In his debut collection, Thomas Smith explores the boundaries between the world we know and the twilight-shrouded borders with the strange, the dangerous, and the mysterious.A professor who gets the offer of a lifetime, but at a hefty price. A mad scientist’s creation that has made an important, dire decision. A dinner party for five that is heavy with blood and consequence. A family outing in a cemetery.
In this haunting collection, Thomas Smith blurs the line between reality as we know it and those Other Places…
These weird and entertaining stories are perfect for anyone who likes dark fiction. Most have intriguing plots with engaging characters and unexpected outcomes.
A few ended too abruptly for my taste with no definitive closure, but as always with short story collections I had several favorites, and the following were a few of what I enjoyed the most.
Presto- a man undergoes an experimental treatment after an accident that should have killed him. Now he's the greatest magician in the world, but there are no tricks here it's all too real.
This was a story of revenge with an explosive ending.
Mother And Child Reunion - This is another revenge story in which a woman is reluctantly reunited with the son she abandoned years ago.
Problem Can - This was a fun story about a school girl who has a surprise for a grouchy teacher.
We Create Them- Two well-to-do women voice their differing opinions on those who are less fortunate over lunch in a fancy restaurant. This one was quite thought-provoking and one of the more serious stories in the collection that had me thinking of my own circumstances. Happily for me, I don't look up to people just because they have money and I don't look down on those who don't.
If you're in the mood for something dark and unusual take a trip to Other Places, from the safety of your favorite reading spot.
4 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications.
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