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Four free short stories from bestselling author Stephen Leather, plus opening chapters of six of his bestselling thrillers.
The short stories are: Breaking In (where a burglar gets more than he bargained for when he breaks into a London house), Strangers On A Train (where a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan), Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest (where the Singaporean detective solves a mystery) and Cat's Eyes (the backstory of a Bangkok go-go dancer).
There are also tasters of six of his bestselling novels, including The Chinaman, The Vets and The Birthday Girl.
Stephen Leather is one of the UK's most successful thriller writers. He was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. Before that, he was employed as a biochemist for ICI, shovelled limestone in a quarry, worked as a baker, a petrol pump attendant, a barman, and worked for the Inland Revenue. He began writing full time in 1992. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. Two of his books, The Stretch and The Bombmaker, were made into movies.
The short stories are: Breaking In (where a burglar gets more than he bargained for when he breaks into a London house), Strangers On A Train (where a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan), Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest (where the Singaporean detective solves a mystery) and Cat's Eyes (the backstory of a Bangkok go-go dancer).
There are also tasters of six of his bestselling novels, including The Chinaman, The Vets and The Birthday Girl.
Stephen Leather is one of the UK's most successful thriller writers. He was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. Before that, he was employed as a biochemist for ICI, shovelled limestone in a quarry, worked as a baker, a petrol pump attendant, a barman, and worked for the Inland Revenue. He began writing full time in 1992. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. Two of his books, The Stretch and The Bombmaker, were made into movies.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2012
191 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
251 books1,540 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 6, 2020
First, I have to say that the short stories are okay, but I am disappointed with the samples. After reading them, I tried to find the books of the samples that I liked. They are not available. None of them are.
June 25, 2023
punctuation lacking. over 50% of the book is excerpts of the author's other books...read a few, but as they're just first chapters it was kind of pointless. the stories are nothing original, and the writing is below par. might read another of his books...but not likely.
January 24, 2015
I didn't think to much of this short story collection. I think the author was wasting his time with the extracts from other books.
Some short stories had a lot of potential, though for the most part, like a lot of other customers thought, most of them can be described as just meh.
I think the book should have just had the best two short stories, and maybe had them a little more developed and made a little longer. I guess the worst ones just made up page numbers along with the extracts.
Because I didn't like some of the short stories, and that the extracts could have been removed I can only give this 3 stars.
Some short stories had a lot of potential, though for the most part, like a lot of other customers thought, most of them can be described as just meh.
I think the book should have just had the best two short stories, and maybe had them a little more developed and made a little longer. I guess the worst ones just made up page numbers along with the extracts.
Because I didn't like some of the short stories, and that the extracts could have been removed I can only give this 3 stars.
April 11, 2017
Four short stories, each a different situation and featuring different characters. By and large the only one that really stirred my interest was 'Strangers On A Train', with maybe a passing interest in 'Breaking In'. The other two were less than memorable. The writer kindly offered some teasers from some of his other works, and I found these much more interesting. So I now have some other books to look out for which I might otherwise have missed. A fairly quick read, so ideal if you have time to kill.
August 1, 2018
"Mystified"
Here we go again. Why would a talented writer feel the need to con the public? What was included in this free download? Four short stories. All of them worth a read. Nothing exceptional, but a good variety. Sixty percent of the book was given over to excerpts from other titles and scattered throughout were links to allow you to purchase from various sites. It's another cheap marketing gimmick. Did I read the excerpts? No. Has Mr Leather encouraged me to buy any of his other work. What do you think?
Here we go again. Why would a talented writer feel the need to con the public? What was included in this free download? Four short stories. All of them worth a read. Nothing exceptional, but a good variety. Sixty percent of the book was given over to excerpts from other titles and scattered throughout were links to allow you to purchase from various sites. It's another cheap marketing gimmick. Did I read the excerpts? No. Has Mr Leather encouraged me to buy any of his other work. What do you think?
December 31, 2013
Four 'Nice' Tales
I only read the four stories and none of the other materials. I do not like to read "samples" of books. As far as the stories go, none of them were terribly impressive. I am sure there are readers out there who would enjoy them, but these are not for me. The characters didn't have much substance and the storylines were vague and held a lot back.
I like stories with some grit and punch, and these are tame, at best. Not my cup of tea.
I only read the four stories and none of the other materials. I do not like to read "samples" of books. As far as the stories go, none of them were terribly impressive. I am sure there are readers out there who would enjoy them, but these are not for me. The characters didn't have much substance and the storylines were vague and held a lot back.
I like stories with some grit and punch, and these are tame, at best. Not my cup of tea.
December 27, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed all four short stories in this free collection. Definitely worth downloading and reading. Looking forward to reading more of Stephen Leather's books.
August 9, 2022
Once again, half of the book were chapter previews for other books that I didn't read. However, he does link to similar short stories he has published at the end of the short stories, and I did explore a couple of those. I personally don't like trying out first chapters of 4/5+ books that I'll feel like I then have to track down. Here are my reviews of the short stories Leather included:
Breaking In (where a burglar gets more than he bargained for when he breaks into a London house) - 3.5/5, I was intrigued all the way through, however, I couldn't decide if it was hard to follow because of the narrator or if the writing quality just wasn't there.
Strangers On A Train (where a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan) - 2/5 This one was intriguing but felt a little deus ex machina for my tastes.
Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest (where the Singaporean detective solves a mystery) - 3.5/5 This one was probably my favorite since I love classic who-done-its, but it felt rushed and messy. I feel it could've both been drawn out into a long story and trimmed cleaner.
Cat's Eyes (the backstory of a Bangkok go-go dancer) - 2/5 This one wasn't *bad* but it just felt, absent. The surprise was the only real part of the plot and it wasn't much.
Breaking In (where a burglar gets more than he bargained for when he breaks into a London house) - 3.5/5, I was intrigued all the way through, however, I couldn't decide if it was hard to follow because of the narrator or if the writing quality just wasn't there.
Strangers On A Train (where a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan) - 2/5 This one was intriguing but felt a little deus ex machina for my tastes.
Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest (where the Singaporean detective solves a mystery) - 3.5/5 This one was probably my favorite since I love classic who-done-its, but it felt rushed and messy. I feel it could've both been drawn out into a long story and trimmed cleaner.
Cat's Eyes (the backstory of a Bangkok go-go dancer) - 2/5 This one wasn't *bad* but it just felt, absent. The surprise was the only real part of the plot and it wasn't much.
September 13, 2018
I thought there were plenty of potential within this book. There were some things I didn't see coming.
Each story is worth reading, but I will give you some advice. Do not read this on a night. It will scare you stiff and give you nightmares.
Overall, I thought this was a good book with short stories that left me feeling chilled to the bones.
Each story is worth reading, but I will give you some advice. Do not read this on a night. It will scare you stiff and give you nightmares.
Overall, I thought this was a good book with short stories that left me feeling chilled to the bones.
December 29, 2022
Short Fuses. ( Four free short stories). by Stephen Leather.
Short stories were alright, not great but when you see they are all done before half way through the book and the rest are exerts from other books, which I did not want to read as it to me spoils the book was a bit disappointed .. but since it was free I guess you can’t complain …
I guess I just thought they would be a bit better.
Short stories were alright, not great but when you see they are all done before half way through the book and the rest are exerts from other books, which I did not want to read as it to me spoils the book was a bit disappointed .. but since it was free I guess you can’t complain …
I guess I just thought they would be a bit better.
December 5, 2023
A little bit of everything
Although there was a mesh of writers that contributed to this book, I feel at a loss. Maybe there wasn't enough in each story to keep my interest. Some were written well and some were lacking. For me, personally, I think I need to stick with short stories of just one writer.
Although there was a mesh of writers that contributed to this book, I feel at a loss. Maybe there wasn't enough in each story to keep my interest. Some were written well and some were lacking. For me, personally, I think I need to stick with short stories of just one writer.
January 7, 2023
This is a 2.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 3 🌟.
Four short stories that were quite unconnected to each other, this is perhaps better suited to a reader unfamiliar with the author and wanting to gain an insight. Most of the ebook was taken up with preview chapters of his best sellers.
Four short stories that were quite unconnected to each other, this is perhaps better suited to a reader unfamiliar with the author and wanting to gain an insight. Most of the ebook was taken up with preview chapters of his best sellers.
April 26, 2020
Teaser chapters from other Leather books, disguised behind four short, non-Shephard stories. Generally fun and inventive.
December 20, 2022
I really enjoyed the short stories, but the rest of the book was just an advert for several of his novels.
August 27, 2025
Free shorts on Kindle
March 13, 2013
This is an interesting collection of tales by one of my favourite author, Stephen Leather. 'Breakin In', the first one, is a wonderful tale about a cat burgler, a successful one at that... until everything goes very, very wrong... and not as you might think! This is the author at his best, providing a wonderful new character in an intriguing tale with a suberb, and completely unexpected twist at the end.
This is followed by a full-blown action piece, 'Strangers on a Train', so realistic and scary it makes you cling to your Kindle as events unfold. Yes, it could happen; it could easily be tomorrow's headlines!
Then come another jem - another Inspector Zhang mystery. This one's different - it's not a locked room puzzle like its predecessors, well, not strictly speaking - a mysterious hotel guest with amnesia challenges Zhang's perceptive powers this time around. A great read!
'Cat's Eyes', another heartfelt tale full of pathos and reflecting the author's considerable experience of the Far East is next.
The collection is completed by a series of generous extracts from several of Stephen Leather's earlier novels including 'The Bombmaker' (made into a TV movie), 'The Long Shot' (the first book by this author I ever read, and 'Hungry Ghost' (another of my all time Leather favourites).
I would strongly recommend this collection to readers unfamiliar with Stephen Leather's novels, as it makes a great introduction, and, of course, to his many unconditional fans.
This is followed by a full-blown action piece, 'Strangers on a Train', so realistic and scary it makes you cling to your Kindle as events unfold. Yes, it could happen; it could easily be tomorrow's headlines!
Then come another jem - another Inspector Zhang mystery. This one's different - it's not a locked room puzzle like its predecessors, well, not strictly speaking - a mysterious hotel guest with amnesia challenges Zhang's perceptive powers this time around. A great read!
'Cat's Eyes', another heartfelt tale full of pathos and reflecting the author's considerable experience of the Far East is next.
The collection is completed by a series of generous extracts from several of Stephen Leather's earlier novels including 'The Bombmaker' (made into a TV movie), 'The Long Shot' (the first book by this author I ever read, and 'Hungry Ghost' (another of my all time Leather favourites).
I would strongly recommend this collection to readers unfamiliar with Stephen Leather's novels, as it makes a great introduction, and, of course, to his many unconditional fans.
September 11, 2014
This can be considered more of a sampler than an actual collection. You do get four short stories, but you get five bonus chapters. There are plenty of links included to direct the reader to where they can get more stories by the author. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this being a sampler. In fact, I enjoyed the format. You get to see the type of story and writing before committing time and money on longer works.
The first story is a nice little story about a cat burglar that picks the wrong house to rob.
The second story is a violent encounter between some gang members trying to rob subway passengers and one man that doesn't want to be robbed.
The third story is an Inspector Zhang mystery. Zhang has to discover the identity of a man with amnesia.
The fourth story is the sad tale of how a beautiful woman became a dancer in a bar.
I did not read the bonus chapters. Not because I thought I wouldn't enjoy them. I tend not to read any preview chapters because I find it confuses the issue of whether I read the book later. I hate that feeling that I have read a book but can't remember it and then realizing I had only read the first chapter. Having said that, I still like the fact that these chapters, and their links to the full books, were included.
I feel this is was an excellent preview of the author's works and recommend giving it a try.
The first story is a nice little story about a cat burglar that picks the wrong house to rob.
The second story is a violent encounter between some gang members trying to rob subway passengers and one man that doesn't want to be robbed.
The third story is an Inspector Zhang mystery. Zhang has to discover the identity of a man with amnesia.
The fourth story is the sad tale of how a beautiful woman became a dancer in a bar.
I did not read the bonus chapters. Not because I thought I wouldn't enjoy them. I tend not to read any preview chapters because I find it confuses the issue of whether I read the book later. I hate that feeling that I have read a book but can't remember it and then realizing I had only read the first chapter. Having said that, I still like the fact that these chapters, and their links to the full books, were included.
I feel this is was an excellent preview of the author's works and recommend giving it a try.
March 12, 2015
Four short stories - completely different stories with varied settings and interesting characters. Stephen Leather has an eye for detail. His writing is filled with details of the trade and craft. Whether it was the burglar or the Inspector, it is the attention to detail which makes the stories stand out.
Breaking In - a nice sharp intelligent burglar "breaks" into a London house (he doesn't call it breaking in since he technically doesn't break anything) and is surprised by men who are one level up and above in the trade.
Strangers on a Train - a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan. The do not face resistance from the person who should have resisted ... instead, it comes from another passenger. Interesting outcome.
Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest - a man who has list his memory is found in a hotel room. The Singaporean detective solves the mystery ... in quite a sherlockian manner.
Cat's Eyes - an emotional piece on the background of a Bangkok go-go dancer.
Breaking In - a nice sharp intelligent burglar "breaks" into a London house (he doesn't call it breaking in since he technically doesn't break anything) and is surprised by men who are one level up and above in the trade.
Strangers on a Train - a mugging on a train doesn't go to plan. The do not face resistance from the person who should have resisted ... instead, it comes from another passenger. Interesting outcome.
Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest - a man who has list his memory is found in a hotel room. The Singaporean detective solves the mystery ... in quite a sherlockian manner.
Cat's Eyes - an emotional piece on the background of a Bangkok go-go dancer.
July 22, 2014
Rich is a burglar, well he thinks he’s a bit better as he only enter homes by open windows by climbing the drain pipes when people are in bed.
He carries all his gadgets in a his rusk sack i.e. maglite torch, mobile fone scrambler, night vision goggles and his big roll out bag which he can stow the big tvs etc.
But the house he’s targeting isn’t what he’s expecting as he enters the house, listens for any noise and hears none but when he starts making his way around the house he sees a big man with night vision goggles on and from this point it goes from bad to worse.
A gang of 4 young men have planned to cut and rob people on the train between stations, they think they’re invincible.
Unknown to them is a transport police man but he is far too scared to do anything.
One man stands up for himself against the gang members, he disarms them and tells the police man to take the credit for it.
He walks away is this the great spider?
He carries all his gadgets in a his rusk sack i.e. maglite torch, mobile fone scrambler, night vision goggles and his big roll out bag which he can stow the big tvs etc.
But the house he’s targeting isn’t what he’s expecting as he enters the house, listens for any noise and hears none but when he starts making his way around the house he sees a big man with night vision goggles on and from this point it goes from bad to worse.
A gang of 4 young men have planned to cut and rob people on the train between stations, they think they’re invincible.
Unknown to them is a transport police man but he is far too scared to do anything.
One man stands up for himself against the gang members, he disarms them and tells the police man to take the credit for it.
He walks away is this the great spider?
July 26, 2015
There was nothing to write home about with this group of stories. This was the first time reading anything by this author and I wasn't impressed whatsoever.
So the stories 'Breaking In' and 'Strangers on a Train' were pretty similar. They're both about someone/gang that do illegal things to other, until they run into someone/gang that is stronger and smarter than them.
One question: What is MI5?
'Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest': Inspector Zhang made me think of Sherlock Holmes. It was...an eh! kind of story.
Cat's Eyes
It was a sad back story for the cat lady, I guess...but it was just too short and didn't really seem to have anything to do with the rest of the short stories in this book.
So the stories 'Breaking In' and 'Strangers on a Train' were pretty similar. They're both about someone/gang that do illegal things to other, until they run into someone/gang that is stronger and smarter than them.
One question: What is MI5?
'Inspector Zhang and the Hotel Guest': Inspector Zhang made me think of Sherlock Holmes. It was...an eh! kind of story.
Cat's Eyes
It was a sad back story for the cat lady, I guess...but it was just too short and didn't really seem to have anything to do with the rest of the short stories in this book.
October 29, 2016
Four short stories all by Stephen Leather plus generous opening chapters of other books he has written & all for free download. What's to complain about?
The short stories were good & varied, each giving a taster into other characters Leather has created through his various books.
The free chapters are a useful intro into the style & characters in his very successful novels for those that are unfamiliar with his writing. They also give the opportunity to decide whether you want to buy the whole book or if it's not for you.
Personally, I don't read the tasters as I find they confuse me into wondering if I've read the book in the past sometime before when they seem familiar but nevertheless, each to their own & it's good to have the choice.
The short stories were good & varied, each giving a taster into other characters Leather has created through his various books.
The free chapters are a useful intro into the style & characters in his very successful novels for those that are unfamiliar with his writing. They also give the opportunity to decide whether you want to buy the whole book or if it's not for you.
Personally, I don't read the tasters as I find they confuse me into wondering if I've read the book in the past sometime before when they seem familiar but nevertheless, each to their own & it's good to have the choice.
May 21, 2014
This book is made up of 4 short stories then chapters out of several of the authors novels. I only read the short stories as some of the novels I have already read and would rather read the books than a couple of chapters. The 4 short stories were really good and give people a feel for what the authors other books are like.
July 31, 2015
I am already a fan of Stephen's writing. I have read several of his Spider Shepherd books and own all of his Jack Nightingale books.
If you have yet to discover his books then this would be a good place to start as it is a mix of stories with several different characters to lure you into Stephen's world
If you have yet to discover his books then this would be a good place to start as it is a mix of stories with several different characters to lure you into Stephen's world
August 20, 2012
I very much enjoy Stephen Leather's work. This title is basically an intro, a trailer if you will, for his work. Some of the elements are complete works, but most are teasers with the intention of moving the reader to purchase the entire work.
March 8, 2013
Best if you've not read any of his other works. The Zhang story is the pick although I'd read it before. In addition to the short stories there are numerous opening chapters from his first few novels.
A decent enough intro to a good author.
A decent enough intro to a good author.
August 20, 2014
It's an all right read, but you can find better short stories around the internet.
It's good but nothing that makes me want to read more of the authors work or get me to want to read more about a certain character. It's rather bland and plan, no colour to the work at all.
It's good but nothing that makes me want to read more of the authors work or get me to want to read more about a certain character. It's rather bland and plan, no colour to the work at all.
August 28, 2013
4 very different short stories. I don't really feel that any really stood out but they were alright. The latter two thirds of the ebook was snippets trying to get you interested in his other books. It was free though so I'm not surprised.
January 4, 2015
Actually enjoyed this book in small doses except inspector Zang either I am not cerebral enough to understand his man or it's a load of codwoddle but I did enjoy most of of the other short stories esp the poor thief "shimmy drainpipe burglar" what a way to go
March 28, 2014
Meh. Some of these stories were pretty good, the rest were a bit rubbish. It also annoyed me how after a lot of them there was an advert for a full length novel. A short story should be just that, not an extract from a larger book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews