Reviews

There's nothing remotely scary about these tales, but they are the first collection of "pure" thriller stories by some of America's foremost writers. The quality of the short stories varies; some have abrupt endings while others are engrossing from start to finish. Authors represented include Lincoln Child, Michael Collins, Alex Kava, David Morrell, and M. Diane Vogt. The list of readers is equally impressive, featuring the talents of Joyce Bean, Dick Hill, and Michael Page, among others. The plots of the stories range from the historical (Benjamin Franklin and Osama bin Laden make appearances) to the supernatural to the just plain bizarre, but listeners will find them clever and captivating. Despite the daunting price, this collection does represent the first offering of a newly formed thriller writers club, and it's rare to get this much talent in one anthology. Recommended for large public libraries. Joseph L. Carlson, Allan Hancock Coll., Lompoc, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Editor Patterson and the 32 writers who signed up for this breakthrough collection are all donating their royalties to the new International Thriller Writers, which had its first convention in June 2006 in Arizona. They plan, no doubt, to be rewarded for their work with extra fame and future fortune. But hopefully the eight excellent readers who bring the audio version to a generally high quality of life got paid for their efforts, because they are otherwise unrewarded and virtually anonymous. Aside from a listing of their names on the CD box, there's no mention anywhere of who reads what. Despite the lack of publicity, these actors do a fine job, adding an extra ingredient to the best stories in the collection-pieces by Gayle Lynds; her sadly late husband, Dennis Lynds; J.A. Konrath; Raelynn Hillhouse; David Morrell; M. Diane Vogt; and M.J. Rose are especially strong-and even bringing some of the lesser stories up a rung on the excitement ladder. Thriller addicts who'd rather listen than read will find solid value for time and money spent, and wannabe crime fiction writers will learn a lot from Patterson's lively introductions. Simultaneous release with the Mira hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 3). (June) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.