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Lincoln Rhyme
Twisted: The Collected Short Stories
New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver has long thrilled fans with tales of masterful villains and their nefarious ways, and the brilliant minds who bring them to justice. Now the author of the Lincoln Rhyme series has collected for the first time his award-winning, spine-tingling stories of suspense -- stories that will widen your eyes and stretch your imagination.
A beautiful woman goes to extremes to rid herself of her stalker; a daughter begs her father not to go fishing in an area where there have been a series of brutal killings; a contemporary of the playwright William Shakespeare vows to avenge his family's ruin; and Jeffery Deaver's most beloved character, criminalist Lincoln Rhyme, is back to solve a chilling Christmastime disappearance.
Diverse, provocative, eerie and inspired, this collection of Jeffery Deaver's best stories exhibits the amazing range and signature plot twists that have earned him the title "master of ticking-bomb suspense" (People). With nods to O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe, these beautifully crafted pieces, never before compiled in one volume, pulse with subtle intrigue and Deaver's incomparable imagination.
A beautiful woman goes to extremes to rid herself of her stalker; a daughter begs her father not to go fishing in an area where there have been a series of brutal killings; a contemporary of the playwright William Shakespeare vows to avenge his family's ruin; and Jeffery Deaver's most beloved character, criminalist Lincoln Rhyme, is back to solve a chilling Christmastime disappearance.
Diverse, provocative, eerie and inspired, this collection of Jeffery Deaver's best stories exhibits the amazing range and signature plot twists that have earned him the title "master of ticking-bomb suspense" (People). With nods to O. Henry and Edgar Allan Poe, these beautifully crafted pieces, never before compiled in one volume, pulse with subtle intrigue and Deaver's incomparable imagination.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 2, 2003
About the author
Jeffery Deaver
377 books10.9k followers#1 international bestselling author of over thirty novels and three collections of short stories. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into 25 languages. His first novel featuring Lincoln Rhyme, The Bone Collector, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. He's received or been shortlisted for a number of awards around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
October 1, 2024
Expect the unexpected ... and still be surprised!
In his introduction to TWISTED, Deaver acknowledges his personal delight with the experience of writing short stories. He suggests that because readers don't invest the same time or have the same emotional involvement in a short story as they would with a full length novel, the author is free to play an entirely different game - to hit like a sniper's bullet, to make the story fast and shocking, to make good bad or to make bad badder. But, Deaver says the most fun he had was to make really good really bad.
But - make no mistake - Deaver brings to the short story all the sophisticated skills that have been the foundation of his success as a novelist. He has a gift for dialogue, vivid characterization and suspense and his stories show deep insight into the emotions, the motivations, the fears and the love and happiness of his widely varied cast of characters. Despite its fundamentally gritty nature, his writing shows uncommonly refreshing humour and a capacity to convey deep feeling.
Doubtless everyone will come away from reading TWISTED with their own personal set of favourites. I was fond of LESSER-INCLUDED OFFENSE, a crafty tale of shifty, cut-throat legal maneuvers during the capital trial of an accused murderer; GONE FISHING in which a daughter begs her loving father not to go fishing in an area which has been the site of a series of brutal killings; and, finally, NOCTURNE which begins with the theft of a priceless Stradivarius violin at gunpoint and ends with a ... well, you're going to have to read it yourself!
The dust jacket reviews liken Deaver's mastery of the short story twist to O. Henry and Edgar Allen Poe. I was reminded of Jeffrey Archer's A TWIST IN THE TALE and Roald Dahl's TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED. For some easy going but compelling, rapid-fire, high quality toilet or beach reading that you can pick up and put down without losing the thread, TWISTED will be your cup of tea! Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
In his introduction to TWISTED, Deaver acknowledges his personal delight with the experience of writing short stories. He suggests that because readers don't invest the same time or have the same emotional involvement in a short story as they would with a full length novel, the author is free to play an entirely different game - to hit like a sniper's bullet, to make the story fast and shocking, to make good bad or to make bad badder. But, Deaver says the most fun he had was to make really good really bad.
But - make no mistake - Deaver brings to the short story all the sophisticated skills that have been the foundation of his success as a novelist. He has a gift for dialogue, vivid characterization and suspense and his stories show deep insight into the emotions, the motivations, the fears and the love and happiness of his widely varied cast of characters. Despite its fundamentally gritty nature, his writing shows uncommonly refreshing humour and a capacity to convey deep feeling.
Doubtless everyone will come away from reading TWISTED with their own personal set of favourites. I was fond of LESSER-INCLUDED OFFENSE, a crafty tale of shifty, cut-throat legal maneuvers during the capital trial of an accused murderer; GONE FISHING in which a daughter begs her loving father not to go fishing in an area which has been the site of a series of brutal killings; and, finally, NOCTURNE which begins with the theft of a priceless Stradivarius violin at gunpoint and ends with a ... well, you're going to have to read it yourself!
The dust jacket reviews liken Deaver's mastery of the short story twist to O. Henry and Edgar Allen Poe. I was reminded of Jeffrey Archer's A TWIST IN THE TALE and Roald Dahl's TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED. For some easy going but compelling, rapid-fire, high quality toilet or beach reading that you can pick up and put down without losing the thread, TWISTED will be your cup of tea! Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
August 2, 2020
This is not the type of book that I read much anymore. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a collection of short stories all of which have a twist at the end. Most of those twists are the type that you really don’t see coming, or at least I didn’t, and I am usually good at that sort of thing. I love books like that! I love anything that gets my mind off all the news and recent events. This is the first book that I have read by this author. I’m going to look up more of his books.
My favorite quote:
“What good is it to perform anyway? The audience sits there like logs, they cough and sneeze, they don’t dress up anymore. Do you know what it’s like playing Brahms for people wearing blue jeans and T-shirts?”
My favorite quote:
“What good is it to perform anyway? The audience sits there like logs, they cough and sneeze, they don’t dress up anymore. Do you know what it’s like playing Brahms for people wearing blue jeans and T-shirts?”
June 20, 2023
Не съм чел нищо друго от този автор до сега.
Разказите в този сборник са добри, повечето ми харесаха поне малко. Но ще ги забравя вероятно бързичко. ;)
Част от тях са лошо преведени, но не знам точно кой от няколкото преводачи не си е свършил добре работата…
"Без Джонатан" – 3*
"На гости за уикенда" – 3*
"Красива" – 3,5*
"За извършени услуги" – 3*
"Изкупителната жертва" – 3,5*
"Несъвпадение на гледните точки" – 4*
"Триъгълник" – 3*
"Ноктюрно" – 4*
"На риболов" – 4*
"Воайорът" – 2*
"Двоен риск" – 4*
"Празната картичка" – 1*
"Заедно" – 3*
"Урок по покер" – 4*
"Коленичилият войник" – 3*
"Лоша по рождение" – 4*
"Светът е сцена" – 2*
Разказите в този сборник са добри, повечето ми харесаха поне малко. Но ще ги забравя вероятно бързичко. ;)
Част от тях са лошо преведени, но не знам точно кой от няколкото преводачи не си е свършил добре работата…
"Без Джонатан" – 3*
"На гости за уикенда" – 3*
"Красива" – 3,5*
"За извършени услуги" – 3*
"Изкупителната жертва" – 3,5*
"Несъвпадение на гледните точки" – 4*
"Триъгълник" – 3*
"Ноктюрно" – 4*
"На риболов" – 4*
"Воайорът" – 2*
"Двоен риск" – 4*
"Празната картичка" – 1*
"Заедно" – 3*
"Урок по покер" – 4*
"Коленичилият войник" – 3*
"Лоша по рождение" – 4*
"Светът е сцена" – 2*
June 5, 2018
Great short stories!! It has 16 stories and I have no idea how many times this book made my jaw dropped.
The ending of "Triangle" was the most astonishing. Since it was totally unexpected, I reread it as soon as I finished this story.
"Beautiful" and "Gone Fishing" are also my favorite. "The Blank Card" was so interesting, too. Ah, it's impossible to choose the best one.
The title of the book let me know the stories would have a twist, so I kept guessing how the stories would unfold while reading them, but my guesses were always wrong and the unpredictable twists and turns made me startled again and again.
The ending of "Triangle" was the most astonishing. Since it was totally unexpected, I reread it as soon as I finished this story.
"Beautiful" and "Gone Fishing" are also my favorite. "The Blank Card" was so interesting, too. Ah, it's impossible to choose the best one.
The title of the book let me know the stories would have a twist, so I kept guessing how the stories would unfold while reading them, but my guesses were always wrong and the unpredictable twists and turns made me startled again and again.
April 13, 2017
Astonishing. Every story is good. I can't pick which I have liked the most. Recommend it to anyone who likes good stories.
September 4, 2018
Свежи истории, обединени от финалните врътки, с които Джефри Дивър мята читателя на джанката. Във всички разкази му се е получило, къде по-успешно, къде - по-малко, защото тук-там не откривах логика в решенията, взети от героите, а значителна част от сюжетите пък бяха толкова оплетени и зависещи от куп случайности, че изглеждаха почти невъзможни за реализация... Но това не ми попречи да изчета томчето с удоволствие.
1. БЕЗ ДЖОНАТАН една жена се опитва да подреди живота си след загубата на своя съпруг. Първата от включените в сборника семейни истории, под повърхността на които нищо не е каквото изглежда. Врътката беше добра.
2. НА ГОСТИ ЗА УИКЕНДА - обир на аптека се обърква фатално, остават няколко трупа, а нападателите са принудени да вземат и заложник. Врътката беше супер, макар с логически пукнатини в поведението на героите.
3. КРАСИВА - известен модел, преследван от маниак. Крайно нелогична врътка.
4. ЗА ИЗВЪРШЕНИ УСЛУГИ - класическа история "с кушетка", сиреч - психиатър-пациент. Яка врътка.
5. ИЗКУПИТЕЛНАТА ЖЕРТВА - отново семейна история. Хубава врътка, но прекалено сложен сюжет за действителна реализация.
6. НЕСЪВПАДЕНИЕ НА ГЛЕДНИТЕ ТОЧКИ - и тук обир, а свидетелят, който имаме май-май не е най-надежден. История от ония, за които споменах - с прекалено сложен сюжет за действителна реализация.
7. ТРИЪГЪЛНИК - пак семейна история, както подсказва заглавието, ама всъщност какво точно подсказва... тук Джефри успя да ме изстреля с шут по гъза на най-високия клон на джанката. Прощавам му поредния сложен сюжет.
8. НОКТЮРНО - прекрасна история за ченге-меломан и открадната цигулка "Страдивариус".
9. НА РИБОЛОВ - ловенето на риба понякога може да бъде смъртоносно опасно. Чудна врътчица!!!
10. ВОАЙОРЪТ - отново имаме красива жена и таен обожател, следящ всяка нейна крачка. Нещо не успя да ме спечели - не усетих никаква достоверност в историята.
11. ДВОЕН РИСК - нахакан адвокат ще се опита да спаси от доживотен затвор убиец на млада жена. Харесах, макар да беше поредният сууупер фантасмагоричен сюжет.
12. ПРАЗНАТА КАРТИЧКА - от семейните истории - също не усетих достоверност.
13. ЗАЕДНО - и пак жена, и мъж влюбен до обсебване в нея. Доволно добра история.
14. УРОК ПО ПОКЕР - когато на масата се разиграват половин милион гущера очаквайте всевъзможни врътки. Забавлявах се на макс.
15. КОЛЕНИЧИЛИЯТ ВОЙНИК - млад мъж ухажва по доста странен начин шестнадесет годишна девойка... Биваше.
16. ЛОША ПО РОЖДЕНИЕ - майка и дъщеря, отчуждили се през годините, ще се опитат да открият как се е стигнало до там. Майсторско изпълнение.
17. СВЕТЪТ Е СЦЕНА - единствената история, ситуирана в Англия и то не къде да е, а в Лондон и то не кога да е, а по времето на Шекспир. Сложен за реализация сюжет, но пък доста ме забавлява и остави сладък вкус за финал на книжлето. А и самият Уили се появи като главен свидетел на скамейката, ха-ха.
1. БЕЗ ДЖОНАТАН една жена се опитва да подреди живота си след загубата на своя съпруг. Първата от включените в сборника семейни истории, под повърхността на които нищо не е каквото изглежда. Врътката беше добра.
2. НА ГОСТИ ЗА УИКЕНДА - обир на аптека се обърква фатално, остават няколко трупа, а нападателите са принудени да вземат и заложник. Врътката беше супер, макар с логически пукнатини в поведението на героите.
3. КРАСИВА - известен модел, преследван от маниак. Крайно нелогична врътка.
4. ЗА ИЗВЪРШЕНИ УСЛУГИ - класическа история "с кушетка", сиреч - психиатър-пациент. Яка врътка.
5. ИЗКУПИТЕЛНАТА ЖЕРТВА - отново семейна история. Хубава врътка, но прекалено сложен сюжет за действителна реализация.
6. НЕСЪВПАДЕНИЕ НА ГЛЕДНИТЕ ТОЧКИ - и тук обир, а свидетелят, който имаме май-май не е най-надежден. История от ония, за които споменах - с прекалено сложен сюжет за действителна реализация.
7. ТРИЪГЪЛНИК - пак семейна история, както подсказва заглавието, ама всъщност какво точно подсказва... тук Джефри успя да ме изстреля с шут по гъза на най-високия клон на джанката. Прощавам му поредния сложен сюжет.
8. НОКТЮРНО - прекрасна история за ченге-меломан и открадната цигулка "Страдивариус".
9. НА РИБОЛОВ - ловенето на риба понякога може да бъде смъртоносно опасно. Чудна врътчица!!!
10. ВОАЙОРЪТ - отново имаме красива жена и таен обожател, следящ всяка нейна крачка. Нещо не успя да ме спечели - не усетих никаква достоверност в историята.
11. ДВОЕН РИСК - нахакан адвокат ще се опита да спаси от доживотен затвор убиец на млада жена. Харесах, макар да беше поредният сууупер фантасмагоричен сюжет.
12. ПРАЗНАТА КАРТИЧКА - от семейните истории - също не усетих достоверност.
13. ЗАЕДНО - и пак жена, и мъж влюбен до обсебване в нея. Доволно добра история.
14. УРОК ПО ПОКЕР - когато на масата се разиграват половин милион гущера очаквайте всевъзможни врътки. Забавлявах се на макс.
15. КОЛЕНИЧИЛИЯТ ВОЙНИК - млад мъж ухажва по доста странен начин шестнадесет годишна девойка... Биваше.
16. ЛОША ПО РОЖДЕНИЕ - майка и дъщеря, отчуждили се през годините, ще се опитат да открият как се е стигнало до там. Майсторско изпълнение.
17. СВЕТЪТ Е СЦЕНА - единствената история, ситуирана в Англия и то не къде да е, а в Лондон и то не кога да е, а по времето на Шекспир. Сложен за реализация сюжет, но пък доста ме забавлява и остави сладък вкус за финал на книжлето. А и самият Уили се появи като главен свидетел на скамейката, ха-ха.
July 26, 2022
This is an excellent collection of short stories, each with Deaver's signature twists (as the title suggests). These twists are not unbelievable. (His full length novels tend to get far-fetched when he keeps piling twists on every page). Most of these stories are about stalkers and cheating spouses. My favourites are ' The Fall Guy' and 'The Widow of Pine Creek'.
1.Without Jonathan- Marissa Cooper contemplates her life without her husband Jonathan, when she is finally ready for a date. Is this a romantic date, or ..?
2. the weekender- Robbery at a drugstore ends up in a hostage situation. How does the hostage get himself out?
3. For services rendered- A psychiatrist tells the story of one of his patients and how he gets personally involved.
4. Beautiful- A super model takes the extreme step to get rid of a stalker.
5. The Fall guy- When Carolyn is saved from an attempted kidnapping, she sees a perfect opportunity to do away with her cheating husband. Who ends up as the fall guy for her husband's murder?
6. Eye to eye- Bullies beware ! Your victims may not be as timid as they look!
7. Triangle- This was completely unexpected. You may want to reread the story again to know what you missed.
8. All the world's a stage- A retro story where Shakespeare helps a man to avenge his father's death.
9. Gone Fishing- A loving father goes fishing inspite of warnings from his daughter and wife.
10. Nocturne- A heart warming story of a music-loving cop
11. lesser included offense- A clever courtroom drama.
12. The Blank card- Dennis is driven to madness because he is sure his wife is cheating on him. Are his doubts unfounded?
13. the Cristmas present- Rhyme and Sachs find a missing mother on Christmas eve but that is not the end of it.
14. Together- Manko tells his love story to Frankie boy. Knowing Deaver, we know it is not a simple love story.
15. The Widow of Pine creek- A grieving widow takes help from a stranger to get her husband's business in order. Who is conning whom?
16. The Kneeling Soldier- Another stalker story and nothing is what it seems to be
1.Without Jonathan- Marissa Cooper contemplates her life without her husband Jonathan, when she is finally ready for a date. Is this a romantic date, or ..?
2. the weekender- Robbery at a drugstore ends up in a hostage situation. How does the hostage get himself out?
3. For services rendered- A psychiatrist tells the story of one of his patients and how he gets personally involved.
4. Beautiful- A super model takes the extreme step to get rid of a stalker.
5. The Fall guy- When Carolyn is saved from an attempted kidnapping, she sees a perfect opportunity to do away with her cheating husband. Who ends up as the fall guy for her husband's murder?
6. Eye to eye- Bullies beware ! Your victims may not be as timid as they look!
7. Triangle- This was completely unexpected. You may want to reread the story again to know what you missed.
8. All the world's a stage- A retro story where Shakespeare helps a man to avenge his father's death.
9. Gone Fishing- A loving father goes fishing inspite of warnings from his daughter and wife.
10. Nocturne- A heart warming story of a music-loving cop
11. lesser included offense- A clever courtroom drama.
12. The Blank card- Dennis is driven to madness because he is sure his wife is cheating on him. Are his doubts unfounded?
13. the Cristmas present- Rhyme and Sachs find a missing mother on Christmas eve but that is not the end of it.
14. Together- Manko tells his love story to Frankie boy. Knowing Deaver, we know it is not a simple love story.
15. The Widow of Pine creek- A grieving widow takes help from a stranger to get her husband's business in order. Who is conning whom?
16. The Kneeling Soldier- Another stalker story and nothing is what it seems to be
July 27, 2022
Книгата съдържа 17 престъпления или опит за извършването им. Обратите са неочаквани в много от тях, а авторът успява да изненада много приятно със заплетените истории. Описанието по-долу е умишлено написано с леко загатване към разказите без да навлиза в конкретика и да издава важни моменти. Книгата е изпъстрена с убийци, кр��дци, които взимат за заложници неправилните хора, уморени да бъдат преследвани красавици, които предприемат крайни мерки за да се спасят, родители, които въвличат, или поне се опитват да въвлекат, децата си в престъпленията, които са извършили, жертви, които в крайна сметка се оказват не чак толкова жертви колкото си мислим, персонажи, които водят сметките си без кръчмар и биват водени за носа през цялото време, майстори на покера, които се надхитряват един друг, а крайният победител е толкова изненадващ, колкото и неочакван. Сред 17-те увлекателни истории има още воайори, които наблюдават, преследват и се влюбват в прекрасни жени...които всъщност са много повече от само външна красота.
В не един и два разказа, авторът ме остави с отворена уста и то буквално. Джефри Дивър майсторски бе успял да извърти историята, така че да си кажа "Ха, стига! Това е един страхотен финал!". Разказите са умело написани, увлекателно разказани и успяваха всеки път да ме потопят в атмосферата на историята си, независимо от дължината си. Ако харесвате да четете разкази и кратката проза не ви е проблем, определено това е задължителен сборник за всеки фен. Горещо го препоръчвам.
В не един и два разказа, авторът ме остави с отворена уста и то буквално. Джефри Дивър майсторски бе успял да извърти историята, така че да си кажа "Ха, стига! Това е един страхотен финал!". Разказите са умело написани, увлекателно разказани и успяваха всеки път да ме потопят в атмосферата на историята си, независимо от дължината си. Ако харесвате да четете разкази и кратката проза не ви е проблем, определено това е задължителен сборник за всеки фен. Горещо го препоръчвам.
June 19, 2015
Each story in this collection has a surprise twist, as though Jeffrey Deaver is trying to position himself as the O. Henry of the macabre. But knowing a surprise twist is coming tends to put you on the lookout for it, and I was able to predict the conclusions to several of these stories by simply asking myself, "What's the most unexpected thing that could happen?" And, because most of these stories rely on the surprise twist in order to work, predicting the ending pretty much ruins the entire effect.
Only a few of these stories really deliver. A couple of them have so many twists that they become preposterous. Others feel like a cheat, with Deaver creating the twist simply by withholding a description of the main character (leading us to make inaccurate assumptions about them) or by selectively revealing their thoughts in order to mask their true intentions. I enjoy being misled when reading a good mystery, but I insist that the author play fair. I don't enjoy, for example (using a scenario that does not actually appear in this book), reading about a character I think is a woman only to be surprised to find out later that she is really a gay man--especially when a one-sentence description would have cleared the matter right up. It's the easiest thing in the world to come up with a surprise plot twist when all you're doing is withholding rudimentary information.
Still, there were definitely a couple of gems in this collection, and Deaver is a talented enough writer to make even bad stories moderately entertaining.
Only a few of these stories really deliver. A couple of them have so many twists that they become preposterous. Others feel like a cheat, with Deaver creating the twist simply by withholding a description of the main character (leading us to make inaccurate assumptions about them) or by selectively revealing their thoughts in order to mask their true intentions. I enjoy being misled when reading a good mystery, but I insist that the author play fair. I don't enjoy, for example (using a scenario that does not actually appear in this book), reading about a character I think is a woman only to be surprised to find out later that she is really a gay man--especially when a one-sentence description would have cleared the matter right up. It's the easiest thing in the world to come up with a surprise plot twist when all you're doing is withholding rudimentary information.
Still, there were definitely a couple of gems in this collection, and Deaver is a talented enough writer to make even bad stories moderately entertaining.
August 31, 2016
A collection of 16 short stories, all with a twist and I love stories with a surprise ending. Of course, not all the stories are of the same standard, but some of them are really good stuff. It is a format very similar to that of Jeffrey Archer's "A Twist in the Tale", and I liked both. I wonder why the short story format isn't very popular these days. Pity!
June 18, 2016
Loved these short stories by Jeffrey Deaver, interesting, intriguing and were a pleasure to read. Would recommend.
February 8, 2019
Normally I stay away from commercial writes like Deaver. There’s just something about such output and such popularity that is pretty much synonymous with pandering and a certain level of pedestrian quality. But then again, I love mysteries and I love, love twist endings. This collection promised and to its credit delivered both. Every story twisted and turned, but…it also definitely confirmed all my opinions of Deaver and his ilk, which is to say that it was pander and oversimplified, both stylistically and plotwise, and after a while, also clichéd. Once you figure out how Deaver plots his tales, you can starts predicting them easily and almost from the get go. This is one of those things where the author finds his formula and then just plugs in different scenarios into it and a lot of these scenarios don’t always hold up to thorough logical scrutiny either. The writing remains consistently decent and never goes above and beyond that, Deaver hits and stays at the serviceable level quality wise with this collection. So it did disappoint somewhat, but…if you want some mysteries with twists and don’t go in expecting too much or overthinking the twists offered, these will do for a decent quick read. Very few standouts, usually the ones where Deaver didn’t go for the clichéd good guys win sort of thing. Something he says he avoids in his other works, because, you know, pandering. Seems like the average popular serial fiction readers want their not only relatively simplistic, but also morally uncomplicated. To each their own. This was a decent read, very quick for the page count, actually. I was mildly entertained most of the time, especially when my intelligence wasn’t being insulted. Just wish these weren’t so freaking formulaic.
January 27, 2018
Short stories with a twist. The title puts the reader on notice to try and figure out the twist and for some of them you do. The problem with short stories they can't allow for the complex details which are such an important part of Jeffrey Deaver's novels, although this is the nature of the genre; even so this is an entertaining read. The stories start with a bang and end with me still trying to catch my breath. Each story can be read in a few minutes. Jeffrey Deaver is one of my favorite authors. He can't write them fast enough for me.
January 4, 2018
3.5 stars
Interesting enough to take my mind off my fear of flying. Quite a few stories were brilliant. A couple of them were just okay. Overall a good read. :)
Interesting enough to take my mind off my fear of flying. Quite a few stories were brilliant. A couple of them were just okay. Overall a good read. :)
January 8, 2024
Short and twisted
December 20, 2023
I just loved it. I love the writing, I love the plot twists (even if a reader used to Deaver can easily predict them), I love the format of short stories.
October 21, 2011
I will read and rate each story on its own merit and then come back at the end and rate and review the book as a whole.
I love short stories, and particularly dark ones with demented twists. If you are a fan of what I call Hitchcock endings where the ending is many times not given and you need to add your own you will like these. If you hate an incomplete story you may not quite enjoy the endings here. This is a great diversion for short story lovers and those looking for diversions between novels. I like Deaver's novels and now have quite enjoyed his short stories as well. Some people don't like short stories and they seem to be a dying or at least dwindeling art form among writers...and I for one am thankful for those who keep refining their skills with their forays into this realm.
1.Without Jonathan- 3 stars- A nice little read, a red herring (for me anyway)...I thought I was reading a sad story, combined with a romance...but got something much more.
2. the weekender- 4 stars- haven't we all wanted to take revenge on those who have hurt us or loved ones...Here is a diabolical twist on that theme.
3. For services rendered- 4 stars- a wicked little read. I thought I knew what was going on and who was who...then Mr. Deaver turned it all around on me.
4. Beautiful- 4 stars- A classic case of obsession, a deranged and demented stalker, a murder plot? and an unexcpected end..what more can you ask for?
5. The Fall guy- 5 stars- What a brilliant story filled with deception! Jilted lovers, muggers, convits and a surprise! Great story
6. Eye to eye- 3-4 stars- A nice story of bullies, crooked cops, frame jobs and, oh yeah...revenge.
7. Triangle- 3 stars- I hate getting fooled, but all the way up till the last page, I did not realize what was really going on. So-so story, but brilliant deception by the author at the end!
8. All the world's a stage- 3 star- An interesting tale of revenge.
9. Gone Fishing- 3 stars- What an interesting take on an old idea. The best thing about these short stories, are the way we jump to wrong conclusions.
10. Nocturne- 3 stars- What a cool story that almost reinforces the idea that there is still good in humanity, and much about mankind is redeemable.
11. lesser included offense- 3 stars- All to often we think that the rich can get away with anything...here is a story that tackles that head on.
12. The Blank card- 3 stars- Jelousy can make a man do the craziest things....how about betrayal???
13. the Cristmas present- 4 stars- I love this series...Just when you think there is a case there isn't than there is...just when you think it's over it isn't then it is.
14. Together- 5 stars- What a great and twisted story where I never even at the end knew what had truely transpired...A beautiful love story or a twisted stalker...A loving father or a deranged overprotective parent...a brutal murder or a beautifu sacrifice...a dead body or an unexcpected twist (This is how it plays out in my mind).
15. The Widow of Pine creek- 4 stars- Another story where nothing is quite what it seems! A widow, an affair, a brillant scheme, layers upon layers of duplicity, a murder...and has justice truely been served????
16. The Kneeling Soldier- 4 stars- A demented stalker or is he??? Another story where there are so many layers given in a short period of time.
I love short stories, and particularly dark ones with demented twists. If you are a fan of what I call Hitchcock endings where the ending is many times not given and you need to add your own you will like these. If you hate an incomplete story you may not quite enjoy the endings here. This is a great diversion for short story lovers and those looking for diversions between novels. I like Deaver's novels and now have quite enjoyed his short stories as well. Some people don't like short stories and they seem to be a dying or at least dwindeling art form among writers...and I for one am thankful for those who keep refining their skills with their forays into this realm.
1.Without Jonathan- 3 stars- A nice little read, a red herring (for me anyway)...I thought I was reading a sad story, combined with a romance...but got something much more.
2. the weekender- 4 stars- haven't we all wanted to take revenge on those who have hurt us or loved ones...Here is a diabolical twist on that theme.
3. For services rendered- 4 stars- a wicked little read. I thought I knew what was going on and who was who...then Mr. Deaver turned it all around on me.
4. Beautiful- 4 stars- A classic case of obsession, a deranged and demented stalker, a murder plot? and an unexcpected end..what more can you ask for?
5. The Fall guy- 5 stars- What a brilliant story filled with deception! Jilted lovers, muggers, convits and a surprise! Great story
6. Eye to eye- 3-4 stars- A nice story of bullies, crooked cops, frame jobs and, oh yeah...revenge.
7. Triangle- 3 stars- I hate getting fooled, but all the way up till the last page, I did not realize what was really going on. So-so story, but brilliant deception by the author at the end!
8. All the world's a stage- 3 star- An interesting tale of revenge.
9. Gone Fishing- 3 stars- What an interesting take on an old idea. The best thing about these short stories, are the way we jump to wrong conclusions.
10. Nocturne- 3 stars- What a cool story that almost reinforces the idea that there is still good in humanity, and much about mankind is redeemable.
11. lesser included offense- 3 stars- All to often we think that the rich can get away with anything...here is a story that tackles that head on.
12. The Blank card- 3 stars- Jelousy can make a man do the craziest things....how about betrayal???
13. the Cristmas present- 4 stars- I love this series...Just when you think there is a case there isn't than there is...just when you think it's over it isn't then it is.
14. Together- 5 stars- What a great and twisted story where I never even at the end knew what had truely transpired...A beautiful love story or a twisted stalker...A loving father or a deranged overprotective parent...a brutal murder or a beautifu sacrifice...a dead body or an unexcpected twist (This is how it plays out in my mind).
15. The Widow of Pine creek- 4 stars- Another story where nothing is quite what it seems! A widow, an affair, a brillant scheme, layers upon layers of duplicity, a murder...and has justice truely been served????
16. The Kneeling Soldier- 4 stars- A demented stalker or is he??? Another story where there are so many layers given in a short period of time.
October 11, 2013
RATING: 3.5
An accomplished and noted suspense writer, Jeffery Deaver is best known for his thrillers and Lincoln Rhyme series. It may come as a surprise to many of his fans to discover that he is also a very talented short story writer. For the first time, Deaver's best stories have been collected in an anthology called TWISTED, an apt title if there ever was one! As an extra bonus for Rhyme fans, Deaver has written an original Lincoln Rhyme story just for this volume.
The first story in the book, "Without Jonathon", concludes with an unexpected and clever plot twist, and that is typically the case for each of the 16 stories in this collection. My favorite is "The Weekender" which is told from the point of view of a man robbing a drugstore with his friend, who irrationally shoots some of the people in the store. They take one of the customers hostage, who proceeds to play some mind games with one of his captors. There's a nice contrast between the civilized yet conniving persona of the hostage and the sensitive but violent robber who really wants to live a normal life, the possibility of which the hostage dangles before him. It's not evident until the final page of the story whether either one of them can trust the other.
Normally, I'm not a fan of short stories; but this collection definitely held my interest due to a wide variety of themes, settings and ingenious plotting. I did discover that I had to spread my reading out over several sessions, as I found myself anticipating the clever twist or double cross that was typical of the stories. Although always well done, the expectation of the plot twist lessened my enjoyment when reading stories in sequence.
I particularly liked Deaver's Introduction in which he explains his fascination with the short story form and how it compares to the writing of a novel. As a boy, he was drawn to reading and writing and invariably wrote short stories for his writing assignments at school. As an adult, he finds himself challenged by the constraints of the form, ultimately delighting in being freed of some of the strict conventions of novel writing. I've never read any of Deaver's books, but on the basis of his writing ability in this collection I am convinced me that I need to address this oversight soon.
An accomplished and noted suspense writer, Jeffery Deaver is best known for his thrillers and Lincoln Rhyme series. It may come as a surprise to many of his fans to discover that he is also a very talented short story writer. For the first time, Deaver's best stories have been collected in an anthology called TWISTED, an apt title if there ever was one! As an extra bonus for Rhyme fans, Deaver has written an original Lincoln Rhyme story just for this volume.
The first story in the book, "Without Jonathon", concludes with an unexpected and clever plot twist, and that is typically the case for each of the 16 stories in this collection. My favorite is "The Weekender" which is told from the point of view of a man robbing a drugstore with his friend, who irrationally shoots some of the people in the store. They take one of the customers hostage, who proceeds to play some mind games with one of his captors. There's a nice contrast between the civilized yet conniving persona of the hostage and the sensitive but violent robber who really wants to live a normal life, the possibility of which the hostage dangles before him. It's not evident until the final page of the story whether either one of them can trust the other.
Normally, I'm not a fan of short stories; but this collection definitely held my interest due to a wide variety of themes, settings and ingenious plotting. I did discover that I had to spread my reading out over several sessions, as I found myself anticipating the clever twist or double cross that was typical of the stories. Although always well done, the expectation of the plot twist lessened my enjoyment when reading stories in sequence.
I particularly liked Deaver's Introduction in which he explains his fascination with the short story form and how it compares to the writing of a novel. As a boy, he was drawn to reading and writing and invariably wrote short stories for his writing assignments at school. As an adult, he finds himself challenged by the constraints of the form, ultimately delighting in being freed of some of the strict conventions of novel writing. I've never read any of Deaver's books, but on the basis of his writing ability in this collection I am convinced me that I need to address this oversight soon.
August 23, 2012
I loved this collection of short stories by Jeffrey Deaver. Each story, from first to last, epitomizes why Deaver is the master of the whiplash twist in storytelling. Each story was littered with clues that gave things away, but you only realized it once you came to the very end and were startled into thinking, "Wait, what?!".
The stories also ended in such a way that left you to imagine what would come next, were it a full-length novel. A surprising reverie would descend on me from time to time as I read each story in turn, and I would have to shake myself out of my fascination with the last story and become immediately enchanted by the one following. Deaver lulls you into a state of fascinated curiosity before springing the denouement in a such a way that you are completely thrown off, then ties off the story in a way that begs you to continue it yourself.
All in all, an excellent read!
The stories also ended in such a way that left you to imagine what would come next, were it a full-length novel. A surprising reverie would descend on me from time to time as I read each story in turn, and I would have to shake myself out of my fascination with the last story and become immediately enchanted by the one following. Deaver lulls you into a state of fascinated curiosity before springing the denouement in a such a way that you are completely thrown off, then ties off the story in a way that begs you to continue it yourself.
All in all, an excellent read!
August 7, 2016
These stories are like a fine spirit, take a few sips, dip in dip out.
Twisted is my first Deaver read and I had no expectations coming in. And in fact it is one of the best short story collections I have read.
Deaver knows all about pacing, twists and entertaining yarns usually around 25 pages long. Of the 16 stories I would say two are duffers the rest are great, not a bad hit rate at all.
Unlike some contemporary short story writers, Deavers have a point, a payoff and he doesn't indulge in pointless writing, every sentence tends to be necessary and the stories are driven to a conclusion with no place for prtentious literary bs.
If you like twists and pacy storytelling, get a copy.
Twisted is my first Deaver read and I had no expectations coming in. And in fact it is one of the best short story collections I have read.
Deaver knows all about pacing, twists and entertaining yarns usually around 25 pages long. Of the 16 stories I would say two are duffers the rest are great, not a bad hit rate at all.
Unlike some contemporary short story writers, Deavers have a point, a payoff and he doesn't indulge in pointless writing, every sentence tends to be necessary and the stories are driven to a conclusion with no place for prtentious literary bs.
If you like twists and pacy storytelling, get a copy.
January 11, 2018
Collection of short stories, each averaging about twenty pages long, and each featuring a signature Deaver twist. There is a nice variety here, although most do feature some kind of crime. One is a Lincoln Rhyme story, and one stars Will Shakespeare! I didn't guess any of the twists in advance, it seems amazing that he can keep coming up with original tricks.
January 30, 2019
Buonissima raccolta di racconti. Nulla da dire, se non che Deaver a mio parere rende meglio in imprese un po' più lunghe. Questo perché, nonostante ci siano storie mozzafiato (come al solito quello con Lincoln e Amelia è superiore, sarà che ci sono affezionata), la brevità rende un poco meno comprensibili i colpi di scena e le sorprese. È comunque opera del maestro Deaver.
July 14, 2014
Twisted,again..!! Deaver seems to be practicing on inventing twists.. The story,like the previous one,seemed to be going in an entirely different direction from the one it really took.. The curse of ethereal beauty,an oft-used plot but mostly in fantasies.. An entertaining read..
June 5, 2021
The stories in this collection are so lame and outdated but here I am reading it a second time from cover to cover in 3 days.....
June 27, 2018
It's a great collection of stories. Well worth a read. Most of the deceptions have been done well.
June 16, 2018
Though I know these were only short stories, this book affirmed to me that police procedurals & crime thrillers aren’t my bag. The cliches! The scorned wife, the love triangle...ugh, enough. The stories seemed like they could have been written by a first year English Lit major. The built up for this book was that each story was supposed to have a twist (book’s called “Twisted”, get it? Ingenious). I’ve had more fun with twists opening my bottles of beer. Gave it a 2 rating because there were a select few good ones. No more Deaver for this Reader.
September 12, 2023
This collection was pretty good. I really love short stories. I couldn't predict the first few too quickly, but after a point, some of them became formulaic, and it was easy to guess. I still loved most of them and binge-read the book. 'For Services Rendered' and 'Triangle' were my favourites. I love how some interesting twists were put into these short stories, each of around 20-25 pages. Some of the stories were downright creepy, even if I had already guessed the twist. It felt a bit too tangible. Overall, I love the author's writing style and plot, and I'll be reading more of his work.
November 7, 2021
Deaver ve skvělé formě. Dokazuje, že i na kratším formátu umí třikrát změnit předpokládaného viníka... Blbý je, že už mu nevěřím výsledek, dokud není definitivní konec příběhu. Je schopný to klidně zvrátit poslední větou.
Ale právě proto mám Deavera ráda.
Jasně, jako každý soubor povídek, obsahuje i tento lepší a slabší. Ale i ty slabší jsou tu v porovnání s jinými autory pořád dobré.
Ale právě proto mám Deavera ráda.
Jasně, jako každý soubor povídek, obsahuje i tento lepší a slabší. Ale i ty slabší jsou tu v porovnání s jinými autory pořád dobré.
December 17, 2023
3,5*
Без Джонатан - 2,5
На гости за уикенда - 3,5
Красива - 3,5
За извършени услуги - 4
Триъгълник - 4,5
Ноктюрно - 5
На риболов - 3,5
Воайорът - 3
Двоен риск - 5
Празната картичка - 4
Заедно - 4
Урок по покер - 2,5
Коленичилият войник -3,5
Лоша по рождение - 2,5
Светът е сцена - 2
Без Джонатан - 2,5
На гости за уикенда - 3,5
Красива - 3,5
За извършени услуги - 4
Триъгълник - 4,5
Ноктюрно - 5
На риболов - 3,5
Воайорът - 3
Двоен риск - 5
Празната картичка - 4
Заедно - 4
Урок по покер - 2,5
Коленичилият войник -3,5
Лоша по рождение - 2,5
Светът е сцена - 2
November 15, 2017
good read
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