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Before I Wake: A Story Collection
Before I Wake is David Morrell's third short-story collection and his first since the 2004 publication of Nightscape . It's been a long wait between these volumes, but the wait has now ended in spectacular fashion. Before I Wake shows us Morrell at the top of his game. Each of the stories gathered here is a compelling, beautifully crafted gem. Each is the clear product of a world-class storyteller. There are fourteen stories included here, and they encompass an impressive range of themes, settings, and approaches. Morrell, of course, has long been an acknowledged master of the authentic, edge-of-your-seat action thriller, and that aspect of his talent is on full display in such stories as “My Name Is Legion” and “The Interrogator.” But there are other types of stories here as well. Some, such as “Time Was and “The Companions,” reflect the early influence of such seminal writers as Rod Serling and Ray Bradbury. An assortment of literary figures, among them J.D. Salinger (“The Architecture of Snow”), Arthur Conan Doyle (“The Spiritualist”), and Laura Ingalls Wilder (“They”) make vivid, often surprising appearances in this volume. And admirers of Morrell's novels will find some unexpected treasures. Saul and Erika ( The Brotherhood of the Rose and The League of Night and Fog ) return in “The Abelard Sanction.” Cavanaugh ( The Protector and The Naked Edge ) is featured in a trio of protective-agent stories, beginning with “Blue Murder. Finally, the notorious Thomas De Quincey, protagonist of three of Morrell's greatest novels ( Murder As a Fine Art and its companion Victorian mysteries) makes a most revealing confession in “The Opium-Eater.” The stories alone are worth the price of admission, but Morrell also includes an introduction and fascinating, often highly personal story notes. Before I Wake is a thriller fan's dream, a rich, resonant collection that reminds us, once again, of its author's enduring and unmistakable importance. This is popular fiction as it should be written. It doesn't get better than this.
369 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2019
About the author
David Morrell
226 books1,698 followersDavid Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 3, 2020
Wonderful collection & well narrated. I particularly liked the introductory pieces to each story. The ends to which Morrell has gone to research his subjects is fantastic. No wonder they read so well.
The stories were a mixed bunch, but all thrilling. Some were about 'protectors', others had a Twilight Zone feel, & the final one is based on 'Little House on the Prairie', although it is darker & more realistic in a lot of ways.
I normally can find the ebook & would review each story, but I couldn't this time. Suffice it to say it is highly recommended.
The stories were a mixed bunch, but all thrilling. Some were about 'protectors', others had a Twilight Zone feel, & the final one is based on 'Little House on the Prairie', although it is darker & more realistic in a lot of ways.
I normally can find the ebook & would review each story, but I couldn't this time. Suffice it to say it is highly recommended.
December 2, 2020
I received an advance copy of this short story collection from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.
Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.
The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.
The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.
My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.
The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.
The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.
The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.
Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.
Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.
The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.
They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.
Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars.
Merged review:
I received an advance copy of this short story collection from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.
Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.
The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.
The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.
My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing and demonic as the title suggests.. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.
The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.
The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.
The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.
Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.
Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.
The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.
They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.
Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars.
Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.
Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.
The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.
The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.
My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.
The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.
The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.
The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.
Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.
Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.
The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.
They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.
Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars.
Merged review:
I received an advance copy of this short story collection from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great short stories by a modern master with extremely generous introductions that in some cases are as interesting as the stories themselves.
Time Was
Would have made a very good Twilight Zone episode. Give this one the Richard Matheson seal of approval.
The Architecture of Snow
Explores the collision of art and the business of selling art—in this case literary fiction. Perhaps this is why some literary lions choose to retreat to their dens and hide from fame and the public.
The Companions
Interesting story. I felt the location as much as the plot line. This story has such a strong sense of place (perhaps because some of the events are real) that I was enjoying that almost as much as the interesting supernatural story.
My Name is Legion
One of the best antiwar stories I have ever read. What makes is so much worse (or better) is that it actually happened—which is very disturbing and demonic as the title suggests.. Morrell’s research uncovers a story most of us have never heard but should already know.
The Interrogator
Another antiwar story. More about spies than war, but is there really a difference? The story shows how once you cross a line of seeing other people as subjects or means to an end, there really isn’t anything or any way to bring you back.
The Granite Kitchen
Written for Ellery Queen magazine. Having been a fan of that magazine and that style of mystery story, this was a perfect addition to that collection.
The Spiritualist
Arthur Conan Doyle is one of my favorite authors and I just ate this story up. Not true, but should have happened.
Vastation
Supernatural story about an author who emulates his literary idol to a dangerous degree.
Blue Murder/The Controller/The Attitude Adjuster/The Abelard Sanction
These stories share common characters and dive deeply down into the “personal protect” (don’t say body guard) rabbit hole with a strict adherence to reality. I emerged from them feeling that I got sense of what that profession is all about. My favorite was The Attitude Adjuster because of how dark it was. The descriptive intro is as good as the stories on these.
The Opium Eater
Explains the beginnings of De Quincey's addiction to opium. This tragic story is a nice companion piece to one of the best historical mystery series I have read. Murder As A Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead and Ruler of the Night are fast paced thrillers as well as thought provoking.
They
Dark reimagining of the Little House on the Prairie books. I doubt I could read them now and not think of Morrell’s take on the whole Ingals family history.
Fantastic collection of stories. 5 stars.
May 27, 2024
Honestly more of a 3.5* as a whole but I really liked Architecture of Snow and the Arthur Conan Doyle story so that rounded it up
September 25, 2019
I've been a fan of David Morrell since I first read The Brotherhood of the Rose over 20 years ago. He's smart, and talented, and knows his stuff. And he wrote an excellent book on the how-to's of writing.
This collection of short stories surprised me because of how many supernatural stories are here. Practically none of this novels feature this, so it's fun to see him explore something that obviously interests him in the "playful" setting of a short story.
Highlights for me included:
"The Architecture of Snow": A reclusive writer finds himself confronted by an old school editor--someone interested in his books as art, and not merely how they'll sell well.
"The Granite Kitchen": A terrific dim sum of a story about a realtor who's perhaps too real...
"The Companions": I won't spoil a thing.
"The Opium-Eater": A wonderful companion piece to his trilogy about Thomas de Quincey, the opium-addicted genius.
There's not a bad one in the bunch.
This collection of short stories surprised me because of how many supernatural stories are here. Practically none of this novels feature this, so it's fun to see him explore something that obviously interests him in the "playful" setting of a short story.
Highlights for me included:
"The Architecture of Snow": A reclusive writer finds himself confronted by an old school editor--someone interested in his books as art, and not merely how they'll sell well.
"The Granite Kitchen": A terrific dim sum of a story about a realtor who's perhaps too real...
"The Companions": I won't spoil a thing.
"The Opium-Eater": A wonderful companion piece to his trilogy about Thomas de Quincey, the opium-addicted genius.
There's not a bad one in the bunch.
June 28, 2019
I have enjoyed David Morrell’s work for years but I believe this is the first time I have had the opportunity to read his short fiction. This is an author who knows his form and grips his audience.
The same talent that makes Morrell’s novels captivating works well in these shorter fictions, and I enjoyed the author’s varied approaches.
If you have not read David Morrell, his work (including the book) comes with my recommendation.
The same talent that makes Morrell’s novels captivating works well in these shorter fictions, and I enjoyed the author’s varied approaches.
If you have not read David Morrell, his work (including the book) comes with my recommendation.
April 5, 2019
The third exceptional collection from accomplished author David Morrell, this set includes introductory explications by the author for each entry. For me, these explicatory anecdotes significantly deepened my interest in and attention to the stories. I also appreciated the wide range included, from supernatural/spooky (very) to historical fiction to contemporary thriller.
January 23, 2025
Morrell is a superior writer. I enjoyed all the stories in this volume even though there were some that I had already read. I particularly enjoyed the brief introductions by the author. In fact, his intros have convinced me to go back and reread his Mortalis series. Highly recommended.
July 29, 2019
* Read for the '2019 Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge' task: A book published in 2019
October 30, 2020
This is a collection of 14 short stories composed by David Morrell. Some are definitely better than others.
July 10, 2019
The only writing I've read of David Morrell's previously was The Totem. This new collection of short stories was varied, enjoyable and entertaining. My favorite short story was The Opium Eater as it was unlike anything I've read since The Glass Book of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist. This collection is highly recommended.
August 26, 2019
Before I Wake is a departure from what I expected from David Morrell. Rather than a full length novel there are 14 short stories. Unique to each is the author’s introduction telling why he wrote each one.
There is something for everyone here. It is difficult to give a rating to the entire collection as some were 5+ and others a 3.
All in all well worth it.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eArc for review purposes.
There is something for everyone here. It is difficult to give a rating to the entire collection as some were 5+ and others a 3.
All in all well worth it.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eArc for review purposes.
April 15, 2019
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Before I wake by David Morrell. Morrell's return to my favorite author list is welcomed.
I love some of his earlier work - Shimmer, Creepers. This is a novel with short stories - some i liked and some not so much, but all in all, a fun way to pass the time without investing alot of "time".
3 stars.
I love some of his earlier work - Shimmer, Creepers. This is a novel with short stories - some i liked and some not so much, but all in all, a fun way to pass the time without investing alot of "time".
3 stars.
June 26, 2019
Such a wonderfully diverse group of stories. I particularly enjoyed the author's introductions (and inspirations) for each story. David Morrell is truly a master story teller.
July 8, 2019
Three stars is the average score in my opinion. Some of the stories were better than three stars and some not so much.
July 24, 2025
Highlights were The Companions, The Interrogator, The Spiritualist and of course The Opium-Eater.
November 24, 2019
These were some great stories
August 10, 2023
This is my second David Morrell book, and I like his material. I like short stories, and I especially like the ones in this volume about the Protector. I hope to read many more of his works.
May 22, 2019
I didn't realize this was a book of short stories, until I started it. I love all of David Morrell's books, and enjoyed the stories. There are 14 of them, and they are all good, and some are unexpected returns of some of his best characters! Think I loved "The Interrogator" most, but it's really hard to choose. So many good ones and I love Morrell even more now! Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews