The 38 short stories in this companion volume to 2008's Where Angels Fear
mostly demonstrate that Rand is less successful with humor than with more serious fantasy and science fiction. The most notable tale is Rand's homage to Roald Dahl, “Good Neighbors,” in which warring women make common cause after a flying saucer crashes on their shared property line. Rand does not lack for ambition; in “The Waiting Game,” Jesus is targeted by a racist California cop who has just gunned down a robber attempting to give himself up. Unfortunately, the story, framed by a heavenly poker game, doesn't come together. Others are mostly extended jokes with predictable punch lines. Intended to amuse more than provoke thought, most of these stories do neither. (Nov.)
