New short fiction writer Timothy Patrick does something spectacular in To Make a Long Story Short: he blends humor, drama, and suspense in a tightly wrought script that secures his place as a master observer and storyteller. Written as an everyman collection, his highly accessible prose is sharp, intelligent, and sublime. Beginning with "Woe Is Me," he gives powerful insight into being grateful when one is looking at the big picture of life. What follows is a literary foursome that sings with energy, charm, and wit. Whether it is the fearlessness of "The Final Tip" or the bite of "Baker's Dozen," he creates believable-and unbelievable-characters in one fell swoop. Rounding out this literary quartet, hails "Nothing Much to Write Home About," which features a widely diverse collection of individuals fleeing Nazi Germany. From rehab in the Adirondacks, to a woman who discovers a unique way to heal others, these narratives offer a little something for everyone.