You Could Make a Killing is a collection of 14 twist-in-the-tale mystery tales by Simon Bewick, author of Basement Tales.
Featuring all-new stories that will keep you guessing until the last line, delve into You Could Make a Killing for twisted tales about killers and victims, cops and robbers, the good and the bad and some things in between that might just blur the line…
Read the new collection from Simon Bewick, and find out why readers have called him, ‘reminiscent of M.R. James’, ‘the new voice in horror’ and ‘one of the most exciting new voices in crime fiction’.
Look inside and discover:
•A man who won’t take any more when he’s pushed too far, only to discover that speed really can kill
•A teenage boy living in the aftermath of his best friend’s murder…who may be the next target in the killer’s sights
•A bedtime story that is anything that could just be your worst nightmare
•Two veteran killers who will do whatever it takes to train up their new apprentice
And much, much more…
What did I think?
I don't read many short stories as I find them a bit flat and unfulfilling but Simon Bewick has certainly changed my opinion after reading You Could Make a Killing. I found his stories gripping, intriguing, intelligent and clever; they are certainly full of surprises.
Just putting the stories aside for a moment, I absolutely loved the section at the end of the book where Simon Bewick includes a note on each story; his inspiration behind the story, his research and his personal thoughts on the piece. It's like getting into mind of an author and it really made me think how some mundane, everyday things can be turned into a gripping and intriguing story if you have the writing ability.
Now on to the stories and I would say they are quite varied but one thing they have in common is that they are most definitely on the dark side. The writing has quite an American feel to it and feels heavily influenced by The Sopranos as there is more than one gangster-style tale but there's nothing wrong with that; it all fits the theme of the story perfectly.
I can't possibly review all 14 stories, but I can certainly pick out a few of note. My absolute hands-down favourite is The Drive In which went in such an unexpected direction that I couldn't contain my gasp of surprise at the end. Doctor Death could have been an episode in The Sopranos and I bet the writers are kicking themselves that they didn't think of it. Another one of note is Bedtime Story which simultaneously horrified me and pulled at my heartstrings. To be honest, there isn't one that I would say I didn't like.
You Could Make a Killing is an excellent collection of short stories that will shock, surprise and horrify the reader. The quality of writing is excellent and the storytelling is punchy and intriguing; it's a cracking collection of dark and disturbing tales to read by the fireside on a cold, dark night.
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