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The Message: Psychologically Gripping Short Horror Stories

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From the author of The Missing comes an extraordinary novella of four twisted short stories connected to the fictional town of Mecklenburg.

Winford and his grandson's trout fishing lead to Hitler's Last Words. A Boston Marathon qualifier takes a jog in hell. An alcoholic's deep dive into depression ends with haunting implications.

An orphanage destroyed by fire during a massive winter storm in 1895 leads to a soul's crossing through time and space—possessing a boy nearly 100 years later. The boy then journeys through an apocalyptic town facing the "True Believers" as the cult is confident the Rapture has begun.

Hitler's Last Words, The Runner, The Drunk, and—title story—The Message, were specifically designed to rip apart your emotional heartstrings, leaning on regret, sorrow, fright, the supernatural, and the need for a second chance.

The Message will open a door into the author's dark, imaginative, mental rollercoaster, and keep you reading until the sun cracks the horizon.

"Olin Lester steps outside his accustomed horror genre and takes you on a journey with the four stories of The Message into the broad depths of the human experience. From the pain of loss to the unconditional love of a grandfather, Olin's masterful storytelling will draw you in asking for more."
--Manuel Carreon, New York Times bestselling author of Simple Machines.

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2020

18 people are currently reading
25 people want to read

About the author

Olin Lester

18 books30 followers

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5 stars
9 (27%)
4 stars
12 (36%)
3 stars
8 (24%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
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3 (9%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Cujo.
217 reviews12 followers
May 28, 2021
This was a decent collection of short stories, written by an author that until Sunday, I had never heard of. Like I said, the stories were good and I would have really liked them more if it wasn't for one really small drawback , I expect my horror stories to be at least one of 3 things: Dark, Disturbing, or Unsettling . I assume this was a collection of horror stories, but alas the stories there-in were of of the 3 things I hope for
79 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2023
Psychological short stories with powerful messages

Another grand slam from Olin Lester. Short stories but not short messages. Thank you Olin for a refreshing take on the light and dark and delivering the light to us. This book is not just another hodgepodge of vulgar or senseless story telling but a take on supernatural stories with a true message in each one. I highly recommend if your want a fresh take on food vs evil.
Profile Image for Joshua  Jonah.
522 reviews22 followers
July 15, 2021
This book starts off with 2 mini stories, and the first one is especially dark with Hitler’s final words, and then the second one is about a man who becomes a drunk after a horrendous accident. The main story comes afterward and it’s a nice paced story about a kid who becomes a sort of vessel. It’s an anthology and it wraps up nicely for such a short story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dorie Heriot.
4 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2021
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I'm not usually one to read short story books but the collection of short stories in this book were well written. I believe I will read more books by Olin Lester in the future.
21 reviews
February 25, 2021
Another great book by Olin Lester. I loved that it was 4 short stories. If you don’t know of Olin Lester, where have you been. He is an automatic buy for me.
Profile Image for Karen Dandurant.
165 reviews15 followers
April 22, 2021
My first book by Olin Lester. Four short, disturbing stories. I liked it and will read more.
Profile Image for Lisa.
392 reviews67 followers
October 13, 2021
4 very dark short stories all taking place in the Colorado mining town from The Missing Giving some of the history of the town
Profile Image for Jason Arbuckle.
370 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2024
Book 75 - Olin Lester - The Message

I love a scary book, I love a scary movie...not blood and grossness but creepiness...a bit of psychological angst.

These 3 short stories have none of this.

Rubbish...next

When will I learn that they are free for a reason

Utter dross
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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