The Refusal Camp

by James R. Benn

These dazzling stories show a crime fiction veteran at the height of his career.

In his first-ever collection, the award-winning author of the Billy Boyle World War II mysteries presents an eclectic mix of new and previously published mystery stories rife with historical detail and riveting wartime storytelling.

“The Horse Chestnut Tree” explores betrayal and murder during the American Revolution. In the speculative work “Glass,” an atomic supercollider and the breakdown of the time-space continuum change the lives of two cousins devoured by greed. “Vengeance Weapon,” a historical thriller about an enslaved Jewish laborer working at the Dora concentration camp, looks at how far someone will go to get revenge. And for his Billy Boyle fans, Benn delivers “Irish Tommy,” a police procedural set in 1944 Boston featuring Billy’s father and uncle.

Full of terror, action, amusement, and bliss, The Refusal Camp is a must-have collection from a crime fiction veteran at the height of his career.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Mystery

255 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 2023

About the author

James R. Benn is the author of Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery, selected by Book Sense as one of the top five mysteries of 2006 and nominated for a Dilys Award. The First Wave was a Book Sense Notable title.
Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Kim Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read this author before, but I thought most of these stories were truly outstanding. This is a collection well worth your time. The theme of the stories is the price of greed. It's so satisfying to see Karma come for the wicked.

[Kristin Perrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of historical short stories. Each story was short enough for me to read in one or two sittings, but packed with detail and character. The stories were all quite different from each other, set in different places and times. The stories are described as crime stories, but I think the actual genre is more complex and nuanced than that. Only one of them was what I would consider a crime story, where police are working to solve a crime. Some were stories of crime victims seeing to avenge their tormentors. Others were stories of complicated people in complicated situations just trying to survive. I enjoyed the variety of stories and characters in the book. The writing style was easy to read and rich with detail. Absolutely would recommend this book

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short stories. Well written. Multiple genres. Each very different. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first for James Benn... a short story collection. And it was excellent. Hard to pick out a favorite.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: I rejoice in the Sabbath. Not for the words of the English preacher or for the hardwood bench in the rear of their Sunday god's church.

Premise/plot: James R. Benn's The Refusal Camp is a collection of short stories. It's a blend of history, mystery, and war--for the most part. Not all stories fit into a neat category. The stories span centuries. The stories are as follows:

The Horse Chestnut Tree
The Two Neds
Glass
Red Christmas
The Refusal Camp
Irish Tommy
Billy Boyle: The Lost Prologue
The Secret of Hemlock Hill
Vengeance Weapon

The Refusal Camp, the title story, features the girlfriend of Billy Boyle in her undercover identity. Irish Tommy features Billy Boyle's father and uncle. The Lost Prologue to the novel Billy Boyle does not feature Billy Boyle. It does tie into the first book, but, Billy Boyle himself is not present. The other stories are definitely stand-alone stories. (I think ALL of the stories can be read that way.)

My thoughts: I would rate the story "Glass" to be FIVE STAR all the way. It is one of the BEST, BEST, BEST short stories I've read in years. I highly recommend seeking out this story. Even if it's your own story to read from this collection, it's worth a check out from the library.

Plenty of the stories I would rate as four stars. The characterization is there. Many are oh-so-human. It's hard not to get attached to the characters and their stories. The stories can be a little dark and gritty. Not for shock value, at least I don't think so, but because war is horrifying and traumatic.

My least favorite story is probably The Secret of Hemlock Hill. I didn't personally want to read about over-enthusiastic "archaeologists" or "historians" dig up graves to see if they can find Civil War era stuff to sell.

[Shirley Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first short story collection by James R. Benn, best known for his award-winning Billy Boyle World War II mysteries. The stories are both previously published and new, and range in time and place from the Revolutionary War in America to a bitterly cold POW camp in Korea. Most have some component of war, but there is a haunting tale of ghostly lovers, and one gem that includes the super collider, time travel, a young Stephen King, and a potato. We get to meet Billy’s father and uncle in wartime Boston, and discover the prequel to the Billy Boyle series.
Mr. Benn’s meticulous research and his ability to turn dry facts into riveting tales is on full display. Whether or not you’re familiar with the Billy Boyle series, you will enjoy this volume. And if you’re not familiar with Billy, it’s time to remedy that.
Highly recommended.

[June Camizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories all pulled at me to keep turning the page. Read on, you need to see what’s next. Hemlock Hill and the Vengeance Weapon really beaconed me on. The Prolog did indeed encourage me to pick up the first book of the Billy Boyle series. The theme of refusal was beautifully displayed in different ways throughout each story placing each main character solidly within the Refusal Camp.

*Slight spoil* I’d like an expanded version of Hemlock Hill with all the details and how she disposed of the two threatening men who treated her and her property with such disrespect and impropriety, as if they had rights to it.

[Tom Godfrey]

The Refusal Camp is a collection of short stories (and one excerpt) by James Benn, author of the Billy Boyle WWII-era series. Each story has a twist, with the main theme being that despite all odds justice triumphs. The settings cover about 200 years, from pre-Revolution days to the Korean War and beyond, including a bit of time-travel! His characters are resourceful and quick-witted, so when things go wrong they manage to turn it all to their advantage. Cruelty and selfishness on the bad guys' part always lead to their downfall, though this doesn't mean that every ending is "happy". The good guys have won, for the moment, but there is always more pain and tragedy to come.

[Renée Gendron]

This is a fantastic series of short stories centering around veterans (from different wars) involved in different circumstances.

The stories were all well written and self-contained. Two in particular snared my attention. The first involved a world-famous author and how he got his books, and the second WOW -- involving cameos from the Billy Boyle Series ~ super happy to see that series on going (can't wait for the next installment) and really pleased to see the characters again.

These stories were original and very well written, and I can't wait until the next book from James R. Benn (release September 2023).

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine short stories from James R. Benn. While I love reading his Billy Boyle books, many of these stories are unrelated and they are just as engrossing. The only tip I might suggest is to set the book aside for a while between the stories. Savor them! They are really good. One is a fairly long 'short story' which was originally meant as an opening to the first Billy Boyle novel. Benn was convinced to not include it as it might distract from the Billy Boyle story. It was great to have a chance to read it now!

[Barbara Waloven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved these 9 historical fiction (mixed genre) short stories. There are stories from various war times like the Civil War and WWII. There is also a story about a time traveling object and Stephen King shows up. There’s a police procedural story set in Boston in the 40’s with a bank heist and murders. There’s also plenty of betrayal, murder, torture, an endearing love story, revenge, humor and so many different emotions played over me that it was thrilling to read! Excellent read!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

B: The Refusal Camp is a collection of short stories by the author of the Billy Boyle series which I read as soon as they are published. The stories in this volume cover historical fiction (primarily WWII), science fiction, police procedural, and horror. Some characters in, or referred to, in the Boyle novels make an appearance.

[Laura Jabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

personal notes- red cover book research. Finished the 1st 2 short stories. More invested in the characters and plot of the 1st story than the 2nd. Short story collection of war time stories in different time periods was immersive and would add a new category to the pool. Will definitely return to finish.

[Mary Mcqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found these stories crisply written. Also quirky. Loved the characters and the strange situations they end up in. I know this review is not as extensive as it might’ve been, but I’ve been listening to another book today and I’ve forgotten a lot of details. Lots of twisted storytelling here.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little collection of short stories. As a fan of the Billy Boyle books, it was fun to see the original opening and to see the stories from a different perspective.

[Ben Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

sci-fi, war, crime, ghosts, every kind of short story

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. Like most short story collections, I found it uneven…some stories well crafted, others ending abruptly or unsatisfactorily.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short stories, but no common theme

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories - some interesting, some not so much. Not as good as his Billy Boyle series.

[Steve Gross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benn is an excellent writer and his Billy Boyle series is wonderful.. This book, however, is depressing and filled with profanity. Very disappointing.

[Glenna Lusk · Rating 3 out of 5]

WOW. 3.5 stars. This is a heavy read, but the short stories are IMPACTFUL.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite story was "Glass"

[Joyce D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come later

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories

[Jim Overturf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read his Billy Boyle series and really liked them, I thought I'd enjoy this collection of short stories. All were very good. Very good, and varied, selections.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multiple short stories.

[Aunt Sandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short stories. Unconnected themes and characters.

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints.

[Maya Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the book- the Stephen King story made me chuckle.

Concord