Roald Dahl is known in equal measure as an exquisute writer of children's fiction and as a writer of brilliant short stories with a twist in the tail aimed at the adult market. This collection is just about the definitive collection of the latter of these two of Dahl's endeavours. All the favourites such as Lamb To The Slaughter, A Dip In The Pool and The Hitch-hiker are there together with several less well known offerings. In all, there are 51 short stories in this collection. The tales all explore some of the more interesting, though not necessarily pleasant elements of humanity. Revenge, jealousy, creating misfortune, greed and envy all feature highly and Dahl's style is to inject black humour and irony. There is uncertainty with every story whether it will be the protagonist or the antagonist who emerges from the story the more triumphant. One thing is certain however, the reader is compelled to read on and on and enjoy every minute of the intricate weaving of Dahl's writing.