Fine in a fine dust jacket in a fine slipcase (as new.) SIGNED hardcover first edition - Mission Viejo, A.S.A.P. Publishing,, (2002). SIGNED hardcover first edition -. Fine in a fine dust jacket in a fine slipcase (as new.). Limited, signed first edition. Collection of 18 short stories by this award-winning writer. Limited/first edition #22 of 100 copies SIGNED on the limitation page by all of the Jan Burke, Edward D. Hoch, who wrote the introduction and by Phil Parks, the dust jacket illustrator. 330 pp.
The quality of the stories in this collection varies greatly. It's sort of an odd conglomeration of stories she wrote at various times in her career. However, this was the first Jan Burke writing I'd read, and it interested me enough to try one of her novels, which I liked better than this collection.
So many of these stories held promise and the characters were interesting, but the endings were just weak. Too often the endings were narrated too heavily and tied up too neatly. I was disappointed in them. The last three stories were by far the best of them.
I really love Jan Burke's novels, so any additional Jan Burke writing was appreciated, especially with favorite characters Irene, Frank, and Ben. The eighteen short stories all loosely are mysteries, but run from ghost stories to murders. One of my favorite authors, though I'd recommend her other works over this. I'd read again.
These 18 short stories run the gamut from murder mystery to eerie recollections. The characters are engaging and as well fleshed as any short story character can be. Her writing is concise, and beautiful in many ways. I really ejoyed all of these stories.
This is a collection of mostly mystery-themed short stories. They all seemed very similar, especially since the author is fond of only hinting at the resolution to the mystery and leaving the reader to actually try to figure it out.
I LOVED this book! Great for mystery lovers of all kinds and especially great for writers. An excellent example of a n award winning writer with versatility. One of my favorite books I read this year!
Eighteen short stories. Some could have been expanded into novels. I especially liked the Regency period settings and those with the familiar characters, Frank, Irene & Ben.