Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

It Happened in Cassidy by Nancy Kasten is a collection of loosely connected short stories that follows the lives of the inhabitants of the close-knit community of the small town of Cassidy. A kind psychic tells her six-year-old granddaughter stories of how she and her best friend taught their bullies a lesson on Halloween. A middle-grade teacher helps a troubled young boy escape the clutches of his abusive brother alongside a newfound friend. An Irish immigrant tries his best to be a good father to his daughter and reminisces about the promise made to an old friend who met a tragic fate. After being played by her two-timing boss, a determined woman sets out to take revenge with an ingenious plan. A little girl plans to run away to her old home in Ireland when she meets someone who makes her feel at home.

Treat yourself to an enthralling short story collection with It Happened in Cassidy. Nancy Kasten's slice-of-life tales strike a chord in your heart and make you feel a wide range of emotions. Kasten crafts some relatable characters, who you can't help but root for and whose lives intersect in the small town of Cassidy, which feels like a character on its own. All the characters are interconnected, and it makes the setting all the more immersive for the reader. I enjoyed every one of these stories, but "Driving out the Snakes" was my personal favorite. All in all, a fantastic short story collection you don't want to miss.