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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2444 KP) rated The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories) in Books

Feb 2, 2022

Eli Faces Crime in This Short Story Collection

For the eighth book in the Eli Marks series, author John Gaspard decided to present a short story collection. While two have been previously released, the rest of the twelve stories here are new. Over the course of this collection, Eli must help his ex-wife and her new husband figure out what happened in a bizarre murder/suicide case. Eli finds himself being questioned by the police when someone who gave him a one-star review is found dead. Eli finds himself being sent in by the police to perform magic for a man who refuses to come out of his house. And Eli and his uncle Harry figure out what happened to a man shot in front of a crowd on Halloween night.

While a couple of the stories don’t feature a crime, they still give us a great chance to see Eli in action and let us get some insight into his character. The rest of the stories feature a crime, often with a perfect puzzle that only makes sense when Eli uses his knowledge of the principles of magic to solve it. If you want to be fooled by magic, you’ll be happy to know that these principles are discussed in such a way that the solution to the mystery makes sense, but the specifics of how a trick works aren’t ruined. I love that. Fans will love getting these small glimpses of what else Eli has been up to between the big cases we’ve already read about. If you are new to the character, you’ll find the information you need to follow these cases with nothing from the regular novels spoiled. Most importantly, these stories are fun, with a few laughs along the way as well. This is a completely enjoyable short story collection.

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Debbiereadsbook (1570 KP) rated Mirror Image in Books

Feb 13, 2024

Mirror Image

Fran Lewis | 2023 | Horror

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Not really for me.

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is a short story collection, with tales of reaping what you sow. Of being held accountable for your actions, whether recent or a long time ago.

I think what I struggled the most with was this: the whole book is 85 pages, and there are 24 stories in this collection. So they are VERY short, some only a page or two. And I wanted to get my teeth into them a little more, but couldn't.

Each story is well written, from various points of view. Some are aacrier than others but I read them all. I didn't find myself with a favourite, though. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It really was just the SHORTNESS of all the stories, that I struggled with. I was just getting into them, and boof! All finished.

What I wanted to know, was where did the mirror come from? How did it come to be in everyone's presence?

I am curious to read something else by this author. Something longer and deeper. I tried to read another short collection some time ago, but didn't get very far with that one and it was only coming to write this review that I clicked it was the same author. So reading a longer book, will tell me one of two things: I like this author, but only their longer work; or this author is not for me. Time will tell.

I did finish the collection, and was suitably cringed at some of them, so:

3 good, but maybe not for me, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere

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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Tenth of December in Books

Nov 21, 2017

Tenth of December

George Saunders | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry

7.3

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

Dark, disturbing and satirical

This collection of short stories cannot be pigeon-holed. In this oddly disjointed, surreal collection, the underlying issues in modern American culture are loudly explored. George Saunders' breathless writing style floods over terrible realities and hard truths, leaving the reader gasping in its wake.

Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.

Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.