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Given in Evidence
10 ingenious and exhilarating short stories in one collection:
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
- GenresShort Stories
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Rob Parker
37 books66 followersRob Parker is a married father of three, who lives in Warrington, UK. The author of the Ben Bracken thrillers, Crook’s Hollow and the Audible bestseller Far From The Tree, he enjoys a rural life, writing horrible things between school runs. Rob writes full time, attends various author events across the UK, and boxes regularly for charity.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
He spends a lot of time in schools across the North, encouraging literacy, story-telling and creative-writing, and somehow squeezes in time to co-host the For Your Reconsideration film podcast, appear regularly on The Blood Brothers Crime Podcast, and is a member of the Northern Crime Syndicate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 2, 2020
EXCERPT: I didn't hear you come in. The radio was playing, the kettle switched on as I hummed along to Bruno Mars, but when I turned around, just as the water reached boiling point, there you were in my kitchen, and you frightened the life out of me. You always do.
After what you did, I thought you'd leave me alone for good. Stupid me. I should know by now what you're like. Stubborn, determined, manipulative. Someone who always gets his way; at least, that's what you like to believe, being an egomaniac. (The Encounter by A.A. Chaudhuri)
ABOUT THIS BOOK: 10 ingenious and exhilarating short stories in one collection:
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
MY THOUGHTS: I am a fan of the well crafted short story. And there are four in this collection that stood out from the others: The Encounter, Land's End, The Murder Hole, and Room 228. These were excellent reads. The others ranged from pointless to mediocre.
Each story is accompanied by a little explanation, or note about the author. A lot of these stories are prologues to books/series. I will certainly be following up on A.A. Chaudhuri's other works.
Definitely not the best collection of short stories that I have ever read, but neither is it the worst.
😕😊🤔
#GivenInEvidence #NetGalley
THE AUTHORS: Rob Parker
J.M. Hewitt
A.A. Chaudhuri (Goodreads Author)
Roger A. Price (Goodreads Author)
E.R. Fallon (Goodreads Author)
Leo McNeir
D.J. Harrison (Goodreads Author)
Charlie Cochrane (Goodreads Author)
Euan B. Pollock (Goodreads Author)
Thomas Laird
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lume Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Given in Evidence by various authors for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
After what you did, I thought you'd leave me alone for good. Stupid me. I should know by now what you're like. Stubborn, determined, manipulative. Someone who always gets his way; at least, that's what you like to believe, being an egomaniac. (The Encounter by A.A. Chaudhuri)
ABOUT THIS BOOK: 10 ingenious and exhilarating short stories in one collection:
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
MY THOUGHTS: I am a fan of the well crafted short story. And there are four in this collection that stood out from the others: The Encounter, Land's End, The Murder Hole, and Room 228. These were excellent reads. The others ranged from pointless to mediocre.
Each story is accompanied by a little explanation, or note about the author. A lot of these stories are prologues to books/series. I will certainly be following up on A.A. Chaudhuri's other works.
Definitely not the best collection of short stories that I have ever read, but neither is it the worst.
😕😊🤔
#GivenInEvidence #NetGalley
THE AUTHORS: Rob Parker
J.M. Hewitt
A.A. Chaudhuri (Goodreads Author)
Roger A. Price (Goodreads Author)
E.R. Fallon (Goodreads Author)
Leo McNeir
D.J. Harrison (Goodreads Author)
Charlie Cochrane (Goodreads Author)
Euan B. Pollock (Goodreads Author)
Thomas Laird
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lume Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Given in Evidence by various authors for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 26, 2020
Eager to sink my teeth into a collection of criminal tales, I turned to this book of short stories by a variety of authors, many of whom I have never read before. The collection is quite varied and provides the reader with unique stories about how random death can be and how murder lurks around every corner. Here are some brief sentiments on each of the stories in this collection:
Hard Time, by Roger A. Price
A short piece in which two prison officials attempt to tackle the issue of handling a tough prisoner. All those who have shared a cell with him ended up being roughed up and assaulted in short order. A plan is hatched that might help quell the attacks and provide the problem inmate with some issues of his own.
A Certain Man was Sick, by Charlie Cochrane
When a choral tenor falls dead in the middle of Evensong, all eyes look to the abby organist. The two men have had a feud for decades over a personal issue that seems quite trivial. Poisoned by a piece of fudge, the tenor seems to have accepted an odd early birthday gift. An inquest and trial are quick and to the point, but one other member of the choir chooses to investigate on his own years later. The truth will arise, like a well-prepared descant.
The Message, by D.J. Harrison
Securing a large loan for an upstart cheap flight airline, the protagonist soon finds herself on the wrong end of an attack in which she loses a thumb. With no known reason for the attack, she reaches out to her employer, who promises to gather all parties for a discussion. Once the reason for the attack is expressed and apologies made, it would seem all is better. However, one dastardly act deserves another...
The Encounter, by A.A. Chaudhuri
Megan Beaumont is an award-winning author, but has lost her way after she is attacked and raped in her home. The attack left her with complete amnesia and she is unable to continue writing, especially after learning that her attacker is likely responsible for her husband’s murder. Fleeing to a remote location, Megan meets Dan, who does not know her but is eager to help with writer’s block. He agrees to tell her a story that will likely unburden him as well as provide her with the fodder for a new crime bestseller. The plot thickens from there...
Land’s End, by J.M. Hewitt
Alex Harvey is a private detective and has recently returned from quite the mission. With a rescued client in tow, Alex takes her to his family home in hopes of getting some rest and relaxation. However, when they arrive, a former belle of Alex’s explains that her son has gone missing. Alex is willing to help her, as she is almost blood family, but something does not add up in her story.
Room 228, by Leo McNeir
Marnie Walker is known for her architectural work and jumped at the opportunity when asked to redesign a small hotel. When she and her partner arrive to see the finished product, they learn a little about the original hotel that stood in this place. There was an unsolved murder that took place in one of the guest rooms, which garnered some popularity soon thereafter. When Marnie arrives to be interviewed about the relaunch, she sees one guest having trouble trying to secure room 228, in which he has stayed many times over the years. A little sleuth work and Marnie may know what’s going on, but it is still somewhat mysterious.
Murder Hole, by Rob Parker
In this piece, Captain Benjamin Bracken is facing a hearing surrounding his discharge from the British Armed Forces. He appears ready to enter a plea of guilty to the charges being levied against him, but first the reader learns of the events that led up to this. After a chopper crash, Bracken and one other soldier are able to escape, slipping into a sewer system to protect themselves. While the other soldier sustains some injuries, Bracken does all he can with limited rations. He compares events to a murder hole, where one has limited insight into what is going on, but can make some minimal defensive maneuvers. While all those in the hearing listen to his story, the Judge Advocate General asks for his plea after hearing the evidence, leaving Captain Bracken to await his fate.
Halfway, by E.R. Fallon
Matty is a young man with a great deal of potential. His father skipped out years back, leaving his mother to raise him and instil some morals. After Matty heads out for the day, a gentleman shows up at the house, implying that Matty might be involved in something that needs fixing. There’s a solution, but it’s not a great one. Our protagonist does not take well to the options, forcing the man with the firm resolve to leave... for now.
Child of the Night, by Thomas Laird
Back in Victorian England, a man wandered the streets and killed prostitutes. He was wanted by Scotland Yard, who deemed him Jack and Ripper. But, he is no Jack at all, rather Francis S. Amjac. Fearing that things are too intense in London, Amjac sets sail for Chicago, where he feels able to blend in with the many other criminals. Fast forward to 2017 and Michael Parisi has just earned a detective’s shield with the Chicago Police Department. He’s called to the scene of a horrific crime, in which a young woman has been mutilated. He and his partner wonder who could be so sick as to leave a woman in this state. Parisi comes to the job with a passion for reading, particularly about the criminal element. Could one of those men from his book have influenced a new killer in Chicago?
Children’s Games, by Evan B. Pollock
When a young woman is found murdered in her bedroom, the obvious suspect soon comes to light. However, there is a great deal of confusion, as a ghost may have been involved in the homicide. The police and two legal representatives bandy this idea about, sure that it is just the fantasy-laden mind of some others in the family. However, with a body bludgeoned by a steel ball, someone is responsible, likely of the living variety. But who could have done it and why?
I always love to find new authors whose writing is worth further exploration. This collection of short stories has done just that, with a brief editorial note at the end of each to direct the reader towards some other publications that might be of interest. Some of the stories in this collection are quite short, while others provide more heft and therefore some thought must go into the plot development. I found myself leaning towards certain pieces over others, which is to be expected in a book full of different writing styles. Most of these pieces held my attention, though some were less than formidable. I am eager to see what others feel about this collection and if there are authors they would recommend. Being a fan of A.A. Chaudhuri (and hers being the only work I have read before this collection), I would certainly turn to her. Others, like Leo McNeir and Charlie Cochrane left me eager to try some of their other work. I hope to see some added banter from other readers/reviewers for more insight.
Kudos, all those authors who have contributed to this piece, for you hard work and crime stories. I certainly enjoyed this collection, which I devoured in a single day!
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/...
Hard Time, by Roger A. Price
A short piece in which two prison officials attempt to tackle the issue of handling a tough prisoner. All those who have shared a cell with him ended up being roughed up and assaulted in short order. A plan is hatched that might help quell the attacks and provide the problem inmate with some issues of his own.
A Certain Man was Sick, by Charlie Cochrane
When a choral tenor falls dead in the middle of Evensong, all eyes look to the abby organist. The two men have had a feud for decades over a personal issue that seems quite trivial. Poisoned by a piece of fudge, the tenor seems to have accepted an odd early birthday gift. An inquest and trial are quick and to the point, but one other member of the choir chooses to investigate on his own years later. The truth will arise, like a well-prepared descant.
The Message, by D.J. Harrison
Securing a large loan for an upstart cheap flight airline, the protagonist soon finds herself on the wrong end of an attack in which she loses a thumb. With no known reason for the attack, she reaches out to her employer, who promises to gather all parties for a discussion. Once the reason for the attack is expressed and apologies made, it would seem all is better. However, one dastardly act deserves another...
The Encounter, by A.A. Chaudhuri
Megan Beaumont is an award-winning author, but has lost her way after she is attacked and raped in her home. The attack left her with complete amnesia and she is unable to continue writing, especially after learning that her attacker is likely responsible for her husband’s murder. Fleeing to a remote location, Megan meets Dan, who does not know her but is eager to help with writer’s block. He agrees to tell her a story that will likely unburden him as well as provide her with the fodder for a new crime bestseller. The plot thickens from there...
Land’s End, by J.M. Hewitt
Alex Harvey is a private detective and has recently returned from quite the mission. With a rescued client in tow, Alex takes her to his family home in hopes of getting some rest and relaxation. However, when they arrive, a former belle of Alex’s explains that her son has gone missing. Alex is willing to help her, as she is almost blood family, but something does not add up in her story.
Room 228, by Leo McNeir
Marnie Walker is known for her architectural work and jumped at the opportunity when asked to redesign a small hotel. When she and her partner arrive to see the finished product, they learn a little about the original hotel that stood in this place. There was an unsolved murder that took place in one of the guest rooms, which garnered some popularity soon thereafter. When Marnie arrives to be interviewed about the relaunch, she sees one guest having trouble trying to secure room 228, in which he has stayed many times over the years. A little sleuth work and Marnie may know what’s going on, but it is still somewhat mysterious.
Murder Hole, by Rob Parker
In this piece, Captain Benjamin Bracken is facing a hearing surrounding his discharge from the British Armed Forces. He appears ready to enter a plea of guilty to the charges being levied against him, but first the reader learns of the events that led up to this. After a chopper crash, Bracken and one other soldier are able to escape, slipping into a sewer system to protect themselves. While the other soldier sustains some injuries, Bracken does all he can with limited rations. He compares events to a murder hole, where one has limited insight into what is going on, but can make some minimal defensive maneuvers. While all those in the hearing listen to his story, the Judge Advocate General asks for his plea after hearing the evidence, leaving Captain Bracken to await his fate.
Halfway, by E.R. Fallon
Matty is a young man with a great deal of potential. His father skipped out years back, leaving his mother to raise him and instil some morals. After Matty heads out for the day, a gentleman shows up at the house, implying that Matty might be involved in something that needs fixing. There’s a solution, but it’s not a great one. Our protagonist does not take well to the options, forcing the man with the firm resolve to leave... for now.
Child of the Night, by Thomas Laird
Back in Victorian England, a man wandered the streets and killed prostitutes. He was wanted by Scotland Yard, who deemed him Jack and Ripper. But, he is no Jack at all, rather Francis S. Amjac. Fearing that things are too intense in London, Amjac sets sail for Chicago, where he feels able to blend in with the many other criminals. Fast forward to 2017 and Michael Parisi has just earned a detective’s shield with the Chicago Police Department. He’s called to the scene of a horrific crime, in which a young woman has been mutilated. He and his partner wonder who could be so sick as to leave a woman in this state. Parisi comes to the job with a passion for reading, particularly about the criminal element. Could one of those men from his book have influenced a new killer in Chicago?
Children’s Games, by Evan B. Pollock
When a young woman is found murdered in her bedroom, the obvious suspect soon comes to light. However, there is a great deal of confusion, as a ghost may have been involved in the homicide. The police and two legal representatives bandy this idea about, sure that it is just the fantasy-laden mind of some others in the family. However, with a body bludgeoned by a steel ball, someone is responsible, likely of the living variety. But who could have done it and why?
I always love to find new authors whose writing is worth further exploration. This collection of short stories has done just that, with a brief editorial note at the end of each to direct the reader towards some other publications that might be of interest. Some of the stories in this collection are quite short, while others provide more heft and therefore some thought must go into the plot development. I found myself leaning towards certain pieces over others, which is to be expected in a book full of different writing styles. Most of these pieces held my attention, though some were less than formidable. I am eager to see what others feel about this collection and if there are authors they would recommend. Being a fan of A.A. Chaudhuri (and hers being the only work I have read before this collection), I would certainly turn to her. Others, like Leo McNeir and Charlie Cochrane left me eager to try some of their other work. I hope to see some added banter from other readers/reviewers for more insight.
Kudos, all those authors who have contributed to this piece, for you hard work and crime stories. I certainly enjoyed this collection, which I devoured in a single day!
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/...
April 29, 2020
I was disappointed in all but a couple of the short stories in this anthology. The first story, "Hard Time," drew my attention immediately, and I was absorbed in the tale thoroughly until it just abruptly ended. Yes, short stories are abrupt sometimes, but this one just ended with nothing resolved at all, and I was left wondering what the heck? Then, reading the blurb at the end, it was explained that this was a prologue to the book NEMESIS. What?? A prologue? So the reader is expected to buy a book of short stories to entice you to read the rest of the story in a longer version? That seems a little...wrong.
The best story of the bunch was "The Encounter," by A.A. Chaudhuri, in my opinion the only thing that saved this anthology. Thrilling and suspenseful! "Room 228" was also enjoyable, if predictable. "Murder Hole," by Rob Parker, was good, but again - was only an excerpt of a continued story in another book. "Halfway," by E.R. Fallon, held my interest until it, too, abruptly ended, with me wondering where the heck the story was meant to go.
I have no problem with short stories being part of, or precursors to longer novels; it happens all the time. I just find it annoying when that isn't explained ahead of time so that the reader knows there might be more to the story than what is initially laid out. I felt that this book was deceptive in that regard, and it left me frustrated with stories that I otherwise could have enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lume Books for an ARC in exchange for this review. Opinions are my own.
2 stars
The best story of the bunch was "The Encounter," by A.A. Chaudhuri, in my opinion the only thing that saved this anthology. Thrilling and suspenseful! "Room 228" was also enjoyable, if predictable. "Murder Hole," by Rob Parker, was good, but again - was only an excerpt of a continued story in another book. "Halfway," by E.R. Fallon, held my interest until it, too, abruptly ended, with me wondering where the heck the story was meant to go.
I have no problem with short stories being part of, or precursors to longer novels; it happens all the time. I just find it annoying when that isn't explained ahead of time so that the reader knows there might be more to the story than what is initially laid out. I felt that this book was deceptive in that regard, and it left me frustrated with stories that I otherwise could have enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lume Books for an ARC in exchange for this review. Opinions are my own.
2 stars
May 1, 2020
Thanks for the opportunity to read these stories Pigeonhole! However, I was expecting “short stories”, ie stories with a definite ending! Although some were well executed and had a definite end, others were simply preludes to a longer novel. It is rather misleading to classify them all as short stories. Some were quite well written, others were predictable and/or dull and confusing. A very mixed bag!
May 1, 2020
This was a mixture of stories that were supposed to be short but some were teasers leading to and requiring the purchase of a novel.
A couple of these ten stories were really well written but others fell short. An okay collection overall.
A couple of these ten stories were really well written but others fell short. An okay collection overall.
April 28, 2020
This was a varied and fun collection of short stories. As with all short story collections, some stories are better than others, but this book is worth the read for the AA Chaudhuri story alone. I also really enjoyed “Room 228.” This book has everything: amnesia, British police procedurals, a haunted hotel, a trial before the Judge Advocate General, to name just a few. From the cover and description, I expected this to be more of a collection of courtroom thrillers or procedurals, but this book has a little bit of everything. A tasty British stew of potboilers. A fun read and a great way to discover some new thriller writers. Now I am off to find everything else by AA Chaudhuri to add to my “Want to Read” list.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lume Books, all the authors and the editor for a fun read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lume Books, all the authors and the editor for a fun read.
May 1, 2020
Whilst I’m not normally a fan of short stories I thought I’d give this compilation of crime/thriller short stories a chance since I do enjoy this genre. Normally my reviews tend to be rather long and rambling but on this occasion it’s going to be brief and straight to the point. To market this title as a series of short stories is misleading because many of them read as a prelude to full length novels, introducing characters, and finish abruptly . I did enjoy a couple of them (numbers 1 and 3 if I remember correctly) and could appreciate how well written some are even if I disliked the storyline. However there were a few where I found myself just beginning to engage with the storyline when all of a sudden the narrative stopped, leaving me underwhelmed. There is a good mix of storylines meaning that there should be something to appeal to everyone and are perfect for readers with limited reading opportunities. As with any short story collection it’s easy to pick up and put down although frankly, in my case, once put down it would probably just gather dust!! I thank Pigeonhole and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read but unfortunately I found this collection to be hugely disappointing.
April 30, 2020
10 ingenious and exhilarating short stories in one collection:
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
My thoughts of this brilliantly written 10 powerful short stories thrillers were brilliant amazing characters shocking end my favourite author written thriller was A A Chaudhuri's powerful thriller The Encounter was mindblowing about lust lost revenge betrayal a shocking ending I did not see it coming A A Chaudhuri The Encounter is a pure suspense masterpiece totally gripping all an all each and every story is pure magic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
A murderous feud in a seemingly quiet country village…
A haunted hotel with one particularly difficult guest…
A hostage situation gone horribly wrong…
Featuring stories from acclaimed and bestselling authors, Given in Evidence is an anthology that showcases the best in contemporary crime and thriller writing.
My thoughts of this brilliantly written 10 powerful short stories thrillers were brilliant amazing characters shocking end my favourite author written thriller was A A Chaudhuri's powerful thriller The Encounter was mindblowing about lust lost revenge betrayal a shocking ending I did not see it coming A A Chaudhuri The Encounter is a pure suspense masterpiece totally gripping all an all each and every story is pure magic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
April 30, 2020
Received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
A really good collection of crime/mystery stories. Some were more predictable than others but either way they were enjoyable to read.
My favourite has to be 'The Encounter' by A.A. Chaudhuri. The story itself draws you straight in and even when you think you know what's going on there's something else that comes around the corner.
'Land's End' by J.M Hewitt and, 'Room 228' by Leo McNeir were also two other stories that I personally enjoyed.
My only annoyance that I had was honestly some of the font. Instead if using italics when drawing out certain words or sentences it changed to a completely different font that didn't work well with any of the stories. It threw me off and took me out of my experience when reading them too.
A really good collection of crime/mystery stories. Some were more predictable than others but either way they were enjoyable to read.
My favourite has to be 'The Encounter' by A.A. Chaudhuri. The story itself draws you straight in and even when you think you know what's going on there's something else that comes around the corner.
'Land's End' by J.M Hewitt and, 'Room 228' by Leo McNeir were also two other stories that I personally enjoyed.
My only annoyance that I had was honestly some of the font. Instead if using italics when drawing out certain words or sentences it changed to a completely different font that didn't work well with any of the stories. It threw me off and took me out of my experience when reading them too.
April 28, 2020
A crime anthology, what could go wrong? Not much actually and i'll be completely honest, even though I finished this in 2 days (non stop reading), I really didn't find much about this horrorifying or thriller like at all. Now I know that in short stories the author needs to get alot of information in a small amount of words, however I really didn't get the shock value from these stories, that I would expect. I however enjoy the varying lengths of the stories as that kept me engaged and wanting to read the next one (this was especially apparent with the first short story which I now want to read the follow on book). As this was an anthology, I can't quite talk about the type of writing, however I did feel all the authors wrote in the same way. I did like the fact we had crime stories from business to small towns to the military and that wide range kept me engaged.
A good anthology but needed more thriller and gore for me personally.
A good anthology but needed more thriller and gore for me personally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2020
My expectations about this book were not met. I am no great fan of short stories but I thought I should give the ARC a go to take me out of my comfort zone. It didn’t. It just frustrated me as rather than being short stories they were, for the most part, teasers to the authors’ novels. I felt somewhat cheated. I was mildly interested in a couple of the stories in this anthology, but not enough recommend getting hold of this book. Sorry, Pigeonhole.
May 1, 2020
This collection of short stories started off well, a solid 5* read and then the last half of the collection let it down. Some of the stories ended so abruptly that if I had a paper version I would think they were missing a page! All that being said, I now have some new authors in my TBR list as their short stories were excellent. It is still well worth a read.
Thanks Pigeonhole for the chance to read this.
Thanks Pigeonhole for the chance to read this.
June 22, 2020
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: short stories are an art form. We don’t expect every novelist to be a poet as well, or vice versa, and we shouldn’t expect all novelists to be able to write a proper short story. A proper short story, a great short story, has the same elements a novel has. It introduces characters, it builds up to something, a reveal, a twist, a satisfying ending. It is a proper story, albeit a very succinct one. This is where Given in Evidence fails. Many of the included stories are more teasers for upcoming books than stories in their own right. One big exception: The Encounter by A.A. Chaudhuri. A proper story, riveting, twisty, although in part a bit predictable, highly entertaining and the only reason I gave the collection more than one star. If you’re looking to find some new novels to read and you like a bit of an introduction first, then you might like this one. If you’re looking for a great short story collection, I’d suggest you look elsewhere…
May 1, 2020
This book contains some good writing, but I would not call it a book of short stories. I like a short story to feel like a complete entity. Many of the offerings in this book are a way for a writer to introduce a character that has featured or will feature in a full length novel. I think it might be of interest to someone taking a course in writing fiction. There are some well written characters and settings. I found a number of the plots rather predictable or with an unfinished feeling.
June 24, 2020
Many of the stories feel like excerpts or prologues for longer stories, which is a shame, and the stories vary greatly. My particular favourite was the first, an historical murder mystery which was complete in and of itself.
Some of the others were very interesting, but felt more like a tatser of something else than a short story that works by itself.
Some of the themes are much darker than I would ordinarily read, but that's not to say that other people wouldn't relish them.
Some of the others were very interesting, but felt more like a tatser of something else than a short story that works by itself.
Some of the themes are much darker than I would ordinarily read, but that's not to say that other people wouldn't relish them.
May 1, 2020
I was hoping for some really cleverly contained short stories but, sadly, I was a bit disappointed with this anthology. Overall, there were a handful of these stories that I’ve enjoyed but most are just preludes to a novel which isn’t what I was expecting nor hoping for. A little misleading to call these short stories.
May 1, 2020
An interesting anthology of short stories. I enjoyed most of them and the writing in several was brilliant. Sadly, quite a few felt unfinished, like extracts from a larger piece and this was extremely frustrating and disappointing. Hence the 3 stars. Still worth a read
May 1, 2020
A few of the short stories were very strong in character and interesting storyline. Others felt like as teaser for a full length book or possibly a first chapter and did not conclude in a satisfying way.
May 1, 2020
I liked some of the short stories but others were part of a longer text. A range of topics again some I prefers more than others.
May 1, 2020
A mixed selection of short stories. I gave 3 stars as an average. The ones I mostly enjoyed were: A Certain Man was Sick, The Encounter and Murder Hole.
May 1, 2020
Most of the stories seemed to be starts of longer stories rather than a whole story
Disappointing
Disappointing
May 1, 2020
Some were good, others were obvious teasers for full novels. Hit and miss.
May 13, 2020
Loved this anthology. The contributors are all masters of crime fiction and it shows in their work. I particularly enjoyed the stories by A.A.Chaudhuri, Rob Parker and Roger Price. I read A.A.Chaudhuri's "The Encounter" in a single breath. A compelling story with a twist you won't see coming. I've said it before and I'll say it again: A.A.Chaudhuri is the queen of crime fiction and I can see her going the way of Martina Cole. Rob Parker's story keeps you engrossed and on your toes too. I'm a huge fan of his brilliant Ben Bracken crime series (which you should read if you haven't already) and was pleased to see that he doesn't disappoint with this story either. If you're looking for something to keep you reading right into the small hours of the morning, give this anthology a go. Sure, some stories might seem like preludes to novels, but that adds to their allure. I remember the prologue for my upcoming novel about Honour killing in Pakistan was published by The Aleph Review - a short story anthology featuring International writers. The story got some pretty rave reviews precisely because it read like a prologue. In my opinion, these preludes sort of whet your appetite. I think this anthology is put together rather well and has something for everyone, especially for those who love crime fiction. You won't be disappointed!
October 30, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy
A great selection of crime/mystery short stories. Through this book I have found new authors to enjoy.
A great selection of crime/mystery short stories. Through this book I have found new authors to enjoy.
May 2, 2020
I want to thank NetGalley, Lume Books and all authors for the review copy. This review is not influenced by this in any way, these are my true feelings on the book.
Given in evidence is a crime anthology book. It has detective, military and legal crime stories.
This was a varied and fun collection. I was only disappointed that some of the stories were mere teasers for their full-length novels instead of short stories that were standing on there own. Therefore some of the stories cut of when you felt like the suspense should begin.
Roger A. Price - Hard Time: 2 stars, This was one of the teaser stories. I did really like the writing and it is a good prologue for a novel but as a short story it didn't solve anything
Charlie Cochrane - A certain man was sick, 5 stars, really interesting story with a couple of plot twists. I really loved the writing style.
D.J. Harrison - The Message , 3 Stars, the writing is beautiful and descriptive. The plot wasn't my favourite
A.A. Chaudhuri - The Encounter , 5 stars, This was my favourite story in the collection. It has so much intrigue, a lot of twists and kept you guessing.
J.M. Hewitt - Land's end 3.5 stars, Did really like the writing style. The plot wasn't my favourite but still enjoyable. I think the plot would do better in longer format.
Leo McNeir- Room 228 2 stars, This story didn't really have any suspense and was quite predictable. This was also a teaser for a full-length novel, so I felt the story should actually pick up when the story ended.
Rob Parker - Murder Hole 4 stars, Really liked the military setting. Quite detailed, felt like I was there. Not a lot of action suspense, but more physiological suspense.
E.R. Fallon - Halfway 3 stars, quite a gory story. And the switch between murder and detective POV was really interesting.
Euan B. Pollock - Child of the Night Children's games , 3 stars, really interesting case. I was a bit confused who was who.
Given in evidence is a crime anthology book. It has detective, military and legal crime stories.
This was a varied and fun collection. I was only disappointed that some of the stories were mere teasers for their full-length novels instead of short stories that were standing on there own. Therefore some of the stories cut of when you felt like the suspense should begin.
Roger A. Price - Hard Time: 2 stars, This was one of the teaser stories. I did really like the writing and it is a good prologue for a novel but as a short story it didn't solve anything
Charlie Cochrane - A certain man was sick, 5 stars, really interesting story with a couple of plot twists. I really loved the writing style.
D.J. Harrison - The Message , 3 Stars, the writing is beautiful and descriptive. The plot wasn't my favourite
A.A. Chaudhuri - The Encounter , 5 stars, This was my favourite story in the collection. It has so much intrigue, a lot of twists and kept you guessing.
J.M. Hewitt - Land's end 3.5 stars, Did really like the writing style. The plot wasn't my favourite but still enjoyable. I think the plot would do better in longer format.
Leo McNeir- Room 228 2 stars, This story didn't really have any suspense and was quite predictable. This was also a teaser for a full-length novel, so I felt the story should actually pick up when the story ended.
Rob Parker - Murder Hole 4 stars, Really liked the military setting. Quite detailed, felt like I was there. Not a lot of action suspense, but more physiological suspense.
E.R. Fallon - Halfway 3 stars, quite a gory story. And the switch between murder and detective POV was really interesting.
Euan B. Pollock - Child of the Night Children's games , 3 stars, really interesting case. I was a bit confused who was who.
May 2, 2020
I don't often read short stories but I am not averse to opening up one or two along the way, enjoying the QuickReads I have borrowed on a reasonably regular basis from my library.
This collection of crime stories however was a big disappointment. Most of the stories seemed incomplete and some of the tales were not only incomplete but sadly uninteresting too.
I have awarded this book 2 stars and BOTH of those stars are solely for A.A. Chaudhuri's contribution The Encounter.
I did read every story from start to finish to be courteous to all the authors but put very simply the story collection did absolutely nothing for me or much to positively promote this genre.
This collection of crime stories however was a big disappointment. Most of the stories seemed incomplete and some of the tales were not only incomplete but sadly uninteresting too.
I have awarded this book 2 stars and BOTH of those stars are solely for A.A. Chaudhuri's contribution The Encounter.
I did read every story from start to finish to be courteous to all the authors but put very simply the story collection did absolutely nothing for me or much to positively promote this genre.
May 3, 2020
I really struggled with this book, which I read through Pigeonhole.
The short stories were really short and I often felt that they either lacked a plot or a decent ending.
Not one of the short stories appealed to me and I forced myself to go back each day and read it, just so I could finish it. It could be that the authors were not for my particular taste in reading, or it could be that they were not the best work of the authors, I don’t know as there were no names I recognised.
Almost a DNF, but wasn’t, hence 2⭐️ rather than the 1⭐️ I give to anything I don’t finish.
The short stories were really short and I often felt that they either lacked a plot or a decent ending.
Not one of the short stories appealed to me and I forced myself to go back each day and read it, just so I could finish it. It could be that the authors were not for my particular taste in reading, or it could be that they were not the best work of the authors, I don’t know as there were no names I recognised.
Almost a DNF, but wasn’t, hence 2⭐️ rather than the 1⭐️ I give to anything I don’t finish.
May 2, 2020
As other reviews suggest, this was a very hit and miss anthology with some well constructed complete stories and some stories which felt like prologues to other books. One or two of them ended abruptly, like the author could not be bothered. This felt like an advert for other books to buy. Added a couple of possibilities to my TBR list, but I’m glad I read this with The Pigeonhole. I think if I’d bought it I might have felt a bit cheated.
May 5, 2020
Even two stars is a bit generous for this wrongly named book of short stories.
Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Most of these don't as they are prequels, tasters or synopses for books.
Have to admit that a couple of stories were stand alones, and quite well done, but most were too short, and frankly disappointing.
Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Most of these don't as they are prequels, tasters or synopses for books.
Have to admit that a couple of stories were stand alones, and quite well done, but most were too short, and frankly disappointing.
July 8, 2020
This was an interesting read some of the stories were better than others, some of them were a chore to get through but most were pleasant enough to read. I usually enjoy this genre but felt some stories could have done with being reworked slightly and some I would like to be fleshed out much more to fully understand everything that happened. Overall it was enjoyable to read.
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