Tales of Strangeness and Harm (Volume One)
Eight short stories to entertain you!
The Chair
In this day and age, is it really possible that an old carved chair could carry with it a dangerous curse?
A Man’s Worst Fear
A woman is being questioned about the death of her husband. She admits to poisoning him but insists it was in self-defence – but just why did she do it?
Millefiori
Have you ever found yourself getting carried away when collecting something? Here is the story of what happened to one collector in his quest for that final, special piece.
The Foundling
A desperate young woman leaves her new born baby on the doorstep of a kindly looking old lady. But this old lady has a disturbing history and perhaps she has made the worst possible choice.
First Filial
When a lab assistant is passed over for promotion, he decides to show his boss how capable he is with an experiment of his own. But sometimes, just sometimes, an underdog is an underdog for a reason.
The Wood of Souls
David Stephens is an ordinary but selfish man. On the journey home from the work’s Christmas party, he is going to have one last chance to change and do the right thing, but whatever he decides, there will be consequences from which he cannot hide.
Mirror, Mirror
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Or should that be: imitation is the most sinister form of flattery?
A Box of Fudge
Every now and then we have to make an important and irreversible decision. Some decisions matter so much that we have to be as certain as we can be that we’ve got it right. That’s why we make sure we’ve got all the facts right, don’t we?
5.0 out of 5 stars Tales of the unexpected! 26 Nov 2012
By Ignite TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This collection of short stories is prime Beverley Carter in that she can create a situation of which the reader cannot predict the ending. I do love surprises! Each of these stories, some featuring rather unpleasant characters, has a twist in the tail and will leave you smiling, nodding and thinking, 'I didn't see that one coming!' It's always difficult with a collection of stories, to choose a favourite and in this group I have several. I found the story of the Millefiori paperweight quite unexpectedly creepy at the end. The story of the laboratory cat, First Filial, tells of a lab technician who doesn't feel sufficiently stretched in his job and takes on a project of his own. The final tale, A Box of Fudge, also finished with a shiver.
I very much enjoy Beverley's style of writing and these 'tales of the unexpected' didn't disappoint me. You can read a story or two here and there, or do as I did and read straight through for an evening's entertainment. Excellent!
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius!!! A Worthy Rival to Joyce Carole Oates, Roald Dahl and even Lovecraft 15 Dec 2012
By Rach Chippendale
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've loved and avidly read the horror/suspense/twist in the tail type genre since i was 8 years old. As an Author myself I also can see intelligence both emotional and literal in another's writing. I see echoes of early Stephen King in this authors writing.
This set of tales is absolutely magnificent in all respects. A true talent who can take you easily, subtly yet rapidly into a parallel universe where the writing and story telling are so strong, after reading each tale it feels like one's own memory. The antithesis of the recent "vampire teen fiction" and other forgettable fiction, this author is a huge talent whose writing I shall continue to follow with avid interest. I'm totally hooked now!!!!!!! :-)
5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale Twisting Delight! 20 Dec 2012
By Gary Val Tenuta - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
In my mind, Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was the twist master of short stories, tiny tales in which the ending was anything but what the reader expected. Then again, fans of Dahl knew better than to have any expectation of exactly how the story would end. Well, okay, they could rightfully expect one thing: a surprise, sometimes subtle, sometimes in-your-face, sometimes humorous, in a twisted sort of way, and sometimes just plain horrifying. Dahl is gone now, RIP. But not to worry. There's a new Twist Master in town and she's very, very good. So good that I couldn't stop reading these amazing Tales of Strangeness and Harm.
I'm in awe of Ms. Carter's talent. A really well-crafted short story is more difficult to accomplish than many people might assume. Ms. Carter makes it look easy and that's one of the signs of a seasoned writer. Not only are the tales well-structured, but the characters are immediately identifiable. Somehow you'll know them - might be your nosey neighbor or that rather odd fellow you met at your best friend's wedding. What I'm trying to say is the characters in these stories are not cardboard cut-outs with nothing inside. They have their individual quirks and personalities. That, I think, is part of the success of these stories. Oh, you know what? To heck with it. I'm not going to sit here and pretend I can accurately analyze Ms. Carter's writing. If I knew how she does what she does I'd be doing it myself. Just get the darn book and sit back for some enjoyable, quirky, imaginative storytelling. It's a terrific ride. There are 8 tales in this volume and I wish there were 80. I'm definitely looking forward to Volume-Two.
The Chair
In this day and age, is it really possible that an old carved chair could carry with it a dangerous curse?
A Man’s Worst Fear
A woman is being questioned about the death of her husband. She admits to poisoning him but insists it was in self-defence – but just why did she do it?
Millefiori
Have you ever found yourself getting carried away when collecting something? Here is the story of what happened to one collector in his quest for that final, special piece.
The Foundling
A desperate young woman leaves her new born baby on the doorstep of a kindly looking old lady. But this old lady has a disturbing history and perhaps she has made the worst possible choice.
First Filial
When a lab assistant is passed over for promotion, he decides to show his boss how capable he is with an experiment of his own. But sometimes, just sometimes, an underdog is an underdog for a reason.
The Wood of Souls
David Stephens is an ordinary but selfish man. On the journey home from the work’s Christmas party, he is going to have one last chance to change and do the right thing, but whatever he decides, there will be consequences from which he cannot hide.
Mirror, Mirror
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Or should that be: imitation is the most sinister form of flattery?
A Box of Fudge
Every now and then we have to make an important and irreversible decision. Some decisions matter so much that we have to be as certain as we can be that we’ve got it right. That’s why we make sure we’ve got all the facts right, don’t we?
5.0 out of 5 stars Tales of the unexpected! 26 Nov 2012
By Ignite TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This collection of short stories is prime Beverley Carter in that she can create a situation of which the reader cannot predict the ending. I do love surprises! Each of these stories, some featuring rather unpleasant characters, has a twist in the tail and will leave you smiling, nodding and thinking, 'I didn't see that one coming!' It's always difficult with a collection of stories, to choose a favourite and in this group I have several. I found the story of the Millefiori paperweight quite unexpectedly creepy at the end. The story of the laboratory cat, First Filial, tells of a lab technician who doesn't feel sufficiently stretched in his job and takes on a project of his own. The final tale, A Box of Fudge, also finished with a shiver.
I very much enjoy Beverley's style of writing and these 'tales of the unexpected' didn't disappoint me. You can read a story or two here and there, or do as I did and read straight through for an evening's entertainment. Excellent!
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius!!! A Worthy Rival to Joyce Carole Oates, Roald Dahl and even Lovecraft 15 Dec 2012
By Rach Chippendale
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've loved and avidly read the horror/suspense/twist in the tail type genre since i was 8 years old. As an Author myself I also can see intelligence both emotional and literal in another's writing. I see echoes of early Stephen King in this authors writing.
This set of tales is absolutely magnificent in all respects. A true talent who can take you easily, subtly yet rapidly into a parallel universe where the writing and story telling are so strong, after reading each tale it feels like one's own memory. The antithesis of the recent "vampire teen fiction" and other forgettable fiction, this author is a huge talent whose writing I shall continue to follow with avid interest. I'm totally hooked now!!!!!!! :-)
5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale Twisting Delight! 20 Dec 2012
By Gary Val Tenuta - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
In my mind, Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was the twist master of short stories, tiny tales in which the ending was anything but what the reader expected. Then again, fans of Dahl knew better than to have any expectation of exactly how the story would end. Well, okay, they could rightfully expect one thing: a surprise, sometimes subtle, sometimes in-your-face, sometimes humorous, in a twisted sort of way, and sometimes just plain horrifying. Dahl is gone now, RIP. But not to worry. There's a new Twist Master in town and she's very, very good. So good that I couldn't stop reading these amazing Tales of Strangeness and Harm.
I'm in awe of Ms. Carter's talent. A really well-crafted short story is more difficult to accomplish than many people might assume. Ms. Carter makes it look easy and that's one of the signs of a seasoned writer. Not only are the tales well-structured, but the characters are immediately identifiable. Somehow you'll know them - might be your nosey neighbor or that rather odd fellow you met at your best friend's wedding. What I'm trying to say is the characters in these stories are not cardboard cut-outs with nothing inside. They have their individual quirks and personalities. That, I think, is part of the success of these stories. Oh, you know what? To heck with it. I'm not going to sit here and pretend I can accurately analyze Ms. Carter's writing. If I knew how she does what she does I'd be doing it myself. Just get the darn book and sit back for some enjoyable, quirky, imaginative storytelling. It's a terrific ride. There are 8 tales in this volume and I wish there were 80. I'm definitely looking forward to Volume-Two.