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An Odd Quartet
An Odd Quartet is a collection of four dark short stories, each with a twist in the tale.
The Yellow Lady
A grave robber encounters a ghost from a story he was told as a child.
This Empty Place
At the heat death of the universe, the Grim Reaper contemplates his existence.
Forced Entry
A special forces team enters a suburban house to rescue a family taken hostage, they encounter more than they were trained for.
The Reluctant Demon
A young demon prepares to take his possession exam.
This Drabble Enhanced edition also includes some of my favourite drabbles (100 word stories).
The Yellow Lady
A grave robber encounters a ghost from a story he was told as a child.
This Empty Place
At the heat death of the universe, the Grim Reaper contemplates his existence.
Forced Entry
A special forces team enters a suburban house to rescue a family taken hostage, they encounter more than they were trained for.
The Reluctant Demon
A young demon prepares to take his possession exam.
This Drabble Enhanced edition also includes some of my favourite drabbles (100 word stories).
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
Unknown Binding
First published October 13, 2012
45 people want to read
About the author
Michael Brookes
15 books211 followersMichael Brookes is a Game Consultant with Frontier Foundry so rather than making games he now helps publish other people's games. He is also a volunteer and committee member with the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund assisting mostly with their online activities. And because he decided that he isn't busy enough has various other projects on the go including a website attempting to chronicle the history of his local village and using AI art tools to illustrate a new edition of John Milton's Paradise Lost.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 17, 2013
This is a collection of short stories with a humorous while potentially scary feel.
The writing flows easily and crisply. The characters and stories are minimalist in nature, which makes sense. Even though some of the topics can be conceived as scary or creepy, there is often humor in the writing which with the details not being gruesome, allows for a semi-light than normal tone for this type of book.
Overall, a fun read!
The writing flows easily and crisply. The characters and stories are minimalist in nature, which makes sense. Even though some of the topics can be conceived as scary or creepy, there is often humor in the writing which with the details not being gruesome, allows for a semi-light than normal tone for this type of book.
Overall, a fun read!
August 23, 2013
Overall interesting short stories with a unique idea and twist but with a few changes could be even better.
The Yellow Lady
The story begins as a ghost tale over a campsite, quickly changing into a grave digging scheme, and ending with a ghost show and tell act. For a short story this is all over the place. The sentences are too short and not detailed. It’s like reading point blank statements, not smooth and flowing. The transition between the ideas in the story is very abrupt and unexpected. An idea is presented only to have it changed completely and utterly thus altering the whole concept of how the story began. The idea is compelling but one idea needs to be focused on and expanded from there. There were three separate stories introduced, each one able to stand on their own if told with enhanced detail. The author needs to decide which story he wants to utilize and expand it from there.
This Empty Place
This is an elusive story about the life of “Death” and his role throughout the universe. There is no point to the story other than “Death” is doomed to lead a lonely sad life. He witnesses death from atoms to dinosaurs to humans to the universe itself but he continues on. It is a decent idea but there needs to be something more to draw the reader in to know the purpose of what and why “Death” is, without an explanation it is futile. “Death” continues on after the end of the universe but if death has ceased to occur, “Death” should no longer exist unless there is an additional particular as to why that is the case.
Forced Entry
A SWAT team enters a residence only to discover a mostly empty house, a bloody bedroom and a bathroom with what appears to be a corpse that is talking. A door leading to a basement is forced open and the SWAT team enters and descends a great distance before arriving at the bottom to where they find people nailed to the walls screaming. A figure appears that has super powers and they are unable to bring him down. The room quickly seals up and the team has no way out and those above have no way in seeing how the door leading to the basement has vanished as well. It is a fast paced story that keeps the reader intrigued wondering what ensued but the answers never come and what the talking corpse in the bathroom has to do with the vanishing basement seems misplaced.
The Reluctant Demon
The onset of possessing a human body begins at demon school, where Morlock has to come face to face with his reluctant attitude for the demon ways. He is forced to possess a teenage girl to pass his exams but once inside her body a pact ensues between the two. Morlock plays along with the girl as together they convince her acquaintances of her demonic possession. An exorcism ensues and just as Morlock feels he can take no more the portal to Hell begins to open, however he is thrust back into the girl’s body while her spirit is deported back to Hell and Morlock becomes bound to a human body. The girl’s character is somewhat lacking, there is really no explanation of why she would come to terms with a demon and have the desire to switch places. And what of Morlock at the end, is he content to stay in the body once the exorcism ends, after all he won’t have to go back to Hell and face his father. It seems like it could be a win/win for both parties if the girl is really that evil and Morlock not.
The Yellow Lady
The story begins as a ghost tale over a campsite, quickly changing into a grave digging scheme, and ending with a ghost show and tell act. For a short story this is all over the place. The sentences are too short and not detailed. It’s like reading point blank statements, not smooth and flowing. The transition between the ideas in the story is very abrupt and unexpected. An idea is presented only to have it changed completely and utterly thus altering the whole concept of how the story began. The idea is compelling but one idea needs to be focused on and expanded from there. There were three separate stories introduced, each one able to stand on their own if told with enhanced detail. The author needs to decide which story he wants to utilize and expand it from there.
This Empty Place
This is an elusive story about the life of “Death” and his role throughout the universe. There is no point to the story other than “Death” is doomed to lead a lonely sad life. He witnesses death from atoms to dinosaurs to humans to the universe itself but he continues on. It is a decent idea but there needs to be something more to draw the reader in to know the purpose of what and why “Death” is, without an explanation it is futile. “Death” continues on after the end of the universe but if death has ceased to occur, “Death” should no longer exist unless there is an additional particular as to why that is the case.
Forced Entry
A SWAT team enters a residence only to discover a mostly empty house, a bloody bedroom and a bathroom with what appears to be a corpse that is talking. A door leading to a basement is forced open and the SWAT team enters and descends a great distance before arriving at the bottom to where they find people nailed to the walls screaming. A figure appears that has super powers and they are unable to bring him down. The room quickly seals up and the team has no way out and those above have no way in seeing how the door leading to the basement has vanished as well. It is a fast paced story that keeps the reader intrigued wondering what ensued but the answers never come and what the talking corpse in the bathroom has to do with the vanishing basement seems misplaced.
The Reluctant Demon
The onset of possessing a human body begins at demon school, where Morlock has to come face to face with his reluctant attitude for the demon ways. He is forced to possess a teenage girl to pass his exams but once inside her body a pact ensues between the two. Morlock plays along with the girl as together they convince her acquaintances of her demonic possession. An exorcism ensues and just as Morlock feels he can take no more the portal to Hell begins to open, however he is thrust back into the girl’s body while her spirit is deported back to Hell and Morlock becomes bound to a human body. The girl’s character is somewhat lacking, there is really no explanation of why she would come to terms with a demon and have the desire to switch places. And what of Morlock at the end, is he content to stay in the body once the exorcism ends, after all he won’t have to go back to Hell and face his father. It seems like it could be a win/win for both parties if the girl is really that evil and Morlock not.
June 5, 2013
Having already read 'The Cult of Me' by Michael Brookes, I knew I was in for something dark with this collection of four tales. 'The Yellow Lady' sees a grave robber encountering a ghost after stealing her locket from her grave. 'This Empty Place' describes the life and death of the universe from the perspective of Death. 'Forced Entry' is a chilling story told entirely through radio messages as a team enter a suspected hostage situation. 'The Reluctant Demon' tells the tale of a demon trying to pass his exams and do his sire proud.
This is an intriguing collection which I raced through in an evening. Each tale has an unexpected element to it and this is what makes the book interesting. Quite often the supernatural or evil component becomes the victim to the real human figure. It's an unusual angle to take! A human abuses the power of the locket in 'The Yellow Lady', Death in the second story almost invites pathos and you might even feel sorry for the poor demon in the final story! 'Forced Entry' differs from the other three stories in that we don't see the evil. It is up to the reader's mind to imagine the horrors from the clips of speech. Arguably that story is the most chilling because of that.
I recommend this book to all fans of darker stories. It's an enjoyable collection of shorts and you'll race through them eager to find out how each finishes. What stands out for me is that everything here is turned on its head. Where will your sympathies lie? And which is worse: evil itself, or the being that manipulates the evil to their own purpose?
This is an intriguing collection which I raced through in an evening. Each tale has an unexpected element to it and this is what makes the book interesting. Quite often the supernatural or evil component becomes the victim to the real human figure. It's an unusual angle to take! A human abuses the power of the locket in 'The Yellow Lady', Death in the second story almost invites pathos and you might even feel sorry for the poor demon in the final story! 'Forced Entry' differs from the other three stories in that we don't see the evil. It is up to the reader's mind to imagine the horrors from the clips of speech. Arguably that story is the most chilling because of that.
I recommend this book to all fans of darker stories. It's an enjoyable collection of shorts and you'll race through them eager to find out how each finishes. What stands out for me is that everything here is turned on its head. Where will your sympathies lie? And which is worse: evil itself, or the being that manipulates the evil to their own purpose?
April 1, 2014
This review is for the Kindle edition ebook.
Four for the price of one! Four short stories, read them one a day or all at once, they are still good stories.
This book contains four unrelated short stories. These are dark tales, each with its own twists and turns.
I like getting four stories in one book. It makes it very convenient to read these stories. I am one who sometimes wants something to read on the way to work, on the bus or train. I appreciate the fact that the author is willing to allow me to do that. Since these are short, I can read one completely, on short trips.
I think Michael Brookes writes to entertain his readers. He gives you the meat of the story, and lets you dream of alternatives to what he wrote. I especially the third story of this set, Forced Entry.
These stories will delight those who enjoy short stories. If you are looking for something to fill those few minutes on the bus, grab this book. It gives you about two days of travel back and forth, with a different story each way.
Four for the price of one! Four short stories, read them one a day or all at once, they are still good stories.
This book contains four unrelated short stories. These are dark tales, each with its own twists and turns.
I like getting four stories in one book. It makes it very convenient to read these stories. I am one who sometimes wants something to read on the way to work, on the bus or train. I appreciate the fact that the author is willing to allow me to do that. Since these are short, I can read one completely, on short trips.
I think Michael Brookes writes to entertain his readers. He gives you the meat of the story, and lets you dream of alternatives to what he wrote. I especially the third story of this set, Forced Entry.
These stories will delight those who enjoy short stories. If you are looking for something to fill those few minutes on the bus, grab this book. It gives you about two days of travel back and forth, with a different story each way.
November 9, 2013
I received a copy of this book of 4 short stories in exchange for my honest review and because they are brief, I won't give away much, but I will say that most of them are different ideas than I have seen before and I really liked that, but my favorite story among this collection is titled "Forced Entry".
One of my all-time favorite movies is Aliens, my favorite scene where the marines are making their way towards the colony of red life signs and you hear their chatter over the comms. This story was all dialogue and you'd think that wouldn't work, but oh it did, it really did! I want the author to write a full-length novel based on this idea. I want him to expand this short, or develop an entirely new story, but I want lots of dialogue, lots of fear, and I want it soon. Please? =D
"Forced Entry" alone gets my 5 stars but the collection as a whole is a great taste of what Michael Brookes can do.
One of my all-time favorite movies is Aliens, my favorite scene where the marines are making their way towards the colony of red life signs and you hear their chatter over the comms. This story was all dialogue and you'd think that wouldn't work, but oh it did, it really did! I want the author to write a full-length novel based on this idea. I want him to expand this short, or develop an entirely new story, but I want lots of dialogue, lots of fear, and I want it soon. Please? =D
"Forced Entry" alone gets my 5 stars but the collection as a whole is a great taste of what Michael Brookes can do.
April 23, 2013
I enjoyed this quartet and found them to be diverse and entertaining. For me there were two stand out stories which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am a fan of old school horror and the first story, The Yellow Lady was a cracking ghost story but with a modern twist. It was a tale of the unexpected!
The other story which I thought carried some real menace was, Forced Entry. It reads a little like a film script but I think that only adds to the feel and helped create some pretty grisly images in my mind. The pacing on this was superb and although built up some real tension.
I enjoyed the other two and thought they were well thought out and different, particularly the Reluctant Demon.
All in all a very good and entertaining read with some well executed and different approaches to the stories.
The other story which I thought carried some real menace was, Forced Entry. It reads a little like a film script but I think that only adds to the feel and helped create some pretty grisly images in my mind. The pacing on this was superb and although built up some real tension.
I enjoyed the other two and thought they were well thought out and different, particularly the Reluctant Demon.
All in all a very good and entertaining read with some well executed and different approaches to the stories.
October 17, 2012
As the name implies, this is a novella length book containing 4 short stories. Their themes are both the usual and the unusual – the ghostly haunting, the personification of Death – a Swat Team entering a building and a Demon undertaking his Demon Test! They are dealt with very imaginatively and I really enjoyed reading them. The endings are all a little different from what you’d imagine and I like that in a story. I don’t like to know or guess the ending.
Michael Brookes’ writing style is easy and accessible. He can certainly turn out a story you will remember.
Michael Brookes’ writing style is easy and accessible. He can certainly turn out a story you will remember.
May 7, 2013
I loved these short stories. Especially the one titled The Reluctant Demon. This is a great concept that I have never thought of before and really loved it.
K Riddle via J.S. Riddle
J.S. Riddle's review: Tales of intrigue indeed. Nice twists and turns and downright fun for a person of my kind.
K Riddle via J.S. Riddle
J.S. Riddle's review: Tales of intrigue indeed. Nice twists and turns and downright fun for a person of my kind.
May 16, 2013
I liked it. A nice assortment of tales, each presented in a slightly different manner. Very original!
June 18, 2014
This was the second book I've read from author Michael Brookes so being familiar with his work I was looking forward to this. It most certainly did not disappoint in my expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were four stories, each a unique tale and some drabbles at the end(drabbles are 100 word stories for those unaware). Before I breakdown what I enjoyed about each I would like to explain what I liked about the book as a whole. I love how the author describes things in such good detail that you don't miss a beat in what your reading. Also the way he portrays something in the most innocent way and then slowly within a few pages it turns into something else entirely, I appreciate that aspect in story telling.
The Yellow Lady-5 Stars- A story about a graverobber who encounters a ghost from an old urban legend he was told years ago.
I really enjoyed this as it read as person would be told a ghost story around a camp fire and the what if's and if only I had seen it myself come into play. It was spot on in suspense and I kept wondering what was going to unravel as I kept reading. Very well told and solid first story.
The Empty Place-5 Stars- The Grim Reaper explains the universe as he sees it and his reason for being.
This story caught me as a bit of a surprise simply because once I realized how it was being told and who was telling the story I could not help but be very intrigued. The Grim Reaper explains all he has seen and it's truly quite deep as his descriptions and accounts make you feel like you yourself are on the outside of the earth looking in. I read and took it as not only an enjoyable read but a very good learning experience as well.
Forced Entry-3 Stars- A group of task forces enter to save a home that's been taken hostage.
This was my least favorite of all the stories. It got kind of confusing and at times annoying due to the reading of each special force being listed and giving their position to command. I did however enjoy that none of them knew what was going on and the paranoia started kicking in as I'm sure any such situation would do to a person or team. Also this story had a little bit of gore and some pretty twisted moments. So again not my favorite of the bunch of decent.
The Reluctant Demon-4 Stars- A young demon must take possession in order to pass a test.
The description alone made me smile and think, "This is gonna be good" and boy was I right. As I read it I thought of it as "The Exorcist" but from the Demon's POV and the demon is a bit more innocent and less eager then the one in the movie. Right away I laughed, enjoyed and wondered. This demon was nervous and again I am not one for spoilers so I will simply say that the demon got a bit more they he bargained for that's for sure. Solid story.
The drabbles were excellent. I'd never really read any until now and I'm glad I did because it inspired me to write my very own. I knew author Michael Brookes wrote them in fact I know he enjoys writing them and I can see why, their fun and he's quite good at writing them. Each told a different story and I liked all of them, sorry to anyone who think's I'm overselling my opinion but they were so quick and yet so good. Drabbles seem easy but they are quite hard to write and they really test a writer into his creativeness, I believe the author has spent quite some time in his drabble crafting and it definitely shows.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and my only complaint is that I wish I had read it sooner then I did as it was sitting in my Kobo on my tablet for 3 months. Great short stories, very well told, topics with twists you normally wouldn't expect. it really all blends together quite nicely and makes for a very interesting and gripping read. I highly recommend this book.
The Yellow Lady-5 Stars- A story about a graverobber who encounters a ghost from an old urban legend he was told years ago.
I really enjoyed this as it read as person would be told a ghost story around a camp fire and the what if's and if only I had seen it myself come into play. It was spot on in suspense and I kept wondering what was going to unravel as I kept reading. Very well told and solid first story.
The Empty Place-5 Stars- The Grim Reaper explains the universe as he sees it and his reason for being.
This story caught me as a bit of a surprise simply because once I realized how it was being told and who was telling the story I could not help but be very intrigued. The Grim Reaper explains all he has seen and it's truly quite deep as his descriptions and accounts make you feel like you yourself are on the outside of the earth looking in. I read and took it as not only an enjoyable read but a very good learning experience as well.
Forced Entry-3 Stars- A group of task forces enter to save a home that's been taken hostage.
This was my least favorite of all the stories. It got kind of confusing and at times annoying due to the reading of each special force being listed and giving their position to command. I did however enjoy that none of them knew what was going on and the paranoia started kicking in as I'm sure any such situation would do to a person or team. Also this story had a little bit of gore and some pretty twisted moments. So again not my favorite of the bunch of decent.
The Reluctant Demon-4 Stars- A young demon must take possession in order to pass a test.
The description alone made me smile and think, "This is gonna be good" and boy was I right. As I read it I thought of it as "The Exorcist" but from the Demon's POV and the demon is a bit more innocent and less eager then the one in the movie. Right away I laughed, enjoyed and wondered. This demon was nervous and again I am not one for spoilers so I will simply say that the demon got a bit more they he bargained for that's for sure. Solid story.
The drabbles were excellent. I'd never really read any until now and I'm glad I did because it inspired me to write my very own. I knew author Michael Brookes wrote them in fact I know he enjoys writing them and I can see why, their fun and he's quite good at writing them. Each told a different story and I liked all of them, sorry to anyone who think's I'm overselling my opinion but they were so quick and yet so good. Drabbles seem easy but they are quite hard to write and they really test a writer into his creativeness, I believe the author has spent quite some time in his drabble crafting and it definitely shows.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and my only complaint is that I wish I had read it sooner then I did as it was sitting in my Kobo on my tablet for 3 months. Great short stories, very well told, topics with twists you normally wouldn't expect. it really all blends together quite nicely and makes for a very interesting and gripping read. I highly recommend this book.
May 13, 2013
This was a quick read and each story was engaging and flowed well.
The first story about the ghost had an interesting start and ending, with good character development and an interesting spin on things. The ghost was clichéd but the uniqueness of the rest of it makes up for it.
The second story featuring Death and the death of the universe was an interesting character study, but clichéd at times. The reference to Lovecraft at the end was a great touch, and for the most part, it was a strangely heart warming story.
The third story fell a bit flat for me, mostly because of the style, but it was the creepiest of the bunch and gave a real feeling of dread. It was an interesting experiment that could be enjoyable with an expansion, but as for my personal preference, military language in books always makes me switch off.
The final story was the most creative and interesting, a good example of turning conventions and expectations on their heads. An interesting picture of hell is painted, and it's a story, like the third, that I'd love to read more of.
Overall the stories were brief and engaging, a nice, easy and enjoyable read. I'm not usually a massive fan of short story collections but this one was a belter.
The first story about the ghost had an interesting start and ending, with good character development and an interesting spin on things. The ghost was clichéd but the uniqueness of the rest of it makes up for it.
The second story featuring Death and the death of the universe was an interesting character study, but clichéd at times. The reference to Lovecraft at the end was a great touch, and for the most part, it was a strangely heart warming story.
The third story fell a bit flat for me, mostly because of the style, but it was the creepiest of the bunch and gave a real feeling of dread. It was an interesting experiment that could be enjoyable with an expansion, but as for my personal preference, military language in books always makes me switch off.
The final story was the most creative and interesting, a good example of turning conventions and expectations on their heads. An interesting picture of hell is painted, and it's a story, like the third, that I'd love to read more of.
Overall the stories were brief and engaging, a nice, easy and enjoyable read. I'm not usually a massive fan of short story collections but this one was a belter.
May 15, 2013
I received a copy of this book for honest review. 'An Odd Quartet' is a collection of four short horror stories and, as a nice bonus, a handful of flash fiction stories at the end.
It begins with a nicely gruesome and ghostly campfire tale that highlights the consequences of evil deeds in 'The Yellow Lady', goes on to a short glimpse into Death in 'This Empty Place', and then it hits the pure genius of 'Forced Entry'. The last of the main stories 'The Reluctant Demon' was an amusing take on demonic possession. The 'Drabbles' were all tightly written, vivid little flashes of horror.
All of these stories were excellent. I enjoyed the darkly satisfying twists that surfaced in a couple of the tales, and I loved the imagery throughout. I was impressed by how atmospheric the third story really was, even though the entire story is a dialogue exchange of a radio conversation. Don't get me wrong, the other stories were very good but the third one was just brilliant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it entertained me from start to finish. Recommended reading for fans of horror!
It begins with a nicely gruesome and ghostly campfire tale that highlights the consequences of evil deeds in 'The Yellow Lady', goes on to a short glimpse into Death in 'This Empty Place', and then it hits the pure genius of 'Forced Entry'. The last of the main stories 'The Reluctant Demon' was an amusing take on demonic possession. The 'Drabbles' were all tightly written, vivid little flashes of horror.
All of these stories were excellent. I enjoyed the darkly satisfying twists that surfaced in a couple of the tales, and I loved the imagery throughout. I was impressed by how atmospheric the third story really was, even though the entire story is a dialogue exchange of a radio conversation. Don't get me wrong, the other stories were very good but the third one was just brilliant.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it entertained me from start to finish. Recommended reading for fans of horror!
October 2, 2013
It has been speculated that writers of the bizarre must have broken minds. I say, they simply have potent imaginations because they are the ones who have the ability to see beyond the edge of reality, capture those images, and truly bring them to life. Michael Brookes is surely in possession of a most potent imagination.
I appreciated the departure from the norm and the morbid humor in The Yellow Lady, and the interesting method of delivery of Forced Entry, a story with no clear protagonist or antagonist. The tale of Death gave me much to ponder and I was particularly tickled by the devilish twist in The Reluctant Demon. While entertaining in their own way, I'm not certain I cared for the string of drabbles at the end. As an author, I can recognize and applaud the complex difficulty that goes into the creation of such a brief tale, but as a reader, I prefer stories with a bit more girth.
All in all, An Odd Quartet is a quick, enjoyable escape into a darker world--a trip well worth taking.
I appreciated the departure from the norm and the morbid humor in The Yellow Lady, and the interesting method of delivery of Forced Entry, a story with no clear protagonist or antagonist. The tale of Death gave me much to ponder and I was particularly tickled by the devilish twist in The Reluctant Demon. While entertaining in their own way, I'm not certain I cared for the string of drabbles at the end. As an author, I can recognize and applaud the complex difficulty that goes into the creation of such a brief tale, but as a reader, I prefer stories with a bit more girth.
All in all, An Odd Quartet is a quick, enjoyable escape into a darker world--a trip well worth taking.
February 26, 2013
An odd quartet indeed. This novella length book has four tales, but I don't want to say what they were, because that would spoil it. I read this book not knowing what to expect, and that was half the joy of it.
I loved the elegant, louche front cover, and the wry turn of phrase Michael Brookes gives to his characters. The third tale didn't quite work for me but was a very interesting experiment, and one worth building on. The ending to each tale was mostly unexpected, certainly the first and last carried it off with the most success and were a real joy to read And I loved the thought of Death watching the birth and death of the universe. This was creative writing at its best.
I loved the elegant, louche front cover, and the wry turn of phrase Michael Brookes gives to his characters. The third tale didn't quite work for me but was a very interesting experiment, and one worth building on. The ending to each tale was mostly unexpected, certainly the first and last carried it off with the most success and were a real joy to read And I loved the thought of Death watching the birth and death of the universe. This was creative writing at its best.
August 12, 2014
The art of writing a short has long been subjected to libraries of comment and analysis. Is it an art form? Should it have a message? A twist, or should it be pure entertainment.
Personally, I fall into the latter category. Fiction has always been escapism for me, and escapism and entertainment go hand in hand.
If the mark of a good book or short story collection is to inspire you to write your own, then An Odd Quartet, delivers. Four stories, each with a twist, provide solid entertainment. Perfect for a commute on the train or if you're just looking for a quick read.
Personally, I fall into the latter category. Fiction has always been escapism for me, and escapism and entertainment go hand in hand.
If the mark of a good book or short story collection is to inspire you to write your own, then An Odd Quartet, delivers. Four stories, each with a twist, provide solid entertainment. Perfect for a commute on the train or if you're just looking for a quick read.
September 2, 2014
Stand-out story in the collection was definitely Forced Entry, which is essentially a transcript of the radio conversation between Command and four teams pursuing two unknown entities into a house. It kept me absolutely on the edge of my seat, just by employing tight and convincing dialogue.
The rest of the collection suffered by comparison. The other stories were well written but they didn't have the same tension, or tightness of language.
The collection still remains worth buying, even if just for Forced Entry.
The rest of the collection suffered by comparison. The other stories were well written but they didn't have the same tension, or tightness of language.
The collection still remains worth buying, even if just for Forced Entry.
May 22, 2013
These short stories are a perfect way for the author to show-case his skill as a storyteller and the range of his imagination.
Each tale had a great little twist in the ending.
See my reviews also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...
http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...
Each tale had a great little twist in the ending.
See my reviews also at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...
http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...
December 22, 2015
I think the title sums up this book very well, the stories are, well, quite odd
All 4 have an interesting premise but didn't quite materialize. I think my favourite was the one about Death and the Universe.
It was written by someone I used to work with and reading this makes me want to try something else by him, which is good I guess :)
All 4 have an interesting premise but didn't quite materialize. I think my favourite was the one about Death and the Universe.
It was written by someone I used to work with and reading this makes me want to try something else by him, which is good I guess :)
November 24, 2012
A great quartet indeed.
January 8, 2013
The genres of the short stories did not match with my genre likings at all (horror, weird tales), but they were a quick, entertaining read nevertheless.
August 26, 2013
I really wish I could give this book a higher rating, but I just don't feel like I can. I won it through Library Thing and was looking forward to seeing the work of a young writer. The ideas behind the stories are great, but the stories themselves feel incomplete and bare-bones. They follow a this happened, then this happened, then this happened structure, and don't sink into the individual moments in a way that would let the reader feel as if he/she were living them. If you like quick, stripped-down horror stories, you may like this book. If you're more interested in extended reading experiences, it probably won't offer enough to satisfy you.
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