Jeffery Deaver has been featured on the bestseller’s list numerous times.  TWISTED might not be what you would expect from this popular author; in fact, I thought it was better than I could imagine.  Let me sum up this collection by quoting Jeffery Deaver—“As I tell writing students, it’s far easier to write long fiction than it is to write short, but of course this business isn’t about what’s best for the author; it’s about what’s best for the reader, and short fiction doesn’t let us get away with slacking off.”

One thing Jeffery Deaver never does in this collection of sixteen short stories is “slack off.”  The book opens to a brief introduction and then the first story, “Without Jonathan.”  Deaver offers an engaging tale of a widow, Marissa Cooper, who is about to go out on her first date since her husband’s death.  I quickly found myself enjoying Marissa as she nears her rendezvous.  And then, BAM, the story takes this unexpected twist that leaves you stunned.  I didn’t see it coming and quickly realized that the title, TWISTED, fit the book perfectly.

These are not your average short stories.  You’ll find yourself mesmerized with stories about an unhappy housewife who would do anything to get out of her marriage, a “world’s most beautiful woman” who needs to rid herself of a stalker at any cost, a loving father who is about to head off on his yearly fishing trip much to his young daughter’s dismay, and even Deaver’s popular character, Lincoln Rhyme.  No matter which story you are involved in, be prepared for a few surprises along the way.  Just as you, the reader, settle into the story, another twist is thrown into the loop reminding you not to become too complacent with the characters.  Things are not always as they seem.