Jackrabbit Skin

Never Tell Collection

By: Ivy Pochoda

Narrated by: Ariel Blake

Secrets and rage can get under the skin in an unsettling short story by Ivy Pochoda, award-winning author of Sing Her Down and These Women.

Swan is a tattoo artist new to a community in the California desert when a mourning desert dweller named Kurt requests a tribute tattoo to his dead wife. Swan agrees, but the locals warn her: don’t indulge Kurt in his tragic memories. No wonder. As Kurt returns for more tattoos, the truth about his wife’s death begins to emerge in the ink. And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy Pochoda’s Jackrabbit Skin is part of Never Tell, a heart-pounding collection of stories about secrets, lies, and mind games. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Just keep the endings to yourself.

©2024 Ivy Pochoda. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

The desert as a character was brilliant.

Jackrabbit skin has Well developed characters with a novel plot, in an interesting site, sparsely but completely developed.

Fantastic story

I love Ivy Pochoda’s writing. This short story of a recent divorcee starting over in the desert, with unexpected consequences, is so compelling and atmospheric and creepy and captivating. Adored it!

Wow!!

I didn't know what to expect from this story. However, what I got was a crazy twist. I loved it! I guess you can't really judge a book but it's cover and everyone town tale isn't meant to help.

This was very . . .

Cultish. The way the town seemed to be exclusive and only allowing those that are from to remain there or to leave and come back . . . Seems very inbred like . . .

Intersting/Unique Short Story

I honestly think either an author has what it takes, or simply does not, when it comes to writing short stories! I think there's a lot that goes into a successful story, so with it only being few pages, that's harder to achieve! This was my first short story by Ivy Pochoda, and I have to say...I think she's got what it takes to write great stories...short or long!

I love when there's a Collection of stories written but multiple authors that come together for a great collection! That's exactly what Jackrabbit Skin is! It is the fifth book in the Never Tell Collection (they do not need to be read in any particular order), and for a book of only 45 pages, it sure packs a punch and tells a great story!

I feel like all too commonly, you have your brick and mortar mystery books, then you find a gem like Jackrabbit Skin that is just completely different from any other story that you've ever read! I always really appreciate when that happens, because it seems like those stories are a gem in the rough!

Ariel Blake is the narrator for Jackrabbit Skin and she delivers an excellent performance! I believe this is my first title of hers that I've listened to, but I wouldn't hesitate to pick up one of her narrations again! I felt like she was a perfect fit for the main character, Swan.

Overall, I am excited to dive into the rest of the Never Tell Collections and all things Ivy Pochoda after reading Jackrabbit Skin!

stark imagery

I was drawn in immediately, loved the accurate desert feel. I hope this author goes on to write many, many books

Such a great intense story!

We get to feel the desert, what it is like to be a newcomer in a strange place and some of the harsh consequences that can result from this. Lovely, intense, dark, moody, noir story.

short but good

Jackrabbit Skin
By: Ivy Pochoda
44 pages
4⭐️

"The desert always wins. "

Small town mentally tries to push Swan out when she moves to desert. Only a local, Kurt, tells her the truth. Bit by bit while she tattoos his story onto him.

My Thoughts

The desert is brought to life in this short, easy read thriller. The author did a brilliant job of not just capturing the environment but also the closed community. Their aversion to outsiders.

Swan, our FMC, isn't really captured, unfortunately. Though the story is told through her eyes, it very much isn't her story. We don't learn a lot about her making her hard to like or understand.

I enjoyed the read as much as I could. I wish it had been longer and more drawn out.

Slow…

It was an interesting story and moved very slow until the last 30 minutes. I did not realize this book was on 90 minutes. There were a lot of details, I think, that was not needed. It was hard for me to finish but my nosey self wanted to see what happened in the end. Not surprised by the ending.

Engaging

This is my first introduction to Ms Pochoda’s work. Loads packed into a short story. I found it interesting that Ms Pochoda chose to write the story in the present tense. It’s a subtle way to bring the reader right into the heart of the story. I look forward to reading more of her work.
An Amazon Original, part of the Kindle Unlimited catalog.