REVIEW: Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, R.C. Ryan

In the anthology Down the Rabbit Hole, we are presented with five short stories circling around an Alice in Wonderland theme. How fun, right? Especially considering that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the debut of Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece. What better time for authors J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan to enter that slightly mad world and bring pieces of it forward into their entertaining tales.
 
Here is a breakdown of each one along with a few thoughts on each author’s novella and their contribution to the anthology.
 
Wonderment in Death (In Death #41.5) by J. D. Robb: 

Lieutenant Eve Dallas is at it again when she and her team investigate an apparent murder/suicide. But she knows not to take things at face value after everything she’s seen in her career. Things get weirder when psychics and mediums become the focus of Eve’s investigation, leading her into a world of danger and mystery.

“Beware the Mad Hatter.”
“Who is that? Give me a name.”
“Lies, all lies. All his words, even his name. Dark is his truth. Death is his joy. I sent her to her death. He’ll seek yours now. Beware the Mad Hatter,” she repeated…

I’m sure this will be the fan favorite because, well, it’s J.D. Robb! The futuristic world Eve and her husband Roarke live in is just different enough to keep things interesting. I loved how Eve went into the case in her usual pragmatic manner, with her cynicism shining through. But it felt like she also held out a tiny bit of hope that there was someone else to blame for the deaths aside from the victims who were brother and sister. It may be weird to say this, but once the otherworldly thread of the story got caught up in Eve’s investigation, that’s where the fun–and the madness–really began. I definitely enjoyed this one a lot. 4.5 Stars
 
Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney: 

The Earl of Weston is at a crossroads, trying to determine the best course of action to save his family’s estate from financial ruin. The newly appointed earl is also reeling from a broken heart after Alice Kemp declined his proposal of marriage, citing the scandal shrouding her family would only harm his reputation. But Weston’s prayers may be answered when he is transported through time two hundred years into the future, with Alice by his side, to get a glimpse of what wonders the modern world will hold.

“This wonderland, as you call it, is a cross between shocking and overwhelming. I cannot decide if I am appalled or amazed.”

This time travel historical romance was based around the mysterious powers of a golden coin which first appeared in a previous short story, also in an anthology, Amy and the Earl’s Amazing Adventure. While I loved the idea of it, traveling from 1805 to 2005, I think seeing Weston’s obviously outdated (and sexist) views on the modern world didn’t sit well with me. I tried to take his comments on women with a grain of salt but it was difficult. The romance portion of the story was done quite well, though, with the draw between Weston and Alice believable and evident. The resolution also seemed just right for our characters. 3.5 Stars
 
iLove by Elaine Fox: 

Jeremy Abbott spends a good chunk of his daily life on his phone or any number of electronic devices. He didn’t realize, though, that his lovely girlfriend Macy Serafini felt like she was being ignored. So when Macy decides to break up, Jeremy has no clue why, until he finds himself literally stuck inside his phone at the mercy of taskmaster Queenie Hartz. To find his way back to the woman he loves, he’ll have to figure out where he went wrong and how to be a better man in the future. Without suffering the wrath of Mrs. Hartz along the way.

“I am Queenie Hartz–that’s Mrs. Hartz to you–and I run this place. You’d do best to listen to me or else…”
Her eyes–brows raised, impish smile–demanded that he ask.
“Or else what?” he complied.
“Or else…off with your head!” she crowed.

Imaginative. All of the stories certainly were, but this was a modern day conundrum that many readers will relate to–with an added twist. Jeremy and Macy, boy…they needed some help with their communication skills! I thought author Elaine Fox wrote both character’s inner thoughts honestly and in an extremely realistic manner. I may not have agreed with all of their choices, or the fact that they didn’t really talk things out at first, but I completely got where they were each coming from. And I swear that their HEA was so sweet, it was one of those dramatic moments that kind of takes a reader’s breath away. *happy sigh* 4 Stars
 
A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas: 

IRS agent Elise has been severely hurt in love before. So it’s no wonder that when her current boyfriend Max started getting serious, she panicked. Her friends placated her at first but are trying to push her into getting back with Max, and Elise can’t deal with it. Then a trip to an (evidently) enchanted costume shop turns her life upside down when a mysterious being shows her a glimpse into the good, bad and ugly things she’s done in her life.

His smile was lopsided and lovable. “Elise. We make our own magic, you know that.”

I actually had a fun time reading this short story. It was almost like a combination of Alice in Wonderland meets A Christmas Carol as Elise was taken back to moments in her life where she could have made better choices for herself and those around her. I don’t want to give too much away, but the costumes were an important, and many, many times comical, part of the lessons Elise learned. Self-realization has never been so quirky or enjoyable as in A True Heart. 4 Stars
 
Fallen by R. C. Ryan: 

Beth Campbell keeps her beloved Gram’s stories and words of wisdom always in her heart. Especially once she is forced to live with her harsh, calculating Aunt Darda. With orders to travel to Scotland and ensure Colin Gordon will sign over his family’s estate to Darda’s law firm or lose her job, Beth is determined she can do this. But when she gets a bump on the head after falling on the Scottish roadside and ends up in the sixteenth century where Colin is laird of the lodge, Beth has no idea how she will cope with the unbelievable creatures she sees or the incredible attraction she has for the rugged laird.

“I just need to catch my breath.”
“You may have mine, my lady, for I have no need of anything, even my very breath, without you.”

Loved this one. And not even because it was time travel, or because it was in historical Scotland, or even because of Beth ‘falling down the rabbit hole’ and seeing people turn into animals and back to human again. R.C. Ryan’s masterful writing had me all wrapped up in the crazy love between Beth and Colin. They were genuine characters who had loyal hearts and knew right from wrong. There were some pretty heartbreaking moments in this novella, but the magical ending to their romance had me almost swooning it was so perfect. 5 Stars
 
Down the Rabbit Hole truly has a little bit of something for everyone. With the storylines as varied as they are creative, fans of offbeat fiction will be sure to embrace this collection.
 
 

Book Info:

Publication: September 29th 2015 | Jove |

Some of your favorite New York Times bestselling authors present five all-new stories told through the looking glass—including a new Eve Dallas novella!

You’re late for a very important date…

Enter a wonderland of mesmerizing tales. It’s a place that’s neither here nor there, where things are never quite as they seem. Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, ranging from the impossible to the mad to the curiouser, these stories will have you absolutely off your head.

Don’t be afraid to follow them…

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

Contains

Wonderment in Death by J. D. Robb
Alice and the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
iLove by Elaine Fox
A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
Fallen by R. C. Ryan