Review: AND YOU THOUGHT THAT THE ART OF THE SHORT STORY WAS DEAD...Well, think again.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2011
A good short story (and this one is indeed short) is a wondrous thing to read.  A good writer of short stories can pack all the elements of a full blown novel into a tight package using a minimum of words, both in the narrative and in the dialog.  Short story writers must know their trade; their art form.  Let me assure you that the author, Lawrence Kelter, knows his art form!This little work was recommended to me by three long time Amazon friends whose opinion I respect very much.  They have recommended many books and I have had some great reading experiences by following their recommendations.  This work was no different!  Paul, Ray, Tom...thank you so much!  You did it for me again!This is the story of two very sleazy wise guys, an equally sleazy and rich lawyer, and a lady who has an axe to grind.A trial has just ended and the unappealing lawyer has once again successfully defended his oh so guilty clients, two very unsavory mod characters.  The story takes place on the lawyers 3.5 million dollar boat with a mixture of the socially élite, the two slime bag hoods, a group of party girls, the lawyers wife and daughter, and the mysterious drop dead beauty who is the lawyer's "special lady."  The two extremely wealthy criminals of course want this special lady for themselves...at the same time, and intimidate the legal beagle (whose entire family is present on the boat, into letting them take his lady below for a bit of fun.The author sets the stage perfectly.  In just a few lines the reader will feel disgust as to the mobsters and the lawyers...the reader will thoroughly dislike these three men.  It takes the writer very few words to accomplish this...rather amazing the skill displayed here.  The description of the cars, boat, clothing as well as the physical characteristics of the small cast of players is masterfully accomplished.You know as you read that something is going to happen.  The author builds up the suspense wonderfully.  But I have to tell you folks, I did not see the ending coming.  It was absolutely perfect and not only surprised the wretched wise guys, but surprised me, the reader.This is a very short story.  You can read it in ten or fifteen minutes.  I will tell you though that it is one of the best reading dollars I ever spent.Don BlankenshipThe Ozarks