In this collection of 12 short stories, Jeffrey Archer challenged his readers to identify red herring planted on each. I managed to located 4. Twice over that amount, Archer had successfully misleading me to draw false perceptions by his spinning and unexpected flows. Sometimes, made me feel like a fool.
My top picks.
1. Do Not Pass Go
Hamid Zebari, an Iraqi former minister managed to flee from "mysterious disappearance". A fate surely will follow anyone who fell from favour with Saddam Hussein. Successfully rebuild his life in US, he took his regular twice a year business flight to Turkey. During that fateful return flight, the airliner experienced malfunction, necessitated an emergency landing on BAGHDAD of all places. There's a big bounty over his head. Imagine how horror, chilling and suspenseful it was, for him. I will rate this as 6 stars (stand-alone) if that possible. Even in very heart-beating moments, there's a dark humour and funny seconds that made me laugh. Such a masterful stroke.
2. Trial and Error.
A logistic millionaire being convicted of murdering his business partner, a secret lover of his wife. I correctly guessed the red herring. I enjoyed this deceptive short thriller. Strong foundation of this story could easily afford full expansion if Archer decided so in future.
3. Shoeshine Boy.
For five years, Sir Ted Barker had been the Governor and Commander in Chief of St George, a British sovereign colony in the middle of North Atlantic. It's a laid-back island, representing the simplicity of life and being economical. The official car of Governor was an aging Land Rover. There's no air conditioning, and plumbing problems plaguing the official residence. It was in this state that His Excellency received a call from the Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Mountbatten of Burma; who informing h a desire to visit the island tomorrow afternoon. As much as Lord Mountbatten stated it was largely informal, Sir Ted planning otherwise. He wanted to have a lavish official ceremony to welcome the royal cousin, who was once a Viceroy of India. Fans of Sophie Kinsella surely will approve this story. Silly, hilarious and comedic.
Stories featured here were not in straight forward mode. It showed versatility on writing style. Some of red herrings planted here were so subtle like You'll Never Live to Regret it. I didn't understand what exactly happened. Only after re-read few days later I finally comprehend it. It's there but i didn't see it.
In One Man's Meat (Chapter 12), readers were given four choice of ending at one point. I read all and I chose the 2nd one, Burnt. It's the most gripping and upsetful. Perfect for intense short story. I never saw this kind of writing method before. Lord Archer decided to invent one.
Overall, this book differentiated itself from his other short stories collection. This one has a decided identity.