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There are four novella length tales in this collection of The Red Grouse Tales.
The common thread running through them is probably some form of morality - right and wrong, good and evil - and these inevitably drag philosophy and religion into the mix, which I think is no bad thing as it gives a reader something to think about. I also enjoy a dash of the supernatural and of course a bit of mystery. And there we have it! Those are the ingredients; the interesting part is mixing them I into a story.
There are 4 tales;
The Little Dog - a tale of a story of good and evil and retribution.
The Crow - a poignant tale of misunderstanding, dying, bitterness and blame.
The Golden Tup - a dreadful tale of paradise being cruelly taken by latent evil.
The White Hart - a happy ghost story, if there can be such a thing!
Each tale has received 5 star ratings on its own count and the collection currently has over 390 ratings on Goodreads with a 4.3 star average.
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14872399.Leslie_Garland
Website:
http://www.lesliegarland.com
Additional reviews can be found on amazon (links available from Goodreads and website)
Reviewed by Debjani Ghosh for Readers' Favorite
The Red Grouse Tales: The Little Dog and Other Stories by Leslie WP Garland is a unique collection of four spiritual, philosophical, and mysterious novellas tinged with an element of the supernatural. These stories are narrated by a group of people in a local pub. Bill, now a retired forester, recounts the strange and disturbing incidents, which involved a cute little dog, that occurred during a week in his early working life. The Crow is a tale of misunderstanding, and above all, vanity. An old priest on his deathbed narrates the childhood and subsequent ascendancy of a local councilor, and how his involvement in the construction of a dam affected the valley. The Golden Tup shows the crumbling of paradise bit by bit. It chronicles the shocking story of a young couple and a crime. In The White Hart, Pete Montague regales his audience with his chance encounter with a little albino deer and his subsequent meeting with an enchanting girl in a remote chapel.
Each story in The Red Grouse Tales is well-written, laden with beautiful imagery, and is hugely atmospheric. All the tales provide lush details of the respective quaint towns they are set in. Leslie WP Garland is a gifted storyteller. He provides distinct voices to the narrator and the different characters in the stories. The Crow is an immersive tale and stresses how vanity can distort one's perception of reality. Out of all the stories, The Golden Tup was my favorite. The twist at the end was unexpected. The White Hart is another impressive addition to this collection.
It took time for me to get used to the author's writing style but once I did, these stories were worth reading. The author often indulges in philosophical musings which enhance the stories. With just a hint of the paranormal, they explore the various vices of humans. All the stories implore the reader to think about what is right and wrong. Biblical knowledge would help readers appreciate the stories more. I recommend The Red Grouse Tales to fans of speculative fiction. People seeking something different from their usual dose of thrillers/crime fiction can also pick it up.
