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Mindless
‘My parents chose who they wanted to be and I knew it would end badly. What I didn’t see is I’d be the one to pay the price.’
Everything changes the day Stella is hit by a car outside her London council flat. It’s not an accident. It’s a warning. Her dumb, drug-dealing father and her soppy mother don’t have the sense between them to keep Stella and her little brother safe. Her father Joe has stolen from local mob boss Horse - and then his scheme to repay Horse goes south, and lands Joe in prison. Where he starts to talk.
Horse is coming for them. If anyone is going to protect her family, it will have to be Stella herself. But how far will she go? And who must she become in order to survive?
Tense, gritty and beautifully written, Mindless is the story of a clever girl trapped in a stupid, violent world. It will appeal to young adults and adults alike. Told by Stella itself, the story alternates between the thriller narrative and her later conversations with her psychiatrist.
“Take it from me: you NEED to read this...I really loved it. If Stella ever appears in more stories, I’ll be elbowing my way to the front of the queue to buy them!” Charlotte Burns, of review site Charlotte Somewhere
Everything changes the day Stella is hit by a car outside her London council flat. It’s not an accident. It’s a warning. Her dumb, drug-dealing father and her soppy mother don’t have the sense between them to keep Stella and her little brother safe. Her father Joe has stolen from local mob boss Horse - and then his scheme to repay Horse goes south, and lands Joe in prison. Where he starts to talk.
Horse is coming for them. If anyone is going to protect her family, it will have to be Stella herself. But how far will she go? And who must she become in order to survive?
Tense, gritty and beautifully written, Mindless is the story of a clever girl trapped in a stupid, violent world. It will appeal to young adults and adults alike. Told by Stella itself, the story alternates between the thriller narrative and her later conversations with her psychiatrist.
“Take it from me: you NEED to read this...I really loved it. If Stella ever appears in more stories, I’ll be elbowing my way to the front of the queue to buy them!” Charlotte Burns, of review site Charlotte Somewhere
31 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2017
4 people want to read
About the author
Louise Cole
9 books17 followersLouise Cole read English at Oxford and hasn't stopped reading since. She’s an award-winning journalist, a former business magazine editor and director of a media agency. But she is most alive either reading or writing stories. Her family mocks her for telling stories to her dogs. Her fiction includes short stories, young adult thrillers, and other stuff which is still cooking.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 2, 2018
This was a very strong short story. The writing is good, the topics are important - defending yourself and your family in a situation where nobody can help you - is it violence, or is it necessary? Should it be calculated or not? And does it make a difference if it is that, or just a fast reaction? Definitely worth reading.
December 16, 2019
A great gripping short story, Louise Cole captures the reader's attention right from the beginning. The main character is a young girl called Stella, even if she has a troubled life she is strong and smart and protects her family.
Even if it is a short story I found it especially captivating and I recommend it, it's definitely worth reading
Even if it is a short story I found it especially captivating and I recommend it, it's definitely worth reading
August 26, 2017
I loved this short story. It was gripping and suspenseful and you truly felt for Stella. It's a quick read, but I was totally sucked into Stella's mind and world.
August 24, 2017
Firstly I'd like to thank Louise for providing me a copy of Mindless for a honest review, I hope she likes what I have to say.
So we follow Stella who's clearly an intelligent young woman, she tells us her story and its a tense one at that. Her life isn't perfect but it is what it is and things change one day when Stella gets hit by a car right outside of her council flat in London and I have to admit I flinched at this scene, I physically recoiled which was a clear sign I was really into the book. Stella ends up in the hospital and goes on to recover from the incident and she becomes aware soon after that it wasn't an accident, instead it was a warning for her Father.
Stella clearly has more sense than both of her parents put together and her brother isn't like Stella, she quickly puts together the proof in her mind and a plan to execute, going on to confront her dad and he reassures her he's going to fix it all, but things goes south when the scheme he made to fix it all goes south and puts him behind bars where he can't keep his mouth shut and Stella remains aware throughout, figuring it out that if they can't do a good job of getting to Joe whilst behind bars, they'll hurt him through the people outside of prison whom he loves but Stella is already ready for this as her mind is the only one functioning.
The last part of the middle and the ending of the book blew me away, it was intense action and utterly jaw dropping. Stella is clearly a very strong and determined character well built and portrayed. Although only a short story I utterly loved it, I'd easily fall in love with Stella all over again if she ever resurfaced in any more work of Louise'. A short story indeed, immersive more so, action packed and wonderful I have to give it a 5/5 which it truly deserves. Louise has a great writing style which I fell in love with in The Devil's Poetry when I read it not so long back.
So we follow Stella who's clearly an intelligent young woman, she tells us her story and its a tense one at that. Her life isn't perfect but it is what it is and things change one day when Stella gets hit by a car right outside of her council flat in London and I have to admit I flinched at this scene, I physically recoiled which was a clear sign I was really into the book. Stella ends up in the hospital and goes on to recover from the incident and she becomes aware soon after that it wasn't an accident, instead it was a warning for her Father.
Stella clearly has more sense than both of her parents put together and her brother isn't like Stella, she quickly puts together the proof in her mind and a plan to execute, going on to confront her dad and he reassures her he's going to fix it all, but things goes south when the scheme he made to fix it all goes south and puts him behind bars where he can't keep his mouth shut and Stella remains aware throughout, figuring it out that if they can't do a good job of getting to Joe whilst behind bars, they'll hurt him through the people outside of prison whom he loves but Stella is already ready for this as her mind is the only one functioning.
The last part of the middle and the ending of the book blew me away, it was intense action and utterly jaw dropping. Stella is clearly a very strong and determined character well built and portrayed. Although only a short story I utterly loved it, I'd easily fall in love with Stella all over again if she ever resurfaced in any more work of Louise'. A short story indeed, immersive more so, action packed and wonderful I have to give it a 5/5 which it truly deserves. Louise has a great writing style which I fell in love with in The Devil's Poetry when I read it not so long back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2017
In a short space of time Louise Cole takes the reader right inside the mind of fifteen year-old Stella whose father is a drug dealer and whose customers are not happy at all with him. Their vengeance consists of hurting Stella and her family to the fullest. What a great read. Clear, easy to read prose (which I know is hard to write) and, in such a short time, packs a powerful story of a young girl's courage and her vision of the world. A world which, I'm afraid, may very well be near the truth in certain run-down areas. Thought-provoking. Looking forward to the next Louise Cole book!
October 17, 2018
This short story is only 29 pages PDF, in those pages a riveting story is developed, told and ended with a finale. The writer has a gift for writing detailed scenes, memories and still keep the reader guessing. The main character is put in situations that no child should have to face especially through the fault of her own family. I liked the main character Stella, she is strong, smart and takes on a very mature adult role. Her life is filled with trouble, pain, torment, and despair; despite all of this her thoughts are more of life lessons that only experiences can develop. She has the persona of an old-soul. This story was free on Instafreebie/ Prolific Works, and if you haven't read it, please do. It will open your eyes to the life of many children born without a chance.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews