Mostly solid stories on this specific topic. Of the 21 entries, there were only four that I couldn't get through, for either dialect problems, unattractive character development or weak plotting. Three were clever at different levels, two of which I could figure out in advance. The entries were all of acceptable length and the copy editing was tight, with no glaring flaws. ( )

Not a fan of short story collections. The only advantage is that a reader can commence and finish reading 'a story' in a few minutes. Not very satisfying, though. ( )

Exploring the theme of vengeance, this anthology is a very readable collection offering variety in character, setting and interpretation of the theme. While I read it easily in one setting, the format also allows the reader to dip in and out on a casual basis, most of the stories are less than ten pages in length so they are ideal to provide entertainment during a short commute or lunch break.

In his introduction editor Lee Child, who also contributes an original story, explains how he chose ten best selling authors including Karin Slaughter, Dennis Lehane, Alafair Burke and Michael Connelly, to complement the ten winning submissions of the Mystery Writers of America competition.

Of the 21 stories in Vengeance none really stood out for me but overall it is a solidly entertaining collection.
Unusually men of the cloth are a common protagonist in this collection, with In Persona Christi by Orest Stelmach, C.E. Lawrence’s Silent Justice and Zoe Sharp’s Lost and Found taking matters of justice into their own hands.
I enjoyed the story of Rukshana’s revenge on her boss in The Hotline by Dreda Say Mitchell and cheered for Beth in The Final Ballot by Brendan DuBois.
Blood and Sunshine by Adam Meyer gave me chills as did the Unremarkable Heart by Karin Slaughter.
Michel Connelly’s Harry Bosch makes an appearance in A Fine Mist of Blood, catching a vigilante lawyer who had escaped detection for almost a decade.

Though it is quite a bleak expose of human nature, fans of crime, mystery and suspense should enjoy Vengeance, as I did, for its concise storytelling and murderous twists. ( )

This was an Early Reviewer copy.

One sometimes wonders what mystery authors dream of at night after they’ve put their pencils down, or powered off their laptops. Perhaps there are visions of puppies frolicking in backyards chasing multi-colored butterflies, their literary protagonist donning a cape and saving the city in Batman-like fashion, or possibly they lie awake counting sheep hoping for sleep to come? Somewhere in the darkest throes of night their subconscious asks that little question what if.

What if the protagonist is pushed too far and retaliates? A common theme, vengeance, but what if – you could get away with it? This is the theme that is explored in twenty short stories and presented by Mystery Writers of America.

Some very common names including Lee Child, Zoe Sharp, Karin Slaughter, Alafair Burke, Dennis Lehane, and Michael Connelly, along with some lesser publicized authors that are just as talented.

I don’t normally seek out short story anthologies, as I prefer submersing myself into something longer and usually more satisfying, but I have to admit, most of these packed a good wallop. Based on the premise of the theme you see the ending coming, but find yourself caught in the rush of rapids that pulls you along thanks to some great storytellers. I don’t mind telling you I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after reading Zoe Sharp’s Lost and Found, brilliant!

If you’re looking for highly satisfying, compact storytelling this is a terrific anthology. ( )

This book of short stories about revenge and vengeance was a little disappointing to me. I read this to find some new authors that I hadn't read before and to be honest I have come away not finding what I was looking for. A few good stories but some real disappointing ones also. ( )