Synopsis/blurb....
The clock is ticking...
Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?
Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting...
A collection of short stories which I worked my way through at a pace of one a day. None of the authors were familiar to me.
A Stitch in Crime by Gwen Gardner ....... enjoyable enough, cross stitching and hauntings, a sweet shop with a disturbed spirit and a connection to an orphanage and a kindly old nun.
Gussy Saint and the Case of the Missing Coed by C.D. Gallant-King ..... an ex-boxer PI and a dame with a family grudge
The Tide Waits by Rebecca M. Douglass ...... a barkeeper crosses proverbial swords with the Lord of the Manor, time and tide wait for no man
The Little Girl in the Bayou by J. R. Ferguson Cypress .... a child in jeopardy, an indifferent police force and a man whose conscience won't let it go. Harsh, unforgiving, brutal but a story with a heart.
Like the Tree by Yolanda Renée .... a messy end to an unhappy marriage, the merry widow gets her happy ever after - cleverly plotted - possibly my favourite in the collection
Reset by Tara Tyler ..... a bit of time travel to right a wrong.
Three O’Clock Execution by Samantha Betler (S. R. Betler) ..... death row answers - but no stay of execution
Center Lane by Christine Clemetson ..... corporate fraud, a patsy, a dirty cop, payback - all slightly confusing if I'm honest
One More Minute by Mary Aalgaard ...... domestic strife and an unforeseen end to a couple of relationships, taut and tense storytelling
Heartless by C. Lee McKenzie.... a mad abductor and murderer and a rescue during the great Chicago Fire of 1871
Until Release by Jemi Fraser ...... a count down to a killer's release and the welcoming party waiting to greet him. Thoughtful and tense, a great finish to the collection.
Like any collection there were a few stories with outcomes that give pause for thought and a couple that kind of passed me by. All of them have a time theme in the backdrop, some so subtly presented you almost wouldn't know it was there. In others the ticking of the clock was more imperative.
Enjoyable overall.
4 from 5
Read in April, 2018
Published - 2018
Page count - 202
Source - review copy from Dancing Lemur Press
Format - Kindle
It does sound like a solid collection, Col. A few of them in particular strike me as especially strong (the Betler, the Aalgard, and the Fraser). Glad you enjoyed the stories, overall.
ReplyDeleteMargot, lots more I liked than not. I don't think I actually disliked any TBH, just maybe didn't fully get the author's intention.
DeleteI think the reviewer hit it on the head: some you don't get, others you love, some you skim. That's what make an anthology such a great read. Thanks for featuring Tick Tock!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome - thanks for stopping by and commenting. I liked your story!
DeleteThanks so much. Heartless was a departure for me and one more reason I love to write for anthologies; they let me "play" with new ideas.
DeleteI'll keep an eye out for the next one from the group.
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting collection, Col. I have to get moving on reading more short stories.
ReplyDeleteI want to read more than I do. With a bit of discipline I'm sure I could read a couple of collections a month without major disruption to my regular reading.
DeleteThanks for featuring the anthology! I agree that not every story is for everyone, and as others have said, that's the beauty of an anthology.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, you're welcome. I do enjoy anthologies/author collections and ought to read more of them.
DeleteI found each story different, so fun that there’s something for everyone! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, there's plenty of variety in the collection.
DeleteSorry I’m chiming in late. Thanks for reviewing Tick Tock. I appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome, Jessica.
DeleteSounds like a good collection, and how nice that so many of them dropped by...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it maybe a bit more than I expected, Moira. Yes - it'snice to see a few new faces here!
DeleteA bunch of great stories.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite story is Until Release. Love the writing style and tension.
Agreed! Until Release was very good.
DeleteThanks so much for reviewing and spotlighting our anthology - I'm thrilled to be included in it!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of anthologies is finding new authors to enjoy - and I certainly did with Tick Tock!
Jemi, you're welcome.
DeleteA wonderful review of the anthology!
ReplyDelete