Morrell's collection of short work here is a trip through his whole career as a writer, touching on old friends and new interests. On the whole, the stories are less haunting than his earlier collection, [Black Evening]. But that is balanced by his return to some very popular stories, including Thomas De Quincey and [The Brotherhood of the Rose] series. The bonus material is wonderful, each story introduced with some historical context or personal history - the manna of writer/readers.

The best stories in the collection, however, are the ones down slightly untraveled paths. Architecture of Snow is a understated take on J.D. Salinger's life and work, with a bit of a supernatural twist. They is a retelling of a Laura Ingalls Wilder history, again, with a more sinister eye.

4 bones!!!! ( )

I received an advance copy of this short story collection from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.

Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.

The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.

The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.

My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing and demonic as the title suggests.. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.

The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.

The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.

The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.

Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.

Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.

The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.

They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.

Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars. ( )

I received an advance copy of this short story collection from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.

Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.

The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.

The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.

My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.

The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.

The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.

The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.

Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.

Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.

The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.

They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.

Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars.
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