Five Stories Short is an anthology of five short stories by Karen Black. After being recently released from prison, a clairvoyant returns home to discover a malicious entity that seeks to kill her daughter through her grandson. With the help of a witch and two cats, she must lay a trap for the spirit. When the protector of a small community of magical creatures passes away, a young woman must take over the role. After her husband falls into a coma, a real-estate agent survives the schemes of two nefarious criminals with some unexpected help. A couple's camping trip takes a darker turn after a visit to an old Victorian mansion. Two ghosts rescue a new theater owner from the untoward advances of a sleazy actor and his wicked plans.

Get your dose of drama with Karen Black's enthralling collection. Five Stories Short is soaked in mystery, suspense, and a good sprinkling of the paranormal. Each tale in this collection hooks you in from the very first page and manages to take you by surprise toward the end, either through an unexpected twist or a shocking reveal. Black maintains a gripping narrative throughout these tales, using fantastical and supernatural elements to enrich the stories in a way that brings tension, mystery, and intrigue to the pages. I enjoyed them all, but "The Legacy" and "Laughing Hills" were my favorites from the bunch. If you're a fan of supernatural or paranormal fiction, this is the short story collection you've been looking for. Highly recommended.

Five Stories Short by Karen Black is a captivating collection for fans of supernatural fiction, mystery, and suspense. Lydia makes a huge sacrifice to protect her daughter, Ava. But danger still looms over her small family. Lydia's grandson, Graham, inherits her abilities as a psychic. Can they save Ava from a malevolent spirit? Leo wants to acquire the family property and find a hidden treasure. He doesn't believe that Laughing Hills Estate is inhabited only by humans. Bianca is a real estate agent. She tries to close an important deal with a client named Tom Gladden. Yet something is off with Tom's interest in a barn. Bianca senses danger, but a mysterious stranger looks after her. Brian and Tammy buy figurines of a raven and a lion from a collector. Will these talismans bring them luck? Carolyn owns an old haunted theater in Pennsylvania. Someone scares her in a dark parking lot after the performance. Charlie, Carolyn's annoying admirer, offers help. Can he protect Carolyn?

The tales in Karen Black's Five Stories Short often begin with a startling disclosure that sets the mood for the narration. Laughing Hills is a compelling blend of fantasy and crime drama. The author shows how responsibility and acceptance withstand greediness and infamy. The Legacy touches on the importance of the family, mutual support, and compassion toward our four-legged friends. I like The Legacy the most, thanks to the strong female characters with Lydia and her friend Jen among them. Mommy, Look! is a moving story of hope and commitment that brought tears to my eyes more than once. In The Ancient Ones, Karen urges us to be careful with whom we trust. The Last Act shares the dark secrets we may find behind the scenes. Karen explores how far the limits of our dedication to the theatrical world can stretch. Every story in this collection has something to offer an astute reader.