The Emerald Necklace and Other Stories

The Emerald Necklace
by E. B. Alston

There is something for every reading taste in this wildly eclectic collection of stories. There is a thriller about a kidnapping that begins in New Bern, NC and ends on snow covered Burkes Garden Mountain in southwest Virginia, a hilarious update of "Little Red Riding Hood" where grandma lives in Roxboro, North Carolina and Mr. Wolfe drives a red Thunderbird. Then there is a ghost story, a couple of romances, drama, heartbreak, love lost and found, lust, the zany "Secret Life of Money", a play and an even zanier tale about a pagan cult whose deity is a muskrat living on the upper reaches of the Tar River east of Roxboro. And there is one about an intergalactic fighter ace who offends his squadron commander and the emperor's youngest daughter and is sent to a far away galaxy to bring back breeding stock for a new food animal. And last but not least is the most heartwarming of Christmas stories, “A High Plains Christmas” set in Longford, Kansas in 1869. This story ought to be read on Christmas Eve.

Reviews :-

“Several of the stories stand out, including the amusing Fargo Finnegan, Rainbow’s End (Great last line!), and The Chase. In the longer pieces such as The Chase and Ghost Story, the characters are dynamic. Some of the humor is pretty funny, and the serious pieces contain a good deal of insight. The writing is professional, clear, and concise. The author’s voice is memorable and fun. Overall, it’s a good solid collection.” Writer’s Digest, April 15, 2005.