Customer Reviews

Murders most macabre

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Henry Slesar is one of the great known unknown writers of crime fiction of this century. By this, I mean, he's written many many short stories (most with a "twist" ending) that were adapted (among other places) by Alfred Hitchcock Presents back in the '50's and '60's.

Although perhaps not as atmospheric as Roald Dahl, or as wildly imaginative as Fredric Brown, his stories are a great example of American short fiction. Short and to the point. And, unusual for most "twist ending" writers, most of his stories do work, with only the occassional clunker.

If you can find his stuff, it's definitely worth a read.

Twist stories are a delightful genre, and Henry Slesar is one of its best practicioners, others being Stanley Ellin, Roald Dahl or John Collier (read them too!). Slesar's touch is an incerdible cynism, characterized by sarcastic twist endings and a special taste for mediocre people, living mediocre lives and having mediocres dreams. One might say that Slesar wrote "American Beauty" hundred times before the movie was made. He also wrote rare but always interesting novels. An omnibus, please!

Twist stories are a delightful genre, and Henry Slesar is one of its best practicioners, others being Stanley Ellin, Roald Dahl or John Collier (read them too!). Slesar's touch is an incerdible cynism, characterized by sarcastic twist endings and a special taste for mediocre people, living mediocre lives and having mediocres dreams. One might say that Slesar wrote "American Beauty" hundred times before the movie was made. He also wrote rare but always interesting novels. An omnibus, please!