Short Story: The Chosen by Trevor Schmidt

In the near future the world's population is drastically reduced by a mutated form of the AIDS virus. A billionaire claims to have found the cure but journalist Marty McDaniel doesn't quite believe it.

Trevor Schmidt, author of the fantastic Memory Leak, delivers a quick tale of a bleak future where all is not as it seems and Marty himself is immune to the virus, he is one of The Chosen.

At only 43 pages long this is all over pretty quickly but makes for fantastic lunchtime or commute reading.

Ric's Rating: Highly Recommended.  

Short Story: Replica by Trevor Schmidt

Trevor Schmidt, author of the cool sci-fi thriller Memory Leak, returns to the genre with this short story which follows a team of futuristic soldiers in their pursuit of a notorious terrorist.

The year is 2054 and Sgt Logan Martel and his team are closing in on their man. The team must use all of the advanced technology available to them, including robotic birds, to survive the onslaught of machine-gun fire coming from insurgents.

This quick easy read is a cautionary tale regarding the development of future technology and is ideal lunch-break or commute reading that will appeal to fans of the Terminator movies.

Click on the Trevor Schmidt tab below for my review of Memory Leak.

Ric’s Rating: Good.      

Book: Through The Eyes Of Strays by Glen Krisch

This latest collection of short stories from Glen R Krisch contains blasts of horror and sci-fi that will entertain fans of the newly revitalised format.

Highlights include:

Sudden Sanctuary – A young woman seeks out her internet boyfriend during a virus outbreak.

Filtheater – A vagrant with special powers makes a horrible discovery.

Gram Knows – The stand-out story finds young Bobby in receipt of a letter that asks for his help. He soon uncovers a tale of violence and abuse but the story isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Winterlochen Academy – Trapped in an old Church a group of students & teachers attempt to fend off hungry wolves but little do they know that the wolves are not the most dangerous creatures trying to get in.

These are all great fun but there are one or two stories that don’t live up to the standard achieved by those mentioned above.

Overall this is a very interesting and entertaining collection which should be used as an introduction to an author with bags of potential.

Ric’s Rating: Good.     

Book: Commitment and other tales of madness by Glen R Krisch

A collection of six short stories with the connecting theme of madness.

Highlights include:

So Close To Home – A zombie story with a cool twist.

Wielder – A planned murder becomes something much worse.

An Untenable Madness – A promising athlete’s world becomes skewed following an accident.

Glen Krisch has managed to bring together crime, science fiction and horror in this cool collection that adds to the short story revival currently championed by the kindle. The format may not suit everyone but tales like these are brilliant for a quick fix of fiction during a lunch break or commute.

As with all short stories sometimes they feel just too short but they do have impact and often leave you wanting more.

Ric’s Rating: Good.  

Book: Letting Go by Victoria Watson

This collection of eight short stories contains the constant theme of life changing events.

Three of the stories have already been released individually and you can find my reviews of them by clicking the Victoria Watson label at the bottom of this review.

The five remaining stories are:

Bye Bye Baby
Cry Baby
John: Home Tomorrow
Maybe Baby
The Waiting Game

Two of the “Baby” stories are actually about babies, always an emotional subject matter and the others concern domestic abuse, 9/11 and a period of limbo. These are told in a touching way and there is even the odd moment of humour.

The short story format has finally found a home on e-readers but some of these are just too short, they do have impact, but it’s all over too quickly. Thankfully when you include the three titles already reviewed (I Should Have Seen It Coming, Inside and Keeping Quiet) the collection becomes an altogether much more satisfying experience.

Ric’s Rating: Good

Short Story: Inside by Victoria Watson

While watching the demolition of a building, a young woman ponders past events which took place within.

This short story is similar to Victoria Watson’s previous tale Keeping Quiet but where that was an elderly lady looking back this is a much younger woman contemplating her past.

As events gradually unfold and we learn the building’s purpose various typical teenage events are remembered, like misguided sexual adventures, but when the final tragedy is revealed it puts all these things into perspective.

Emotional and thought provoking, this is another fine example of the power of the increasingly popular short story format which has seen a dramatic re-birth since the rise of the e-reader.

Ric’s Rating: 68%

Short Story: I Should have Seen It Coming by Victoria Watson

An ordinary office worker loses her job and stumbles across an old pack of tarot cards in another short sharp dose of fiction from Victoria Watson.

Gradually she learns the tarot and becomes Jacqueline Stargazer, a sought after party guest, but when psychic night bookings begin she delivers some advice that has tragic consequences.

This is really all about how someone’s life can change after losing their job and its thought provoking stuff that remains entertaining throughout.

These Trestle Press short stories make ideal lunch break reading, it’s nice to be able to complete a tale in a short period of time and anyone lacking the discipline or attention span required for novels should give them a try.

Ric’s Rating: 67%

Short Story: Rowan's Folly by Darren Sant

The third instalment of the Longcroft series brings us a violent tale of lust and revenge as electrician Andy Rowan succumbs to temptation in the shapely form of thug Shane Cullen’s daughter, but her Dad isn’t Rowan’s biggest worry.

Meanwhile a pair of gormless burglars pick the wrong house to rob.

This is the longest of the short story series so far and it pays off bigtime. Darren Sant has introduced a fine blend of characters, many of which I suspect we haven’t heard the last of.

Each story leaves me hungry for more and I can’t wait to visit the Longcroft estate again.

Interestingly the author has invited submissions for the fourth instalment. Head over to http://www.santsrants.blogspot.com/ for more information.


Ric’s Rating: 74%

Short Story: Keeping Quiet by Victoria Watson

An elderly lady contemplates the twists and turns of a life that has mostly passed her by in this moving short story from Victoria Watson.

From her childhood before the war to her current predicament she takes us on a melancholy journey. A domineering Mother put paid to most fun in her childhood and even as an adult she bows to her Mother’s will, although things begin to change when her own daughter arrives.

The short story format (currently championed on ebook by Trestle Press) is perfect for this sad tale. It contains everything required to paint a full picture of a life filled with regret.

Powerful and affecting, this is a perfect introduction to short stories for anyone hesitant to try.

Ric’s Rating: 78%

Book: Flashes Of Revenge by Darren Sant

Darren Sant steps outside the grim setting of his ongoing short story series, the Longcroft Estate, to bring us six tales of revenge.

Kicking of with the startling Revenge Is A Warm .45 this collection delivers thrills, laughs and food for thought.

As with Sant’s other stories (see reviews elsewhere here) my only complaint is that they are too short. I could have spent loads more time with the two aged gangsters in Unforgiven. The seemingly strange band members in The Ungrateful Dead were also very intriguing.

I’m new to short stories in general but I’m quickly discovering that a short sharp dose of crime fiction can be very refreshing. I’m also keen to see if the author will tackle a full length novel.

Ric’s Rating: 72%

Short Story: Community Spirit by Darren Sant

Tracy and her young son Tom have escaped an abusive household and plan a fresh start in a new location. Unfortunately they are placed in the notorious Longcroft Estate.

The second in Darren Sant’s short story series sees the single mother struggle to repay a loan shark while protecting her son from the local bullies. If she can’t raise the cash needed the thug has made it clear what he’s after instead.

Will she keep him at bay?

Like the previous instalment A Good Day (see review elsewhere here), this really is a very brief short story, but it does manage to convey everything required to have an impact.

Reminiscent of the tv show Shameless but without the comedy element this also manages to be surprisingly uplifting.

I’m already looking forward to my next visit to the Longcroft Estate.

Ric’s Rating: 78%

Short Story: A Good Day by Darren Sant

The first in Darren Sant’s series of short stories sees a junkie more adept at robbing and conning face a moral dilemma which could put him on the path to redemption.

Flash cars driven by wealthy looking men are beginning to show up on a regular basis so what does one grimy flat contain that could interest them so much?

I’m new to short stories and while I enjoyed this it’s almost too short to merit a review. Saying more would give the entire thing away but if you enjoy quick-fire fiction that feels like a blast of cold fresh air first thing in the morning then this could be right up your street.

Looking forward to the next volume but maybe I’ll save a few of them before reading in order to prolong the enjoyment.

Ric’s Rating: 68%