According to the author’s forward,
the editor refused to include the short story It Doesn’t Take A Genius in
the short story collection Inhuman
Condition because of its “graphic subject matter.” For those who read a lot of crime or non-cozy
mystery stories the so called “graphic
subject matter” is really not that graphic at all and certainly not at all
disturbing. Interestingly enough, the tale was first published in the short
story mystery and crime anthology LAndmarked For Murder by Top Press
in 2006.
The California Institute of
Technology (Caltech) is like every other smart place in the world. The students
and the faculty are really smart and tend to look down on the support staff
that keeps things humming along. Especially a certain middle aged slightly
overweight woman who works in payroll and accounting. The only time anyone
pays attention to “Miss Dean” is when something is amiss.
That works out well for her during a
lunch break from a computer training class. Two guys from another department
are also in the class and they tend to stand out. Thanks to the fact they are
oblivious of everyone around them and run their mouths it becomes clear that Brian
Spain and Tony Brandt have a serious dark interest in the class instructor,
Jennifer Pearson. She is in trouble if they really do what are planning and she
has no idea of the threat. Miss Dean does, but would anyone believe her?
This is a very good tale that
features an intriguing character. There is much that lurks below the surface
with Miss Dean and those details gradually become clear in It Doesn’t Take A Genius.
While it easily could and should have
appeared in the very good collection Inhuman Condition this short story is
well worth it as a mystery stand alone.
It Doesn’t Take A Genius
Kate
Thornton
Self-Published
March
2011
ASIN:
B004RID1JS
E-Book
20
Pages
$0.99
I
recently picked this up to read and review using funds in my Amazon Associate
account after the author mentioned it on Facebook. I realized I had never read
it and wanted to rectify that situation. I am glad I did.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2015
Posts
2 comments:
After reading your review, Kevin, I scurried over to Amazon and secured a copy of "It Doesn't Take A Genius." I've read a number of Kate's stories and have never been disappointed. I especially liked this one. I've written a few stories myself in which justice has been achieved, let's say, slightly south of the law, so this story struck home with me. Kudos to the magnificent Kate Thornton for writing it, and to you for posting this review.
It worked for me as well, Earl. Good stuff.
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