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The Shivers Collection #3
The Blanks
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.
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.
35 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2025
1224 people are currently reading
7423 people want to read
About the author
Grady Hendrix
65 books35.8k followersGrady Hendrix is the author of the novels Horrorstör, about a haunted IKEA, and My Best Friend's Exorcism, which is like Beaches meets The Exorcist, only it's set in the Eighties. He's also the author of We Sold Our Souls, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, and the upcoming (July 13!) Final Girl Support Group!
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the 70's and 80's horror paperback boom, which contains more information about Nazi leprechauns, killer babies, and evil cats than you probably need.
And he's the screenwriter behind Mohawk, which is probably the only horror movie about the War of 1812 and Satanic Panic.
You can listen to free, amazing, and did I mention free podcasts of his fiction on Pseudopod. He also does a podcast called Super Scary Haunted Homeschool.
If you're not already sick of him, you can learn all his secrets at his website.
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the 70's and 80's horror paperback boom, which contains more information about Nazi leprechauns, killer babies, and evil cats than you probably need.
And he's the screenwriter behind Mohawk, which is probably the only horror movie about the War of 1812 and Satanic Panic.
You can listen to free, amazing, and did I mention free podcasts of his fiction on Pseudopod. He also does a podcast called Super Scary Haunted Homeschool.
If you're not already sick of him, you can learn all his secrets at his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,363 reviews
May 6, 2025
The Blanks is what happens when summer vacation turns into a subtle creeping horror. It’s got sun, sea and dread. The horror here isn’t loud. It’s quiet, creepy and heartbreaking.
This is my second time I’ve tried a GH story, and it was another unsettling and devastating hit. By the end, I wasn’t sure if reality had shifted or if I’d just been looking at it wrong the whole time.
The story feels like an allegory for privilege and apathy, although I’m curious to see how other readers derive meaning from it. There’s space for interpretation and if you can handle ambiguity, this is a shortie that will work in your favour, like it did for me. A perfect short horror story palate cleanse.
This is my second time I’ve tried a GH story, and it was another unsettling and devastating hit. By the end, I wasn’t sure if reality had shifted or if I’d just been looking at it wrong the whole time.
The story feels like an allegory for privilege and apathy, although I’m curious to see how other readers derive meaning from it. There’s space for interpretation and if you can handle ambiguity, this is a shortie that will work in your favour, like it did for me. A perfect short horror story palate cleanse.
March 31, 2025
Ooh, this one was good in a creepy, disturbing, full of horrifyingly bad decisions sort of way. I loved the way everything was so perfectly normal, just a story about a happy family visiting their summer vacation home, and then … BAM. The (not-so-minor) sacrifices we make in order to live the dream, amirite?
May 5, 2025
“The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) is the third book of one hell of an Amazon-exclusive horror collection. I’m now three books into this book series, and it’s been incredible so far. I’ve read everything Hendrix has written, and was delighted to see he was a part of this.
If you want to check out this entire series, here’s a list of every book and author…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1)
The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2)
The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3)
Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4)
Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I found a few trigger warnings while reading. They were…
- Death of dogs (nothing graphic)
- Pandemic
- Breast lumps
- Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please don’t read this book. Moving along, this was such a quick, creepy read. I loved the atmosphere building of Jeckle Island and all those summer vibes and activities. Even the characters were great, with the main protagonist Rachel leading the way. I don’t have any kids, but you genuinely feel the situations and events she endures regarding her family, especially the children.
Once the horror hit around the 50% mark, what a rush! These “blanks” were so horrific that I was shocked at the sheer terror of these bizarre things. It all felt so weird, uncomfortable, and spine-chilling. The plot twist that happens towards the end was crazy, and made me realize how frightening that must have been for Rachel.
That ending was surreal, and it’ll make me think twice about future island vacations. I enjoyed the incredible suspense and tension-filled race to the end. Once again, Hendrix hit me with a drop-the-mic ending, making me appreciate his books even more. I’ve never read a book of his that wasn’t a 4- or 5-Star read. This short story continues the streak.
I give “The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) a 5/5 for being another fantastic entry in this collection that will freak you out once you see what is ultimately going down. It feels like an episode from The Twilight Zone with Hendrix’s signature horror style from beginning to end. If you’ve ever read any of his content, you will undoubtedly love this book.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done with my trip to Jeckle Island and want to bring an iced coffee to spend a night and day in misery.
If you want to check out this entire series, here’s a list of every book and author…
Jackknife by Joe Hill (The Shivers Collection #1)
The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones (The Shivers Collection #2)
The Blanks by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3)
Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward (The Shivers Collection #4)
Letter Slot by Owen King (The Shivers Collection #5)
I found a few trigger warnings while reading. They were…
- Death of dogs (nothing graphic)
- Pandemic
- Breast lumps
- Drinking and driving
If any of these trigger you, please don’t read this book. Moving along, this was such a quick, creepy read. I loved the atmosphere building of Jeckle Island and all those summer vibes and activities. Even the characters were great, with the main protagonist Rachel leading the way. I don’t have any kids, but you genuinely feel the situations and events she endures regarding her family, especially the children.
Once the horror hit around the 50% mark, what a rush! These “blanks” were so horrific that I was shocked at the sheer terror of these bizarre things. It all felt so weird, uncomfortable, and spine-chilling. The plot twist that happens towards the end was crazy, and made me realize how frightening that must have been for Rachel.
That ending was surreal, and it’ll make me think twice about future island vacations. I enjoyed the incredible suspense and tension-filled race to the end. Once again, Hendrix hit me with a drop-the-mic ending, making me appreciate his books even more. I’ve never read a book of his that wasn’t a 4- or 5-Star read. This short story continues the streak.
I give “The Blanks” by Grady Hendrix (The Shivers Collection #3) a 5/5 for being another fantastic entry in this collection that will freak you out once you see what is ultimately going down. It feels like an episode from The Twilight Zone with Hendrix’s signature horror style from beginning to end. If you’ve ever read any of his content, you will undoubtedly love this book.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done with my trip to Jeckle Island and want to bring an iced coffee to spend a night and day in misery.
May 6, 2025
A family is enjoying their vacation on Jeckle island, where they have their vacation home. But when one kid sees something out of the ordinary, he doesn’t look away like he’s supposed to.
The concept of this story feels similar to M. Night Shyamalan's film The Village. Both stories are about an isolated community with strict rules about avoiding a mysterious danger that people don’t talk about. And both stories have a main character who challenges the way their community works. Though there are also some interesting differences between both stories. The Blanks is definitely more horror for example.
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Jamie for bringing this short horror story to my attention.
The concept of this story feels similar to M. Night Shyamalan's film The Village. Both stories are about an isolated community with strict rules about avoiding a mysterious danger that people don’t talk about. And both stories have a main character who challenges the way their community works. Though there are also some interesting differences between both stories. The Blanks is definitely more horror for example.
Thanks to my Goodreads friend Jamie for bringing this short horror story to my attention.
May 16, 2025
I have not read anything by Grady Hendrix before (my mistake) but after reading The Blanks I have decided to start reading more of his material. It is well written, the plot flows smoothly. When confusion arises it is quickly dissipated within the next page.
Mystery, anticipation, loss, sadness and fear are all mixed together to make this writing worthy of reading.
May 7, 2025
grady hendrix if you can hear me please make this a full length novel
September 21, 2025
I Saw It...
THE BLANKS (The Shivers Collection)
by Grady Hendrix
4 stars. Mom, Rachel, and her son Callum were on the ferry heading for Jeckle Island to meet Dad and sister Zee...
Wood Breeze village on the island was the best kept secret in NY. There were no cars and slower schedules here...
And everyone knew everyone else...
The island was a great place to raise kids until what happened to the Litvaks. They never should've stayed past the end of the season...
There was just one rule the islanders lived by: If you come upon a Blank, don't look at it. Ignore it and everything will be fine...
In Wood Breeze...
There are drinks with friends on the deck, grilling in swimsuits, and sit-down dinners inside...
Although buying a place on the island starts at 1.6 million, the village is really a ramshackle of small buildings connected by the boardwalk...
It is considered tacky to renovate..
Heading for the pier at sunset with her wagon full of margaritas, Rachel saw her son Callum standing stock still, staring at something...
It was an islander lying on the boardwalk. There was a Blank crouched in the bushes beside the boardwalk looking at the fallen man...
It was also looking at Callum...
And Callum was looking back at it...
Mom ran down the boardwalk, not looking at the Blank, and hauled Callum away by his shirt...
Mom can feel the Blank staring at them as she and Callum walk the other way. It was marking Callum...
Callum told Mom: I saw it...
In a panic, Mom said: No, you didn't!
My first thought, reading this story, was I wonder if the setting for this story was taken from Fire Island in NY. One of my uncles had a summer home there, and the setting for this story seems to be exactly the same.
This is actually my first Grady Hendrix story, and I must say that although it is short, it is excellent.
THE BLANKS (The Shivers Collection)
by Grady Hendrix
4 stars. Mom, Rachel, and her son Callum were on the ferry heading for Jeckle Island to meet Dad and sister Zee...
Wood Breeze village on the island was the best kept secret in NY. There were no cars and slower schedules here...
And everyone knew everyone else...
The island was a great place to raise kids until what happened to the Litvaks. They never should've stayed past the end of the season...
There was just one rule the islanders lived by: If you come upon a Blank, don't look at it. Ignore it and everything will be fine...
In Wood Breeze...
There are drinks with friends on the deck, grilling in swimsuits, and sit-down dinners inside...
Although buying a place on the island starts at 1.6 million, the village is really a ramshackle of small buildings connected by the boardwalk...
It is considered tacky to renovate..
Heading for the pier at sunset with her wagon full of margaritas, Rachel saw her son Callum standing stock still, staring at something...
It was an islander lying on the boardwalk. There was a Blank crouched in the bushes beside the boardwalk looking at the fallen man...
It was also looking at Callum...
And Callum was looking back at it...
Mom ran down the boardwalk, not looking at the Blank, and hauled Callum away by his shirt...
Mom can feel the Blank staring at them as she and Callum walk the other way. It was marking Callum...
Callum told Mom: I saw it...
In a panic, Mom said: No, you didn't!
My first thought, reading this story, was I wonder if the setting for this story was taken from Fire Island in NY. One of my uncles had a summer home there, and the setting for this story seems to be exactly the same.
This is actually my first Grady Hendrix story, and I must say that although it is short, it is excellent.
May 3, 2025
You Just Know.
Rachel, our narrator, is telling us the story about the Blanks. Who they are and what they are, l don’t know. But they control the whole show.
Rachel is married to Steven and their children are Callum and Zee. The family summers on Jeckal Island.
When Callum is eleven and Zee is ten, Callum comes upon a Blank. He stares at it. Rachel doesn’t know what to do. So she lets it play out.
So now we are down to four stars.
Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
Rachel, our narrator, is telling us the story about the Blanks. Who they are and what they are, l don’t know. But they control the whole show.
Rachel is married to Steven and their children are Callum and Zee. The family summers on Jeckal Island.
When Callum is eleven and Zee is ten, Callum comes upon a Blank. He stares at it. Rachel doesn’t know what to do. So she lets it play out.
So now we are down to four stars.
Four stars. 💫💫💫💫
October 12, 2025
"I open my mouth in a silent scream."
Kinda bummed with this shortie collection so far, but this was a lil better than the first two.
Kinda bummed with this shortie collection so far, but this was a lil better than the first two.
September 18, 2025
For a short, this was just ok on storyline. I was interested in how things were going to play out but the ending left me irritated and disappointed.
Told from a FMC POV, the island they are in has creatures that you’re supposed to pretend don’t exist- so they leave you alone. Those creatures are “Blanks”.
The storyline follows the FMC and her family as the creatures become more brazen and she doesn’t know what to do. I absolutely found the ending so disagreeable though. Without spoiling it, all I’ll say is that I’m a mother, and I vehemently disagree with some choices she made as one.
Told from a FMC POV, the island they are in has creatures that you’re supposed to pretend don’t exist- so they leave you alone. Those creatures are “Blanks”.
The storyline follows the FMC and her family as the creatures become more brazen and she doesn’t know what to do. I absolutely found the ending so disagreeable though. Without spoiling it, all I’ll say is that I’m a mother, and I vehemently disagree with some choices she made as one.
March 26, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalleyand the publishers.
The Blanks is another short story in the Shivers Collection from Amazon Publishing, and I've got to say this one did give me the Shivers and was my favourite out of the Collection by far.
We follow a family going to their vacation home on Jeckle Island as they do every summer. Everything seems normal, and everyone follows the rules of the island until Rachel's son finds one of the family's friends collapsed and face to face with something nobody dares to speak of, changing their lives forever.
This would make a perfect prequel to a longer story about the Blanks. I'm so intrigued by them and really want to know more and have a full-blown story about them. Not only did they fill me with terror, but what the family had to do to escape was horrifying. This gave me vibes of Bird Box, which I absolutely loved.
The Blanks is another short story in the Shivers Collection from Amazon Publishing, and I've got to say this one did give me the Shivers and was my favourite out of the Collection by far.
We follow a family going to their vacation home on Jeckle Island as they do every summer. Everything seems normal, and everyone follows the rules of the island until Rachel's son finds one of the family's friends collapsed and face to face with something nobody dares to speak of, changing their lives forever.
This would make a perfect prequel to a longer story about the Blanks. I'm so intrigued by them and really want to know more and have a full-blown story about them. Not only did they fill me with terror, but what the family had to do to escape was horrifying. This gave me vibes of Bird Box, which I absolutely loved.
May 15, 2025
“We padlock the guest bedroom door just in case Zee gets up in the middle of the night, although after four Ambien, that would take a miracle.”
April 18, 2025
A short horror story from the Shivers collection and it is the best one. We meet a family of mum, dad and two kids who are vacationing on Jeckle Island. It seems a beautiful place until something unnatural appears and life for this family will never be the same.
Decidedly creepy and definitely not bedtime reading. Hendrix could really use the Blanks in a full-size book. I for one would certainly like to know more about them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Decidedly creepy and definitely not bedtime reading. Hendrix could really use the Blanks in a full-size book. I for one would certainly like to know more about them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 21, 2025
The Blanks
by Grady Hendrix
This is a short story with a big punch. It's a horror story that creeps up on you at the very end. When you read it, and you should, it's short and good. Tell me this: Do you feel like the parents are the horror elements in this story?
by Grady Hendrix
This is a short story with a big punch. It's a horror story that creeps up on you at the very end. When you read it, and you should, it's short and good. Tell me this: Do you feel like the parents are the horror elements in this story?
January 1, 2026
3.5 * Haunted island
Sometimes bad things happen to good people...
...Or sometimes good people make bad decisions. And there are consequences. And those good people aren't really all that good. Maybe they needed to learn a hard lesson. Who will pay the price? Cool setting and twist.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people...
...Or sometimes good people make bad decisions. And there are consequences. And those good people aren't really all that good. Maybe they needed to learn a hard lesson. Who will pay the price? Cool setting and twist.
May 2, 2025
“Something goes wrong with the car, and they pop the hood and look at the engine. They don’t know what they’re looking at or what to do about it, but they feel that caveman compulsion to stand there and scrutinize.”
The Blanks is short story in which it seems like a perfectly normal family is summering in a perfectly normal beach town on an island…..
Until it becomes very clear that it is far from normal!
“Our daughter,” I hiss, “is not going to grow up without a father because you wanted to pop the hood and look at the engine!
The Shivers Collection
Jackknife by Joe Hill - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Blanks by Grady Hendrix - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Letter Slot by Owen King - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Blanks is short story in which it seems like a perfectly normal family is summering in a perfectly normal beach town on an island…..
Until it becomes very clear that it is far from normal!
“Our daughter,” I hiss, “is not going to grow up without a father because you wanted to pop the hood and look at the engine!
The Shivers Collection
Jackknife by Joe Hill - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Indigo Room by Stephen Graham Jones - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Blanks by Grady Hendrix - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Night and Day in Misery by Catriona Ward - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Letter Slot by Owen King - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 8, 2025
The Blanks are some sort of unnatural beings no one ever dares speak of on Jeckle Island (an island where families get to spend their holidays in their summer homes), that's a pact that has been going on for years and as such everybody is supposed to stick to this pact.
But...what happens when Cal, Rachel's child, sees one of them and makes it known to everybody? What would be the consequences of breaking the pact? Rachel's family is soon to find out.
I don't think I can say anything else without giving out crucial details that might derail the intention of many others to read this really good short story.
Before this, I had never read anything by Grady Hendrix, but I'm now looking forward to reading any of his full novels any day soon.
But...what happens when Cal, Rachel's child, sees one of them and makes it known to everybody? What would be the consequences of breaking the pact? Rachel's family is soon to find out.
I don't think I can say anything else without giving out crucial details that might derail the intention of many others to read this really good short story.
Before this, I had never read anything by Grady Hendrix, but I'm now looking forward to reading any of his full novels any day soon.
June 6, 2025
Wtf? That was so dark and so sunny at the same time.
May 3, 2025
Great story but a bit sad! Things aren’t what they seem on Jeckle Island…
March 30, 2025
OMG, what did I just read? Seriously, this is one of the most brutal, heartbreaking stories that I've ever read. That ending broke my heart. Bravo, Grady Hendrix! You've written a hell of a story that I will have a hard time forgetting.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
July 17, 2025
Thoughts
This has got to be my favourite in this collection of stories so far, mysterious, action filled a tad on the creepy side and unexpectedly heartbreaking -- I say unexpectedly because I didn't expect that from a 35 page read
Plot Summary
On Jeckle Island, peace comes at a price: ignore the unnatural beings that lurk in the shadows, and they’ll leave you alone. Rachel and her children embrace this rule each summer, enjoying the island’s beauty and freedom—until her son breaks the silence. When he acknowledges what should never be seen, their fragile safety crumbles. As terror creeps into their lives, Rachel must face the island’s dark truth and protect her family before their paradise becomes a nightmare.
This has got to be my favourite in this collection of stories so far, mysterious, action filled a tad on the creepy side and unexpectedly heartbreaking -- I say unexpectedly because I didn't expect that from a 35 page read
Plot Summary
On Jeckle Island, peace comes at a price: ignore the unnatural beings that lurk in the shadows, and they’ll leave you alone. Rachel and her children embrace this rule each summer, enjoying the island’s beauty and freedom—until her son breaks the silence. When he acknowledges what should never be seen, their fragile safety crumbles. As terror creeps into their lives, Rachel must face the island’s dark truth and protect her family before their paradise becomes a nightmare.
April 19, 2025
3.5 stars
I wanted more with this one. I have many questions and it’s not because it has an obscure ending.
Hendrix could turn this into a novella and it would work better for me. It’s just too short.
The Blanks still has some creepy moments and I dug that!
I wanted more with this one. I have many questions and it’s not because it has an obscure ending.
Hendrix could turn this into a novella and it would work better for me. It’s just too short.
The Blanks still has some creepy moments and I dug that!
November 19, 2025
Overall Rating : B
"...as long as you don't see them, everything is okay; as long as you don't notice them, you're lucky. You're blessed."
Stay the hell away from lakefront communities.
"...as long as you don't see them, everything is okay; as long as you don't notice them, you're lucky. You're blessed."
Stay the hell away from lakefront communities.
May 14, 2025
As a mother myself the ending ripped out my heart, I loved this short story.
April 10, 2025
A smart and disturbing horror short about the things people ignore in order to maintain the lives they want to live, particularly in privileged communities. The Blanks follows a family who summers on an island that is perfect...as long as you never pay attention to the monsters. But their 11 year old son doesn't know better...
Grady Hendrix knocked this out of the park, though I could totally see this story working as a novella too. The audio narration is excellent- exactly the main character who is perkily ignoring the horrors around her. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Grady Hendrix knocked this out of the park, though I could totally see this story working as a novella too. The audio narration is excellent- exactly the main character who is perkily ignoring the horrors around her. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
April 25, 2025
This has been my favorite story out of “The Shivers Collection” so far! This is a slow burn horror filled with descriptive visuals. I really enjoyed how it started and how it ended. The ending was well executed! The short story is easy to read, fast paced and very mysterious! It includes residents on an island who are supposed to ignore the unnatural inhabitants or pay the price if they don’t.
I found this to be eerie, heartbreaking, sad, disturbing and very dark. Be sure to read the content warnings! I give this a 4 out of 5 stars!
I found this to be eerie, heartbreaking, sad, disturbing and very dark. Be sure to read the content warnings! I give this a 4 out of 5 stars!
April 17, 2025
The third story from the Amazon Originals series entitled The Shivers.
A family retreat to their vacation home for the summer, it's idyllic apart from one thing... The Blanks!
Fantastic storytelling from Mr Hendrix, as you may have expected and one that lulls you into a false sense of security!
A family retreat to their vacation home for the summer, it's idyllic apart from one thing... The Blanks!
Fantastic storytelling from Mr Hendrix, as you may have expected and one that lulls you into a false sense of security!
November 29, 2025
Scary!
June 7, 2025
4.0/5
I feel blessed, so very blessed to have listened to this short story. IYKYK. 😂 Not very scary but it made me lol several times while listening. The things these privileged rich folk put up with for a coveted vacation hotspot... 😆
I feel blessed, so very blessed to have listened to this short story. IYKYK. 😂 Not very scary but it made me lol several times while listening. The things these privileged rich folk put up with for a coveted vacation hotspot... 😆
May 20, 2025
I actually really enjoyed this short story. Kinda wish it was longer 🤷🏻♀️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,363 reviews