These are very short stories, only just long enough to sketch out the details of the characters and what is happening. They range from blends of the mystical and real life, to ordinary slice-of-life pieces, which are enjoyable in their own right and many of which focus on adult fears: the loss of a child for example. Some of the stories struck me as slightly shallow: I would have liked more details and a more complex picture of what was happening, but given the length that is expected. When she’s writing longer form, Kathleen Maclure is an excellent writer, and her last story, Sympathetic Magic, is both the longest and the strongest as far as this reviewer was concerned at least.

It is a short, entertaining, collection and an ideal lunchtime read, especially if you can get it free.

The cover drew my eye and was the reason I picked this up, even if the illustration made me expect ghost stories more than the fairy (and modern faerie) tales contained within. There’s nothing wrong with the formatting and I can’t fault the spelling and grammar. The only thing that did bother me was the length of some of the stories, but for an author to leave a reader wanting more is no bad thing. It doesn’t leave a long impression or evoke great emotions, but it is worth the read and an enjoyable way to spend half an hour.