Short Story Reviews: Summer Reading

​This week, I review two tales involving theft, and one 4th of July story. In other short fiction news, just released is an anthology I haven't started reading yet: Flash Bang Mysteries. Amazingly, you can partake of this summer treat for free. On to my reviews:

Karma by Jim Farren
Mystery Weekly Magazine

A carefully planned bank heist goes wrong, and a cascading series of karmic events unfold quickly. The reader isn’t sure which character will receive what flavor of just desserts next. Karma is a quick, fun read with more twists and turns than the “one-lane back road leading nowhere” that takes the narrator on his journey. 

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Vanity Case by John Floyd
Mysterical-e

A Sheriff’s mother looks past the obvious to help nab a thief. Vanity Case is a puzzle mystery. The clues are spelled out clearly by Sheriff Lucy Valentine, Deputy Ed Malone, and a boy who is an eye-witness to the crime. Lucy’s mother Frances inserts herself in the case, even after being told to “go on home.” Linger over the clues to see if you can figure out the solution before the end of this entertaining short story.
http://mystericale.com/article/vanity-case/

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The Find of the Century by Amy Denton
Kings River Life
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When a community college catches fire, students make an unexpected discovery in the ruins. This story is light on mystery elements, but I enjoyed following the college professor, musing about how to keep students engaged in learning. As she helps clean up the mess, the staff and students are disappointed to miss out on their part in the local 4th of July celebration. Then they realize they’ve made the Find of the Century.
http://kingsriverlife.com/07/01/the-find-of-the-century-a-4th-of-july-short-story/

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