I just completed reading the rest of the short stories in THE MYSTERY OF THE GREEN MIST, an L&L Dreamspell anthology, and want to offer some brief comments and thumbnail reviews.
“Between Friends” by D. Nathan Hillard is a unique story. It’s as much quality literary fiction as mystery genre. From the descriptive language and natural dialogue in this story, you feel as though you really are in a small Texas town in the 1940’s. Cotton Turner’s death isn’t a simple who-done-it. Did one of his friends kill him? If so, why? The why of Turner’s death is significant. This story has a spare, understated writing style that packs real power.
In “The Scent of Blood” by Cherri Galbiati,” Lisa Linder visits her best friend Bella who has moved from Houston to Vermont to run a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, there’s a serial killer lurking about committing bizarre murders. Lisa is not alone; she has her German shepherd, Norggin, certified Search and Rescue worker in finding cadavers, to discover the murderer. This is a well-written story with interesting characters and an original plot.
“Reservoir of Death” by Sylvia Nickels is set in Central Georgia. Madeira Hart had every reason to hate Theo Wellington. But she didn’t discourage her daughter Sissy’s friendship with his daughter. After Maddy discovers that Sissy has witnessed Theo’s murder, their lives are put in jeopardy. This is a well-paced, suspenseful story, a real page-turner.
“The Mystery of Moonstone Manor,” by Randy Rohn, is the last story in the anthology.
Like the first story, “Mystery of the Green Mist,” it’s particularly well-suited to young adult readers. Sixteen-year-olds Kristen and Kurt decide to sell candy to whoever might be living at creepy Moonstone Manor. Kurt isn’t eager because the house is reputed to be haunted. Kristen, however, forges right ahead. She meets three strange elderly people: Pamela, her weird brother William, and Mabel, the spooky housekeeper. Kristen realizes there is a mystery that needs solving here. Are there actual ghosts? Worth reading to find out. New spin on a traditional story.
I believe you'll enjoy this anthology if you decide to read it. There’s certainly an interesting variety of mystery stories awaiting your reading pleasure.
Comments anyone??
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Mystery of the Green Mist: Great Reading Enjoyment!
The Mystery of the Green Mist is an L&L Dreamspell Anthology
Altogether, there are ten mystery stories in this anthology by ten different authors.
I started reading the anthology in the middle of the night when I couldn’t get back to sleep. I was hoping it would relax me so that I would get the extra rest I needed. But
the stories proved too interesting and I found myself finishing half of the book before
dawn.
I’ll comment on the first five stories that I’ve read so far. “Mystery of the Green Mist” by Linda Houle gives the book its title and is the lead story in the anthology. Amateur paranormal investigators, Jo and Tracey, are intent on solving the mystery of the ghostly green lights that appear in local cemeteries at night. They find out more then they bargained for in this entertaining mystery story which is appropriate for old and young alike.
“Deleting Dennis” engaged this reader from the first sentence because of the author’s witty style of writing. Pauline Baird Jones provides a well-written mystery that is pure enjoyment.
“The House on Grays Prairie Road” by Sally Love is a splendid mystery ghost story that haunts the reader long after it ends because of the enthralling sense of atmosphere and use of description.
Unlike the last two stories which are set in Texas, Jo A. Hiestand’s “The Clue in the Crumbling Cottage” takes place in England. Sixteen-year-old Brenna Taylor finds the body of Fiona Hall, co-leader of a Girl Guide patrol, in an old cottage while they are on a camping trip in the Derbyshire Dales. Brenna acts as amateur sleuth, finding an important clue in the cottage and deducting the identity of the murderer. The story develops character quite effectively.
“Trust No One” by Morgan St. James is a complex noire mystery. Once I started it, I had to read it through. You won’t want to put this one down.
Each writer offered a unique voice and the stories are varied. I'll be back when I finish the second half of the book and the last five stories. Comments anyone?
Altogether, there are ten mystery stories in this anthology by ten different authors.
I started reading the anthology in the middle of the night when I couldn’t get back to sleep. I was hoping it would relax me so that I would get the extra rest I needed. But
the stories proved too interesting and I found myself finishing half of the book before
dawn.
I’ll comment on the first five stories that I’ve read so far. “Mystery of the Green Mist” by Linda Houle gives the book its title and is the lead story in the anthology. Amateur paranormal investigators, Jo and Tracey, are intent on solving the mystery of the ghostly green lights that appear in local cemeteries at night. They find out more then they bargained for in this entertaining mystery story which is appropriate for old and young alike.
“Deleting Dennis” engaged this reader from the first sentence because of the author’s witty style of writing. Pauline Baird Jones provides a well-written mystery that is pure enjoyment.
“The House on Grays Prairie Road” by Sally Love is a splendid mystery ghost story that haunts the reader long after it ends because of the enthralling sense of atmosphere and use of description.
Unlike the last two stories which are set in Texas, Jo A. Hiestand’s “The Clue in the Crumbling Cottage” takes place in England. Sixteen-year-old Brenna Taylor finds the body of Fiona Hall, co-leader of a Girl Guide patrol, in an old cottage while they are on a camping trip in the Derbyshire Dales. Brenna acts as amateur sleuth, finding an important clue in the cottage and deducting the identity of the murderer. The story develops character quite effectively.
“Trust No One” by Morgan St. James is a complex noire mystery. Once I started it, I had to read it through. You won’t want to put this one down.
Each writer offered a unique voice and the stories are varied. I'll be back when I finish the second half of the book and the last five stories. Comments anyone?
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