Review: Proof of Brilliance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 19, 2009
Plot/Storyline: 5 StarsWhen I was a kid, I had a book called "One Minute Mysteries" that I loved. It had short mysteries that had clues in them. At the end of each one, the detective would state that he had solved the crime, then the book would ask something like, "How did he know?" The reader could try to figure it out, then turn the page for the answer. There are four stories in this format included in this collection. I have to admit that I was only able to 'solve' two of them.  This author showed tremendous talent in his ability to weave intelligent mysteries.Being a fan of his Jack Daniels mysteries, I especially enjoyed the stories featuring her, her partner, and Phineas Trout. However, you do not have to have read any of those books to enjoy the stories.There is also a `horror' section with some truly gruesome tales. The themes in this part include vampires, zombies, aliens, abortion, ghosts, etc. This collection is not for the weak-stomached or the easily offended.The `humor' section at the end has a few essays/stories that are aimed more at authors, but they were still very funny.  I also loved the one about James Bond's toys. There was another one that still has me wondering how you can kill someone with fabric softener.Every single story in this collection has an original and interesting plot. The humor injected into even the most disturbing scenario made for enjoyable reads throughout.Character Development: 5 StarsThe characters in each of these tales were developed to the extent necessary for the reader's enjoyment. There weren't any actual character study types as these were mainly plot and story driven works.Writing Style: 5 StarsThe writing style was exactly what I have come to expect from Mr. Konrath. Not only is his prose concise and well-structured, but he has truly mastered the art of the short story.Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 StarsThe editing and formatting were of mostly professional quality.Rating: NC-17 for Graphic Violence, Rape, Necrophilia, Pedophilia, and any other `ilia' you can probably think of. In other words, this is a VERY graphic collection.