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High Heels: The Year of Short Stories – May
May’s instalment of The Year of Short Stories is High Heels. Released as one of a limited number of digital shorts released to celebrate the publication of Jeffrey Archer’s magnificent seventh short-story collection, Tell Tale.
Taken from And Thereby Hangs A Tale, Jeffrey Archer's sixth collection of short stories, High Heels is a fantastic short read featuring Archer’s trademark wit and deft plotting.
Loss Adjuster Alan Penfold has a case he will never forget when a family owned shoe manufacturer burns to the ground. With no signs of arson it seems like an open-and-shut case. But Penfold becomes suspicious when the owner reacts calmly to the devastating loss of a business that has been in his family for generations. Penfold, with his wife’s help, vows to uncover the truth . . .
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
100 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
644 books12.7k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 15, 2018
Master storyteller Lord Jeffrey Archer has chosen to please his fans with a new venture; a short story released each month. Those familiar with Archer’s work will know that he can not only spin long and involved pieces, but also the short story that compacts adventure into a handful of pages. May’s story introduces the reader to Alan Penhold, a trainee actuary and recently qualified lost adjuster. With his supervisor on holidays, Penhold is called out to the scene of a building fire, a high-end shoe factory. Working his first solo case, Penhold encounters many who remind him that this is surely one he will never forget, though the facts of the case are cut and dry. Likely some sort of electrical fire with an insurance payout of £4 million. Penhold undertakes some initial interviews, including with the owner, as everyone is convinced that there is nothing of note that should prevent the payout. However, Penhold discusses the matter with his wife and does a little experimentation of his own, leading to some added questions. While everyone seems happy to cut the cheque, Penhold is not quite sure. This first case may be one to remember for many reasons. Archer has done it yet again, pulling the reader into this story and leaving a twist on the end to keep things light. Those who love Archer’s short stories will enjoy this one over a quick beverage.
Lord Jeffrey Archer’s work is always full of unique perspectives, be they complete novels or shorter story such as this one. I am so pleased to have come across this collection and have reviewed each story based on its own merits, finally catching up. Now I await each instalment on a monthly basis, hoping they will be as interesting as these five. This was definitely one of the faster reads, with little time to develop backstories. However, even with a lack of character development, Archer pushes a fast narrative and keeps me wanting to know a little more. The mystery speeds up with each passing section and there’s soon little left but the reveal, which Archer does in his unique way. I have enjoyed all these pieces and now must be patient for the rest of the series to come, released for free each month to Archer fans!
Kudos, Lord Archer, for a masterful new story collection. How you find so many effective ideas that produce high quality publications I will never know.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Lord Jeffrey Archer’s work is always full of unique perspectives, be they complete novels or shorter story such as this one. I am so pleased to have come across this collection and have reviewed each story based on its own merits, finally catching up. Now I await each instalment on a monthly basis, hoping they will be as interesting as these five. This was definitely one of the faster reads, with little time to develop backstories. However, even with a lack of character development, Archer pushes a fast narrative and keeps me wanting to know a little more. The mystery speeds up with each passing section and there’s soon little left but the reveal, which Archer does in his unique way. I have enjoyed all these pieces and now must be patient for the rest of the series to come, released for free each month to Archer fans!
Kudos, Lord Archer, for a masterful new story collection. How you find so many effective ideas that produce high quality publications I will never know.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 20, 2018
A short story by Jeffrey Archer from the year of the short stories.
Really enjoyed reading this book it was truly exceptional.
Recommended.
Really enjoyed reading this book it was truly exceptional.
Recommended.
October 15, 2018
Nice ending.
Steady start and fine ending. That's what seems the power of Jeffery Archer. Story is quite impressive. Given the proofs, its worthy to read it at last.
Steady start and fine ending. That's what seems the power of Jeffery Archer. Story is quite impressive. Given the proofs, its worthy to read it at last.
August 26, 2018
A nice little mystery story that'll keep you hooked till the end. Nothing great about it, but a nice read while waiting in a queue, or if you're in a habit of reading just before you sleep and today you feel like reading a complete story for a change, rather than your ongoing novel.
July 10, 2018
Another nice story
Although just as it mentions in the last paragraph, I expected a different ending. And why not have him arrested? Even if it was a short story, a hint on getting him arrested would have been more to my expectations. But then, writers don't write for what readers expect.
Although just as it mentions in the last paragraph, I expected a different ending. And why not have him arrested? Even if it was a short story, a hint on getting him arrested would have been more to my expectations. But then, writers don't write for what readers expect.
August 18, 2018
Not as great as the others in this series. Expected so much more from the ending after all that build-up.
July 9, 2022
May’s instalment of The Year of Short Stories is High Heels. It was released as one of a limited number of digital shorts released to celebrate the publication of Jeffrey Archer’s magnificent seventh short-story collection, Tell Tale. Another excellent story.
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July 30, 2018💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/30/2018)!💝
November 23, 2025
2.5⭐️ Quick and easy to read short story.
June 9, 2018
Good read
High heels is a good read. Although not a regular master story teller stuff, it still is one time read.
High heels is a good read. Although not a regular master story teller stuff, it still is one time read.
May 11, 2018
Great short story
May 15, 2018
Nice narration and interesting story.
Mr Archer delivers every story in a interesting way no matter what the subject is. For example, love or suspense.
Mr Archer delivers every story in a interesting way no matter what the subject is. For example, love or suspense.
May 17, 2019
An old warehouse burns with thousands of pairs of high end shoes inside, easily worth the two million pounds they claim.
You never forget your first case…
An insurance investigator is allowed to do this one on his own, it’s so straightforward. But he’s not so sure… it feels too easy.
***
Not the best Archer short…
3 stars
You never forget your first case…
An insurance investigator is allowed to do this one on his own, it’s so straightforward. But he’s not so sure… it feels too easy.
***
Not the best Archer short…
3 stars
September 26, 2018
Sweet bedtime reading
Was simple ,short and sweet in the end .Language used and Characters portrayal was amazing
.This is a good book to start with for people who have just started reading books 😀
Was simple ,short and sweet in the end .Language used and Characters portrayal was amazing
.This is a good book to start with for people who have just started reading books 😀
January 1, 2020
The May edition - May or May not
The only spectacle in the book was the reason the proof of sabotage. Otherwise the story is very predictable. The reason maybe the expectation from the author whose books are often intense suspense.
The only spectacle in the book was the reason the proof of sabotage. Otherwise the story is very predictable. The reason maybe the expectation from the author whose books are often intense suspense.
August 10, 2018
Good one
I enjoyed reading this. And, yes, I do agree that the shoes ought to have been saved for the missus. :)
I enjoyed reading this. And, yes, I do agree that the shoes ought to have been saved for the missus. :)
September 21, 2018
OK OK Whodonit
Read if you have 10 min to kill (who doesn't). Does manage to hold attention for that amount of time
Read if you have 10 min to kill (who doesn't). Does manage to hold attention for that amount of time
September 26, 2018
Amazing. Got hooked right till the end.
Loved how this tale is written in such a pacy manner in such few words. Kudos!
Worth your time.
Loved how this tale is written in such a pacy manner in such few words. Kudos!
Worth your time.
October 3, 2018
Not as great as the other stories in this series.
December 14, 2018
Sweet ending.
March 10, 2019
Typical Jeffrey Archer
A simple knot and a story well told. Words used are also very simple, making every reader understands every word.
A simple knot and a story well told. Words used are also very simple, making every reader understands every word.
July 26, 2019
Fun short stories!!
August 2, 2019
Short and crisp
This is the second story that I liked form 'The Year of Short Stories' series. It is short and crisp!
This is the second story that I liked form 'The Year of Short Stories' series. It is short and crisp!
September 23, 2019
A good but not great read. Sadly a very predictable ending. However a good 20 min read
May 23, 2020
Very entertaining
Enjoyable short story well told.
Looking at the name of the story I would never have associated it with the storyline!
Enjoyable short story well told.
Looking at the name of the story I would never have associated it with the storyline!
January 11, 2021
Awesome Read
Simply good. Yet again wonderfully written story by Jeffrey Sir. Read the book in one sitting, you can't put it down.
Thank you
Simply good. Yet again wonderfully written story by Jeffrey Sir. Read the book in one sitting, you can't put it down.
Thank you
April 14, 2021
Intriguing read
Words fall short when it's Jeffrey Archer's book ! Despite being a short story, it is no less intriguing and exciting than a novel.
Words fall short when it's Jeffrey Archer's book ! Despite being a short story, it is no less intriguing and exciting than a novel.
July 23, 2018
Not one of his best, I'm afraid. A plot line that was telegraphed from early on and without any tension or twists, I was more than slightly disappointed with this effort. If you can't see the ending coming in this story, you need to read more! It couldn't have been more obvious, if it had been written on the cover!!
There are far better stories than his in the series.
There are far better stories than his in the series.
November 21, 2018
High Heels by Jeffrey Archer... The investigation for the insurance claim, its rather a buckle investigation...
October 4, 2018
A very interesting & well-crafted story. But that's par for the course when Lord Jeffrey Archer is the Author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews