THE PROBLEM WITH MURDER
Brody Butcher
Reader Reviews
4.0
1 rating
Elise B.
Feb 8, 2026
This short story follows Doug, a man who has quite literally lost his mind in more than one way. Haunted by guilt, he becomes the embodiment of how devastatingly heavy consequences can be when they finally catch up.
Spoiler
Doug’s unraveling takes a dark and violent turn. After his lies at work are uncovered, he murders his assistant manager—the one who exposed him. But his descent doesn’t stop there. In the chaos of that moment, he also kills an innocent bystander, all while being tormented by visions of Carson, a man long gone, whom Doug continues to see as if he were still alive.
I would rate this story 3.5 stars. It’s well written and kept me hooked all the way through. The author has a strong storytelling voice and knows how to maintain tension, making this a solid short read. That said, while I appreciated the experience, it’s not a story I see myself rereading.
Spoiler
Doug’s unraveling takes a dark and violent turn. After his lies at work are uncovered, he murders his assistant manager—the one who exposed him. But his descent doesn’t stop there. In the chaos of that moment, he also kills an innocent bystander, all while being tormented by visions of Carson, a man long gone, whom Doug continues to see as if he were still alive.
I would rate this story 3.5 stars. It’s well written and kept me hooked all the way through. The author has a strong storytelling voice and knows how to maintain tension, making this a solid short read. That said, while I appreciated the experience, it’s not a story I see myself rereading.