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Triple Threat: Three Original Short Stories
A selection of three gripping short stories from the critically acclaimed master of suspense, Jeffery Deaver. Tales include 'Fast', a Kathryn Dance story which sees the special agent race against time to stop a terrorist group plotting to kill 200 innocent people; 'Game', where a housekeeper must search for her emoloyer's missing body and discovers more than she bargained for; and 'Paradice', a John Pellam story in which John finds himself stuck in a remote Colorado town, accused of murder.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
253 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
527 books11.9k followers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 28, 2014
A nice enjoyable read of three separate stories that didn't overtax the brain.
Not Deaver as I know him, still it was a nice change and it was good to read these stories individually over a couple of days.
Some short stories leave you feeling like you want more at the conclusion, but these felt complete.
3*s for the first story.
4*s for the second story.
3*s for the third and final story.
Overall I gave it 3.5*s.
Not Deaver as I know him, still it was a nice change and it was good to read these stories individually over a couple of days.
Some short stories leave you feeling like you want more at the conclusion, but these felt complete.
3*s for the first story.
4*s for the second story.
3*s for the third and final story.
Overall I gave it 3.5*s.
January 5, 2013
I loved this short collection of stories. Jeffery Deaver is a master story teller and no matter how hard I try he keeps surprising me. This ebook is a collection of three original short stories and each one is suspenseful, thrilling, and engaging from the very beginning.
In the first story, Fast, Kathryn Dance is back to try her hand at stopping a terrorist bombing with only a few hours to get it done. Using Kinesics she has to get information form a suspect who is cool and firm in the beliefs of his cause. He has no tells in his body language Kathryn can use to tell when he is lying and time is running out to get the location of the bomb. Such a heart pounding ride from the very beginning that didn't let up till the very last seconds.
The second story Game is about a very wealthy woman who has gone missing and is assumed dead. Her caring housekeeper pays a private detective to find where her body is because she wants to say good bye to her employer and friend. I thought I finally had Deaver figured out on this one. I have been reading his work for a very long time and I thought I finally had the ending wrapped up and I was thinking just like Deaver. I was wrong again; even though I had a few details figured out early on I was completely proven wrong by the end of the story. Deaver continues to impress with his mastery of the twist ending.
The final story Paradice, brings back one of Deaver's early characters John Pellam. Pellam is a location scout for Hollywood and seems to not only find amazing landscapes, but also a good bit of trouble every where he goes. Crashing into a small town he is being questions about a murder that occurred around a location he wanted to use in a movie. The town sheriff believes he is telling the truth but seems suspicious of him since he isn't part of the town. Pellam gets pulled into searching for this killer to save his own life, being the outsider can be detrimental to ones freedom in small towns.
All of these stories are very well written and can be enjoyed by anyone with spare time, and enjoys a great suspense thrill ride. This is currently only available in ebook format, but this and a story set to release in April will be part of a larger collection of short stories coming later this year. So if you don't have a Kindle or Nook, don't worry, they will be in print this year and I would encourage everyone to pick up the collection, just to read these amazing stories.
In the first story, Fast, Kathryn Dance is back to try her hand at stopping a terrorist bombing with only a few hours to get it done. Using Kinesics she has to get information form a suspect who is cool and firm in the beliefs of his cause. He has no tells in his body language Kathryn can use to tell when he is lying and time is running out to get the location of the bomb. Such a heart pounding ride from the very beginning that didn't let up till the very last seconds.
The second story Game is about a very wealthy woman who has gone missing and is assumed dead. Her caring housekeeper pays a private detective to find where her body is because she wants to say good bye to her employer and friend. I thought I finally had Deaver figured out on this one. I have been reading his work for a very long time and I thought I finally had the ending wrapped up and I was thinking just like Deaver. I was wrong again; even though I had a few details figured out early on I was completely proven wrong by the end of the story. Deaver continues to impress with his mastery of the twist ending.
The final story Paradice, brings back one of Deaver's early characters John Pellam. Pellam is a location scout for Hollywood and seems to not only find amazing landscapes, but also a good bit of trouble every where he goes. Crashing into a small town he is being questions about a murder that occurred around a location he wanted to use in a movie. The town sheriff believes he is telling the truth but seems suspicious of him since he isn't part of the town. Pellam gets pulled into searching for this killer to save his own life, being the outsider can be detrimental to ones freedom in small towns.
All of these stories are very well written and can be enjoyed by anyone with spare time, and enjoys a great suspense thrill ride. This is currently only available in ebook format, but this and a story set to release in April will be part of a larger collection of short stories coming later this year. So if you don't have a Kindle or Nook, don't worry, they will be in print this year and I would encourage everyone to pick up the collection, just to read these amazing stories.
January 13, 2020
3 short stories by a gifted author who excels in this short fiction equally well.
Three excellent stories that keep you guessing throughout and right to the end.
Fast is a terrorist event; intel received means it is a race against time to prevent the loss of life planned in this co-ordinated atrocity. Good tricks and misdirection to take the incident down to its final seconds.
Game is about a resourceful PI tasked with finding out the truth in a recent con that robbed an old lady of her savings and ended her days in fear. No sympathy for the grifters but the supporting characters are well penned. The weakest story on my opinion.
Paradice is a homage to the cinema as a location scout for an upcoming film allows his imagination to work overtime after being stranded in a small western town. Some irony and references to the movies as we find characters who could or have just stepped off the screen. Clever and some wit that gives a much deeper and richer account than the short story it is contained within.
It is no surprise to me than the best two tales relate to series that Deaver has written for in greater length as both Dance and Pelham are both well formed protagonists and carry each short story.
Three excellent stories that keep you guessing throughout and right to the end.
Fast is a terrorist event; intel received means it is a race against time to prevent the loss of life planned in this co-ordinated atrocity. Good tricks and misdirection to take the incident down to its final seconds.
Game is about a resourceful PI tasked with finding out the truth in a recent con that robbed an old lady of her savings and ended her days in fear. No sympathy for the grifters but the supporting characters are well penned. The weakest story on my opinion.
Paradice is a homage to the cinema as a location scout for an upcoming film allows his imagination to work overtime after being stranded in a small western town. Some irony and references to the movies as we find characters who could or have just stepped off the screen. Clever and some wit that gives a much deeper and richer account than the short story it is contained within.
It is no surprise to me than the best two tales relate to series that Deaver has written for in greater length as both Dance and Pelham are both well formed protagonists and carry each short story.
August 19, 2025
Great stories
Denver never disappoints . All three stories were well written. If you're a Deaver can you'll enjoy all three stories.
Denver never disappoints . All three stories were well written. If you're a Deaver can you'll enjoy all three stories.
April 18, 2013
Well I must say this book's been a disappointment. Really, I've been expecting more from Mr Deaver. It's a real waste of time. Couldn't enjoy it because, firstly each story is incredibly short. Suddenly you're in the middle of the happening and everything is very fast. And secondly because the fist two stories, especially the second, were quite dull. A bit longer, more sensible stories and it could've been really good.
January 15, 2019
Quirky, off beat, and punchy.
Three short novellas by master crime writer Deaver, briefly exploring a few aspects of American adventures, with knowing acknowledgement of popular culture. Bitesize, thoroughly entertaining, and sharply drawn characters immediately recognizable, and credible.
Three short novellas by master crime writer Deaver, briefly exploring a few aspects of American adventures, with knowing acknowledgement of popular culture. Bitesize, thoroughly entertaining, and sharply drawn characters immediately recognizable, and credible.
December 30, 2019
2.5 stars. Not sure if these stories are also included in another collection, or if I've read this before and just forgot! It was long enough arvo that I didn't remember all the details, but I did remember the "twists" in each tale. I thought the explanation in Fast was a bit of a cheat and yet it was still the most compelling story.
December 31, 2022
Excellent, like 3 treats for you
As usual, Jeffrey Deaver delivers. These short stories contain all the same plot & twists you love & expect plus characters you get to know in a very short time. And the unsuspected ending is Deaver to a T. I found these to be like a delicious dessert to be enjoyed & savored.
As usual, Jeffrey Deaver delivers. These short stories contain all the same plot & twists you love & expect plus characters you get to know in a very short time. And the unsuspected ending is Deaver to a T. I found these to be like a delicious dessert to be enjoyed & savored.
August 4, 2018
Rating between 3 and 3.5
Good short stories I thought.
Better than expected since I find the majority of modern authors cannot structure a short story or even a novella so that it is a good read.
I’m not sure I had a favourite really of the 3.
A good read for commuting I found.
Good short stories I thought.
Better than expected since I find the majority of modern authors cannot structure a short story or even a novella so that it is a good read.
I’m not sure I had a favourite really of the 3.
A good read for commuting I found.
October 1, 2020
Three entertaining stories
Five stars are not enough for this trilogy. A long time Jeffery Deaver fan I did manage to straighten one or two of his twists -but was pleasantly surprised at the conclusion .
Five stars are not enough for this trilogy. A long time Jeffery Deaver fan I did manage to straighten one or two of his twists -but was pleasantly surprised at the conclusion .
May 17, 2021
Three clever short stories from the pen of Jeffery Deaver, written in his inimitable style. A return for Kathryn Dance sees her rely on her unique skills to foil a terrorism plot while John Pellam runs into trouble while out on a scouting job.
May 16, 2023
Not Deaver’s best, but
…not his worst, either.
Just a collection of 3 of Jeffery Deaver short stories.
I received this as a May First Read, so was free. This in no way affected my review.
…not his worst, either.
Just a collection of 3 of Jeffery Deaver short stories.
I received this as a May First Read, so was free. This in no way affected my review.
May 22, 2025
Three stories with the usual Deaver twist. California, NYC, and Colorado are the settings. Terrorists and a bomb, grifting greedy killers, and a movie location scout provide plenty of engaging and pleasurable reading.
September 9, 2025
Three fine short pieces
Each of the stories takes an unexpected turn…. different protagonist, but interesting character each time…. Good, brisk entertainments, recommend accordingly.
Each of the stories takes an unexpected turn…. different protagonist, but interesting character each time…. Good, brisk entertainments, recommend accordingly.
October 31, 2017
Nice introduction to Jeffery Deaver's writing.
August 31, 2018
Three long short stories, three excellent and surprising plots. A must read for thriller addicts wanting quicker reads.
October 8, 2018
super fast paced, an excellent read.
January 12, 2019
Good , quick read
A good read, reasonable plotting and characters. Lots of twists. Standard Jeffrey Deaver as usual. All stories not uniformly good. Two out of three.
A good read, reasonable plotting and characters. Lots of twists. Standard Jeffrey Deaver as usual. All stories not uniformly good. Two out of three.
May 17, 2019
Short and sweet
Entertaining easy read. Typical twists and turns from Mr Deaver.
Good introduction to his style delivery.
The real deal of a full story is still better.
Entertaining easy read. Typical twists and turns from Mr Deaver.
Good introduction to his style delivery.
The real deal of a full story is still better.
June 21, 2019
Three excellent short stories featuring some of your favorite Deaver characters
August 4, 2019
Certainly good enough to be very enjoyable, but I do like his full length work better.
June 25, 2020
Usual fine trading of Deaver’s book. Deaver constantly surprises you with numerous twists in the narrative.
July 6, 2020
Three home runs
Each is distinctly different, but written in Deaver's great style. Wonderful twists and turns and immensely satisfying conclusions. Well worth it.
Each is distinctly different, but written in Deaver's great style. Wonderful twists and turns and immensely satisfying conclusions. Well worth it.
November 6, 2020
Three short stories - "Fast" (a Kathryn Dance story), "Game" and "Paradice." Nice tales with little twists at the end.
November 26, 2023
2013. 3 SS. USA. Dance, Pellam.
July 16, 2024
Deaver doing close to his best!
March 19, 2025
A very decent, easy fast read. Felt like a reunion of sorts coming back to Kathryn Dance and Michael O'Neil, Sellito and Pelham.
May like story 2 better, followed by the Dance one then Pelham's.
May like story 2 better, followed by the Dance one then Pelham's.
July 26, 2025
The first two stories in this collection had fun twists. The third was just OK. Kristi & Abby Tabby
February 16, 2024
I love these stories
February 8, 2022
A good set of short stories, though the second one was definitely better!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews