Seasonal Work

A nice collection, I particularly enjoyed the stories set in contemporary times, making new technology the bases of story plots.

The emphases on apps, , Google and iPhones, newish words like woke, and the use of names for generations such as Gen-X and Millennial will obviously date some stories. While an ever-increasing number of readers will take the technology of the first quarter of the twenty first century as natural for crime and love story plots, as time goes by the use use of what are now modern communication devices will eventually seem archaic, and future readers may wonder at the way the writer has made these intrinsic to the plots of stories such as Slow Burner and Just One More.

As I write this review there exist millions of show more people who, because of Covid-19 and the invention of dating apps, do not know how people dated before the Internet made communication possible between new lovers. How did they find each other, Millennials ask.

It’s because of the use of iPhones and dating app as in a number of the stories in this collection, that there is an element of surprise and novelty in the plots. While worth reading for these plots alone, this is not meant to diminish Ms Lippman’s excellent prose and her ability to hold the readers’ interest. show less

I've read every one of Laura Lippman's books. But what I haven't read are any of her short stories! I was eager to listen to Seasonal Work - Lippman's newly released collection. These stories have been published previously in various compilations but the last one is new, novella length and set in these Covid times.

What I love about short stories is an author's ability to introduce characters, a setting, a plot and a satisfying ending - all in a short space of time. They're like mini getaways. Now, some short story lovers are purists - listening in the order presented. Me? I hop around, picking a tale on it's length and how much time I have to listen.

I enjoyed each and every story. There's a broad selection of tales, all quite show more different. What they do have in common are strong female protagonists, varying in ages and mind sets. They're not all nice...

Lippman brings life into her tales, with all the joy and hurt that living brings. Some of them were just desserts in my opinion, others were the inevitability of society and those who prey on others. And yes, there's some good mixed in as well!

It's hard to pick favorites, as I truly did enjoy them all. I was very happy to see Tess Monaghan (a series character) in two stories that were new to me. And surprised by the story inspired by Tess's parents as newlyweds. Book Thing was an ode to books in a novel situation. (yes, pun intended ;0) ) The title tale, Seasonal Work, was a great leadoff and ended with a lovely twist. And the last one - Just One More - had a great gotcha at the end as well. There's no repetition here - each story is fresh, different and and satisfying.

I chose to listen to Seasonal Work. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I find I become much more immersed in a book when I listen. Seasonal Work had a stellar list of narrators that I was looking forward to. Each only read one story. And each turned in an excellent performance. I do have my favorite readers and was happy to see many familiar names. And the opportunity to discover new narrators. Each performance was clearly spoken, the speed was right. And each interpreted the story they were presenting very well, capturing the tone, emotions and action. I enjoyed the author's comments about her work and inspiration for the stories.

And if you've not read Lippman before, this is a great way to experience her very talented writing.

There are twelve tales ranging in length from twenty four minutes to an hour and ten minutes. Total run time is 8 hours 56 minutes. show less

Crime fiction writer Laura Lippman’s short story collection Seasonal Work is filled with unforgettable characters, mostly girls and young women. “Seasonal Work” is the first and strongest story, about a family whose van filled with their Christmas gifts is robbed on Christmas Eve. “Snowflake Time” is a sly story about “the woke culture” and how it affects a television news personality. People spying on others is a theme- a woman thinks her neighbor is up to no good, a wife finds her husband’s secret burner phone- and it doesn’t always end well. Even though you can read one story at a time, I admit I devoured this delectable collection in one day.

I have been reading Laura Lippman ever since I met her at ALA when her book [book:Baltimore Blues|351654] was going to be published. I adored Tess Moynihan and have been reading her ever since. This is a book of shorts but this being Lippman the stories include cons, assorted bits of mayhem and of course what is a murder or two between friends?

First story, set during the Christmas season features Tess herself, a detective story with a twist. The second is set during earlier years and showcases Tess's mother Judith and may show how Tess came about her vocation. The longest story in the set is based on a couple, bored by the Covid quarantine, well aren't we all sick of Covid restrictions? This takes a dangerous turn when the wife decides show more on a game and deception to add entertainment to their life.

Easy to read, entertaining and although I didn't adore all the stories, they all showcase the talent Lippman has in displaying all the slings and arrows that make up the human condition.

ARC from Edelweiss. show less

3.5 stars

Thank you Goodreads FirstReads for my complimentary review copy.

I was drawn to this book because of the author and the format. I had read Lippman’s To the Power of Three years ago and enjoyed it. I like short stories because they are brief, yet comprehensive.

The stories were an engaging, eclectic mix of genres. If I had to choose a favorite, it would be The Last of Sheila Locke-Holmes. It was told in the third-person perspective of fifth-grader, Sheila. Both the voice and innocent, unintentional(laugh-out-loud) humor rang true. Sheila is a normal, observant, inquisitive pre-teen.

I have not read Laura Lippman's stories before, but I will now. This is a collection of short stories over the years, a few with one of her main characters in her mystery books, Tess Monaghan, and one brand new one from 2020. They were all excellent and enjoyable to read. Some reminded me of Roald Dahl's adult short stories that are quite twisty and wicked. I loved the last one, "Just One More" that was about 2020 and the pandemic as it was so realistic and easy to identify with. Looking forward to reading more of Lippman's work!

We’ll written, too pessimistic for me