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Otherworld Stories #9.6
Checkmate
A piece of free online fiction available on Kelly Armstrong's website at www.kelleyarmstrong.com.
The introduction to the story reads:
Short story originally published in SpectraPulse Magazine. In Frostbitten, Elena mentions tracking a killer in Winnipeg. This is that story.
The introduction to the story reads:
Short story originally published in SpectraPulse Magazine. In Frostbitten, Elena mentions tracking a killer in Winnipeg. This is that story.
8 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
1360 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
297 books33.7k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 21, 2022
Clay and Elena take out a man-eating mutt. Gross man.
August 12, 2021
A "free short story, 9.6 in the Otherworld Stories urban fantasy series and revolving around Elena and Clay Danvers on a hunt in Winnipeg, Canada.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Women of the Otherworld books on my website.
My Take
"Checkmate" enlarges on a mention Elena makes in Frostbitten , 10, about tracking a killer in Winnipeg.
That start was quite confusing until I got further into the story, and there is definitely a huge red herring in this . . . if only we had Clay's nose, sigh.
It seems that Clay and Elena have a perfect partnership, at least in being the restraining hand for each other's weaknesses. Although it seems that there's a dichotomy about Elena's nose.
Armstrong is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective so we hear, see, and feel her side of the action. Because, yeah, there is action that's character-driven, the bad and the good.
It's so Elena: her being wrong " . . . happens rarely enough that [she doesn't] mind admitting it".
While the story was enjoyable and Armstrong nicely describes Elena's and Clay's characteristics, the ending was a pain. It was too abrupt and felt unfinished.
The Story
Prostitutes are the favored victims for man-eating mutts, and it was too dangerous to continue.
It's a hunt in Canada to find that rogue mutt . . . and take him down.
The Characters
Elena and Clay Danvers are werewolves, part of the Stonehaven Pack in upper New York state.
There's a john and a mutt involved in this particular hunt.
The Title
If one likens this tale to a game, it is a "Checkmate". One the murderer thinks has worked that Clay and Elena know they've worked.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Women of the Otherworld books on my website.
My Take
"Checkmate" enlarges on a mention Elena makes in Frostbitten , 10, about tracking a killer in Winnipeg.
That start was quite confusing until I got further into the story, and there is definitely a huge red herring in this . . . if only we had Clay's nose, sigh.
It seems that Clay and Elena have a perfect partnership, at least in being the restraining hand for each other's weaknesses. Although it seems that there's a dichotomy about Elena's nose.
Armstrong is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Elena's perspective so we hear, see, and feel her side of the action. Because, yeah, there is action that's character-driven, the bad and the good.
It's so Elena: her being wrong " . . . happens rarely enough that [she doesn't] mind admitting it".
While the story was enjoyable and Armstrong nicely describes Elena's and Clay's characteristics, the ending was a pain. It was too abrupt and felt unfinished.
The Story
Prostitutes are the favored victims for man-eating mutts, and it was too dangerous to continue.
It's a hunt in Canada to find that rogue mutt . . . and take him down.
The Characters
Elena and Clay Danvers are werewolves, part of the Stonehaven Pack in upper New York state.
There's a john and a mutt involved in this particular hunt.
The Title
If one likens this tale to a game, it is a "Checkmate". One the murderer thinks has worked that Clay and Elena know they've worked.
September 5, 2018
This was an almost 8-page PDF document and I thought I was missing a page or two, because the abrupt end seemed to be missing more than the usual needed details. So I downloaded it again to be sure. A disappointment to say the least, it was a short scene of Clay and Elena and some unnamed mutt, and IMO serves absolutely no purpose. Seemed like a partial chapter idea that Kelley, for whatever reason, decided to make public.
February 6, 2018
Free online story found on the author’s website. #9.5 of the Otherworld stories.
Its further explanation of an event that Elena mentions in the book Frostbitten where Elena and Clay are in Winnipeg hunting a rogue.
Fave scene: the snow bank.
Its further explanation of an event that Elena mentions in the book Frostbitten where Elena and Clay are in Winnipeg hunting a rogue.
Fave scene: the snow bank.
November 21, 2020
Not every case of Clay and Elena's take a full book to describe. This is an 8 pahe short detailing such a case - one that's mentioned in Frostbitten.
Entertaining enough, and showing how full of monsters this world of ours can be.
Well written, and as usual, I love the Clay/Elena dynamic.
Entertaining enough, and showing how full of monsters this world of ours can be.
Well written, and as usual, I love the Clay/Elena dynamic.
August 6, 2021
3.5 stars
Very short and fairly typical story about Clay and Elena hunting a mutt who's causing trouble.
Very short and fairly typical story about Clay and Elena hunting a mutt who's causing trouble.
December 6, 2021
In Frostbitten, Elena mentions tracking a killer in Winnipeg. This is that story.
Heather's Notes
Interesting story with a nice twist at the end.
Heather's Notes
Interesting story with a nice twist at the end.
July 10, 2023
Very quick online snippet about Elena and Clay hunting for a murderous mutt in Canada. Apparently this event is brought up in the following novel--Frostbitten.
January 25, 2026
The main characters are a hoot… I left the dynamic. Cute short story!
September 16, 2012
Ultra short story - or more of a slice of life, actually - on Elena and Clay hunting down a possibly murderous mutt.
To me, the story isn't as much about the mutt hunt as it is about Elena and Clay together. With every revisit it's great to see how much their relationship has evolved and how comfortable they are with each other.
A fun little read.
To me, the story isn't as much about the mutt hunt as it is about Elena and Clay together. With every revisit it's great to see how much their relationship has evolved and how comfortable they are with each other.
A fun little read.
June 15, 2013
A very short story posted on Kelley Armstrong's website (it's free). The story covers an event mentioned in passing during the book Frostbitten. I would have preferred to read it as a short story at either the beginning or end of Frostbitten.
It can be read here: http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/PDFs/C...
It can be read here: http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/PDFs/C...
December 26, 2014
As always, Clay and Elena stories are entertaining. This one shows them going mutt hunting together before Frostbitten. There's a little twisty-turny mystery, but the real story is always Clay and Elena. They are adorable and fun to watch. These short stories that show us little private moments are always the best.
April 3, 2011
"What are the magic words?"
I kept struggling until he had me suspended over the snow, the cold making my eyes water.
"You were right, okay?" I said. "You were right. I was wrong."
He set me down. "Wasn’t that easy?"
I kept struggling until he had me suspended over the snow, the cold making my eyes water.
"You were right, okay?" I said. "You were right. I was wrong."
He set me down. "Wasn’t that easy?"
July 24, 2012
So short but so good! I love Elena and Clay and their crazy relationship. I would have loved to keep reading to see what happened next (though it's pretty obvious)! I hope there will be more novellas/short stories surrounding the Ovtherworld charaters even after Thirteen. I love them all!
April 9, 2015
Clay and Elena are tracking a mutt who is killing prostitutes and are tracking him through the streets waiting to trap him. It is a short story but it's always fun to check in with the Pack! Just wish it was a bit longer though.
October 20, 2010
Awesome as usual, I just love anything Elena and Clay. Specifically Clay :)
April 4, 2011
Elena and Clay track down a murderous brethren, rogue wolf, in Winnipeg, Canada. Too short to make anything out of. Have no clue what the actual point of releasing this was.
February 25, 2017
Great short story, and the human killer and the man eater, and yeah, enjoyed it!
*First read November 18th 2012*
Enjoyed reading this, and yeah, just really good!
*First read November 18th 2012*
Enjoyed reading this, and yeah, just really good!
July 18, 2011
Quite short but very good.
Want to read
July 5, 2011
June 11, 2013
A quick, enjoyable read about Clay and Elena tracking a rogue mutt.
August 31, 2012
Free ebook link on her website http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/free-o...
December 20, 2011
I enjoy anything about Clay and Elena. Love them!
March 28, 2012
Great little story
December 18, 2012
The main characters are a hoot...I love the dynamic. Cute short story!
June 30, 2012
This quick short showcased Elena and Clay on a mutt hunt, one that almost takes an unusual turn in the middle.
October 17, 2012
This was a short side story about Elena and Clay tracking down a killer in Winnepeg. Not much to it but fans of Elena and Clay or of the series as a whole would enjoy this snippet.
October 3, 2015
Free download http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/free-o...
yet to read
yet to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews