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The Murder Files - 8 Stories of Murder, Lies and Mystery:
8 powerful, bone-chilling, speed-of-light thrillers that will leave you begging for more. Fans of James Patterson, Harlan Coben, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Lydia Davis and Stephen King will love this collection of exclusive short stories that will be sure to leave you breathless. The award-winning and best-selling authors in this collection turn up the heat - it's pedal to the metal break-neck action from start to finish! The short story is back with a vengeance! Murder, mystery, suspense, chills, thrills and kills this collection has it all! About the Stories What Money Can’t Buy – by Paul Casselle Are you a bad person trying to be good or a good person that sometimes does bad? It’s a difficult question to answer, but that doesn’t stop life asking regularly! The Butcher – by Will Patching Not all of us are ‘normal’. Some of us are stone cold killers… Collin O’Connor by Ernest Dempsey In a world where terrorist attacks seem to cover the front page of every news outlet, the people of Earth need a new kind of hero. The planet needs someone who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to bring justice to those who would harm the innocent. We need Collin O’Connor. A Love Affair by Leah Monroe Have you ever asked yourself, "What am I here for?" Is it wealth? To leave a legacy? Or perhaps you're playing with the cards life deals you. One man comes face-to-face with this age old question and his decision will leave you speechless. Downside Up by Jane Thornley She climbs roofs at night but how could she know how far she’ll have to fall to find the truth? The Son-in-Law by Craig Hart Can you go straight by committing murder? One man is about to find out-if he lives long enough. Linking Arms with the Devil by Michael Maxwell They tell us, “You can’t take it with you”. Maybe you can if you link arms with the devil. Red Eyes – by Terry Keys A small town middle-school teacher suddenly vanishes and returns six months, six days, and six hours after he disappeared. But now he is hiding a terrible secret, and only the next victim can see the . . . Red Eyes.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2017
976 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Terry Keys
17 books105 followersTerry Keys is an award-winning novelist, songwriter, and poet. He writes for Examiner.com and works as a project manager in the oil and gas industry. A native of Rosharon, Texas, Keys spends his free time hunting, fishing, and working out. He lives in Dickinson, Texas, with his wife and two children. Please visit his website at http://www.terrykeysbooks.com
2017 NIEA award winner for Chained Guilt.
2017 NIEA award winner for Chained Guilt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 28, 2018
Not as good as any of “The Mystery writers of America” compilation, but worth reading anyway.
“What money can’t buy” and “The butcher” were my favorites. “The son in law” and “Red eyes”, very good too. The rest are below that standard. But, as I said before, the whole book is an interesting quick read. (Just about 90 pages).
“What money can’t buy” and “The butcher” were my favorites. “The son in law” and “Red eyes”, very good too. The rest are below that standard. But, as I said before, the whole book is an interesting quick read. (Just about 90 pages).
September 15, 2017
This is a 3.5 star read.
This was a great collection of short stories themed around murder, all by different authors. It gives you a little taste of what each author is like and how they each handle the theme differently. I enjoyed all the stories but the best by far was the Will Patching contribution. I have read another of his books and this little peek at his work cements his talent as a writer. Fair warning his style is a bit on the gritty side ...... but that's they way I like it!
This was a great collection of short stories themed around murder, all by different authors. It gives you a little taste of what each author is like and how they each handle the theme differently. I enjoyed all the stories but the best by far was the Will Patching contribution. I have read another of his books and this little peek at his work cements his talent as a writer. Fair warning his style is a bit on the gritty side ...... but that's they way I like it!
August 8, 2017
Terry Keys is the editor and compiler of the eight stories that make up The Murder Files. He assures us that all the stories are new with their first appearance in this novel. The assurance is followed by a brief blurb about each selection which I initially avoided. I went back to read those after I read the stories just to see how my impressions met up with blurb expectations. One of my criteria for commenting on this selection is the originality of the story. This is a 2017 publication. In what ways do these stories provoke new thoughts and perspectives from me?
What Money Can't Buy by Paul Casselle Ashby was about to hear whether a court of law would judge him guilty. But as for himself, the verdict was in. ORIGINALITY: Plus. We are not sure what the court verdict will be. We have a good idea what Ashby thinks about what the court decision will be. But whatever it is, there will be a conflict with Ashby's self-evaluation.
The Butcher by Will Patching Harding has had a rough life. In this first person narrative, he describes a childhood of injustices that he felt arose from his unfortunate physical appearance that was a result of childhood physical trauma. But he has coped. He either burned bad memories away (physically and emotionally) or he has cut his problems into more manageable parts. ORIGINALITY: Plus. This is an extreme "the job shapes the actor" story. Once determined, what one has become will be consistently defended. There is an initial warning to readers who may be uneasy with extreme violence.
Collin O’Connor by Ernest Dempsey Collin is a super extra-judicial spy hunter. When he finds his quarry, he has the ability to manage the threat up to the level of killing the target. He works for a spy agency that answers to no one other than the President. In a 2017 environment, that may disturb some readers. ORIGINALITY: Average. The content is not unique in terms of the existence of an extra-judicial agency responsible to one person. What is good is the very detailed, step-by-step action sequence. I wouldn't want to meet this writer in a dark alley under a threat of violence.
A Love Affair by Leah Monroe This is a story of infidelity revealed and what the revelation led to. That's it. ORIGINALITY: Plus +. I found this way over the top in terms of originality. This story adds value to the entire collection and makes it worth a purchase. The sparse, stark prose and dialogue used to describe such a horrifying reality will shake up many readers. Did I mention it is ORIGINAL?
Downside Up by Jane Thornley This is another great story. There is criminal activity, the theft of a ring. But one actor thinks it is a theft, the other thinks it is revenge. And then we go to the chase. There is introspection on the part of the characters about their lives, how did they get here? ORIGINALITY: Plus +. What places this above the norm is the synthesis of a possible crime, possible revenge, definite romance, and a great ending.
The Son-in-Law by Craig A. Hart A third great read on my originality index. Steve used to be an assassin but had quit after marrying Rose. She wouldn't approve even though she knew about the "life." Her father was Steve's boss. So Steve unofficially retired. That angered his former boss who reacted by making it impossible for Steve to find work. Now Steve was in deep financial trouble. One more job would please the old man. Just one more. But it didn't work out that way. ORIGINALITY; Plus +. But I can't say what makes it original; that would be a spoiler. Most readers will be shocked by the ending. Very well done.
Linking Arms with the Devil by Micheal Maxwell In this story the reader will find one person's idea of finally attaining ultimate freedom. Not a solution for all, there is an entertaining account of getting there. Randy was an above average accountant. Jakob, a mob boss, wanted exclusive rights to Randy's services. For Randy to say no was not an option although he tried many times to withhold services. Jakob threatened many times to use the ultimate sanction, death, applied to those close to Randy. But sometimes the work just piled up and couldn't be done according to Jakob's satisfaction. ORIGINALITY: Plus. The best part of the story is the way dialogues are put together. The ending is also a surprise.
Red Eyes by Terry Keys This story has the most emotional impact. It is the last in the series and that is good. I didn't want to read anything else for a while after reading this. There is a student. There is a teacher. Enough said. ORIGINALITY: Plus ++. The content in the way it was presented puts this story in a class of its own. This is another story worth the price of the entire novel.
What Money Can't Buy by Paul Casselle Ashby was about to hear whether a court of law would judge him guilty. But as for himself, the verdict was in. ORIGINALITY: Plus. We are not sure what the court verdict will be. We have a good idea what Ashby thinks about what the court decision will be. But whatever it is, there will be a conflict with Ashby's self-evaluation.
The Butcher by Will Patching Harding has had a rough life. In this first person narrative, he describes a childhood of injustices that he felt arose from his unfortunate physical appearance that was a result of childhood physical trauma. But he has coped. He either burned bad memories away (physically and emotionally) or he has cut his problems into more manageable parts. ORIGINALITY: Plus. This is an extreme "the job shapes the actor" story. Once determined, what one has become will be consistently defended. There is an initial warning to readers who may be uneasy with extreme violence.
Collin O’Connor by Ernest Dempsey Collin is a super extra-judicial spy hunter. When he finds his quarry, he has the ability to manage the threat up to the level of killing the target. He works for a spy agency that answers to no one other than the President. In a 2017 environment, that may disturb some readers. ORIGINALITY: Average. The content is not unique in terms of the existence of an extra-judicial agency responsible to one person. What is good is the very detailed, step-by-step action sequence. I wouldn't want to meet this writer in a dark alley under a threat of violence.
A Love Affair by Leah Monroe This is a story of infidelity revealed and what the revelation led to. That's it. ORIGINALITY: Plus +. I found this way over the top in terms of originality. This story adds value to the entire collection and makes it worth a purchase. The sparse, stark prose and dialogue used to describe such a horrifying reality will shake up many readers. Did I mention it is ORIGINAL?
Downside Up by Jane Thornley This is another great story. There is criminal activity, the theft of a ring. But one actor thinks it is a theft, the other thinks it is revenge. And then we go to the chase. There is introspection on the part of the characters about their lives, how did they get here? ORIGINALITY: Plus +. What places this above the norm is the synthesis of a possible crime, possible revenge, definite romance, and a great ending.
The Son-in-Law by Craig A. Hart A third great read on my originality index. Steve used to be an assassin but had quit after marrying Rose. She wouldn't approve even though she knew about the "life." Her father was Steve's boss. So Steve unofficially retired. That angered his former boss who reacted by making it impossible for Steve to find work. Now Steve was in deep financial trouble. One more job would please the old man. Just one more. But it didn't work out that way. ORIGINALITY; Plus +. But I can't say what makes it original; that would be a spoiler. Most readers will be shocked by the ending. Very well done.
Linking Arms with the Devil by Micheal Maxwell In this story the reader will find one person's idea of finally attaining ultimate freedom. Not a solution for all, there is an entertaining account of getting there. Randy was an above average accountant. Jakob, a mob boss, wanted exclusive rights to Randy's services. For Randy to say no was not an option although he tried many times to withhold services. Jakob threatened many times to use the ultimate sanction, death, applied to those close to Randy. But sometimes the work just piled up and couldn't be done according to Jakob's satisfaction. ORIGINALITY: Plus. The best part of the story is the way dialogues are put together. The ending is also a surprise.
Red Eyes by Terry Keys This story has the most emotional impact. It is the last in the series and that is good. I didn't want to read anything else for a while after reading this. There is a student. There is a teacher. Enough said. ORIGINALITY: Plus ++. The content in the way it was presented puts this story in a class of its own. This is another story worth the price of the entire novel.
July 29, 2017
"A mixed bag"
A collection of short stories from different sub genres, which range from the very good to the average. I love a short story; the writer needs to be right on his game from the first page to convince you to read on. Characters, settings, and plot must be crystallized in only a few thousand words. Several succeed with these tales in this collection and justify the download, but others wouldn't convince me to seek out their full-blown novels.
A collection of short stories from different sub genres, which range from the very good to the average. I love a short story; the writer needs to be right on his game from the first page to convince you to read on. Characters, settings, and plot must be crystallized in only a few thousand words. Several succeed with these tales in this collection and justify the download, but others wouldn't convince me to seek out their full-blown novels.
January 10, 2019
All the stories were good, quick reads with their own different angles. But my favorite was the saddest one which was saved for last. All stories made me interested in following up with their authors for more reads!! ..which of course was the whole idea!
August 8, 2017
Great short stories
Great set of short stories. Something for every one. Murder, thrillers and twists. I thoroughly recommend this. Perfect quick read.
Great set of short stories. Something for every one. Murder, thrillers and twists. I thoroughly recommend this. Perfect quick read.
August 5, 2017
It is always hard to review a collection of short stories when it is written by various authors. Inside the covers of this book I found all the stories to be four and five stars and the collection well put together. The good thing about a book like this is that it gives you a sampling of each authors work so that you can find your favorite and look to see what else they have written.
April 4, 2020
Disappointed
I found this book kind of boring. There were only one or two good stories in the entire book. Had a very hard time getting through it.
I found this book kind of boring. There were only one or two good stories in the entire book. Had a very hard time getting through it.
December 1, 2017
The title is a bit of a misnomer but the '8 Stories... ' covers that. Of the eight authors I am familiar with three; the stories range from musings on crime/murder to outright mayhem - and one or two end unsatisfactorily:
What Money Can't Buy by Paul Casselle: More a reflection on crime and punishment. The death is implied but whether or not it's murder isn't made clear - and the protagonist is punishing himself no matter what the authorities decide.
The Butcher by Will Patching: This one is definitely a murder story - and introduces us to a younger Colin Sutton and DI Carver (as he will become) but not until towards the end. The protagonist is a psychopath, familiar to those who have read the author's three novels featuring Sutton and Carver. Probably the most successful story in the collection.
The Son-in-Law by Craig A Hart: Superficially similar in theme to the Patching the plot is rather different, albeit perhaps predicatable after the event.
The remaining stories are from authors I've not read before:
Collin O'Connor by Ernest Dempsey: Straightforward - clandestine ops man in pursuit of a potential terrorist.
A Love Affair by Leah Monroe: The title covers it - and the words 'eternal triangle' complete the giveaway. It has an unsatisfactory (and grammatically illogical) ending.
Downside Up by Jane Thornley: A crime (or several) certainly and the ending is essentially unresolved (not entirely unsatisfactorily, I must add)
Linking Arms With the Devil by Micheal Maxwell (whose first name is also spelled Michael in the author contact section): An almost old-fashioned story with a cop-out ending that is actually almost perfect.
Red Eyes by Terry Keys: The story as presented here is not as the blurb has it, other than the Red Eyes of the title belonging to a teacher - and the victim can see the colour certainly. It's not clear if anyone else sees them - and there is nothing about the disappearance of the teacher... Nor, for that matter, is the victim's being an 'award-winning young poet' until it brings the story to a close.
Possibly that final story is an extract from a longer (or planned) work. The Collin O'Connor story might well expand pleasingly into a longer narrative.
What Money Can't Buy by Paul Casselle: More a reflection on crime and punishment. The death is implied but whether or not it's murder isn't made clear - and the protagonist is punishing himself no matter what the authorities decide.
The Butcher by Will Patching: This one is definitely a murder story - and introduces us to a younger Colin Sutton and DI Carver (as he will become) but not until towards the end. The protagonist is a psychopath, familiar to those who have read the author's three novels featuring Sutton and Carver. Probably the most successful story in the collection.
The Son-in-Law by Craig A Hart: Superficially similar in theme to the Patching the plot is rather different, albeit perhaps predicatable after the event.
The remaining stories are from authors I've not read before:
Collin O'Connor by Ernest Dempsey: Straightforward - clandestine ops man in pursuit of a potential terrorist.
A Love Affair by Leah Monroe: The title covers it - and the words 'eternal triangle' complete the giveaway. It has an unsatisfactory (and grammatically illogical) ending.
Downside Up by Jane Thornley: A crime (or several) certainly and the ending is essentially unresolved (not entirely unsatisfactorily, I must add)
Linking Arms With the Devil by Micheal Maxwell (whose first name is also spelled Michael in the author contact section): An almost old-fashioned story with a cop-out ending that is actually almost perfect.
Red Eyes by Terry Keys: The story as presented here is not as the blurb has it, other than the Red Eyes of the title belonging to a teacher - and the victim can see the colour certainly. It's not clear if anyone else sees them - and there is nothing about the disappearance of the teacher... Nor, for that matter, is the victim's being an 'award-winning young poet' until it brings the story to a close.
Possibly that final story is an extract from a longer (or planned) work. The Collin O'Connor story might well expand pleasingly into a longer narrative.
December 30, 2017
Titles include:
Order...Title...Author...Rating
1. What Money Can't Buy - Paul Caselle 5-stars
2. The Butcher - Will Patching 5-stars
3. Collin O'Connor - Ernest Dempsey 2-stars
4. A Love Affair - Leah Monroe 3-stars
5. Downside Up - Jane Thornley 3-stars
6. The Son-in-Law - Craig A. Hart 4 stars
7. Linking Arms With The Devil - Michael Maxwell 3-stars
8. Red Eyes - Terry Keys 3 stars
The Average rating of the eight works is 3.5 so I'll round up and give this compilation a 4-star rating.
With the exception of the one story, I quite enjoyed reading what this book has to offer. The first two pieces in particular are expertly written and kept me flipping the virtual pages.
And while the overall story rating is only 3-stars, the final offering is well worth the read if for nothing else, the poem at the end which.
As for as free literature goes, this one is definitely worth picking up and spending some time with. It even as a few stories which I may revisit from time to time.
Order...Title...Author...Rating
1. What Money Can't Buy - Paul Caselle 5-stars
2. The Butcher - Will Patching 5-stars
3. Collin O'Connor - Ernest Dempsey 2-stars
4. A Love Affair - Leah Monroe 3-stars
5. Downside Up - Jane Thornley 3-stars
6. The Son-in-Law - Craig A. Hart 4 stars
7. Linking Arms With The Devil - Michael Maxwell 3-stars
8. Red Eyes - Terry Keys 3 stars
The Average rating of the eight works is 3.5 so I'll round up and give this compilation a 4-star rating.
With the exception of the one story, I quite enjoyed reading what this book has to offer. The first two pieces in particular are expertly written and kept me flipping the virtual pages.
And while the overall story rating is only 3-stars, the final offering is well worth the read if for nothing else, the poem at the end which.
As for as free literature goes, this one is definitely worth picking up and spending some time with. It even as a few stories which I may revisit from time to time.
January 25, 2018
The Murder Files is a great collection of action-packed thriller/suspense short works by some of the best independent authors currently working. The editor and final contributor to the work, Terry Keys, has done a good job of selecting some very intense stories, and his own, Red Eyes is brilliant.
The other highlight for me was The Son-in-Law by some guy named Craig Hart, (my writing partner on the Assignment: Adventure SpyCo Novellas), who has once again written a tale that dares you not to turn the page.
This is not a book you're going to want to pass on!
The other highlight for me was The Son-in-Law by some guy named Craig Hart, (my writing partner on the Assignment: Adventure SpyCo Novellas), who has once again written a tale that dares you not to turn the page.
This is not a book you're going to want to pass on!
April 23, 2019
These are authors that I haven't read before that do short stories of their style of writing so that you can get a feel for their stories. There will be some of them that I will look into more as really enjoyed what I read. Now saying that, I would say I liked all of the stories as I could connect with the characters in what was written. Some of the stories were the kind of mysteries/thrillers I enjoy. I think I would read all of them again, even if they were not my usual kind of mystery.
September 6, 2018
Not great
I got involved with this because I had already read and enjoyed one of the authors. I just don't think that the amount of space given to each authors efforts in this collection is really enough to get a real feel for their style. A few pointers but nothing more. Maybe that has achieved its goal.
I got involved with this because I had already read and enjoyed one of the authors. I just don't think that the amount of space given to each authors efforts in this collection is really enough to get a real feel for their style. A few pointers but nothing more. Maybe that has achieved its goal.
September 7, 2017
The Murder Files was AMAZING!!
8 stories, by different Authors, will keep you on the edge of your chair; until the very end!!
A fascinating group of stories, that kept me wanting more, at the end of each one!! A fabulous way to meet new Authors!!
8 stories, by different Authors, will keep you on the edge of your chair; until the very end!!
A fascinating group of stories, that kept me wanting more, at the end of each one!! A fabulous way to meet new Authors!!
September 21, 2017
Creepy, scary, unsettling, yikes!
Wild and weird stuff. Not my normal milieu. Most of the stories are well written, a couple need some editing, but overall well put together and thought provoking.
Wild and weird stuff. Not my normal milieu. Most of the stories are well written, a couple need some editing, but overall well put together and thought provoking.
September 24, 2017
This anthology demonstrates just how hard it is to write a compelling short story. None of the stories were awful, but none were standouts either. I was hoping for pulse-pounding, but it never happened. I saw potential in several of the stories, but they needed more time and pages to develop.
September 26, 2017
Great read!
What a great book. I loved all the story stories, they are very well written and totally believable! I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes mysteries and thrillers.
What a great book. I loved all the story stories, they are very well written and totally believable! I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes mysteries and thrillers.
November 16, 2017
Short but sweet
All the stories told the whole story in 3-4 pages. Full of intrigue without a lot of pages telling you about what they were wearing or where they were and how sunny or overcast it is.
All the stories told the whole story in 3-4 pages. Full of intrigue without a lot of pages telling you about what they were wearing or where they were and how sunny or overcast it is.
January 19, 2018
Good way to spend an hour!
Some very good short stories, some a lot shorter than others, but for the most part a good read. I recommend this collection, if only to perhaps find a new storyteller to follow.
Some very good short stories, some a lot shorter than others, but for the most part a good read. I recommend this collection, if only to perhaps find a new storyteller to follow.
March 29, 2018
Good Stories with Unexpected Endings
These 8 stories have some twists and turns, manipulation, betrayal, revenge, and kidnapping. But these narratives remind us that every undertaking you engage in can have dire consequences.
These 8 stories have some twists and turns, manipulation, betrayal, revenge, and kidnapping. But these narratives remind us that every undertaking you engage in can have dire consequences.
April 23, 2018
It was ok.
The stories were interesting but I didn't like the way some of them ended. Some of the stories ended abrupt and not making sense. And some making me want to know more but I guess that's how you get drawn in to buy the actual book.
The stories were interesting but I didn't like the way some of them ended. Some of the stories ended abrupt and not making sense. And some making me want to know more but I guess that's how you get drawn in to buy the actual book.
July 15, 2018
Some really good writing, some just OK.
Having already read works by some of these writers, I was looking forward to more substance. Not a big fan of short stories that get my attention, then they end.
Having already read works by some of these writers, I was looking forward to more substance. Not a big fan of short stories that get my attention, then they end.
November 23, 2018
I think this book had stories for everyone because each one was a defferent genre. I liked some stories more than others but I also felt that some could have been longer and some were ok the way they were. Overall I liked this book and will read more from these authors.
December 17, 2018
Luv the short stories
Wow, these short stories were outstanding. Every single one had me guessing how the story would end and I must say each one surprised me. These are some great writers.
Wow, these short stories were outstanding. Every single one had me guessing how the story would end and I must say each one surprised me. These are some great writers.
January 11, 2019
Short stories
I have always loved any thing to with the law, forensics etc.
These stories really make you think about how much we don't know about the criminal mind and how it works.
I have always loved any thing to with the law, forensics etc.
These stories really make you think about how much we don't know about the criminal mind and how it works.
September 18, 2017
Review
Hadn't realized this was a bunch of very short stories. Was looking for novels of new authors. The one I read didn't have much of an ending.
Hadn't realized this was a bunch of very short stories. Was looking for novels of new authors. The one I read didn't have much of an ending.
November 26, 2017
Too too short.. I need more... must have more. Tossing a bone to a starving reader is oh so cruel! My ungrateful thanks to the sadist who made this a freebie on AMAZON!
January 25, 2018
Unfortunately most of the stories were highly predictable. Well written and interesting though.
March 21, 2018
Fair
This was a fair read but this did not me wanting to pick it up. Some stories better than others
This was a fair read but this did not me wanting to pick it up. Some stories better than others
April 19, 2018
This was a good collection of short stories to whet your appetite for these authors. I liked the stories, but most of them left me hanging at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews