Published: Aug. 18, 2011
Words: 84350 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

Nine short stories exploring what might happen when just one tiny detail changes in the lives or ordinary people. Touch of Evil shows the results of a choice taken that may not be the best option available. It answers some questions, like, where do terminating trains go, are shortcuts really all that short? Remember, there is indeed a Touch of Evil in everyone.

Extended description

Touch of Evil is a look at the ‘other’ options in life, the choices we don’t make when faced with a decision. Let’s face it, what happens when you make a choice? Where do all those other options go? We could wax lyrical for ages on the physical and metaphysical manifestations, but Touch of Evil offers us some possible answers.

For example:

What might happen if you took that shortcut instead of waiting in that line of traffic for the accident to be cleared ( Hair Raiser)... (Read more) Touch of Evil is a look at the ‘other’ options in life, the choices we don’t make when faced with a decision. Let’s face it, what happens when you make a choice? Where do all those other options go? We could wax lyrical for ages on the physical and metaphysical manifestations, but Touch of Evil offers us some possible answers.

For example:

What might happen if you took that shortcut instead of waiting in that line of traffic for the accident to be cleared ( Hair Raiser)

Or:

What might happen if – instead of doing the right thing and getting a good nights rest before exams – you spent the night partying, then fell asleep on the train on your way to school (End of the Line)

Or:

What might happen if you found out that maybe you weren’t who you thought you were all your life (My Evil Twin).

Touch of Evil gives us only one of the millions of possible alternatives to these and other choices made, strangely enough, at times at the toss of a coin. Having first been visited by the enigmatic yet tantalising Imogen Assien, we are shown what might happen should the more ‘difficult’ option be exercised.

Each story is complete and whole on its own, but each is linked by the appearance of a copper coin, old and seriously scarred on the heads side. In each story, the coin comes into the lives of the main character by chance (or design, you decide), and the first choice is made. Do they take it or leave it aside. Of course they take it. This then leads to the next choice and at the toss of the proverbial ‘bad penny’ the lives of our heroes are forever changed. Some are humorous, some less than. But each is a viable though, perhaps not wanted, option.

Hopefully these stories will open the readers mind to thinking about the ordinary, everyday choices everyone makes in their day to day lives, and how one small, insignificant act can change the course of their whole existence, even if only for a few hours.

So sit back, relax, feel that coin in your hand. Is it feeling a little rough on one side? Come on, you know you want to. Throw it up in the air.

And remember, there is a touch, and it's just a touch of evil in everyone.
(Less)

Adult-content rating:

This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

horror, short story, speculative fiction, suspense fiction, horror dark fantasy, horror anthology short stories, horror novella, fantasy action, suspense short story

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.

Format	Full Book	Sample First 20%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
Online Reading (JavaScript, experimental, buggy)	Buy	View sample
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
RTF (readable on most word processors)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	Download sample
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Buy	Download sample
Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting)	Buy	No sample available
Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page)	Buy	No sample available

Reviews

Log-in to write a Review   Log-in to add a Video Review

Review by: Lady Rosalie Skinner on Sep. 08, 2011 :
A Touch of Evil brings us a selection of speculative fiction that will satisfy the discerning reader. Barry Simiana manages to enthrall, puzzle, mesermize and thrill in his collection of short stories with a wickedly clever theme.
I recommend reading A Touch of Evil... with nine different 'what if...' scenarios your entertainment is guarenteed.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Reason for report:
— Select a reason — Book is or contains spam Book infringes copyright Same content is published elsewhere with different author (for ex., by private-label rights) Duplicate Incomplete work (such as sample or serial) Should be marked adults-only Category is inappropriate Poorly formatted Nudity or other inappropriate content on cover Nudity or other inappropriate visual content in book Inappropriate erotica content Cover image is improper Content is inappropriate Other violation of Terms of Service Other reason not shown above.

Additional details: