About the Book:
A woman makes a daring escape from a bank robbery–with help from a cop. A detective sergeant outwits his inspector and solves the murder at a snowed-in manor. Two con men meet unexpectedly when they’re both plying their trade at the same resort hotel. These are some of the seemingly complex stories begun and resolved in exactly 100 words.
Seven of the stories in this collection have been published in five different online magazines: Stymie Magazine, 101 Words, Flashshot, 100-Word Story and MicroHorror.
Other stories include a man who discovers–and loses–his long-lost love at a ball game. A hit man receives an unusual request and is unable to comply. And a woman confides in a friend that she suspects her husband of indiscretions. But does she have the facts right?
Each entry is a complete story, most with a protagonist, a challenge and resolution. Here are 101 mini mysteries, mini puzzles with unexpected, satisfying endings.
One of the most effective ways to make a story better is to make it shorter. When editing, writers always save their best sentences and toss out their worst. I love reading short stories because I can read them before bed and finish them without having to stay up half the night to find out what happened. Those of you who enjoy reading know just what I mean. At 4:30 you are up still reading even though you have to be up at 6 because you just have to find out how it ends.
In this collection about Cops, Crooks & Others, Mark Bacon has taken the process of creating those short stories to an enjoyable level. The best thing is you get the entire story with a great plot and climax in 100 words. Then he does it over and over again with the next story. Being a journalist means Bacon knows how to thrill and excite us while still allowing us to maintain our sanity. We can read one or stories or all of them and still be entertained enough to what to read again.
Bacon’s stories are filled with fun, surprise, and plenty of wit. So much so that I found myself laughing several times and having to give the book to my husband to read because he wanted to know what was so funny. The one thing I truly loved was that Bacon ends most of his stories with a twist, which only increased my anticipation of the next story.
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I like short stories too but 100 words seems a tad short- were they all 100 words? Generally I keep a few readers digests around I have picked up from yard sales when I want the super short stories. They are nice too for when you are traveling in the car or in a waiting room somewhere!
Writing a proper story in a hundred words is no easy task. I’m going to check this out.
This sounds like an interesting book. They do say brevity is the soul of wit. Although this book doesn’t sound like it would be witty. But brevity is also the soul of clarity.
sounds interesting i’ve never actually read a short story before other than childrens books. Im into murder mysteries so im guessing this would be right up my alley