This was a wild collection of stories that had a common theme of death running through them, some most unexpectedly. Most were very well thought out, complex, engaging, pulled you in immediately, and gave you quite a shock at the end. The characterization of all the protagonists was quite well done. It is one of the better anthologies I've read in a while. I was stunned by some on the endings, as they just jumped up and bit you. You had to take a second and breathe and reflect on what happened before you went on to the next story or you would not be prepared to face anything else. This is the hallmark of a good writer, as you were so wrapped up in what happened that you could think of nothing else but the story for a while after reading it.

I found all the stories well written, and the ones in the first two thirds of the book were especially well done. I will look for the other Tortured Hearts Volumes for more of these stories by the InkSlingers when I have the time. Death comes in many guises in these stories, and you will be surprised at how many ways these people have thought of to present it to you. Good reads all around. Right now, it is free on Amazon, if you want to check it out - I don't know for how much longer though, so you may want to hurry up and get a copy, while it lasts. ( )