Short Story Wednesday Review: Forget Me Not by Stephen Ford (Thriller Magazine: June 2026 issue)

 

The plan was complicated and yet simple. Sir Alistair Pembroke was willing to pay in the short story, Forget Me Not, by Stephen Ford (Thriller Magazine: June 2026 issue). Sir Pembroke claims to have heard of Mr. Frost and the services he can provide clients by way of  discreet word of mouth. What he wants is simple on the face of it--“’Find Your Item. Steal it back. Leave a gift.’”

 

The item to be retrieved is a certain book. The item to be left behind is some sort of flower petal.

 

Nobody said a word about the dead body in the target location. But, that is exactly what awaits Mr. Frost and his team at the home of Jarvis Stowe somewhere in England. And a caravan of police vehicles is closing in rapidly.

 

What follows is a story of twists, turns, and deceit that has the roots in what was once called “The Cold War.” It is also a mighty good read in an issue I enjoyed.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4futRwr

 

 

My digital reading copy came by way of my ninety-day free Kindle Unlimited trial. 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Short Story Wednesday Review: "Swifty Brown" by R. A Currie (Thriller Magazine: February 2026)

  

A good suntan has always been a solid shield against the real world in "Swifty Brown" by R. A. Currie in Thriller Magazine: February 2026. A successful small business was built around the power of the suntan. None of that is going to help him now as the police are involved in his business. A break in at his salon in Glasgow, Scotland, resulted in William Peter Brown being brought in to the Glasgow Central Police Station.

 

While the claustrophobic small room ins one thing, Mr. Brown, a victim of bullying and his skin issues going back many years, is less than impressed with his interrogators. Detective Inspector Steven Ferguson and Detective Inspector Ian McManus. Seems a bit excessive for a minor break-in.

 

That break in is about to be the least of his problems in “Swifty Brown” by R. A. Currie. A twisty crime fiction tale and a good read.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4owW0XR

 

 

My digital reading copy came by way of my ninety-day free Kindle Unlimited trial.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Short Story Wednesday Review: "Deliverables" by Frank Diamond (Thriller Magazine: February 2026)

“Deliverables” by Frank Diamond in Thriller Magazine: February 2026 opens in an industrial park. February, cold, windy, and the new guy just completed his ninety-day probationary period. Every new person that gets through that ninety-day probationary period can get something to celebrate the milestone.

 

Most don’t ask for anything. A few ask for an extra day off. Max Reynolds has asked to accompany Charlie Cobb on the visit to Conti’s Repair Center. Conti’s is where Boyle Communications outsources their van repair and maintenance needs. Drivers tend to abuse the vans on their delivery routes. Conti’s has worked out well as it was too expensive to keep doing the repair and maintenance work inhouse.

 

About a decade back, Charlie Cobb made a good deal with Rich Conti. Both have benefited. The deal is the deal and honoring it matters.

 

A nice piece of crime fiction with some surprises. It’s a good read.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4owW0XR

 

 

My digital reading copy came by way of my ninety-day free Kindle Unlimited trial.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026