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Hush #5
The Gift
What’s a desperate mother to do when her child suddenly disappears? Anything it takes to keep the family together in USA Today bestselling author Alison Gaylin’s short story with a sting.
It’s dreaded news for actress Lyla McCord and her husband, Nolan. Their eight-year-old daughter has vanished. To find her, Nolan reaches out to a psychic gifted with uncanny visions about the lost girl. But Lyla thinks she sees right through him. Is he a con artist or the real thing? Either way, he might be telling the truth. And that’s too frightening for Lyla to bear.
Alison Gaylin’s The Gift is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
It’s dreaded news for actress Lyla McCord and her husband, Nolan. Their eight-year-old daughter has vanished. To find her, Nolan reaches out to a psychic gifted with uncanny visions about the lost girl. But Lyla thinks she sees right through him. Is he a con artist or the real thing? Either way, he might be telling the truth. And that’s too frightening for Lyla to bear.
Alison Gaylin’s The Gift is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2020
1250 people are currently reading
1493 people want to read
About the author
Alison Gaylin
44 books1,763 followersUSA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar and Shamus awards, and has been nominated for many more, including the L.A. Times Book Prize, the ITW Thriller, the Strand Book Award, the Anthony and the Macavity. She is currently at work on her 15th novel.
Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery
Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
August 18, 2020
Okay, this was well developed, intriguing, fast paced La la Land thriller!
Lyla and Nolan: when you google their names these two words appear on your screen: POWER COUPLE!
Around $250 million net worth, 4 golden globes, one Oscar statues; they’re young, charming, successful, talented, rich and a lovely family life with their pretty 8 years old daughter! They have it all, don’t they?
You got jealous, didn’t you? Or suspicious and tell yourself it’s too good to be true!
Oh, wait a minute. Somebody kidnapped their sweet daughter. Or she ran away. But she is smart girl. Why the hell she may want to leave her beautiful family?
And here comes the ominous background music of Twilight zone: Nananana! ( I’m singing it and covering my ears at the same time. So only person whose ears are bleeding is my husband dearest!) A psychic out there to help them find out where she is! I know you’re asking what the hell? Is psychic a curly blond guy who wears beautiful blue vests, a surfer with a charming smile? Nope, he’s not mentalist and unfortunately he is not a Patrick Jane who is chasing Red John. And I can assure you Red John doesn’t get involved with this kidnapping case.
The psychic is a random guy and the things he tells at their session, freezes the blood beneath Lyla’s spine! Could he really foresee things? What did really happen to the little girl?
Final twist was enjoyable and well played: I’m giving my four Oscar worthy performances, best parents and evilish gripping four well-deserved stars!
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Lyla and Nolan: when you google their names these two words appear on your screen: POWER COUPLE!
Around $250 million net worth, 4 golden globes, one Oscar statues; they’re young, charming, successful, talented, rich and a lovely family life with their pretty 8 years old daughter! They have it all, don’t they?
You got jealous, didn’t you? Or suspicious and tell yourself it’s too good to be true!
Oh, wait a minute. Somebody kidnapped their sweet daughter. Or she ran away. But she is smart girl. Why the hell she may want to leave her beautiful family?
And here comes the ominous background music of Twilight zone: Nananana! ( I’m singing it and covering my ears at the same time. So only person whose ears are bleeding is my husband dearest!) A psychic out there to help them find out where she is! I know you’re asking what the hell? Is psychic a curly blond guy who wears beautiful blue vests, a surfer with a charming smile? Nope, he’s not mentalist and unfortunately he is not a Patrick Jane who is chasing Red John. And I can assure you Red John doesn’t get involved with this kidnapping case.
The psychic is a random guy and the things he tells at their session, freezes the blood beneath Lyla’s spine! Could he really foresee things? What did really happen to the little girl?
Final twist was enjoyable and well played: I’m giving my four Oscar worthy performances, best parents and evilish gripping four well-deserved stars!
blog
March 7, 2021
When famous actress Lyla McCord and her celebrity husband Nolan find out that their eight-year-old daughter Fidelity has gone missing they visit a psychic to try to help them locate her…
I didn’t care for this short story at all. The main character Lyla is totally unlikable. A disappointing read with a lousy ending.
I didn’t care for this short story at all. The main character Lyla is totally unlikable. A disappointing read with a lousy ending.
August 6, 2020
Alison Gaylin is one of my favorite authors. Her previous novel, "Never Look Back" was one of my favorite reads last year. So I was thrilled to see she'd written a short story for the Hush Collection.
Oscar-winner, Lyla McCord is at the premiere of her latest film. She's posing for photos on the red carpet when her cellphone vibrates inside her clutch. She ignores it. She briefly wonders who it was, but she doesn’t particularly care. The only person of real importance is her daughter, Fidelity who wouldn’t be calling her. Again it vibrates. Again she ignores it. Eventually, she turns it off without looking at it and heads to her seat in the theater.
Who could be calling? It doesn't matter.
Oh, but it really does.
Just as the lights are about to go down a man in a dark suit taps her on the shoulder. A Scotland Yard Inspector. There are two people with him. When the inspector tells her why he's there, her legs give out, and someone catches her just before she hits the floor.
"The Gift" was my second short story from the Hush collection and I decided to try the audiobook version. I’m really happy I did. At just 53 minutes, I listened to this in one easy sitting. The story pulled me in immediately, and I was gripped right up until the unexpected ending.
Alison Gaylin writes compelling and thrilling stories, and I’m excited about her next novel. Cassandra Campbell is a marvelous narrator, and I can’t wait to hear more from her as well.
So far I’m really enjoying this collection. I can’t wait to see what’s up next!
August 3, 2020
The fifth book I've read in the Hush collection is The Gift, by Alison Gaylin. The eight year old daughter of a famous young acting couple has disappeared. No one is making headway at finding the daughter of Lyla and Nolan, not the FBI, state police, or private detectives. But then the couple take a chance on a psychic named Carl (which gave me a bit of a laugh) and he tells them things that he couldn't really know. Is he the real thing or a fraud? I'll say this, evil can lurk right under your nose.
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
Alison Gaylin’s The Gift is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death.
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection.
Alison Gaylin’s The Gift is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death.
November 25, 2022
Making my way through this short story series. I liked The Collective; it was a fun revenge read. This was a totally different vibe but enjoyable. Although yeetage of disbelief is required, there were a lot of ????? moments lol. Like how she was just homeless for a yr for funsies after being on a hit teen show. Or why she even walked away in the first place?? Confusion.
August 5, 2020
Two mega famous Oscar winning stars..and their child goes missing. Their net worth is 250 million. Okay well right there might be a reason.. I loved this author's book Never Look Back so I was really excited to get my hands on this short story. I will admit I was a bit disappointed when I saw it was another missing child story.
Enter a psychic and the search for Fidelity...I did get a bit of a surprise which is always a good thing when you are reading a thriller type story- I don't have to tell you that! I just felt it fell a bit flat and didn't deliver a big enough punch at the end. I feel like a short story has such a small amount of time to wind you up and get you on edge. I never got there with this one.
I am loving this Hush Collection and I hope to see more of this from Amazon! Disclaimer...I still love this author's books and I can't wait for her to come out with another!
Enter a psychic and the search for Fidelity...I did get a bit of a surprise which is always a good thing when you are reading a thriller type story- I don't have to tell you that! I just felt it fell a bit flat and didn't deliver a big enough punch at the end. I feel like a short story has such a small amount of time to wind you up and get you on edge. I never got there with this one.
I am loving this Hush Collection and I hope to see more of this from Amazon! Disclaimer...I still love this author's books and I can't wait for her to come out with another!
November 16, 2022
Quite the little thriller…
This mystery thriller was highly entertaining. I was intrigued the whole time and the storyline was really good. I absolutely got irritated at the main character, but that all played out well and made sense in the end. I liked it!
This mystery thriller was highly entertaining. I was intrigued the whole time and the storyline was really good. I absolutely got irritated at the main character, but that all played out well and made sense in the end. I liked it!
July 31, 2020
Excerpt:
It’s strange how equalizing fear can be. Lyla and Nolan are stars, by any definition, with an Oscar and four Golden Globes between them and a combined Net worth of $250 million. But alone in their dark kitchen, at 3 A.M. their cell phones and the landline as silent as the night, they are a couple with a missing child, like any other couple anywhere with any missing child. They have nothing.
FIVE anguishing days till they will learn the fate of their daughter, Fidelity.
Will a psychic have the answers they seek?
I was surprised by the twist!
This is an Amazon original short story from the HUSH collection, 6 stories-6 Deceptions!
A 39 minute read!
They were written by some of our favorite authors including Alison Gaylin, Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Jeffrey Deaver, Laura Lippman, and Oyinkan Braithwaite.
A great way to sample an author’s work if he/she is new to you!
It’s strange how equalizing fear can be. Lyla and Nolan are stars, by any definition, with an Oscar and four Golden Globes between them and a combined Net worth of $250 million. But alone in their dark kitchen, at 3 A.M. their cell phones and the landline as silent as the night, they are a couple with a missing child, like any other couple anywhere with any missing child. They have nothing.
FIVE anguishing days till they will learn the fate of their daughter, Fidelity.
Will a psychic have the answers they seek?
I was surprised by the twist!
This is an Amazon original short story from the HUSH collection, 6 stories-6 Deceptions!
A 39 minute read!
They were written by some of our favorite authors including Alison Gaylin, Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Jeffrey Deaver, Laura Lippman, and Oyinkan Braithwaite.
A great way to sample an author’s work if he/she is new to you!
September 22, 2020
This short thriller is part of the HUSH collection which I’m enjoying. I have never read this author and this is a great way to see if you like an author’s style.
At just under 30 pages, this is going to be a short review. I was very engaged with the story from the first pages. An Oscar winning actress and her husband are reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, Fidelity. She was last seen at school and then seemingly vanished. The nanny was supposed to be watching her at all times . . . . . .
After the police are making no headway in the case, Lyla’s husband is insistent that they try a psychic. At first appearing as though he may just be a scam artist, Carl, the unlikely looking psychic has some things to say to Lyla that only she understands! It is not what she wants to hear. The psychic may have a gift of connecting with the dead, but Lyla also has a gift, she is a great actress, and not just on stage.
To reveal more would be to ruin this story for you. I thought the author did a great job at grabbing and keeping my interest and the twisted ending was a surprise.
I enjoyed this short taste of Alison Gaylin’s writing and will be watching for her future books. Great short story.
At just under 30 pages, this is going to be a short review. I was very engaged with the story from the first pages. An Oscar winning actress and her husband are reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, Fidelity. She was last seen at school and then seemingly vanished. The nanny was supposed to be watching her at all times . . . . . .
After the police are making no headway in the case, Lyla’s husband is insistent that they try a psychic. At first appearing as though he may just be a scam artist, Carl, the unlikely looking psychic has some things to say to Lyla that only she understands! It is not what she wants to hear. The psychic may have a gift of connecting with the dead, but Lyla also has a gift, she is a great actress, and not just on stage.
To reveal more would be to ruin this story for you. I thought the author did a great job at grabbing and keeping my interest and the twisted ending was a surprise.
I enjoyed this short taste of Alison Gaylin’s writing and will be watching for her future books. Great short story.
August 5, 2020
Pretty average...not my favorite, but far from the worst in the series. The ending was a bit of a letdown, but worth reading, I think.
I've read all the Hush stories now except for Treasure, and I would definitely recommend them all except Snowflakes.
UPDATE
Now that I've completed the series, here is my ranking of the six stories:
1. Buried
2/3. Let Her Be & Slow Burner tied for second place
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
I've read all the Hush stories now except for Treasure, and I would definitely recommend them all except Snowflakes.
UPDATE
Now that I've completed the series, here is my ranking of the six stories:
1. Buried
2/3. Let Her Be & Slow Burner tied for second place
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
August 2, 2020
Lyla and Nolan are Hollywood stars, they seem to have it all. Then whilst she’s at a premier of her new movie in London, Lyla learns their daughter Fidelity has gone missing. This is a twisty, clever short story from the Amazon Hush Collection and I think I’m a convert to the short story genre!! This is a very quick read (about thirty minutes) and it’s well written with an excellent ending!
August 1, 2020
A novella from the Hush Collection. Well written and puzzling, and based on lies and deceit. A little girl has disappeared and her parents, award-winning movie couple, visit a psychic. I disliked the unpleasant ending that allowed evil to prevail.
August 3, 2020
This is the third story I have read in Amazon’s Hush Collection and it was a winner for me. I vacillated between four and five stars on this one, but, since I do not believe this story will resonate with me for years to come, I settled on four stars.
Two famous Hollywood Stars, Layla and Nolan, met on the set when they were younger and there was a romantic connection between them. Layla disappears from the set one day, cutting herself off from everyone and returns one year later with baby Fidelity in arms. Nolan and Layla marry and live happily ever after – that is until, one day, young Fidelity disappears. Layla and Nolan are beside themselves with worry and augment the police investigation by hiring Private Detectives and even consulting a psychic.
Soon (what did you expect?), Layla turns out to be an unreliable, unlikable, and calculating character, capable of doing great harm.
This was a good read, ending with some surprises and twists that I did not see coming.
Two famous Hollywood Stars, Layla and Nolan, met on the set when they were younger and there was a romantic connection between them. Layla disappears from the set one day, cutting herself off from everyone and returns one year later with baby Fidelity in arms. Nolan and Layla marry and live happily ever after – that is until, one day, young Fidelity disappears. Layla and Nolan are beside themselves with worry and augment the police investigation by hiring Private Detectives and even consulting a psychic.
Soon (what did you expect?), Layla turns out to be an unreliable, unlikable, and calculating character, capable of doing great harm.
This was a good read, ending with some surprises and twists that I did not see coming.
August 26, 2022
I'm unsure how I feel about this short story, I kind of wish it was a full length novel because there's a really good premise here which didn't work for me in 30 pages but I think it would in 300.
When a celebrity couple's daughter goes missing, the world goes into a spin.
I like the characters a lot, I think I just needed more from this as I'm left unsatisfied.
This is part of the Hush collection, six stories ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
At the time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
When a celebrity couple's daughter goes missing, the world goes into a spin.
I like the characters a lot, I think I just needed more from this as I'm left unsatisfied.
This is part of the Hush collection, six stories ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
At the time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
September 28, 2020
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Returning for another short story in the HUSH collection, I chose Alison Gaylin’s piece. With a kidnapping of a little girl and someone who has premonitions of the truth, the reader will be hooked as they try to piece it all together in short order. Lyla McCord is used to the lights and glamour of being a screen actress, but it would mean nothing without her family. When Lyla learns that her daughter, Felicity, has gone missing from school, she rushes back home. Panicked and unsure what to do, Lyla breaks down in front of her husband, Nolan Carnes, who’s also been away. With no ransom note or contact from Felicity, both Lyla and Nolan begin to worry, unsure how their eight year-old will handle things on her own. Lyla has a history of disappearing as well, walking off set years before.
When Nolan suggests going to see a psychic at the request of someone on staff, Lyla agrees, though seems somewhat sceptical. They attend and Lyla cannot deny that this man surely has some powers. The psychic begins offering up a vision he has, knowing that Felicity is alive and dispensing some added tidbits that offer vague clues, while chilling Lyla to the bone. Scrambling to piece it all together, Lyla is baffled at what she’s been told, but returns to get more information. It’s only then that Lyla realises that with psychic powers comes the ability to open doors in her mind she’s always wanted locked away. A chilling piece that finds twists at every page turn. Recommended to those who are familiar with Alison Gaylin’s work, as well as the reader who enjoys a short story with a punch.
With no previous experience reading Alison Gaylin’s work, I hoped that I would quickly find myself in tune with her style of writing. In a short story, there is little time to acclimate, which made the easy writing style and quick dialogue banter helpful as I dove in. Lyla remains at the centre of the story, with her own past driving the search for her daughter. A panicked mother who wants nothing but to protect her chid, Lyla needs to focus on the present, rather than her past, a time she has tried to lock away from everyone else. The struggle becomes central, as the attentive reader will quickly surmise. Gaylin fills the story with a few other characters to help move things along. Each plays a key role and becomes an integral part of the larger story by the final page. The story worked well, divided into ‘days’ for the reader to compartmentalise the case’s progress. Gaylin’s limited space forced her to rush through some aspects, though one cannot fault her for that. The twists in the latter half work well and will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as Felicity’s safety is of the utmost importance to everyone. I’m inclined to keep reading these short stories and try at least one of Alison Gaylin’s novels, if only to see if she can sustain the buzz I felt throughout this piece.
Kudos, Madam Gaylin, for a great product with strict limitations. I’m eager to put you on my list of new authors to watch, as you have something that intrigues me in your storytelling.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Returning for another short story in the HUSH collection, I chose Alison Gaylin’s piece. With a kidnapping of a little girl and someone who has premonitions of the truth, the reader will be hooked as they try to piece it all together in short order. Lyla McCord is used to the lights and glamour of being a screen actress, but it would mean nothing without her family. When Lyla learns that her daughter, Felicity, has gone missing from school, she rushes back home. Panicked and unsure what to do, Lyla breaks down in front of her husband, Nolan Carnes, who’s also been away. With no ransom note or contact from Felicity, both Lyla and Nolan begin to worry, unsure how their eight year-old will handle things on her own. Lyla has a history of disappearing as well, walking off set years before.
When Nolan suggests going to see a psychic at the request of someone on staff, Lyla agrees, though seems somewhat sceptical. They attend and Lyla cannot deny that this man surely has some powers. The psychic begins offering up a vision he has, knowing that Felicity is alive and dispensing some added tidbits that offer vague clues, while chilling Lyla to the bone. Scrambling to piece it all together, Lyla is baffled at what she’s been told, but returns to get more information. It’s only then that Lyla realises that with psychic powers comes the ability to open doors in her mind she’s always wanted locked away. A chilling piece that finds twists at every page turn. Recommended to those who are familiar with Alison Gaylin’s work, as well as the reader who enjoys a short story with a punch.
With no previous experience reading Alison Gaylin’s work, I hoped that I would quickly find myself in tune with her style of writing. In a short story, there is little time to acclimate, which made the easy writing style and quick dialogue banter helpful as I dove in. Lyla remains at the centre of the story, with her own past driving the search for her daughter. A panicked mother who wants nothing but to protect her chid, Lyla needs to focus on the present, rather than her past, a time she has tried to lock away from everyone else. The struggle becomes central, as the attentive reader will quickly surmise. Gaylin fills the story with a few other characters to help move things along. Each plays a key role and becomes an integral part of the larger story by the final page. The story worked well, divided into ‘days’ for the reader to compartmentalise the case’s progress. Gaylin’s limited space forced her to rush through some aspects, though one cannot fault her for that. The twists in the latter half work well and will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as Felicity’s safety is of the utmost importance to everyone. I’m inclined to keep reading these short stories and try at least one of Alison Gaylin’s novels, if only to see if she can sustain the buzz I felt throughout this piece.
Kudos, Madam Gaylin, for a great product with strict limitations. I’m eager to put you on my list of new authors to watch, as you have something that intrigues me in your storytelling.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 24, 2023
Lyla and Nolan are a famous star couple. One day their daughter Fidelity disappears.
Do parents know more than they are ready to tell?
This is a short very emotional story from Amazon collection Hush that reveals the truth behind the facade of people.
Do parents know more than they are ready to tell?
This is a short very emotional story from Amazon collection Hush that reveals the truth behind the facade of people.
August 3, 2020
Lyla and Nolan are Hollywood stars. When their daughter, Fidelity, goes missing, they are understandably worried and distraught. Then, Nolan suggests that they visit a psychic that his bodyguard recommends. Will the psychic have the answers?
This story was entertaining and suspenseful for the most part. There’s a nice little “AHA” moment that I didn’t see coming. One slight con is that I feel like this one could’ve benefited from just a bit more background information on some of the characters. I know, I know...it’s a short story. 3.5 stars.
This is part of Amazon’s new Hush Collection, 6 stories each written by a different author.
This story was entertaining and suspenseful for the most part. There’s a nice little “AHA” moment that I didn’t see coming. One slight con is that I feel like this one could’ve benefited from just a bit more background information on some of the characters. I know, I know...it’s a short story. 3.5 stars.
This is part of Amazon’s new Hush Collection, 6 stories each written by a different author.
June 12, 2025
Story 3.5 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Cassandra Campbell
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Cassandra Campbell
November 26, 2024
Well I didn’t see that coming. Yikes!!
September 12, 2020
I was on the ledge about this one until the final twist, then it turned into a 4 ⭐️ read!
The daughter of two huge movie stars is missing. Was she taken or did she wonder away and get lost? It’s been days and there hasn’t been a ransom request or any sighting.
Desperation sets in and Lyla and Nolan decide to consult with a psychic. The psychic knows about things. Things he shouldn’t know. Is he really a psychic, or is he playing a sick game?
This is Book 5 / 6 from the Hush collection by Amazon Original Stories.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: July 30th 2020 by Amazon Original Stories
Pages: 28
Recommend: Yes
@alisongaylin
#HushCollection #PsychologicalThriller
#ShortStory #AmazonOriginalStories #NoRulesJustThrills
The daughter of two huge movie stars is missing. Was she taken or did she wonder away and get lost? It’s been days and there hasn’t been a ransom request or any sighting.
Desperation sets in and Lyla and Nolan decide to consult with a psychic. The psychic knows about things. Things he shouldn’t know. Is he really a psychic, or is he playing a sick game?
This is Book 5 / 6 from the Hush collection by Amazon Original Stories.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: July 30th 2020 by Amazon Original Stories
Pages: 28
Recommend: Yes
@alisongaylin
#HushCollection #PsychologicalThriller
#ShortStory #AmazonOriginalStories #NoRulesJustThrills
January 3, 2022
The Gift is one of six short stories in the Amazon Hush Collection.
Alison Gaylin, author of recent hit The Collective, delivers an interesting, albeit mostly predictable short story tackling the abducted child troupe. It doesn't really have much to say and the most interesting thing about it is the parents use of a psychic for help in finding their missing child. However, the title is clever and the ending was mostly a satisfying reveal for such a short story.
UPDATE: Final rankings for all Hush short stories:
1. Buried
2. Slow Burner
3. Let Her Be
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
Alison Gaylin, author of recent hit The Collective, delivers an interesting, albeit mostly predictable short story tackling the abducted child troupe. It doesn't really have much to say and the most interesting thing about it is the parents use of a psychic for help in finding their missing child. However, the title is clever and the ending was mostly a satisfying reveal for such a short story.
UPDATE: Final rankings for all Hush short stories:
1. Buried
2. Slow Burner
3. Let Her Be
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
September 14, 2025
3 ⭐
It's okay, nothing special, but it was entertaining.
It's okay, nothing special, but it was entertaining.
November 12, 2024
My Rating 2⭐️⭐️ its bad when I read it yesterday and can’t remember any of it!!!
So… I can barely remember any details of this book, I read it yesterday BUT guys its 28 pages… sooooo what’s the excuse… It clearly didn’t grab me. I know you might think I was tired… sure I was but… it was just meh!!
I needed another short story to kick start my reading again… I do this to get over a really good or really bad book or when I don’t know what mood I am in… mood reading is a struggle but its my life. So I went what the hell I will read this its short…
It was meh… i remember the writing wasn’t terrible so thats a good thing but I dont remember who was in it or what they did really. So its 2 stars with no recommendation to any of you cause well… how can I 🤷♀️
So… I can barely remember any details of this book, I read it yesterday BUT guys its 28 pages… sooooo what’s the excuse… It clearly didn’t grab me. I know you might think I was tired… sure I was but… it was just meh!!
I needed another short story to kick start my reading again… I do this to get over a really good or really bad book or when I don’t know what mood I am in… mood reading is a struggle but its my life. So I went what the hell I will read this its short…
It was meh… i remember the writing wasn’t terrible so thats a good thing but I dont remember who was in it or what they did really. So its 2 stars with no recommendation to any of you cause well… how can I 🤷♀️
August 3, 2021
Well written , fast paced mystery
This story was awesome the way it was written, smooth and flawless. An actress and her kidnapped daughter, or is she?
This story was awesome the way it was written, smooth and flawless. An actress and her kidnapped daughter, or is she?
August 5, 2020
My least favorite in the "Hush Collection." There were too many plot holes and unanswered question for me to enjoy this one.
"The Gift" is about two movie stars, Lyla McCord and her husband Nolan. Lyla is away from home at a movie premiere when she gets a call that her 8 year old daughter is missing. Flying home she is a mess and one wonders if something else is going on or not. When a man claiming to be a psychic says he can help the McCords find their daughter, Lyla wonders if this man is for real, or if he is playing her and her husband.
I didn't like Lyla. When a lot of things are told via the story I definitely didn't like her by the end. I honestly didn't even get some of the things that were told to us about her since they made no sense to me while reading and especially when we get to the end.
"The Gift" is about two movie stars, Lyla McCord and her husband Nolan. Lyla is away from home at a movie premiere when she gets a call that her 8 year old daughter is missing. Flying home she is a mess and one wonders if something else is going on or not. When a man claiming to be a psychic says he can help the McCords find their daughter, Lyla wonders if this man is for real, or if he is playing her and her husband.
I didn't like Lyla. When a lot of things are told via the story I definitely didn't like her by the end. I honestly didn't even get some of the things that were told to us about her since they made no sense to me while reading and especially when we get to the end.
October 7, 2020
Two big Hollywood stars. Their missing child. A psychic.
When I read the synopsis I thought “not another missing child story, please!”. Despite a not so original premise I was entertained for the most part and the psychic visit was quite suspenseful, but the ending fell a bit flat for me as I think it needed some more character background.
Not the best story in the Hush collection but neither the worst (“Snowflakes” still keeps that position).
When I read the synopsis I thought “not another missing child story, please!”. Despite a not so original premise I was entertained for the most part and the psychic visit was quite suspenseful, but the ending fell a bit flat for me as I think it needed some more character background.
Not the best story in the Hush collection but neither the worst (“Snowflakes” still keeps that position).
May 16, 2022
The plot had promise, but the ending ruined it all.
March 22, 2023
The story and the narration were both just okay. Not something I'll remember a few days from now.
August 27, 2024
A good bedtime story for adults 😊
August 1, 2020
This short book on Amazon is part of the HUSH series, and I enjoyed it very much. When I first saw it was about a missing child, I rolled my eyes, because haven’t we read enough of those plots this year? But don’t worry - this book is a totally different approach on the “missing child” story. The fun of this story really begins when the parents visit a psychic and get some startling information. Also a fun detail is that the parents are a high-profile Hollywood pair of actors.
It’s a fun and fast read (under an hour) with a great twist. I love Alison Gaylin’s writing and this story is a great introduction to her if you have not read her before. A creative and suspenseful short read!
It’s a fun and fast read (under an hour) with a great twist. I love Alison Gaylin’s writing and this story is a great introduction to her if you have not read her before. A creative and suspenseful short read!
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