Troy Lambert Stories
Fiction That Will Move and Change You
Short Stories and Short Story Collections
Short stories are easy to read (and listen to!) and you can grab them on a break or read them in an evening or two. In addition to Book Blasts and the Solitaire Series, you can check out my other short stories and short story collections here. Many are collaborations with other authors. Buy direct and save!*
*All direct sales are fulfilled through BookFunnel, and from their app you can deliver your books to your e-reader of choice, or read in the BookFunnel App! The best way to support indie authors (and save money) is to purchase books directly from authors.
Bandaids Don't Fix Bullet Holes*
Bandaids Don’t Fix Bullet Holes — A relentless, high-octane thriller where every second counts.
When a routine case spirals into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, former Marine turned private investigator Mack finds himself trapped in a winery shootout. Wounded and outnumbered, his military instincts kick in—crafting an explosive escape that leaves chaos in his wake. But escape is just the beginning of his fight for survival.
Fleeing through the shadows, Mack stumbles into a sanctuary in the unlikeliest of places—a humble restaurant where Grace, a quick-witted chef with a past as an EMT, stands strong. With her medical skills and tenacity, she becomes an unexpected ally, bringing a flicker of hope to Mack's desperate situation. Together, they form a precarious alliance, each risking everything for a sliver of redemption.
As the danger inches ever closer, Mack confronts a formidable network that threatens not only his life but those he cares about. With bullets flying and stakes soaring, he learns that bandaids don’t fix bullet holes, but courage and trust might just be the key to survival.
Can Mack navigate the deadly maze laid before him? Or will his past finally catch up, dragging him down into despair? Dive into *Bandaids Don’t Fix Bullet Holes* by Troy Lambert—an electrifying journey filled with grit, peril, and the untamed spirit of resilience.
Buy now to embark on this adrenaline-packed adventure!
*Also found in the Books and Bullets Book Blast Thriller with "The Bullet" by Vincent Zandri
The Clan
In a world where dragons rise and technology falls, who will reign supreme?
As the bonds between humans and dragons begin to crumble, Rangon stands at the crossroads of two worlds. Tasked with shepherding a clan of mighty dragons in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, he faces an unexpected discovery—an extra dragon lurking among them—sparking revelations that challenge everything he’s ever known.
Caught in the tumultuous tides of rebellion, the elder dragon Baldor leads a fiery uprising, determined to break free from human shackles. With tensions climbing and warlocks brewing on both sides, Rangon must navigate the perilous path between loyalty to his Overseers and empathy for the dragons’ plight. Can he forge an alliance that transcends age-old animosities, or will the allure of power prove too seductive?
As battle lines are drawn in Death Valley, the fate of both species hangs in the balance. Amidst the chaos, Rangon discovers unlikely allies and confronts hard truths about the nature of freedom and control. Will he rise to the occasion and become the leader both humans and dragons desperately need?
Embark on an epic journey of courage and redemption where the stakes are nothing short of survival. Discover "The Clan"—a tale of passion, power, and possibility.
Buy now and join the struggle to reshape a fractured world!
Just Here for the Alibi*
Just Here for The Alibi
In a world where secrets cling like shadows and technology holds the keys to our past, Evan Garcia has crafted the perfect life—or so he thinks. A successful CEO of a cybersecurity firm, Evan has buried his previous identity as Leo Ramirez, the victim turned avenger of relentless high school cyberbullying.
Enter Tessa Rowe, a tenacious true-crime YouTuber determined to unravel the mystery behind a chilling cold case from Evan's past. As her investigation gains momentum, Detective John Beltran’s involvement threatens to expose buried truths.
As identities blur and suspicions mount, Evan must navigate a labyrinth of deception, where the lines between justice and vengeance are perilously thin. In this neo-techno thriller, the allure of control collides with the inescapable reach of the past. Can Evan outwit those closing in on him, or will his intricate web of lies become his ultimate undoing?
Start Reading Now to Find Out!
*Also available in Writing for Television, the Book Blast Thriller with Vincent Zandri and his story "The Television"
You'll Never Walk Alone*
In the eye of the storm, shadows aren't the only things that lurk.
Grace Whitmore, a dedicated nurse in a bustling city, faces her deepest fears on a storm-drenched night. Bound by financial constraints to walk home after a long shift, she’s confronted not just by the tempest outside, but by haunting memories from her past. Every shadow seems sinister, every echo magnified, turning a familiar journey into a suspense-filled ordeal.
As she navigates the rain-soaked streets, Grace's childhood trauma resurfaces with striking intensity. Each step blurs the line between paranoia and genuine threat, forcing her to confront the darkness both around her and within. Is the sense of being followed a figment of her fear-ridden imagination, or is someone truly closing in?
In a desperate sprint towards safety, Grace must embrace her inner strength and challenge her perceptions. What she discovers at her doorstep will redefine her understanding of fear and trust. But when reality shifts, who can you really rely on?
Step into a world where psychological tension intertwines with raw human emotion. Can Grace unravel the mysteries of her mind before it's too late? Dive into "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Troy Lambert—a gripping thriller of resilience, shadows, and unexpected revelations.
Get your copy now and uncover the truth that hides in the storm.
*Also available in Writing into the Dark, the Book Blast Thriller with Vincent Zandri and his stories "Bang, Bang Shoot" and "Code Blue Moonlight"
Short Story Collaborations with Other Writers
What the Hell Did I Just Read?
Thirteen deals with the dark—where crime kisses folklore and the bill always comes due.
In this blistering anthology, Troy Lambert and Kristen Lamb fuse crime noir, urban fantasy, supernatural thriller, and satirical horror into thirteen linked yet standalone tales. A shadow syndicate called Solitaire shuffles in and out, while bridges, dogs, storms, and a stack of playing cards bind the world between stories.
A detective inherits a dog named Lucifer and a case that bites back. A battle-scarred EOD tech hunts a billionaire who stole valor and ghosts. A boy at a crossroads, a surgeon of fallen faith, and a bestselling elder with dangerous muses discover that every miracle is itemized—and every debt collects.
Prayers turn predatory, weather obeys rage, and storytelling itself demands blood. Razor-wry and unflinching, these stories deliver brutal turns, eerie wonder, and gut-punch finales for fans of the grittier side of Black Mirror, Joe Hill, Neil Gaiman, and Gillian Flynn.
Cut the deck and face the river. What the Hell Did I Just Read? is ready to deal—read now.
Into the Darkness
Unearth the Secrets of Ridge Falls
Step into the haunting world of Ridge Falls, Idaho—a seemingly serene small town where shadows dance with insanity and nightmares walk among the living. "Into the Darkness," by Troy Lambert and Marlie Harris, is a chilling anthology that plunges deep into the crevices of fear and supernatural terror.
Meet Gertrude Angleman, a recluse haunted by her past, Sherry Blakney, a woman battling her own monstrous identity, and Tommy Shaw, a boy navigating the tumult of a broken home. Each tale reveals a new layer of Ridge Falls' eerie secrets, intertwining stories of human frailty and malevolent forces.
These unsettling narratives traverse the thin line between sanity and madness, leaving you questioning what lies beneath the surface of everyday life. As characters face their deepest fears in the throes of the unknown, the unsettling truth emerges: darkness dwells within and around us all.
Prepare for sleepless nights and restless thoughts—dare to venture "Into the Darkness" today.
*Paperback editions available at other retailers as well
Typewriter Repair Shop* - Running from Ridge Falls
Unlock the Doors to the Past—If You Dare.
When Jake Randall, a troubled writer seeking refuge from the unexplained events of Ridge Falls, relocates to a quaint coastal town in Oregon, peace is what he hopes to find. Instead, he stumbles upon a mysterious typewriter repair shop and a typewriter that begins spinning tales of its own—a haunting narrative that unveils the sinister history of his new town.
Ethel Abrams thought she was just renovating an old house. Little did she know that she was reconstructing the life of the Fredrickson family, who met a tragic end within those very walls. As eerie happenings escalate, Ethel finds herself entangled in a ghostly saga, with unexpected help from her neighbor Naomi, a woman well-versed in the town's eerie lore.
As Jake's writings blur reality and fiction, he must confront the supernatural forces entwined with his past. Will Ethel and Naomi unravel the mysteries binding their town before it's too late? Can stories from another time dictate their fate?
Dive into "Typewriter Repair Shop: A Ridge Falls Story" and experience a thrilling journey where nostalgia meets the paranormal. The past is alive, and it's coming for them all.
Discover the chilling truth. Buy now!
*Also available in Writing into the Dark, the Book Blast Thriller with Vincent Zandri and two of his stories
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Meet the Monster Marshals - Past and Present
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Incidents in Idaho
Monsters are real—and the Marshals have rules.
The Prometheus Project—call them the Monster Marshals—keeps the peace between humanity and the things that go bump, guided by NECK: Negotiate, Extract, Capture, or Kill (in that order). Fast-paced, witty, and cinematic, this two-novella collection drops readers into a covert world where folklore meets fieldcraft and compassion is a tactic.
Witch Please: When a freak June blizzard slams Boise, charming chaos-magnet Nolan Payne is partnered with the legendary Robin “Slip” Loxley on his first official call. Their target isn’t a demon—it’s a heartbroken witch whose stormy emotions can bury a city. To defuse the crisis, Nolan must earn Slip’s trust, outthink a living squall, and choose empathy over easy answers.
Miner Inconveniences: Deep under North Idaho, a blast cracks open a hidden chamber—and something hungry answers from the dark. Monster Marshals Jim Underwood and Aria Pierce lead a high-risk descent with a team of miners, battling tight tunnels, corporate pressure, and a past that won’t stay buried. Trapped between a protective cryptid and a ticking clock, they have one shot at a plan that could save everyone—or seal their fate underground.
Found family, cutting-edge gadgets, ancient legends, and razor-edged banter collide in a world where the smartest weapon might be a steady hand and a good joke. Fans of The Rook and The Dresden Files will find a new unit to root for.