This novella is nothing short of a masterpiece in „short story storytelling“. From the very first page, I was hooked by its steady pacing, immersive atmosphere, and mounting tension that never felt rushed. Hill masterfully builds suspense, and while some might guess the plot or the twist, I was too caught up in the sheer joy of being entertained to see it coming. The twist at the end was brilliantly executed and added a satisfying layer of surprise.

„Martin Lorensen is a twenty-three-year-old counselor for disturbed teenagers. He’s bright, compassionate, attractive, and outgoing. He’s also—and this is the most interesting thing—not dead. Martin has improbably survived not one but two deadly disasters that claimed dozens of lives. The kid is riding one hell of a lucky streak. Two federal agents think there is something darker at play. Now that they’ve arranged to interview Martin, they want answers. Martin is ready to share everything he knows. One thing is for certain: when it comes to escaping death, luck doesn’t figure into it at all.“

Blurb

The writing is impeccable—fluent, engaging, and effortlessly enjoyable. Hill’s prose pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very last word. What truly stood out to me was how much I loved Martin and the entire setup of the story. It was so compelling that I found myself wishing for a full-length novel set in this universe—not because the short story lacked anything, but because I wanted more of this world and its characters.

Without a doubt, Ushers is one of the best short stories I’ve read this year. A perfect 5 stars! Joe Hill proves once again why he’s one of the best in the business.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️