The Girl At Night

by James Caine

Every night I'm afraid.

It never stops me though.

As a young woman who works alone late at night, my fears are a hazard of the job. In a moment my evening can turn into a nightmare.

Exhausted and ready to go home, I meet a stranger. What begins as a regular encounter turns into a sinister game of cat and mouse.

To make it through the night, I have to fight back.

This is a psychological thrilling short story that fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst and Kiersten Modglin will enjoy.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Novella

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of this short story by James Caine. As with all of his other books, this story is character-driven, compelling, and perfectly paced. I was intrigued and concerned about the characters even though this was a mere glimpse into their lives. James Caine expertly pulled me in as this dark, tragic story unfolded. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I received the email for a new short story from James Caine, I was so excited! His books are a whirlwind of intensity, gripping storylines, and twisty twists! I could only imagine how engrossing a short story from him might be.

I don’t want to go into too much detail for fear of giving something away, but THE GIRL AT NIGHT tells a poignant story of love and an undeterred sense of justice at all costs. My only complaint was it was too short, because I’d so like to read more about our protagonist, Cass. Great read from start to finish!

Thank you to James Caine for gifting me the ARC of this, his new short story, and trusting me with an honest review!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't feel good so I needed a James Caine story for the night. 😪 MORE!

[Patty Baumeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short short story. It is a psychological thriller by the master at writing thrillers.

It went in a direction I was not expecting.

I wish there was more! I have so many questions!

Check it out.

[kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

cool & sad concept. just didn’t swept me off my feet.

[Kathy Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story! It has all the aspects of a psychological thriller. It threw a curveball at me halfway through. It's a quick read that will keep your interest.

[Saskia Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cool concept, but a lil too short for a short story? Wish it had a couple more chapters

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short psychological thriller with an unusual twist at the end. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Bec | Read with Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕙 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕝”.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this psychological thriller; it had me gripped from the first couple of pages. I did not realise it was a short story until it ended quite abruptly. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author, although hopefully, it will be a longer read next time.

Synopsis: Every night I'm afraid. It never stops me though. As a young woman who works alone late at night, my fears are a hazard of the job. In a moment my evening can turn into a nightmare. Exhausted and ready to go home, I meet a stranger. What begins as a regular encounter turns into a sinister game of cat and mouse. To make it through the night, I have to fight back.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

★★★☆☆

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Authors books and was not disappointed with this short story a woman is on the hunt for her sisters killer and because she was killed being a night walker her sister follow suit but win a John tries to make her Night a living nightmare, she instead turns his into hell and then sends in there. This was such a good book it takes a special kind of author to have you rooting for the killer and I certainly was with this book he is one of those authors whose books I cannot wait for the next one this is a very short book not even 30 minutes long but still packs a punch and it was a complete story I loved it! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Janine Roussouw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie is a lady of the night and she opts to see just one more client for the night before she goes home. She agrees to meet him at a motel, but once she gets inside the room that he rented the evening does not go as planned. James Caine is one of those brilliant psychological thriller authors who always has that element of surprise up his sleeve. Just when I think I have the plot figured out then out of nowhere comes that twist in the story that I didn't see coming. It might be a short story, but one that you wouldn't want to miss out on.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! this is a gripping short story that has so many twists and turns, I just couldn't put it down. The story behind the story was great. Cassie plays a lady of the night in a revenge way. Why the revenge? You just have to read this short story because you will be shocked at the action and reason. I highly recommend this short story and I know there are more about this story to come. I highly recommend this book. I received and ARC of the book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Klara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhh, this book... well, I knew it was a short story when I started reading it, but I didn't think it would be that short. I liked the plot but wished it was longer or at least had some kind of ending. This just feels like a prequel or something unfinished. I want to know what happened to Melissa, who did it, and what will happen to her sister after all the killings. So yeah, if I knew what I know now, I probably wouldn't have read it. Sorry.

3/5 is only because I liked the plot and the writing style, and all the possibilities that could have come from this book.

[Erin Rogoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not What I Was Expecting; So Cool!

This novella could be an opening scene for a Law and Order episode! The wow factor was so good, and no way in heck did it disappoint! Cassie is a woman enraged over her sister's murder, John is a complex-hinted side character, and Sarah didn't deserve her mom, Melissa (Cassie's sister), to be ripped away from her like that. I hope there's a sequel, because I want to read it now! Kudos to James Caine for this short novella. You kept me intrigued to the end. Bravo!

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, let me say that I normally enjoy this author's works and have read quite a few. However, there are short stories and then there are too short stories. Sadly, this is one of those.
I thought my eReader was mistaken when it showed 52% of 35 pages, and I had reached the end of The Girl at Night. But no, it was correct. The other half of this "book" was the first two chapters of another of the author's works.
Pity. I was really enjoying this before it ended so abruptly.

[Roger]

The Girl At Night: A Gripping Psychological Thriller, my second read from author James Caine. A hard-hitting 35 page short read that poses the question "How did he pack so much in 35-pages? If you like N.L. Hinkens you'll like James Caine! "I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." Mother and Daighter is high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Sidney Barrett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t remember how I came upon this short story but I had it in my kindle library for months and finally decided to read it. It had to have been a stuff your kindle day because, I hate to admit, but this just was not my forte. It really wasn’t psychological OR thrilling..it was just weird and appalling. Disliked setting, even just the overall plot. If I could rate it a 0, it wouldn’t be far off.

[Ayezu Tamarapreye Okoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book:-The Girl At Night: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
by James Caine
The girl at night is a prose fiction on the service of the geh(geh for "go") El (with El for "god" pronounced "guard") and the call for this service by men in the wee hours using mostly motels (mo-t-els/moe-t-el/more/mor-t-els with more for hungry in ijaw)

[Krystal Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get so excited every time I see that James has written something new! I've never been disappointed by anything that he has written (other than when it ends). This was just a short story, but it still packed a great storyline! James quickly became one of top favorite authors, and I always recommend him to fellow thriller readers!

[Red Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl At Night was a great short story that was so enjoyable to read and kept me guessing till the very end. The author wrote an amazing story and I did not see that ending coming at all. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend this short story to other readers who like thrillers. Thank you to the author for this book in exchange of my honest review of The Girl At Night.

[Heather Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love James Caine books! This short story is no exception even though it’s only one chapter. The intense feelings it gives me knowing this is a real problem all over, makes this book so real. There was love, revenge and sadness all wrapped up together. I HIGHLY recommend this story and all of James’ books!

[debb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is a great intro to the dynamic writing of James Caine. I have read all his novels and have yet to be disappointed. Fast-paced, mile a minute thrillers that not only keep you guessing, but also entertained. Figured it out? Ha-Ha. Try again. Do not hesitate to add this short story or any of his novels to your TBR. You will not be disappointed!

[Deachbodin Densutham · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Girl at Night struggles to live up to its potential, with a plot that feels disjointed and characters that lack depth. While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls flat, and the pacing makes it hard to stay engaged. The twists are either predictable or underwhelming, leaving little to savor in terms of suspense or emotion. Unfortunately, it’s a read that doesn’t quite hit the mark, even for fans of the genre.

[Suzan Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was missing nothing. I love when a story looks like it’s heading in one direction then off it goes in another and I didn’t see it coming. Very good. Great author.
I recommend this book!

[Kelly Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a quick one but it’s definitely twisted and I loved it!
Cass accepts one more date for the evening but it definitely doesn’t turn out the way you’d think it’s going to. She has her own agenda and reasons for doing what she does and nothing will stand in her way.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good psychological thriller and this is another good one by James Caine. The story pulls you in right away and leaves you wanting more. It was short and I didn’t want it to end so quickly. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Judy Kay Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irony at its finest

This short story covers a lot of ground. James Caine is a master at writing psychological thrillers. I started it and didn't start dinner until I finished it! Totally recommend.

[Greg D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! When they say short story I didn't know they meant only 35 pages short. Nevertheless, it was a great read. Very well written. Great character development. I hope the author writes a continuation someday.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This psychological thriller grabs you from the first page. The story is short, but action packed with twists that had my head spinning. Think you figured it out?...guess again!! I would recommend it. I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

To find her sister's killer, Cassie, with her husband's help, has taken to the streets as a prostitute. Most of Cassie's john's are decent men, those that aren't, well, use your imagination. This quick read will catch your attentionas soon as you begin reading. Very highly recommended.