I read: Life Is Short and Then You Die

Mystery Writers of America Presents Life Is Short and Then You Die: First Encounters with Murder -  edited by Kelley Armstrong with stories by Kelley Armstrong, R.L. Stine, Y.S. Lee, Melissa Marr, Amanda Witt, Rachel Vincent, Jeff Somers, Eileen Rendahl, David Bart, Jeff Soloway, Julie Tollefson, Joseph S. Walker, Anthony Franze and Barry Lancet, Emmy Laybourne, Jonathan Mayberry, Stephen Ross, Caleb Roehring, and Barry Lyga.


Obviously, I picked this one up because of the Kelley Armstrong connection. I will read anything that she writes because she has been so consistent. Because I trust her writing, I also trust that she wouldn't be involved in anything that doesn't live up to her standard, so I never shy away from reading anthologies that she's involved with. I do, in fact, read everything included in the anthology. And this one is no different.

Like any collection of stories, there were those that I absolutely loved and those that weren't really my choice of genre or style. This anthology is no exception. But, there were also stories that surprised me. If I'd made the decision to finish reading any of the stories based on the first several paragraphs I would have missed out on several of what turned out to be my favourites from the collection. And honestly, if I was going to choose to read the stories based on that I wouldn't have been the kind of person who picks up a book called Life is Short and Then You Die anyway.


I really do love ready anthologies because it seems like you're accomplishing so much reading in such a short amount of time. Short stories are quick and they get to the point rapidly, so the reader gets their payoff easily. It's very satisfying to read an anthology of similar themed stories.


I won't list my favourite stories here. If you choose to read the anthology you'll probably figure out which were my top 3. Though you might be surprised.

5 Stars - some stories better than others, but all really well written.