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Lisette Brodey
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HOTEL OBSCURE: A Collection of Short Stories Kindle Edition

by Lisette Brodey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

From the author of The Waiting House: A Novel in Stories


In a run-down neighborhood in an unnamed city, people live and die in “the Obscure.” Whether anyone remembers the real name of the derelict establishment is a mystery. In this six-story building, most who occupy the rooms are long-term residents, though some stay for as little as an hour.

The patronage is an eclectic group: musicians, writers, addicts, hookers, lonely people, poor people, rich people, once-well-off people, and those who have reason to hide from their former lives or to escape the demands of a disapproving and punishing society.

As shabby as the Obscure is, as long as its walls keep out the wind and the rain, it remains a shelter, a hideaway, and a home for the many bewildered souls. Hotel Obscure is a collection of seventeen short stories that all take place in or around the “the Obscure.”

While the stories stand alone, they are to be read in order. Some characters appear in multiple stories, and sometimes, a story will continue in an unexpected way. The Obscure is life. It is death. In the blink of an eye, it may appear supernatural. It is a place we all visit … whether metaphorically or physically, at least once in our time on Earth.

REVIEW from NY Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry: "Absolutely riveting. Lisette Brodey spins magic with HOTEL OBSCURE. Each story gives us a peek into the life of a collection of disparate characters. It's the kind of storytelling that would appeal to Tom Waits, Charles Bukowski, or Leonard Cohen. It would also make one heck of a good anthology TV series. Brava!"

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I write characters as I hear them speak to me. Some of these stories contain non-gratuitous expletives and sexual references. If this is not to your liking, please don't read this book. Thank you.

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  1. Print length
    283 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2018
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07HXMVMSX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Saberlee Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 283 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0990960683
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

About the author

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Lisette Brodey

Lisette Brodey

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Lisette was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. She spent ten years in New York City, and now resides in Los Angeles.

She’s a multigenre author of fourteen books: Crooked Moon (General/Literary Fiction); Squalor, New Mexico (Coming-of-Age/Literary Fiction); Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! (Women's Fiction/romantic comedy), The Desert Series: Mystical High; Desert Star; and Drawn Apart (YA paranormal/magical realism), Barrie Hill Reunion (Literary Fiction); Hotel Obscure: A Collection of Short Stories (Literary Fiction), Love, Look Away (Women's Fiction/romantic comedy), The Sum of our Sorrows (Contemporary Fiction/Coming-of-Age), The Waiting House: A Novel in Stories (Literary Fiction), All That Was Taken (Contemporary Fiction), Twice a Broken Breath (Suspense Thriller), and What the Years Remember (psychological suspense).

Two of Lisette’s short stories are published in an anthology: Triptychs (Book 3, The Mind’s Eye Series.)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
45 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this short story collection captivating and emotionally satisfying, with impressive writing skills and beautiful, endearing style. Moreover, the stories are thought-provoking, stirring a phenomenal amount of thought, and feature fascinating characters. Additionally, customers appreciate the collection's substance and readability.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentReadabilityEmotional contentThought provokingWriting qualityStyleSubstance
13 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories in this collection captivating, with one review noting they are fascinatingly complex and full of surprises with twists.

"...short stories in HOTEL OBSCURE are exceptional – enlightening, captivating, and powerfully moving...." Read more

"...Each story is unique and distinct in its own right, but they are made to be read in order as there are some clear connections and a reappearance..." Read more

"...amazing collection of short stories to read, some are sad, funny, interesting and strange, and some very interesting characters with stories of..." Read more

"...If you're okay with that, you will read a book full of twists and turns as you read each story in order, and I highly recommend this five-star read!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning how characters reappear in various tales.

"...in order as there are some clear connections and a reappearance of characters in various tales...." Read more

"...some are sad, funny, interesting and strange, and some very interesting characters with stories of thier own to be told..." Read more

"...mind glued to a window into the lives of the quirky, flawed, fascinating characters who walked in and out of the hotel’s doors...." Read more

"...This talented author is known for creating characters and settings so real that you’re sure they must exist out there somewhere...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very satisfying to read, with one customer noting it's a must-read for fans of darker fiction.

"hotel obscure is an amazing collection of short stories to read, some are sad, funny, interesting and strange, and some very interesting characters..." Read more

"The seventeen short stories in HOTEL OBSCURE are exceptional – enlightening, captivating, and powerfully moving...." Read more

"...Sometimes comic, sometimes deeply poignant, sometimes quite twisty, the characters in the stories reminded me of the type of people found in John..." Read more

"...And in some cases to each other. “Hotel Obscure” is a very satisfying read...." Read more

6 customers mention "Emotional content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally satisfying, with one review noting its remarkable exploration of psychological states of mind, while another describes it as deeply poignant and strangely uplifting.

"...each story is entirely captivating and intriguing and will claw at the reader's emotions like a ravenous beast!..." Read more

"...Hotel Obscure is riveting and emotional at the same time. I don't like giving away too much of a book, but I'm compelled to remark about one aspect...." Read more

"...to take me deeply into her characters’ emotional and psychological states of mind is remarkable...." Read more

"...short stories might have been depressing, but it was actually strangely uplifting...." Read more

5 customers mention "Thought provoking"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and enlightening, with one customer noting its keen insight into people's mindsets.

"...lisette brodey she is an amazing writer and story teller with great detail to be told, please check out her other books i have read, twice a..." Read more

"The seventeen short stories in HOTEL OBSCURE are exceptional – enlightening, captivating, and powerfully moving...." Read more

"...sharp dialogue, and her powers of observation and insight into people's mindsets are very keen...." Read more

"...Ms Brodey presents tales that are humorous, thought-provoking, sad, touched with a bit of magic, and most of all cut from the fabric of life...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's impressive writing skills, with one noting their talent for sharp dialogue.

"...Lisette Brodey's writing is smooth and beautiful all the way through this collection...." Read more

"...third book in a row i have read by lisette brodey she is an amazing writer and story teller with great detail to be told, please check out her..." Read more

"...I consider Brodey to be a superb writer...." Read more

"...Ms Brodey has a talent for sharp dialogue, and her powers of observation and insight into people's mindsets are very keen...." Read more

3 customers mention "Style"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the style of the book beautiful and endearing.

"...A heart-rending - but beautiful- look at the human condition and what actually happens beyond those cryptic curtains...." Read more

"...and heroines are all society's cast offs and yet they were somehow charming and endearing...." Read more

"...Can't wait for another one from her...great style!" Read more

3 customers mention "Substance"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the substance of the stories, with one describing them as riveting.

"...Hotel Obscure is riveting and emotional at the same time. I don't like giving away too much of a book, but I'm compelled to remark about one aspect...." Read more

"...than their own, but their appearances enhanced the storyline, added substance...." Read more

"...Even though the stories are short, there's depth and substance to them." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Leonard T
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 out of 5 Brilliant and Forlorn Stars for this one!  *****
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Have you ever wandered down the street at night and noticed the many glowing windows which are lighting up the area?  Twinkling in the dark stillness.  Whether they be private residences, condo buildings or hotel rooms- the question in our minds remains the same.  What is actually happening behind those closed curtains?  What would it be like to enter that world and actually get a taste of it?  Would the result be marvellous and memorable- or gloomy and disappointing?  What are the people in those rooms actually doing... and would we want to be part of it?  Abandoning our own humdrum existence for the opportunity presented behind the proverbial curtain number three.  If these thoughts have ever entered your mind while peering through the looking glass of the arcane, then Hotel Obscure by author Lisette Brodey is a must read!  A heart-rending - but beautiful- look at the human condition and what actually happens beyond those cryptic curtains.

    Hotel Obscure is a collection of short stories which are woven together into one book.  There are 17 tales in total and they focus on the residents of the shabby and rundown Obscure Hotel.  Each story is unique and distinct in its own right, but they are made to be read in order as there are some clear connections and a reappearance of characters in various tales.  Without a doubt, each story is entirely captivating and intriguing and will claw at the reader's emotions like a ravenous beast!  From the rise and fall of a promising musician, the destructive aftermath of familial abuse, and the desperate search for friendship and love in what can be a cold and unforgiving world.  Each tale is brilliant, and although it is quite difficult to pick a favorite- "Twenty-Seven" stands out as the top for me personally.

    Lisette Brodey's writing is smooth and beautiful all the way through this collection.  We are transported into a land of desperate and despondent souls... yet we want to be there!  The writing embraces us tight and triggers our emotions.  From sadness to rage.  We are able to get a front row seat and see the fleeting and esoteric nature of the human condition.  Poor souls at their worst... longing for days gone by.  All of this takes place at the Hotel Obscure which virtually acts as a confessional for the many woeful souls residing inside its belly.  All of this is captured through engaging character interactions and dialogue which displays the author's impressive writing skills.

    While the plot and setting of this book will undoubtedly engross the reader- so will the many dynamic characters.  To be clear, these are not individuals who you will forget about after the book is closed.  They are cleverly developed and memorable, and will embed themselves deep into the reader's psyche.  They grow in depth throughout the pages and welcome us into their pitiful lives.  We feel their emotions and as such it ignites our own.  That is quite a feat to pull off within the naturally restrictive confines of a short story.

    To be clear, this is not a light-hearted read.  If you are looking for sunshine and Unicorns then this is probably not your best pick.  However, if you want to be transported through the looking glass of Hotel Obscure and see what really happens behind those twinkling lights... then be sure to check-in with Henry at the front desk.  I can guarantee you will not be disappointed that you did.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • JONATHAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing collection of stories to read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    hotel obscure is an amazing collection of short stories to read, some are sad, funny, interesting and strange, and some very interesting characters with stories of thier own to be told
    one specifically turned out to be the most interesting one has a twilight zone type story to be told ( when there's a will, there's a winnie) to it, is confusing at one point but very interesting to read it makes you think about what happened and is very suprising what took place, some of the stories lead into the other stories it is well worth reading. this is the third book in a row i have read by lisette brodey she is an amazing writer and story teller with great detail to be told, please check out her other books i have read, twice a broken breath and what the years remember- you will not be dissapointed both very suspenseful and suprises galore take place
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  • Mary Schmidt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Obscure yet not quite obscure
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you've read other books by this author, you must read this one. Please note: If you can not handle cursing and such, then don't read it. If you're okay with that, you will read a book full of twists and turns as you read each story in order, and I highly recommend this five-star read! Honestly, on the first story, I was not sure about what I was reading. By the end, I knew I was hooked. Do read each story in order. I write that because each successive story builds upon the one before it, yet you wouldn't know how until you immerse yourself into each story. Hotel Obscure is riveting and emotional at the same time. I don't like giving away too much of a book, but I'm compelled to remark about one aspect. That is identity theft and stalking. I could relate to this as I recently had a stalker who left me more than 700 notifications in a 12 hour span overnight. Stalkers are always a bad thing, and they can hurt a person easily if they speak with you in person and know where you live. I was anxious as I read about the stalker in Hotel Obscure, and I worried about the woman being stalked and having her identity stolen right before her eyes.
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  • Dodester
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, captivating, and powerfully moving stories
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The seventeen short stories in HOTEL OBSCURE are exceptional – enlightening, captivating, and powerfully moving. The author’s ability to take me deeply into her characters’ emotional and psychological states of mind is remarkable.
    A book of short stories is not usually on my reading list, but I bought this one because of the author. I consider Brodey to be a superb writer. Each of her previous novels engaged me fully; they were fascinatingly complex, cleverly written, and emotionally satisfying. With HOTEL OBSCURE, she raised the bar even more.
    When I was a kid, I’d often stand outside a store with my face pressed up to the glass window, yearning to play with the toys shown in the display. We couldn’t afford to buy most of the things I wanted. Fortunately for me back then, gazing at the book choices in our local library was just as enticing.
    Choosing and reading a good book is just as exciting for me today, though I rarely go for a book of short stories. In my experience, novella- and novel-length stories offer a more satisfying sense of pace, of story development and completion.
    HOTEL OBSCURE blew my preconceived notion out of the water. Within the first couple of pages, I became that kid again, though this time, I was enthralled with an imaginary hotel, my mind glued to a window into the lives of the quirky, flawed, fascinating characters who walked in and out of the hotel’s doors. Some of the characters show up in a story other than their own, but their appearances enhanced the storyline, added substance. As a reader, I felt completely satisfied with each short story’s ending.
    The background and storyline of each character is quite diverse, which appealed to me immensely; I enjoy rubbing elbows with people from all walks of life. More than ever now, I take notice of the people around me and don’t discount the value within the life stories they could share. HOTEL OBSCURE opened my eyes, woke me up.
    6 people found this helpful
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