Hotel California

March 1, 2022
Editor Bruns offers eight tales with a twist. Make that eight twists. Thwarted expectations are the order of the day here. Jack Reacher discovers that even a trip to nowhere can take a wrong turn in Andrew Child's "New Kid in Town." A corrupt senator finds his cozy life of graft upended by an unplanned visit from his brother in John Gilstrap's "Wasted Time." The favorite target of bullies does a one-eighty in Reed Farrell Coleman's "Victim of Love." A New Orleans graveyard tour takes a terrifying turn in Heather Graham's "Pretty Maids All in a Row." Amanda Flower reveals what happens when a client doesn't level with the private eye he hires in "Try and Love Again." In "Life in the Fast Lane," Bruns shows how a hired assassin can flip the script on his employer. Of course, a hit man who misses his target can find himself in the crosshairs, like the hero of Rick Bleiweiss' "The Last Resort." Last but not least, a social influencer discovers that the fame and fortune she's always wanted may not be exactly what she bargained for in the title story by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush. Expect, and enjoy, the unexpected.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 10, 2024

This anthology of thriller, mystery, and suspense short stories features works by eight popular best-selling authors. The first selection, "New Kid in Town," written by Andrew Child, brother of Lee Child, is a new Jack Reacher mystery and will have Reacher fans wishing for more. In John Gilstrap's "Wasted Time," two corrupt brothers confront each other, leading to a revenge-filled surprise ending. In the gruesome "Pretty Maids All in a Row," by Heather Graham, sightseers on a popular cemetery tour come upon a grisly surprise, five mutilated corpses of beautiful young women. The guide wonders if she will be the next victim. For listeners who like fantasy, Reed Farrel Coleman's shy character, Victor, is bullied by his boss, who makes him wear an assortment of animal face masks that have more power than meets the eye. This collection is read by a cast of skilled narrators--Richard Ferrone, Hillary Huber, James Patrick Cronin, January LaVoy, Joe Barrett, Sophie Amoss, Joe Hempel, and Scott Brick--each of whom enhances the stories with varied characterizations and styles. VERDICT These gripping short stories lend themselves to listening and will keep listeners guessing.--Ilka Gordon

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2022
Editor Bruns offers eight tales with a twist. Make that eight twists. Thwarted expectations are the order of the day here. Jack Reacher discovers that even a trip to nowhere can take a wrong turn in Andrew Child's "New Kid in Town." A corrupt senator finds his cozy life of graft upended by an unplanned visit from his brother in John Gilstrap's "Wasted Time." The favorite target of bullies does a one-eighty in Reed Farrel Coleman's "Victim of Love." A New Orleans graveyard tour takes a terrifying turn in Heather Graham's "Pretty Maids All in a Row." Amanda Flower reveals what happens when a client doesn't level with the private eye he hires in "Try and Love Again." In "Life in the Fast Lane," Bruns shows how a hired assassin can flip the script on his employer. Of course, a hit man who misses his target can find himself in the crosshairs, like the hero of Rick Bleiweiss' "The Last Resort." Last but not least, a social influencer discovers that the fame and fortune she's always wanted may not be exactly what she bargained for in the title story by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush. Expect, and enjoy, the unexpected.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.