Realms of Mystery

Rating:
Summary: A "Fantasy Mystery" Anthology Full of Magic & Suspense: 3?
Review: Many of the mysteries are unfounded, since they are brought to light, or lead up to where you can figure their intent befor the conclusion. "The Rose Window" by Monte Cook, Monte being a relatively new author for TSR Forgotten Realms books, has the mysterious ending that I feel was really what this book was trying to emmulate. There was not a precise ending like most of the other stories, but where Loremaster Jaon says if you read this, you can "right my wrongs!" I believe all the authors from Elaine Cunningham through Ed Greenwood had good stories, but the Mysteries were concluded, even though I liked the conclusion by Ed Greenwood a lot. This book is a definite keeper, and it is a welcome addidition to my collection. I still prefer books that have a single plot and the same characters through the whole book, but I think that this just adds to the knowledge of some of the character's we have already come to know. Also, adding an excerpt from R.A. Salvatore's "The Silent Blade" was a good idea. You'll want to purchase it also, if you don't already own it! See ya'll later!

Rating:
Summary: Excerpts of new and learned authors
Review: Many of the mysteries are unfounded, since they are brought to light, or lead up to where you can figure their intent befor the conclusion. "The Rose Window" by Monte Cook, Monte being a relatively new author for TSR Forgotten Realms books, has the mysterious ending that I feel was really what this book was trying to emmulate. There was not a precise ending like most of the other stories, but where Loremaster Jaon says if you read this, you can "right my wrongs!" I believe all the authors from Elaine Cunningham through Ed Greenwood had good stories, but the Mysteries were concluded, even though I liked the conclusion by Ed Greenwood a lot. This book is a definite keeper, and it is a welcome addidition to my collection. I still prefer books that have a single plot and the same characters through the whole book, but I think that this just adds to the knowledge of some of the character's we have already come to know. Also, adding an excerpt from R.A. Salvatore's "The Silent Blade" was a good idea. You'll want to purchase it also, if you don't already own it! See ya'll later!

Rating:
Summary: A "Fantasy Mystery" Anthology Full of Magic & Suspense: 3½
Review: Since I'm not familiar with the Forgotten Realms fantasy line (this is the first book that I've read), I found several of the stories rather confusing and complicated with creatures and worlds I've never heard of before. But if you're a FR fantasy fan--or just a fantasy fan, in general--then you'll probably enjoy these 14 stories:

1) "Speaking with the Dead" by Elaine Cunningham -- When a gnome is murdered, a young bard and his elven servant try to prove their caravan leader's innocence. A little slow at the beginning, and confusing, but it has its moments.
2) "A Walk in the Snow" by Dave Gross -- Another (somewhat better) murder mystery, this one of a wizard being murdered and an innkeeper in charge of solving it.
3) "The Rose Window" by Monte Cook -- Upon bringing a rose window into his church, a loremaster notices unearthly shadows in its panes. A captivating story, though the ending does leave you hanging a bit.
4) "The Club Rules" by James Lowder -- A butler is accused of murder and a young explorer is assigned to prove his innocence.
5) "Thieves' Justice" by Mary H. Herbert -- While stealing a horse, a horse thief and her friend stumble across a dead man, resulting in the friend being accused of murder. One of the best stories here.
6) "Ekhar Lorrent: Gnome Detective" by Steven "Stan!" Brown -- A rhyming gnome detective with "a sixth sense about murder" investigates the death of a cyclops. An interesting murder plot with an unforgettable, if not slightly annoying, character.
7) "The Devil and Tertius Wands" by Jeff Grubb -- An adventurer and his genie set out to recover a stolen family heirloom for a beautiful stranger. Another good story.
8) "H" by Richard Lee Byers -- One by one, a band of adventurers are killed in their sleep, leaving only a blood-written letter "H" as a clue. Fast paced and well written.
9) "Strange Bedfellows" by Keith Francis Strohm -- A dark priest saves a captain's life, and, in return, asks for a powerful dagger.
10) "Whence the Song of Steel" by J. Robert King -- A bodyguard is hired to protect two opera tenors from death threats.
11) "An Unusual Suspect" by Brian M. Thomsen -- An amnesiac sets out to avenge his friend's death.
12) "Darkly, Through a Glass of Ale" by Peter Archer -- A merchant observes the happenings in a warring city. Dull and complicated.
13) "Lynaelle" by Thomas M. Reid -- A young sorceress is accused of killing her teacher. Jumps right into the action on the first page (the first sentence, really), but then drags a bit during the back story.
14) "The Grinning Ghost of Taverton Hall" by Ed Greenwood -- An estate is haunted by a ghost who appears just prior to someone dying.