Book Review: Like a Charm : A Novel in Voices

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Like a Charm : A Novel in Voices     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Karin Slaughter , Laura Lippman , Peter Robinson , Mark Billingham , Jerrilyn Farmer , Fidelis Morgan , Lee Child , Denise Mina , John Connolly , Jane Haddam
Class/Genre:   Mystery   [Short Stories]
Morrow, May 2004, $21.95, 352 pp.

This sixteen collection anthology revolves around a charm bracelet that brings misfortune to the holder. The tales are unique yet build off where the previous story left off. Beginning in the Georgia Mountains in 1803, continuing in 1839 and on into the twentieth century, the bracelet moves from one ill-fated soul whose story is unfolded until at the end of the tale, another person holds the bracelet and his or her story is told in the next chapter.

The fifteen contributors (Karin Slaughter opens and closes the anthology) seem to have enjoyed adding their spin to the book because all the inputs are well written and loaded with action and suspense. The “charmed characters” surprisingly for the most part come across as genuine regardless of their era and location (the bracelet gets around). LIKE A CHARM is gimmicky, but fans of interconnected short stories will appreciate this delightful thriller that lives up to its title as readers will enjoy this suspenseful interrelated compilation.

Harriet Klausner

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