With each twist of the knife, a chilling new journey begins ...From a woman intent on bizarre revenge, to a restaurant critic with a morbid fear of the number thirteen; and from a man arranging a life-changing assignation, to a couple heading for a disaster-filled vacation... In Peter James' collection of short stories we first come to meet Brighton's finest detective, Roy Grace, and read the tale that went on to inspire James' hugely successful novel, Dead Simple. James exposes the Achilles heel of each of his characters, and makes us question how well we can trust ourselves, and one another. Each tale carries a twist that will haunt readers for days after they turn the final page. This volume combines every tale from the ebook bestsellers Short Shockers One and Short Shockers Two, with all-new material.

12 Bolingbroke Avenue -- Number thirteen -- Just two clicks -- Dead on the hour -- Virtually alive -- Meet me at the crematorium -- Venice aphrodisiac -- Time rich -- Christmas is for the kids -- When your number's up -- Like you -- Smoking kills -- The stamp of a criminal -- A very sexy revenge -- The knock -- Dream holiday -- A Christmas tradition -- Companionship -- My first ghost -- Two minutes -- Gifts in the night -- Ghost painting -- Timing is everything -- Art class -- Dream wife -- A dead simple plan -- Sun over the yard arm -- You'll never forget my face -- Santa drops in -- Crossed lines.