Book Review: Endless Road and Other Stories

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Endless Road and Other Stories     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
John Lutz
Class/Genre:   Mystery   [Short Stories]
Five Star, Sep 2003, $25.95, 310 pp.

This anthology consists of one full-length novel and four short stories. All five tales are well written thrillers with an emphasis on the personalities of the lead characters. Though the title at first seems odd, as it is the same as one of the shorts, once the audience reads this deep collection, they will understand the apropos traveling down the seemingly endless road of life.

The novel THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER is simply superb. Lou Roebuck is a pathological liar who when caught either closes down that life and starts a new one or fibs even further. He loses his job at Construction Supply Company when his past catches up with him. Bob Ingrahm and Ben Gripp, guys he knew in the army, visited him at his place of business and discussed his less than glorious military career among other fabrications with his boss. Angry, Lou runs over Bob in the parking lot, deserts his wife, and flees into the night, also knowing that Ben will pursue him endlessly. This is a strong tale that digs deep in the soul of a professional bull artist.

The four short stories are also cleverly designed so that the audience can observe what makes individuals take the paths they choose with some consequences not expected.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner