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Flashbacks: Short Stories: Dark Psychological Short Stories of Memory, War, and Secrets
What if the past never really let go?
In this haunting and daring collection, K. E. Adamus weaves stories where memory, guilt, and history collide with the present. From the chilling confessions of prisoners whose lives have been consumed by a single act, to the unspoken traumas of war, to encounters with strangers who might be spies—or ghosts—FLASHBACKS captures moments when reality fractures and the truth hides in the shadows.
Three powerful tales anchor this
Joke — A psychology intern discovers that reading life-sentence applications is far more terrifying than studying any textbook on psychopaths. But when he uncovers a prisoner’s strange story about a “joke” gone wrong in East Germany, the line between truth and madness blurs—and a decision he makes could cost him more than his career.
The War Secret — A son confronts the father he never knew, a Vietnam veteran living in hiding. What begins as a tense reunion becomes a deadly countdown, as assassins close in and family truths erupt with bullets and blood.
The Holy Line — A woman sipping coffee in a harbor café is told by a stranger that she once stole a secret Soviet report as a teenager. Is he a lunatic—or is her past about to rewrite itself in dangerous ways?
Darkly psychological, sharply cinematic, and infused with irony, FLASHBACKS explores how small choices echo across decades, how history scars personal lives, and how memory itself can become both weapon and refuge.
For readers of psychological thrillers, literary suspense, and stories where political history meets intimate human fate, FLASHBACKS is an unforgettable journey through the hidden corridors of the past.
In this haunting and daring collection, K. E. Adamus weaves stories where memory, guilt, and history collide with the present. From the chilling confessions of prisoners whose lives have been consumed by a single act, to the unspoken traumas of war, to encounters with strangers who might be spies—or ghosts—FLASHBACKS captures moments when reality fractures and the truth hides in the shadows.
Three powerful tales anchor this
Joke — A psychology intern discovers that reading life-sentence applications is far more terrifying than studying any textbook on psychopaths. But when he uncovers a prisoner’s strange story about a “joke” gone wrong in East Germany, the line between truth and madness blurs—and a decision he makes could cost him more than his career.
The War Secret — A son confronts the father he never knew, a Vietnam veteran living in hiding. What begins as a tense reunion becomes a deadly countdown, as assassins close in and family truths erupt with bullets and blood.
The Holy Line — A woman sipping coffee in a harbor café is told by a stranger that she once stole a secret Soviet report as a teenager. Is he a lunatic—or is her past about to rewrite itself in dangerous ways?
Darkly psychological, sharply cinematic, and infused with irony, FLASHBACKS explores how small choices echo across decades, how history scars personal lives, and how memory itself can become both weapon and refuge.
For readers of psychological thrillers, literary suspense, and stories where political history meets intimate human fate, FLASHBACKS is an unforgettable journey through the hidden corridors of the past.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2025
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September 16, 2025
K. E. Adamus’s short story collection Flashbacks is shaped around the idea that “the past never truly stays behind.” Though the three stories take place in different times and locations, they share a common thread: the weight of memory, the victims of unjust systems, and the way secrets shape human lives. With its concise yet powerful storytelling, Flashbacks is a compelling read—especially for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and those interested in history, war, and memory themes. I definitely recommend it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review