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FLASHES IN THE PAN

A Review by Esther Schrader
copyright Esther Schrader 2006

Flashes in the Pan serves up fifty tasty stories for busy readers on the go. Raymond Grant has
organized his brief stories into categories sure to whet your appetite.

Leading off with "Flashes of Humor," Grant has assembled a varied menu. My favorite in this
group is "Monday's Genius." Any crossword-puzzle addict can relate. And one must admire
Luigi in "Master of the Moat" for his diligence and flexibility. "Stinky" is a groaner, but still
enjoyable. Who could resist reading "The Yodeling Lemming"? Another winner.

Having just edited a cat-themed anthology, I was drawn to the section called "Flashes about
Cats and Dogs." Although very short, "Kitty's Treat" has a nice twist at the end. "Daisy" is a
longer, serious piece that is well worth reading.

In "Flashes of Childhood" I smiled while reading "My Daughter Is an Alien." "Flashes in the
Dark" provides elements of horror with fine stories like "Encounter," while "The Sphere" is
science fiction with a twist.

Grant's wise observations of current society are revealed in "Flashes of Commerce." I found
"The Last Barrel" to be very timely.

"Flashes among Venus, Mars, and Other Planets" includes one of my favorites, "A Letter to
Mom." If you have sent a child off to college, you may have received a letter somewhat like
this...but not quite.

Raymond Grant obviously takes pleasure in writing a wide variety of stories. There is
something here for every reader.

--Esther Schrader, editor of Twisted Cat Tales
Editor for Flashshot Ezine: Daily Flash Fiction Newsletter
author of Desperate Straits and The Shadow People