Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories [Mass Market Paperback]

Jeffrey Archer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2008

An English lord requires one more chess piece to complete a set that would be worth a fortune. Another man, an accountant, realizes he’s achieved nothing in his life—and sets out to make a fortune before he retires. And then there is the author’s own favorite, “In the Eye of the Beholder,” about a star athlete who has a fateful run-in with a three-hundred-pound woman. Some of these twelve stories were inspired by the two years Jeffrey Archer spent in prison, including “Don’t Drink the Water,” the tale of a company chairman who tries to poison his wife while on a trip to St. Petersburg—with unexpected consequences. Witty, suspenseful, sad, surprising, and unforgettable, Cat O’Nine Tales is Jeffrey Archer at his best.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Bestseller Archer (Kane & Abel) put his time in prison to fine literary use, as evidenced by the 12 stellar entries in his fifth story collection, nine of which are based on tales he heard from fellow inmates while incarcerated. Three others he composed after his release. Highlights include "Maestro," in which a restaurant owner finds a way to launder money so that the tax man can't collect; "The Man Who Robbed His Own Post Office," about a hardworking couple who steal from their own business rather than see it all taken from them; and "It Can't Be October Already," in which a man uses the system to beat the system. The economy and precision of Archer's prose never fails to delight. The criminal doesn't always get away with his crime and justice doesn't always prevail, but the reader wins with each and every story. Drawings by the inimitable Ronald Searle are a bonus. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

OUTSTANDING PRAISE FOR

JEFFREY ARCHER

 

 

“One of the top ten storytellers in the world.” —Los Angeles Times

 

“There isn’t a better story-teller alive.” —Larry King

 

“Archer plots with skill, and keeps you turning the pages.” —The Boston Globe

 

“Cunning plots, silken style…. Archer plays a cat-and-mouse game with the reader.” —The New York Times

 

“Archer is a master entertainer.” —Time

 

“A storyteller in the class of Alexandre Dumas…unsurpassed skill…making the reader wonder intensely what will happen next.” —The Washington Post

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1st edition (January 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312949227
• ISBN-13: 978-0312949228
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeffrey Archer was educated at Oxford University. He has served five years in Britain's House of Commons, fourteen years in the House of Lords and two in Her majesty's prisons, which spawned three volumes of highly acclaimed Prison Diaries. All of his novels and short story collections--including Kane and Abel, Sons of Fortune, and False Impression--have been international bestsellers. Archer is married with two children and lives in London and Cambridge.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Light in Jeffrey Archers Attic, March 24, 2008

By 

Red Rock Bookworm (St. George Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories (Mass Market Paperback)

Jailed in 2001 after having been found guilty of perjury, "Lord" Jeffrey Archer spent much of his time while incarcerated listening to the stories of his fellow inmates, and after adding his own embellishment to each, committing them to paper. The resulting "Cat O'Nine Tales is a delightful collection of another twelve adroitly plotted short stories guaranteed to keep you amused with their portrayal of characters who are shrewd, resourceful, creative, inventive, and wily. These same adjectives might be said to apply to Lord Archer himself whose "tales of unexpected conclusions" always bear witness to his pre-eminent talent as a story-teller.

His previous short story collections like A Twist In The Tale - Twelve Short Stories and Twelve Red Herrings as well as his novels (my personal favorite being Kane and Able)have always provided this reader with much pleasure. As for this smorgasbord of morality (or if you prefer...immorality) tales, I once again find myself drawn to certain stories. "Don't Drink the Water" is a cautionary tale which shows us that even a seemingly infallible solution to ones marital problems can have dire consequences while "Charity Begins at Home" deliciously explores one mans ingenious solution to achieving tax free financial security.

Adding to the appeal of this book are the amusing and engaging illustrations of Ronald Searle. They possess a guileless charm reminiscent of Shel SilversteinA Light in the Attic (20th Anniversary Edition Book & CD). The unerring simplicity of Searles' drawings coupled with Archers versatility and veracity are sure fire winners.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delectable collection from a master storyteller, August 14, 2007

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories (Hardcover)

I've been a long-time fan of Jeffrey Archer's works, be it his novels [Kane & Abel, First Among Equals, As The Crow Flies] or his short stories. Cat O' Nine Tales marks his fifth collection of short stories, the others being A Quiver Full of Arrows, A Twist in the Tale, Twelve Red Herrings [all three of which have also been compiled into 36: The Collected Short Stories]. The first three collections truly showcase Archer's talents as a craftsman of short stories. The fourth collection To Cut a Long Story Short, while entertaining, seemed, in my opinion, weaker than the earlier three.

This current compilation of short stories is quite well-done, though still not in the class of the earlier three. Partly based on ideas Archer obtained whilst incarcerated, e.g. The Man Who Robbed His Own Post Office & Maestro [about an Italian businessman who lands in trouble with the authorities for tax evasion], there are others that revolve around criminal motives ["The Alibi"], deception ["The Commissioner"], romance ["In the Eye of the Beholder"], and also the melancholic "Charity Begins at Home".

As is his style, Jeffrey Archer delivers these stories with a dose of wit and doesn't fail to entertain. A light and engaging read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a weak one among the bunch, August 27, 2007

By 

Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cat O'Nine Tales: And Other Stories (Audio CD)

Archer's short story collection here is perfect. Each story is interesting and has that trademark twist that keeps us coming back for more. The incredible thing is the lack of any weak stories among the bunch. Granted, some move faster than others, while a few seem to take a long time getting where they're going, but they all pay off in the end for the patient reader.

Stand out stories include "Maestro" and "The Red King". While some of the stories seem similar in theme (prison), it's understood why and makes sense. A wonderful way to pass the time.