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Downside Ghosts #3.5 - Rick the Brave
Home Improvement: Undead Edition
There's nothing like home renovation for finding skeletons in the closet or otherworldly portals in the parlour ... And when you add in a hefty dose of the supernatural, the normal, everyday challenges of Home D-I-Y become even more hazardous!
International #1 bestseller Charlaine Harris has joined forces once again with award-winning mystery writer Toni L.P. Kelner to construct a brilliant anthology of fourteen forays into the frightening world of home improvements.
So for any homeowner who's ever wondered, "What's that creaking sound?" and for fans of "how to" series who like a little unreality mixed in with their reality TV shows, here is HOME IMPROVEMENTS: frightening and funny fixer-upper tales on the paranormal perils of Do-It-Yourself.
International #1 bestseller Charlaine Harris has joined forces once again with award-winning mystery writer Toni L.P. Kelner to construct a brilliant anthology of fourteen forays into the frightening world of home improvements.
So for any homeowner who's ever wondered, "What's that creaking sound?" and for fans of "how to" series who like a little unreality mixed in with their reality TV shows, here is HOME IMPROVEMENTS: frightening and funny fixer-upper tales on the paranormal perils of Do-It-Yourself.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
84 people are currently reading
6613 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
203 books37k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 660 reviews
February 5, 2012
Since this is an anthology I figure I would give a quick review of each story.
If I had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris: Of course I loved reading this story because I love everything about Sookie Stackhouse and since I have just finished reading book 11 everything was like a continuation of that for me. It also had spirits in it which is a little different compared to what Sookie normally deals with i.e. werewolves, vampires, and shapeshifters.
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler: I really enjoyed reading this one I thought it was cute and funny. It is about a wizard who gets a security system which ultimately backfires on him and he has to figure out how to fix things with only a small amount of spells left to use.
Grey by Patricia Briggs: This story was an excellent read, its about a girl who was changed into a vampire (not by choice) and she is scared and runs back home and ends up killing her husband. Though there is sadness in the story it has a happy ending (and I am a sucker for happy endings) I really want to read more books by this author in the future.
Squatters' Rights by Rochelle Krich: I enjoyed reading this story it was very good and spooky. I would have liked it to have a happier ending but not all endings can be happy. Definately a good ghost story.
Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham: I liked this story, its about a private investigator and a teenager geek who has a fake cult because it stopped the bullies from picking on him and has the girls chasing after him. But after one of the girls in his cult ends up murdered he is the one getting all the blame. And it had a good twist at the end of it.
The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady: I thought this was a very interesting story, and really enjoyed reading it. As a bonus it ended exactly how I wanted it to end as I was reading it.
The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr: This is a neat story about two sister bori who have two young ones that they are trying to raise and mainstream with humans. It was very interesting to read because bori I have never heard or read about before. I am also looking forward to reading other books by this author.
Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight: I thought this was a cute an comedic story about fixing up a resturant that was being run into the ground.
Through this House by Seanan McGuire: This is a neat story about a changeling (half human half fae) who gets the title to a place called Goldengreen. There are some supernatural creatures that I have never read about before like pixies, and bogies
The Path by S.J. Rozan: This was a good story about learning from your mistakes and changing yourself to become a better person to help others.
Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane: This story is about a guy named Rick who takes a crap job that no one wants to earn some extra cash ends up ghosts show up in large numbers and he has to help get rid of them. It was a good story and makes me want to check out some of the authors other books if I can ever make a dent in my reading list...
Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod: I really liked this story, and I marked her other novels on my to-read list. I especially liked reading about the kelpie which is like a water horse that I have never read about before. There is also fairies, pixies and other creatures in it.
It's all in the Rendering by Simon R. Green I enjoyed reading this story, it was different and I liked it. Again it had supernatural beings that are new to me.
In Brightest Day by Toni L. P. Kelner I really liked this story it is about a girl who is a houngan and her job is to raise the dead to finish jobs that they didn't get a chance to do before they died.
If I had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris: Of course I loved reading this story because I love everything about Sookie Stackhouse and since I have just finished reading book 11 everything was like a continuation of that for me. It also had spirits in it which is a little different compared to what Sookie normally deals with i.e. werewolves, vampires, and shapeshifters.
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler: I really enjoyed reading this one I thought it was cute and funny. It is about a wizard who gets a security system which ultimately backfires on him and he has to figure out how to fix things with only a small amount of spells left to use.
Grey by Patricia Briggs: This story was an excellent read, its about a girl who was changed into a vampire (not by choice) and she is scared and runs back home and ends up killing her husband. Though there is sadness in the story it has a happy ending (and I am a sucker for happy endings) I really want to read more books by this author in the future.
Squatters' Rights by Rochelle Krich: I enjoyed reading this story it was very good and spooky. I would have liked it to have a happier ending but not all endings can be happy. Definately a good ghost story.
Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham: I liked this story, its about a private investigator and a teenager geek who has a fake cult because it stopped the bullies from picking on him and has the girls chasing after him. But after one of the girls in his cult ends up murdered he is the one getting all the blame. And it had a good twist at the end of it.
The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady: I thought this was a very interesting story, and really enjoyed reading it. As a bonus it ended exactly how I wanted it to end as I was reading it.
The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr: This is a neat story about two sister bori who have two young ones that they are trying to raise and mainstream with humans. It was very interesting to read because bori I have never heard or read about before. I am also looking forward to reading other books by this author.
Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight: I thought this was a cute an comedic story about fixing up a resturant that was being run into the ground.
Through this House by Seanan McGuire: This is a neat story about a changeling (half human half fae) who gets the title to a place called Goldengreen. There are some supernatural creatures that I have never read about before like pixies, and bogies
The Path by S.J. Rozan: This was a good story about learning from your mistakes and changing yourself to become a better person to help others.
Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane: This story is about a guy named Rick who takes a crap job that no one wants to earn some extra cash ends up ghosts show up in large numbers and he has to help get rid of them. It was a good story and makes me want to check out some of the authors other books if I can ever make a dent in my reading list...
Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod: I really liked this story, and I marked her other novels on my to-read list. I especially liked reading about the kelpie which is like a water horse that I have never read about before. There is also fairies, pixies and other creatures in it.
It's all in the Rendering by Simon R. Green I enjoyed reading this story, it was different and I liked it. Again it had supernatural beings that are new to me.
In Brightest Day by Toni L. P. Kelner I really liked this story it is about a girl who is a houngan and her job is to raise the dead to finish jobs that they didn't get a chance to do before they died.
August 1, 2020
Through This House by Seanan McGuire
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover that Evening was absolutely monstrous.
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover that Evening was absolutely monstrous.
August 24, 2011
Definitely one of the most successful anthologies I've read. Overall I really liked the home improvement theme, but I'm addicted to HGTV and DIY channels, so that was a given. I've also always liked cozy mysteries with DIY themes too. It's interesting that the editors chose to include so many straight mystery authors in this book. As far as I can tell, a number of these authors don't normally write mystical or fantasy books, but most of them did a great job with their stories. And cross marketing to different audiences is a really smart idea, since marketing is the purpose behind these anthologies, and as I've noted in the past, it really works. I've certainly added a number of authors to my to-read list in the past from reading anthologies, and I added a few from this one even though thrillers are not my normal cup of tea.
Harris - Takes place after book 11 in the Sookie series. Anyone who isn't a fan of the series probably won't be very interested, Harris didn't make any effort to introduce the characters or make it accessible to people who aren't already familiar with the background. On the other hand, she did go on and on about some family history of people I didn't care about at all. I know everyone in small towns knows everything about everyone else's families, but I didn't really want to read about it too. Anyway, it was better than most of her short stories, but fans who've been anxious about missing something about the series if they couldn't get a hold of the book don't have to worry, nothing important happened unless the new character who was introduced turns up in the main series. It was a good story but nothing stellar.
Gischler - a cute if predictable story about wizards and thieves. It was nice to have something that was straight fantasy for a contrast. The book has a lot of fun variety and this was one of the stories that provided nice balance.
Briggs - hugely successful, how she wrote such a substantive story in so few pages is beyond me. It was completely independent from her series but consistent with her lore about vampires. Also quite heart-tugging and terrific use of the theme.
Krich - a good, spooky story. I think she's normally a straight mystery writer, but she got a nice shot of horror in there. I liked the Jewish angle as well. The end was a bit odd, but interesting.
Graham - another substantive story. A bit florid in the wording sometimes, but fun. It doesn't seem to be part of a series, but could very well be the start of one and I'd read it if it was.
Grady - cool that he did it since this isn't his normal thing at all. It was a bit disjointed and confusing at times, even considering the stream of consciousness style, but it had a nice haunting quality (no pun intended).
Marr - she took on one of the scariest things of all, the homeowners association! Good story.
E.E. Knight - ghoulish good humor.
McGuire - I thought it was a fun fit for the theme in a different way. I loved that it was part of the Toby Daye series and I think that it will be a good teaser for the series for people who haven't read it, but it's always so hard to tell these things.
Rozan - another straight mystery writer, but this story was anything but, quite a departure from her usual from what I can tell. It was a really neat little mystical story with some Chinese historical and religious themes. I really liked the variety it added to the book.
Kane - a brilliant example of how to write a story from an ongoing series of books to be included in an anthology. This story is perfectly capable of standing on it's own, but will really satisfy fans of the Downside series as well. And if it doesn't intrigue newbies to read the downside series and find out more about Chess, Terrible and this fascinating world then I'll be terribly (ha ha) surprised. Kane really understood the purpose of writing for an anthology, both in marketing her series to old and new fans and just making sure that everyone who reads her story comes away happy. Smart lady! People who want to learn how to write successful story for an anthology as an outtake from their ongoing series should study this story.
McLeod - another very successful anthology story on the other side of the coin for me because I'd never read her work before. So I can attest to it standing on it's own and being intriguing enough that I wanted to (and did) immediately order more of her books. The story had a fun mix of fae and other fantastic creatures, including mythological critters.
Green - a terrific opening paragraph, just perfect on it's own, it made me nervous that the story couldn't possibly live up to it. But it was a cute story too. Green often over does it with crazy critters and his own creativity, but this was a solid story as well.
Kelner - a very solid story. I think she's normally a straight mystery writer as well, right? But she wrote a story about red-headed, freckled, sassy houngan that was really enjoyable and a great back anchor for the book. Dodie was very likable and fully-fleshed for such a short story. I bet her mysteries have a lot of humor with the suspense, I'm looking forward to trying them.
Overall it was a very successful anthology and a terrific editing job, Harris and Kelner did wonderful work. I enjoyed every single story. And I really enjoyed the mix of elements, from traditional fantasy to a taste of spooky horror to Chinese mysticism to quite a bit of humor and suspense. I usually do not like shorter stories very much at all so having so many enjoyable stories all in one book is a great surprise, thanks ladies!
Harris - Takes place after book 11 in the Sookie series. Anyone who isn't a fan of the series probably won't be very interested, Harris didn't make any effort to introduce the characters or make it accessible to people who aren't already familiar with the background. On the other hand, she did go on and on about some family history of people I didn't care about at all. I know everyone in small towns knows everything about everyone else's families, but I didn't really want to read about it too. Anyway, it was better than most of her short stories, but fans who've been anxious about missing something about the series if they couldn't get a hold of the book don't have to worry, nothing important happened unless the new character who was introduced turns up in the main series. It was a good story but nothing stellar.
Gischler - a cute if predictable story about wizards and thieves. It was nice to have something that was straight fantasy for a contrast. The book has a lot of fun variety and this was one of the stories that provided nice balance.
Briggs - hugely successful, how she wrote such a substantive story in so few pages is beyond me. It was completely independent from her series but consistent with her lore about vampires. Also quite heart-tugging and terrific use of the theme.
Krich - a good, spooky story. I think she's normally a straight mystery writer, but she got a nice shot of horror in there. I liked the Jewish angle as well. The end was a bit odd, but interesting.
Graham - another substantive story. A bit florid in the wording sometimes, but fun. It doesn't seem to be part of a series, but could very well be the start of one and I'd read it if it was.
Grady - cool that he did it since this isn't his normal thing at all. It was a bit disjointed and confusing at times, even considering the stream of consciousness style, but it had a nice haunting quality (no pun intended).
Marr - she took on one of the scariest things of all, the homeowners association! Good story.
E.E. Knight - ghoulish good humor.
McGuire - I thought it was a fun fit for the theme in a different way. I loved that it was part of the Toby Daye series and I think that it will be a good teaser for the series for people who haven't read it, but it's always so hard to tell these things.
Rozan - another straight mystery writer, but this story was anything but, quite a departure from her usual from what I can tell. It was a really neat little mystical story with some Chinese historical and religious themes. I really liked the variety it added to the book.
Kane - a brilliant example of how to write a story from an ongoing series of books to be included in an anthology. This story is perfectly capable of standing on it's own, but will really satisfy fans of the Downside series as well. And if it doesn't intrigue newbies to read the downside series and find out more about Chess, Terrible and this fascinating world then I'll be terribly (ha ha) surprised. Kane really understood the purpose of writing for an anthology, both in marketing her series to old and new fans and just making sure that everyone who reads her story comes away happy. Smart lady! People who want to learn how to write successful story for an anthology as an outtake from their ongoing series should study this story.
McLeod - another very successful anthology story on the other side of the coin for me because I'd never read her work before. So I can attest to it standing on it's own and being intriguing enough that I wanted to (and did) immediately order more of her books. The story had a fun mix of fae and other fantastic creatures, including mythological critters.
Green - a terrific opening paragraph, just perfect on it's own, it made me nervous that the story couldn't possibly live up to it. But it was a cute story too. Green often over does it with crazy critters and his own creativity, but this was a solid story as well.
Kelner - a very solid story. I think she's normally a straight mystery writer as well, right? But she wrote a story about red-headed, freckled, sassy houngan that was really enjoyable and a great back anchor for the book. Dodie was very likable and fully-fleshed for such a short story. I bet her mysteries have a lot of humor with the suspense, I'm looking forward to trying them.
Overall it was a very successful anthology and a terrific editing job, Harris and Kelner did wonderful work. I enjoyed every single story. And I really enjoyed the mix of elements, from traditional fantasy to a taste of spooky horror to Chinese mysticism to quite a bit of humor and suspense. I usually do not like shorter stories very much at all so having so many enjoyable stories all in one book is a great surprise, thanks ladies!
November 15, 2021
This is a mostly light-hearted anthology of stories dealing with various pitfalls of home improvement projects and do-it-yourself jobs and such repairs in general. I suspect people who have been involved in such horrors would appreciate the book much more than those who are blissfully ignorant. (Yes, those projects always turn into horrors in real life, they always cost more and take longer than you imagined they could and yes, I've been involved in what feels like a million of them and that's the way they always go.... Don't bother telling me I'm wrong, go watch Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and The Money Pit.) Where was I? Oh, yeah, mostly good stories, especially liked the ones by Simon R. Green, Patricia Briggs, Heather Graham, and the editors themselves. My favorite was Seanan McGuire's Through This House, an October Daye tale.
March 1, 2012
Premise: Short stories about home improvements and the supernatural.
I am honestly very nearly speechless after finishing this book. I've read a lot of these UF story anthologies at this point. I know the authors that tend to pop up often, and generally I have my opinions on which ones I'm most likely to enjoy before I even read the stories based on my previous experience with these authors. I thought there were few surprises left for me. This anthology knocked my hubris down a couple of pegs then thumped me on the head for good measure.
These stories ranged consistently from fun to excellent, which is a real achievement. All of these collections seem to have at least one or two stinkers, and the more stories included, the more stinkers there tend to be. It's hard to find consistently good work, whether we're talking about my sophomores' English essays or a bunch of UF short fiction. Maybe it was just that the subject matter lent itself to more interesting stories, or that I actually didn't recognize some of the authors (meaning there's some new blood in there) and thus had no expectations, but I don't think there was a single stinker in the batch.
Mind you, none of it was grand literature (insert snobby voice complete with proper British accent), but it was all good stuff that kept me interested and reading. Some of it even made me smile or laugh while reading, while others had me more on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. All in all, this was a great collection that I'd recommend to any fan of the genre.
Some of the authors are pretty well-known, but all of the stories stand on their own very well outside of their respective series (at least as far as I can tell). There's a Charlaine Harris offering featuring Sookie Stackhouse that's decent. There's a Patricia Briggs story set in Mercy Thompson's world, but featuring a vampire instead of our favorite Walker. Those were really the only authors/series I was familiar with going in, but I know very soon I will be more familiar with the other series because I'm about to go hunting for them.
I am honestly very nearly speechless after finishing this book. I've read a lot of these UF story anthologies at this point. I know the authors that tend to pop up often, and generally I have my opinions on which ones I'm most likely to enjoy before I even read the stories based on my previous experience with these authors. I thought there were few surprises left for me. This anthology knocked my hubris down a couple of pegs then thumped me on the head for good measure.
These stories ranged consistently from fun to excellent, which is a real achievement. All of these collections seem to have at least one or two stinkers, and the more stories included, the more stinkers there tend to be. It's hard to find consistently good work, whether we're talking about my sophomores' English essays or a bunch of UF short fiction. Maybe it was just that the subject matter lent itself to more interesting stories, or that I actually didn't recognize some of the authors (meaning there's some new blood in there) and thus had no expectations, but I don't think there was a single stinker in the batch.
Mind you, none of it was grand literature (insert snobby voice complete with proper British accent), but it was all good stuff that kept me interested and reading. Some of it even made me smile or laugh while reading, while others had me more on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. All in all, this was a great collection that I'd recommend to any fan of the genre.
Some of the authors are pretty well-known, but all of the stories stand on their own very well outside of their respective series (at least as far as I can tell). There's a Charlaine Harris offering featuring Sookie Stackhouse that's decent. There's a Patricia Briggs story set in Mercy Thompson's world, but featuring a vampire instead of our favorite Walker. Those were really the only authors/series I was familiar with going in, but I know very soon I will be more familiar with the other series because I'm about to go hunting for them.
April 18, 2020
Only read THROUGH THIS HOUSE, the October Daye novella.
Really hope some of what was touched on in this novella gets explored in future books.
Really hope some of what was touched on in this novella gets explored in future books.
February 28, 2023
First off I want to confess that I only read four stories in this. The four stories were very good.
If I Had a Hammer was a very good story. Nice to meet the psychic babysitter, Quiana. I would think it would be creepy though to find a hammer behind a wall in your house. Also interesting to learn about the Wechsler's and the Summerlin's. Would be creepy to have psychic powers though, being able to be possessed and everything. Hope the house is okay now.
Gray was an interesting story. Glad that Jack is back as a ghost. Peter found out that Elayna is a vampire and that she killed the criminals that got acquitted. Hope Elyna will do fine in Chicago with a new Master of Chicago. What is a seethe? How long has Elyna been a vampire? RIP Colbert.
Through this House was a very enjoyable story. Glad Toby and the gang are cleaning up Goldengreen. Didn't really like the Bogies (I hate spiders). Glad the pixies and bogies are getting along with Toby though.
All I can say about Rick the Brave is hmmm. Not sure what I feel about this story. The people in this story have weird names: Terrible, Barreltop, Chess. I wonder who Chess is involved with. Terrible? Hmmm. All those ghost were really weird.
I wonder what it would be like to see a ghost. Probably would be very interesting.
If I Had a Hammer was a very good story. Nice to meet the psychic babysitter, Quiana. I would think it would be creepy though to find a hammer behind a wall in your house. Also interesting to learn about the Wechsler's and the Summerlin's. Would be creepy to have psychic powers though, being able to be possessed and everything. Hope the house is okay now.
Gray was an interesting story. Glad that Jack is back as a ghost. Peter found out that Elayna is a vampire and that she killed the criminals that got acquitted. Hope Elyna will do fine in Chicago with a new Master of Chicago. What is a seethe? How long has Elyna been a vampire? RIP Colbert.
Through this House was a very enjoyable story. Glad Toby and the gang are cleaning up Goldengreen. Didn't really like the Bogies (I hate spiders). Glad the pixies and bogies are getting along with Toby though.
All I can say about Rick the Brave is hmmm. Not sure what I feel about this story. The people in this story have weird names: Terrible, Barreltop, Chess. I wonder who Chess is involved with. Terrible? Hmmm. All those ghost were really weird.
I wonder what it would be like to see a ghost. Probably would be very interesting.
March 2, 2018
One of the joys of reading a book of short stories is reading new authors. Or, rather authors I haven’t read yet. For instance “Squatter’s Rights” by Rochelle Krich was good, but what I really love are the stories that introduce me to a cool series.
“Full-Scale Demolition” by Suzanne McLeod was part of what looks interesting, as well as “In Brightest Day” by Toni L. P. Kelner.
Unfortunately I didn’t like all the stories so that held back my stars. But the few I did like were exceptional.
“Full-Scale Demolition” by Suzanne McLeod was part of what looks interesting, as well as “In Brightest Day” by Toni L. P. Kelner.
Unfortunately I didn’t like all the stories so that held back my stars. But the few I did like were exceptional.
August 14, 2011
If you thought remodeling your home was hell, you ain't seen nothing yet. Home Improvement the Undead Edition is a pretty varied collections of stories some urban fantasy and a few horror. Many of the authors here offer shorts connected to their long running series, which is fun for us fans. On the whole though, this is a pretty mixed bag, there are some stories that I just slogged through side by side with some that I really enjoyed. I found that my favorites on the whole were ones by authors that were already my favorites - well they are my favorites for a reason.
<<<--------These were my favorites-------->>>>
"Through This House" by Seanan McGuire - a Toby Daye connected short. The first step in Toby's remodel of the Knowe she inherited, get the house to recognize her ownership - Liked this one, looks like a lot has happened to Toby since I read the first book, I really need to move the rest of the series to the top of the TBR pile
"Rick the Brave" by Stacia Kane - A Downside connected short. Electrician Rick is gonna earn his big paycheck during this Downside remodel - I enjoyed this one even though I've only read Kane's demons and not her Chess books. There's a bit of Chess and Terrible for Downside fans.
"Full-Scale Demolition" by Suzanne McLeod - A Spellcrackers connected short. A Pixie hunting gig, lands magical troubleshooter Genny in some scaly trouble - this one was really fun.
"The Brightest Day" by Tony Kelner - A woman contracted to raise the dead has to keep reanimating an architect's revenant or his final project will never be finished - The irreverent voudou practitioner and the funny ending made for a humorous wrap up to the anthology.
<<<----These were pretty good too -------->>>>
"Gray" by Patricia Briggs - Seems to be set in another part of Mercy's world - A woman returns to rebuild her home - There was a nice amount of pathos to the setup and I liked the resolution, so this one worked for me.
"Blood on the Wall" by Heather Graham - A cult leader must now seek help from the detective he'd enjoyed harassing.
"The Strength Inside" by Melissa Marr - This one is suitably creepy but anyone who's had run ins with an Architectural Review board will appreciate the ending - Ok, creepy horror with humor, that I can handle - guess I am just twisted.
"It's All in the Rendering" by Simon Green - The Custodians of a multidimensional safe house must cut through the red tape when bureaucrats from more than one dimension demand improvements - Less bizarre than his usual fare, Green's offering still has enough of the feel of his offbeat style to entertain.
<<<-----These were okay, but didn't really grab me ------>>>>
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris - A Sookie connected short. Even the easiest remodeling projects take on a life of their own as Sookie, Sam, Tara and JB are soon to discover - As much as I normally enjoy wandering through Sookieville, this one was just okay - now if Harris had Eric and Pam in on a remodel project that could have been really amusing.
"Wizard Home Security" by Victor Gischler - A wizard learns it's a mistake to skimp on a home security system, when magic is involved.
"The Path" by S J Rozan - A timid guardian spirit seeking to reclaim a lost artifact, will set another spirit free for its next turn on the 'wheel'.
"Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare" by EE Knight - this one was really oddball, not sure where the house theme comes in though since basicly there's a change in management to a restaurant that caters to clientele with very specific tastes - I was on the verge of being offended by the chef's 'special' which turned to be a made up character and not the real one who it was obviously based on.
<<<<----These 'house of horrors' themed stories just didn't do it for me at all----->>>>
"Squatter's Rights" by Rocelle Krich - A couple moves into their new home, a home in which the past owners died, and now the wife is hearing noises...
"Mansion of Imperatives" by James Grady - Two couples can gain squatter's rights by spending some time in an abandoned house.
<<<--------These were my favorites-------->>>>
"Through This House" by Seanan McGuire - a Toby Daye connected short. The first step in Toby's remodel of the Knowe she inherited, get the house to recognize her ownership - Liked this one, looks like a lot has happened to Toby since I read the first book, I really need to move the rest of the series to the top of the TBR pile
"Rick the Brave" by Stacia Kane - A Downside connected short. Electrician Rick is gonna earn his big paycheck during this Downside remodel - I enjoyed this one even though I've only read Kane's demons and not her Chess books. There's a bit of Chess and Terrible for Downside fans.
"Full-Scale Demolition" by Suzanne McLeod - A Spellcrackers connected short. A Pixie hunting gig, lands magical troubleshooter Genny in some scaly trouble - this one was really fun.
"The Brightest Day" by Tony Kelner - A woman contracted to raise the dead has to keep reanimating an architect's revenant or his final project will never be finished - The irreverent voudou practitioner and the funny ending made for a humorous wrap up to the anthology.
<<<----These were pretty good too -------->>>>
"Gray" by Patricia Briggs - Seems to be set in another part of Mercy's world - A woman returns to rebuild her home - There was a nice amount of pathos to the setup and I liked the resolution, so this one worked for me.
"Blood on the Wall" by Heather Graham - A cult leader must now seek help from the detective he'd enjoyed harassing.
"The Strength Inside" by Melissa Marr - This one is suitably creepy but anyone who's had run ins with an Architectural Review board will appreciate the ending - Ok, creepy horror with humor, that I can handle - guess I am just twisted.
"It's All in the Rendering" by Simon Green - The Custodians of a multidimensional safe house must cut through the red tape when bureaucrats from more than one dimension demand improvements - Less bizarre than his usual fare, Green's offering still has enough of the feel of his offbeat style to entertain.
<<<-----These were okay, but didn't really grab me ------>>>>
"If I Had a Hammer" by Charlaine Harris - A Sookie connected short. Even the easiest remodeling projects take on a life of their own as Sookie, Sam, Tara and JB are soon to discover - As much as I normally enjoy wandering through Sookieville, this one was just okay - now if Harris had Eric and Pam in on a remodel project that could have been really amusing.
"Wizard Home Security" by Victor Gischler - A wizard learns it's a mistake to skimp on a home security system, when magic is involved.
"The Path" by S J Rozan - A timid guardian spirit seeking to reclaim a lost artifact, will set another spirit free for its next turn on the 'wheel'.
"Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare" by EE Knight - this one was really oddball, not sure where the house theme comes in though since basicly there's a change in management to a restaurant that caters to clientele with very specific tastes - I was on the verge of being offended by the chef's 'special' which turned to be a made up character and not the real one who it was obviously based on.
<<<<----These 'house of horrors' themed stories just didn't do it for me at all----->>>>
"Squatter's Rights" by Rocelle Krich - A couple moves into their new home, a home in which the past owners died, and now the wife is hearing noises...
"Mansion of Imperatives" by James Grady - Two couples can gain squatter's rights by spending some time in an abandoned house.
January 5, 2024
I've only read a couple of the stories so far. I do intend to finish it one day though so I'll come back and add notes for the other stories as I read them.
Gray - Patricia Briggs - 4 stars
Read August 2014, February 2016 & February 2017
Gray is a short story that can also be found in the Shifting Shadows anthology (which is where I read it) and it takes place before Moon Called. It introduces us to characters that, so far, haven't appeared in the rest of the Mercy Thompson world. Elyna was kidnapped by vampires and turned by accident 80 years ago leading to a terrible tragedy. Now she has returned to her home and is looking to make up for the sins of her past. This was a bitter sweet story, one that left me feeling more than a little heart broken for Elyna and her husband but that did have a weird kind of happy ending.
_________________________
Through This House - Seanan McGuire - 4 stars
Read 22nd August 2017 & 5th January 2024
Through This House is a short story that is set between Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea and it definitely contains spoilers so I wouldn't recommend even reading this review if you've not that far into the series!
The Goldengreen Knowe has been empty since the death of Countess Evening Winterrose but now that Toby has been handed the reigns she needs to open it to make a home for Lily's subjects. If she can just get Goldengreen to accept her it should be a fairly simple job so she recruits May, Quentin and Danny to help her make the place liveable again. Unfortunately things aren't quite what they seem and the knowe has already accepted new inhabitants, ones who aren't quite so keen on letting Toby and her friends move in.
This is such a fun story and I enjoyed every minute of it. May, Quentin and Danny are some of my favourite side characters in the series and any time they're on hand to help Toby you just know chaos will ensue so you can expect some madcap antics in this one. Toby definitely gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself negotiating with the current pixie and bogie residents and it was really interesting to see just how sentient that the knowe actually is.
Gray - Patricia Briggs - 4 stars
Read August 2014, February 2016 & February 2017
Gray is a short story that can also be found in the Shifting Shadows anthology (which is where I read it) and it takes place before Moon Called. It introduces us to characters that, so far, haven't appeared in the rest of the Mercy Thompson world. Elyna was kidnapped by vampires and turned by accident 80 years ago leading to a terrible tragedy. Now she has returned to her home and is looking to make up for the sins of her past. This was a bitter sweet story, one that left me feeling more than a little heart broken for Elyna and her husband but that did have a weird kind of happy ending.
_________________________
Through This House - Seanan McGuire - 4 stars
Read 22nd August 2017 & 5th January 2024
Through This House is a short story that is set between Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea and it definitely contains spoilers so I wouldn't recommend even reading this review if you've not that far into the series!
The Goldengreen Knowe has been empty since the death of Countess Evening Winterrose but now that Toby has been handed the reigns she needs to open it to make a home for Lily's subjects. If she can just get Goldengreen to accept her it should be a fairly simple job so she recruits May, Quentin and Danny to help her make the place liveable again. Unfortunately things aren't quite what they seem and the knowe has already accepted new inhabitants, ones who aren't quite so keen on letting Toby and her friends move in.
This is such a fun story and I enjoyed every minute of it. May, Quentin and Danny are some of my favourite side characters in the series and any time they're on hand to help Toby you just know chaos will ensue so you can expect some madcap antics in this one. Toby definitely gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself negotiating with the current pixie and bogie residents and it was really interesting to see just how sentient that the knowe actually is.
October 5, 2015
TW: Gigantic Spiders!
Well, I should probably write a review for this short story before I completely forgot what the thing was about!
So, this takes place a couple of books ago _ I've just finished volume nine _ when Toby was sent to open GoldenGreen's Knowe (you know, a fairy underground place?). Honestly don't read it out of order, or you'll miss a lot of the fun.
Thing is, as everything that happens in October's life, things are never as straightforward as one would expect.
The Knowe has been abandoned for so long, that it has become quite "difficult" to deal with.
Yes, I am referring to a physical location as having feelings...
Don't worry: It totally does. After all, it's located in Fairy.
What happens next is another adventure _although small, all things considered _ in the life of our Hero Toby.
And yes, it does involve gigantic _pony sized_ spiders!
September 12, 2015
October Daye - loved this short!
October 27, 2021
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A good story about Goldengreen and some of the horrors that took place there. 4 stars
Merged review:
I read this story as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. 4 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
Morbid and flippant don't usually go together and they don't in my opinion. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A strange story that I think the author was trying to make scary but didn't really suceed. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
Cute story about a Sidhe who's job is to round up fae that are causing a commotion. There's a kelpie that the heroine is attracted to if she can get beyond the kelpie tendencies to drown people. Throw in a couple of lamias and children to rescue - it should have been a lot of fighting but mostly it was getting hit, passing out and then waking up. (Another book I'm reading has the same passing out theme. A little frustrating.) 3-1/2 stars
Merged review:
I read this as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A wizard is robbed, pays for security, is trapped by the security and then thwarts the robber. Super short. 3 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
This couple lives and works in a sanctuary house for the normal and paranormal world. Both sides inspect the home and say all kinds of changes need to be done. The couple and the guests discuss different options, end up doing nothing and that's what works. What the frick!? 2 stars
Merged review:
I read this story in the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A mild mannered detective stops a killer that's targeting a fake demon cult. We never figure out why they were targeted in the first place. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
I really tried to read this story but it was soooo slooowww. I just gave up. No rating.
Merged review:
Anthology The rating I'll round up to 3 but only a few of the stories were worth reading
1. If I Had a Hammer, Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #13.1). It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. 4 stars.
2. Wizard Home Security, Victor Gischler. A wizard is robbed, pays for security, is trapped by the security and then thwarts the robber. Super short. 3 stars.
3. Gray, Patricia Briggs: (Mercy Thompson universe). A very good story about a female vampire who moves back home hoping to find some peace. 4 stars.
4. Squatters' Rights, Rocelle Krich. A story about a house with a bad history and how that affects the new owners. I have no idea what was going on with the "squatters". 2 stars.
5. Blood on the Wall, Heather Graham. A mild mannered detective stops a killer that's targeting a fake demon cult. We never figure out why they were targeted in the first place. 2 stars.
6. The Mansion of Imperatives, James Grady. A strange story that I think the author was trying to make scary but didn't really suceed. 2 stars.
7. The Strength Inside, Melissa Marr. Sisters and the children they take care of are trying to improve their home and use unconventional (or should I say ancient) methods to do so. Strange story. 3 stars.
8. Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, EE Knight. Morbid and flippant don't usually go together and they don't in my opinion. 2 stars.
9. Through This House, Seanan McGuire (October Daye #4.5) A good story about Goldengreen and some of the horrors that took place there. 4 stars
10. The Path, S J Rozan. I really tried to read this story but it was soooo slooowww. I just gave up. No rating.
11. Rick the Brave, Stacia Kane (Downside #5.5) I miss Terrible and Chess! Please Stacia Kane, write another book in their series!!! This is a short story about a home improvement project that goes bad. 5 stars.
12. Full-Scale Demolition, Suzanne McLeod (Spellcrackers) Cute story about a Sidhe who's job is to round up fae that are causing a commotion. There's a kelpie that the heroine is attracted to if she can get beyond the kelpie tendencies to drown people. Throw in a couple of lamias and children to rescue - it should have been a lot of fighting but mostly it was getting hit, passing out and then waking up. (Another book I'm reading has the same passing out theme. A little frustrating.) 3-1/2 stars.
13. It's All in the Rendering, Simon Green. This couple lives and works in a sanctuary house for the normal and paranormal world. Both sides inspect the home and say all kinds of changes need to be done. The couple and the guests discuss different options, end up doing nothing and that's what works. What the frick!? 2 stars
14. In Brightest Day, Tony Kelner. The author was trying to write humor for the main character or at least make her humorous. To me, it didn't work. And bringing back the same guy over and over was really cruel. The reason didn't seem enough for me. 2 stars.
A good story about Goldengreen and some of the horrors that took place there. 4 stars
Merged review:
I read this story as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. 4 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
Morbid and flippant don't usually go together and they don't in my opinion. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A strange story that I think the author was trying to make scary but didn't really suceed. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
Cute story about a Sidhe who's job is to round up fae that are causing a commotion. There's a kelpie that the heroine is attracted to if she can get beyond the kelpie tendencies to drown people. Throw in a couple of lamias and children to rescue - it should have been a lot of fighting but mostly it was getting hit, passing out and then waking up. (Another book I'm reading has the same passing out theme. A little frustrating.) 3-1/2 stars
Merged review:
I read this as part of the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A wizard is robbed, pays for security, is trapped by the security and then thwarts the robber. Super short. 3 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
This couple lives and works in a sanctuary house for the normal and paranormal world. Both sides inspect the home and say all kinds of changes need to be done. The couple and the guests discuss different options, end up doing nothing and that's what works. What the frick!? 2 stars
Merged review:
I read this story in the anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition
A mild mannered detective stops a killer that's targeting a fake demon cult. We never figure out why they were targeted in the first place. 2 stars.
Merged review:
I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition
I really tried to read this story but it was soooo slooowww. I just gave up. No rating.
Merged review:
Anthology The rating I'll round up to 3 but only a few of the stories were worth reading
1. If I Had a Hammer, Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #13.1). It's been awhile since I read a Sookie book so this was really nice to read about her now. Even though I thought I'd everything out there this story was new. I liked it, I just wish the Sookie wouldn't be hypocritical where other people are concerned. Sookie even acknowledges it but is more like, "Oh well, that's how I think." Very good story. 4 stars.
2. Wizard Home Security, Victor Gischler. A wizard is robbed, pays for security, is trapped by the security and then thwarts the robber. Super short. 3 stars.
3. Gray, Patricia Briggs: (Mercy Thompson universe). A very good story about a female vampire who moves back home hoping to find some peace. 4 stars.
4. Squatters' Rights, Rocelle Krich. A story about a house with a bad history and how that affects the new owners. I have no idea what was going on with the "squatters". 2 stars.
5. Blood on the Wall, Heather Graham. A mild mannered detective stops a killer that's targeting a fake demon cult. We never figure out why they were targeted in the first place. 2 stars.
6. The Mansion of Imperatives, James Grady. A strange story that I think the author was trying to make scary but didn't really suceed. 2 stars.
7. The Strength Inside, Melissa Marr. Sisters and the children they take care of are trying to improve their home and use unconventional (or should I say ancient) methods to do so. Strange story. 3 stars.
8. Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, EE Knight. Morbid and flippant don't usually go together and they don't in my opinion. 2 stars.
9. Through This House, Seanan McGuire (October Daye #4.5) A good story about Goldengreen and some of the horrors that took place there. 4 stars
10. The Path, S J Rozan. I really tried to read this story but it was soooo slooowww. I just gave up. No rating.
11. Rick the Brave, Stacia Kane (Downside #5.5) I miss Terrible and Chess! Please Stacia Kane, write another book in their series!!! This is a short story about a home improvement project that goes bad. 5 stars.
12. Full-Scale Demolition, Suzanne McLeod (Spellcrackers) Cute story about a Sidhe who's job is to round up fae that are causing a commotion. There's a kelpie that the heroine is attracted to if she can get beyond the kelpie tendencies to drown people. Throw in a couple of lamias and children to rescue - it should have been a lot of fighting but mostly it was getting hit, passing out and then waking up. (Another book I'm reading has the same passing out theme. A little frustrating.) 3-1/2 stars.
13. It's All in the Rendering, Simon Green. This couple lives and works in a sanctuary house for the normal and paranormal world. Both sides inspect the home and say all kinds of changes need to be done. The couple and the guests discuss different options, end up doing nothing and that's what works. What the frick!? 2 stars
14. In Brightest Day, Tony Kelner. The author was trying to write humor for the main character or at least make her humorous. To me, it didn't work. And bringing back the same guy over and over was really cruel. The reason didn't seem enough for me. 2 stars.
September 3, 2017
This was good and also felt like YEAH, this is what a short story for a long running series should be. It's relevant and cool to know, but not NECESSARY.
June 6, 2019
⭐⭐⭐ Rick the Brave (Downside Ghosts #3.5) by Stacia Kane
⭐⭐ If I had a Hammer (Sookie Stackhouse #12.5) by Charlaine Harris
I'm a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse series so I couldn't resist a short story to get me by until her next full length novel. Sadly, I was super disappointed.
This short story involved Tara and JB and the recent addition(s) to their family. Not having enough space for their new twins they decide to renovate and do some 'Home Improvements'. Work comes to an abrupt stop when a hammer is found hidden in one of the walls they're tearing down... and it's covered in blood.
Typical of a normal Sookie novel I suppose, this blood hammer mystery is immediately solved, i.e. "Oh that must be the hammer that was used to kill *insert name here*". Kinda made me go all squinty eyed and say, "Really? Now how in the hell did you just pull that one outta your ass?" Considering this was a short story and all I suppose I can understand the immediate solution but still it was eye-roll inducing.
In the end everything is solved and everyone lives happily ever after... as can be expected. But wait. The story is over? But there weren't even any vampires!!!! Crap I say, crap.
⭐⭐ If I had a Hammer (Sookie Stackhouse #12.5) by Charlaine Harris
I'm a huge fan of her Sookie Stackhouse series so I couldn't resist a short story to get me by until her next full length novel. Sadly, I was super disappointed.
This short story involved Tara and JB and the recent addition(s) to their family. Not having enough space for their new twins they decide to renovate and do some 'Home Improvements'. Work comes to an abrupt stop when a hammer is found hidden in one of the walls they're tearing down... and it's covered in blood.
Typical of a normal Sookie novel I suppose, this blood hammer mystery is immediately solved, i.e. "Oh that must be the hammer that was used to kill *insert name here*". Kinda made me go all squinty eyed and say, "Really? Now how in the hell did you just pull that one outta your ass?" Considering this was a short story and all I suppose I can understand the immediate solution but still it was eye-roll inducing.
In the end everything is solved and everyone lives happily ever after... as can be expected. But wait. The story is over? But there weren't even any vampires!!!! Crap I say, crap.
August 10, 2011
Only read the novellas listed below.
**Stacia Kane's Rick The Brave ~ 4 stars**
4 stars just for getting to read about Chessie and Terrible and....
"He's my family," she said finally. Quietly. "He's everything."
sigh...and its a cute, little story as well.
**Charlaine Harris' If I Had a Hammer ~ 3 stars**
This is about Sookie and Sam helping out Tara in a remodeling project. Nice story but nothing to get excited about.
**Patricia Brigg's Gray ~ 4 stars**
I really liked this story about a vampire dealing with her prior human life and could easily see this being developed into a full length story.
**Melissa Marr's The Strength Inside ~ 3.5 stars**
This is an interesting tale on "people" who are Bori trying to fit into the human world. Nice and just a little freaky.
**Stacia Kane's Rick The Brave ~ 4 stars**
4 stars just for getting to read about Chessie and Terrible and....
"He's my family," she said finally. Quietly. "He's everything."
sigh...and its a cute, little story as well.
**Charlaine Harris' If I Had a Hammer ~ 3 stars**
This is about Sookie and Sam helping out Tara in a remodeling project. Nice story but nothing to get excited about.
**Patricia Brigg's Gray ~ 4 stars**
I really liked this story about a vampire dealing with her prior human life and could easily see this being developed into a full length story.
**Melissa Marr's The Strength Inside ~ 3.5 stars**
This is an interesting tale on "people" who are Bori trying to fit into the human world. Nice and just a little freaky.
September 14, 2016
Gray by Patricia Briggs
3.0 stars
Creepy vampire story. Again, wholly unrelated to the stories that we know and love. I mostly liked it except . . . nothing good can ever come from loving a ghost. Sorry. I don't care how pretty the story is, being unable to touch the one you love can NEVER end well.
Through This House - October Daye, 4.5
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover that Evening was absolutely monstrous.
Rick the Brave - Downside Ghosts, 3.5
2.5 stars
Meh. It was kind of cool to get an outsider's POV of Chess and Terrible, but it was short, and nothing terribly (<-----HA!) exciting happened.
3.0 stars
Creepy vampire story. Again, wholly unrelated to the stories that we know and love. I mostly liked it except . . . nothing good can ever come from loving a ghost. Sorry. I don't care how pretty the story is, being unable to touch the one you love can NEVER end well.
Through This House - October Daye, 4.5
3.5 stars
This might have been a 4 star novella if I didn't hate spiders as much as I do. Like May said, "Worst knowe ever. It was also disappointing to discover that Evening was absolutely monstrous.
Rick the Brave - Downside Ghosts, 3.5
2.5 stars
Meh. It was kind of cool to get an outsider's POV of Chess and Terrible, but it was short, and nothing terribly (<-----HA!) exciting happened.
March 4, 2016
12/3/2013
I read the short story from the Sookie-verse, "If I Had a Hammer." 3 stars
I read the short story from the Sookie-verse, "If I Had a Hammer." 3 stars
March 4, 2016
3/4/16
Through This House, October Daye #4.5
4 stars
Through This House, October Daye #4.5
4 stars
September 20, 2011
If I Had A Hammer (Charlaine Harris) - I'm not even bothering with these Sookie shorts anymore, their usually pretty pointless.
Wizard Home Security (Victor Gischler)3 stars - This is a cute and funny story but not quite laugh-out-loud. A wizard gets robbed and calls Wizard Home Security to come and update his house for an exorbitant fee. I wasn't sure if this would be good at first, but once the house turns on him, hilarity ensues. The zombie bear was by far my favorite part.
*Gray (Patricia Briggs) 4.5 stars - I wasn't sure about this one at first, with the woman going to her old apartment it seemed like it would be slow and pointless. But once I started to realize who she was and what had happened, it got really interesting. The ending was adorable and it totally won me over. Very well developed for a short but had good closure as well.
Squatter's Rights (Rochelle Krich)- I don't think I can rate this one. It wasn't bad. If you like horror I think you would enjoy it, it was very Shining-esque in that the wife in a new home is hearing voices and slowly goes crazy as she starts to believe her husband is out to get her. It was a bit unnecessarily heavy on the Jewish-Orthodoxy. I can see how some referencing is relevant because of the eventual explanation, but a lot of it was over-kill. It was slow to build up, but picked up once she decided he was against her. I dunno, I feel like it should get points for creep-factor (since I'm assuming that is what it was going for)... but now I have to go to bed and am all creeped out! Dammit! Oh, and a total cliff-hanger of an ending, but not the good kind.
Blood On The Wall (Heather Graham) 3.5 stars - This was interesting, and although I knew there was a twist coming at the end I wasn't sure what it was going to be. Starts out with a PI and a fake-cult leader who keeps throwing pigs blood on the PI's tomb in New Orleans for rituals.
The Mansion Of Imperatives (James Grady) 3 stars - Initially I thought this was going to be similar to the Graham story above, but it turns out to be pretty different. A group of friends has bought a house they are going to fix up, but the house has it's own ideas. Just the right amount of effed up and creepy.
*The Strength Inside (Melissa Marr) 4 stars - This had a cast of very unique characters. The Bori are families of shifters that are trying to adapt to living more civilized (ie: human) lives. I loved how unapologetically animal they were, I would like to see them in a full-length novel.
Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare (E.E. Knight) 3.5 stars - Picture the show 'Kitchen Nightmares'... but with otherworldly creatures. Pretty funny, definitely a clever and original ending.
Through This House (Seanan McGuire)
The Path (S.J. Rozan)
Rick The Brave (Stacia Kane) 5 stars - I just love the Downside Ghosts series, it can do no wrong. This is a fun and quick look at Downside from someone else's perspective. It was action-packed and I LOVED seeing Chess and Terrible from the outside, SO cute!
Full-Scale Demolition (Suzanne McLeod) 3 stars - I think this is from the Spellcrackers.com series (which I have not read), although reading the book descriptions this short does not seem to flow with her love interests. But anyhow, Gennie is a Sidhe working for Spellcrackers in a world where we all know about fae, vamps, etc. I liked Tavish and wanted to see more of them, but again, not sure I would get them from the series.
It's All In The Rendering (Simon R. Green)
In Brightest Day (Toni L. P. Kelner) 3.5 stars - This was a really fun, unique, and interesting story about a modern day voodoo lady/necromancer. I saw some of the twists coming but the ending was cute.
Wizard Home Security (Victor Gischler)3 stars - This is a cute and funny story but not quite laugh-out-loud. A wizard gets robbed and calls Wizard Home Security to come and update his house for an exorbitant fee. I wasn't sure if this would be good at first, but once the house turns on him, hilarity ensues. The zombie bear was by far my favorite part.
*Gray (Patricia Briggs) 4.5 stars - I wasn't sure about this one at first, with the woman going to her old apartment it seemed like it would be slow and pointless. But once I started to realize who she was and what had happened, it got really interesting. The ending was adorable and it totally won me over. Very well developed for a short but had good closure as well.
Squatter's Rights (Rochelle Krich)- I don't think I can rate this one. It wasn't bad. If you like horror I think you would enjoy it, it was very Shining-esque in that the wife in a new home is hearing voices and slowly goes crazy as she starts to believe her husband is out to get her. It was a bit unnecessarily heavy on the Jewish-Orthodoxy. I can see how some referencing is relevant because of the eventual explanation, but a lot of it was over-kill. It was slow to build up, but picked up once she decided he was against her. I dunno, I feel like it should get points for creep-factor (since I'm assuming that is what it was going for)... but now I have to go to bed and am all creeped out! Dammit! Oh, and a total cliff-hanger of an ending, but not the good kind.
Blood On The Wall (Heather Graham) 3.5 stars - This was interesting, and although I knew there was a twist coming at the end I wasn't sure what it was going to be. Starts out with a PI and a fake-cult leader who keeps throwing pigs blood on the PI's tomb in New Orleans for rituals.
The Mansion Of Imperatives (James Grady) 3 stars - Initially I thought this was going to be similar to the Graham story above, but it turns out to be pretty different. A group of friends has bought a house they are going to fix up, but the house has it's own ideas. Just the right amount of effed up and creepy.
*The Strength Inside (Melissa Marr) 4 stars - This had a cast of very unique characters. The Bori are families of shifters that are trying to adapt to living more civilized (ie: human) lives. I loved how unapologetically animal they were, I would like to see them in a full-length novel.
Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare (E.E. Knight) 3.5 stars - Picture the show 'Kitchen Nightmares'... but with otherworldly creatures. Pretty funny, definitely a clever and original ending.
Through This House (Seanan McGuire)
The Path (S.J. Rozan)
Rick The Brave (Stacia Kane) 5 stars - I just love the Downside Ghosts series, it can do no wrong. This is a fun and quick look at Downside from someone else's perspective. It was action-packed and I LOVED seeing Chess and Terrible from the outside, SO cute!
Full-Scale Demolition (Suzanne McLeod) 3 stars - I think this is from the Spellcrackers.com series (which I have not read), although reading the book descriptions this short does not seem to flow with her love interests. But anyhow, Gennie is a Sidhe working for Spellcrackers in a world where we all know about fae, vamps, etc. I liked Tavish and wanted to see more of them, but again, not sure I would get them from the series.
It's All In The Rendering (Simon R. Green)
In Brightest Day (Toni L. P. Kelner) 3.5 stars - This was a really fun, unique, and interesting story about a modern day voodoo lady/necromancer. I saw some of the twists coming but the ending was cute.
September 7, 2020
The stories in this collection really varied in quality. The two readers' performances did too. Generally, I liked McLeod Andrews' performances more than Amanda Ronconi's.
Rating the stories individually seems to be the fairest course, so here goes:
If I had a Hammer, by Charlaine Harris —Only OK, as most of the Sookie material of the last 3 years has been. Certainly not the worst of the bunch, but not the best either. 2.5 stars
Wizard Home Security, by Victor Gischler —Liked it about the same as the Sookie story, although points for not picking a haunted house storyline in a collection where that choice was overused. 3 stars
Gray, by Patricia Briggs —One of the better ones in the collection; you can always count on P. Briggs for good characters and tension. 4.5 stars
Squatter's Rights, by Rochelle Krich —Somewhat predictable and frustrating, but I liked the incorporation of Jewish traditions into the plot. 3 stars
Blood on the Wall, by Heather Graham —One of my favorites of the collection. I checked to see if she had any novels featuring her story's protagonist, but couldn't find anything. This is the first time I've read her writing, and I'd like to try more of her stuff after listening to this story. 4 stars
The Mansion of Imperatives, by James Grady -- Too grim for me, with mostly unlikeable characters. 2 stars
The Strength Inside, by Melissa Marr —Twisted, but I liked it OK. I'm wondering if Melissa Marr has had some real-life frustration with a community association. If so, I can see how writing this story would have been very satisfying. 3 stars
Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, by E. E. Knight —My favorite of the collection—morbidly humorous, and performed by Andrews with a swell Irish accent. I'll be checking out more of Knight's work. 5 stars
Through This House, by Seanan McGuire —I'm not a big October Daye fan, so I wasn't mad for it, but it was OK. Some of the supporting characters are pretty interesting. 3 stars
The Path, by S.J. Rozan —Should have been named "The Boring". This was my least favorite story of the collection, with pages and pages of conversation about the protagonist's problem before a quick resolution at the end. Also, you could make a drinking game out of how many times the characters say the words "New York City, America" and get completely blotto. As much as I liked the way Andrews read Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, the slow precision of his performance of this story just dragged out the agony. 1 star
Rick the Brave, by Stacia Kane —Decent story. Definitely got me interested in the Downside series. 3.5 stars
Full-scale demolition, by Suzanne Mcleod —Didn't love this one-the writing was too cutesy, and I wasn't completely on board with the world (although I did like some of the pixie stuff). This was Amanda Ronconi's worst performance of the CD, which probably contributed to my attitude toward the story—her accents were all over the place and horrible. But it was still better than The Path, so I'm giving it 1.5 stars.
It's all in the Rendering, by Simon R. Green —And yet, Ronconi's accent seemed a whole lot better for this story. I had to check to make sure it was the same person reading. Weird. I liked this one. He built a neat little world between worlds. The resolution was pretty abrupt, though. Still, I'd like to read more of Green's stuff. 3.5 stars
In brightest day, by Toni L. P. Kelner —This was another one where I was sad to find out there aren't any books featuring this character. I quite enjoyed this one. 4 stars
I was determined to read every story in this collection, and that was probably a bit obsessive, but I am glad to have been introduced to some new authors.
Rating the stories individually seems to be the fairest course, so here goes:
If I had a Hammer, by Charlaine Harris —Only OK, as most of the Sookie material of the last 3 years has been. Certainly not the worst of the bunch, but not the best either. 2.5 stars
Wizard Home Security, by Victor Gischler —Liked it about the same as the Sookie story, although points for not picking a haunted house storyline in a collection where that choice was overused. 3 stars
Gray, by Patricia Briggs —One of the better ones in the collection; you can always count on P. Briggs for good characters and tension. 4.5 stars
Squatter's Rights, by Rochelle Krich —Somewhat predictable and frustrating, but I liked the incorporation of Jewish traditions into the plot. 3 stars
Blood on the Wall, by Heather Graham —One of my favorites of the collection. I checked to see if she had any novels featuring her story's protagonist, but couldn't find anything. This is the first time I've read her writing, and I'd like to try more of her stuff after listening to this story. 4 stars
The Mansion of Imperatives, by James Grady -- Too grim for me, with mostly unlikeable characters. 2 stars
The Strength Inside, by Melissa Marr —Twisted, but I liked it OK. I'm wondering if Melissa Marr has had some real-life frustration with a community association. If so, I can see how writing this story would have been very satisfying. 3 stars
Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, by E. E. Knight —My favorite of the collection—morbidly humorous, and performed by Andrews with a swell Irish accent. I'll be checking out more of Knight's work. 5 stars
Through This House, by Seanan McGuire —I'm not a big October Daye fan, so I wasn't mad for it, but it was OK. Some of the supporting characters are pretty interesting. 3 stars
The Path, by S.J. Rozan —Should have been named "The Boring". This was my least favorite story of the collection, with pages and pages of conversation about the protagonist's problem before a quick resolution at the end. Also, you could make a drinking game out of how many times the characters say the words "New York City, America" and get completely blotto. As much as I liked the way Andrews read Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare, the slow precision of his performance of this story just dragged out the agony. 1 star
Rick the Brave, by Stacia Kane —Decent story. Definitely got me interested in the Downside series. 3.5 stars
Full-scale demolition, by Suzanne Mcleod —Didn't love this one-the writing was too cutesy, and I wasn't completely on board with the world (although I did like some of the pixie stuff). This was Amanda Ronconi's worst performance of the CD, which probably contributed to my attitude toward the story—her accents were all over the place and horrible. But it was still better than The Path, so I'm giving it 1.5 stars.
It's all in the Rendering, by Simon R. Green —And yet, Ronconi's accent seemed a whole lot better for this story. I had to check to make sure it was the same person reading. Weird. I liked this one. He built a neat little world between worlds. The resolution was pretty abrupt, though. Still, I'd like to read more of Green's stuff. 3.5 stars
In brightest day, by Toni L. P. Kelner —This was another one where I was sad to find out there aren't any books featuring this character. I quite enjoyed this one. 4 stars
I was determined to read every story in this collection, and that was probably a bit obsessive, but I am glad to have been introduced to some new authors.
September 3, 2020
Gray by Patricia Briggs ★★★★☆
A story about a vampire that never gave up on her husband. She goes back home, fixes up their place, to live with his ghost.
Wizard Home Security by Victor Gischler ★★★★☆
Great story about a lazy wizard that forgot to turn in his security system when there was intruder then ended up facing not only the intruder but all of his magical booby traps. Through ingenuity and luck he escapes to get back the wizard who conned him.
Blood on the Wall by Heather Graham ★★★★☆
A young geek who invented a cult to get laid gets in over his head with the supernatural. The private investigator he once sparred with helps him out.
Full-Scale Demolition by Suzanne McLeod ★★★★☆
Genevieve Taylor, the Sidhe from Spellcrackers, takes on a lamia with a little help from a hot Scottish kelpie.
In Brightest Day by Toni L.P. Kelner ★★★★☆
A young rebellious houngan solves the murder of her zombie.
Squatters' Rights by Rochelle Krich ★★★½☆
Demons, dark thoughts, or madness plague a newlywed Jewish couple whose new home was the scene of a murder-suicide.
The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr ★★★½☆
Freaky story of bird creatures trying to do right by their siblings, to live in a world besides humans. Sometimes that means making sacrifices... human sacrifices.
If I Had a Hammer by Charlaine Harris ★★★☆☆
Sookie and Sam help Terra and JB expand their old house for the twins when they find a bloody hammer. Of course, this comes with a ghost. Thankfully, their nanny is a psychic. It was only ok.
Through This House by Seanan McGuire ★★★☆☆
October Day enters Golden Green. This is not a series I’ve read so keeping up with the complex world building was challenging.
Rick the Brave by Stacia Kane ★★★☆☆
Rick meets Chess and Terrible when he runs into a ghost while on a construction job in Downsides.
Woolsey's Kitchen Nightmare by E.E. Knight ★★½☆☆
A paranormal kitchen, specializing in humans, is not following health guidelines. The inspectors cleans up and helps the entrée get a little revenge.
The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady ★★☆☆☆
Haunted house story. Unmemorable.
It's All in the Rendering by Simon R. Green ★★☆☆☆
This was another hard drop into a complex urban fantasy world. An elf inspector makes trouble for... eh, the main characters.
The Path by S.J. Rozan DNF
I was bored.
I read 13/14 stories for an average of 3.26 stars.
February 27, 2013
Rating/review for Through This House, the October Daye story by Seanan McGuire only.
If there’s one way to get back at a changeling you can’t stand, it’s by bestowing her with not just a title, but a wild knowe to boot. October Daye inherited Goldengreen along with ‘Countess’, unfortunately, it’s been left fallow for several years and knowes tend to have abandonment issues. It’s Toby’s job to reclaim Goldengreen in the name of Faerie, but neither the knowe (nor its new residents) seem likely to bend to some upstart changeling’s will when they’ve been able to do as they please for so long.
Through This House is a cute little October Daye short that takes place almost immediately after the action of Late Eclipses. While it would be easy enough to skip and enjoy the overall story arch, it holds some details for us that come into play later in the game, particularly about pixies and the cruelties they have suffered at the hands of the larger fae, as well as how the quirky Goldengreen knowe comes into its own after Evening Winterrose’s death.
Presenting us with a limited, but fun cast, Through This Day focuses almost solely on Toby, May, and Danny. Danny is one of my favorite of Toby’s lesser-seen sidekicks, though I’m never quite sure why the man stays friends with her–she only seems to drag him into trouble. Here we get to see Toby ‘hanging out’ with her friends in what I suppose amounts to normal for a changeling private eye with some sort of death wish.
Through This House reveals to us a part of Toby’s personality that hasn’t necessarily been highlighted before. We recognize her as having a soft spot for children, and lost things in general, but now we get to see how far those sympathies can spread. Toby recognizes what it’s like to be an unwelcome outsider in the world of the fae, and instead of bending to the will of society bristles against it to make others feel more at home.
A fun, quick read–I recommend checking out Through This House if you find the book at your local library or buying if you are interested in some of the other stories therein (all of them seem to be about home renovations of some sort), but I wouldn’t say the book is worth purchasing for this sole story.
Original review posted at Bunbury in the Stacks.
If there’s one way to get back at a changeling you can’t stand, it’s by bestowing her with not just a title, but a wild knowe to boot. October Daye inherited Goldengreen along with ‘Countess’, unfortunately, it’s been left fallow for several years and knowes tend to have abandonment issues. It’s Toby’s job to reclaim Goldengreen in the name of Faerie, but neither the knowe (nor its new residents) seem likely to bend to some upstart changeling’s will when they’ve been able to do as they please for so long.
Through This House is a cute little October Daye short that takes place almost immediately after the action of Late Eclipses. While it would be easy enough to skip and enjoy the overall story arch, it holds some details for us that come into play later in the game, particularly about pixies and the cruelties they have suffered at the hands of the larger fae, as well as how the quirky Goldengreen knowe comes into its own after Evening Winterrose’s death.
Presenting us with a limited, but fun cast, Through This Day focuses almost solely on Toby, May, and Danny. Danny is one of my favorite of Toby’s lesser-seen sidekicks, though I’m never quite sure why the man stays friends with her–she only seems to drag him into trouble. Here we get to see Toby ‘hanging out’ with her friends in what I suppose amounts to normal for a changeling private eye with some sort of death wish.
Through This House reveals to us a part of Toby’s personality that hasn’t necessarily been highlighted before. We recognize her as having a soft spot for children, and lost things in general, but now we get to see how far those sympathies can spread. Toby recognizes what it’s like to be an unwelcome outsider in the world of the fae, and instead of bending to the will of society bristles against it to make others feel more at home.
A fun, quick read–I recommend checking out Through This House if you find the book at your local library or buying if you are interested in some of the other stories therein (all of them seem to be about home renovations of some sort), but I wouldn’t say the book is worth purchasing for this sole story.
Original review posted at Bunbury in the Stacks.
December 22, 2017
Through This House is an October Daye short story, originally published in Home Improvement: Undead Edition. Chronologically, it takes place between Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea.
It details the first time Toby and friends enter Goldengreen knowe, which Toby has been granted by the queen. The knowe is infested by pixies and other creatures. However, Toby doesn't give up because she needs a place for all the fae that used to live under the care of Lily.
I could easily have seen this short story as a chapter in one of the main books.
If you've been reading the series, I would wait until after you've read Late Eclipses, just so you have more background information about Goldengreen and Toby's friends. For the series overall, it doesn't contain any critical information, so you wouldn't be missing anything if you don't sidetrack for this short story.
It details the first time Toby and friends enter Goldengreen knowe, which Toby has been granted by the queen. The knowe is infested by pixies and other creatures. However, Toby doesn't give up because she needs a place for all the fae that used to live under the care of Lily.
I could easily have seen this short story as a chapter in one of the main books.
If you've been reading the series, I would wait until after you've read Late Eclipses, just so you have more background information about Goldengreen and Toby's friends. For the series overall, it doesn't contain any critical information, so you wouldn't be missing anything if you don't sidetrack for this short story.
November 19, 2016
2.5 stars
I read only Seanan McGuire's "Through This House."
This is not the best October Daye short story. I wasn't that interested in what they did to take over Evening's knowe, and it was about as interesting as I expected. There's also no new characterization learned in this one and a lot more recap than usual since it was going into a collection of stories where people wouldn't be familiar with October Daye.
If you're a completist, go for it. It's not terrible. If you aren't, skip this one.
I read only Seanan McGuire's "Through This House."
This is not the best October Daye short story. I wasn't that interested in what they did to take over Evening's knowe, and it was about as interesting as I expected. There's also no new characterization learned in this one and a lot more recap than usual since it was going into a collection of stories where people wouldn't be familiar with October Daye.
If you're a completist, go for it. It's not terrible. If you aren't, skip this one.
October 24, 2011
*Rating* Whole book = 3.0 stars.
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
I broke down my feelings and thoughts on each of the stories I actually read. Some, I decided to skip over entirely. No offense to any author I may shirk.
Charlaine Harris's If I Had A Hammer is a Sookie story with Sam, JB, Tara, and Tara's psychic babysitter Quiana along with the babies. A renovation project takes a wild turn as Sam finds a bloody hammer, and the house becomes haunted by a ghost who took his own life. Hi-jinks follow as Sookie and Sam realize that the only way to get rid of the ghost, is to rebury it some place else... 2.5 stars
Patricia Brigg's Gray is the third story in this anthology. Elyna Gray is a vampire who was changed against her will during the early 20th century. After she returned from the dead as a vampire, she ended up killing her husband Jack. Years later after killing the vampire responsible for making her, Elyna returns home to the same Chicago apartment complex where Jack died, and where his ghost still haunts the place. It's her way of trying to make amends for killing him. Yes, this is a short story, but absolutely worth reading. 4.0 stars
I skipped over Rochelle Krich's Squattor's rights, but got the jist of the story about a jewish couple that is either being haunted, or they have a demon infestation in their walls. She thinks she is right. He thinks she's nuts. Crazy ending.
Heather Graham's Blood On the Wall is set in New Orleans. DeFeo Montville is a private investigator who specializes in the occult. He also appears to be a vampire who helps stop a werewolf from further terrorizing Austin Cramers Brotherhood. Typical Graham story with blood and guts and gore. The ending was a typical better not mess with things you don't understand Austin, or it will jump out and bite you in the ass!
Skipped over The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady, and may come back to it at a later date.
The Strength Inside is a short story by Melissa Marr best known for her Wicked Lovely series. The story follows two sisters Chastity and Alison who are Bori. They even have two siblings who are precocious lethal toddlers. Pretty much surrounds the sisters attempts to make a home for their nest mates against the evil Community Homeowners Association. Meh....2.5 stars
Skipped over E.E. Knights Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare, although, if you like gruesome, you'll probably enjoy reading about ghouls opening a restaurant that has, as it's main course, humans.
Seanan McGuire's Through This House is a Home Improvement Project nightmare, as well as the best story of the book. The story is a romp and histerical look into Toby, May, Quentin and Danny's first glimpse into the former Evening Winterrose's fallow knowe after Toby was named Countess of Goldengreen, and Toby decides to do a little house improvement to make it livable. You have pixies, bogies, and a Knowe that does not care for the fact that Toby et al are intruding on their space. For followers of the October Daye series, this book falls between Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea. 4.0 stars. Unfortunately, readers will now have to wait until next September before another October Daye story is released.
Stacia Kane's Rick the Brave features a down on his luck apprentice electrician who takes one day job worth $5,000. Little does he know that he will be fighing off ghosts wanting to suck out his soul, and bring it back to the City with them. Guest starring Chess Putnam who comes to Terribles rescue yet again after Bump picks out a haunted house for his meeting and ghosts literally come out of the wood work and attack the workers. So much for a home improvement project! Rick is an admirable character who nearly dies, yet readers of the Downside series will focus on Chess and Terrible. For those who are not in the know about the Downside series; it features a dystopian dark urban fantasy with Chess Putnam as the main character who is hooked on drugs, and works for the Church of Truth. She and Terrible are hot and cold, and like most readers, I'm pro-Terrible. 4.0
Suzanne McLeod's Full-Scale Demolition is from the Spellcheckers.com series with Genny Taylor as the only sidhe fae living in London is the last story in this anthology I read. Genny has become the pixie specialst for Spellcheckers.com organization she works for since most other witches are busy with Easter and the Spring Fertility Rite. It is up to Genny and Tavish to rescue two kids from the clutches of a Lamia with an agenda. Good story with enough information to make it worth the time to read it. 3.5 - The spellcheckers series will end up being 6 books according to everything I've read. Unfortunately for US readers, we have to wait until the book is released overseas first before we get a chance to read the next installment.
The last two stories I read were Simon R. Green's It's all in the Rendering. This is my first short story by this author, and the story is actually pretty interesting. A house sits on the between. It is a sanctuary of sorts for anyone seeking peace and quiet. There's a talking radio, a refrigerator that may actually be a Martian creature, and a very old old water heater that was once a god. I would actually be interesting in reading a much longer story because of the main characters themselves and how they deal with adversary. 3.0
Finally, Toni LP Kelner's In Brighest Day tells the story of Dodie Kilborn who is a houngan, or a person who raises the dead for a living. Most likely an offshot of Anita Blake's original books when she wasn't a ho bag. In this case, Dodie brings back a world famous architect in order to finish a home for charity. Intriguing story, with murder and mayhem and loa. 3.0
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Review*
I broke down my feelings and thoughts on each of the stories I actually read. Some, I decided to skip over entirely. No offense to any author I may shirk.
Charlaine Harris's If I Had A Hammer is a Sookie story with Sam, JB, Tara, and Tara's psychic babysitter Quiana along with the babies. A renovation project takes a wild turn as Sam finds a bloody hammer, and the house becomes haunted by a ghost who took his own life. Hi-jinks follow as Sookie and Sam realize that the only way to get rid of the ghost, is to rebury it some place else... 2.5 stars
Patricia Brigg's Gray is the third story in this anthology. Elyna Gray is a vampire who was changed against her will during the early 20th century. After she returned from the dead as a vampire, she ended up killing her husband Jack. Years later after killing the vampire responsible for making her, Elyna returns home to the same Chicago apartment complex where Jack died, and where his ghost still haunts the place. It's her way of trying to make amends for killing him. Yes, this is a short story, but absolutely worth reading. 4.0 stars
I skipped over Rochelle Krich's Squattor's rights, but got the jist of the story about a jewish couple that is either being haunted, or they have a demon infestation in their walls. She thinks she is right. He thinks she's nuts. Crazy ending.
Heather Graham's Blood On the Wall is set in New Orleans. DeFeo Montville is a private investigator who specializes in the occult. He also appears to be a vampire who helps stop a werewolf from further terrorizing Austin Cramers Brotherhood. Typical Graham story with blood and guts and gore. The ending was a typical better not mess with things you don't understand Austin, or it will jump out and bite you in the ass!
Skipped over The Mansion of Imperatives by James Grady, and may come back to it at a later date.
The Strength Inside is a short story by Melissa Marr best known for her Wicked Lovely series. The story follows two sisters Chastity and Alison who are Bori. They even have two siblings who are precocious lethal toddlers. Pretty much surrounds the sisters attempts to make a home for their nest mates against the evil Community Homeowners Association. Meh....2.5 stars
Skipped over E.E. Knights Woolsley's Kitchen Nightmare, although, if you like gruesome, you'll probably enjoy reading about ghouls opening a restaurant that has, as it's main course, humans.
Seanan McGuire's Through This House is a Home Improvement Project nightmare, as well as the best story of the book. The story is a romp and histerical look into Toby, May, Quentin and Danny's first glimpse into the former Evening Winterrose's fallow knowe after Toby was named Countess of Goldengreen, and Toby decides to do a little house improvement to make it livable. You have pixies, bogies, and a Knowe that does not care for the fact that Toby et al are intruding on their space. For followers of the October Daye series, this book falls between Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea. 4.0 stars. Unfortunately, readers will now have to wait until next September before another October Daye story is released.
Stacia Kane's Rick the Brave features a down on his luck apprentice electrician who takes one day job worth $5,000. Little does he know that he will be fighing off ghosts wanting to suck out his soul, and bring it back to the City with them. Guest starring Chess Putnam who comes to Terribles rescue yet again after Bump picks out a haunted house for his meeting and ghosts literally come out of the wood work and attack the workers. So much for a home improvement project! Rick is an admirable character who nearly dies, yet readers of the Downside series will focus on Chess and Terrible. For those who are not in the know about the Downside series; it features a dystopian dark urban fantasy with Chess Putnam as the main character who is hooked on drugs, and works for the Church of Truth. She and Terrible are hot and cold, and like most readers, I'm pro-Terrible. 4.0
Suzanne McLeod's Full-Scale Demolition is from the Spellcheckers.com series with Genny Taylor as the only sidhe fae living in London is the last story in this anthology I read. Genny has become the pixie specialst for Spellcheckers.com organization she works for since most other witches are busy with Easter and the Spring Fertility Rite. It is up to Genny and Tavish to rescue two kids from the clutches of a Lamia with an agenda. Good story with enough information to make it worth the time to read it. 3.5 - The spellcheckers series will end up being 6 books according to everything I've read. Unfortunately for US readers, we have to wait until the book is released overseas first before we get a chance to read the next installment.
The last two stories I read were Simon R. Green's It's all in the Rendering. This is my first short story by this author, and the story is actually pretty interesting. A house sits on the between. It is a sanctuary of sorts for anyone seeking peace and quiet. There's a talking radio, a refrigerator that may actually be a Martian creature, and a very old old water heater that was once a god. I would actually be interesting in reading a much longer story because of the main characters themselves and how they deal with adversary. 3.0
Finally, Toni LP Kelner's In Brighest Day tells the story of Dodie Kilborn who is a houngan, or a person who raises the dead for a living. Most likely an offshot of Anita Blake's original books when she wasn't a ho bag. In this case, Dodie brings back a world famous architect in order to finish a home for charity. Intriguing story, with murder and mayhem and loa. 3.0
September 6, 2018
I had read this short story several years ago, but there are a lot of the October Daye shorts that I haven't read and I'm trying to read them all in the 'right' places with my current reread so this fits right between books 4 and 5. It's a cute little story where Toby, May, Quentin, and Danny go in to try to reclaim Goldengreen as it has been sitting empty for several years. It's a pretty simple story but I like how it shows once again how Toby does not necessarily do things like other members of fairie and that despite her often overt brashness, she actually has a lot of respect for people and places that deserve it.
April 16, 2024
A solid collection of mostly light-hearted UF stories.
December 14, 2018
A quick little adventure, fun but with not much emotional depth to make it a great, rewarding read. I'm looking forward to properly moving into and exploring the knowe in the full-length novels.
November 21, 2011
Yuck! I picked this up at the library because I've enjoyed writing by Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris, and have a book waiting to be read by Melissa Marr, all of whom are featured in this book.
First story was the Sookie story by Charlaine Harris. a simple, kind of harmless story, that while in the Sookie universe, had no real influence on greater story plot. It was good.
Then I read the one by Patricia Briggs, Gray. it was an interesting vampire/ ghost story...seemed to be functioning by the same rules as her Mercy universe, without any ties to the Mercy story I could see, though. It was pretty good. a lot different from Mercy, but I enjoyed it.
next I read Melissa Marr's story, about some things called the "bori", always in italics. I tried googling bori later, to see if they were a real folk concept somewhere, but no immediate results popped up and I gave up. the story was intriguing and very creative, but also creepy. very creepy at the ending. I am a bit nervous to read the Marr book I have here on my to-read stack now...
then I read some boring story about wizards and home security, and trapping people in crystals...seriously, I don't know. it was boring to me. I skimmed it.
then I read another story, about a Modern Orthodox Jewish couple who were newlyweds and new homeowners. the story was interesting and well written. I found the mentions of Jewish culture interesting, although there were way too many specific references for my taste (Whole Foods, specific brands of items, restaurants in the LA area, etc. who cares? you're just dating your story.). but the story itself was extremely high on my creepy meter, especially being a new homeowner myself. I nearly threw the book when I was done with it. and that's it. I'm not reading anymore. the stories aren't necessarily bad. they are definitely aimed at a different audience than me. So I'm gonna stop wasting my time, and get the book back to the library, so someone who likes it can read it.
First story was the Sookie story by Charlaine Harris. a simple, kind of harmless story, that while in the Sookie universe, had no real influence on greater story plot. It was good.
Then I read the one by Patricia Briggs, Gray. it was an interesting vampire/ ghost story...seemed to be functioning by the same rules as her Mercy universe, without any ties to the Mercy story I could see, though. It was pretty good. a lot different from Mercy, but I enjoyed it.
next I read Melissa Marr's story, about some things called the "bori", always in italics. I tried googling bori later, to see if they were a real folk concept somewhere, but no immediate results popped up and I gave up. the story was intriguing and very creative, but also creepy. very creepy at the ending. I am a bit nervous to read the Marr book I have here on my to-read stack now...
then I read some boring story about wizards and home security, and trapping people in crystals...seriously, I don't know. it was boring to me. I skimmed it.
then I read another story, about a Modern Orthodox Jewish couple who were newlyweds and new homeowners. the story was interesting and well written. I found the mentions of Jewish culture interesting, although there were way too many specific references for my taste (Whole Foods, specific brands of items, restaurants in the LA area, etc. who cares? you're just dating your story.). but the story itself was extremely high on my creepy meter, especially being a new homeowner myself. I nearly threw the book when I was done with it. and that's it. I'm not reading anymore. the stories aren't necessarily bad. they are definitely aimed at a different audience than me. So I'm gonna stop wasting my time, and get the book back to the library, so someone who likes it can read it.
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