Death Among Us
About
Who knew death could be so eclectic? Relish this mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up of short stories.
Murder and mystery have been the staple of literature and films for years. This anthology of short stories will thrill and entertain you. Some will also make you laugh out loud. Others will stop and make you think.
Think of this murder mystery short story anthology as a book version of appetisers or starters, hors d’oeuvre, meze, or antipasti. It can be read as fillers between books or, as is the case in some countries, as a bookish meze - in its own right.
There’s murder mystery styles and locations to suit all tastes: detective fiction, serial killers, scifi, histfic, England, Los Angeles, San Francisco, The Great Lakes, Las Vegas, the Nevada desert, Mexico and more in an exquisite exposition of the art of short story telling.
These stories come from an international cast of authors; some with bestselling books, others are emerging or new talents. Their roots, cultures, and life experiences are as diverse as their writing styles.
But one thing binds them together: they know how to tell a story.
The ten authors who have contributed to the anthology are:
Stephen Bentley
Greg Alldredge
Kelly Artieri
Robbie Cheadle
Michael Spinelli
L. Lee Kane
Kay Castaneda
Aly Locatelli
Justin Bauer
Posthumously by ‘G’
The stories include the 2019 SIA Award-Winning Murder Mystery Short Story ‘The Rose Slayer’ by Stephen Bentley.
Each author introduces his or her stories and the theme that lays behind them. By the time you finish the book, you will agree the result is a mesmerising murder mystery mash-up.
Get it now.
Praise for this book
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I love a good short story. And they are not easy to write - they require talent and the discipline of limitation that some of us find personally impossible to achieve. But I know it when I read it - and these ten authors all have it in spades. Each of these stories is a lesson in making every word important, every word count. I am pleased to recommend this collection to friends and family. This is a book I will want to read, again. These are stores succinctly told, little jewels of murder and mystery. I know you will love them.I received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories on July 6, 2019, from Stephen Bentley and Hendry Publishing. These stories edited by Stephen Bentley, contain the works of 10 authors who were required to submit a story in 6,000 words, though that could be stretched over more than one story. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
My favorite book genre is mysteries. With so many wonderful authors and series, it's often difficult to decide what to read next, especially when you're looking to expand your horizons with something new. That's often why I'll turn to an anthology of short stories, as collections allow you to sample a dozen or so writers who hold a vast array of experiences and styles. This month, I took a chance on one called 'Death Among Us,' published in July of 2019 and edited by Stephen Bentley. In this fantastic collection, readers are exposed to ~10 authors who have each contributed 3 stories. What's even better is that the three stories are generally connected to one another, so it's almost like reading a mini novella several times over.
Prior to each author's stories, there's a lively and informative intro about what readers are getting themselves into. The writer will tell us if the stories are connected by the same character or a similar murder plot, a continuation of the previous tale but with a twist, or something even more dastardly and thrilling. I enjoyed this aspect of the anthology, as often in these types of books, each author only has a single story. With three, we get a better feel for their voice, style, and tone. The collection kicks off with the award-winning editor's 'The Rose Slayer' stories, where homicide cops trace a killer who leaves behind a calling card. It spoke to me for many reasons, but to watch the transition from the first to the second and the last story, I felt like I could understand the motivation and operating procedures / boundaries of the heroes (and possibly the serial killer too!).
Another favorite is Robbie Cheadle, an author who's participated in another short story collection that I've read as well as written many children's books with her sons. What a vastly differently style across her entire inventory of books and stories... to kick off with, in 'Justice is Never Served,' we have a woman who murders babies! Then there are the chimney sweeping killers (not what you're thinking either!)... Cheadle delivers just the right amount of gore and thrills without going over the top, as the topic could be quite difficult to swallow. The best parts of her three stories are how they are all based on some sort of true story... which makes the tale even more horrific. She's definitely cultivated her talents in these three tales, and I hope to see a full-length horror novel from her one day.
In addition to these two clever authors, I found many new writers I plan to follow. All of the stories were strong, none left me bored or confused. It's a vibrant collection of twisty horrors, delicious death plots, and witty dialog among killers, cops, and victims. There are even a few lines of paranormal / fantasy / science-fiction being crossed, enough to make us afraid to enter a dark room in the future. Between those chills, and the crazy over-arching theme of what happens to both good and bad children in this book, it's a prime candidate for anyone who wants to be frightened or read about something over-the-top devilish and evil.
If you're up for a seasonal read, I'd recommend buying now and reading an author every few days in the month of October. Death and Halloween go so well together, and this is definitely one to keep in mind for pushing the envelope with creativity, complexity, and dark drama. That 'side serving of revenge' we often hear about... is the prime motivating factor in so many of these stories... and who doesn't like to see someone get their just desserts?