Anyone who read this shouldn't be misled by the fact that I rated this book four stars instead of five. These are some dynamite stories and they showcase well the unique voice that Sheppard has developed. I really leaned towards five, and probably would have before having read some of Sheppard's other work. "Milk Carton Girl Turns 40" really pulled me toward five stars. However, after having read "Tales of the Peacetime Army," "Small Town Punk," and "Alpha Mike Foxtrot," I just expect a lot out of Sheppard. Maybe I should have read this one earlier, because it isn't that these stories aren't good, but rather that I've been so impressed by some of Sheppard's other writing. I'll definitely be looking for his next.