There are quite a few excellent entries in this collection of what Harlan considers his suspense and mystery tales. I would argue that some of these are crime dramas with a twist. One entertaining story in particular, Eddie, You’re My Friend, seems to be the odd one out as it does not fit the theme of this anthology.

I found it hilarious—and typical of Harlan—that the introduction is 40 pages, about four times longer than the average story in the book!

My favorites include:

Status Quo at Troyden’s - When Mr. Huggerson’s monthly check from his son is $20 less than usual, he worries that he will not be able to afford rent and food. After working up the temerity to ask his landlord for a reduction in rent, Huggerson ends up in a position he never expected.

Nedra at f:5.6 - Veteran photographer Paul Shores has photographed countless women in his career. Nowadays, the most gorgeous models—nude or otherwise—no longer arouse him. Then along comes Nedra, and everything changes. She agrees to pose for him—and much more. Yet, there is something odd about her pictures…

Toe the Line - Professional car thief Eddie Cappen is finally getting out on parole and thanks to the warden’s favorite catchphrase, Eddie conjures a nearly foolproof method for jacking cars—until he makes a fatal mistake.

Pride in the Profession - Ever since he witnessed his first hanging at the tender age of eight, Matthew Carty became fascinated by the art and science of the gallows. Years later, Matthew builds a reputation as a master executioner—until his final job shows him that even the best make mistakes.

The Children’s Hour - With the Earth on the brink of destruction, the United Nations meet to discuss matters of peace. Somehow, a horde of children manages to enter the hall and disrupt the meeting with a simple warning: stop fighting or we’re leaving the planet.

Thicker Than Blood - After a poor business decision, Roger Singer finds himself $12,000 in debt. After his pleas for help are rejected by his wealthy in-laws, Roger hatches a dangerous scheme against them.

Ormond Always Pays His Bills - After his secretary learns of his corrupt business practices, corrupt construction company owner Hervey Ormond murders her and attempts to dispose of the body—using his company’s concrete. However, Ormond soon learns how much of an utter bitch karma can be.

Tired Old Man - While attending a party of has-been writers, successful author and screenwriter Billy Landress encounters veteran suspense writer Marki Strasser. After an intense and deeply personal conversation, Billy steps away to get a glass of water for Strasser, only to find him gone—or was he ever there to begin with? ( )

The Basics

As most of Harlan Ellison’s books are, this is a collection of short stories. While he’s known for writing a lot of science-fiction and speculative fiction (see, Harlan!? I didn’t say ‘sci-fi.’ Oh, damn.), this collection centers around his suspense stories with maybe a couple of fantasy/horror things thrown into the mix.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t sure what to make of this until I simply dove in headfirst. I’ve read some of his science-fiction forays, but I wasn’t even entirely sure if I understood what was meant by “suspense.” Really it’s what we’d today call crime fiction or thrillers (using that last term more loosely), but in the 1950s, the genre was called suspense. Well, Ellison called it that, and that’s all I have to go on here, so bear with me. What I’m trying to say is I don’t read these kinds of stories generally. I just don’t seek them out. I can’t say if they’re all like this, but I wish it were so, because this collection is just fantastic.

First off, the introduction is probably the longest I’ve ever read in a book. That sounds like a criticism, but it isn’t. Harlan Ellison is known for his rants and his tangents and rabbit trails, and really it’s not about bombasity. It’s about the fact that when Ellison goes off and just talks, it’s entertaining. Because he’s a knowledgeable, well-read guy. Therefore, it’s also probably the best introduction I’ve ever read.

Seeing as this is a collection, it’s hard to go over every story, and I don’t intend to. It’s a strong set that keeps you reading, keeps you delighted with twists and different takes on the genre, even throwing in some “fantasy” curve balls a couple of times.

My one criticism might be that Ellison admits some of the stories have a chauvinistic slant. He even says he tried to edit the worst offenders for the collection. I’m not sure he achieved what he wanted entirely, which was to censor those worse moments. But I also can’t say I wasn’t entertained. Tawdry and bawdy and old-fashioned? Sure. Good fun? That, too.

I’ll point out my top three stories that I feel this collection must be bought for: “Nedra at f:5.6”, “The Whimper of Whipped Dogs”, and “Eddie, You’re My Friend.” And that was some difficult choosing there. I won’t spoil them. I’ll just say, “seek them out.”

Final Rating

5/5 ( )

"A collection of ruthlessly twisted tales" from the highly decorated author and critic. Story by story the author twists and weaves through the darkest corners of the human spirit and beyond. Arguably, the best short story writer of our time, these 16 offerings show Ellison at the top of his game, and "not one of which has a stupid spaceship in it". Revenge, Murder, Monsters...Ellison's fiction walks a fine line of believable reality sure to keep the reader wondering..... ( )

Ah serendipity.

I was with a friend in Seattle, and we stopped at Pike Street so she could bring fresh seafood back to Phoenix. We knew the gods were smiling when a 30 minute parking spot opened directly (and this is no exaggeration, it was directly) in front of her favorite fish market. She began the long project that is her ordering and their packing, and I began to wonder. When what to my wandering eyes did appear, but used bookstore that barely went from there back to here. (Sorry) Yes, it was small, but it was enticing, and gods continued their smiling. Within…six books by Harlan Ellison. I had all of them, except for No Doors, No Windows. And this was a good condition paperback. It was snarfed up and recently devoured.

Oh yeah, the book. As has been said by other reviewers, you either hate or love Ellison’s work, and a quick review of my library will show me to be the latter. This is a nice little collection. This is not the one I would chose for a neophyte, and you probably want to be a little more of a completist than most before you actively seek this. But they are good stories told by a true craftsman. And they are a little different slant since these are primarily “suspense” stories. But with Ellison, that always means something different than you might expect.

So, even if you aren’t a partial completist, there are four reasons you should look for this book. First (and maybe least important) is “The Whimper of Whipped Dogs”. This is least important because you can find it elsewhere (primary suggestion – Deathbird and Other Stories), but this story is a classic. (And, if you don’t remember the name Kitty Genovese – not the name used in this story – then feel ashamed, maybe look up her story, and then read this one.) Second is the introduction. It is long, and it is worth reading for a number of reasons. Primarily, the letter sent to Ellison (anonymously) by a police officer. Particularly in the context of Ellison’s introduction, a sobering tale of life in reality. Third and fourth are the stories “Tired Old Man” and “Promises of Laughter”. I don’t remember seeing either of these before, and they will slap you awake and make you re-read them. “Tired Old Man” is particularly good if you know Ellison’s back story – but easily stands on its own, helping us each understand ourselves better. And “Promises of Laughter” just doesn’t belong in this collection (based on the premise) but deserves to be reprinted many times. Love and not quite getting to love. And what does it all mean to me. ( )

A collection of Harlan Ellison's stories of terror and suspense, with a 40-page foreword (Geez...) explaining his evolution and fascination with the genre. That said, the stories truly are chilling pulse-quickeners. Ellison is a natural for this genre, with his taut skill with words and macabre take on the world. ( )