Body Count: A Killer Collection

Darrell James
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 0595377831 
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/06)

 “Body Count” is a collection of short stories pertaining to murder.  In each story, author Darrell James takes us into someone else’s life.  The outcome is always murder and in most cases it is really wrong, but not always.  Some of the murder victims actually deserve to die, like in the case of a young girl that kills her abusive father.   In that story, you root for the girl.  Sometimes they get caught, but usually they don’t.  I really enjoyed James creative take on this subject.  The humor is definitely dark, yet the stories are compelling. 

James has a gift for taking the reader right into his story.  I have not seen this happen with very many short stories that I have read.  Usually, the story starts and stops before I am pulled into it.  In this book, I was immediately drawn into the plot and was able to clearly see what was going on.  I really enjoyed the stories and was amazed at the creative ideas that the author came up with for each plot.  Each short story has its own flavor and theme.  There are no repetitious sounding stories to bore you.  Several of the stories are noted to have received distinctions or recognition in competitions.  When you read them, you will understand why.

“Body Count” is only 143 pages.  It is the perfect book for someone that doesn’t have a lot of time to read but really needs an escape.  Because the stories are short, you can finish one and pick the book up at any time in the future and not be lost.  It is also a great book to travel with.  I think that readers groups would also enjoy discussing these stories.  There would definitely be some animated conversations about the creativity in each story.  I couldn’t help but appreciate the deviousness employed in some of the plots.  From start to finish “Body Count” is a winner.

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