Things Like This Don't Happen Here

This was a exciting and suspenseful story that left you with more questions than answers. Kevin manager of Belladonna Estates tries to help Erica after she shows up bleeding and hurting his office. She wants no police involvement or ambulance. The twists and turns this short story had plus it leaves you wanting more. Wonderful quick read.

A new author to me, but the writing drew me into the story immediately. It's a quick read, but it provides an excellent opportunity for readers to determine if they'd enjoy future books in Belladonna Estates, and I definitely would!

Things like this don't happen here Rita Maxil

I feel cheated after reading this short story.

I really love a good short story or novella where everything is tied up into a neat reveal at the end.

This could have been a good plot, but unfortunately, there was a lot of padding and repetitivity.

There was no real character development, and Kevin is a shallow person, just appreciating 'eye candy'. He ended up just being a stalker, in my opinion.

I feel cheated because it seems that this is a prequel to a book. There is no great reveal.

However, there was a shocking twist about Kevin, which is interesting. I will have to wait for the first book in the Belladonna Estates series for an answer.

3/5 stars from me.

Could someone please put the book on Goodreads for me to load my review.

I did not see that coming! I like the characters and everything written and conveyed in this short story. I think the story flowed well without being repetitive or drawn out. I would definitely read another short by Rita Maxil.

In this tightly wound suburban thriller, an affluent community built on image, routine, and quiet privilege is shattered when a murder exposes the cracks beneath its polished surface. The novel captures the unsettling contrast between manicured lawns and buried secrets, showing how quickly fear and suspicion can spread among people who believed they were insulated from tragedy.

I enjoyed this book. Read it so fast. If u you get a chance read it

“Things Like This Don’t Happen Here” by Rita Maxil was a great, suspenseful quick read. Kevin, the HOA manager at Belladonna Estates, is determined to keep the residents safe, and when Erica shows up in his office covered in blood, he can’t just sit back and ignore it, he has to help. But when she tells him to delete the footage and forget what he saw, the tension immediately ramps up. Even as a short story, this one is packed with intensity and suspense that kept me hooked the entire time. And with Kevin getting more involved, you can’t help but wonder… will he be the next target?

I did not expect what happened. I can definitely say that this was great. I hope to be able to read and participate in the next book.

I could not find your book on Amazon. Once I'm able to I can host my review above in there.

“Things like this don’t happen here” is exactly what makes Belladonna Estates feel so eerie. It’s the kind of place built on appearances, where everything looks perfect and everyone is always watching… even when they pretend they’re not.

Kevin fits right in. He’s observant, persistent, and maybe a little too invested in other people’s lives. So when a bloodied woman shows up at his door and insists she needs help, but then persists she doesn’t, he can’t leave it alone. He tells himself he’s doing the right thing, but the deeper he digs, the harder it is to tell where concern ends and obsession begins.

This was a quick, short story with a steady undercurrent of tension. It pulls you in with a simple premise and lets the unease build from there. I finished it wanting more from Belladonna Estates, because something tells me this neighborhood has plenty left to hide.

Things Like This Don't Happen Here delivers an intriguing premise that hooks you immediately. For a short story, the character development is good, though I found it hard to root for Kevin - he gave off a creepy vibe right from the start.

The highlights of the narrative are undoubtedly the sharp twist and the concluding sequence. The ending is both satisfying and a perfect setup for the next installment in the series. While a few plot points remain slightly murky, the author notes that the answers will be coming in book two.

Overall, it is an enjoyable, fast-paced read that makes you want to learn more about Belladonna Estates and its residents.