Six Mile Store

by A.M. Belsey

SOMETHING UGLY’S WAITIN’ FOR YOU

Honey’s working weekends down at the Six Mile, trying to figure her life out. Her boyfriend’s about to leave the country, her college advisor hates her guts, her momma ain’t listening, and she’s got this cop breathing down her neck just about all the time.

She finds a friend in her new colleague Lisa, but when one of their regular customers turns up dead, everything goes sideways faster than a greased hog at the county fair . . .

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

About the author

A M Belsey was born in Arkansas but moved to the United Kingdom at age 21. She ain't never looked back.

Reviews

[Lisa - *OwlBeSatReading* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six Mile Store is bloody brilliant, kids, go read it! It’s a short, but not at all sweet tale set in the 90’s, in and around a gas station/store in Conway, Arkansas. This character-driven story with southern gothic tones really packs a punch. Considering it’s only just over 100 pages in length, the intriguing characters pulled me in from the first few pages. I could’ve read it in one sitting easily, but my stomach was rumbling, so I reluctantly stopped for lunch and then got straight back to it.

As I found out more about the various characters, getting to know them, the feeling that something wasn’t quite right started to creep in. I didn’t have a clue what it could be, but I needed to find out, I could sense a dark unease that I couldn’t shake off.

I don’t want to give anything away plot-wise, but I will say that going in blind, like I did, is absolutely the way to go. At about three quarters in, the narrative took a change and a different character’s perspective came about. Things got very interesting indeed. I had to purposely slow my reading down as revelations unfolded because I couldn’t get the words into my eyeballs quick enough, and I didn’t want to reach the end just yet! I was having way too much fun being a fly on the wall with these shady characters.

Belsey’s writing is lyrical and easy to follow. The descriptions were enough to set scenes, but not too much to drown out the plot, time is of the essence when it comes to novella’s, so the balance of the story’s elements was spot on.

Highly recommended, I can’t stress enough how brilliant this is, but read with caution, there’s some deliciously dark content weaved into this novella. Wonderful stuff, an easy five stars!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through Six Mile Store in a little over an hour. Yes it's a novella at only 113 pages, but I had to know more about Honey's life in her little town which is what kept me reading. As a Brit, the American world is alien to me, but Belsey did a great job of bringing it to life. I found myself rooting for Honey, and I enjoyed Lisa's chapters - a seemingly minor character throughout the pages, until her perspective brought everything together at the end.
A great short read for anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world or figure out what they want from their future.

[Rory Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and well-told story, with some unforgettable characters. I blitzed through this novella in one sitting, and really enjoyed the languid southern vibes, the mysterious mundane and the winning narrator.
Like all good short-ish stories there's a fun little twist, then another, then another.

[Courteney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to A.M. Belsey, Deixis Press & Novel tours for a physical proof of this novella in exchange for my honest review.

This is so far out of my comfort zone and completely different to what I usually read, so I had no idea how I was going to find it.

It was a quick yet packed little novella I ate up in one sitting. Considering the short length of this novella, it fully drew me in and transported me there. I genuinely got lost in the book as if I was there living it.

I honestly enjoyed this more than I thought I would. A great palette cleanser between books, even for those that wouldn’t usually pick something like this up.

[James Kinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bold and provocative read, one that will stay with you long after its final page.

[Becky Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

 
Thank you to @deixispress for sending me this book and to @novel.tours for having me on the tour.
 
Honey’s working weekends down at the Six Mile, trying to figure her life out. Her boyfriend is about to leave the country, her college adviser hates her guts, her momma ain’t listening, and she’s got the cop breathing down her neck just about all the time.
She finds a friend in her new colleague Lisa, but when one of their regular customers turns up dead, everything goes sideways faster than a greased hog at the county fair …

•••••
 
At 113 page this Novella might be small … but it leaves a lasting impression.
 
Honey is trying to figure out her life while working part time at a small convenience store in a deeply religious Arkansas town. A community full of secrets, drugs and dark undertones. The store sees its fair share of interesting customers coming to get their rather ‘unusual’ items 👀.
 
I liked how the story started from Honey’s POV from July 1998 to December and then jumped back to July, but from another characters POV. These two sections of the story tie smartly to give the narrative an interesting connection and seamless flow.
 
The tension builds gradually before escalating into the conclusion, where all the components came together effectively. While the ending is shocking, its impact sneaks up on you because of the story’s slow, steady build … I loved this aspect.
 
The story hums with a dark, uneasy tension, with unusual characters that I didn’t particularly like. With a Southern Gothic vibe, this novella was a darkly intriguing, distinctive read.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow there is a lot going on in this little Novella. There's an awful lot packed into the 113 pages.

Honey, a woman in her early twenties, works at the Six Mile Store gas station in Arkansas. I immediately felt pulled into this remote location, it felt isolate, scary, a place where nothing good happens. There's a sense of dread and fear from the start and I just had this clear image in my head about the kind of place this was and the customers that go there.

We mostly get a story told from Honey's point of view. And she has a lot going on in her life. We hear about her dead end family, her Turkish boyfriend and what she is trying to do to improve her situation.

Then everything changes when one of the gas station’s regulars dies in the forecourt! We begin to question the reliability of Honey's story. What exactly is she telling us and what is true and what isn't. And does she even know herself?

Even in this short book we get to really understand the characters and strange community of customers who frequent Six Mile Store. The story and characters really jump off the pages and into your mind.

Then throw into the mix some dark humour and you find yourself wondering by the end of the book what have I just read! And what an unusual and fascinating little book it was. Really enjoyed it.

[Rustic_reads_ (Donna) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Six Mile Store in one sitting and loved it - a small town mystery full of suspense and unforgettable characters.

The story started slow and steady, with an almost ‘every day drudgery’ feel about Honeys life which felt very real and relatable - and then the drama hits, and I found myself completely hooked.

When Honey’s ordinary routine is upended by the murder, she’s drawn into something that forces her to confront secrets, fears, and the hidden truths of her community.

What I loved most was how the everyday struggles were balanced with suspense. Honey’s journey to uncover the truth left me anxious, curious, and invested in her choices. I also adored the subtle friendships, the tension with the local cop, and the way small-town life can feel cosy but also suffocating. As someone originally from a small town I could definitely relate.

This is a short read but it packs a lot of emotion, intrigue, and character depth. I felt Honey’s uncertainty and courage with her, and the ending left me satisfied and thinking about what small-town secrets might be hiding in plain sight.

[Clarisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six Mile Store by A.M. Belsey is a captivating novella that perfectly captures the essence of a small rural setting. It offers an engaging character driven narrative set in a quaint roadside store.

Despite its relatively short length of 123 pages, this novella is brimming with emotion and leaves a lasting impression. The author skilfully weaves a tale that draws readers into the lives of its characters.

One notable aspect of the book is its unique narrative structure. It begins with Honey’s perspective from July 1998 to December and then seamlessly transitions to another character’s viewpoint, returning to Honey’s perspective.

The tension in the story builds gradually, creating a suspenseful atmosphere. The social impact of the events unfolds gradually, surprising readers and keeping them engaged. I particularly enjoyed the unexpected twist at the end.

I read this book in one sitting and couldn’t stop thinking, “I wish this book was longer!” It was that captivating.

If you’re seeking a taste of small town America, this book is a must read. You won’t regret it.

[Joanna HL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six Mile Store is a dark, gritty little novella that packs a surprising amount into a short space. The store itself almost feels like a character, this slightly dodgy roadside stop that everyone in town seems to pass through sooner or later. It becomes a kind of crossroads for everyone’s lives, with secrets, tensions, and small-town drama constantly drifting in and out.

Honey sits right at the centre of it all, and she’s such an interesting character. Her life often feels like something that’s happening to her rather than something she’s in control of, which really highlights that suffocating feeling small-town life can sometimes have. You see tenderness, love, frustration, and some uncomfortable dynamics all woven through her story.

I liked the shifting POVs and the little police report sections too, they slowly reveal more about the town and keep the tension building. It’s raw, tense, and full of morally grey characters. For such a short book it creates a really vivid world, and I finished it wishing there were more stories set around the Six Mile Store.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Thank you to Deixis Press for an advanced copy of this book.

This compact but perfect novella reads like a diary of a woman in her early 20s, known only as ‘honey’. Honey works in the Six Mile gas station in Arkansas whilst starting her MA and teaching at super religious college.

But her college advisor doesn’t like her un-Christian teaching subjects, her boyfriend is moving back to Turkey, and her mum won’t listen to her.

Then everything changes when one of the gas station’s regulars dies in the forecourt!

I really enjoyed this and could easily have read 3 times as many pages!

The descriptions of the store and the lonely desolate setting made it feel so lifelike. And in such a short number of pages, I really felt like I got to know and understand the main characters and the dysfunctional community of regulars at the Six Mile!

I loved how the story was told - first from honey’s POV from July 1998 to November, and then jumping back to July to tell the story from another character’s POV. It felt like they were both chatting away lazily to me in a bar, or writing in a diary.

And the bits of dark humour really set a fun tone against the contrast of some surprisingly macabre scenes!

[James Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start reading Six Mile Store by A.M.Belsey, it is difficult to put it down! This is partly because it is a short read but more because every word immerses you deeper and deeper into this darkly intriguing story. It's a book where every word matters, every sentence is beautifully crafted. The voices of the characters are so distinctive that you can't help but get drawn into their lives.
It's a book of only 113 pages, but it leaves a deep impression. My only criticism is that I didn't want it to end. I hope it doesn't take the author another twenty years to write the next one!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never worked — or even been? — in a place like the Six Mile Store, but this book made me feel like I was working a double shift. I mean this is in the best possible way. Great books transport you somewhere, and let you stay there sometimes even after you finish. There are characters, smells, and “incidents” (one involving a red dickey that isn’t a red dickey) in Six Mile Store that will live in my brain forever, like it or not. Great fun, poignant, and highly recommended.

[Narinder Gore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that leaves you feeling a little lost but also a little shocked. I read this novella in one sitting- it's short but definitely packs a punch. The story follows Honey who works in the Six Mile Store- which I assumed was a gas station with fairly strange customers. The story takes a dark turn with the death of one of the customers and the ultimate reveal of the killer was intriguing!

Short and snappy!

[Lynn OConnor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is only 113 pages and is a quick and easy read. It's told over two POV, Honey the young graduate working part time at the Six Mile and Lisa, an older woman with her own agenda. There are several other characters with interesting names such as Sam Legs, Billy-Wayne and Racecar Darren. I don't want to give too much away for fear of spoiling the plot, but at times I felt like I was in a Tarantino film! For a short book there's a lot going on! It was a fun read which I quite enjoyed.

[Emma Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accomplished and skilful read. Right from the start, the characters and place spring to life, the tension growing with each turn of the page. Yes, it’s more of a novella than a fully fledged novel, but I felt I was in very safe hands with Belsey and read it in one sitting. Let’s hope there’s more to come.

[Elsbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella provides a slice of social realism. It’s gritty and I enjoyed this short unique read.

It really did feel like people watching at its finest and actually reminded me of an independent film I watched a while ago called The Florida Project.

At only 113 pages it’s perfect for in between longer reads.

[Jason Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visceral and brilliant. I read this great short book between my fingers at times, and it will stick with you a long time after reading it.

[William Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. An absolutely distinct American voice, quite foreign to the English ear, but totally convincing. Too short, perhaps, because I wanted more…