Shot To Death

A true master of the short story mystery!

Shot to Death is a totally tantalizing collection of 31 cleverly thought-out and well written short stories by revered author Stephen D. Rogers. Each story is fresh and original, set against a New England backdrop, and includes colorful characters from diverse walks of life. Each plot twists and turns to its totally surprising and unpredictable ending.

One of the most unforgettable characters was the unnamed private investigator from "Sidework" who was originally hired to investigate his client's cheating wife. The entire plan is unraveled, after all of the main players either commits suicide or murder, and his now dead client's adulterous wife suffers a nervous breakdown brought on by too much alcohol consumption. The unnamed PI comments that, "Just as accidents seem to unfold in slow motion, I watched in dismay as one possible revenue stream after another was lost to me." He continues," And as if that wasn't bad enough, it didn't look like the case was going to generate any referrals either." I simply love the irony that this story evokes!

Rogers' complex, multifaceted characters provide the reader with a look into the human psyche. In "BOGO in Aisle Three," "Puzzling," "Inn," and "Tenant at Will," Rogers masterfully describes just what a human being is capable of doing when subjected to years of abuse and controlling behavior. In "Sidework," "Itching for Scratch," and "Raising the Bar," the main characters are so completely self-absorbed that nothing else matters. "Fill it with the Cheapest," "Appearances to the Contrary," "The Big Store," "Pipe Dreams," and "Smoking Gun" all touch on the idea that looks can be incredibly deceiving, and "Unweaving the Rainbow," "Custody Battle at Red Creek," and "Death Buys a Burger" are classic stories of revenge. All are creatively entertaining and make you think long after you've read the last sentence!

Anyone who likes a good murder mystery will love this book. Book club enthusiasts will find a vast array of subject matter in any of the quirky characters. I highly recommend this book and look forward to his next collection of stories.