Any collection has ups and downs in story enjoyment, this one hits more ups than not. Sale's work is as wonderful as I've come to expect; the introduction essay talks about the way he draws noses (and other every-day things), which expresses my feelings pretty close. The stories themselves run a great spectrum of humor, mystery, and tragedy, giving the reader variety to go with a character, and city, that demand such.

A pleasure to read (particularly "Blades", but that might just be me). ( )