A common theme runs though this otherwise very varied boquet of short stories: a sympathy for the underdog. Contemporary crime, science fiction, fantasy, historical adventure, all of them can be found here. A kaleidoscope of villains and heroes follow each other, waiting to entertain you.
1.Game Planet
2. Cruelty and Compassion
3. A Chinese Joke
4. Thank You, J. S. Bach
5. The full answer
6. My Amanda
Total length: 70,500 words.
Young Tigel's father bought him a magnificent 18th birthday present: an hour on Game Planet. He chose a young woman as his Pawn, but got more than he'd expected...
The blonde was so scornful about the cripple in the wheelchair, but he had his own resources for revenge.
This story won first prize in Donard Publishing's July 2003 contest.
Trevor has saved Charlie Chu from a gang bashing, then fell in love with Charlie's sister Yvonne. But can the Chu family overcome prejudice against a 'foreigner'?
Ardy Scott's new cover for this book is based on 'A Chinese Joke'.
The little housewife is helpless against the ravager. But is she as powerless as she seems?
Fleeing in panic, running to stay alive. Death chases a boy in a block of Housing Commission flats.
This is a story of love between a young Nepalese boy and the Australian nurse.
7. Let the Punishment Fit the Crime
Tim O'Liam was the best tree faller in all of Queensland — until, following orders, he tried to hustle an odd little protestor off the logging site.
8. Rotten Apple
A man awakens in the deadly darkness of a cave. He doesn't know how he got there, or why...
9. The Bigger They Are...
Sherry has been arrested for the brutal murder of her mother-in-law. Can her friend Cindy save her?
10. Portrait of a Firebug
Why would anyone start a terrible bushfire?
You can read this story here
11. Takeover Bid
The invader from outer space promised a lot of pleasure, but it made the mistake of choosing Cynthia.
12. What's in a Name?
Detective Sergeant Ted Poynter had deduced how the man must have died. But, what to do about it?
13. The Making of a Champion
It was lucky for the village that David happened to be passing through. For the slavers struck that night.
14. Keeping an Open Mind
As a child, Tom Grant had learnt to deal with bullying. But the effects caught up with him thirty years later.
15. Guilty, Until Proven Innocent
When Hilary Hart's boss Stan is murdered, everything points to her as the killer. No-one believes in her but Stan's charismatic son.
16. The Scarlet Pimple Gives a Nudge
At 13 years of age, Lindy is aiming high. She wants to become a world-famous writer. When the school is hit by a nasty crime, she uses the skills she developed to set the Police right.
17. Soft Targets
The local lowlife refers to the old people as ‘soft targets'. But Maude has a few resources they hadn't anticipated.
18. Fishing Expedition
The only difference between rape and seduction is salesmanship. And Will is an artist...
19. A Perfect Crime
Jimmy was small for his age, and wore glasses. And yet, he swore to kill Susie's stepfather.
20. Another Kind of Poetry
There is no point to a romance when one person is filled with poetry, while the other is a practical sort... is there?
21. The Takamaka Freedom Fighters
Mr Billson knew he was doing the right thing, battery farming chickens, but that nasty Mrs Jones wouldn't listen to reason.
22. First Day at School
She was a slave girl in a factory, and saw her best friend die.
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