Smith, Charlie. Crystal River: Three Novellas. Linden: Simon & Schuster. Sept. 1991. c.271p. ISBN 0-671-70530-X. $20
[FICTION]

Here are three quirky novellas from the author of Lives of the Dead (LJ 8/90) and Shine Hawk (LJ 10/1/88). Exploring the dark side of nature, "Storyville" tells of a lawyer in search of his past, accompanied by a woman unsure of her present. "Crystal River" chronicles a strange canoe trip confounded by sexual shenanigans, while "Tinian" tells of the dark, obsessive sides to family relationships. Unfortunately, the stories are so similar that they could almost run together. Smith's writing stresses setting over depth and plot development, and the reader feels no emotion toward the stories' characters. With the possible exception of "Tinian," Smith fails to excite with his overuse of plodding prose. Disappointing; not a necessary purchase.

Kevin M. Roddy, Oakland Public Library, California