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Night Route
A soon-to-retire bus driver sees a terrible wreck one night that changes everything. "I thought I could make out a child's pale little arms waving a flashlight for help." Join "On-Time Charley" on his stunning journey into myth and mystery.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2021
About the author
Mary R. Woldering
28 books176 followersYears ago, when I began to study mythology, it occurred to me that the gods and goddesses never seemed divine. They acted like super-talented people full of very human passions and shortcomings. When they appeared in different legends these various archetypes were like threads woven into the tapestry of various eras and cultures. This idea fascinated me. I began a journey of recording and relating these stories. Now I weave my god-characters through all the times and spaces I chronicle and encountered.
Mary R. Woldering is an author, artisan, art historian, madwoman, visionary and devoted wife to Dr. Jackie F. Woldering, mother of Ruth and Thom and grandmother of five. She lives in Mentor, Ohio.
Mary R. Woldering is an author, artisan, art historian, madwoman, visionary and devoted wife to Dr. Jackie F. Woldering, mother of Ruth and Thom and grandmother of five. She lives in Mentor, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 6, 2021
Worth Riding the 309
Boarding Old Blue, whether amongst passengers or riding solo, you’ll become acquainted with On-Time Charley, its dedicated driver who’s never late coming or going. Why, even when he got shot while out on a run, he still drove the bus back to the station on time. On in years, Charley’s pretty much been on his own ever since his wife up and left him with their sons.
Before long, On-Time Charley realizes the 309’s usual night route is different for him as it is for the reader. Guess he should have read the dispatch letter before he set out, rather than avoiding it, fearing the company was going to let him go.
I highly recommend this short story which doesn’t skimp on details or character development and background. Samantha Parker will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Boarding Old Blue, whether amongst passengers or riding solo, you’ll become acquainted with On-Time Charley, its dedicated driver who’s never late coming or going. Why, even when he got shot while out on a run, he still drove the bus back to the station on time. On in years, Charley’s pretty much been on his own ever since his wife up and left him with their sons.
Before long, On-Time Charley realizes the 309’s usual night route is different for him as it is for the reader. Guess he should have read the dispatch letter before he set out, rather than avoiding it, fearing the company was going to let him go.
I highly recommend this short story which doesn’t skimp on details or character development and background. Samantha Parker will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
May 19, 2025
I loved this short story. I figured it out a bit before the character did and was so happy for it.
Woldering writes fantastic stories!
Woldering writes fantastic stories!
January 19, 2025
I enjoyed this so much! It’s a short story that is filled with wonder, magic and a just the right amount of spooky. I said “aww!” when I finished reading it, then I proceeded to tell my husband all about it. I will be reading more of Mary’s books, they’re delightful!
April 19, 2025
This was a great little short ghost story, even in such a short read the character of On Time Charley really drew me in. It’s a story which has so much to give, despite having themes of loss and death, still manages to come to a beautiful conclusion.
February 14, 2024
Great spooky fun
This short story was some great spooky fun. With all the elements of a good ghost story Mary Woldering spun a highly entertaining tale of terror. I'm looking forward to reading another. A must read!
This short story was some great spooky fun. With all the elements of a good ghost story Mary Woldering spun a highly entertaining tale of terror. I'm looking forward to reading another. A must read!
August 23, 2023
On-Time Charlie
I love the flow of this story. It makes me wonder what job I may be perfect to take over.
I love the flow of this story. It makes me wonder what job I may be perfect to take over.
September 15, 2023
Definitely kept you wondering what was going on, until the truth is told!
Great story!
Must read!!
Great story!
Must read!!
December 8, 2025
A couple of things to mention. This is a short read. And it’s one of my favourite books of 2025. I loved it.
In the opening couple of pages, we learn about Charlie. My son owns a travel company, and Charlie is so like one of our drivers that this book could have been written about him. It grabbed my attention and gave the story a personal feel because throughout I saw ‘our’ bus driver and his meticulous ways.
It has a fantastic, misty, murky, foggy, nighttime atmosphere. It takes Charlie’s ordinary shift, like every other night on the lonely route, and cracks it wide open. The little girl at the side of the road is uncanny. What’s she doing there on her own at that time of night? The reader is guided through Charley’s world as he recognises her face and searches his mind for her name. It’s been in the media for the last week. The most extraordinary encounter began during a routine shift, with a glimpse of something that shouldn’t be there. The story has a gentle pull, merging the familiarity of a working man’s humdrum life with a creeping night of horror.
Charley is written with tenderness. He’s not a hero. In fact, we get hints that he’s not even that likeable. His wife left him, taking the children, and he never had the gumption to bother about it, as long as he got to work on time, nothing else mattered. The supernatural elements enhance Charley’s humanity and lack of it.
It’s a fabulous, haunting story that you should read before the bus doors close.
In the opening couple of pages, we learn about Charlie. My son owns a travel company, and Charlie is so like one of our drivers that this book could have been written about him. It grabbed my attention and gave the story a personal feel because throughout I saw ‘our’ bus driver and his meticulous ways.
It has a fantastic, misty, murky, foggy, nighttime atmosphere. It takes Charlie’s ordinary shift, like every other night on the lonely route, and cracks it wide open. The little girl at the side of the road is uncanny. What’s she doing there on her own at that time of night? The reader is guided through Charley’s world as he recognises her face and searches his mind for her name. It’s been in the media for the last week. The most extraordinary encounter began during a routine shift, with a glimpse of something that shouldn’t be there. The story has a gentle pull, merging the familiarity of a working man’s humdrum life with a creeping night of horror.
Charley is written with tenderness. He’s not a hero. In fact, we get hints that he’s not even that likeable. His wife left him, taking the children, and he never had the gumption to bother about it, as long as he got to work on time, nothing else mattered. The supernatural elements enhance Charley’s humanity and lack of it.
It’s a fabulous, haunting story that you should read before the bus doors close.
March 5, 2025
Poignant ghost story
Despite its short length, this novelette is multi-layered, with themes of personal stasis and ennui, loss, regret, and yearning skilfully woven together. Bus driver, ‘On time Charley’, postpones opening a letter, afraid it will spell the end of the job that gives his life relevance. This decision has consequences that give the story an ‘if only’ pathos, but leads to a strangely uplifting and satisfying conclusion. Delightful.
Despite its short length, this novelette is multi-layered, with themes of personal stasis and ennui, loss, regret, and yearning skilfully woven together. Bus driver, ‘On time Charley’, postpones opening a letter, afraid it will spell the end of the job that gives his life relevance. This decision has consequences that give the story an ‘if only’ pathos, but leads to a strangely uplifting and satisfying conclusion. Delightful.
August 25, 2025
Mary Woldering weaves a well-paced tale layered with mystique and emotion, following bus 309 driver On-Time Charley on a serendipitous journey, despite its novelette form. NIGHT ROUTE is soul-soothing, with just the right touch of eeriness to tingle, not terrify. It’s a perfect pick for horror fans who crave atmosphere over shock.
March 6, 2022
This is a very short read full of a long lived life. It has a very loyal character in it that experiences something quite unusual. You'll want to pay very close attention as you're reading to find out just what that is.
January 15, 2026
A short delightful supernatural story
Mary Woldering does not disappoint. Having felt a bit bogged down with a very long book by a very famous author I opened this story and found it to be insightful, atmospheric and full of bite.Just what I needed to read.
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Mary Woldering does not disappoint. Having felt a bit bogged down with a very long book by a very famous author I opened this story and found it to be insightful, atmospheric and full of bite.Just what I needed to read.
.
May 30, 2025
Fun, fast, short story
Fun, fast, short read. Pacing was great and story line was intriguing. Definitely kept my interest. Going to read more of Mary's works.
Fun, fast, short read. Pacing was great and story line was intriguing. Definitely kept my interest. Going to read more of Mary's works.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews