I seem to be on a short story path right now. I read Chesapeake Crimes: they had it coming, a collection of short stories by members of the Chesapeake chapter of Sisters in Crime. I bought it at the 2022 Malice Domestic.

I am not normally a huge fan of short stories but I enjoyed every one of these. Standouts include Volunteer of the Year by Barb Goffman and Safe Sex, Vampire Style by Helen Schwartz.

Have Stakes, Will Travel, by Faith Hunter, is a collection of longish stories.

The first entry, written by Beast, fills in some of the holes in Jane Yellowrock’s past. All of her usual characters are included. and we see even more of Molly, Jane’s witch friend, and her husband Evan.

The collection concludes with an excerpt from Death’s Rival. I did not know that – until suddenly the story ends. Now I was hooked and so I have begun reading Death’s Rival.

Jane is sent on another job by Leo Pellisier. A sickness is attacking the vampires. Leo asks Jane to collect a blood sample from one of the afflicted. Jane is attacked as soon as she gets off the plane and again as she leaves the wounded vampire’s lair. Beast’s quick thinking, and an emergency shift, save her life. Another winner.