This is another fantastic, eclectic mix of short stories about ‘life’s rich pageant’ where a vista of interesting characters become involved in murder, politics, family rivalry and space travel. Most of the pieces have been previously performed as original plays or sketches, some notably at the Edinburgh Fringe and are here reproduced in short story form. In the first story, ‘A Bitter Pill’, enjoy the funny exchanges in between the ex-army colonel and the hotel receptionist and the distraught, ailing businessman as the colonel is convinced the hotel is a cover for battalion headquarters. ‘A Trip to the Sperm Bank’ is a rather risqué story of indeed a trip to a sperm bank and a misunderstanding that has a somewhat shocking denouement. Like the very best of short stories, and in keeping with Kevin’s previous publication, ‘Do Angels Have Birthdays?’, there is a delicious, unexpected denouement to compete each story. Three of the stories, ‘Who Poisoned the Poisoner?’, ‘Who Killed the Nastiest Man on Earth’ and ‘Murder on the Bounty’ are original murder mysteries are an interesting test of the reader’s detective qualities. Enjoy them all!