Under one cover for the first time a collection of Crime Shorts from Jane Risdon featuring popular stories such as The Honey Trap and Murder by Christmas as well as previously unpublished shorts including Sweet Sable. There is something for everyone who enjoys a good yarn.
Undercover: Crime Shorts
By janerisdon
This is an interesting mix of short stories all with a criminal theme…We open with a story of intrique and double dealing that follows a charasmatic redhead with her sights on the big prize and willing to use anyone she can to achieve it. The other stories reveal the darker side of people’s nature, including a writer caught up in her neighbour’s terrifying drama, a woman who leaves a will to heirs who have to complete certain tasks to inherit her money, a stalker who gets more than he bargained for and a woman with justice on her mind.
The author has created some complex characters and a number of inventive schemes and deadly plots to keep you entertained and wondering just who will get away with murder. A short read packed with intrigue and surprises.
I love the stories in this book. Each one is a maze-like roadmap of intrigues, laden with twists, turns, and a surprise or two, that grabbed my attention right off the bat and didn’t let go. More than one had me glued to my seat in suspense. I could not divert my focus from the book until I finished reading it. The last piece, “Undercover,” is an extract from the author’s next novel which I cannot wait to read. As an author, Jane Risdon is a natural. She pens her stories in such a manner that you can see her characters up close in their surroundings, and you can follow the action as it takes place. Her writing style is most unusual in that she can write from the standpoint of an American, from that of one who is British, or from that of anyone of any nationality she chooses. I strongly recommend the book, “Undercover: Crime Shorts,” and I have the highest praise for its author, Jane Risdon.
This book of short stories is exceptionally well written and is a real page-turner! Each story is unique and so good, I was compelled to go on to the next story straightaway. If you love a good mystery with twists and turns, you will love these stories! I am new to the author (Jane Risdon) but I will be reading more of her work in the very near future. I highly recommend this excellent book!
When I found out this author had written some crime shorts, I knew they would be good as I’d previously read some of her short stories. Jane Risdon has a magic pen. She knows how to write a tale that will intrigue and lure you in.
Seven ‘long’ short that were cleverly inspired by crime and murder.
Sweet Sable: The Red Siren is the first story and set in the thirties, it immediately created an atmaosphere of a times gone by. This crime noir tale was good start to the book.
Apartment 206c, couldn’t have been more different as it brings us bang up to date. We’ve all overheard people talking through walls, and China, the main character, hears her neighbours arguing. A fast past, heart thumping story with a twist.
Murder by Christmas – this was very clever. It’s started with the reading of a will, and certain people have to do certain things before they get their money. Very clever story.
The Watchers was a sad crime I felt. Two people who didn’t quite connect up again as we find out all it not what it seems.
The Honey Trap, and we have all heard of them and this one plays out as we meet the assassin.
The Look is similar to the previous one, and another cleverly written story. Although they were both good, I liked this one better because I love a strong female character.
The seventh story is called Undercover and is an extract from the author’s forthcoming book. I didn’t read this one, so you will have to make up your own mind about it.
I enjoy Jane Risdon’s writing and read her book Only One Women, which I absolutely loved. It takes the reader back to the rock n roll sixties. You can read my review here.
Jane also wrote a short story which I featured on the Magic of Stories site called Summer of Love, and is well worth a read.