Official Review: Cutting Right to the Chase

[sybil1reader]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Cutting Right to the Chase" by Stefania Mattana.]

Cutting Right to the Chase Vol. 1, by Stefania Mattana, is a very entertaining work consisting of six very short crime stories. Each and every story caught my attention and made me wish that each one could expand into longer reading. Chase Williams is the main character in each adventure, playing a different role in each plot.

In Place Your Bets, Chase appears to be an ex-police officer assisting the police in the outskirts of Tursenia. The goal is breaking up a gambling operation, but all is not as it seems. Chase makes a spur of the moment decision that makes the police question whether or not they did the right thing by allowing him on the mission. All ends well; however, as Chase saves a lot of lives. Sometimes you just have to trust that a person has good instincts.

The Crab and the Fox occurs in Via Cavour, a place with many alleys. Chase is in a billiard bar when it is necessary to chase an unknown young man through these very alleyways. Always a runner, the young man outruns him as if an invisible finish line is somewhere ahead. He does manage to catch his prey, but not for the reason that the young man or I thought. Good Samaritans do still exist in this world.

It’s all about Labels finds Chase in a shopping mall in Tursenia. The country is full of runners and they all want the latest and greatest running gear. Chase resorted to a dressing room in another department of the store due to the crowd. He endures the commotion next to him as three girls try on clothes. His observation skills kick in, resulting in an interesting conversation at the front door with a guard and the girls. People must always be aware of what is happening in their midst because it could save a lot of money.

In Instincts of a Tiger, Chase is up to a little unofficial investigating. His neighbor reported on Facebook that burglars entered his home but he was able to “teach them a lesson”. Chase wants to figure out how the bad guys got into the neighbor’s house. He gets a surprise when his neighbor is home and something sails by his head! We cannot always believe what we read.

Mind Your Business Card is hilarious because some people think they know everything. Join Chase and his co-workers as they help their boss who insists on scrounging together some money for someone in need of help. See why bosses may not be the best at judging character.

Shadows of Tom Thumb features Chase as a silent hero in his neighborhood. Someone is killing animals and he knows just who it is and catches the perpetrator in the act and proves that the wrong neighbor is being blamed. Always expect good results when you keep your word.

I really enjoyed this little book. I did not think that I would because I never read short stories. Each story grabbed me right away and had me wondering about the culprit and what in the world was really going on. There is a lot of action and a lesson in each story. I would definitely recommend this to my friends. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars.

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[Stefania Mattana]

Hi Sybil, thank you very much for you kind and detailed review of Cutting Right to the Chase. I really appreciated it as I read also that you're not a short stories fan, therefore your review does count twice!