Vengeance (Paperback)

Elrod, P. N.: "The Astral Outrage" Catherine Prendergast, the narrator, became a Victorian psychic investigator (with matching narrative style) trying to find and stop whatever is draining the lives out of various students at a girls' boarding school. That thread comes to a very quick resolution; I prefer the background - how she met her teacher, Mr. Jones, after a fake medium made the mistake of pretending to speak for Catherine's late husband. :)

Hoffman, Nina Kiriki: Among the narrator's people, magic is "Knotwork"; relationships are perceived as knots, to be controlled by the skill of the better knotmaker. Nuala came to our world to learn new things, and upon marrying Hugh 7 years ago, bound her power to allow him to retain free will. But in his ignorance, Hugh has undone those knots with his infidelity...

Jocks, Von: "Nothing Says 'I Love You' Like the Kiss of Cold Steel" :) Platitudes about living well cut no ice with the narrator, Tuppence Tuloni, born Mari Telemachus. She's calling on her family only for retribution: ensuring her infant son's inheritance, thus depriving others of theirs. Tuppence and her husband/partner Cal *completely* outclass the slimy Telemachus brood, and their stormy relationship keeps us guessing about just how many - and whose - corpses will grace the story. ('Marsais, healing potion!' is the chamberlain's most frequent order.) (PG-13 warning: Tuppence and Cal, not pretending to be nice people, get rather...stimulated...by violence.)

McCay, Bill: "Matchbook Magic" is subtitled "or, How I Saved the World from Mortie DeMerz" - the narrator's no-account roommate, who never takes responsibility for his own problems. Unfortunately, the "Learn power...others in my secret cult", etc. advertisement (send [money]) Mortie finds on the back of a matchbox turns out to be *true*.

Nye, Jody Lynn: "Even Tempo" Derren composed a magnificent song for a middle-aged witch the night before the Tournament of Troubadours, and Vanisa granted leave for Derren to use it in competition. But when the arrogant favourite steals Vanisa's song, she agrees to help Derren get even, although her magic must affect *both* musicians.

Odom, Mel: Terry Farrell's father raised him to be both decent and tough; Terry's narration begins with a barfight in Singapore, knowing what his father would have done. Then old Father Liam sends word that Terry's father has been killed in a "Smoker" - an illegal boxing match - Terry (the narrator) comes home to settle his old man's affairs. For the flavor, think of Robert Parker's Spenser if he'd grown up in a much rougher neighbourhood, with *only* his father.

Pack, Janet: "Listen to the Cat" If Elaine had, she'd have been spared a bad marriage and subsequent divorce; Mithril hated her ex on sight. Just before Rob's final departure for another city, he strikes one last blow: an accusation which may not only cost Elaine ..., but Mithril's life. Rushed ending, leaving one major question unresolved.

Reichert, Mickey Zucker: "Devil Drums" The narrator's dearest brother learned Norse to deal peace with raiders; they killed him out of hand. Now Sister Enid herself is the only translator left alive to question a prisoner, even as she questions her faith.

Resnick, Laura: Heaven vs. Hell as organized crime - the demonic narrator has been "The Capo of Darkness" ever since Lucifer left the Big Boss to form his own Organization.

Rodgers, Alan: "MarySue at Forty" The term "MarySue" is taken from a wish-fulfillment female stereotype (very young brilliant Lieutenant who gets Captain Kirk's attention), although this isn't Trek. The story's setup is deliberately *way* out on the wish-fulfillment catastrophe curve.

Rusch, Kristine Kathryn: "The Wedding Present" - an odd dish - was a gift from Floyd, a lonely old customer at the diner Chloe considered a stepping-stone to greater things. How well do you *really* know those you see every day?

Scarborough, Elizabeth Ann: "Boon Companion" concerns cats, as usual in Scarborough short stories, though not Mu Mao this time.

Sizemore, Susan: "Sometimes It's Sweet" Alcinia, determined to be the first sorceress in a family of hedge-witches, *will not* be expelled from Bantieth, despite being unjustly sentenced to a year-and-a-day as a scullery maid for an arrogant minor prince's screwup, and despite her imp familiar's wish to avenge her. Readers shouldn't jump to conclusions about what supporting characters might do. :)

Stover, Deb: "Punkinella" 40-year-old Sharon's husband has just left her for a blonde secretary named Bambi. At Sharon's lowest point, her fairy godmother appears - but she's Sharon's dear departed *mother*. :)

Waggoner, Tim: "Exits and Entrances" Morgan's controlling mother raised him to demand "excellence in all things"; he became a poison-pen theater critic who's terrible at personal relationships. He never expected to see Claire again after his cruel college review of her Ophelia - especially since she killed herself just before appearing at his dinner table. (Think what might have happened if Marley were Scrooge's *enemy*, blaming Scrooge for all his troubles.)

West, Michelle: "A Quiet Justice" The nameless narrator can be identified from context. A good move; otherwise readers would have preconceived ideas of the character of this 'good girl' forced into marriage by rape when the world was young.