Because I am the author of "Lifer" and "Der Dieb", I will leave it to someone else to render an opinion on my stories. However, I can comment on the other tales which are included in this anthology.
“The Case of the Evaporating Blood” proved to be a well-researched story with wonderful attention paid to period-accurate detail. Ren Cummins presented a puzzling mystery that had me turning the pages to discover the answer. The ending was unexpected, and all the more enjoyable for that.
Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Garth Reasby rivaled Ren Cummins in his piece, "In the House of the Green Moon". There, he skillfully blended fantasy and science fiction with classical elements to create a mythic tale of rivalry and obsession.
"Morely" was an offering from Aaron Douglas, and his gritty story had a twist that I didn't anticipate. Like "Last Meal" it was set in a modern prison, and I appreciated some of the touches that Douglas added to his narrative that made it more believable and immersive.
In "Fangs of the Serpent", Heather Reasby gave me a glimpse into the evil cult of Apep, and an ambitious young acolyte. Well written, and engaging, Reasby displayed her gift for story-telling and descriptive action.
The "Last Meal" focused on a part of prison life that many writers ignore; the prison kitchen and its chef. As a former prison guard myself, and an amateur chef, this story hit home with me in a number of areas. Just as in "The Case of the Missing Blood," Cummins didn’t ignore the small details. Or what was on the menu.
Garth Reasby introduced me to a woman with absolute, god-like power in "My Name is Emily". His character embodied the very thing that many readers enjoy the most about a classic villain; her brutal honesty. This proved to be one of my favorite stories in the anthology.
And "D, Pt 1" left me wanting to see where things were going with Part 2, and I hope that Mr. Douglas will grace us with more details of what seems to be a very dystopian universe indeed.
Overall, I believe this to be one of the best story collections that Talaria Press has ever produced, and I look forwards to seeing what will come next from this talented collection of authors.
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