Review: Intrigue & excitement in 5 little packages
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 18, 2011
The old saying, "good things come in small packages" definitely holds true with this exciting collection of five stories featuring Charlie Fox.The stories are sequential, taking us from a time period before Charlie enters a career as a bodyguard up through an episode set in a modern war zone. It was fascinating to see how Charlie has developed over her career. The themes and plots also develop, yet each story stands on its own, and each has a strong twist. The plots are fast-paced, and the writing style is sharp, witty, and concise.My two favorites in the collection were "Served Cold" and "Truth and Lies." "Served Cold" is the story of Layla, a profound character, deeply developed in such a short space. It works so well in this collection partly because it is from an alternate point of view and we see Charlie as a stranger sees her.  "Truth and Lies," a story set in a war zone resonated; the moral conflicts rang true, and Charlie's empathetic, yet strong, character left a lasting impression.I loved the author's comments before each story, helping to place time and sequence in the larger scope of the series of novels.I have been following Zoe Sharp's posts on a blog for some time, but her novels were still on my "to be read" list. When she offered this set of short stories as a way to become acquainted with her character, Charlie Fox, I jumped at the opportunity. I received a free copy of the collection. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I was thrilled when I absolutely loved the character and the plots. I read the entire collection in one sitting, unable to put them down. I have already begun buying and downloading the Charlie Fox novels.This small e-thology collection of explosively-good stories won't disappoint. And at 99 cents, it's a great way to sample the author's style and Charlie's unique world and characterization.