díaznoriega · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way to short...

[KathiTheBookNerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a strange, extremely short story with an end that leads nowhere...

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shortest book I’ve read except children’s board books.
However it was free and a complete story. I would be interested in a longer book by this author or at least one longer than 3 pages.