Review of If... and other stories

Chinazo Anozie · Post by **Chinazo Anozie** » 21 Jun 2025, 08:37

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "If... and other stories" by Claire Frieze.]

5 out of 5 stars

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If… And Other Stories by Claire Frieze is a collection of short, riveting thrillers. The stories range from a married woman, Anna, who is kidnapped along with her infant daughter, Abi, by Alex to a post-apocalyptic, matriarchal community where the women will do anything to remain in power and not go back to the old ways where they were oppressed, abused, and lived in fear of men. There’s also a story about Nura, a woman who tries to flee from her abusive husband, Albert, and his family after having known what it is like to be properly loved (by her first husband).

I enjoyed If… And Other Stories by Claire Frieze. Most of the stories are set in Israel and feature female protagonists, often mothers. I liked learning some tidbits about Israel; not many books I’ve read are set there. My favorite story was the first: “If...” Alex refers to himself as the “angel of death,” a humane assassin who does his best to give (needless) hope to his potential victims. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator, Sarah Edwards, did a marvelous job. Sarah effectively conveyed Anna’s terror, which was catching and chilling, especially when Alex revealed his plans for Abi to her. Sarah also beautifully depicted Alex’s Russian accent. “If…” had a plot twist at the end that had my head reeling.

There was nothing I disliked about If… And Other Stories by Claire Frieze. The audio production was also impeccable, and I did not hear any errors. As a result, I happily rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The book contains profanities and sexual content, although the latter is not written in detail. Neither element felt forced or gratuitous; they were necessary to the stories. If… And Other Stories by Claire Frieze is a short read that fans of thrillers and mysteries will enjoy.

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If... and other stories
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Yussuf Bouzir · Post by **Yussuf Bouzir** » 28 Jun 2025, 02:17

Wow, amazing

Post by **Kibet Hillary** » 28 Jun 2025, 13:50

The short stories sound really exciting, and my curiosity is piqued to read them and learn what happens, especially the futuristic community. Many thanks for the review, @Chinazo Anozie.

Onyemuwa-dave · Post by **Onyemuwa-dave** » 29 Jun 2025, 04:32

It sounds like Claire Frieze has crafted a truly riveting collection, especially with the chilling "If..." story and its unexpected twist. I appreciate you highlighting the strong narration by Sarah Edwards and the unique Israeli setting.

Spoorthy S · Post by **Spoorthy S** » 04 Jul 2025, 11:13

I liked your review, especially your comments on the writing style. I had a different opinion about the ending, though. Still, your review gave me something new to consider.