I first encountered the works of Richard Paolinelli in the Anthology Cracked An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories edited by Bokerah Brumley, in 2020. And that story appears in this collection. Since that first story, I have read work by Richard 40 times. The stories in this collection span years of writing, and encompasses numerous genres and styles. That being said they are great stores. And between this and the companion Volume II we have all of Richard’s publishes stories (outside his Sherlock pastiches) and a few new works see print for the first time.
The description of this volume states:
“Dreams of the Storyteller by Richard Paolinelli gathers the imaginative short stories of his Dreams of the Storyteller series into a definitive two-volume collection.
From the far reaches of space—where desperate missions to Mars go awry, polar shifts strand survivors on the Moon, and humanity faces extinction-level threats or alien invitations that may doom Earth—to haunted lodges where the living confront the departed, post-apocalyptic landscapes stalked by the undead, tense hunts for serial killers, and even a hilarious barnyard parody of interstellar epics, these tales span classic science fiction, supernatural mystery, thriller, and unexpected humor.
Paolinelli, an award-winning author and former sportswriter whose works include Dragon Award finalist Escaping Infinity, delivers tightly crafted stories that draw readers in with vivid characters, high-stakes dilemmas, and the classic storytelling flair of mid-century speculative fiction, while adding modern twists of sacrifice, survival, friendship, and the thin line between life and what lies beyond.
Whether exploring the last human on a dying world, a War of the Worlds-style invasion in the American West, ghostly “fixers,” or time-traveling pirate crews, this two-volume set offers a rich tapestry of dreams that linger long after the final page—perfect for fans of imaginative short fiction who crave wonder, chills, and the occasional laugh.”
The stories in this volume are:
Spinster’s Manor
The Sorceress Curses
The Medallion
The Last Hunt
A State Of Revenge
Memory Island
Death On The Range
Far Away
The Guardian
Most of these stories is available as an individual eBook. They are collected here and available as an eBook or in print direct from the publisher. I have yet to work through the complete canon of Paolinelli’s back catalogue but have been working my way through it. It was wonderful to resist these stories. I enjoyed them the first time I read them so much I wrote an overview of the series. This new collection of the 15 stories in a single collection is excellent, and almost half of them are new stories.
I love that each of these stories is preceded by the story behind it. They are well worth reading and I highly recommend them.
This story has a different plot that took me by surprise. With how much I read that is saying something. There were several occasions while reading 12 of the other stories in this collection, where I almost started this one. But I kept putting it off. This story involves a ghost hunter’s type crew from a show called Haunted America looking for disappearing staircases in a national park. The head ranger, District Ranger Blanchard tries to dissuade them. Their leader is Larry Kincaid, and he is supposed to be the brains of the outfit. Vicki Grace is his co-host and Randy Phillips is the cameraman and tech crew.
But Larry has a plan, and his picked a few locations to check out. Unfortunately for the three of them he plotted correctly. And with disastrous consequences. To Find out what befalls them you will need to read this chilling tale.
This story took me by surprise. A little bit supernatural, in part a ghost story. It is about friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and life after death. It is a story that will stay with readers. I find myself still thinking about it days after reading it.
This is a great short story. It draws you in quickly, it keeps your attention. The main character is excellently written. The plot will surprise you. I look forward to the other stories in this series and many of Richard’s other series.
This is a dark and disturbing story, especially once we start putting all the pieces together. It is a chilling tale for mature readers. And having read both stories that contain this surprising character, I can only hope there will be more.
This is another great short story from Paolinelli’s masterful pen. It really took me by surprise and I had a pretty good idea who the surprise character was going to be. I can easily recommend this story for mature readers!
Judas is given a mission by the Pope, it is delivered in person by the Camerlengo, Cardinal John E. Konecsni in person. The bishop of Luna, Bishop Joseph Igwe, was surprised by the mission of the Camerlengo, and the hermit he was here to visit. The story begins on Armstrong City, Moon Base Alpha, 2117, Cardinal John E. Konecsni is there to begin an investigation of the Diocese on Mars. He is there to task The Jesuit with this mission. Traveling under the name Brother Julian, he soon realizes thing are in fact dire on the red planet. And The Jesuit must face off with an old foe. To find out more you will need to read this excellent story.
Spinster’s Manor
An intriguing story. Set just before Thanksgiving in 1868 Tessa Palmquist, a 25 year old spinster had a traveling house guest. A mister William Charles Aspinwall III. Aspinwall does not appear to be a nice character and has unsavoury plans. But Tessa has plans of her own. A dark horror story with some real bite. Or should I say nibbles. Read and find out.
The Sorceress Curses
The author describes it as a mash up of Ladyhawke and Lord of the Rings lite, and it is a good description. It is an intense and moving story. And they are willing to take great risks for a valued reward. Weary traveller named Rodrym Maglar arrives in the village of Tenaxx driving a covered wagon. He seeking out Arexnar, a renowned wizard. Trying to end a curse of opposing slumbers. Does it work, read and find out.
The Medallion
Something things are worth far more than they appear. And some things come with a bigger price than ever expected. In this story we encounter both scenarios and for the same object. A thief gets far more than they bargained for. And has a very hard decision to make. An excellent story. Would love to see it expanded into a novel there is so much that could be done in this world and with this story.
A previous edition had the subtitle “The Dyson's Comet Killer” which reveals a bit more about the story. This story starts with an event at the Golden Gate Bridge and then jumps back in time. I loved the sequence in the story about the Motorcycle Bandit, would love to see that expanded into a full story itself. The main story is a hunt for a serial killer. The lack of clues gives Bolton a clue and sharing that hunch changes everything.
This is the most intense of the stories I have read in this collection. It draws you in and though you see a train wreck coming you just cannot look away. By the ends you will understand the beginning and feel the same sense of loss as characters in the story.
The Last Hunt
Written three years before Covid they story could almost be prophetic. Far in the future most humans live in walled mega cities. In North America there is groups is smaller independent cities. A plague rips through The Walled Cities, some escape, they are a threat to all of humanity. This story follows the last hunter tracking for the last kill. An intense read!
A State Of Revenge
It was interesting to return to Paolinelli’s handling of Churchill. A story of revenge and maybe by the end regret. A secret mission that is intended to send a message but without harm to humans. But things do not go as planned. Historic fiction at its best.
Memory Island
You wake up on a desert island with no memory, not even your name. There are several bodies and 1 other survivor. You do what needs to be done to survive and have a plan. But then a mysterious chest floats towards shore, And things are never the same. A great little story tightly written. Would love to see other stories with the main character.
Death On The Range
The shortest offering in the collection. Written as flash fiction and under 1100 words. But does it ever leave you wanting more. A great story with a nice twist at the end.
This is a hilarious story and a mush up parody of some many fandoms. It is well written. It will have you laughing out loud. Join Brooster on his training regime. Be thrilled by his first battle with the hound dog. And watch as he loves ‘when a plan comes together’ to go after the four legged farm animals and the Evil lord the old farmer.
At the end of the volume it states:
Coming Soon - BARN WARS 2: The Hare Menace
It has been a few years and we have not seen it yet. But after how much fun this story was, I can hope we someday see it in print. It was fitting that this was the last story in the series I read as it was my introduction of Richard’s work.
Far Away
Originally published under the pen name Lucca DeJardins. I had read and reviewed this not knowing it was a pen name. This was a fantastic read right from the get go. I was hooked very early on and as the story progressed appreciated the skill and craft in writing this story even more. Novels give you a lot of room to tell a story, but short stories and novellas are a very different creature. Not all people who write novels can write novellas, or short stories. But this story is masterfully written. The characters are amazing. The plot is engaging, intense and deeply moving. In some ways the story reminds me of some of Frank Herbert’s non Dune stories, or some of the stories of Alfred Bester. The writing is tight, clean and crisp.
The Guardian
I have picked up several of the Fantastic Middle Schools Anthologies over the last few years. But Have yet to read them. This appeared in the volume Wisecraft. It is an interesting story. Feels like a mashup of A Wizard of Earthsea and Potter. It is a short story that sets the stage. I cannot help but wonder where Paolinelli would take it in future works. An excellent little story.
I read this collection thus rereading these stories over a long weekend. Reading some of the stories was like a visit with long lost friends. Some were more like nightmares revisited. All were great reads! Writing short fiction is a very different skill that writing novels. Paolinelli is a master of both; trust me. So I encourage you to pick up this collection and the companion volume and you will be in for some very entertaining reads! I guarantee it.
A Tribute To H.G. Wells (2019 Edition)
Holmes Away From Home, Vol. 2
Sherlock Holmes Adventures In The Realms Of H.G. Wells
