The Dimension Next Door

I preface this review with a note that I've really only read three of the stories. They were the stories by Steven E Schend, Anton Strout, and Nina Hoffman. I purchased this book with the intention to read only "Unreadable" and ended up reading the other two as well (I may get to rest, but only time will tell). Steven's story is fabulous and the idea that some books were meant to not be read is always amusing. Anton gave me new perspective on Ben Franklin that I never would have considered before. And Nina's stories are generally treats. I would purchase this book for just any of the three listed above, but the fact that you get them all together just sweetens the deal.

Although readers would expect the thirteen contributions by a strong group of authors would be so similar the tales would trip over each other; as how many thin veils and portals can there be. Instead the writers provided numerous "gateways" with many interpretations to what is and how to enter THE DIMENSION NEXT DOOR. Donald J. Bingle uses the net; Lillian Stewart Carlisle's protagonist travels into the past; Fiona Paton's young hero serves two Queen Elizabeth's; one in the sixteenth century and the other starting in 1953. Whether it is a different Ben Franklin (by Anton Stout) or just "Unreadable books by Steven Schend, the path next door varies. Thus this themed anthology turns into a fresh enjoyable collection as the authors escort readers through thirteen different doors; the right number of tales for a collection based on unexplained phenomena teasing and frightening our senses probably leaking from across the other side. Harriet Klausner