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a_ab's review
3.0
Like many short story collections this one is a mixed bag: Some are good, some are bad and some are terrible - like the author wanted to participate but couldn't be bothered to throw something decent together, so an old draft got spruced up and reused. At least that's how it felt. There were many unknown authors for me here and the collection fulfilled its purpose of making me interested in some of them.
cj_mo_2222's review
3.0
This collection of short stories edited by Anne Perry has the theme of "odd partners" working together to solve a crime. There are some really good stories in the book and some very unlikely and interesting partnerships. Some stories are set in the past and some in the present day in a variety of locations from New York to New Mexico in the U.S. and a few different locations in Europe.
Some of my favorites are by authors I already enjoy, such as the story by Anne Perry and the story by Allison Brennan featuring a teenaged thief and a stray dog. There are also some great stories by authors who are new to me, such as the story a PI and an art thief working together in a story by William Frank, Adele Polomski's story of an elderly woman and her caretaker, and Lisa Morton's take of an aspiring filmmaker and the unique home movie he discovers. However, several of the stories both by familiar and unfamiliar authors didn't appeal to me. That's what great about a short story collection, though. There is usually something for everyone. There are some five star stories within the book, but overall I would rate the collection 3.5 stars.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Some of my favorites are by authors I already enjoy, such as the story by Anne Perry and the story by Allison Brennan featuring a teenaged thief and a stray dog. There are also some great stories by authors who are new to me, such as the story a PI and an art thief working together in a story by William Frank, Adele Polomski's story of an elderly woman and her caretaker, and Lisa Morton's take of an aspiring filmmaker and the unique home movie he discovers. However, several of the stories both by familiar and unfamiliar authors didn't appeal to me. That's what great about a short story collection, though. There is usually something for everyone. There are some five star stories within the book, but overall I would rate the collection 3.5 stars.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
robinlovesreading's review
5.0
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Odd Partners is a very well-done anthology that comprises of very short stories by 19 prominent authors. This read was edited by Anne Perry. The list of authors were culled from the Mystery Writers of America. Listed in alphabetical order, they are:
Ace Atkins • Allison Brennan • Shelley Costa • Jeffery Deaver • Robert Dugoni • William Frank • Georgia Jeffries • Lou Kemp • William Kent Krueger • Joe R. Lansdale • Lisa Morton • Claire Ortalda • Anne Perry • Adele Polomski • Stephen Ross • Mark Thielman • Charles Todd • Jacqueline Winspear • Amanda Witt.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories. It took only a moment to accept the quick revolution of each one as it was told. Having only read Anne Perry previously, although some of the other names are certainly well-known, it was a wonderful way to be introduced to authors that I definitely want to put on my TBR.
As the description shows, each of these titles are new. One title that was quite intriguing to me was Robert Dugoni’s The Last Game, about a man who was an airplane passenger getting help from his fellow passengers. It was done with precise accuracy and definitely grabbed my interest. Then the was the short story, Oglethorpe’s Camera, by Claire Ortalda. This was about a woman and her cat, but, it was far, far more. There were a couple of very touching stories and then a rather odd story. This review would indeed be very long if I were to recount other favorites, never mind each entry.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Odd Partners is a very well-done anthology that comprises of very short stories by 19 prominent authors. This read was edited by Anne Perry. The list of authors were culled from the Mystery Writers of America. Listed in alphabetical order, they are:
Ace Atkins • Allison Brennan • Shelley Costa • Jeffery Deaver • Robert Dugoni • William Frank • Georgia Jeffries • Lou Kemp • William Kent Krueger • Joe R. Lansdale • Lisa Morton • Claire Ortalda • Anne Perry • Adele Polomski • Stephen Ross • Mark Thielman • Charles Todd • Jacqueline Winspear • Amanda Witt.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories. It took only a moment to accept the quick revolution of each one as it was told. Having only read Anne Perry previously, although some of the other names are certainly well-known, it was a wonderful way to be introduced to authors that I definitely want to put on my TBR.
As the description shows, each of these titles are new. One title that was quite intriguing to me was Robert Dugoni’s The Last Game, about a man who was an airplane passenger getting help from his fellow passengers. It was done with precise accuracy and definitely grabbed my interest. Then the was the short story, Oglethorpe’s Camera, by Claire Ortalda. This was about a woman and her cat, but, it was far, far more. There were a couple of very touching stories and then a rather odd story. This review would indeed be very long if I were to recount other favorites, never mind each entry.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
melissadeemcdaniel's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of short stories by established writers (although mostly new to me) has a few stories that tread well-worn (but still pleasing) paths, and a few surprises.
Anne Perry, Charles Todd and John Leonard add short stories from their familiar time periods and settings. Don’t expect Maisie Dodds from Jacqueline Winspear, though. Her contribution is quite a ways outside her familiar zone!
The premise, bringing together an unusual partnering to solve or commit a crime, resulted in some entertaining story concepts, and I will be looking for longer length works from several of the authors.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Anne Perry, Charles Todd and John Leonard add short stories from their familiar time periods and settings. Don’t expect Maisie Dodds from Jacqueline Winspear, though. Her contribution is quite a ways outside her familiar zone!
The premise, bringing together an unusual partnering to solve or commit a crime, resulted in some entertaining story concepts, and I will be looking for longer length works from several of the authors.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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