Death’s Excellent Vacation

This is the third anthology edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner. They have again brought together a varied collection of stories from accomplished authors, this time with a theme of supernaturals out of their usual environment. The Perils of Effrijim is really funny,  The Boys Go Fishing is poignant, and The Demon in the Dunes is singularly well done. A very enjoyable collection.

Two Blondes by Charlaine Harris – Sookie and Pam go on a working vacation to the Mississippi Delta. On the agenda? Gambling, a show, and some negotiating. Not planned? Stripping, poisoning, and mayhem.

The Boys Go Fishing by Sarah Smith – Bill Green has lived too long and feels every inch his age. The life of a superhero was exciting, but now his friends are gone, his wife is dead, and he lives as an old man who fishes. When the Chinese woman with red hair and green eyes shows up at his door asking for his help, he shocks himself by agreeing. His only stipulation is that she help him die.

One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost – Cat and Bones, two extremely powerful vampires, are cutting their vacation short to do a favor for a friend. Protecting a young heiress from supernatural hit men should be easy for this duo. Dealing with the spoiled 17 year old heiress, on the other hand, is not.

Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea… by Daniel Stashower – Jeff is the new guy at the company and loving the journalistic on the job training. He’s been warned that the enigmatic Thaddeus Palgrave is hard to work with. Sure, the last researcher that worked with him disappeared without a trace, but there has to be a better explanation than the supernatural, right?

The Innsmouth Nook by A. Lee Martinez – When Philip inherited a run down house in the New England town of Clams Bay he was sure that turning it into a Bed and Breakfast would be brilliant. The lack of tourists in the gray little town could mean the end of his finances. The shadowy shapes coming out of the night could mean something entirely different.

Safe and Sound by Jeff Abbott – Nora Dare is queen of ratings and doesn’t care who she steps on. When a young man goes missing, Nora feels it is her duty to keep his face in the eye of the public no matter who it hurts. Just her civic duty, you see, and the ratings are the icing on the cake. But what if the young man doesn’t want to be found? What then?

Seeing is Believing by L. A. Banks – Her mother had been a powerful psychic and Jessica’s gift was even stronger than her mother’s. But all the years of experience still didn’t prepare her for “seeing” werewolves. Her need for a solution, by way of silver bullets, takes her to New Orleans and the one man who can make her feel at home.

The Perils of Effrijim by Katie McCalister – Effrijim the demon (although he prefers to be called Jim) is truly looking forward to his vacation. Ten days in Paris with his love Ceclie the corgi, who is waiting for Jim to arrive in his usual form, that of a large Newfoundland. And getting sent to Limbo as a short, naked, underwhelming human isn’t about to stop him. Now he just has to get past the freaky guards (with a little musical assist), help an angry nymph seek revenge, and escape being sacrificed. Some vacation!

Thin Walls by Christopher Golden – Tim is taking a vacation of sorts. It’s been one year since his wife died and he is revisiting their favorite places as a way to say farewell. Hearing the couple in the next room have sex is a kind of torture. Having the entirely too attractive woman proposition him the next day is more difficult, but nothing can prepare Tim for what he discovers that evening.

The Heart is Always Right by Lilith Saintcrow – Gargoyles are tasked with the huge job of fighting the Big Bad and serving the Heart. Which isn’t really hard when you’re a stoneskin, huge, strong, impervious. Even if there’s a bunch of them heading straight for the only human who has ever made your heart jump and pound. The hard part will be after saving her.

The Demon in the Dunes by Chris Grabenstein – The summer of 1975 was pivotal for Dave. Sixteen years old and out on the beach with his friends there were a lot of first to be had. First kiss, first cigarette, first drunk, first time to see the demon. Meeting Brenda, the muse for future success, almost made up for seeing the gaunt skeletal wraith, the muse of all future horror.

Home From America by Sharan Newman – Patrick O’Reilly longs for the old country even though he’s never been. He wants to connect with the land and culture of the Celts, and is saving for a trip despite the efforts of his parents to discourage him. So when the whole family eagerly accepts an invitation to Ireland, Pat is surprised but thrilled. Discovering that the entire clan of O’Reillys from around the world seem crazy is less than thrilling.

Pirate Dave’s Haunted Amusement Park by Toni L. P. Kelner – Being a new werewolf means that Joyce is being courted by every pack in the area. They all want her to join and the flowers, fruit baskets, and cards are getting overwhelming. Retreating to a lakeside cabin for space has helped. Visiting the amusement park that featured heavily in her childhood summers is definitely on the agenda. So Joyce is happy to help when it looks like the park is being sabotaged. Especially since her girlhood crush, Pirate Dave, is just as handsome as she remembers.

 

 

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