Murder in a Country Town & Other Stories

Having never been drawn to short stories, I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively the author was able to grab my attention from the first few lines. This book is a compilation of clever and suspenseful tales, which range from brief, witty stories of only a few pages to cunning, intelligent mid-length accounts with more developed characters and plot lines that you can really sink your teeth into. I particularly love the style of his super-short stories, where the author uses skillful writing and misdirection to turn everyday events into uneasy, tension filled episodes. The true situation is only revealed in the last few lines, leaving the reader with a smile and the thought “I should have seen that coming”. Anyone who loves a good story will enjoy this book. Eric Lee is a talented writer.

This is the first Eric Lee mystery book that I have ever read and I was hooked with the first story. The ten stories in this book range from three pages to forty-eight. The very first story is a compelling story about a normally logical accountant who calls his own answering machine and someone picks up… sounding exactly like him. This story kept me guessing as I tried to figure out what was going on. There were also three flash fiction stories of 1,000 words or less which are perfect for a real quick read. I figured out some of the endings, but most surprised me. I really liked the final “About the Stories” section where the author provides his insights on the stories. A very enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this book.

I bought Murder in a Country Town to read on vacation. I like relatively short stories on vacation, nothing too heavy, but enough character intrigue and plot twists to keep my interest up. This book didn’t disappoint. It took a story or two to get used to how he sets up the plot twists, but after that I got hooked and had a hard time putting it down. What I like best is that his stories are very clever, very well thought out. And even in a limited number of pages Eric Lee can write compelling characters with enough depth that, along with interesting plot twists, keep the stories flying. I’m glad I discovered him, he’s a good writer.

There are ten stories of varying lengths in this book. They are all very fast-paced stories that kept my interest throughout. I was looking for a book to read over the Christmas holidays. My only regret is that I had trouble putting the book down and finished it in only two days. The stories are dominated with a lot of dialogue and action, which, for me, make it a very easy and enjoyable read. I also enjoyed the plot twists that keep the reader guessing. I’ve already ordered the second book, Murder in a Coastal Town.

I love Eric Lee’s short stories. He presents word-pictures of scenes and events by giving specific details that appeal to the five senses and to the reader’s imagination. I feel like I am in the story as it unfolds and I am given subtle, sometimes not so subtle clues along the way to keep me guessing as to the outcome of the story. I am always surprised by the ending, and surprised that I hadn’t figured it out. I always end up with a wow feeling at the end. Great stories for all ages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. What I love about Eric’s stories is there is always a twist in the plot. Just when you think you have it figured out, it takes a left turn, and you find yourself going back to see what happened. His writing is fun, engaging, and the mystery keeps you guessing to the very end. I highly recommend all of Eric’s books. You won’t be disappointed.

This is an awesome book. The cool thing about the stories is that they really draw you in and keep you guessing as to what will happen next. Eric is a very clever writer, the twists and turns in his stories kept me guessing until the very end. And the coolest part was that most of the stories are so good that I re-read them again to catch all the clues and nuances that I missed the first time. You really appreciate an author like that who can pack so much in a story and write it so well that it’s just as interesting and engaging the second time around. He’s really good.