D. Alexander Ward

Lost Highways

Ethan E. Harris

I read a different anthology just a few weeks ago and was completely dissatisfied with every single story. Not bad writing, but a lack of unity and something within the stories to grab me, to make me feel something beyond the words. I went into Lost Highways more cautiously, not sure what to expect. I see a lot of well-known names in the anthology, I've enjoyed the publisher's other titles, and the unifying theme sounded interesting. 

Not to take away from the first two stories, but the third-by Joe Lansdale-put me fully in the mindset to enjoy the rest of the book. It's an interesting story with an emotional appeal, a dramatic encounter and a satisfying conclusion with an easy-going narrative. This is a smooth story, unique in content and very enjoyable. I would even go so far as to say it's a fun read.

At this point, I felt comfortable with the anthology and found myself enjoying the more in-your-face "Mr. Hugsy" by Robert Ford, which has a vivid grittiness with a big reveal of an ending that made my mind gasp at its sudden turn. "Jim's Meats" by Kelli Owen made me feel the tension of the unfolding scene. There is some story-telling skill in this story, being able to make me feel the discomfort and sense of growing doom for the two main characters. It had a nice little twist on the title at the very end that gives the reader a greater sense of the situation the characters found themselves in.

I think my favorite was "Back Seat" by Bracken MacLeod. At the height of the story, I felt the sorrow and the horror of the main character. I related to the sense and description of terror in a personal way that almost made me quit reading the story. There is a unique story-telling technique in this tale that made me adore the skill with which it was written.

Jonathan Janz's "Titan, Tyger" has, for me, the most creative finale out of all the stories. But now, I'm thinking that it's too difficult at this point to have a favorite. Kolakowski's "Your Pound of Flesh" kept me wondering until the very last sentence, giving me a powerful reflection on what I'd just witnessed. Buehlman's "Motel Nine" was a surprise to me when it dawned on me what was going on. Malerman's "Room 4 at the Haymaker" and Rio Youers' "The Widow" presentations put me into the head of the characters, feeling the stories unfold. In all, it's almost impossible to pick a top story if I were asked and I feel like I'm leaving out other worthy entries.

There were a few stories that really shined above the rest, but when I think about the past books I've read, there simply haven't been this many enjoyable short stories in a single anthology. The editor deserves some real credit for such a successful group of stories. There are plenty of cringe and creep moments and there were times when I felt the terror of surprise and some downright grittiness.

On Goodreads, five-stars means "it was amazing" and I think Lost Highways easily earned it.