Unusual Suspects (Stories of Mystery and Fantasy) by Charlaine Harris, Simon Green, Laurie R. King and others.
December 2, 2008
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 320 Pages
Ace
Reviewed by Tori
Unusual Suspects is a 12 story anthology composed of some of today’s best known authors. All of the stories deal with the same theme-solving a mystery based on a supernatural theme.
Lucky by Charlaine Harris gives us a glimpse into the life of Sookie Stackhouse and her witchy roommate Amelia Broadway. When Sookie’s insurance agent Greg Aubert suspects someone is trying to ruin him, he wants Sookie to use her "gift" to find the culprit. An okay story, I couldn’t help but get a deja vu feeling when reading. I swear I’ve read something similar or the premise was discussed in one of her Sookie Stackhouse full length novels. The mystery is easily solved and a side story is introduced that doesn’t quite fit. I give this a C-
Bogieman by Carole Nelson Douglas has PI Delilah Street investigating the murder of Sam Spade. I have never read Douglas’s Delilah Street series but I may after this. Plenty of tension and intrigue in this futuristic murder mystery. Smooth pacing and engaging storyline held my attention until the end. I give this a B-
Glamour by Mike Doogan shows us that the price of magic can be high. An humorous story with a faint fairy tale vibe centers around a rustic village who is experiencing some strange things. When a mysterious man shows up offering to help the town, we find out that magic used has a price that must be paid. The conversational writing, using the villager’s accents, makes for uncomfortable reading. I give this a C.
Appetite for Murder by Simon R. Green takes us back into Nightshade and hot on the trail of a serial killer. When famed detective Sam Warren comes across yet another vicious murder, he and Ms. Fate band together to solve the crime and catch the killer. A wicked who done it, Mr. Green, leads us down a devious road twisted with misdirection and regret to a shocking conclusion. I give this a B
Unusual Suspects was all on all an okay read. With any anthology you are going to get good and bad. We are given some tantalizing little snippet stories involving current favorite characters and introductions to some new ones. I liked that each story completes itself with a viable ending-no cliffhangers or unresolved issues to plague you after your done. From haunted houses to serial killers, you are given a little bit of everything in here. I’m sure mystery and fantasy fans a like will find a story or two that will appeal and perhaps a new author to enjoy.
Overall Rating: C+
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Goodreads
I am a Charlaine Harris virgin.
PS 12 Stories?! Lordy that's quite an anthology.
I am so gonna go ..meh, yeah nothing more than a meh for this one
Holy wow that's a lot of stories in that Antho!
Smokinhotbooks- I never thought I would here the virgin fall from your lips. lol
Blodeuedd- Ya, that about sums it all up.
Fiction Vixen-They are short stories.
I agree that even for short stories 12 is a lot! My first anthology is goign to be His for the Holidays followed by one that has a Sookie Stackhouse story in it. Did you read all of the Sookie Stackhouse Novels?
Deannalyncc-yes. I've read all the stackhouse. Hope this nxt 1 is better then last one. His For The Holidays is fab!!
Charlaine Harris is phoning that shit in with this one and the last two novels!!!! That being said, I still can't wait for the next Sookie book, but I sure as hell hope it's better than a damn C-! Thanks for the review, not gonna do this one.