Sharp Exits is a science fiction and fantasy short story collection from writer PJ Reynolds where characters come to endings or change where they control their fate, or not. The settings range widely from Mystery and artificial intelligence/AI & Robots to Space and Romance, and there's even a cat. Five short stories are included as follows:
Haunted Eye of Blister Tom tells of a man who has had troubled sleep and wakeful hours for as long as he can remember. The reasons why are held tight until one prayerful day. The truth must be kept until the last.
Breathless Life wonders what happens to choice and independence when gadgets are monitoring all. Technology may lead to cultural shift for each generation but will it always satisfy what we most deeply need?
Shades of Isolation finds a young man and woman face an age-old problem while working in a training base for off-world colonies. While helping to push frontiers, they find lines must be drawn. But it may already be too late. Only drinks in a bar might tell.
Big Bob's BBQ on Blasted Isle knows the universe is a big place with possibilities for all to fit and find fortune. Even Big Bob, an outsized worker who unexpectedly turns up to serve on the orbital terraforma grader, Naughty Lush, where he soon proves his worth. But with a payday looming for the tight crew, the newcomer could find himself out of place and running out of time. All he knows is when building the final frontier, rewards come to those who play their cards right.
Hurrah for Mr Piddles sees kids having great fun in a secret place where they play. But out of sight isn't always out of mind, especially from a feline focus. Can a cat become king of the games? Only if an uninvited moggy knows how to deal with trouble.
