This is a collection of short stories. The first five are of Jemima Shore. The first is the case that brought her to the world of investigation at age fifteen, while she was a student at a Catholic board school. It seems a student, claiming to be and Italian princess, experiences a “miracle” of which Jemima is suspicious of.

The story “Your Appoint is Cancelled” finds Jemima just returned from filming a story in Morocco and in need of the services of her stylist, Mr. Leo. Checking her messages she find a recording that states, “This is Arcangelo’s Salon, Epiphany speaking. I am very sorry to inform you that your appointment is cancelled…” over and over. How can that be? She is a regular of Mr. Leo’s!

Later that day, she reads about the murder of a stylist at a fashionable salon. Shortly after that, she receives a phone call from Mr. Leo, who is very upset. The murdered stylist is his son-in-law and Mr. Leo was the one to find the body. The police are looking at Mr. Leo as a prime suspect. It seems the son-in-law was playing around with another woman.

The other stories have a Twilight Zone feel to them. “Death of an Old Dog” is a good example. Ibo is an old dog, a very old dog. He was part of the family when Richard Gavin was married to his first wife. Ibo was family and important to Toddie, Richard’s ten year old son from his first marriage.

Pauline, Richard’s current wife, had taken Ibo to the vet’s. Pauline arrived home, after Richard, without Ibo. It seems the vet was keeping Ibo over night as he didn’t have much “hope for him.” Richard knows that Pauline has taken Ibo to the vet’s to be put down. What does ‘hope’ have to do with Ibo being an old dog?

Pauline claims she took the initiative to make the decision, so that Richard didn’t have to stress over it. It seems she forgot one important thing. Toddie is due home from school the next day, with the expectation of seeing Ibo, “the best dog in the whole world.” What is to be the outcome when Toddie is told of Ibo’s demise?

The end is as I write — a touch of Twilight Zone.

Each story gives you food for thought… ( )

short stories