Approaching Footsteps

by Patricia Flaherty Pagan (Editor), Donna Hill, Jennifer Leeper

Four compelling novellas add up to one suspenseful and entertaining collection.

Relish best-selling novelist Donna Hill's gripping tale of desperation and danger in “136 Auburn Lane.” Enjoy author Jennifer Leeper's unique spin on noir fiction in “The Reiger File.” Experience writer & scholar Rita Banerjee's blending of a story of two unlikely allies trapped in a monsoon with a tale of murder and magic in “A Night with Kali.” Feel the tension between love and danger in debut writer Megan Stuessloff's tale of an interracial couple and the deadly price they must pay for freedom in the novella “Brave Enough to Follow.”
Vivid settings and complex characters combine to create a surprising and memorable read.
The bonus section offers readers the highlights of Spider Road Press’ recent flash fiction contests.
5% for Healing: Five percent of the proceeds from this collection benefit rape crisis and veterans’ charities.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2016

About the author

Patricia Flaherty Pagan is the award-winning author of “Trail Ways Pilgrims” and “Enduring Spirit: Stories.” She teaches flash fiction writing online for Writespace. She lives in a brown house near the sea with her family and her three mischievous rescue cats.

Reviews

[Judy Sheluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this review, but I made it very clear I'd provide an honest opinion. I'm happy to say that I loved this distinctive collection of
four unique voices, which covers everything from mystery to history. In "The Reiger File" by Jennifer Leeper, a young detective-in-trainings youthful passion takes him on a journey better left untaken. In "A Night with Kali" by Rita Banerjee, a taxi driver in Kolkata, India, tells a ghost story to his curious passenger. In "Brave Enough to Follow" by Megan Steusloff we learn the story of Sadie Thompson, a young white girl who befriends the slaves on her father's plantation, regardless of personal cost. The final story, Donna Hill's "136 Auburn Lane" is a haunting tale of a house in 1932, and the woman who move into it. Each of these stories is strong on their own. Together, they're magic.

[Pamela Hutchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology of novellas effectively combines suspense with provocative social issues. A creepy piece by Donna Hill is a standout. You’ll love the diversity of the novellas plus the bonus flash fiction pieces, which feature strong female protagonists. All in all, another winning collection from Spider Road Press. Easy to see why these collections are award winners.

[R.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story "136 Auburn Lane" was the most suspenseful of the four suspense stories. The others were well written but lacked the page-turning impulse. I really liked the Flash Fiction at the back of the book. Every bit of these were full of suspense.

[Linda Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really short stories, some with a twist in the tail.

Some of these tales left me wanting to know more, what happens next?, Does it all work out in the end? Others leave you with the knowledge that everything will be fine for the main character. My favourites were 136 Auburn Lane by Donna Hill, Fuzzy Dice by Kathryn Kulpa, Kit-cat Clock by Patricia Flaherty Pagan and Because the Sky is Blue by Andrea Barbosa. There are many other good pieces of work here that other readers may prefer, it's worth a read.

[Jody Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The four novellas in "Approaching Footsteps" couldn't be more different, you can tell they were written by four different writers. And yet, all of these stories were suspenseful in nature and featured a female protagonist that I connected with. The bonus flash fiction at the back was unexpected, a terrific surprise. Such a fantastic representation of modern, women writers.