Writers in Lockdown: A collection of short stories REVIEW

Cashing in on the lockdown and, perchance, a slightly more captive audience than hitherto, Writers in Lockdown is a collection of short stories written during the pandemic by writers dotted around the West. At 279 pages with a fair word count on each page and twenty something stories it seems like a generous deal for £6.00. Here's how I fared.

The Trout Ticklers by  Kristyna Corres. I wasn't feeling this one but I think it would appeal to many readers. It has a high literary style and a wealth of vaguely arcane knowledge but that couldn't save it from my ambivalence. And besides, the great storm was in 1987, not 1986.

Adoption by Dale E. Lehman. A lumpy sci-fi story. [Family Fortunes klaxon sounds]. Couldn't finish it.

Blood Curse by Perry Lake. Could barely start this one.

The Hospitaller by Mike Sherer. Uh oh. 

Next! Look, I have a very short attention span. If something doesn't engage me within a paragraph or two the writer is done for...That may be unfair, but really, it's a simple enough rule in the age of swiping and liking: hit the ground running.

Mad Language Broadcasting by Adam Corres. Mmm. I see a good writer in the making after many years have passed but right now, no thanks.

RN40 by Magnus Shake. Um...nah.

I'm almost done and ready to bail out of this collection. However, the authors' blub about Saj Brodie looked interesting and I once knew a guy called Brodie (first name) so I'm going to fast forward to his story, called Digital Nomad. Mmm, had some potentially interesting info in it but I soon lost the connection. Please hang up and try again.

All in all not a good look for a short story collection. 

Rating 2.5/5