A Packet of Dreams [Paperback]

John Howard Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2008

An anthology of never-previously-published short stories, some of them prize-winning, on various subjects and themes, written by the Chief Judge of the Annual Tom Howard Short Story Contest. Although they explore a number of different genres, most of the stories are set in the U.S.A. The locale for two of the longer narratives, however, is Egypt: one in modern Egypt, the other in Ancient Egypt. Some of the stories are humorous, others are suspenseful, a few could be described as character studies, and even one or two rate as experimental.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (June 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435719859
• ISBN-13: 978-1435719859
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,659,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Howard Reid is the creator of Merryll Manning, the Miami-based police sergeant who made his debut in "Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island". This book was followed by "Merryll Manning: The Health Farm Murders" and "Merryll Manning: Beachfront Holiday". Next up is "Merryll Manning On the Rim of Heaven."

All 12 books in the series were published overseas from 1985 through 2001. All, except "Merryll Manning: Trapped on Mystery Island", were runaway bestsellers and ran through many editions, including hardcover, paperback (both trade and mass market) and Large Print.

All 12 novels except "Merryll Manning: Beyond Vengeance", on which the critics were divided, attracted highly favorable and indeed overwhelmingly enthusiastic reviews. The author was favorably compared with both Agatha Christie and Graham Greene.

Reid's historical novels, especially "In All His Glory" (set in Ancient Egypt), have also won wide acclaim. His short stories and poems have gained many prizes and commendations. Published prose collections include "Mexican Autumn" and "Micaela Morris in Jo's Heaven". Poetry anthologies include "Anyone for Love?", "Escape to Paradise and Other Poetic Fancies" (published under his "Tom Howard" pseudonym) and "A Salute to Spanish Poetry: 100 Masterpieces from Spain and Latin America rendered into English verse."

Reid is also a widely acknowledged expert on Hollywood movies. His latest book in this field is "Mystery, Suspense, Film Noir and Detective Movies on DVD: A Guide to the Best in Cinema Thrills".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Pick a Dream and Read on..., January 29, 2011

By 

Shoma Mittra "Shoma Mittra" (Perth, Western Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Packet of Dreams (Paperback)

This book of John Howard Reid's that I picked up to read over the weekend was quite different to what I had so far been reading of John's works. I thought he specialised in ancient Christian tales or the thrilling whodunits. But I was in for a surprise with ` A Packet of Dreams'. This is a book of short stories, each only a few pages long. Easy reading and very enjoyable, each story has a little twist in the tale with amusing plots. True to his other books, John likes to add a little zest to his stories with pretty girls and dashing men. Sometimes, of course it can a be plain little Roberta and smashing Vic Smythe who rescues Roberta from the vicious rabbit Mazeppa and Roberta's mum. Then there's Mrs Winthrop the Chief Librarian who is very partial to classics. 'Counter Clockwise' is another great story as is 'Dead Man Walking'.
But I am not going to spoil a good read here by disclosing all the plots. Suffice it to say that it is worthwhile picking up this `Packet of Dreams' and losing yourself in them on a long and lazy afternoon.

Book Facts
Available on Hard Copy and Kindle from Amazon
Paperback : $10.80
Kindle Edition: 0.99
ISBN: 978-1-4357-1985-9

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Packet of Dreams is literary escapism at its best!", January 6, 2011

By 

Bobbie Crawford McCoy "Nurture Your BOOKS" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Packet of Dreams (Paperback)

Sometimes readers find themselves bored with a few stories in a short story collection; they may even find themselves a little distracted by the quick change of characters and settings. The stories in A Packet full of Dreams have a unique symmetry that encourages the reader to go from story to story, without leaving the "immersed reading state". With more than 10 stories inside, they will be taken in by the subtly ironies of the skillfully-written tales that all, within a few short pages, will entertain and satisfy. Many will be left wondering if the short stories will someday be made into full-length, standalone novels; one can always hope! Suspenseful-adventure one moment and mysteriously romantic the next; readers are in for a real treat if they are looking for a multitude of witty, intelligent and gratifying stories. Easy to pick up where you have left off and very hard to put down; A Packet of Dreams is very highly recommended for those who love mystery, suspense and adventure novels.


Copyright 2011 © Nurture Your BOOKS --- Bobbie Crawford-McCoy

5.0 out of 5 stars A Varied Collection of Short Stories and Prose Pieces by a Prize-Winning Author, November 6, 2008

By 

John Howard Reid (Wyong, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Packet of Dreams (Paperback)

This is my third collection of short prose pieces. Previous anthologies were MEXICAN AUTUMN, a book of inter-related stories, set in the small Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles in Lower California, and Micaela Morris in Jo's Heaven and Other Stories. As in these previous collections, the present book includes both previously unpublished, prize-winning entries (such as "Vince Viner's Victory", winner of The 2002 Hills Library Prize, and "Beachcombing", Highly Commended, North Coast Regional Anniversary Competition 2003), and stories that are personal favorites like "Step-Ladder Nine", which harks back to my university days when I fancied myself an active member of a live-wire poetry group.

I've also drawn on personal experience for a story titled, "Contest Blues", which details some of the behind-the-scenes horse-trading that often occurs in writing contests. Also included are two stories, set in Egypt (one of my best-loved locations): one, "Scent of Lotus on a Windy Day", in Ancient Egypt; and the other, "Dead Man Walking", in modern Egypt.

Some of the stories are humorous, some dramatic, and they vary all the way from Fantasy and Romance, from gentle Humor and life-and-death Drama, to Satire and Suspense.