Mrs. Grayson has lived alone since he husband died— or has she? Deadbolt by John Ashley is a horror short story that will have you double-checking your doors tonight. Ready to dive into this review? Let’s get started!
What is Deadbolt About?
There’s an innate, human fear about getting older. Your body fails you, your mind becomes unruly, and occasionally, a monster comes to the door to lure you into the dark. Deadbolt follows the story or Ms. Grayson in the period after her husband’s death and the monster that shows up to replace him. This story is tense, short, and the perfect way to add a bit of (healthy) stress to your weekend.
This one’s available on KU, and if you’re in the mood for a quick creepy read, this one is an absolute 5-star.
What Works…
This was the perfect book for me to start my week off with. As I’ve mentioned in my post about getting over reading slumps, focusing on shorter, punchier reads is one of my favourite strategies. Deadbolt fit that description perfectly! The entirety of the story takes place in the Grayson cabin. It’s a rural and isolated location, and without a phone or internet, Mrs. Grayson is completely cut off from the outside world. She’s alone, and when a monster comes to the door pretending to be her dead husband, that isolation is suffocating.
The writing is easy to follow, and the author’s style works so well to bring you into the mind of Mrs. Grayson. I love to see an older woman as a main character, and her limitations do such an amazing job of drawing the reader into the story. There are scenes where her body is starting to fail her, are and her arthritis is making it too painful to just run to the door and check that it’s locked. There’s moments where she knows her mind is slipping, but can’t stop herself from getting a little lost in the fantasy. By the end of it, I was so invested in her story that I was sick with worry.
… And What Doesn’t
Honestly? This story was an easy 5-star read for me, and the only real critique I have for it is that it’s not longer. This feels like it could so easily be a prequel to a novel-length work where the monster is investigated. I’m definitely going to be reading more pieces by John Ashley, and I’m so excited to already be seeing more on Kindle Unlimited this month.
Final Thoughts
Make room in your TBR this week for Deadbolt by John Ashley! A quick read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And remember, no matter what it sounds like, never let that thing into your house.
Check out this story on KU, and be sure to let me know how you liked it!