What do you think?
Rate this book
Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves: a collection of short stories about devious behavior
Take a tour through the minds of thirteen of today's most talented independent authors in a crime anthology like no other. Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves hosts a cross-section of indie writers from all across America in a unique compilation of diverse voices set to take you on a journey beyond your wildest imagination. From aging detectives trapped in a magic house of hell, to a doctor with a fascination for the macabre, to New Century City, where superheroes and super villains battle it out for supremacy, this is a genre-bending short story collection guaranteed to thrill you in ways you never thought possible.
*Enter at your own risk*
Featuring contributions from award-winning authors and wordsmiths such as Don Bapst, David Beeler, Shawn D. Brink, Dori Ann Dupre, Gabriel DiDomenico, Dane G. Kroll, Ethel Lung, Casey Mensing, Suzanne Crain Miller, Samuel W. Reed, Katherine Tomlinson, Will Wallace & Nicholas Zemin, with illustrations by Jared Sloger.
*Enter at your own risk*
Featuring contributions from award-winning authors and wordsmiths such as Don Bapst, David Beeler, Shawn D. Brink, Dori Ann Dupre, Gabriel DiDomenico, Dane G. Kroll, Ethel Lung, Casey Mensing, Suzanne Crain Miller, Samuel W. Reed, Katherine Tomlinson, Will Wallace & Nicholas Zemin, with illustrations by Jared Sloger.
- GenresShort StoriesAnthologies
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2020
23 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Samuel W. Reed
3 books8 followersProducer, Director, and Amazon bestselling author Samuel W. Reed cut his teeth writing for award-winning documentaries and feature films before completing his first novel, "The Fabulist," in 2017. His follow up, "Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves" is a collection of short stories featuring the work of independent authors from all over America, highlighting a diverse range of characters and themes. His feature film debut, "Into the Wilderness," a thriller about parents who fear their daughter may be lost in the woods, is set to release in 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 31, 2020
Thank you to the editor/contributing author for this copy in exchange for an honest review!
What you’ll find in Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves is a wide variety of intriguing acts of deviant behavior with a range of severity in criminality level. There really is something for every true crime junkie in this collection of works from various, talented authors.
I enjoyed almost every story included in this collection, all thirteen authors are immensely talented and I look forward to discovering some of their other pieces of literature. I would like to highlight a few of my favorites!:
-I really enjoyed “Murder at the Magic Castle” by Gabriel DiDomenico. It was so complex for a short story and I admire the author’s ability to successfully achieve such a feat without confusion. He presented such an interesting murder case and I loved every moment of it.
-“Mercy in the West” by David Beeler was incredibly eerie! I enjoyed this gory tale, the imagery was so delightful.
-“First Tools” by Nicholas Zemen was wonderfully entertaining. I love when a cunning character with a big head makes a slight misstep and ends up being put in his place. This story was more humorous and light-hearted.
-I love that a beautiful, more somber story was thrown into the mix. “The Win” by Dori Ann Dupre was really well written. I loved the change of pace from the previous stories in the collection.
-“The Scoop” by Samuel W. Reed was so twisted. I commend this author for his cringeworthy creativity. It takes a lot of talent to get into such a dark, strange mind and he did an excellent job.
These stand out short stories is what earned this collection a strong, five out of five star rating! This collection was diverse in subject matter and I really appreciate that. Each story was completely unique and I was impressed at the flow from story to story.
What you’ll find in Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves is a wide variety of intriguing acts of deviant behavior with a range of severity in criminality level. There really is something for every true crime junkie in this collection of works from various, talented authors.
I enjoyed almost every story included in this collection, all thirteen authors are immensely talented and I look forward to discovering some of their other pieces of literature. I would like to highlight a few of my favorites!:
-I really enjoyed “Murder at the Magic Castle” by Gabriel DiDomenico. It was so complex for a short story and I admire the author’s ability to successfully achieve such a feat without confusion. He presented such an interesting murder case and I loved every moment of it.
-“Mercy in the West” by David Beeler was incredibly eerie! I enjoyed this gory tale, the imagery was so delightful.
-“First Tools” by Nicholas Zemen was wonderfully entertaining. I love when a cunning character with a big head makes a slight misstep and ends up being put in his place. This story was more humorous and light-hearted.
-I love that a beautiful, more somber story was thrown into the mix. “The Win” by Dori Ann Dupre was really well written. I loved the change of pace from the previous stories in the collection.
-“The Scoop” by Samuel W. Reed was so twisted. I commend this author for his cringeworthy creativity. It takes a lot of talent to get into such a dark, strange mind and he did an excellent job.
These stand out short stories is what earned this collection a strong, five out of five star rating! This collection was diverse in subject matter and I really appreciate that. Each story was completely unique and I was impressed at the flow from story to story.
February 5, 2020
This anthology is much more than meets the eye. What I love about this collection of short stories is that each author really takes a unique approach to the theme, “Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves.” The twists and turns are met not only with suspense and revenge, but also humor, wit, and sadness. In each story, you find varying elements of the human condition. The writers each have individual styles with descriptive settings and vibrant characters.
I liked them all, but my favorites were:
“Genuine” by Suzanne Crain Miller – I loved this one. I felt the characters were thoroughly developed. I immediately got a sense of who they are and their environment, and I love that the author incorporated their dialect into the story.
“Mercy in the West” by David Beeler – I loved the sinister nature of this one set against a beautifully written and imaginative story that evokes images from another time.
“The Win” by Dori Ann Dupre – This was a special and unexpected treat. It’s a beautifully sentimental tale that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
“The Scoop” by Samuel W. Reed – This reads like a true-crime movie I haven’t seen yet, but would like to. It’s a dark, descriptive, well-written piece with a few twists and turns that had my interest from the very beginning.
“The Temperature at Which Love Freezes” by Katherine Tomlinson – This author is a strong writer and this was a great lead-in. This is the shortest story in this collection and yet it packs a punch and stays with you.
This would be a great choice for book clubs and English classes to read and analyze. The opportunities to dissect the characters and stories are endless and I can imagine lots of in-depth conversations about each author’s take on the theme.
I liked them all, but my favorites were:
“Genuine” by Suzanne Crain Miller – I loved this one. I felt the characters were thoroughly developed. I immediately got a sense of who they are and their environment, and I love that the author incorporated their dialect into the story.
“Mercy in the West” by David Beeler – I loved the sinister nature of this one set against a beautifully written and imaginative story that evokes images from another time.
“The Win” by Dori Ann Dupre – This was a special and unexpected treat. It’s a beautifully sentimental tale that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
“The Scoop” by Samuel W. Reed – This reads like a true-crime movie I haven’t seen yet, but would like to. It’s a dark, descriptive, well-written piece with a few twists and turns that had my interest from the very beginning.
“The Temperature at Which Love Freezes” by Katherine Tomlinson – This author is a strong writer and this was a great lead-in. This is the shortest story in this collection and yet it packs a punch and stays with you.
This would be a great choice for book clubs and English classes to read and analyze. The opportunities to dissect the characters and stories are endless and I can imagine lots of in-depth conversations about each author’s take on the theme.
January 20, 2020
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a nice broad compilation of short stories that involve; murder, drugs, sex, mystery, horror, historical and just overall good story telling that can be read in one sitting.
This is a compliance of fourteen authors work, and they are all different but all good reads. My favorites were The Temperature at Which Love Freezes (this is probably my favorite!), Mercy in the West, Last Night in Quartzsite, Behind Those Veils, and The Scoop. So if you are wanting to skip around- I would read these ones first.
Overall, I enjoyed all of the stories that were written- each one had their own intrigue and mystery. Some had a nice little twist right at the end that I did not see coming at all. But it was the ending that gave you that smile and the comment, "well played" to the author.
I look forward to reading other complications like this, as it is a nice break from sitting down with a novel and committing time if you don't have it but want a quick read that makes you think a little.
Thank you to Sam W Reed for reaching out to me to read and review, as well as to all the other authors for adding their work to this compilation.
This is a compliance of fourteen authors work, and they are all different but all good reads. My favorites were The Temperature at Which Love Freezes (this is probably my favorite!), Mercy in the West, Last Night in Quartzsite, Behind Those Veils, and The Scoop. So if you are wanting to skip around- I would read these ones first.
Overall, I enjoyed all of the stories that were written- each one had their own intrigue and mystery. Some had a nice little twist right at the end that I did not see coming at all. But it was the ending that gave you that smile and the comment, "well played" to the author.
I look forward to reading other complications like this, as it is a nice break from sitting down with a novel and committing time if you don't have it but want a quick read that makes you think a little.
Thank you to Sam W Reed for reaching out to me to read and review, as well as to all the other authors for adding their work to this compilation.
February 16, 2020
This is a wonderful collection of short stories, with something for everyone. All are joined (as the title suggests) by themes of mischief, whether criminal or otherwise. All of the pieces are great, but here are some of my favorites: Sky Riders by Will Wallace. This story has a steampunk-y vibe, complete with the requisite airships. Sparkling characters and a surprise twist make sense considering Will is a TV writer. Such a cool, original concept (sky pirates!) This one would make a great TV series or movie (naturally). Another fun one is Plastic Crap by Ethel Lung, if you enjoy a bit of scatalogical humor (which I do.) First Tools by Nicholas Zeman is great if you're into a slightly unreliable narrator, and if you like dark stories, go for The Temperature At Which Love Freezes by Katherine Tomlinson. There's a lot of talent here; this collection is full of sparkly little gems. It's a great way to sample work from some very talented writers you probably haven't heard of -- but definitely should.
April 7, 2020
This collection of stories from independent authors is edited by Samuel W Reed, who also contributes one of his own tales. Authors include Don Bapst, David Beeler, Shawn D. Brink, Dori Ann Dupre, Gabriel DiDomenico, Dane G. Kroll, Ethel Lung, Casey Mensing, Suzanne Crain Miller, Katherine Tomlinson, Will Wallace & Nicholas Zemin, with illustrations by Jared Sloger.
As with any collection of stories, you never know quite what you’re going to get. In this case, there are the inevitable few that stand out, such as ‘Equity’ by Don Bapst, the quirky dark mystery ‘Murder at the Magic Castle’ by Gabriel DiDomenico (my particular favourite) and ‘Last Night in Quartzsite’ by Casey Mensing, where a would-be Bonnie-and-Clyde set the scene for a story with a twist. Of the others, there were several I skimmed over, simply because nothing about the writing or the story grabbed my attention. ‘Mercy in the West’ by David Beeler is worth a mention, but even that went off the rails towards the end, which is a shame.
All in all, an interesting collection, with a few writers whose work I’ll be watching out for.
As with any collection of stories, you never know quite what you’re going to get. In this case, there are the inevitable few that stand out, such as ‘Equity’ by Don Bapst, the quirky dark mystery ‘Murder at the Magic Castle’ by Gabriel DiDomenico (my particular favourite) and ‘Last Night in Quartzsite’ by Casey Mensing, where a would-be Bonnie-and-Clyde set the scene for a story with a twist. Of the others, there were several I skimmed over, simply because nothing about the writing or the story grabbed my attention. ‘Mercy in the West’ by David Beeler is worth a mention, but even that went off the rails towards the end, which is a shame.
All in all, an interesting collection, with a few writers whose work I’ll be watching out for.
February 4, 2020
I couldn’t put this down and was disappointed when I finished! The stories thrilled me with pulpy and superhero action adventures, excited me with mysteries, and moved me to tears with passion and tragedy. The characters were all so strong, each author a master of their stories. I couldn’t believe how many different worlds I was transported to in such a short amount of time. Loved it!
Five stars for the anthology and for each story!
Five stars for the anthology and for each story!
April 2, 2020
A collection of crime fiction short stories with attractive titles to read during daytime breaks in your living room is a great way to enjoy your time at home. This special collection of thirteen short stories, which I felt happy to review, is called Miscreants, Murderers & Thieves: A Collection of Short Stories About Devious Behaviour. The reader enjoys a well-formatted book with nice and simple art to support each story. It is perfect for breaks and short intervals from work.
The Temperature at Which Love Freezes by Katherine Tomlinson, which is the first short story, is a cold one. Readers get to learn what frigid Siberian temperatures can do to objects as well as people. Kaye, a brown-eyed woman who herself adores the cold, knows a thing or two about cold-related deaths and for her it is something that is not uncommon. After her and Jonathan's last anniversary, she received a text from a burner phone in the middle of the night concerning a gift certificate. The story starts off with Jonathan slipping out at night while Kaye is asleep. This story puts the readers' focus on the mess a lover's unfaithfulness can cause as Kaye has to deal with things like nude pictures found in her husband's computer.
For readers who are into insects, Don Bapst's Equity, will definitely be a great one to read. This author, not judging by his somewhat strange sense of humour, was one of my favorites due to his ability to show readers what a young homosexual couple has to contend with professionally in this day and age. Wood-burrowing bugs is certainly no laughing matter as Sebastian, an intelligent Buenos Aires native who is in a relationship with a man named Carlos, sets his mind on an annoying creature in a new house seen as empty.
In Gabriel Didomenico's Murder at the Magic Castle, Quinn is troubled by his first case: the victim had been thirteen years old and had been murdered in a violent manner. For twenty-five years he had trouble solving the case, but he had made connections to murders that were similar in fashion and went back even further in time. Initially, I didn't know whether to like him or not as this LAPD detective is already sixty-five years old, missing a bit of his humanity, and haunted by the type of bad dreams I'm sure readers wouldn't want. At least his likeable quality for me was that he didn't give up, which makes him part of a story you just have to see through to the end. If you're up for an eerie night coupled with a car chase and a disappointing lineup filled with magicians, I'd say that you'll like DiDomenico's story a lot. With more than one twist to keep the reader on edge, he doesn't disappoint.
I usually like stories with nice setting descriptions and if I had to pick an author out of this book who is great with these descriptions, then Don Bapst, whose rendering of a historic district dotted with brightly painted old homes and patrolled by armed policemen charged with keeping tourists happy, would be my number one pick. He has a good way of making readers see the world his story is set in. I came across other authors, like Nicholas Zeman, the author of First Tools, who are also great with this sort of thing. Zeman's story is about a burglary.
The types of scenes that are to be found vary and, judging by how the stories are listed, makes sense in a way that only editors can understand. For me, Samuel W. Reed did a great job editing this book. Samuel W. Reed's own short story, The Scoop is number twelve on the list and precedes TADA! by Dane G. Kroll, a story about a city familiar to people with super powers.
One of the likeable things I found was seeing what makes a good detective story and how an author makes his detective come across something scary or unexplainable which made me more interested in the story. Learning how difficult detective work can become was also great and a bonus. Besides detective crime fiction, readers also get a taste of what medical crime fiction, something which I'm always freaked out by, is like. Other than reading a story in this specific genre, you get to learn how to deal with situations like blood loss and trauma. This comes from Mercy in the West by David Beeler, an author obviously rich in medical knowledge. What I liked from this author was that he had a simple way of describing his characters which fit in with the way he wrote his story. Please don't pay much mind to the disturbing mental images you are bound to have after reading it.
I'd have to say that readers can come across something graphic and creepy; I wouldn't even want to quote it as it may cause you to make a mess or keep you up all night with thoughts of things that don't belong on the outside of the human body. If an unfaithful lover's death is something that can easily be overlooked even though there might be enough reason and evidence to support the other one, then the first story is the one that teaches us something that is wrong with that. An unoriginal idea by an author who had a wonderful writing ability caused me to enjoy that author's short story only a little bit less, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me.
Though this collection is an enjoyable read for fans of this often nerve-wracking fiction genre, I'd point out that the human body and the people to meet in life are to be appreciated. Also, that some of the characters in this book shouldn't be seen as role models. Things get dark, dangerous, and psychologically wrong in this gutsy collection quite quickly. Sameul W. Reed has here with him a fine selection of stories for readers with different types of personalities.
The Temperature at Which Love Freezes by Katherine Tomlinson, which is the first short story, is a cold one. Readers get to learn what frigid Siberian temperatures can do to objects as well as people. Kaye, a brown-eyed woman who herself adores the cold, knows a thing or two about cold-related deaths and for her it is something that is not uncommon. After her and Jonathan's last anniversary, she received a text from a burner phone in the middle of the night concerning a gift certificate. The story starts off with Jonathan slipping out at night while Kaye is asleep. This story puts the readers' focus on the mess a lover's unfaithfulness can cause as Kaye has to deal with things like nude pictures found in her husband's computer.
For readers who are into insects, Don Bapst's Equity, will definitely be a great one to read. This author, not judging by his somewhat strange sense of humour, was one of my favorites due to his ability to show readers what a young homosexual couple has to contend with professionally in this day and age. Wood-burrowing bugs is certainly no laughing matter as Sebastian, an intelligent Buenos Aires native who is in a relationship with a man named Carlos, sets his mind on an annoying creature in a new house seen as empty.
In Gabriel Didomenico's Murder at the Magic Castle, Quinn is troubled by his first case: the victim had been thirteen years old and had been murdered in a violent manner. For twenty-five years he had trouble solving the case, but he had made connections to murders that were similar in fashion and went back even further in time. Initially, I didn't know whether to like him or not as this LAPD detective is already sixty-five years old, missing a bit of his humanity, and haunted by the type of bad dreams I'm sure readers wouldn't want. At least his likeable quality for me was that he didn't give up, which makes him part of a story you just have to see through to the end. If you're up for an eerie night coupled with a car chase and a disappointing lineup filled with magicians, I'd say that you'll like DiDomenico's story a lot. With more than one twist to keep the reader on edge, he doesn't disappoint.
I usually like stories with nice setting descriptions and if I had to pick an author out of this book who is great with these descriptions, then Don Bapst, whose rendering of a historic district dotted with brightly painted old homes and patrolled by armed policemen charged with keeping tourists happy, would be my number one pick. He has a good way of making readers see the world his story is set in. I came across other authors, like Nicholas Zeman, the author of First Tools, who are also great with this sort of thing. Zeman's story is about a burglary.
The types of scenes that are to be found vary and, judging by how the stories are listed, makes sense in a way that only editors can understand. For me, Samuel W. Reed did a great job editing this book. Samuel W. Reed's own short story, The Scoop is number twelve on the list and precedes TADA! by Dane G. Kroll, a story about a city familiar to people with super powers.
One of the likeable things I found was seeing what makes a good detective story and how an author makes his detective come across something scary or unexplainable which made me more interested in the story. Learning how difficult detective work can become was also great and a bonus. Besides detective crime fiction, readers also get a taste of what medical crime fiction, something which I'm always freaked out by, is like. Other than reading a story in this specific genre, you get to learn how to deal with situations like blood loss and trauma. This comes from Mercy in the West by David Beeler, an author obviously rich in medical knowledge. What I liked from this author was that he had a simple way of describing his characters which fit in with the way he wrote his story. Please don't pay much mind to the disturbing mental images you are bound to have after reading it.
I'd have to say that readers can come across something graphic and creepy; I wouldn't even want to quote it as it may cause you to make a mess or keep you up all night with thoughts of things that don't belong on the outside of the human body. If an unfaithful lover's death is something that can easily be overlooked even though there might be enough reason and evidence to support the other one, then the first story is the one that teaches us something that is wrong with that. An unoriginal idea by an author who had a wonderful writing ability caused me to enjoy that author's short story only a little bit less, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me.
Though this collection is an enjoyable read for fans of this often nerve-wracking fiction genre, I'd point out that the human body and the people to meet in life are to be appreciated. Also, that some of the characters in this book shouldn't be seen as role models. Things get dark, dangerous, and psychologically wrong in this gutsy collection quite quickly. Sameul W. Reed has here with him a fine selection of stories for readers with different types of personalities.
May 31, 2023
A little suspense, a little tiny bit of romance, a lot of plot twists, a little sci Fi maybe 🤔. This anthology has a little bit of everything for everyone.Lots of didn't see that coming moments too. Quick short stories.
I did feel as if some of the stories left out some important details and may have been rushed to "finish"
I did feel as if some of the stories left out some important details and may have been rushed to "finish"
February 9, 2020
This is a short story anthology with a slightly misleading title, especially the exclamation mark. Some of the characters portrayed in these stories fall under those categories but many do not. In any case, most of them are entertaining, emotion producing or thought provoking. If there is any exclamation as you read, it is due to the enticing twists of the plots, not to suspense and action.
The best story has to be “Murder at the Magic Castle,” discussing the fine distinction between committing murder and performing magic. There’s a bit too much “telling” in the story, but the first-person narrator is relating such a beautifully convoluted tale that we want to keep listening.
I also enjoyed “Ta Da,” a new approach to the whole Gotham City thing. Like most of his ilk, the main character talks too much at the beginning, but once the action starts, everything goes like clockwork.
The story which departs furthest from the pattern of the others is also the least enjoyable. “Sky Riders” takes the casual conventions of steampunk to extremes. No matter how fantastic a story is, readers expect certain basic laws of physics to continue. These pilots blithely throw biplanes and zeppelins around the sky, shouting imprecations to their enemies despite the distances and the sound of engines. Unrealistic enough to be silly, but not unrealistic enough to be magical or humorous.
The rest of the stories vary wildly in tone and form of expression, Like “The Win,” the innermost feelings of the wife of a dying cancer patient, and a couple of “aliens among us’ tales straight out of The Outer Limits.
Recommended for short story fans who like their entertainment a touch cerebral.
The best story has to be “Murder at the Magic Castle,” discussing the fine distinction between committing murder and performing magic. There’s a bit too much “telling” in the story, but the first-person narrator is relating such a beautifully convoluted tale that we want to keep listening.
I also enjoyed “Ta Da,” a new approach to the whole Gotham City thing. Like most of his ilk, the main character talks too much at the beginning, but once the action starts, everything goes like clockwork.
The story which departs furthest from the pattern of the others is also the least enjoyable. “Sky Riders” takes the casual conventions of steampunk to extremes. No matter how fantastic a story is, readers expect certain basic laws of physics to continue. These pilots blithely throw biplanes and zeppelins around the sky, shouting imprecations to their enemies despite the distances and the sound of engines. Unrealistic enough to be silly, but not unrealistic enough to be magical or humorous.
The rest of the stories vary wildly in tone and form of expression, Like “The Win,” the innermost feelings of the wife of a dying cancer patient, and a couple of “aliens among us’ tales straight out of The Outer Limits.
Recommended for short story fans who like their entertainment a touch cerebral.
February 21, 2020
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a collection of 13 short stories mind-altering mystery/crime stories. Written by 13 different authors with pronounced style and writing. It’s like nibbling the short stories that leave a charming taste in your mind.
From quirky, witty to heart-wrenching stories of people. As the title suggests, you have all the elements present in these stories. The common denominator is the characters that are pleasant and invigorating.
Few of my favourites are,
Murder at the magic castle (tops the chart) a police detective solves a 25-year-old murder,
Last night in Quartzsite, a gas station robbing ends with a blinding twist,
Beneath these walls (this one is a sci-fi) a man’s quest save the planet by selfless his actions.
The scoop, a popular teen sensation faced with a dilemma and in a moment acts with kindness.
Tada!, like the superhero show The Flash. The antagonist talks about fooling the lightning-fast superhero.
Each story presents a scene, and the twists come with them are surprising. They take you on a journey. You immerse in these stories and flow with them. Each of the writers has a distinctive writing style. The stories are different but together in the book they bring out a flavourful taste.
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a book full of marvellous gem waiting there to read. I recommend this book for crime fiction. It’s a gem that deserves a spot in your bookshelf.
Thank you, Samuel Reed, for giving me a copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review.
From quirky, witty to heart-wrenching stories of people. As the title suggests, you have all the elements present in these stories. The common denominator is the characters that are pleasant and invigorating.
Few of my favourites are,
Murder at the magic castle (tops the chart) a police detective solves a 25-year-old murder,
Last night in Quartzsite, a gas station robbing ends with a blinding twist,
Beneath these walls (this one is a sci-fi) a man’s quest save the planet by selfless his actions.
The scoop, a popular teen sensation faced with a dilemma and in a moment acts with kindness.
Tada!, like the superhero show The Flash. The antagonist talks about fooling the lightning-fast superhero.
Each story presents a scene, and the twists come with them are surprising. They take you on a journey. You immerse in these stories and flow with them. Each of the writers has a distinctive writing style. The stories are different but together in the book they bring out a flavourful taste.
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a book full of marvellous gem waiting there to read. I recommend this book for crime fiction. It’s a gem that deserves a spot in your bookshelf.
Thank you, Samuel Reed, for giving me a copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest review.
July 26, 2023
Miscreants, Murderers, and Thieves is a collection of short stories about numerous crimes. As an anthology there are several authors in this book who have all brought their own unique stories to the table. They are all terrific stories that leave you wanting more.
This was quite an interesting book! As a lover of crime fiction this book was right up my alley. Each story was great on it's own with surprise twists. As a whole the stories make for a wonderful read for crime lovers. I was hooked from the very first story.
The Temperature At Which Love Freezes by Katherine Tomlinson was one of my favorites. A story of revenge for a cheating husband. I definitely loved the twist at the end. Murder At The Magic Castle by Gabriel DiDomenico leaves you with an ending that will shock you.
What I loved most about this book was the crime element. All the stories were well-written with relatable characters you want to cheer for, villains and good guys alike. There was nothing about the book I didn't enjoy. I give it 5 stars and would read it again and again.
This was quite an interesting book! As a lover of crime fiction this book was right up my alley. Each story was great on it's own with surprise twists. As a whole the stories make for a wonderful read for crime lovers. I was hooked from the very first story.
The Temperature At Which Love Freezes by Katherine Tomlinson was one of my favorites. A story of revenge for a cheating husband. I definitely loved the twist at the end. Murder At The Magic Castle by Gabriel DiDomenico leaves you with an ending that will shock you.
What I loved most about this book was the crime element. All the stories were well-written with relatable characters you want to cheer for, villains and good guys alike. There was nothing about the book I didn't enjoy. I give it 5 stars and would read it again and again.
January 27, 2020
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a collection of stories that are each unique and a bit off the wall. I liked most of them, but my favorites were Beneath the Veils, Equity, and The Scoop.
I could tell these stories were written by different authors because the writing style was a little different each time. There was one story, The Win, that although I liked the story overall, it was not my favorite style of writing.
Many of the stories had some kind of twist at the end. Sky Riders ending was a big surprise. Equity made my skin crawl!
If you’d like a break from reading a full-length novel, this would be a good book to read.
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves is a collection of stories that are each unique and a bit off the wall. I liked most of them, but my favorites were Beneath the Veils, Equity, and The Scoop.
I could tell these stories were written by different authors because the writing style was a little different each time. There was one story, The Win, that although I liked the story overall, it was not my favorite style of writing.
Many of the stories had some kind of twist at the end. Sky Riders ending was a big surprise. Equity made my skin crawl!
If you’d like a break from reading a full-length novel, this would be a good book to read.
February 4, 2020
This fun, new short story anthology jumps around in themes - an ironic burglary, a vengeful wife, a magic-filled noir with a dark secret at its heart -- all centered around misdeeds and misadventures. The different tones work well together and allow for a fun read, even while reading about some pretty dark topics. Two particular stand outs are the Murder At The Magic Castle, which is legitimately twisty despite being upfront about trying to deceive the readers, and Sky Riders, an original and fun steam punk adventure story that is a nice offset to some of the more murder-y escapades. Overall, the story collection feels like getting a glimpse at some up and coming talent having a lot of fun crafting new twists on old plots, and is well worth a read!
April 12, 2020
Miscreants, Murderers, & Thieves compiles stories around a broad range of topics, all out of the norm—a bit of something for everyone with stories that can be read in one sitting. The leitmotivs that run through them include drugs, sex, murder, child abuse, mystery and others. The genres range from noir to sci-fi to steampunk.
One of my favorites was "The Temperature At Which Love Freezes” by Katherine Tomlinson. You’ll vow to treat your spouse better after reading it! For an unreliable narrator, check out “First Tools” by Nicholas Zeman. Each story has its own sense of mystery, often with a twist at the end the reader doesn’t see coming.
One of my favorites was "The Temperature At Which Love Freezes” by Katherine Tomlinson. You’ll vow to treat your spouse better after reading it! For an unreliable narrator, check out “First Tools” by Nicholas Zeman. Each story has its own sense of mystery, often with a twist at the end the reader doesn’t see coming.
January 21, 2026
I recently had the opportunity to read Miscreants, Murderers & Thieves edited by Samuel W. Reed in exchange for an honest review. This anthology is a Black Mirror-esque collection of thirteen short stories from independent authors, each with its own unique creative twist. Some stories linger longer than others, and for me, Katherine Tomlinson's short story was the one that truly stuck. Their writing was genius, leaving me craving for more. The diverse range of stories in this collection caters to fans of crime, mystery, and dark genres, making it a great read for those who enjoy something different.
February 4, 2020
Smorgasbord of creepy, mysterious, suspenseful stories
A wide diversity of styles and eclectic storylines, and a great introduction to many new authors. These authors know their way around the craft of writing. An expertly assembled collection.
When I read a collection of short stories like this, I always expect that a few will pop out as gems and a few will underwhelm. Not Miscreants. Each one keeps you on your feet until the last page. My favorites were Equity, Tada!, and Murder at the Magic Castle.
A wide diversity of styles and eclectic storylines, and a great introduction to many new authors. These authors know their way around the craft of writing. An expertly assembled collection.
When I read a collection of short stories like this, I always expect that a few will pop out as gems and a few will underwhelm. Not Miscreants. Each one keeps you on your feet until the last page. My favorites were Equity, Tada!, and Murder at the Magic Castle.
February 11, 2020
Super fun with a really wide assortment of perspective and imaginative storytelling. This anthology has something for everyone: A western. A superhero (supervillain) tale. A Lovecraftian horror. A sad, but introspective story of love and loss. Gritty noir-ish crime. Even a bit of steampunk action. This is a super-fun anthology where every story offers something unexpected. A real treat. Recommend.
February 13, 2020
This is not my usual genre. But, I found these stories unique and creative. Anytime you have this many diverse stories in one place, you are bound to find at least one that stands out. I found all of these stories to be outstanding. Did I enjoy them all equally? Of course not! But, all these tales are exclusive and very uncommon. I so enjoyed each one in their own individuality. There is a lot of talent in this collection!
April 15, 2020
This book is a collection of tales about devious deeds.
Stories were, overall, well-written. I understand that shreds of irony were perhaps supposed to tickle at these tales, but I’d say they were more complex than what I wanted. There definitely was an air of sophistication, which imbued them with intelligence and splendor; however, I didn’t exactly get that into them. They’re smart reads though.
Stories were, overall, well-written. I understand that shreds of irony were perhaps supposed to tickle at these tales, but I’d say they were more complex than what I wanted. There definitely was an air of sophistication, which imbued them with intelligence and splendor; however, I didn’t exactly get that into them. They’re smart reads though.
July 16, 2021
Not Bad
This is an okay collection of short stories. They range from a wife who knows more than than her cheating spouse suspects; a poor girl's payback to a rich girl's meanness;a creepy circus performance leafing to resolution of an unsolved crime; a fantasy universe; a receptionist who uncovers an alien invasion; ; and a man who studies premier criminals unaware that someone is studying him. They are mildly entertaining if not especially memorable.
This is an okay collection of short stories. They range from a wife who knows more than than her cheating spouse suspects; a poor girl's payback to a rich girl's meanness;a creepy circus performance leafing to resolution of an unsolved crime; a fantasy universe; a receptionist who uncovers an alien invasion; ; and a man who studies premier criminals unaware that someone is studying him. They are mildly entertaining if not especially memorable.
January 3, 2020
If you want to get a sample of great writing from multiple, top-rate authors, then this is the book to read. Every story is unique, with a sense of urgency that demands the reader keep turning the pages. My only regret is the fact that eventually the pages do run out. Hopefully, there will be sequels to this series and the adventure can continue.
January 21, 2020
Interesting collection of stories by an eclectic group of writers!
July 6, 2020
I have had the pleasure over the years to read many short story collections. I have read none quite like this, though. This was not a set written by just one author but was written by many. This, in itself, makes this book unique.
When I began to read this book, I did not know what to expect. I enjoyed each story, and each story was very well written. You can pick out different writing styles. Each story was unique and a bit strange, which is okay, based on the title and all...haha.
I had one story in particular that hit home for me, and it was The Win By Dori Ann Dupré. My father has cancer, and so maybe that is why? I do not know, but this story hit me. Maybe because while it had an unexpected ending, to me anyway, it still made perfect sense.
Overall, this book was a great collection of short stories. I was introduced to many new authors. If you like books that are not the usual, happy go lucky type, then this is for you. It had me hooked from page 1.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
When I began to read this book, I did not know what to expect. I enjoyed each story, and each story was very well written. You can pick out different writing styles. Each story was unique and a bit strange, which is okay, based on the title and all...haha.
I had one story in particular that hit home for me, and it was The Win By Dori Ann Dupré. My father has cancer, and so maybe that is why? I do not know, but this story hit me. Maybe because while it had an unexpected ending, to me anyway, it still made perfect sense.
Overall, this book was a great collection of short stories. I was introduced to many new authors. If you like books that are not the usual, happy go lucky type, then this is for you. It had me hooked from page 1.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews