This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Immerse yourself in an enthralling collection of loosely connected short stories with The Demise of Madam Ricketts and Other Short Stories. This collection, written by C.D. Hancock, contains interrelated stories set between 1878 and the mid-20th century. An organized fight between a brawler and ten Chinese turns disastrous when one of the opposing fighters turns out to be an expert martial artist. After being left for dead in the river, a man sees an unlikely chance at rescue, only to be sent on his way. Haunted by nightmares, a sheriff's wife finally finds freedom through her husband's cure. Trying to woo a woman, an embalmer's actions lead to disastrous consequences. An inept organist inadvertently finds the missing owner of a funeral parlor. In a misguided attempt to help his patient, a doctor's choices lead to multiple deaths.
Short story lovers are in for a treat with The Demise of Madam Ricketts and Other Short Stories. Using an eclectic blend of dark humor, absurdism, and satire, C.D. Hancock has written a collection that entertains while showing readers the unpredictable nature of human behavior, offering a glimpse into various facets of humanity through a cast of quirky and eccentric characters and chaotic events. The narrative tone makes you feel like you're watching a Coen Brothers movie. I honestly found myself laughing out loud at the misfortunes of some of these characters and the situations they find themselves in. This is one of the best, if not the best, short story collections I've read all year thus far. If you enjoy dark humor or tragi-comedy, do not miss out on this one!
