Review: Short story: "Eerie Basin" by Ivy Pochoda

Eerie Basin by Ivy Pochoda
Published October 2025 via Amazon Original Stories

Erin's ready for her chance—Jimmy, the owner of the bar where she's worked for decades, is finally retiring, and she's ready to be more than the hired hand. But Jimmy has a story to tell about costs, and Erin doesn't necessarily want to hear it...

This has an October publishing date, which feels deeply appropriate: it's dark and twisty with a bit of horror to it. Some of the story is in the now, with Erin trying to convince Jimmy that it's time to sell, but much more of it is Jimmy's story, back when he was a struggling beat cop who couldn't get promoted. He describes a New York that is partly lawless, with kids who are sometimes better off on their own than the alternative...and finding a way to success, at least for a while.

There's no big twist here (especially if you've read the official story description, which low-key spoils everything; may I recommend skipping it?), but the story kept me on my toes wondering how it would end—how much Erin is willing to risk, and how much choice she'll have in the matter. Read it on a dark and windy night, when nobody is home and branches are scratching at the walls.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.