With their shocking twists, the nine stories in this expanded second edition are reminiscent of TV's "Tales of the Unexpected" and the short stories of Patricia Highsmith. In the grisly tale of "The Mincer"; and in other stories, events don't turn out as planned. The enterprising Spare Child dares to defy the cruel laws of a future age of baby cloning. In "Take Fright", Alison finds herself being chased breathlessly through Surrey woodland after taking her dog for a walk at a fairground. And in "The Time of Her Life", bored housewife Rita dreams of a happy new life, as does little Susie in "A Sting in the Tale". But their dreams inexorably become nightmares . . .