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enelvee's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read an Archer novel since The Prodigal Daughter, which I thought was a bore compared to Kane and Abel. Kane and Abel I remember reading in class in high school (not as an assignment, but as something to do while the teacher droned on), so that should tell you how long it's been since I bothered with his novels. I do love his short stories, however, and read them all.
thecesspit's review against another edition
2.0
Ex-jailbird and Tory peer Archer writes a bunch of stories inspired his time inside. They range from the well spun "The Man Who Robbed His Own Post Office" to the drab "In the Eye of the Beholder". Archer certainly can write words into a good yarn, but sometimes getting to a conclusion is beyond him, and the story just runs out. When he throws in the twist, it can come to a ending that leaves you satisified enough. Like a small snack.
But when it's more a life history of a fellow convict, it's a bunch of well crafted words that goes nowhere fast.
He's a good story teller... it's not high brow art, and in the novel format, he tends to drone on, and the thinness of the characters shows up. But in the short story format, Archer's pretty good. This just isn't his best set, but for a few hours while on a camping trip, you'll not do too bad.
But when it's more a life history of a fellow convict, it's a bunch of well crafted words that goes nowhere fast.
He's a good story teller... it's not high brow art, and in the novel format, he tends to drone on, and the thinness of the characters shows up. But in the short story format, Archer's pretty good. This just isn't his best set, but for a few hours while on a camping trip, you'll not do too bad.
obzy05's review against another edition
4.0
Criminal Minds meet writer in prison. I like it but I'm not rereading it.
Nigeria was mentioned.
I take it back. I have just reread it. It is quite good.
Nigeria was mentioned.
I take it back. I have just reread it. It is quite good.
tdk's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
"The Man Who Robbed His Own Post Office" 5 stars
This is one of those tales that could have ended in about 5 spots. The difference with this one is that Archer acknowledges it! I think that’s infinitely clever. He tells a tricky little tale in which our anti-heroes have seemingly no choice except to do what they do, which is wrong, but...sometimes you can’t help it!
I genuinely liked Chris and Sue. They seemed to be upstanding people and had a terrifically ingrained sense of justice. They just had a run of bad luck. I was infinitely pleased they ended up with a fish n crisps shop, especially since I am American and the closest I can come to that is Long John Silver’s, so it seems almost romantic in my eyes.
"Maestro" 4 stars
This was a fun read. One of the pitfalls of audio-ing a book as opposed to reading is that you can’t flip back. I don’t remember the restaurant owner’s name, but I applaud his “work around” attitude! I also applaud Archer’s introduction to the tale.
"Don't Drink the Water" 5 stars
This is my favorite so far! A rich man thinks his wife is going to sue for divorce (and half of his millions) so sets about methodically killing her slowly. Backfires in the most satisfying way possible! My one regret is not knowing if she was really filing for divorce. She may not have been.
"It Can't Be October Already" 3 stars
This was a cute story and reminded me of hobos and Hooverville residents after the Great Depression. Three squares and a cot is all any simple man needs in the winter, yes? Sad ending, though. :*(
"The Red King" 3 stars
This guy's crime was clever, I just didn't love the story. I had not realized until this entry that Archer actually collected these tales while incarcerated himself. If that's so, how can he end the tale the way he does? O_o
"The Wisdom of Solomon" 5 stars
This little tale seems a waste until the very last few sentences. In my house, when our children are going to share something, one divides and the other chooses. Who knew we were so wise? :D
"Know What I Mean?" 3 stars
I'm not sure why this is the title. This is the story of a man who is a criminal through and through, but is loved, for all that, by a good and wise woman. Maybe that's it! Anyway, it made me sad on her behalf and I marveled at, not only her ability to forgive, but to accept and make allowances for his criminal tendencies without giving in to them herself.
"Charity Begin at Home" 3 stars
This was just a bit too convoluted and the ending was a little too "wrapped with a bow" for my taste.
"The Alibi" 5 stars
This was cleverly told and I like the idea that even though he had an "alibi" and should have gotten away with it...justice won out. Well, kind of.
"A Greek Tragedy" 1 star
Not only didn't I like this little tale, I also didn't really get the point. Until now each has had a twist or zinger at the end, al la M. Night Shamalayan, but this one did not.
"The Commissioner" 2 stars
This had a sort of twist at the end, but otherwise it wasn't very good and certainly not exciting.
"In the Eye of the Beholder" not sure
I love that he loved her, not in spite of, but because of, her weight, but I don't know if I find that offensive or endearing. The fact that Archer found it interesting enough to write a tale about makes it seem...almost wrong.
This is one of those tales that could have ended in about 5 spots. The difference with this one is that Archer acknowledges it! I think that’s infinitely clever. He tells a tricky little tale in which our anti-heroes have seemingly no choice except to do what they do, which is wrong, but...sometimes you can’t help it!
I genuinely liked Chris and Sue. They seemed to be upstanding people and had a terrifically ingrained sense of justice. They just had a run of bad luck. I was infinitely pleased they ended up with a fish n crisps shop, especially since I am American and the closest I can come to that is Long John Silver’s, so it seems almost romantic in my eyes.
"Maestro" 4 stars
This was a fun read. One of the pitfalls of audio-ing a book as opposed to reading is that you can’t flip back. I don’t remember the restaurant owner’s name, but I applaud his “work around” attitude! I also applaud Archer’s introduction to the tale.
"Don't Drink the Water" 5 stars
This is my favorite so far! A rich man thinks his wife is going to sue for divorce (and half of his millions) so sets about methodically killing her slowly. Backfires in the most satisfying way possible! My one regret is not knowing if she was really filing for divorce. She may not have been.
"It Can't Be October Already" 3 stars
This was a cute story and reminded me of hobos and Hooverville residents after the Great Depression. Three squares and a cot is all any simple man needs in the winter, yes? Sad ending, though. :*(
"The Red King" 3 stars
This guy's crime was clever, I just didn't love the story. I had not realized until this entry that Archer actually collected these tales while incarcerated himself. If that's so, how can he end the tale the way he does? O_o
"The Wisdom of Solomon" 5 stars
This little tale seems a waste until the very last few sentences. In my house, when our children are going to share something, one divides and the other chooses. Who knew we were so wise? :D
"Know What I Mean?" 3 stars
I'm not sure why this is the title. This is the story of a man who is a criminal through and through, but is loved, for all that, by a good and wise woman. Maybe that's it! Anyway, it made me sad on her behalf and I marveled at, not only her ability to forgive, but to accept and make allowances for his criminal tendencies without giving in to them herself.
"Charity Begin at Home" 3 stars
This was just a bit too convoluted and the ending was a little too "wrapped with a bow" for my taste.
"The Alibi" 5 stars
This was cleverly told and I like the idea that even though he had an "alibi" and should have gotten away with it...justice won out. Well, kind of.
"A Greek Tragedy" 1 star
Not only didn't I like this little tale, I also didn't really get the point. Until now each has had a twist or zinger at the end, al la M. Night Shamalayan, but this one did not.
"The Commissioner" 2 stars
This had a sort of twist at the end, but otherwise it wasn't very good and certainly not exciting.
"In the Eye of the Beholder" not sure
I love that he loved her, not in spite of, but because of, her weight, but I don't know if I find that offensive or endearing. The fact that Archer found it interesting enough to write a tale about makes it seem...almost wrong.
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
Jeffrey Archer apparently spent two years in prison in England and that experience is reflected in these short stories. I'm a fan of the short story genre and this are some of the best.
catladylover94's review against another edition
3.0
some stories really funny other just plain weird, but good