UnLocked

by Philippa East

ALL PROFITS FROM UNLOCKED WILL BE DONATED TO THE TRUSSELL TRUST

From murder to magic, loss to love, Berlin to Bologna and everything in between, this brilliant anthology showcases 16 unique short stories from the D20 Authors, a best-selling group of writers whose debuts were published during the COVID 2020 lockdowns.

Meet the cleaner who won't let anything stand between her and her job; the ocean diver with a mysterious mission; the pyromaniac driven by a painful compulsion; and the politician struggling to balance it all....

Compiled by best-selling author Philippa East, and covering everything from crime to romance, mystery to uplit, this multi-genre collection has a story for everyone. Contributors to UnLocked have been longlisted, shortlisted and winners of a variety of awards, including The Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, The McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book, The Guardian's Not-The-Booker Prize, The People’s Book Prize for Fiction, and the CWA New Dagger Award for best debut of the year.

With this superb anthology, the D20 Authors are delighted to be raising funds for the Trussell Trust, a charity who supports a nationwide network of food banks, and together they provide emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaign to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Contributors
Debra Barnes
Penny Batchelor
Tom Benjamin
Caroline Bishop
Emma Christie
Catherine Cooper
Polly Crosby
Victoria Dowd
Philippa East
Tim Ewins
Gillian Harvey
Nydia Hetherington
Anna Jefferson
Louise Mumford
Holly Race
Rosie Walker

Get to know some of the best fiction writers publishing today, support the Trussell Trust and treat yourself to some great entertainment by reading this exceptional collection.

Genres: Short Stories, Anthologies

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2022

About the author

Philippa East is a fiction writer with HQ/HarperCollins and she also works as a clinical psychologist.

Philippa East grew up in Scotland before moving to Oxford and then London to train as a Clinical Psychologist. In 2015, she left the NHS to work in private practice and dedicate more hours to writing. The result was her debut LITTLE WHITE LIES, which was longlisted for The Guardian's Not-The-Booker Prize and shortlisted for the CWA "New Blood" Award for best debut of 2020.

Philippa’s has since released three further psychological thrillers: SAFE AND SOUND, I’LL NEVER TELL and A GUILTY SECRET. If you’ve read all of those, don’t worry! Philippa is already busy working on her next.

Philippa lives in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside with her spouse and cat. She loves reading (of course!) and long country walks, and she also performs in a local folk duo called The Miracle Cure. Alongside her writing, Philippa continues to work as a psychologist and therapist.

You can find Philippa on Bluesky: @philippaeast.bluesky.social and on Facebook: @philippa_east_author. Also, don’t forget to click the “Follow” button on her Amazon Author page to keep up to date with Philippa’s book news and brand new releases.

Reviews

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved these!
I never read short stories usually, but this collection really reminds me I should!
They pack a powerful punch, all having something different that made me race through the story.
Some of them, particularly the first two, were so good I would have happily read them as full books!
Thoroughly enjoyable, and supporting the Trussell Trust as well means this is a no brainer purchase for me.

[Louise Fein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this collection of short stories by the talented D20 authors!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Unlocked’ is a collection of short stories by authors first published in lockdown. The book gathers together authors who, due to the unfortunate circumstance of that pandemic, were first published at a time when there were no book events, signings, or even bookshops open. Some of the authors featured here I know of as I have their books; the likes of Emma Christie, Philippa East and Louise Mumford.

Other authors featured here had passed me by – so this is a great introduction to their writing style and genre of choice.

As with any short story collection I read (and I’ve read a fair few) there are always some standouts – and this collection is no different, with my personal favourites being:

📚 The Cleaner
📚 My Last Duchess
📚 The Reef
📚 When the Hens Roost Nightly
📚 The Debate
📚 Show Time
📚 The Lucky Ones

Short stories are sometimes difficult to pull off but the ones listed above totally hit the spot for me – just the right length with a sprinkling of mystery and intrigue that I like. That’s not to say there isn’t something for everyone in here with a variation of genres covered from crime, and historical fiction to romance.

Overall if you like a mix of short stories with different genres then this is a recommended read – and all for a good cause.

All profits from this collection from are being donated to The Trussel Trust – a charity who supports a nationwide network of food banks, and together they provide emergency food and support to people facing hardship, and campaign to end the need for food banks in the UK.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m delighted to be sharing my review for Unlocked, a collection of short stories by authors first published during the 2020 lockdowns. All profits from the book will be donated to The Trussell Trust which supports foodbanks which are sadly needed more than ever this year. I occasionally provide cover at our local Trussell Trust foodbank and know first hand just how essential they are to people who are really struggling with the cost of living crisis.

We hear in the introduction to this book how these authors came to know each other. All had their debut novels published in 2020 and of course, as we all know, that was a difficult time for everyone, not least authors trying to launch books at a time when bookshops were shut and events couldn’t take place. This group came together online to support each other.

Unlocked is a fabulous, eclectic mix of stories. There really is something for everyone. The authors take us to different places and different times with a real variety of genres. You’ll find a hint of the supernatural, crime, historical fiction, romance and some dilemmas. You’ll visit France, Italy and several places across the UK. You’ll find some very emotional stories, some stories that intrigue you and some which will make you laugh.

Unlocked gives a great introduction to each writer and a taste of each writer’s style. I had only read a couple of these authors before but will now definitely look out for others. It’s sometimes hard to decide what star rating to give a collection of short stories as inevitably, there will be some you like more than others. That was true for me of course but all these stories were excellent even if from a genre I didn’t usually read. So I have happily given this collection five stars and pleased to recommend it as a great way to discover some new authors.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing collection of short stories written by authors who all had a debut novel published during the first lockdown due to the covid pandemic, I can't imagihne how hard that was to have a book launch at a time when pr for the book would have to be doneduring a difficult time. and I instantly feel in love with the fact that all the authors included in this came together to support one another through it.
I love anthologies and this was no exception each story was well written with a storyline that grabbed me in and held my attention right from the start and well developed characters some of which I fell in love with, which doesn't always happen in short stories, as I find sometimes the charcater development can get somewhat compromised - this really is not the case with this collection.
There really is something for everyone in this anthology with genres from historical fiction, romance and crime/thriller and many more so even if a couple fo the stories are not for you, some definitely will be.
I loved it and I think it is important to say that all thr profits from this book are going towards The Trussell Trust charity which helps provide foodbanks up and down the country, which is an incredible charity at any time but one that is especially poignant right now.

[Vix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a mixed bag - some I loved and some I felt a bit lost with (why it's been given 3 stars).

My particular favourites (and authors I'll go and investigate) were:

"The Reef" by Emma Christie - I enjoyed the twists and turns this took me on, changing my views of whether it was a positive or negative story.

"While the Hens Roost Nightly" by Philippa East - I loved this one because I hated it! The emotions this story drew out from me and some of the things that happened were harrowing - and that's what made it brilliant (whilst being horrible). I had to take a pause after reading this one.

"Treasure" by Holly Race - I found myself really invested in the characters of this story, and was completely shocked by the ending.

Overall, I'd recommend this anthology - you'll definitely find at least a few stories you love.

*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from LoveBooksTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

t’s a wonderful set of short stories from some of the @D20Authors including @philippa_east_author @louisemumfordauthor @catherinecooperjournalist & many others who helped get us through those lockdown months with their brilliant writing! Not only do you get a fine array of unique stories, all profits go to @trusselltrust so you can read & support an amazing charity at the same time.
Every story is a great stand-alone, taking you in all sorts of directions, ideal for a quick 10 minute read. There are details of each author's other works at the end of each story, so if you like what you read, you can check out more of their writing too.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories in a fabulous package wrapped up to raise money for The Trussell Trust, a very worthy cause!
A few of these stories I wouldn't mind being fluffed out into a full length novel, such is the promise I see in them.
I really liked that at the end of each story it told you a little about the author and how to find other works by them so if you particularly likes ones style you could go read more.
Some pretty dark stories, some sad and some thrilling. All well written and engaging.
I hope this raises loads for its intended cause!

[Claire Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant collection of stories! A great variety from thriller to historical fiction and more. I really enjoyed reading this and has furthered my new found love of short stories. It’s lovely to know that there was such a good support network for those who released during such a tough time. This has introduced me to a lot of new authors and needless to say I’ve added so many of these authors to my wish list…

[Vicki (chaptersofvicki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a mixture of different short stories from the D20 authors. I enjoyed most of the stories in this book.

My favourites were The Cleaner by Louise Mumford @louisemumford and The Reef by Emma Christie. While the Hens Roost Nightly by Philippa East was another I enjoyed.

I recommend this anthology as I’m sure there’s something for everyone in this book.

Thank you to Love Book Tours and the authors for having me on the tour and for my gifted ebook.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this. What a wonderful idea, and what a wonderful group of talented authors.
Unlocked features short stories of varying lengths, and subjects, each with a twist at the end. Some are crime, but some are more personal, like Tim Ewins.
I was aware of some of the authors before, but having read these stories I am definitely keen to go and read more.
If you enjoy short stories this is right up your street, and better still, profits go to the Trussell Trust.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story collection is only as good as its weakest story, and you’d be hard pressed to find a weak one here. I jotted down the titles and ticked them off as I read, and every one got a tick! They are quick, punchy and in most cases, unusual. Well written and edited, this book has the lot. You could read one a night, or binge, as I did. Highly recommended.

[Jerica Mercado · Rating 4 out of 5]

UnLocked is a compilation of short stories by the D20 authors and I absolutely loved reading these stories! I've become a huge fan of short story collections over the past couple of years, and reading these and finding common threads or themes among them was such a treat. So many of the stories grabbed me right away, or led me to some twist that had me gasping and flying through the pages to see how it resolves! It was such a pleasure to read that I found myself reading even while blow drying my hair! It was even better knowing that all the proceeds from sales of this collection go towards the Trussell Trust, a charity that supports a nationwide network of food banks in the UK.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Gabriela Galescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than most

Short story collections are mixed bags. However, I found this “bag” a lot more palatable than most. I will actually be following some of the authors in this compilation.

[Lauren Flewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this anthology as it was a little bit of everything so kept me very engaged!

My favourites were The Cleaner by Louise Mumford and Show Time by Anna Jefferson. There is something for everyone and the best bit is that all profits will go to The Trussell Trust. 💜

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic little collection of stories, not too long and not to short and there was something for every genre of book lover within it's pages. I found all of them enjoyable and am definitely going to looking out for these authors in the future.

All of the stories included are well written with well developed characters and ALL of the proceeds are going to such a worthwhile cause in the @trusselltrust.

Many thanks to Love Books Tours for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short story format which was a nice change. There were a lot of well-written and interesting stories (just one was a little clichéd for my taste) and I enjoyed the book overall.