The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories edited by Maxim Jakubowski

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Overview
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Title: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories
Author: Maxim Jakubowski, Barbara Nadel, Rhys Hughes, Columbkill Noonan, John Moralee, Martin Edwards, Paul A. Freeman, Vanessa de Sade, Josh Reynolds, M. Christian, Terry Davis, Patrick Jones, Michael Gregorio, Alex Howard, Stephen Dedman, Sarah Morrison, Martin Gately, Andrew Lane, Nic Martin, K.G. Anderson, Violet Addison, David N. Smith, Keith Moray, William Meikle, Cara Cooper, Brett McBean, Andrew Darlington, Betsy van Die, David Bishop, Nick Sweet, Steve Rasnic Tem, Erin N. Kennemer, Adrian Ludens, Catherine Lundoff, Martin Feekins, C.L. Raven, Nicky Peacock, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro, Sally Spedding & Adrian Cole
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction, Short story collections, Thriller
Dates read: 29th January – 30th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: She does not possess the sharpest mind, and it was not until long after the death of her friend Mary Jane that she began to make sense of what had happened.

Synopsis

Jack the Ripper as he has never been seen before…

Countless theories have been put forward by Ripperologists as to the identity of the notorious Victorian serial killer, but in the absence of proof how can we hope ever to unearth his real identity? How many more plausible new theories based on known facts can the experts hope to come up with?

In this wonderful collection of newly commissioned stories, Jakubowski has compiled an extraordinary array of fresh explorations into the identity and activities of Jack the Ripper – this time unabashedly fictional, unrestrained by the facts of the case. Contributors include Vaanessa de Sade, Sarah Morrison, Betsy van Die, Alvaro Zinos-Amaro and Sally Spedding.

Cummulatively, they propose numerous possible identities, some already suggested by historians, others more speculative, including some famous names from history and fiction – even Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are on the case!

Thoughts

You know from the very beginning that this collection is going to be quite twisted. I mean, it’s a collection of 40 stories about Jack the Ripper. That is never going to be a nice collection. But it was an incredibly interesting one. One that I’m incredibly glad I read and found very difficult to put down.

I’m glad that I read The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper before reading this. It made a few things make a little more sense as I read these short stories. Plus, there were SO many different takes on the events of 1888. Or adaptations to modern day society. It filled my head with a lot of wonderful information.

After reading this, I know even more about Jack the Ripper. I’m not actually sure that this is such a good thing. Because wow. There’s a reason why he’s (or maybe she’s) such a notorious killer. There are just so many things that are known and not known…

<- The Mammoth Book of Jack the RipperBertie ->

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Milk and Cookies by Rob Thurman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: Milk and Cookies
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Cal Leandros #7.5
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I guessed it didn’t take.

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Synopsis

Nick has ceased to believe in the joys of Santa. But, his little sister still does. So when a bully starts to give him a hard time, he decides that maybe he’ll bring her a little Christmas joy.

Thoughts

For those of us with a younger sibling, we would do almost anything for them. The fact that this is a story about that, and the spirit of giving over Christmas made this an amazing short story. The fact that as I write this review, I found out that it’s part of a greater series just makes me love this that much more. Having said that, this does take a darker spin on sibling relationships and gift giving… well, I’m not going to complain. I love some darkness in my life.

The whole story is about how the boy doesn’t believe in Santa anymore and how he’s really sad that he doesn’t. and he wants his sister to have that same belief that he now misses… that’s quite cute. When you find out what happened to Santa to stop him from believing in it… it becomes less sweet. A whole lot less sweet.

Bullies are always horrifying. One that is on the right track to becoming a sociopath… so much, much worse. But, Nick deals with him perfectly in this. He even gives him multiple chances to change his ways and become a better human being. He doesn’t take them… but at least there’s a sense of fairness before he becomes part of the Christmas festivities.

 <- Rogue Elements ReviewKeeping Watch Over His Flock Review ->

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Lost in the Dark by John Langan

Book Review,
Overview
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Title: Lost in the Dark
Author: John Langan
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: One of the local papers speculated that the killings might be the work of a Manson-style cult.

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Synopsis

It was one of the best ever horror movies. But, when this author finds out the truth behind the story… well, it becomes much more horrifying.

Thoughts

My thoughts while reading Lost in the Dark. Late at night…

  • Based on a fake movie (I think)
  • First person POV, good foreshadowing feel
  • The story is beautifully built with tales of urban myth and horror
    • And their parallels to horror films
    • Not a horror person myself, so this is just assumed
  • I had to triple, quadruple check this wasn’t a movie
  • So realistic!
  • Love that the story creates a second story – a movie with synopsis on imdb
    • It’s not there, I checked
  • Got goosebumps just reading the damn movie description
  • Creepy
 <- Jack ReviewThe First Lunar Halloween Review ->

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Balance by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Balance
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #6.6
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “Tangy,” I said, and felt him swell with pride.

Synopsis

The world needs balance. And in the reality of the InCryptid’s, maths and malice work perfectly to do so. A cuckoo creates a new nest, but is removed. Then hes kin remove the hunter… it’s all about checks and balances.

Thoughts

This is my first every taste of the InCryptid series. And now I’m so excited that I already have the first novel in this series on my shelves. There was just something completely amazing about the idea of cryptids (monsters) that are hunted down for preying on humans. And writing this whole short story from the point of view of the monster… freaking, totally and utterly brilliant. I’m hooked. I’m happy.

I’ve read about a lot of monsters in my many, many, many fantasy books. I’ve never read about a monster that is a cuckoo. One that parasitising on the human race by doing exactly what a cuckoo does. And now I’m wondering why there aren’t more parasitic creatures like this. It’s just such a damn brilliant idea! And it asks, they exploit us, so does that mean that they’re actually malicious? Or like the cuckoo, just doing what they’re designed for?

Ultimately this story is all about checks and balances. Or at least, that’s how it’s written and acts are justified. Which I kind of like. The idea is that humans keep ruining things, they are getting a little too big for their britches, so we have predators that keep us in check. After all, ecosystems don’t survive when one organism is overpowering all of the others.

<- The Difference Between Deceit and DelusionEverywhere ->

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Falling in Time by Allie Mackay

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Falling in Time
Author: Allie Mackay
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Scottish romance, Time travel
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He couldn’t see her – she was lying behind him, her full, round breasts pressing against his back.

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Synopsis

She thinks that she’s just imagining the lead male in her book. But then she starts kissing him. And seeing him in the daytime… maybe there’s a little bit more to this than she realised.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved that this story features a writer who is having very vivid imaginations about her lead character. And that was about the extent of my love for this story. I kept rereading parts of this story in total confusion. Like, total and utter confusion. Wasn’t entirely sure how this was working and what was going on.

About halfway through I started to get what was actually going on though. And I kind of like the idea of soul mates. With the time travelling aspect being something which only happens because they’re soul mates. Ones who were accidentally born in the wrong time and need divine intervention to finally come together.

Eventually I got into this story and did enjoy it. It might not have been my favourite short story, but it was definitely one that was thoroughly enjoyable.

 <- Steam ReviewFuture Date Review ->
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Rogue Elements by Karen Chance

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: Rogue Elements
Author: Karen Chance
Series: Cassandra Palmer #3.2, Cassandra Palmer World #7
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: What are you saying?

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Synopsis

Lia’s been tasked with finding the kidnapped daughter of the “Werewolf King”. But she’s not welcome amongst them, and this journey might bring her face to face with the man she fell for… hard.

Thoughts

I love that I finally got to revisit the world of Lia and Cyrus. That I get to do so in a Christmas collection and when they’re obviously just finding their relationship (the other two stories I’ve read which feature them are further along in the series) just made it that much better. It also gives a little more insight into the hierarchy of the werewolves in this series. Something I surprisingly needed in my life.

I love that the douche nugget in this story who gives Lia such a hard time ends up being guilty of a lot more than just being a pain in the butt. And kind of racist. In a supernatural way. It also shows that not only does Lia have a great past, but there’s also a lot of hidden wars occurring. I’ve only read Touch the Dark in the greater series, so it’s intriguing to find a story which explains so much more of the battle going on.

This is a great, easy, happy read. One that I thoroughly enjoyed. Mostly though, I wish it wasn’t over so soon. I want to return to Lia and Cyrus. I feel WAY too connected to them.

<- You’d Better Not PyoutMilk and Cookies ->

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Jack by Pat Cadigan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Jack
Author: Pat Cadigan
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Spirits
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: There isn’t even any daytime, only darkness.

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Synopsis

For one night of the year, Jack has the opportunity to escape. It’s her job to stop him. But this is her first night solo. What will happen?

Thoughts

This short story is beautifully dark and impossible to put down. It has a bit of an urban fantasy feel that is reminiscent of a lot of the series that I read. But it also had a great sense of mystery to the story. One that made me wonder what was going to happen. And, since it was in this collection… if there would be a happily ever after in the end.

I’ve heard a few retellings of Jack, the trickster. This might be my favourite so far. There was something a little more down to earth about it. Yet, it had a great sense of modernity to an old story that I love. The modernisation and journey that this takes you on is seriously brilliant.

My favourite part of this story though is knowing that there is a trick coming. But not being sure what it is or when it’s going to appear. And when it does… it takes you by surprise. And then you wonder who will come out on top. A good little adventure to go on.

 <- The Turn ReviewLost in the Dark Review ->

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In Sheep’s Clothing by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: In Sheep’s Clothing
Author: Meljean Brook
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She’d know him if she saw him again though.

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Synopsis

There’s a rapist and murderer hunting the women of her hometown, and then she gets a flat and realises that she’s next. But the consequences of her escape? She’s probably turned him into a werewolf…

Thoughts

I’m a big fan of werewolf stories. You can probably tell from how many are on my shelves and fill my bookcases. But, one thing that doesn’t tend to happen so often is that if there’s a female werewolf, the male normally is too. Something about not having a woman more powerful than a man or such nonsense I would suppose. But, that’s not the case in this story. The woman is a werewolf, the man she loves a normal human; and ultimately, it’s the woman that saves the day.

This short story centres around a couple reconnecting as they also fight off a rapist. Or at least, try and catch a serial rapist and killer. It’s quite an intense way to reconnect, but I love that ultimately, she gets her revenge on the man who tried to take her. Rather than her being scared, she’s actually actively hunting him down. A great departure from many of the female storylines I normally find.

This short story was yet another reminder of just how much I love Meljean Brook. Her writing always draws you in. Her world building is brilliant. And the characters make you want to reach through the pages and get to know them just a little bit better. The fact that she doesn’t just do this in novels and novellas, but also short stories was a fantastic surprise to my mind.

 <- The Wager ReviewThe Dream Catcher Review ->
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In the Wake of the Autumn Storm by Adrian Cole

Book Review, ,
Overview
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Title: In the Wake of the Autumn Storm
Author: Adrian Cole
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 30th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Could be complete tosh, or it might allow us to blot a few escutcheons.

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Synopsis

Do you ever wonder what happened to the Ripper? Dolly is happy to provide you with the true, far more sinister story.

Thoughts

This story was incredibly beautiful. Which is a weird word to use, because it’s a story about Jack the Ripper. It’s also incredibly twisty and turny – which makes far more sense considering the stories topic and subject. But it’s this twisty and turny nature that makes it such a beautifully intriguing story.

In the Wake of the Autumn Storm is incredibly deprived. Horrifyingly so. And that depravation has nothing to do with the actual Ripper. It’s got to do with the woman whose telling the story and what happens around her. And to her. It’s just depraved.

This short story is the tale of the Ripper, his demise and the ultimate reveal at the end. Which was quite a good little surprise. One that even made me smile after I turned the final page.

 <- Trespass ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Kaiju Review ->
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Alien Sex edited by Ellen Datlow

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
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Title: Alien Sex
Author: Ellen Datlow, Leigh Kennedy, Rick Wilber, Harlan Ellison, Scott Baker, Larry Niven, K.W. Jeter, Philip Jose Farmer, Lisa Tuttle, Bruce McAllister, Edward Bryant, Pat Cadigan, Geoff Ryman, Connie Willis, Richard Christian Matheson, Lewis Shiner, Roberta Lannes, James Tiptree, Jr., Michaela Roessner & Pat Murphy
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Science fiction, Short story collections
Dates read: 27th August – 29th December 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: The front row of pews was reserved for the faculty.

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Synopsis

In these 19 evocative pieces of short fiction, best-selling and award-winning writers tackle such intriguing issues as sex by telepathy, the pick-up scene on other planets, and making love with Superman. Thought-provoking, often shocking, always entertaining, Alien Sex daringly explores those barriers between men and women that can make them seem so “alien” to one another. Probing the current and future state, shape, and complex problems of the human male/female relationship, this fantastic collection will make you think about sex in a whole new way.

Thoughts

This is the single most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever read. Like wow uncomfortable. And not in bits and pieces. But pretty much every single story in this was uncomfortable. Not that that’s bad. But it’s very hard to read a book quickly when you know that things aren’t going to be, well, pleasant. Which makes it incredibly WOW to read. I suggest this to everyone who loves their science fiction.

This collection seriously makes you think about the world around you and how we perceive it. More importantly, it repeatedly makes you question sex, our approaches to sexuality and even how we deal with the opposite gender. And sometimes even questions of gender. By using these insane, far out storylines, it makes you seriously consider this aspect of our lives.

Sex is really weird. I don’t know that anyone can argue that it isn’t. Using science fiction and aliens just helps to highlight that fact. And kind of act as enlightenment for a number of my own practices and beliefs. Definitely an interesting collection…

<- The Marker ReviewHer Furry Face ->
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