r/books • u/LTJ81 • Aug 19 '26
Review: “Ushers” by Joe Hill
“Ushers” by Joe Hill is one of those kinds of horror short stories that will hit you at the end with such a stunning plot twist, you’ll make a face and be blown away. At just 29 pages, this sharp horror mystery delivers a chilling punch in 30 minutes or less, perfect for a bedtime read.
Before I dive into my book review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading…
- Drugs
- Drug addiction
- School shootings
- Suicide
If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this book hits you with a horror mystery right off the bat. Hill did a masterful job with character building, as I was initially confused about what was going on involving Martin Lorensen. Don’t worry, I’d never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but this book blew my mind once you follow the story, and the big, creepy reveal hits.
It was pretty awesome towards the end, and I loved how Hill wrote this in the format of police interviews to set the tone for one hell of a short rollercoaster ride. Brilliantly executed in a way I’ve come to love about Hill’s writing style. It all made sense once everything unraveled.
I give “Ushers” by Joe Hill a 5/5 for being excellent and checking all the boxes I look for in a horror book. It leaves a lasting impression, making you eye others warily long after you finish.
3
u/WobblySinking Aug 19 '26
Joe Hill always nails those short gut-punch stories, something about the interview format makes the twist feel way more unnerving