Lesa's Book Critiques: Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

Lesa's Book Critiques: All My Bones by P.J. Nelson

 Lesa's Book Critiques: All My Bones by P.J. Nelson

Short Story Wednesday Review: You Can Call Me Lucky (Kit Tolliver #3) by Lawrence Block

  

She saw him at the craps table. Western clothing in style, but it was the fancy haircut that drew her attention. It stood out and commanded attention from anywhere in the room. Clearly the man is a long way from home as he works the craps table in the casino in Michigan. He’s noticed her as well in You Can Call Me Lucky by Lawrence Block.

 

There is a game at work here between these two that has nothing to do with craps or casino action. Much more can’t be said without ruining the story. It is a complicated tale and quite the read from setup to finish. Billed as the third read in the Kit Tolliver stories, You Can Call Me Lucky, has a lot going on in these fourteen pages and is well worth it.

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3XZEOgV

 

According to Amazon, I picked this up back at the end of January 2016. I still have no idea if I got it as a free read offered by the author or by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016, 2025

Short Story Wednesday Review: Criminalities: Three Short Crime Stories and an Essay by Barry Ergang

 

An Earl Stagg review from the archive…

  

The first story is ”Jewel of Denial,” a gem originally published in the June 2005 issue of Mysterical-e.  Lainie Truscott is dismayed when guests at her bed and breakfast are robbed of cash and jewelry during the night. Lainie follows a hunch and takes a short trip to see if she's right. When she arrives at her destination, one surprising twist after another will leave you grinning, nodding your head, and thinking, “Well done, Mr. Ergang.”

 

Next up is “Vigilante,” which received a Derringer Award in 2007 for Best Story of the Year. Weissman is alone in a dark alley with a militant, tattooed skinhead. Their vast difference of opinion about the Holocaust is settled in the only appropriate manner.

 

The third story, “Brianna’s Way,” was an Editor’s Choice when it appeared in Flash Bang Mysteries Magazine. When his ex-wife's lawyer wants to talk to him, Rutledge agrees to the meeting out of curiosity. Brianna is accused of killing her second husband, the man she dumped him for. What does the woman who ruined his life want from him?

 

In the essay “Impossible Pleasures,” Mr. Ergang tells how in his youth, he became an “unregenerate, unapologetic fan of the mystery genre,” and discusses classic writers and stories. He was drawn in particular to the “locked door” or impossible crime” tales. These are the stories in which a crime is committed in a space such as a locked room with no way for the criminal to get in or out without being seen. If you're a fan of this type of story, you'll learn which authors, past and present, to look for.

For an excellent example of a locked room mystery, I recommend reading “The Play of Light and Shadow,” one of many published stories by Barry Ergang. You'll find it at: Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oVsJVG and Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/643316

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/47A9REr

 

Earl Staggs ©2016

 

Texas author Earl Staggs earned all Five Star reviews for his novels MEMORY OF A MURDER and JUSTIFIED ACTION and has twice received a Derringer Award for Best Short Story of the Year.  He served as Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Magazine, as President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and was a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars.  

http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com 

 

Scott's Take: The Devils by Joe Abercrombie and John Anthony di Giovanni (Illustrator)

 

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie and John Anthony di Giovanni (Illustrator) is a popcorn quippy fantasy novel set in a medieval religious world. Brother Diaz is called to lead “The Devils.” They are basically a group with forbidden powers sent on a mission to place a street orphan who seems to be the descendant of a dead empress on the throne. The group has powers that are forbidden by the church. Yet, the church is sending them on this mission to do this or they will be killed otherwise.

 

The Devils include a man who can’t die, a necromancer, a werewolf, an invisible elf, a con woman, and a vampire. Of course, there are the other descendants who want to keep the throne themselves. They also have access to their own sets of powers including witches and human/animal hybrids.

 

This read is nowhere near as dark as his other books. I liked it more than some of his other series, which I still need to finish. This read is far less tedious, in my opinion, since we don’t have extended travel and eating scenes while talking about the world. There is still worldbuilding that takes up multiple pages as one character is tutoring the street orphan about where they go to and the background history of each place.

 

This seems to be like a summer movie in book form. If you don’t like a world where everyone is quippy than you should pass on this book. Everyone is a jokester to some extent. This tale is told through multiple shifting povs.

 

The few sketch illustrations are good. but not helpful since they are not labeled. I was able to figure out who they were supposed to be. But, almost always, the idea in my head and what was drawn did not match up despite the high quality of the sketch.

 

There is a lot of violence, graphic sex, and death so this is a mature book. Some of the jokes that are reused stop being funny after the more than five times after the joke is used. I think the reused jokes should have been done maybe three times and certainly not more than five. The ending left me unsatisfied, but interested still. It’s a realistic ending, but I don’t exactly read a fantasy novel for realism. There should be a second book sometime in the future. 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4eol1PI

 

My reading copy came through the Libby App by way of the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2025

Short Story Wednesday Review: Dark Storm Rising: A Kate Burkholder Short Story by Linda Castillo

It has been a long time coming but it finally happened as Dark Storm Rising: A Kate Burkholder Short Story by Linda Castillo begins. Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are married. The two are on their honeymoon and are going to spend time at an area on the shores of Lake Erie. It is a rare stretch of time off from their jobs as Chief of Police Painter’s Mill, Ohio, and BCI agent respectively.

 

On the drive in, both note that there are abandoned farms in the area. When Kate was last here, back when she was twelve, it was a thriving Amish community. Now twenty years later, not so much. The burnt remnants of a cabin on the property they will be staying at is also a sign that something bad recently happened.

 

Fortunately, their particular cabin at “Sugar Maple Cabins” is fine and awaiting their arrival. Mrs. Lovina Nisley and her husband, Enos, are wonderful hosts. Mrs. Nisley remembers Kate, as does Kate remember her, so soon they are getting all the news about what is going on in the area.

 

They are also the first people Enos contacts just a few hours later when Lovina goes missing during a snowstorm.

 

What follows is a fastmoving short story where Kate Burkholder and John Tomassetti do more than just help find Lovina. Readers learn a bit more about Kate and a certain summer when she was twelve. Events of that summer helped shaper her into the woman she is today. Readers long familiar with the series are sure to enjoy Dark Storm Rising: A Kate Burkholder Short Story as it is a good one.

 

The read closes with excerpt from this summer’s release, The Burning: A Novel.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3VUvaN3

 

 

My reading copy came by way of a purchase using funds that were recently donated via the PayPal widget on the left side of this blog.

 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024

Short Story Wednesday Review: Hallowed Ground: A Kate Burkholder Short Story by Linda Castillo

 

It is Fall as Hallowed Ground: A Kate Burkholder Short Story by Linda Castillo begins and the annual Pumpkin Festival is just days away. Eddie Chupp is harvesting his pumpkins when his dog finds an old bone. A jawbone to be exact. He would have thought it was a from a long dead sheep until he spotted the sliver in one of the molars.

That means this was a person.

It isn’t long before Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her fiancée, John Tomasetti, of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are at the scene. A place known for pumpkins and its location next to the annual corn maze is now a crime scene. The land frequently floods and that might be how the odd jawbone wound up amongst the pumpkins.

There might be more bones. There is a victim to identify. There certainly is a lot to do and it happens in Hallowed Ground: A Kate Burkholder Short Story. A fast moving read with a lot going on. This is a solidly good tale. It also serves as a nice way to introduce Linda Castillo’s upcoming book, An Evil Heart: A Kate Burkholder Novel, coming out on July 11^th.

 

My reading copy came via a purchase as my local library system was not picking this one up. Make sure you read Lesa Holstine’s review of Hallowed Ground. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023

Short Story Wednesday Review: This Old Star by Wayne D. Dundee

While this no longer seems to be available, I can remind you of the read in case you already have it in your TBR pile thanks to the magnificently massive archive here at Casa Tipple and Home Eatery Library.

 

The concept of duty or responsibility is often a major part of the western world as envisioned by Wayne D. Dundee and that is certainly the case here in This Old Star. For more years than he cares to count Jeb Stander was the sheriff of Flatrock Crossing, Nebraska. He isn’t the sheriff these days, but he still feels a duty to help out when the posse is out chasing Shake Whitley.

 

There was a jail break and bank robbery back in town and several of the good people of Flatrock Crossing joined up with the current sheriff, Ben Tembow, to give chase. Shake Whitley is a crafty devil which is why the law has been chasing him for one thing or another the last dozen years. The posse has been hard at work the last two days and don’t seem to getting anywhere. The weather has been nasty with rain and snow with no sign of the fugitive and the rest of the posse is just waiting for a reason to call it quits. Jeb offers to help and though Ben may not be thrilled with the prospect he isn’t about to publicly say no.

 

What follows is a complex story involving duty and responsibility in This Old Star. Like other very good westerns by this author, along with plenty of action there is an undercurrent about serious issues of the time that are just as valid today. Characters of complexity populate this author’s work where a single action may have multiple meanings. The 2010 Peacemaker Award winning short story recently released in e-book form, This Old Star is another very good one. 

 

Material was picked up to read and review using funds in my Amazon Associate account. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2023

Short Story Wednesday Review: Cleveland In My Dreams by Lawrence Block

 

From the magnificently massive archive…

 

Hackett has a serious problem and his therapist by the name of Loebner is not helping at all.  Hackett has told him again and again that his dream every night is always the same. Hackett dreams that a mysterious caller rings him up and tells him he has to drive to Cleveland. In his dream he gets dressed and goes out to his car where a briefcase is waiting for him on the passenger seat. He drives the briefcase to Cleveland and then drives back. Since the very real drive takes four hours to get there and four hours to get back it is exhausting.

 

Hackett needs help and Loebrer isn’t doing much to help him. Telling his dream over and over again isn’t doing any good. Something has to change.

 

This is one of those short stories where one thinks it is going to go one way and instead it goes in a far different direction. Once that is accomplished author Lawrence Block ups the ante by throwing in a couple of more twists. Cleveland in My Dreams is a fast and ultimately very funny read.

 

This short story e-book also includes Chapter One of the new book, The Burglar Who Counted Spoons.

 

 

 

Material was picked up during the author’s recent free read promotion for my use in an objective review. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013, 2022

Short Story Wednesday Review: One Thousand Dollars A Word by Lawrence Block

From the magnificently massive archive here at Casa Tipple and Home Eatery Library…

 

It is a very familiar plight for just about any writer. James “Jim” Trevathan wants a raise and after twenty years he doesn't think it is unwarranted. He is a writer for a magazine edited by Warren Jukes. Jim has been placing stories nearly every month for over twenty years and still gets only 5 cents a word. He wants and deserves more.

Editor Warren Jukes isn't prepared to pay more. In his mind there is no need. If Jim wants more money, he better produce more stories each month. Or, he can just hit the road as Warren isn't about to pay more no matter how much he likes the guy.

What Jim will do to get his raise is what drives the second half of this simple, and yet complicated at the same time, story. Sure to touch a nerve with any writer, One Thousand Dollars A Word, is way too real. It is also a very good crime story that first was published in 1978 in AHMM.

The book also contains chapter one from Lawrence Block's latest book, The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons.

  

Material was picked up during the author’s free read promotion for my use in an objective review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013, 2022

Short Story Wednesday Review: Blood Moon: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery by Linda Castillo

Blood Moon: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery by Linda Castillo begins as more than one tale in the long running series has--- a buggy crash. In this case, Merle Beachy is on his way home from The Strawberry Festival and things are going wrong. He was already running late and had missed the evening meal. The thick fog certainly isn’t helping as the damp and cold settle in on man, beast, and every surface, including the roadway.

Things go way worse when a loud noise in the woods just after a bridge crossing causes his horse to spook and run flat out. The terrified horse plunges off the roadway, through a ditch, and towards the trees where it soon becomes clear that the buggy is not going to slide in between the trees. Merle is thrown clear of the damaged buggy only to be, within a couple of minutes, attacked by the creature that spooked the horse.

After fighting off the creature, which he thinks might be a bear, the injured man makes his way to a nearby farm. As it happens, that farm is Levi Miller’s place. Levi Miller and Kate Burkholder have known each other since they were kids, so when she learns his call is why dispatch is calling her, she knows that his request for her presence is legit and needed. Before long, Chief Burkholder and her partner, John Tomasetti, are in her unit and headed towards Miller’s farm.

Good thing too as there will be more incidents this foggy dark night. Something is in the woods and things are definitely rapidly escalating. What it is and how to deal with it are two of several questions in Blood Moon: A Kate Burkholder Short Mystery.

An interesting tale that is a bit of a change of pace from what goes on normally in this series. While billed as a “short mystery” this read is a novella and is action orientated with virtually no character development and very little backstory. It is just a fun short visit with some characters long known to readers and new folks.

Also included in the eBook is the opening chapters of the next novel in this long running series, The Hidden One.

 

 

I picked this up, pre-publication, using funds in my Amazon Associate account. 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2022

Short Story Wednesday Review: Dirty Old Town And Other Stories by Nigel Bird

Featuring nine stories by Edinburgh resident Nigel Bird, this short collection features tales told by adults and juveniles dealing with dark days and even darker thoughts. The characters often are not happy go lucky folks. These are people trying to survive in a world stacked against them. As such, sometimes the language is a bit coarse but life is not all tea and crumpets for these folks.

This short book opens with “Drinking Wine.” She has kids at home and needs a break.  If the babysitter hadn’t arrived wearing a tight mini skirt, fishnets and a top that barely covered anything, maybe she wouldn’t have gotten the idea and then went to the bar called “The Dog and Dude.”  But, she did in her own sexy outfit and now a fellow drinker is making her feel all tingly with thoughts of Roger far from her mind. The night is young, the possibilities are endless, and things are going to go sideways.

 

The life of a janitor in a school is never an easy one.  Especially when some sort of stomach bug is going around in “Taking a Line for a Walk.”  Duke Earl has to quit painting the fence and go clean up the latest mess. He’s seen a lot of things over the years and knows his time on this earth is running out---one way or another.

 

In “Dirty Old Town” a man named “Chalky Fish” awakes from a beating realizing that not only does he massively hurt, but he lost a tooth and the sight out of one eye. He also managed to lose a button off his favorite jacket. At least the first punch had been good one because it knocked him out. The bad thing is the next day is going to be worse on so many levels.

 

The young boy is a long way from home in London every time he goes to visit his Gran on the island of Skye. This trip is different because not only did they have more stuff, but dad didn’t make the trip this time with him, his brother Davey and mom. Along with telling readers what life is like for the eight year old narration, author Nigel Bird weaves in just below the surface a bit of dangerous undercurrent in “Sea Minor.” Something is at work on this island where modern conveniences like television and computer aren’t possible.

 

Sometimes somebody gets the idea that it is their job to clean the city or village streets of what they think is human trash. The three women picked up by Brandon and his friends might have different ideas about that in “Sisterhood.”

 

Like in “Dirty Old Town” sport serves as a backdrop to “One hundred And Ten Per Cent.”  Vincent Love is trying to confine his running to the track. He doesn’t want to go back to prison and run in the yard ever again. Getting a good start whether or the track or running from the flashing lights of the cops is everything. No matter how fast he runs, he can’t run from the past.

 

Craig does not want to go down the chimney but dad insists he has to in “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight).” After all, dad intends to make sure the boy honors his promise to mom about getting her a pearl necklace.  Too bad the boy thought they would actually buy one.

 

“Three Little Birds” tells readers what they instinctively know. Some kids have that look in their eye of evil.  Danny had it and proved on occasion growing up. These days he is in adult, back in the area, and something needs to be done.

 

The pimp game has done okay for Brad in “Silver Street.”  He may only be 17 but he has plans. Big plans. They include a certain young lady because they are destined to be together.

 

This collection of previously published fiction in a variety of markets shares a common theme of loss and lament. Sometimes the situation is due to decisions and actions that the primary character did in the past and the character is struggling to turn things around despite the obstacles.  Sometimes it happens because not everything or everyone is as the primary character believed.

 

Sacrifice and desperate scrambling to survive are present in all of these good stories. Dirty Old Town And Other Stories features dark works that take readers down the back ways, into seedy pubs, and places you may never have known about in merry old England. Tales of noir that pull you in quickly before spitting you back out like the loser you truly are at the very core of your being. These are not tales that make you feel good as many are truly at the end of their rope. No, these are tales that drag the ugly out into the light and make you look at it and identify with it on every level. 

 

  

Author supplied a word document for this book for purposes of an objective review. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2011, 2022

Short Story Wednesday Review: Happy Hour: A Short Story (An Interplanetary Voyage with Cookie Sullivan on the Linda Rae) by Kate Thornton

From the massive archive….

Captain Cookie Sullivan of the spaceship Linda Rae has a major problem. Her co-pilot, N’Doro is missing. She has booked cargo for the return trip to Toshiba Station and needs to leave right away. Not everything is listed on the manifest so speed is of the essence.

Captain Sullivan is used to checking the bars to find N’Doro on shore leave so once the ship is loaded and ready for flight she heads to the nearest bar. Lucky for her N’Doro was there. Unlucky for her he did something major and has been taken to the Corporation Detention Facility on the other side of town. Getting him released and back to the ship is just one of the many problems she has to deal with in the excellent short story, Happy Hour.

This is just one of several tales featuring Captain Cookie Sullivan of the spaceship Linda Rae. As she did with her short story collection Inhuman Condition author Kate Thornton blends some mystery with some adventure, adds a dash or two of humor, and brings it all together in a satisfying read that hits the mark no matter the genre. Happy Hour: A Short Story is flat out good and very much worth your time. 

Happy Hour: A Short Story (An Interplanetary Voyage with Cookie Sullivan on the Linda Rae)

Kate Thornton

http://www.katethornton.net

July 2015

ASIN: B011J4T5W4

eBook

18 Pages

 

 

 

 

Material picked up back in July via Amazon Associate funds to read and review.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015, 2021

Short Story Wednesday Review: For The Good Of The Clan by Miles Archer

From the massive archive…

 

As For The Good Of The Clan begins, Ulat is pursuing a deer for his clan. He takes the deer down on an early spring day. Minutes later, he is taken down at least two blows from behind.

For Ledeth, the medicine man for the clan, this day has passed like others over his many years. His name translates to “one who knows secrets” and that sums up what he does on a daily basis. Revered and feared by his clan he is well aware that time waits for no creature. He feels a sense of urgency to impart his knowledge to Donathan who is his latest student. Donathan may have potential, but he is also not anywhere near ready to take on the responsibility of being the medicine man to the clan. For Ledeth this is a huge issue, as he knows his time for the long sleep is coming.

It is Ledeth who the people feel comfortable with coming to with their concerns. The oldest daughter, Matha, of his sister comes to him that night to tell him Ulat has not returned and she is very worried. When Ulat still has not returned the next day, Ledeth goes to Chief Balog to ask for clan members to be sent to look for Ulat. 

The search party sent out by Chief Balog soon fins Ulat’s body. Ledeth is assigned, not only the ceremonial funeral, but also the task of figuring out what happened to Ulat. Was it a fearsome boar as some believe, or was a member of the clan responsible for the death of the clan’s greatest hunter?

The death of Ulat has far reaching implications in For The Good Of The Clan by Miles Archer. Part of the Fingerprints Short Story Line published by Untreed Reads Publishing, the fast-moving story takes readers back to ancient times when spirits ruled the land and people did what they could to survive. Ledeth is on the case in a highly entertaining short story that moves steadily forward to a satisfying conclusion. For The Good Of The Clan by Miles Archer works quite well in terms of characters, action, and a strong mystery. A good read and one that is well worth it.  

For The Good Of The Clan

Miles Archer

Untreed Reads Publishing

http://www.untreedreads.com

February 2012

ASIN: B007F1W686

eBook

25 Pages

 

 

I purchased the book last month by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016, 2021

Short Story Wednesday Review: "It Doesn’t Take A Genius" by Kate Thornton

From the massive archive  ....

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

http://www.katethornton.net/

Self-Published

March 2011

ASIN: B004RID1JS

E-Book

20 Pages

 

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, 2021

Short Story Wednesday Review: The Caretaker: A Short Story by Paul Doiron

The Caretaker: A Short Story by Paul Doiron begins with Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch sitting on the porch with retired Game Warden and good friend, Charley Stevens. The quiet calm of Sixth Machias Lake is broken by Violet and Josiah Baker driving a brand new and now very dusty, Tesla. Sent by the local authorities, the high power couple need their help.

 

Recently, Violet and Josiah Baker bought an old cabin at nearby Quillpig Pond and started massive renovations. Things were going as expected until approximately two weeks strange 

Violet is sure their caretaker, Kevin Moran, is responsible. Charley and Mike are not so sure. While he is known to the Game Wardens as a loner and with a strange sense of humor, he isn't known for what Violet is reporting.things started happening in and around the cabin. What seemly started as a weird joke has now escalated into what appears to be a violent threat of some type. Then couple, especially Violet, are frustrated and want it stopped.

 

 

Still, the Game Wardens are interested and start trying to figure out what is going on. Things escalate quickly in the Caretaker: A Short Story by Paul Doiron.

 

A fast and fun read, the short story is a small taste of the very enjoyable series. Packaged with the short story is an excerpt from the next novel in the series, Dead by Dawn, which is coming out late this month.

 

  

The Caretaker: A Short Story

Paul Doiron

http://www.pauldoiron.com

Minotaur Books (Macmillan Books)

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250824547

ASIN: B08WL1S1HK

eBook

51 Pages 

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

 

I purchased my reading copy using funds in my Amazon Associate account last month.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2021