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Justine Avery

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Last Shot: A Short Tale of the Absurdity of Life and Death Kindle Edition

by Justine Avery (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 79 ratings

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Today is the perfect day to die.

Bernard is the type of man that accomplishes all that he sets out to—and easily. He's intelligent, hardworking, and completely unfamiliar with failure. His only complaint—the singular source of the inner anger bubbling within him—is that no one else in the world recognizes that.

It's time to force them to.

Bernard's had enough. Enough of the complete absence of respect in his life, of being looked down upon, of being the only person in the world—it seems—who truly sees the reality of his life and what he deserves acknowledgment for. In fact, that recognition is way overdue. And that makes Bernard's blood boil.

Today is just like any other day; Bernard has planned and prepared for every aspect. His heated rage stews just under the surface, just more fuel for the fire. He will accomplish this one goal as he has all others. Another success, his ultimate success. And he'll have made his blissful escape.

The final statement will be Bernard's. At last. The perfection of the execution of this one, final achievement will be undeniable. Bernard will be free of this ridiculous world—passing calmly from his lifetime of frustration—and the world will realize its significant loss.

They won't be able to take away—or look away from—what he's about to do.

If he succeeds. But of course, he will. Why wouldn't he? He always has.

He's dead set on killing himself, as many times as it takes.

Enjoy the read...

If you delight in best selling suspense, poetic justice, dark vengeance, literary fiction, and disturbing dark comedy, you'll relish reading Last Shot.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Justine Avery's writing indulges in enticing story above all else: the tales you're drawn to regardless of genre preferences, the stories capable of changing your view of the world around you, the narratives that become part of you. Her storytelling brims with the weird and wonderful, the unexpected and alluring, the mysterious and magical.
"Grabs the reader's attention with the first lines ... a taut and well-written story that transports you ... you can't help but chuckle ... there's a deeply uncomfortable feeling that remains ... makes you pause and think. And that's the hallmark of a powerful and compelling short story. Last Shot is highly recommended." --Readers' Favorite (5 Stars)
"I very much enjoyed all of this author's books ... she's a master of grabbing the reader and pulling them into the story. I enjoyed Last Shot the best. Bernard reminded me of my ex-husband: I'm the best and nobody gets it. Funny but also disturbing." --judges panel, The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards

About the Author

"[Her] writing is nothing short of brilliant. Avery knows her way around words and uses them with expertise to captivate the audience." (Reader Views)
"She's a master of grabbing the reader and pulling them into the story. ... Her writing is off-the-wall ... and always, ALWAYS spellbinding." (The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards UK)
"Justine Avery is one writer who knows how to wield words that wake us up....and in very short order. ... Her words paint pictures... Her metaphors intrigue. ... [She] has remarkable insight into human nature. ... [She] tells it like it is. And so well. (Loretta M. Siani, author of Everyday Miracles: Nine Keys to Miraculous Living)
"Justine Avery is such a clever, clever writer. She'll pull you in, mess with you a little and ... when you think you have a handle on the story, she'll pull the rug from under you. Wonderful stuff!" (The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards UK)
"To be able to draw in the reader and make them root for or stress about a character's decisions in such a short space is a positive reflection on an author's skill. ... Avery sets the scene perfectly with those first few lines, and her imaginative, gentle take on the inanities of the so-called civilized world sweeps the reader from the banal to the fantastic, almost before you know it." (Readers' Favorite)
On Avery's short stories...
"Justine Avery is a powerful writer and a master of the tantalising short story." (Edward Trayer, founder, The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards UK)
"[She] makes you pause and think. And that's the hallmark of a powerful and compelling short story. ... The art of writing a short story includes the elements of character, setting, plot and conflict; Justine Avery skillfully molds these elements together. Ms. Avery is certainly a master writer in the short story genre." (Readers' Favorite)
"There's a craft to the short story and Justine Avery has ... mastered it." (publisher, judges panel, The Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards UK)

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00OT36U5S
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Justine Avery (October 22, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 22, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1735 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 23 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,826,814 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,289 in Humorous Dark Comedy
- #1,650 in Horror Comedy
- #1,872 in American Humorous Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.3 79 ratings

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Justine Avery

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Justine Avery is the #1 international bestselling and award-winning author of stories large & small, for all.

Born in the American Midwest and raised all over the world, she is inherently an explorer, duly fascinated by everything around her and excitedly noting the stories that abound all around. As an avid reader of all genres, she weaves her own stories among them all. She has a predilection for writing speculative fiction and story twists and surprises she can’t even predict herself.

Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.

Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives between Los Angeles and London with her husband, award-winning British film director and author Devon Avery, and their adored children. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.

Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say "hello"—or konnichiwa.

You can find her at JustineAvery.com >> Join the mailing list for exclusive fun & freebies!

And follow along for further adventures at...

Twitter.com/Justine_Avery

Goodreads.com/JustineAvery

BookBub.com/authors/Justine-Avery

LibraryThing.com/author/AveryJustine

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

79 global ratings

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Shan_dee87

AND THE PLOT THICKENS!!

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2018

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I picked up this book since I like 48 hour mysteries and shows like that. This book surely is on the same level of intense with regards to a young man named Bernard who has never received the praise and honor that he believes he deserves. So now he believes that all he has left to accomplish is a quick and painless death. I mean no one else in his community will really care to notice that he is gone right. The story spares no details into how a troubled young man views and relentlessly plots his numerous suicidal attempts. He initially says goodbye to the world with pills and vodka. When that failed to work he tried carbon monoxide poisoning in the car. Then he finally gets shot trying to buy vodka in the shop where the owners did not recognize him even though he used to be a regular at the establishment in his old life. The story basically is like a continuous version of Inception, an unsuccessful death that plunges him into another version of his life. He in fact cannot run away from life.

2 people found this helpful

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thebookbabesreads

Interesting & Quick Read!

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

When I started Last Shot, I wasn't expecting a whole lot. This isn't my usual genre, and I don't "love" novellas; so it was a heck of a surprise!

The story follows a man named Bernard through his suicide attempts - intriguing, right? At first, I was very hesitant. The main character, Bernard was very unlikable. He even goes so far as to proclaim himself perfect! That really angered me at first, but I think the author was trying to show the many sides of depression, anger and suicide through him. Towards the end, I was even beginning to think that he was bipolar - there are several layers to the character & his predicament. I found him to be harshly identifiable, because I could understand him and his problems but it didn't make me like his character any more.

The book is written in third person, which I found to be very helpful in forging a connection with the main character in such a short time. I would like to say that it is a bit hard to get into at first, but you get used to it after a short time. It's a very unique writing style! You start out thinking that things will happen one way, and towards the end there was a twist that just made the story for me! It was so unexpected! I'm not going to tell you because of spoilers, but it was such a shock!

I found Last Shot to be an interesting read that quickly and efficiently showed many types of mental illness and how they can affect anyone. It showed alcoholism, depression, and anger. It also showed how the perception and judgment of the people around us can affect how we feel about ourselves. I would recommend Last Shot to anyone who wants a quick and interesting read.

2 people found this helpful

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Jessica

Great read!!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017

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First off, great title. I think it does much to express the fantastical absurdity of the piece as well as the protagonist Bernard. The work goes through the many trials and tribulations of Bernard as he tries to commit suicide. At first, like many of the others I see in the comments section here, I disliked Bernard at first. I found him to have a bit of a God-complex. However, as I continued to read, I discovered that there was more to him than initially assumed. As far as language, the writer has a gift for blending the concise with the poetic. I found her prose enticing within itself and continued reading on that alone before growing attached to Bernard and his trials. Overall, very good read. Would recommend.

2 people found this helpful

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Nicole G.

Unsurprising, but still a good read

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2017

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It is uncommon to see such an unlikable main character as Bernard and I appreciated it for its change in pace. Bernard is a character that is seemingly very full of himself, proud of the things he's done both in his work and personal lives. Because of this, I was a little shocked to read that he was so adamant to commit suicide. But then, mental illness exhibits itself in different ways in each person, so by the time we enter the novella and meet Bernard, we the reader have no detailed explanation as to why Bernard as reached this point.

The only letdown for me was the fact this book was billed as a mystery, thriller, and suspense novella. Unfortunately Last Shot was a novella that was not all that surprising to me. When I read the first few pages, I made a prediction about the ending of the novella that turned out to be correct. This novella has the elements of mysteries and thrillers, but it's not so mysterious and thrilling when the reader can predict the outcome after only a few pages.

It was still an interesting read. The writing style of the author was very sophisticated and it seemed, to me, that they had done their research about suicide methods, as well as the external and internal effects of suicidal thoughts and mental illness.

One person found this helpful

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Shana H

PLOT TWIST....I was not expecting that!

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2017

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This short story was a great read. I don't want to spoil the book for someone who looks forward to reading it, but just know, the book is awesome. If you are into the thriller/mystery genre, you will LOVE this story. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Bernard was meticulous in every aspect of his life. Such carefully thought out plans - with the hopes for the perfect execution. I needed to know what Bernard was going to attempt next. This story kept me intrigued from the first "failed attempt". The story was so detailed, I painted pictures in my mind - it felt like I was watching a movie. The ending?? PLOT TWIST....I was not expecting that! To find out what happened, give this book a try!

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

B.H.

Spot on characterization

Reviewed in Canada on August 31, 2017

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Last Shot is a really wonderful character study into the mind of a very distraught individual struggling with feelings of low-self worth and anger. Even though the protagonist isn't particularly charming or likable at all, Avery has found a way to help her audience empathize with him.

I wished the ending was a little more fleshed out, like the rest of the scenes, but I enjoyed the journey there.

The Ed

Is your fate really in your own hands?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

A brilliant short story of one man's determined efforts to commit suicide. The subject matter may appear a little macabre but the writing is effortlessly descriptive and puts the reader right into Bernard's mind and before realising what's happening you're willing him to succeed in his mission.

Last Shot is a story well worth reading if you enjoy short stories and, despite the subject, would appeal to more than those with darker thoughts in their mind.

One person found this helpful

ONO　千尋

Funny! Funny!

Reviewed in Japan on September 20, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book makes me laugh.
Commiting suicide is a serious , little by little, I felt He must be failure.
When he gave up, He was kiled. Funny! Funny.

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Justine Avery

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