🏙️ Book Review: The Sublet: A Short Story by Greer Hendricks (Kindle Edition)
A claustrophobic descent into deception and wellness culture gone wrong—Greer Hendricks delivers a taut psychological thriller that turns aspirational living into a chilling cautionary tale.
🧠 Overview
Published in April 2025 as part of Amazon Original Stories, The Sublet is a 61-page standalone novella by Greer Hendricks, co-author of bestselling psychological thrillers like The Wife Between Us and The Golden Couple. This story follows Anne, a ghostwriter and struggling novelist juggling twin boys, a stagnant marriage, and a dwindling bank account in a cramped Manhattan apartment.
When Anne lands a lucrative gig ghostwriting for Melody Wells, a self-help guru with lavender branding and a cult-like following, she sees a path to stability. Melody offers Anne a dream sublet—three bedrooms, East River views, and a fresh start. But as Anne settles in, unsettling details emerge: a locked closet, claw marks on the wall, and Melody’s increasingly invasive behavior. The apartment begins to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a trap.
🧘♀️ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Wellness culture turned toxic: Melody’s affirmations and supplements mask a deeper need for control
- 🏚️ Architectural anxiety: The apartment itself becomes a character—its eerie details mirroring Anne’s unraveling psyche
- 💬 Sharp psychological tension: Hendricks builds suspense through subtle, accumulating unease rather than overt horror
- 🧍♀️ Identity and aspiration: Anne’s desire for a better life blinds her to the dangers of curated perfection
“I liken my technique to a method actor preparing for a role… It’s more than what she says that resonates with her followers; it’s the way she says it.” — Anne, reflecting on Melody’s influence
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.22/5 from over 19,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s atmosphere, modern relevance, and tight pacing
- 🧾 Some felt the novella format limited deeper character development, but most found it a compelling, eerie read
- 💬 “A chilling reminder that not all self-help is helpful—and some dream homes come with nightmares.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 61 pages, it’s a quick read—ideal for fans of bite-sized psychological suspense
- 📚 Standalone: No prior reading required, though Hendricks’ fans will recognize her signature style
- 🧠 Subtle horror: The story leans more on psychological unease than overt thrills
🏁 Final Verdict
The Sublet is a smart, unsettling novella that explores the dark side of curated lifestyles and the emotional cost of chasing perfection. Greer Hendricks crafts a story that’s both timely and timeless, making this Kindle edition a perfect pick for fans of domestic noir, psychological thrillers, and stories where the walls seem to close in.
