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Entre nosotros, la muerte: Antología de Cuentos de Muerte y Misterio

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¿Quién iba a decir que la muerte podría ser tan ecléctica?


Disfrute de esta fascinante colección de cuentos.


Tanto en la literatura como en las películas, el tema de la muerte y el misterio han sido fundamentales durante años. Esta antología le entretendrá y le emocionará al mismo tiempo. Algunos de los cuentos le harán reír a carcajadas. Otros le invitarán a hacer una pausa y reflexionar.


Considere esta colección de cuentos de muerte y misterio la versión impresa de un aperitivo, o quizá desee llamarle entremés, bocadillo, mezze o antipasti. Puede ser leída para llenar el espacio entre un libro y el siguiente o disfrutarse como si fuera un mezze literario -cuya variedad tiene sus propios méritos.


Dentro del genero muerte y misterio, se presentan estilos para todos los  ficción de detectives, asesinos en serie, ciencia ficción, ficción basada en eventos reales, etc.; en lugares tan disímiles como Inglaterra, Los Ángeles, San Francisco, Los Grandes Lagos, Las Vegas, el Desierto de Nevada y México, entre otros, en una exquisita exposición del arte de narrar cuentos cortos.


Estos cuentos provienen de un reparto internacional que consta de diez autores; algunos tienen libros bestseller, otros son talentos nuevos o incipientes. Sus raíces, culturas y experiencias de vida son tan diversas como sus estilos para escribir.


Pero hay una cosa que los saben como narrar una historia.


Los diez escritores que contribuyeron a la presente antología


Stephen Bentley


Greg Alldredge


Kelly Artieri


Robbie Cheadle


Michael Spinelli


L. Lee Kane


Kay Castaneda


Aly Locatelli


Justin Bauer


'G', de manera póstuma.


Entre los cuentos, se incluye “El asesino de las rosas” por Stephen Bentley, el cual, dentro del genero Muerte y Misterio, fue ganador del premio SIA 2019, siglas en inglés de Support for Indie

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2019

63 people are currently reading
110 people want to read

About the author

Stephen Bentley

66 books269 followers
Stephen Bentley is an award-winning author. Of his Operation Julie true crime book, screenwriter and novelist, writer of 'Julie' BBC Drama, Rob Gittins, said, "The fascinating and extraordinary inside story from the man who was actually there.”

Of his later fiction works, British crime author, Pat MacDonald said, “I knew when I read the author’s first book although non-fiction that he could make the transition to writing fiction; I was right. He has an ease of language that lends itself to storytelling; he tells it as if he was there in the plot and why shouldn’t he having been an undercover cop in the real world? Not that Steve Regan is meant to be him, but having the experience means he can do whatever he wants with his fictional characters, and they will always be believable.”

Like some other authors, his life experience is broad and unconventional. He spent 30 years in the legal system, first as a detective for 15 years then as barrister plying his trade as “a wig for hire” in London and the English provinces. He was a pioneering undercover cop on Operation Julie and as a barrister defended in trials involving murder, rape, drug importation, other serious crimes and defended soldiers at courts-martial.

He worked in a warehouse. Rode a big motorbike as a London courier. He drove big articulated trucks and taught how to drive them. He also worked as a hospital porter twice. He drove chilled delivery vans in London in the 1990s to fund his law degree and bar school studies. He spent the last two years of his working life driving plant and operating heavy filtration machinery for Europe’s largest water company. His work mates soon recognised his advocacy skills and elected him as their shop steward.

He has now written over twenty books. Two of them have been optioned and in development; one as a TV drama series, and one as a drama doc.

You can find Stephen at stephenbentley.info

His wife is a better person than him in all regards and is a source of support in his goal of entertaining readers. She has also made him a better person.

Stephen Bentley's book recommendations

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for James.
Author 20 books4,432 followers
July 30, 2022
My favorite book genre is mysteries. With so many wonderful authors and series, it's often difficult to decide what to read next, especially when you're looking to expand your horizons with something new. That's often why I'll turn to an anthology of short stories, as collections allow you to sample a dozen or so writers who hold a vast array of experiences and styles. This month, I took a chance on one called 'Death Among Us,' published in July of 2019 and edited by Stephen Bentley. In this fantastic collection, readers are exposed to ~10 authors who have each contributed 3 stories. What's even better is that the three stories are generally connected to one another, so it's almost like reading a mini novella several times over.

Prior to each author's stories, there's a lively and informative intro about what readers are getting themselves into. The writer will tell us if the stories are connected by the same character or a similar murder plot, a continuation of the previous tale but with a twist, or something even more dastardly and thrilling. I enjoyed this aspect of the anthology, as often in these types of books, each author only has a single story. With three, we get a better feel for their voice, style, and tone. The collection kicks off with the award-winning editor's 'The Rose Slayer' stories, where homicide cops trace a killer who leaves behind a calling card. It spoke to me for many reasons, but to watch the transition from the first to the second and the last story, I felt like I could understand the motivation and operating procedures / boundaries of the heroes (and possibly the serial killer too!).

Another favorite is Robbie Cheadle, an author who's participated in another short story collection that I've read as well as written many children's books with her sons. What a vastly differently style across her entire inventory of books and stories... to kick off with, in 'Justice is Never Served,' we have a woman who murders babies! Then there are the chimney sweeping killers (not what you're thinking either!)... Cheadle delivers just the right amount of gore and thrills without going over the top, as the topic could be quite difficult to swallow. The best parts of her three stories are how they are all based on some sort of true story... which makes the tale even more horrific. She's definitely cultivated her talents in these three tales, and I hope to see a full-length horror novel from her one day.

In addition to these two clever authors, I found many new writers I plan to follow. All of the stories were strong, none left me bored or confused. It's a vibrant collection of twisty horrors, delicious death plots, and witty dialog among killers, cops, and victims. There are even a few lines of paranormal / fantasy / science-fiction being crossed, enough to make us afraid to enter a dark room in the future. Between those chills, and the crazy over-arching theme of what happens to both good and bad children in this book, it's a prime candidate for anyone who wants to be frightened or read about something over-the-top devilish and evil.

If you're up for a seasonal read, I'd recommend buying now and reading an author every few days in the month of October. Death and Halloween go so well together, and this is definitely one to keep in mind for pushing the envelope with creativity, complexity, and dark drama. That 'side serving of revenge' we often hear about... is the prime motivating factor in so many of these stories... and who doesn't like to see someone get their just desserts?
Profile Image for Natalie Monroe.
662 reviews3,884 followers
July 9, 2019
It was the coldest of winters, the hardest of winter, the most memorable of winters."


Anthologies are always a mixed bag, so I chose to give Death Among Us a neutral 3 stars. Most of the stories, I personally felt, were on the short side and a bit one-note. They didn't particularly engage me or offer any unique twists. The writing is also subpar in places.

Monitaur is an unexpected shining gem. It's a rendition of Rosemary's Baby. Of course, I have to mention Aly Locatelli's story, The Neighbours too, which is one of the best in the collection. I'm physically incapable of being unbiased because she's one of my closest friends, but her story is genuinely good, with gorgeous writing and a delicious twist.

Justice is Never Served by Robbie Cheadle had the potential to be amazing. It's based off of a real-life figure, a baby farmer called Amelia Dyer from the nineteenth century. But it has same issue most of the stories do—they're one-dimension. Amelia is portrayed as pure evil and no attempt is made to explore her character at all. I also had issue with how she's described as lacking in femininity and softness. In the Victorian era, society believed women had an innate maternal instinct, which contributed to the separate spheres mentality (i.e. women should stay at home and raise children). By characterizing Amelia as a baby killer, it echoes the ridiculous link between femininity and maternity. Women are way more than their reproductive organs.

I'm including this below quote from White Rose of Rapture for no reason except it's hysterically hilarious:

"In her bedroom, she drops her towel... Smiling, she cups her small breasts in her hands. "Still firm and perky." Next, she rotates her butt to the mirror. She smacks herself and proclaims, "Hot ass, baby."




Male writers still out here in 2019.
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,713 followers
July 8, 2019
AUTHOR: Stephen Bentley, Greg Alldredge, Kelly Artieri, L. Lee Kane, Michael Spinelli, Robbie Cheadle, Kay Castaneda, Justin Bauer, Ally Locatelli. S Lee

Each author introduces his or her stories and the theme that lays behind them. By the time you finish the book, you will agree the result is a mesmerizing murder mystery mash-up.

There’s murder mystery styles and locations to suit all tastes: detective fiction, serial killers, scifi, histfic, England, Los Angeles, San Francisco, The Great Lakes, Las Vegas, the Nevada desert, Mexico and more in an exquisite exposition of the art of short story telling.

These stories come from an international cast of authors; some with bestselling books, others are emerging or new talents. Their roots, cultures, and life experiences are as diverse as their writing styles.

My favorites ..... Stephen Bentley is the author of the first three books. He is a former UK undercover cop, police Detective Sergeant, and trial attorney. His stories are unique in that in each of the stories this line of dialogue is included ..... "When I saw the banquet of seven roses, I knew exactly who had murdered Mrs. O'Connell."

I admit, I have never read these authors before, but you can bet I'll be checking out what else they have to offer.

Many thanks to all these authors for sharing their diverse stories / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of this murderous collection. I am leaving this review voluntarily. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Bonnye Reed.
4,728 reviews120 followers
July 17, 2019
I love a good short story. And they are not easy to write - they require talent and the discipline of limitation that some of us find personally impossible to achieve. But I know it when I read it - and these ten authors all have it in spades. Each of these stories is a lesson in making every word important, every word count. I am pleased to recommend this collection to friends and family. This is a book I will want to read, again. These are stores succinctly told, little jewels of murder and mystery. I know you will love them.

I received a free electronic copy of this collection of short stories on July 6, 2019, from Stephen Bentley and Hendry Publishing. These stories edited by Stephen Bentley, contain the works of 10 authors who were required to submit a story in 6,000 words, though that could be stretched over more than one story. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date July 7, 2019
Reviewed July 17, 2019, at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. Not available for review at BookBub.
Profile Image for Simon Gibson.
103 reviews10 followers
November 21, 2019
Audiobook: Ten authors have created a collection of crime and mystery short stories of the very highest calibre to wet the appetite of the most discerning ofisionado of the genre. The locations and styles are diverse as are the twists and turns of the crimes and mysteries set before the listener. The two wonderful narrators enhance the listening pleasure ensuring this really is an anthology worthy of the highest accolades.
Profile Image for Mae Clair.
Author 24 books565 followers
July 15, 2019
I’m a mystery/suspense fan so these stories hit all the right notes for me. The collection is varied with several authors contributing multiple tales to the collection. Read one or two at a time or gobble several back to back. The authors are great at transporting you into twisted worlds of murder most foul. You’re bound to find your personal favorites, but there are several that really stood out for me.

I was mesmerized by the historic angle Robbie Cheadle used in her all of her tales that address such unusual characters as chimney sweeps in Victorian England and monks, among others. She did an exceptional job of dropping her readers into the grimy period of the Industrial Revolution and other equally intriguing settings. Red Solo Cup by by Kelly Artieri has two couples undertaking a day boating. A twisty little tale with a cool title and an unexpected ending. She also does a great job with That's What Best Friends Do which has a kick-butt ending. The slightly horror jive of Monitaur by Michael Spinelli kept me enthralled, and he hit a home run with No Man’s Land involving a dangerous fugitive. The dialogue is spot on.

All the authors are to be commended for such a great collection. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Figgy.
681 reviews216 followers
ordered
April 13, 2019
Eeep! This sounds awesome. And also, the amazing Aly has a story in it.

I would pay more than the 99c kindle price to get my hands on this... so pre-ordering was a no-brainer.
Profile Image for Jannelies .
1,343 reviews201 followers
July 26, 2019
I picked this up yesterday because I wanted something a bit light, a bit uncomplicated. I was not disappointed. This book full of (very) short stories makes an easy read. It was good to see that there are so many new names in this collection.
My problem with short stories is, however, that they often begin strong and then end without a real twist or surprise. Such is sometimes the case in this collection too. What I liked about this collection is that all stories were written by people who actually have (a lot of) talent, so all in all I can recommend the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this digital review copy.
Profile Image for Teri.
Author 8 books176 followers
July 7, 2019
Something I enjoyed about this anthology is the variety.  Yes, the theme is murder, but the stories span different sub-genres - straight up suspense, sci-fi, horror, and historical fiction - basically a smorgasbord of death for murder mystery fans.

My favorite stories include the following:

Justice is Never Served by Robbie Cheadle - Heart-wrenching, but with supernatural overtones, and based on a fictionalized account of occurrences in Victorian England.

Monitaur by Michael Spinelli - Because I'm such a horror fan, this one stuck out for me.  Strange occurrences overheard and seen over a baby monitor.  A chilling tale sure to give you goosebumps.

The Neighbours by Aly Locatelli - Locatelli is a new author, but her story is that of a seasoned author.  I predicted the ending, but knowing it didn't detract from this a well-written tale.

Death Among Us is a compelling collection of stories sure to appeal to mystery fans, and will keep them reading hours past their bedtime.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from one of the authors.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Profile Image for Noah Nichols.
Author 3 books118 followers
July 16, 2019
This was a decent collection of short stories featuring (many) unique takes on people perishing. I enjoyed a few quite a bit. Others were a tad bland, but that's nothing worth whining about. The collection liked to move somewhat slow at the beginning; however, it picked up a bunch later on. I really enjoyed Justin Bauer's two entries. The one called Canceled—with the rock band in the hotel...was refreshing, and it ended in such a way that made me want much more...yet had me feeling full, if that makes sense. I also dug the way that this collection was put together. After each story—or set of stories—finished, there'd be a quick intro to the next author. Convenient and nicely done. Anyway, I liked G's White Rose of Rapture story. That was cool stuff. Closing out with a tribute to that particular (passed-away) writer was a nice touch. There's a lot to enjoy about these short stories, so go in with an open mind and have fun! We're all going to die sometime.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Heather W.
4,068 reviews35 followers
July 12, 2019
This is a must-read crime anthology!

This anthology is comprised of the writings of ten authors who have mastered the crime/mystery genre. It takes a true writer to be able to tell a complete story in such small bites. Each author contributed three stories, some interconnected.

Although all mystery stories, there are many different sub-genres used in this anthology, such as supernatural, historical, horror, suspense, and police procedurals. While everyone may not like everything, there is certainly something for everyone. Myself, I loved them all and have found some new authors to follow.

Kudos to Stephen Bentley for compiling this anthology and capturing an introduction from each author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Eloise Robbertze.
189 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2019
Death Among Us is an anthology of murder mysteries. Each author has contributed two or three stories, and while each is read independently, they connect either through characters, place or event. This creates an added mystery to each story and you often end up with novella.

There’s an introduction by each author to their stories which I love – it gives you a taste of what’s to come and why! I had heard about very few of these authors before, but I will for sure be following them now!

Being a book of short stories, it makes for a quick, easy read. You can read it all in one go (like I did) or take little bites and savour the flavour over a couple of sittings.

Go ahead and take a bite – you won’t regret it!

#deathamongus #netgalley #booksgosocial
Profile Image for Denice Langley.
4,982 reviews52 followers
July 23, 2019
I always enjoy anthologies. they give me a break from full length novels when I'm pressed for time plus I find new authors that I can then look for more of their work. I've "discovered" so many of my favorite authors in this manner. It is a very rare day that I'm not reading for enjoyment at some point so I'm always looking for my next TBR title. These short stories will open many new doors for any dedicated reader.
Profile Image for Tina.
1,298 reviews9 followers
August 6, 2020
Brilliant

Great collection of short stories by various writers. Couldn't put the book down and read it in one sitting. Enjoyed each and every story and didn't want them to end 😊. This book is earmarked for a re read for definite ❤.
Profile Image for Nicole (TheBookWormDrinketh) .
224 reviews37 followers
October 30, 2019
4.5 out of 5 Stars
What an amazingly eclectic mix of horror. The one reason that I love horror so much is that there are so many different things that can be horrifying. Is a police procedural what gets you? Maybe the future? How about the truth of the past? Or, maybe it’s the creature feature that gets your skin crawling…. well, they’re all here!!

These were all amazing tales! Although, I will say that I found Kay Castaneda’s story “Unknown” to be a bit jumbled and confusing (although, I felt like her character followed a lot of the facts she gave about the author’s own life…. which makes me worried about her husband! HA HA!).

I think that the story that I connected with the most was “Sales Meeting” by Justin Bauer. Having served 15 years in retail management and going to these EXACT conferences (and, begging my fellow managers to kill me so I didn’t HAVE to go!) this one had me laughing so hard!! Justin, if you see this…. you had to have worked in sales yourself!! I honestly wonder if we may have worked for the same company!

Also, Roberta Cheadle's stories were SHOCKING!! I absolutely loved the element of history to them that makes them even MORE horrific than pure fiction!

All in all this was an amazing read for any horror/mystery lover! There’s a little something in it for everyone!
Profile Image for Sandy Grant.
106 reviews2 followers
July 8, 2019
What a GREAT collection! If you like crime mysteries/novels you've come to the right spot. Lots of murders - each a little different with various subplots. All great mind bogglers.

Stephen Bentley, an author I love and admire has taken the time to not only capture all of these wonderful shorts but also to acquire a little intro into the authors behind them.

There are a few "Queen's English" lines that made me, an American English user (butcher, lol) sit up and think twice, otherwise an easy fast moving read. A great collection you won't want to put down!
Profile Image for Darren.
2,066 reviews48 followers
July 7, 2019
I got this as a e book for my i pad from net galley. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a collection of fiction short stories from a variety of authors.
Profile Image for Jacquie.
Author 78 books881 followers
August 15, 2019
Mystery and suspense at its finest!

First, I have to talk about that cover-eerie, cold, deadly, it’s exactly perfect for this genre.

Ten outstanding authors have contributed three short stories to this anthology creating a wide assortment of murder mysteries to chill your blood.

Each author starts with a short intro comprising of their impressive bios and the theme behind their stories. I particularly liked this as it gave a background to what I was about to read.

Two of my favorites lines came from Robbie Cheadle.

Robbie set her selections from true cases in historical England.

Evil and goodness do not die, they merely change form.
BIO- ROBBIE CHEADLE

To anyone watching it was as if the candle illuminating her mind had been blown out, plunging it into blackness.
JUSTICE IS NEVER SERVED- ROBBIE CHEADLE

There are many new-to-me authors in this collection such as Stephen Bentley who wrote three truly chilling tales of a serial killer you won’t see coming!

If you’re looking for a thrilling read, I highly recommend Death Among Us: An Anthology of Murder Mystery Short Stories- 5 lovely kisses!
1 review
July 24, 2019
“Death Among Us” is an absolute MUST READ! A collection of short story murder mysteries by 10 different authors with an international flair will have you glued to the pages. Each author presents his or her own works, each with a central theme that reverberates throughout their stories.

Short stories are among the most difficult genre to write, but these authors have encapsulated their themes and plots in riveting fashion. The differences in style keep the reader fascinated by the depth and diversity of stories in this collection from beginning to end.

A few of my favorites are represented by incredible details and realism. Kelly Artieri’s Great Lake themed stories and her eloquent story telling skills will let you feel the water lapping at your toes as you wade into her tales. Her story’s twisted ending in“That’s What Best Friends Do” will make you think twice. Stephen Bentley’s poignant “Eleanor Rigby” will hold you enthralled, and Michael Spinelli’s haunting “Monitaur” will send chills down your spine. Those are just a few of the exceptional short stories that await you in this book.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,289 reviews98 followers
July 22, 2019
This is a collection of short stories about murder with some mystery in them. Different writers, different stories. Very good if you like something that changes like a channel on a tv. You won't get bored with this book. I found it very satisfying to read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.
1,293 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2019
It is not easy to write a good short story. You have to get the reader to hit the ground running - you can't spend pages setting the scene or developing characters. Good short stories of this type of genre usually have a kicker at the end, leaving the reader surprised or shocked.

This book manages, for the most part, to achieve this very well. The stories are entertaining, gripping and surprising. One or two have stretched the premise a little and done two or three stories continuing the tale, albeit from another perspective.

An entertaining anthology, well worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2,416 reviews
July 20, 2019
This is a great book of short mystery stories. They are all well written. This is a definite must read book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
902 reviews10 followers
July 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this anthology. The stories were very well written. They were perfect for a quick read. I have definitely found some new authors to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
705 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2019
Mystery Short Stories Absolutely Awesome Reads, Loved them, well written, great characters, Awesome storytelling, easy reads will keep you turning pages all the way through can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
364 reviews7 followers
July 15, 2019
GREAT book!!
This is a GREAT collection of stories!!
Each story is intriguing
and suspenseful!!
There are bios and accreditation for each Author.
I will be looking for more books of each Author.
GREAT book to read at one sitting or
to savour by reading over a few sittings.
318 reviews4 followers
July 21, 2019
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Death Among Us from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a very cool collection! Stories for almost every genre. I enjoyed reading from this group of authors. The short stories were all so good that I am not sure I could choose a favorite. Some depicted mystery, ill intentions, murder, strange circumstances, and artificial intelligence gone awry. Every story was quite original and very interesting!
Thank you to NetGalley and Stephen Bentley for the ARC.
Profile Image for D.L. Finn.
Author 25 books304 followers
August 26, 2019
I bought this anthology because I was already a fan of Robbie Cheadle. I loved her historical fiction based on real-life stories as expected, but the other authors and their work also intrigued me. This collection is a great variety that includes horror, sci-fi, suspense, and mystery set in various locations that all held my attention. There’s a brief introduction to each author, and I enjoyed getting to know them before reading. It’s a great assortment of short stories and a fantastic way to be introduced to new authors. I highly recommend “Death Among Us.”
172 reviews
July 15, 2019
A highly enjoyable set of short stories - some mystery, some detective and many with revenge/supernatural overtones. I like the introduction to the authors and their comments about their stories as well as the information about other books written by these authors. Food for book chasing. A good introduction to them alongside a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Leyla Johnson.
1,357 reviews16 followers
July 16, 2019
This is anthology of some very different crime stories, as with all of these types of books, there are stories which are really good and some that aren't so good - depending on your taste in writing style.
For me most of the authors contribution were good, two were great, but having said that, they all kept me wanting to read to the end and to discover a new author to look for in the future..
1,265 reviews28 followers
July 17, 2019
Death Among Us is a great anthology of short stories. I was surprised to find a couple of new authors to try and read. Some great stories and a couple of boring ones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews