Small Kingdoms and Other Stories

by Charlaine Harris

A new collection of linked short stories from Charlaine Harris, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse books, the basis for HBO’s True Blood, and the Midnight Crossroad series, the inspiration for Midnight, Texas on NBC.

Principal Anne DeWitt knew her past could catch up with her, but she didn’t expect it would make her late for school. Killing a man does take time though; so does disposing the body . . . if you do it right.

After three relatively quiet years at Travis High School, it seems Anne is in danger of being exposed—even the baseball coach knows more about her former life than she ever imagined. Now, she must find out who else holds her secrets and who wants her to pay for them. . .without letting it make her tardy again. Anne still has a school to run, parents to manage, and a few students who might benefit from her unique—and deadly—experience.

Collected together for the first time in Small Kingdoms and Other Stories, “Small Kingdoms,” “Sarah Smiles,” “Small Chances,” and “Small Signs” are sure to delight fans of Charlaine Harris.

Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Fiction, Anthologies, Thriller, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

129 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 2019

About the author

Charlaine 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.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small Kingdoms & Other Stories by Charlaine Harris is as the title suggests a collection of short stories. Now, I’ve mentioned before I’m not a huge fan of short stories since even when a book is novella length I often feel it needs more depth to it. And here we have one book that is essentially novella length overall and is divided down into four separate stories so yes, a part of my rating is always… they need “more”.

However, this being Charlaine Harris I just couldn’t not read it since she has such a wide range of stories that are unique in their own ways that I couldn’t help but be curious. This collection consists of Small Kingdoms, Sarah Smiles, Small Chances, and Small Signs.

What helped a bit here is these stories are connected and not totally random and tossed together. Each of the short stories feature a character named Anne DeWitt at different points in her life. Now Anne is a shady character to say the least and maybe even perhaps a bit of a sociopath, I hadn’t decided. Would I have loved one full length novel more, probably but regardless I was still entertained for a few hours with Charlaine’s imagination yet again.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small Kingdoms & Other Stories is a compilation of 4 short stories that were previously published separately. I alternated reading an ARC and listening to the audiobook version as narrated by Morgan Hallett, who did an excellent job with the narration; I'd recommend giving this a listen if you want to read this book.

In these stories, we follow DeWitt, who is currently a no-nonsense high school principal, but was previously some sort of training agent in a top-secret agency (you know, the assassin sort of agency). Somehow details about her new life have trickled into the hands of past enemies, and DeWitt must juggle her public persona with some gritty taking care of business behind the scenes.



I absolutely LOVE the character Principal Anne DeWitt and there is huge potential for bigger stories about her. This collection, though? Meh. I think this would have been much stronger if the original stories had been properly reworked into being a more cohesive singular unit. It was a bit frustrating that each story provided some background (necessary if you were reading the shorts out of order, but not needed in a single book), and I found myself wishing that the words spent on rehashing were instead fleshing out this world more.

The other books I've read (and loved) by Charlaine Harris all had deep, intricate world building. It felt sorely lacking here, and that's too bad, because the premise here is fantastic! I'd absolutely read more about this character, but I didn't love this collection.

Badass Female Character Score: 5/5 -- no matter which role she was playing, DeWitt was, indeed, terribly badass!

Thanks to NetGalley and INscribe Digital for providing me with a DRC of this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read, I was completely drawn in to the characters and the story.

Loved it didn't really want it to end.

Happy Reading📚📙📓📗📘📒📓📚📙📕📙📚📓📗📘📒📖📔📖

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, enjoyable little book with interesting characters

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself engrossed in these short stories that feature a 'retired' trainer who has a new identity as a head teacher. Anne doesn't really have empathy for anyone and yet I still found her interesting as she goes about her business doing the ordinary mundane things whilst at the same time remaining on guard. Anne knows her previous work makes her a target but has surprisingly found her own niche. These admittedly short stories show her interaction primarily with her staff and pupils and Anne's way of looking after her school whilst dealing with wayward pupils allows the author to showcase a wry sense of humour. Never laugh out loud funny but there's a sly side to the almost sociopathic Anne that is explored in these snippets of her life. My only gripe is that it was short and I honestly would have liked more.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally appearing in the pages of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Small Kingdoms introduced Anne DeWitt, who presents herself as the principal of a small-town high school, but who's a whole lot more. The four stories collected here gradually disclose more about Anne and her background, and also tell compelling stories about how she occasionally has to fight to survive, save her friends, and, always, to improve her school. The reader has to stop every so often and wonder if they would have been better off with an Anne in their educational background... it's a good question and a fun read.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four connected short stories. Fun, and it would be interesting to see developed into something longer where we could see more of the 'particular set of skills' of the main characters.

[Carlos · Rating 2 out of 5]

On this particular spring Tuesday, Anne DeWitt was thrown off her regular schedule. Between brushing her teeth and putting on her foundation, she had to kill a man

Good beginning, right? Sadly, this was just about the only thing I liked about this collection of short stories starring Anne DeWitt, former head of a survivalist facility and current high school principal and ocasional vigilante.

Though the premise is not bad, all the characters felt like caricatures and the writing was mediocre and disjointed. The four stories were a quick and easy read but apart from that I didn’t enjoy any of it (characters, writing style, plot...)

Sad I didn’t find another Charlaine Harris series to love after reading and enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse, Harper Connelly and Lily Bard series.

ARC received from NetGalley and JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc. in exchange for an honest review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlaine Harris has been writing short stories featuring high school principle with an interesting past, Anne Dewitt, for various mystery publications for a while now. This is the first time all those stories are in one place. I loved this collection. Anne is a fascinating character, and the way she uses her old life skills in her job as principle is at times both hilarious and disturbing.

Charlaine Harris is a fantastic writer. I love her short to the point sentence style. Anne Dewitt would make an excellent film/TV character, but knowing what has been done to Harris' other works on screen gives me little hope it would be done well.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story collection about a ex-covert government agent who was given a new identity as a high school principal. She uses some of the training from her past life to fix certain situations that occur at her high school, and to keep her identity a secret. These stories originally appeared in issues of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. Entertaining, and something a bit different.

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like Charlaine Harris's writing. A surprising skill set for a high school principal but come to think of it, possibly pretty useful.

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of Small Kingdoms & Other Stories from NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my review which is honest and unbiased.*

Charlaine Harris is still a genius! Anne DeWitt is the kind of heroine who is probably on the wrong side of the moral right, but still, she’s the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for!
With four short stories, Small Kingdoms & Other Stories kind of made me hungry for more, too!
Anne really intrigued me from the start, and she still does! But Harris still made it so that I felt like I got to know her a little bit - and the way she went from chilling killer to modest principal just made her even more intriguing.

COYER Read-a-thon 2019

COYER Summer 2019 Treasure Hunt : Read a book by an author you’ve previously read and given 5 stars. 2 Points
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Erica Chilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads

5 Stars

Within the first sentence, I was officially hooked. Oh, how I had missed Charlaine Harris' unique voice whispering in my head as I read her stories. To be honest, I had no clue what these shorts were about, but was beyond curious after that first sentence. I knew I was going to be entertained.

Small Kingdoms & Other Stories (not entirely sure why that is the title, to be honest) features four short stories, which I will call episodes, featuring Anne DeWitt. She was a trainer at a camp, which I can only assume put the trainees through harsh situations to 'toughen' them up for classified work.

Anne is thorough, dedicated, slightly unemotional yet loyal. There's a sarcastic air wafting from her interactions with others. An empowering quiet confidence.

Under an assumed identity, Anne DeWitt is a high school principal, determined to keep her cover while making the best of her current situation. The first two stories feature 'helping' students, which had a sociopathic vengeance, poetic justice component. Anne had a unique way of helping, as well as a new cohort.

The final two episodes are centered more on Anne, personally then people from her past, perfectly tying all the shorts together.

All four episodes in the life of Anne DeWitt made me hungry for more. I'm on the fence if I want a full-length novel in a linear timeline, or appreciate the way this novel was written. I was thoroughly entertained, able to read a episode in one sitting, without fear of losing reading momentum due to life interruptions. Each short was a tasty snack.

Anne DeWitt was an intriguing character, as was Holt. I hope Ms. Harris is inspired to bring readers more stories based on these unique characters.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the main character, Anne, is remorseless and kind of a psychopath, I still enjoyed the stories and rooted for her. She works hard at being a good principal and improving her school. Coach Holt Halsey plays a good second to her. He is a good supporting character and appears in all 4 stories.

The stories are well written. They move quickly. There is no extraneous material. There is just the right amount of telling and showing.

I give this collection 5 out of 5 stars. It's well-written with interesting characters and imaginative plot lines. I would love to see more stories about Anne DeWitt. I recommend this collection to people who enjoy short stories that are thrillers or mysteries.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

I loved this collection of short stories, which all fitted together, but were rich in their own right. The explanation of how Harris considered the impact of having a routine disrupted can affect a day set up the first story beautifully, and made it all the richer.

If you are a fan, then I am sure that these will be a no-question read - but if you have never read Harris before, then I reckon that these would be a great introduction into the quality of her writing, the depth and breadth of plot and the richness of her characters.

Highly recommended.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: March 2023

Small Kingdoms - 5/5 stars
Sarah Smiles - 4/5 stars
Small Chances -4.5/5 stars
Small Signs - 4/5 stars

[Sharondblk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlaine Harris wrote the Sookie Stackhouse books, that became True Blood. I read them all, and I loved them, so I just presumed this would be some form of urban fantasy. I was completely and pleasantly wrong. This book is a series of four linked short stories, all centering around the same main character. The stories are clever and quietly hilarious, the characters are calculating and clever and fantastic. The only downside is because it's just four short stories, it was over far too soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and JABberwocky Press for this ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is a fabulous collection of creepy short stories about a rather disturbing high school principal. Charlaine Harris never disappoints and Anne DeWitt is one of her best characters ever. Anne is delightfully amoral and her cold, calculating logic is terrifying.

There isn’t a supernatural element to this story but Anne’s skills and resources are almost super human. Anne never quite reads human - she studies people and mimics human behaviour very skillfully. I love her otherness as much as I love the idea of a headteacher with such dark secrets. As a teacher myself, the creepiest thing about Anne is how closely she resembles some of the real life headteachers I’ve worked for. I’ve learned to never underestimate the lengths a headteacher will go to in pursuit of an improved inspection result.

I really loved these stories and I’d love to see Anne DeWitt in her own TV show. This is a short book and each of the stories can probably be read separately.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was't really sure what to expect from this one, but love the author so automatically decided to check it out when it showed up at my library.

I liked Anne, even though she is a hard woman and very manipulative of those around her. Her actions are all due to her past, a very unusual one. I like how she lets one person in her life and how the two of them continue to work on Anne's mission even as the past keeps coming back.

I'd love to get more stores with Anne and to see her adventures.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why oh why oh why did I not know about Anne DeWitt already?

I so want to be her when I grow up. And by her, of course I mean a trained assassin who puts her skills to good use as a high school principal.

More, I want more!

Yes I realize this is not exactly mind-enhancing reading. It is, however, a great deal of fun. Feels much more like Our Charlaine Harris than does that horrid Gunnie Rose mess.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories featuring a character who is hiding a secret and wants her school to be a nice place for people to learn.

The fact that in her previously life she trained agents to kill and survive makes her uniquely qualified to be a high school principal in North Carolina

This is a strong, in every sense of the word, female character who does what ever it takes to achieve her goals.

[Lara Jerengan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a short and sweet book. The stories were very intriguing. This collection is about the same main characters. These characters and stories are very different from her other books. Loved these!

[Teresa Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Charlaine Harris, and this little quartet of stories was just what I needed in week 8 of a pandemic. Fast, easy, not too deep.

[Karalee Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four short stories / novellas by one of my favourites. These involve a high school principal with an unusual résumé and a quest for justice. I would definitely read more of Anne DeWitt’s saga. Nothing paranormal in these ones, just (to my mind, at least) a little unlikely. They reminded me pleasantly of some of Mick Herron’s stories.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody builds a world like Charlaine Harris. I thoroughly enjoyed these short stories about a totally bad-ass woman and her only slightly less bad-ass male sidekick.. I'd love to read a full-length novel about these characters!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written short mysteries with recurring characters.

I gave it a 3 rather than a 4 because I didn't like the characters or the situations; they all seemed mean. Usually I find Charlaine Harris' characters engaging, no matter how morally flawed they are, but not this time.

[Kay Dee (what is your storygraph name? mine is in my bio. join me!) Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

She rarely disappoints. This was no exception.
her protagonists are never folks i would want to hang around but they are always very interesting.
i really would like more stories about Anne and Holt at Travis High school.

[Arlene Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a collection of short stories that surrounds the action of a school principal with a dark past an a complex moral compass.
A strong female character that could be define as an anti-hero. She would do anything to keep order and discipline in her domain.
Definitely recommend it.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes and an honest an unbiased opinion.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few people would even consider the fact that Anne DeWitt, the principal at Travis High School is anyone other than whom she appears to be. She is dedicated to the students and the success of the school. She also has a very interesting past and a secret identity. This book brings together four stories for Anne that highlights the extents she is willing to go to protect the students and the school as well as herself when push comes to shove.

Principal Anne DeWitt knew her past could catch up with her, but she didn’t expect it would make her late for school. Killing a man does take time though; so does disposing the body . . . if you do it right.

This was actually a pretty interesting read. I must admit that I had not run across Harris' Twyla Burnside tales. she definitely fits the archetype of some of her other characters, but that doesn't prevent these stories and the character from being really interesting. I hope that there will be more.

[Susan Coley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great find. I hope there will be more stories in the series.