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What Did Not Die
Jordan Sharp is a newspaper reporter with two years of tough stories under her belt. But when a suspicious house fire takes a child’s life, she finds that nothing has prepared her for this assignment. After years of dreading human connection, Jordan now has something greater to fear.
In this riveting horror novella, you’ll meet Will, a kind firefighter who tugs at Jordan’s heart; Rachel King, a psychotic ghost girl bent on destruction; and Jordan herself, a young woman haunted not only by a ghost but also by dark childhood secrets and their aftermath.
If she’s going to escape the terror being visited on her, Jordan needs resolution. But the way things are going, it may come too late.
In this riveting horror novella, you’ll meet Will, a kind firefighter who tugs at Jordan’s heart; Rachel King, a psychotic ghost girl bent on destruction; and Jordan herself, a young woman haunted not only by a ghost but also by dark childhood secrets and their aftermath.
If she’s going to escape the terror being visited on her, Jordan needs resolution. But the way things are going, it may come too late.
- GenresHorror
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2021
2 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Anna Evans
52 books107 followersRuth Anna Evans is a writer of short horror fiction who lives in the heart of all that is sinister: the American Midwest. She has been composing prose of all types since childhood but finds something truly delightful in putting her nightmares on the page. Her stories are full of twists and turns with relatable protagonists and startling endings. If you like Grady Hendrix and Ira Levin, you'll like Ruth Anna Evans. Follow Ruth Anna on Twitter @ruthannaevans for updates on her work.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 7, 2022
A Haunting, Incandescent Novella.
I blazed through this one in two days. The pacing, characters, and great writing kept me turning the pages. There's also a twist I never saw coming, and kept me thinking about the story long after the book's conclusion. I'm excited to read more from this author! Highly recommended.
I blazed through this one in two days. The pacing, characters, and great writing kept me turning the pages. There's also a twist I never saw coming, and kept me thinking about the story long after the book's conclusion. I'm excited to read more from this author! Highly recommended.
February 10, 2022
Rachel King is on par with Silent Hill’s Alessa Gillespie or F.E.A.R.‘s Alma Wade for creepy evil fire ghost girl. This novella was a surprisingly entertaining read. The author’s use of chapter breaks allowed for constant page turning. Thanks again Ruth for the free copy! I will be checking you out more.
November 17, 2022
OMG 107 pages and I laughed I cried I screamed! what a amazing emotional roller-coaster. This book is absolutely fantastic it was creepy ghost story that kept me turning the page.
Chapters are short so I flew through them. There were so many great moments that were so disturbing and brilliant but unpredictable.
highly recommend to horror fans looking for a quick read.
Chapters are short so I flew through them. There were so many great moments that were so disturbing and brilliant but unpredictable.
highly recommend to horror fans looking for a quick read.
November 26, 2022
A great little horror story to keep you on edge and keep you reading.
It was a creep quick read that had me rushing to turn each page to find out what was going on.
It was a creep quick read that had me rushing to turn each page to find out what was going on.
January 25, 2022
SO GOOD!
There was so much intensity the whole way through the story. There isn't much more terrifying than the threat you can't see, and the twists and turns in the plot cause the best kind of nervousness.
There was so much intensity the whole way through the story. There isn't much more terrifying than the threat you can't see, and the twists and turns in the plot cause the best kind of nervousness.
February 20, 2022
Jordan has been working as a reporter for two years, but nothing has prepared her for the story she faces today. While covering a house fire, she sees a vision of a black-eyed girl. Soon she starts seeing the little girl everywhere - and the bodies keep piling up. Soon Jordan realizes that the girl she is seeing has been causing fires all over town, and even more terrifying, she seems to have a special connection to Jordan herself.
What Did Not Die is a creepy novella. The little girl is terrifying and gave me shivers in each of her scenes. This story is not a happy ride and not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, I love a dark story with ghost girls and darkness.
This story is best read all at once... and with the lights on.
What Did Not Die is a creepy novella. The little girl is terrifying and gave me shivers in each of her scenes. This story is not a happy ride and not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, I love a dark story with ghost girls and darkness.
This story is best read all at once... and with the lights on.
August 11, 2023
Some books are a slow burn, but this book is just an effective burn- a white hot novella that leaves a mark on the reader. The protagonist is well developed, with a complicated past, family connections that feel lived in and worn, and a series of responses that create structured isolation as she encounters the titular entity of What Did Not Die.
The author has captured the small town, the lingering horror, and the feeling of mounting dread so effectively. This is ghostly horror that can not be easily classified - no ancient texts or sages coming to help in this isolated community, no long dead monster…only the remnants of a recent arson that unleashed something. Just lingering losses and concerns mount as we as readers crash toward an ending that is satisfying, relevant, and meaningful in a world of a protagonist who has been removed from much of her own life.
Evans as a storyteller can deliver the gross out horror found in some of her other works, but this is much like her other work, Nicholas is Gone in that it is layered and the ending makes one question how the next day will find everyone involved. Are the situations fully resolved, or are we just left wondering how much time all of the characters we have met have bought? Are we all so marked by our experiences that we must be targets, that we cannot escape our past? Ruth Anna Evans tells stories that we can engage with, but one true power she possesses is that we also walk away wondering about what chances everyone had- if any- for other options.
The author has captured the small town, the lingering horror, and the feeling of mounting dread so effectively. This is ghostly horror that can not be easily classified - no ancient texts or sages coming to help in this isolated community, no long dead monster…only the remnants of a recent arson that unleashed something. Just lingering losses and concerns mount as we as readers crash toward an ending that is satisfying, relevant, and meaningful in a world of a protagonist who has been removed from much of her own life.
Evans as a storyteller can deliver the gross out horror found in some of her other works, but this is much like her other work, Nicholas is Gone in that it is layered and the ending makes one question how the next day will find everyone involved. Are the situations fully resolved, or are we just left wondering how much time all of the characters we have met have bought? Are we all so marked by our experiences that we must be targets, that we cannot escape our past? Ruth Anna Evans tells stories that we can engage with, but one true power she possesses is that we also walk away wondering about what chances everyone had- if any- for other options.
July 9, 2023
It was a quick read, I'll give it that but the ending was a bit anticlimactic and overall this was a ho hum read.
Some questions I do have are, how the heck did the police officer know she was going to show up at her mom's? Was he following her? If so, why not pull her over on the way there...And how quickly does a stolen vehicle alert get put out?
What was the point of the twins? I thought they'd provide more weight to the story. I feel like the memory that was shown during their scene could've been done another way and the twins scene could've been cut altogether...
I've enjoyed other works by this author and this read will by no means turn me off to her other books.
Some questions I do have are, how the heck did the police officer know she was going to show up at her mom's? Was he following her? If so, why not pull her over on the way there...And how quickly does a stolen vehicle alert get put out?
What was the point of the twins? I thought they'd provide more weight to the story. I feel like the memory that was shown during their scene could've been done another way and the twins scene could've been cut altogether...
I've enjoyed other works by this author and this read will by no means turn me off to her other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2022
Creepy
There are some very creepy elements to this book. Ruth Anna Evans does a fantastic job of turning the tired tale of the creepy child into something absolutely terrifying at times. Her descriptions are offputting and occasionally perverse. She doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries with horrible occurrences. Sometimes, the action moves a little too quickly and could do with some more depth or description, but the book moves well in general and keeps one interested throughout.
There are some very creepy elements to this book. Ruth Anna Evans does a fantastic job of turning the tired tale of the creepy child into something absolutely terrifying at times. Her descriptions are offputting and occasionally perverse. She doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries with horrible occurrences. Sometimes, the action moves a little too quickly and could do with some more depth or description, but the book moves well in general and keeps one interested throughout.
September 13, 2022
An intense and fast-paced read with a creepy vibe. What Did Not Die pulled me in from the very first sentence, and I didn't want to put it down. The characters were all realistic, and even though the chapters and the book were short, it was well thought out with enough detail that nothing fell flat. I was gripped by this story, wanting to know what would happen, until the very last sentence. And that ending did not disappoint.
April 8, 2024
I didn't mind this one. It was a nice palette cleanser from some of the heavier books of late. There was a nice flow to this book. The only regret I have is it felt like the ending was rushed. I wish there was some back story to the fire ability. How did she come to have it? Was is inherited? Me personally I'd be screaming me guts out if I was on fire. I will need to look into this authors other book I think.
March 29, 2022
I wouldn't say this was a bad book exactly, but it's nothing I haven't seen before. The pacing is good and the short chapters make this a light read. If you want a beach read about an evil ghost kid, what you see is what you get. There's some slight ablist tropes but mostly I just lost interest before I had finished the novel. Your mileage may vary.
March 1, 2023
This was a pretty quick read and I feel like it had a lot of potential...but for me it just missed the mark with the writing. A lot of good ideas but in the end I just wasn't pulled into the story. I didn't FEEL anything with the main character...none of the anxiety, dread, fear, etc. It ended up being just ok for me...but I don't regret reading it.
July 5, 2023
great ghost story
This was such a great quick read. I love ghost stories and this was was great fuel for my imagination. I could feel the fire burning and almost smell the smoke. I really felt sad for Jordan since she did not have anyone to offer comfort to her. And the ending! I did not see that one coming. Great twist!
This was such a great quick read. I love ghost stories and this was was great fuel for my imagination. I could feel the fire burning and almost smell the smoke. I really felt sad for Jordan since she did not have anyone to offer comfort to her. And the ending! I did not see that one coming. Great twist!
June 27, 2023
Jordan is a reporter haunted by her past. When she is asked to cover a fire. After the fire, Jordan 8s haunted by a ghostly girl. Can she face her past and beat the ghost? Pulse pounding, fast-paced, read tugs on your heart strings.
March 13, 2025
Do you love a good ghost story? Well, this needs to be your next read. It's freakishly the creepiest book I've read in a long time. Although this book is a short one, it is packed with action and suspense.
January 8, 2023
Terrific! This is a must read for ghost story fans: creepy, suspenseful, and written with genuine care for the characters!
July 3, 2023
This novella was SO creepy! I would absolutely love a longer version of this with more background information on the characters, but definitely a fun read!
August 24, 2023
3.5 short and quick paced, this one didn't come all together for me.
April 6, 2024
I loved this one it was a real page turner. If you haven't read it yet, you definitely need to check it out.
April 6, 2024
Really awesome book! It was a fast read and I didn’t want to put it down. It had some spook and lots of exciting drama and mystery! Very exciting ghost story!
July 17, 2023
"What Does Not Die" by Ruth Anna Evans I was sent my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jordan is a news reporter who, at the opening of the story, is covering a fire. The fire is a "normal" fire until Jordan believes she's spotted a child trapped upstairs. The fire department checks and assures her no one is there and that it must have been a figure of her imagination. Jordan isn't so sure, but knowing there's nothing she can really do, she turns in her story and continues on with her normal routine. It isn't long though nefore weird occurrences begin to plague Jordan, and she's forced to question what was actually inside of that fire.
This story was short and sinister and kept me guessing until the very end. It's hard to say much without spoiling the story, but if ghost stories are your thing, I'd get this added to your TBR ASAP. I love Evans as an author, and I'm never disappointed with the stories she presents to us readers.
Jordan is a news reporter who, at the opening of the story, is covering a fire. The fire is a "normal" fire until Jordan believes she's spotted a child trapped upstairs. The fire department checks and assures her no one is there and that it must have been a figure of her imagination. Jordan isn't so sure, but knowing there's nothing she can really do, she turns in her story and continues on with her normal routine. It isn't long though nefore weird occurrences begin to plague Jordan, and she's forced to question what was actually inside of that fire.
This story was short and sinister and kept me guessing until the very end. It's hard to say much without spoiling the story, but if ghost stories are your thing, I'd get this added to your TBR ASAP. I love Evans as an author, and I'm never disappointed with the stories she presents to us readers.
July 31, 2023
Ruth Anna Evans clearly has a knack for knowing how to scare the shit out of me. Even though I am fairly new to her work, each time I've read one of her stories, I've been left a bit shaken. What Did Not Die started off with one of my biggest fears, little kid ghosts. They're just creepier in my opinion. Our MC Jordan is a reporter for the local paper. She is covering a house fire when she sees what appears to be a little girl in the flames of the house. No one else sees her, but this won't be the last time Jordan sees this creepy kid.
Haunting nightmares, hallucinations that seem like reality, and mysterious deaths in flames plague Jordan after seeing the girl. Secrets about her past are pushed into the present, and they are highly entertaining for the reader to discover. To say anything more would ruin some very impressive twists.
At just 80 pages this is a very quick read. Fueled by short chapters, this can absolutely be read in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this novella to anyone that loves hauntings, psychological horror, and creepy, well-written tales.
Haunting nightmares, hallucinations that seem like reality, and mysterious deaths in flames plague Jordan after seeing the girl. Secrets about her past are pushed into the present, and they are highly entertaining for the reader to discover. To say anything more would ruin some very impressive twists.
At just 80 pages this is a very quick read. Fueled by short chapters, this can absolutely be read in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this novella to anyone that loves hauntings, psychological horror, and creepy, well-written tales.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews