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Getaway #3

Stockholm

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An extravagant anniversary trip turns into a desperate scramble for survival in an unsettling short story about desire, manipulation, and revenge by a New York Times bestselling author.

Psychiatrist Olivia Cole is a shell of herself after only two years with her tyrannical husband, the outwardly perfect Sebastian. On their two-year anniversary, she’s subjected to one power move too many when Sebastian whisks her away on a surprise trip—first to the charming capital of Sweden, then to an unexpected final destination. Miles from home and help, the only way for Olivia to wrest back control of her life is to give Sebastian an even bigger, shocking surprise.

Stockholm by Catherine Steadman is part of Getaway, a collection of six stories about dream escapes that take unimaginable, even sinister, turns. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single sitting.

41 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2022

987 people are currently reading
2351 people want to read

About the author

Catherine Steadman

13 books5,589 followers
Catherine Steadman is an actress, screenwriter and author. She lives in North London with her husband and two children. She is best known as an actress for her role as Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey. Something in the Water was her first novel - NINE LIVES will be out Summer 2026

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5 stars
977 (17%)
4 stars
2,051 (35%)
3 stars
2,092 (36%)
2 stars
499 (8%)
1 star
123 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
Profile Image for MarilynW.
1,930 reviews4,459 followers
September 16, 2022
Stockholm by Catherine Steadman
narrated by Samara Naeymi

Olivia Cole's dating life with Seb has always been about taking risks to the edge, pushing each other as far as possible, a power struggle that fueled each of them. Then they got married and Seb got the upper hand in a way that has Olivia trapped forever, with no way out. She is powerless under his control, she has lost everything.

A surprise trip to Sweden turns into a journey into frigid no man's land. The house they are staying at is beautiful but it's a prison for Olivia and there is on one to see the captive. Olivia has a plan but when it's thwarted she lands on a foolproof one that will be the surprise of Seb's life.

This short story is part of Getaway, a collection of six stories about dream escapes that take unimaginable, even sinister, turns.
Profile Image for Josh.
338 reviews94 followers
February 11, 2026
3.5/5 ★

Pretty intense for such a short story!

In Stockholm, psychiatrist Olivia Cole is taken on an anniversary trip by her outwardly perfect husband, Sebastian, whose controlling nature slowly turns the getaway into something far more disturbing. Isolated and running out of options, Olivia realizes that reclaiming her life will require a bold and shocking move of her own.

I’ve read other books by Catherine Steadman, The Family Game (3.5 ★) and Something in the Water (2.5 ★), and I’m still on the lookout for a favorite from her. This one isn’t quite a favorite, but I did like it!

The way Sebastian’s total control over Olivia is described right from the beginning really shows you how trapped she is and how little hope she has of not being dependent on him. It also instantly makes you root for her, even though the story is so short. I thought the remote winter setting was described really well and added a lot to the story. I wasn’t fully engaged in the middle, but the ending pulled me back in and felt worth it.

Overall, I think this is a solid short story if you’re looking to break up your reading from full length novels and want something quick but still tense and thrilling.

This is book 3 of 6 from the Getaway: Secrets Follow You Everywhere collection.



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Profile Image for Kay.
2,212 reviews1,214 followers
January 6, 2023
I enjoyed my first Steadman's book, The Family Game and I'm happy to try another. This is a good short story with a brow-raising ending. 🥶

Husband and wife travel to Stockholm for their second anniversary. The seemingly perfect couple is anything but. She plans to leave him in Stockholm but to her surprise, their destination is an isolated cabin outside of Kiruna, the northernmost city in Sweden in sub-zero temperature, snow, and reindeer. Atmospheric. Fitting title. Enjoyed this one!

Part 3/6 in the Getaway short story collection. Free with Prime/KU. 59mins/41pages
Profile Image for Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo).
1,569 reviews4,642 followers
September 18, 2022
If you have Amazon Prime-there is a new short story collection included with your membership-THE GETAWAY series.

The common theme of each is that they are all about dream escapes that take an unimaginable or sinister turn. Each can be read or listened to, in a single sitting.

I always find these collections to be a great way to sample the work of an author you have not read, or a way to enjoy bonus content from a favorite author between full length novels.

This collection includes:

Uncharted Waters-Sally Hepworth
His Happy Place-Zakiya Dalila Harris
Stockholm-Catherine Steadman
Belle Mer-Luanne Rice
Catch Her in a Lie-Jess Lourey
She’ll Game-Rumaan Alam

In Stockholm, we meet Psychiatrist Olivia Cole. How did a once successful, strong woman become only a shell of her former self after just two years of being married to Sebastian-a man who appears perfect to those outside of the marriage but is actually far from it. (A common theme in books lately)

And, will she be able to finally make her escape from him, when he takes her on an extravagant Anniversary trip, miles away from home…….?

Estimated reading time: 41 minutes and also available as an Audible
Profile Image for Lit with Leigh.
623 reviews827 followers
November 30, 2022
Ok I loved the snowy setting of this one. Perfect wintery read for us Canadians who are settling in for another 4 months of snow LOL. I thought the descriptions of the northern lights were well done and I would be down for a quiet weekend in the cabin..

Although the plot had potential, the execution lacked logic. I had many questions. Plus that ending????? Are you dead ass??? Catherine Steadman if you don't get your ass back here and write at least three more pages to wrap this up. Acting like it's a guarantee she's gonna do xyz when she can't even legally lock a door for privacy.

These short stories are like a litmus test if I want to endure a full length novel from that author. In this case, I can say most likely not lol. I can see myself tiring very quickly of her writing style and this main character. Even for 40 some pages, it was beginning to feel repetitive.

3 generous stars.
Profile Image for Allison Faught.
381 reviews216 followers
December 6, 2022
I was looking for a fun and fast read as some downtime between books when I found this collection of stories!
I really liked the Christmas-y, winter feel of this one and it was incredibly unexpected in a good way.
What didn’t totally work was I felt a bit underwhelmed by it. I was hoping for maybe some cool twist or a big change in the story, but it just never came.
I may have liked this more had the ending been explained further and wasn’t so abrupt. Good for a fast read to pass the time. I’ll definitely read the rest in the collection.
Profile Image for Nina (ninjasbooks).
1,627 reviews1,752 followers
December 26, 2022
A quick read that I enjoyed. In very little time we are introduced to a destructive relationship that she wants to escape from. A fascinating cat-and-mouse game. I rooted for her from the beginning, not an easy feat when you have so little time to get to know a character.
Profile Image for Tonya.
794 reviews197 followers
January 7, 2023
This short story is part of the Getaway series, but may be read as a standalone. Olivia’s marriage appears to be perfect and enviable. Appearances prove to be deceiving as the tragic truth comes to light. Persistence, risk and extreme tension describe this intense and atmospheric psychological thriller. The narrators expertly add a layer of suspense and anxiety. The final twist was jaw dropping.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,620 reviews1,340 followers
October 4, 2022
the setup…
Olivia Cole once had a big life of her own…that is until she met her husband, Sebastian, and what started as risky and provocative fantasies, ended up with him assuming absolute control of her life following their marriage. She never saw it coming and now they’re on a trip to Stockholm to celebrate their two-year anniversary. Olivia has a getaway plan until she realizes that will not be their final destination, thwarting her plan for the moment.

the heart of the story…
Sebastian is all about mind games and Olivia had thought she was an equal partner until she wasn’t. Now she’s got to reengage to figure out how she can find her freedom when he has all the power and control. I was drawn in right away, plotting and looking for seams to open for Olivia as she used her brain to best him.

the narration…
Though she’s new to me, the narrator was outstanding as she carefully delivered a subtle and understated performance in a story that was rather dramatic. That just ratcheted up the tension, which was excellent.

the bottom line…
I am wild about the ending, which delivered the irony I was hoping for. This was a gem, my favorite in the series so far. Well done, Olivia.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Anissa.
1,002 reviews329 followers
September 12, 2022
Quite the journey.

Very good short story by Steadman. Good tension throughout and perfect ending. This wasn't my first read by this author and this didn't disappoint.

A worthy entry in the Getaway collection.
Profile Image for Diana.
928 reviews726 followers
January 22, 2024
Not gonna lie, this short story gave me anxiety. It's a quick read but packed with a lot of dread, as an abused wife plans an escape from her ghastly husband during an anniversary trip to Sweden. I enjoyed this one, from the isolated snowy setting to the intense and unexpected ending. I've enjoyed previous books by Catherine Steadman, and this mini thriller did not disappoint!
Profile Image for Alan (the Lone Librarian) Teder.
2,743 reviews269 followers
September 14, 2022
Escape in the Sami Lands
Review of the Amazon Original Kindle eBook (August 31, 2022), released simultaneously with the Audible Original audiobook.

The setup and the location of this was intriguing. Despite the title hint which made me think of "Stockholm Syndrome", it was instead a bait and switch which took us into Northern Sweden and the lands and customs of the Sami people (known as Laplanders to many). That made me hope for some sort of intriguing twist with the protagonist escaping the abusive controlling relationship that she was in with the help of the local indigenous people. Unfortunately it did not end that way. I'll admit then that my Finno-Ugric heritage bias affected my rating.

Stockholm is one of six Amazon Original Kindle eBooks/Audible Audio audiobooks released on August 31, 2022 as part of the Getaway Collection of short stories where "Secrets follow you everywhere. Perfect vacation or last resort? In this collection of short psychological thrillers, bestselling authors bring trouble to paradise. Today’s itinerary: surfing, sailing, hiking, facing your worst fears... Most dream vacations never live up to expectations—but few cause this many nightmares."

Trivia and Link
You can watch for current and past Amazon Original Kindle short stories which are usually paired with their Audible Original narrations at an Amazon page here (link goes to Amazon US, adjust for your own country or region).
480 reviews58 followers
August 17, 2025
This short story is part of the Getaway collection on Amazon. When abusive husband Sebastian surprises his wife Olivia with a trip to Stockholm, Olivia begins to plan her escape. But Sebastian has another surprise in store for Olivia. Their final destination is a remote cabin in the far north of Sweden. Isolated in a frigid wilderness, Olivia is forced to devise a new plan, but will she succeed? This is a chilling story, atmospheric, with a sense of tension from start to finish.
Profile Image for Karla.
1,462 reviews375 followers
November 9, 2025
Story 3 stars**
Audio 4.25 stars**
Narrator Samara Naeymi
Profile Image for STEPH.
593 reviews68 followers
November 30, 2024
I never thought a book could make me this angry. Ugh.

The antagonist absolutely deserves a painful death, and I wish this short story had been longer just to see it happen.

Anyone who reads this will no doubt feel a unique kind of rage. The helplessness, the silenced voice because no one believes you, the stripping away of your identity and your right to choose—it’s infuriating.

A perfect getaway, a surprise anniversary gift, set in an isolated, snowbound landscape. But sometimes, a man’s heart can be colder than winter.
Profile Image for Cristina Neves.
181 reviews8 followers
January 17, 2026
Olivia Cole is a psychiatrist, but now she is only Sebastian Cole's wife, a woman with no rights, no job, who can't decide where to live, or sleep, and doesn't even control her finances.
He won a conservatorship on her in court.
The man she once lusted and loved is now her captor.
He's a reputed surgeon, and no one would believe her if she told them she's kept on tranquilizers to behave how he wants, just being his beautiful and docile wife!
She learned the game.
She takes the pills but no all of them.

So she is surprised when they go to Stockholm for their two years marriage Anniversary.
He must trust her now, that she is broken.
But he is wrong.
She plans to disappear during this trip.

But instead of Stockholm, after the first flight Sebastian tells her they're going to Kiruna, the northnmost tip of Sweden, an isolated place in the middle of the forest, a cold white one, snow and ice everywhere.
She's devasted.
She has to adapt her plan to this change and try anyway, because she found out she is pregnant.

Will she be able to do it, having no one to help her in this deadly environment?
Will she ever be free of Sebastian?

This was a very gripping and fast story.
My first read by this author.
Profile Image for Jennifer *Nottoomanybooks*.
513 reviews62 followers
February 20, 2023

I found this anthology on Kindle Unlimited recently and decided, hey! I don’t read many short stories, there are some fantastic authors in this anthology, and jumped right in! It took around an hour to finish….that made me feel accomplished!🤣

A woman and her husband are going to Stockholm, Sweden (or so the woman thinks.) They end up in a remote part of Northern Sweden. This is not a healthy relationship in the least….a situation where the woman wants to leave her husband, but doesn’t know how. She has been caught and stopped before. What would be different this time?

It kept my attention, which has been short lately. I recommend it for sure!

Now, onto another short story in the series! ✌🏻
Profile Image for Cherie.
229 reviews112 followers
October 18, 2022
The ending ruined it for me.
Profile Image for Julie (JuJu).
1,189 reviews222 followers
January 29, 2024
Chilling tale of twisted domestic violence.

Catherine Steadman is an excellent writer, so I was excited to delve into this tale.

Sebastian has planned a surprise anniversary trip for Olivia. While most wives would be thrilled, Olivia is not. Her marriage is not what she expected, and she feels trapped with an overbearing husband who controls every aspect of her life. So, she is not eager to go to an undisclosed location with him.

This story is a chilling tale of a twisted type of domestic violence. I was engrossed in the story, but unfortunately, I did not care for the ending.

#Stockholm #CatherineSteadman #AmazonPublishing #KindleUnlimited #DomesticViolence #RemoteLocation #thriller #honestreview #bookreviewer #thrillerbookloverspromotions #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworms #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer
Profile Image for Lynn.
950 reviews32 followers
June 28, 2024
The Man She Always Wanted

Olivia is a Psychiatrist who fell for a rich and famous cardiovascular surgeon. He was handsome and she was attracted to him as was every woman he met, but it was Olivia that Sebastian wanted. She gave up her independence to him a little at a time. First she made herself available to him for calls between his patients, and in ten months she gave up the lease to her apartment. She thought she wanted to be married to Sebastian, but that was before she realized that she would have to give up everything being married to him, even her career.

Olivia’s mother committed suicide when her father left them for another woman, and when Olivia had a car accident after her lost pregnancy it was obviously a family trend and a conservatorship would be required for Sebastian to care for his wife. She was trapped.

Honestly, I am never really certain if Sebastian is as crazy as he sounds, and it seems like he is, or if Olivia’s cheese has slipped off her cracker sometime along the way. This is a well-written short story that makes you go hmm and never lets you really be too certain either way. Four stars for the clever writing.
Profile Image for Freda Mans-Labianca.
1,294 reviews124 followers
October 12, 2022
So intense, especially at the end.
I didn't want this one to end. It ended open, so you can imagine what happened. I would have preferred a full length novel with details on Olivia and what happens.
I'm still so very invested!!
I definitely want more from this author also. Such talented writing to have me this gripped!

4.5/5
Profile Image for Kimberly R.
360 reviews8 followers
October 28, 2022
Olivia Cole and her husband Sebastian head to Stockholm on their anniversary, or so she thinks.
This was a suspenseful story that kept my attention!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews

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