Reviewing an anthology or a collection is tough.
Unlike a novel where one sets up the premise of the book and then comments on
how the book works, an anthology or collection can’t be reviewed that way.
Instead, the reviewer has to look for not only an overall theme of the work but
two or three stories that illustrate that point.
Absent The Soul: A Collection of Short
Mysteries is a collection of short stories
revolving around the theme of murder. Told through various character
viewpoints, the stories often reflect the repercussions of murder on the
families involved. It is hard to pick out any as being better than the rest as they
are all very good. However, here are some selections which clearly are based on
my own particular tastes.
“A Picture Perfect Murder” works off the idea of a
cheating spouse as does many a country western song, movie of the week, or true
crime book. Here murder is inspired by the cheating spouse and the story gives
rise to the real question as to who is the real victim? The same premise or
idea is also skillfully worked a few pages later in the story, “Hell Hath No
Fury.”
It isn’t just spouses that serve as impetus to these
stories. Children do too and one of the more powerful examples can be found in
“My Daughter’s Keeper.” Sometimes speaking for the dead crosses boundaries with
huge life changing implications for all. At nearly 40 pages in length, this
story builds with relentlessness until that final shocking twist.
Another of the longer stories is “A Badge Like
Mine.” A cynical internal affairs investigator finds out that a simple abuse
case can lead to murder.
The final story packs a punch unlike any of the
others. “Heartbeat To Hell” slides over the genre line from suspenseful mystery
to horror for this reader. A category that I don’t read but before I knew where
the story was going, I was two pages from the end. I couldn’t stop there and I
promise this story will leave you shaking.
So, there you have it. My selections from a highly entertaining collection that stretches boundaries and view points. While murder is the common theme in each story, the repercussions of murder are a constant background component. From shattered families to honest investigator cops who may be driven to cross the line into vigilantism, to the cynical cop burned out cases ago and everything in-between, the repercussions are huge. In each story character development is highly effective as is the premise and plot which as a result brings the story alive for the reader. You can’t ask for much more and that makes this book good stuff.
Kevin Tipple © 2006, 2013, 2024
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