The Strangers Outside is a great quick read with just 25 pages. I think this is the shortest story I have read.
There is no dragging the story out and it gets right to the point.
I did like the story, I think this could have the potential for a brilliant full length book.

I didn’t get dragged into the book I think this is because apart from knowing the sisters names and that they were unlucky and pessimistic that was all I got from them. As not much real detail went into this story.

If you want a good supernatural horror style read that is quick to read then this is definitely the book for you. ( )

The Strangers Outside – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘After walking quickly along a winding sidewalk toward the outermost building on the left of the complex, the sisters arrived at their holiday cottage. Louise already had her key in hand and quickly unlocked the door, gesturing for Jennifer to go inside first. Before closing the front door behind her, Louise cast another look at the strangers standing outside on the far side of the parking lot. They stood in the same spot, staring in her direction. A shiver ran down her spine and she quickly closed the door, locking it behind her.’

Louise believes that no matter what happens, you learn from it and it will always be better the next time. Her younger sister Jennifer believes that nothing will ever work out no matter how many times you try. Their discussions on this matter never changed even though Louise always tried to encourage Jennifer to believe in the positive. So, when their vacation was interrupted by strangers surrounding their cottage, Jennifer knew what the outcome would be. Was she right?

Again Vanessa Morgan has gotten to my sense of security after dark. Her short story The Strangers Outside has one problem…it’s too short. I would love to see this made into a full length book.

Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat ( )

Story Title: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Ending: 3/5

Synopsis:
Two sisters, Jennifer and Louise, return to their remote holiday cabin after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they’re being surrounded. Shortly after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take ashockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival
will begin.

Character Likability:
Jennifer is an almost wholly unlikable character. She's down on herself, she's down on life, she's just down. She's also whiny and worthless in a pinch. You find out later she has more reason for that than you suspect, but still, she is a passive character, even in her own life.
Louise, the older sister, is much more likable. She's stronger, determined, and trying to make a better life for both her and her sister. She refuses to let negativity bring her down and is appropriately in shocked disbelief at the attitude of her sister.

Quality of Writing:
This was a fast flowing, action packed story. There were no lulls, there were no parts where I was just wishing the story would get on with it... it was constant action from start to finish.

Ending:
It was an interesting ending, but I would have liked to have seen either more back story on the events leading up to this (the bit about the psychics contacting people) or more alarm from the characters at the very end. I know these are the determined, decisive characters, but still, I wouldn't be willing to split up with the people I found after what had happened... and I certainly wouldn't want to go back to my house by myself!! I think the thing that threw me the most in the whole story was Louise saying she was just going to go home at the end. If you had really just escaped something so terrifying, could you really just decide to go right back again... alone?

Plot:
A very interesting idea, and something that could definitely be a longer story. The motivation of the Strangers is left unexplored and that isn't a bad thing. It leaves the reader wondering "Why?!" and admittedly, reflecting a bit on their own lifestyles and wondering if they'd be chosen too. I mean, I know I'm not as helpless and somewhat pathetic as Jennifer... but still... creeeeepy!
Setting the girls on vacation in an unfamiliar setting helped too, because it threw them off, they were unable to do exactly what needed to be done when it needed to be done, and it made sense as to why... it wasn't just one of those "Oh gee, I'm a lame scared girl" situations you see so often in scary settings. The description of the Strangers, also, was incredibly creepy. There is a line about them seeming to have faces that were too big... and it's imagery like that that just creeps me out in stories... when you take a human feature and describe it as "wrong" somehow.

Believability of World:
Believable. It was set in this world, and it felt like it. I could imagine looking out my own window and seeing the Strangers, and that's creepy. ( )

Article first published as The Strangers Outside by Vanessa Morgan on Blogcritics.

On a beautiful, idyllic day by the Belgian seaside, Jennifer and Louise enjoy their unfettered time together. It is a wonderful weekend, and they are staying at the remote cabin where they used to stay with their parents for years. Wrapping up their conversation prior to making their way to the cabin for the evening, Louise ponders where they will be and what they will be doing a year from now.

Jennifer, never very sure of herself, feels as though she would like to have a new boyfriend, although she does not see that happening. She is awkward around people and Louise is always the one helping her through life.

As they head to the cabin, one of several in the group, Louise reflects on their good luck on getting such a great deal on the place due to the season. Other then the caretakers they have the place to themselves. They will have some girl time. Playing the tune that they both love on Jennifer’s phone as they exit the car they are silly and dancing their way to the cabin. Suddenly Louise stops, the hair rising on her neck. Slowly she looks around and sees two men standing on the grounds just looking at them. She can not see them clearly but it really creeps her out. Jennifer wonders if they could be burglars, but neither of them is comfortable as they hurry to the cabin and lock themselves in.

This is only the beginning, a night of unimaginable terror. Do they have the will to survive? Only the morning will know the answer.

This is a very intriguing yet creepy story. In “The Strangers Outside”, Vanessa Morgan has truly brought to life an evening of terror. She has taken the nightmare out of the closet and moved it front and center in such a way that it can not be ignored. As I read the story I was not really sure what my feeling was, maybe that crawly feeling you get when you know something is changing, or seeing a movie you may have watched, that seemed to come right out of a corner of your mind. As I read further it took me back to some of the first scary stories I heard or even saw on TV.

As I thought about the story and how it came together, it reminded me of many of the short Hitchcock movies of that earlier era.

This is a short story, but packed with a large amount of punch. Truly a book that sends a chill up your back. If you enjoy spooky and creepy things you will enjoy this story. And better yet, it is currently being made into a movie.

This would be a great book for reading around the fire with your friends. What could be better for the month of Halloween then to find a great new spooky tale to share.

This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material. ( )