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Tom Benson
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Smoke & Mirrors: and other stories Kindle Edition

by Tom Benson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
A collection of 12 short stories which cover a variety of genre. They are twist-in-the-tale, and will have a special appeal to those with a keen sense of justice.
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  1. Print length
    97 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    24 April 2014
  4. File size
    794 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JXOCVVK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tom Benson; 20221st edition (24 April 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 794 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 97 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Tom Benson

Tom Benson

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In 1969 at the age of 17, Tom left his native Glasgow to join the British Army. Tom’s military career spanned from 1969 to 1992. He followed this with a career in Retail Management, in which he was employed from 1992 to 2012.

Tom has been writing since 2007.

He has published novels, anthologies of short stories, a five-part novel, a variety of erotica books, and a series of genre-based poetry.

Tom is presently working on more novels.

www.tombensonauthor.com

www.tombensoncreative.com

www.tombensonerotica.wordpress.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the stories vividly described and well-written. They appreciate the variety of subject matter and genres in the book. The stories are the right length to develop plot and characters.

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12 customers mention ‘Story quality’12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the vividly described stories with drama and tension. They find the tales different in location and genre, with an emphasis on action. The stories are well-written with believable characters and a good plotline. Some of the stories make them smile and others bring an unexpected tear to their eye. The brisk-paced, revenge-fueled tales won't disappoint.

"...It is the quality of the story, and each will have something to offer everyone. In this sense, the collection defies true classification...." Read more

"I enjoyed this collection of short stories, even though I suffered from the usual malaise of one short story writer reading another's work--that is..." Read more

"...They are relatively short, short stories and I read them quickly, delighting in the diverse range of subject matters that shows a keen imagination..." Read more

"...All in all, a great collection of short stories that readers who like their stories well written, authentic, and with a fair bit of grit and impact..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Writing style’10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the stories well-written with engaging characters and a good plotline. Readers appreciate the author's clever, wise, and well-constructed writing style. The descriptions are vivid and emotive, making the book an enjoyable read.

"...can be read out of sequence, I read them in order, and given the high quality on offer here, I was in no mood to rush through the book...." Read more

"...Buy it. It's good stuff at such a reasonable price." Read more

"Tom Benson is good at creating settings and atmosphere. His descriptions are emotive and vivid, which added to the enjoyment of his narrative...." Read more

"...flash fiction, the author manages not only good story lines, but also strong and well developed characters that complement the action perfectly...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters.

"...did stand out as being well written with a good plotline and believable characters. One such tale was Survivor...." Read more

"...manages not only good story lines, but also strong and well developed characters that complement the action perfectly...." Read more

"...The stories are just the right length to develop plot and characters satisfactorily but also short enough to be able to finish the whole story in..." Read more

"...All the stories are well written with engaging strong characters. They vary from thriller genre to sci fi and military stories...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Variety of subject matter’4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's variety of subject matter and genres. They find the mix interesting and say it makes the book readable.

"...short stories and I read them quickly, delighting in the diverse range of subject matters that shows a keen imagination and an eye for detail...." Read more

"...The interesting mix is what makes this book so readable. I shall be reading more by this author...." Read more

"...I loved the fact that it had a very different variety of genres...." Read more

"...is a small book of a dozen short stories, which are varied in subject matter and content...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Length’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the length of the stories. They find them short enough to develop plot and characters, and read quickly.

"...They are relatively short, short stories and I read them quickly, delighting in the diverse range of subject matters that shows a keen imagination..." Read more

"...Each story is great for a train ride or over a cup of coffee, just the right length!" Read more

"...The stories are just the right length to develop plot and characters satisfactorily but also short enough to be able to finish the whole story in..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Readability’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories easy to read. They enjoy the diverse and fast-paced tales.

"...They are relatively short, short stories and I read them quickly, delighting in the diverse range of subject matters that shows a keen imagination..." Read more

"...if you like your stories short and far from sweet, these brisk-paced, revenge-fuelled tales won’t disappoint...." Read more

"...The stories within are gripping and to the point and quick to read. So perfect for a daily commute or over a coffee Well worth a read" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • mariana's bane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and diverse collection of tales with a twist!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Smoke & Mirrors is the second book I have read by this author, the first being another collection of tales, Coming Around. With this collection, author Tom Benson has excelled himself once again, but arguably this book is better than his first read in my view.

    Here's why: Each story, twelve in all, are completely different. One never knows what is going to be in the next story. And you will be recovering from the events of the previous story, as each tale ends with a twist.

    Although the stories can be read out of sequence, I read them in order, and given the high quality on offer here, I was in no mood to rush through the book. I wanted to savour each one.

    That's not to say every story is killer, but there are some absolutely wondrous tales here that make me think Tom Benson is going to be a very well known author one day.

    Here are my favourites:

    Down to Earth
    Photographic Memory
    Mary had a little gun....
    Smoke & Mirrors
    A Killer in the Mist

    But the above are just my personal preference. Down to Earth was so good, I read it, read it again - read it THREE times before still wondering how the author came up with such an amazing tale. This stood head and shoulders above the others for me, but here's the key thing - the whole collection is of a very high standard, and there is no filler here. If each were to be expanded into a novella or in some cases, a full length novel, it could totally work.

    That's the power of the author. The stories are the star, because you can't really get to know the characters. There isn't that much time. But that is okay, because the character depth is not that important here. It is the quality of the story, and each will have something to offer everyone.

    In this sense, the collection defies true classification. But I expect anyone would enjoy Smoke & Mirrors.

    I would like to make reference to the formatting of the book. This is a simply beautifully looking product and looks superb on my iPad mini. So extra points to the author for delivering not only a high quality collection of stories, but also a first class product that readers can enjoy.
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  • Moonboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lot more than just smoke and mirrors
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 August 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this collection of short stories, even though I suffered from the usual malaise of one short story writer reading another's work--that is being able to see, far too quickly, where the story is heading, thus missing out on some of the pleasure of the denouement. I couldn't understand the first story, Smoke and Mirrors, although this is probably my fault and I shall have to read it again. There is needless bad language in one story and, far from creating reality, in my opinion offers only distraction from the narrative, so breaking the reader's concentration. There is sad stuff happening to people all the way through, which made me slightly depressed, but again that's just me. Most readers will love it, no doubt. A minor quibble. Try to avoid sentences like "the area was no more than the area of 20 football pitches" (substitute "expanse" or even "land" for the first "area").

    I would have liked a bit more of a surprise ending to each, but that did not seriously detract from the quality of the stories. I liked so many of the writer's lines; "a hint of her perfume wafted across the table when she sat down and got comfortable." Absolutely superb! So much conveyed in so few words. And "as he focused on the greenery, tears leaked from the corners of his tired eyes". Very good!

    The story Photographic Memory had amazingly good descriptive content. And Down To Earth left me speechless with admiration--it is easily good enough to rank with a story by one of the very best of the well-known writers in the SF short story genre. I think this writer should certainly consider an anthology of SF stories. He's a natural.

    I think that this writer has a firm grasp of the genre. His descriptive powers and authentic handling of atmospherics are second to none, which is why I have no hesitation in giving him five stars. Buy it. It's good stuff at such a reasonable price.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kimbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric tales that will engage the reader
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Tom Benson is good at creating settings and atmosphere. His descriptions are emotive and vivid, which added to the enjoyment of his narrative. These short stories are humorous, exciting and sometimes tender, with a twist in the tale here and there to keep the reader satisfied. They are relatively short, short stories and I read them quickly, delighting in the diverse range of subject matters that shows a keen imagination and an eye for detail. Especially in the story Photographic Memory that tells the tale of a UN soldier trying to survive a terrorists attack in Kenbito. It was a vividly described tale full of drama and tension that had me almost believing I was there. Only a competent writer can do that.

    Although some of the stories weren’t as realised as others for me, there were some that did stand out as being well written with a good plotline and believable characters. One such tale was Survivor. I really liked Yoshi and was engaged with his journey throughout the narrative. There was danger, fear and hope in this story of a devastating storm and the touching friendship that ensued.

    All in all this is a fine short story collection that has something for everyone to enjoy. Well worth a read.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Patrick
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 July 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable collection of tales from a writer who is clearly at home with the craft of short story writing. Short story books can be often disappointing due to inconsistency but here I found each tale to be completely engaging. Right from the off with the story from which the book takes its title, Tom Benson set the scene and injected just the right amount of dramatic tension to grab my attention. Then he switches almost straight away into a more suggestive and slightly steamy tale and on it went. Great story telling one after the other, switching faultlessly from genre to genre, a book filled with stories of just the right length, not too long , not too short, a skill in itself. Lovely touching tales, exciting action stories, tales of killers, survivors, deceit and all beautifully written. This is the perfect introduction to a great story teller. A deserved 5 stars from me.
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  • S.L. Stacy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection with some surprise twists
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Smoke & Mirrors: and other stories is an entertaining collection of short stories spanning a variety of genres, settings, and types of characters. They're also pretty quick reads--I read them in one morning. Like its title suggests, many of the stories have a satisfying little twist at the end, revealing that not everything was really as it seemed. I enjoyed all of the stories, but I think my favorite was Photographic Memory, which was perhaps the most touching of the collection, at least for me. I also liked the sci-fi spin in Down to Earth.

    I think there is something for most people in here to enjoy, and, beyond the stories themselves, the collection is polished with great attention to formatting, grammar, etc. I'm looking forward to reading more from Mr. Benson!
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  • Eric Lahti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent short story collection
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Benson doesn't shy away from action or violence. Being a former member of British military not only means he's quite capable of dealing with the seamier side of life, but gives him an insight into detail most of us aren't privy of. The stories in Smoke and Mirrors don't always portray the best in people, but they portray what they find accurately and unflinchingly. From the mother who executes her son's kidnappers to the imprisoned man who kills his captors without even realizing what they are, Benson delves deep into a dangerous psyche and wallows in the blood and madness.

    Seriously, how can you not appreciate that?
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  • Brenchris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Apart from being entertaining, each story has a lesson of its own
    Reviewed in the United States on 22 January 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I am delighted that I chose this book to read. It is a collection of twelve entertaining short stories which cover a variety of genre.. Tom Benson 's style of writing is easy to read and the content of his book is not what you will want to miss. Each story is short and maybe far from sweet, but each has a lesson of its own. I recommend this book to all.
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