Monthly Archives: April 2014

Fiction River: Crime

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FR-Special-Crime-ebook-cover-web1Fiction River:  Crime
Kristine Kathryn Rusch, ed.
Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch, series editors
WMG Publishing
trade paper $15.99
electronic $6.99

Fiction River is one of those wonderful ideas that could only have been brought to fruition in the last few years, as the epublishing revolution has taken hold. Veteran (and award-winning) editors Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch returned to editing last year with a crowdfunded anthology series called Fiction River. I found the concept very exciting and interviewed Ms.Rusch at Amazing Stories.

Each volume of Fiction River has a different editor and theme. Most of the ones so far have been some blend of science fiction or fantasy, although other genres usually end up in the mix. Published on a bimonthly schedule, they’ve just completed their first year. The issue under review here is a special issue commemorating that anniversary.

Crime may well be the strongest issue in the series to date. This issue has some top notch tales, mostly noir, from some of the best writers working in the field today along with some newcomers who will likely be the best writers in the field tomorrow. Continue reading →

The Enemy Within is a Taut Poltical Thriller

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Enemy-Within-ebook-cover-lighter-webThe Enemy Within
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
WMG Publishing
Trade Paper/ebook $18.99/$7.99, 290 pp.
978-0-615-90627

I’ve come to the conclusion over the years that some of the best writers are those who write in multiple genres. These writers seem to be the most versatile, capable of mixing elements of different genres to create something fresh but with enough elements of the familiar that readers aren’t put off by the new.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is such a writer. She’s written in a number of genres under multiple names. These include science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, thrillers, and romance at all lengths from short stories to novels, both stand alone and long running series. I’m probably leaving something out. What I do know is that I’ve enjoyed and been entertained by almost everything I’ve read that she’s written.

Her latest novel is a blend of mystery, political thriller, and alternate history. It was a compelling read I had trouble putting down. (Because of this blend, I’m posting this review on both my mystery blog and my fantasy blog since it should appeal to readers of both blogs.)

Ms. Rusch takes us back to the early days of 1964. The country is still reeling from the Kennedy assassination. Seamus O’Reilly, a NYPD homicide detective, gets a call in the middle of the night. There’s been a double murder outside a notorious gay night club. The victims? J. Edgar Hoover and his assistant Clyde Tolson. Assigned to the case as the FBI liaison is Frank Bryce. Bryce was once a rising star in the New York branch of the Bureau but lately his star is falling. This case is his chance to redeem himself. Continue reading →