The Blanks

The Shivers Collection

De: Grady Hendrix

Narrado por: Moniqua Plante

Residents have an unspoken pact with the island’s unnatural inhabitants: ignore them, live happily. But in New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix’s thrilling short story, one boy can’t look away—and pays the price.

Jeckle Island offers Rachel’s children the chance to spend summers roaming wild and free, as long as they follow the rules. But when her son comes face to face with a terror they dare not speak of, she must prepare for their perfect world to change. Forever.

Grady Hendrix’s The Blanks is part of The Shivers, a collection of haunting stories that reveal the otherworldly terrors all around us. Once you know, there’s no going back. Read or listen to each story in one unsettling sitting.

©2025 by Grady Hendrix. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Price of Paradise

This was a short story, an Amazon Original about about a much sought after island vacation with a dark secret. What happens is noted in the description. Story is a good one with excellent, heartfelt narration. I knew what was going to happen, but it was still a good short listen. A quote from one of my favorite shows applies-Stargate SG1, The Nox noted that the very young do not always do as they are told. Paradise isn't all it is cracked up to be.

Wish it could continue..

This was very good. Unfortunately it ended too soon and I wanted it to continue! Who is the real monster?

New twist!

I liked the fact that the characters didn’t do what was expected and it was a new twist, which can be hard to find when all you read is horror. Packed a quick punch!!

Fantastic setting and plot

Overall excellent, including the voice actor. I loved the build up of the story and the slow trickle of information. The ending was pretty intense, but in Grady Hendrix fashion, seemed to avoid making me way too emotional.

The devastating cost of willful ignorance...

I'm huge Grady Hendrix fan and I loved this short story—short and sweet and hits you right in the gut! Definitely could be a very creepy full length book (hint hint!). What starts as an easy breezy family summer vacation ends with devastating consequences and lives forever changed. Themes of parental guilt, truths we ignore, secrets we keep, lies we tell ourselves and the choices and sacrifices people make for the sake of comfort, for appearances, to maintain a facade of normalcy—all simmer right beneath the surface.

The narrator, Moniqua Plante, gave an absolutely stellar performance. It was totally immersive and visceral. She perfectly captured Rachel's blissful ignorance and denial that any of this is actually happening (no spoilers!), until it really IS happening. And then she tears your heart out with Grady's words.

Pretty fun!

Took a long while for the story to really kick in, but I was looking for spooky and this hit the mark!

Messed up in the Best Way

These shorts get me through until Grady Hendrix releases another novel. Took me a bit to warm up to for some reason, but it’s one of those stories you need to read more than once. There is Shirley Jackson The Lottery quality.

My new Stephen king

This was so suspenseful and so scary and wonderful. I love king, but sadly, I understand he only has so many more stories to tell. Hendrix is the new/ next KING. Still can’t wait for ST’s may release

Bitter End

I’m just a sucker for an happy ending! Why did they stay they had some place to go!!!! Why Why Why!! Heart gripping. I can’t handle the truth!!! Great read 🤩🤩🤩

Ending will make you angry.

Book was super intense, and kept my interest. Would not have read if I knew, it didn’t have a HEA. I don’t like books that are not happily ever after. I don’t understand how a mother would not fight for her children.