🔍 Book Review: Small Things by Wanda M. Morris (Kindle Edition, Alibis Collection #6)
A haunting, emotionally charged short story about survival, secrecy, and quiet rebellion—Wanda M. Morris delivers a powerful domestic thriller that lingers long after the final page.
🧠 Overview
Published in June 2025, Small Things is the sixth and final entry in Amazon’s Alibis Collection, a series of standalone short stories centered on lies, truth, and deception. This 36-page novella follows Hannah, a jewelry maker trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage. To outsiders, her life appears idyllic—but behind closed doors, she endures gaslighting, control, and isolation.
Her only solace lies in the shed behind her house, where she crafts delicate jewelry—small things that bring her joy and a sense of freedom. But when her husband threatens to take even that away, Hannah devises a plan. What unfolds is a tense, quietly defiant act of self-preservation that challenges the boundaries of justice and morality.
💔 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Domestic abuse and emotional trauma: The story explores the psychological toll of a controlling relationship
- 💍 Art as escape: Hannah’s jewelry-making becomes a metaphor for autonomy and resistance
- 🕵️♀️ Subtle suspense: The tension builds through quiet dread rather than overt action
- 🎭 Duality of appearances: The contrast between public perception and private reality is central to the narrative
- ✨ Empowerment through small acts: Hannah’s rebellion is quiet but deeply impactful
“Hannah has a plan. Now it’s just a matter of pulling it off without leaving a single trace behind.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.69/5 from over 7,600 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s emotional depth, atmospheric tension, and empathetic portrayal of trauma
- 💬 “A masterful short story that left me wanting more… Morris packs so much character and suspense into so few pages.” — NetGalley reviewer
- 🧾 Some readers found the plot predictable or wished for more complexity, but most agreed the emotional impact was strong
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 36 pages, it’s a one-sitting read—best approached as a character study
- 📚 Standalone: Works independently within the Alibis Collection, though thematically aligned with other entries
- 🧠 Heavy subject matter: Includes emotional abuse and psychological manipulation—recommended for mature readers
🏁 Final Verdict
Small Things is a quietly powerful, emotionally resonant novella that showcases Wanda M. Morris’s ability to blend suspense with empathy. It’s a story about reclaiming agency in the smallest ways—and how those acts can be the most courageous. A standout entry in the Alibis Collection for readers who appreciate psychological depth and subtle rebellion.
