A Face to Die For

By: Michael Bussa

Narrated by: Janina Edwards

The year is 2051, and The MedMoore Group is the largest pharmaceutical and medical device producer in the world. The introduction of a new device, The Electric Mask, was revolutionary for Denise, a reclusive burn victim. But when a visit from her estranged sister opens the floodgates, the horror of childhood memories rush in, demanding resolution and the mask is the perfect tool. Some dark memories cannot be forgotten or forgiven.

©2018 Michael Bussa (P)2018 Michael Bussa

Futuristic Reconstruction

I did enjoy listening to this short story but wished was longer. It is like something out of the Twilight Zone which I liked. I really felt sorry for both Denise and Ivy (who comes to the rescue) and wonder what shenanigans the 2 will come up with,? may be a serial or next short . This short has murder/revenge and supernatural travel. Recommend to anyone who enjoys short sci-fi thriller. I was given this free audiobook by author and have voluntarily left this review. THANK YOU

Compelling

This short story is more complicated than I was expecting. Michael managed to pack in a lot, there are several twists and the characters are remarkably well crafted for a book this length.

I was hooked from beginning to end.

It's an interesting look at human nature and how we react to change and what drives our behavior all while being entertaining.

The narration was excellent, the characters personalities came through and the delivery matched the moods in the story.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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Futuristic thriller keeps wonder at new twists

Under 45 minutes, Bussa draws the listener into his eerie narrative and keeps you spell-bound to know how the twists will turn out. Jenina Edwards clearly distinguishes the Robo drivers and the other characters’ voices. A worthwhile listen to keep you wondering. My only criticism is the ringing tone with crackling sound as it fades out between each chapter. Eventually, I supposed the crackling was the sound of fire, but throughout the audiobook, I found it distracting, though reminiscent of the phrase, “For whom the bell tolls.”

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Very interesting

I liked this story. As stated in my title it was interesting and very different from what I usually read.

Questions/Comments:

Denise states she’s old-fashioned and wants to bring a chaperone along on her date. Yes, I know she wants to kill both of the male coworkers who made her life hell, but wouldn’t it have made more sense for her to bring a girl friend with her? Obviously that wouldn’t have worked with her planned though. Just not sure how the guy didn’t question this.

The narrator did an okay job. I don’t know whose idea it was to use bells instead of saying the chapters. In the beginning up until the mid point of the story, I didn’t mind the bell sound. Once the narrator got to the part titled “The Solution,” the bell sound lasted a lot longer and it sounded like it or whatever was used was rolling around, plus there was something that sounded like boiling water. I don’t know what it was, but it was annoying. Either way, it wasn’t just a bell being used.

Besides the bell, there wasn’t much variety between the voices of the characters. For example, the beginning when Denise and her sister are arguing, I got confused as to who was talking.

Reminds me of Black Mirror

This short story is immediately engaging. Michael Bussa does an excellent job of introducing characters with minimal backstories. The main character is written with a robust confidence that had me feeling a little for her. Then...the ending. I just sat still for a few minutes contemplating what just happened! Simply fabulous writing Michael!

Janina Edwards plays the characters with absolute perfection. I cannot imagine anyone else narrating this story. Great job!

Lastly, this story could easily be turned into an excellent episodic screenplay. I would certainly enjoy it as it has all the aspects of a Black Mirror episode.

Short but great

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a short, cool, sci fi story of revenge. Although it is only 42 minutes, it was well written and narrated. All in all, I really liked it.

Great Quick Read

A Face to Die For by Michael Bussa was a good quick read. This book is set in the year 2051. There is a new medical device that can completely change someone's life. This was a great read about just how much revenge can ruin everything. I enjoyed this quick read.

Revenge is a cold cold mistress

Wow I did not not see that coming. I am loving these short stories since you get all the story with all the depths, twist and turns without all of the excess dribble. I don't need an author to go into detail how a person got disfigured for four chapters, just a few sentences and you know what happened to Denise. You understand her pain, insecurities, anger and everything else in a neat concise package. Michael Bussa did a wonderful job of telling a unique take on the ugly duckling revenge story. Cant go into detail without spoilers but at 42 minutes you get everything you could want in an engaging and wonderful story all in a commute to work or a quick walk around the neighborhood. At the end of some short stories you are left with a feeling of wanting more or more character depth but here its all packed down to a neat little package with an ending of resolution. Kudos to Janina Edwards for doing a wonderful narration. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Johnny Cab says you look beautiful today

Quite a cool short story. If you are a fan of any of the TV anthology horror shows this will be right up your alley. Among all the different shows and books I’ve read I haven’t come across a story like this. The whole time I tried to figure it out and see if this was just a rendition of something else I’ve seen or heard. Couldn’t do it. This was quite unique and was a solid story that I really enjoyed.
The main character I liked for about 10 minutes of the entire story. She was a piece of work who was a victim and treated as inferior her whole life and her attitude matched. I only liked her when she finally had some confidence. Everything with her played out great until it hit the end and I was totally thrown for a loop. Wow did that ending just upend where I thought everything was going. Totally was good with how things went and couldn’t have written a better ending.
Janina Edwards did a great job. She made me dislike Denise, she made me feel for Denise, she made me like Denise, she made the story have a feeling. Wouldn’t have been the same without her narration.
The cover photo made me think of the movie Eyes Without a Face. Top ten for horror movies in my mind and coupled with The Eye of The Beholder Twilight Zone show I was expecting something completely different. Would have been fine with a retelling of either but this produced something that was unique and totally unexpected.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

A pretty face doesn’t make a pretty mind

Very entertaining short science fiction story with a good surprise ending. The narrator was an excellent choice for the main character.