Description:

The short stories in this novella-length collection share the theme of having an odd twist or edginess that makes them gritty, slightly off-balance or unusual. They represent a range of genres from hardboiled mystery to noir to parody. Altogether, this collection has something for everyone who enjoys dark or edgy crime fiction. Includes the first three chapters of LEAST WANTED, the sequel to IDENTITY CRISIS. About the author: Debbi Mack is the author of the Sam McRae mysteries, including the New York Times ebook bestseller IDENTITY CRISIS and the Kindle bestseller LEAST WANTED. Her short stories have appeared in various anthologies, including the CHESAPEAKE CRIMES anthologies and SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN. In 2010, Debbi's short story "The Right to Remain Silent" was nominated for a Derringer Award. What They Are Saying About FIVE UNEASY PIECES: "In her introductory note to FIVE UNEASY PIECES, Debbi Mack claims she finds writing short stories 'difficult.' Well, you wouldn't know it from the 'pieces' themselves. Each rings true as a tuning fork, whether for dialogue, setting, or depth. A lean collection of gems." - Jeremiah Healy, author of OFF-SEASON and THE CONCISE CUDDY "FIVE UNEASY PIECES packs a nasty punch that will keep mystery fans enthralled." - Simon Wood, author of TERMINATED "In her first collection of short works, FIVE UNEASY PIECES, 2010 Derringer Award nominee Debbi Mack creates modern-day noir worlds where voyeurism and sleuthing are as natural to its inhabitants as breathing. Never content to leave well enough alone, Mack's fascinating cavalcade of off-kilter protagonists spy and insinuate themselves into other people's lives - to mostly tragic effect. "While descriptive, observational humor was a hallmark of Mack's excellent hardboiled crime novel IDENTITY CRISIS, here she uses it sparingly, and instead infuses a handful of riveting mini-mysteries with a real sense of dread, fear, and unease that lingers long after the lights are out. Recommended." - J.T. Cummins, author of COBBLESTONES "Mack really packs twists and surprises into these five shorts." - C.J. West, author of THE END OF MARKING TIME