"One trick is to tell 'em stories that don't really go anywhere..." - Abe Simpson

A collection of four novellas that just didn't do it for me.

I really appreciated Hautala's writing. He really captured the feeling of the different eras these stories take place in. But I didn't care for the stories being told.

Two of the novellas, Tin Can Telephone and Blood Ledge were compelling stories that just suddenly... stopped. It was worse with Tin Can. I was certain the book would circle back in a later novella. But no. It just ended with a mystery. Blood Ledge at least had an ending. It was just sudden and abrupt and felt like the author intended to extend the story but didn't.

Miss Henry's Bottles was far and away the best story in the bunch. It's worth picking up the book on sale just for this tale. A very satisfying and excellent Gothic that throws a swerve at you just as you think you have everything figured.

The last story, Cold River, did that thing I don't like: the character starts questioning reality as stranger and stranger things begin to happen. At first, the story is gripping. But as strange things keep happening, I began to get the feeling there was going to be no rhyme or reason for any of it and I was pretty much correct. The story to me felt like it just dragged on and on and on. ( )