The stories in this anthology don't all seem to stick closely to the Death part of the title, though the vacation carries right across. All are well-written, most by authors of note, I find this book worth reading.
The stories include:
Two Blondes by Charlaine Harris is a short story in which Sookie and Pam are ordered by Eric's superior to visit an out of town gentleman's club called Blonde to negotiate with its owner. Needless to say, things don't go as expected.
The Boys Go Fishing by Sarah Smith is a story of Bill Green, superhero in hiding who wants nothing more than to die. His friends are gone, his wife is gone and he lives like a hermit. Occasionally, he guides folks who wish to go ice fishing. One day, a strange young woman comes, asking for a favor. He says he'll agree, but only if one of the people in her group will kill him.
One For The Money by Jeaniene Frost is the tale of Cat and Bones who attempt to save the life of a young heiress beset with many suspicious accidents. Her cousin would benefit from her death, so they seek him out, all the time protections the spoiled young girl with the help of a ghost and Cat's mother.
Meanwhile, Far Across the Caspian Sea by Daniel Stashower takes us into the life of a young journalist, Jeff who works as a fact checker for a company that churns out un-ending series of books on all sorts of different subjects. He envisions making a long-term career at the company, but comes across a difficult coworker who poses an interesting challenge.
The Innsmouth Nook by A. Lee Martinez tells us about Phillip and Vance who open a bed and breakfast in a tiny costal town. There are some problems, though. The atmosphere in the area is a bit eerie; the townsfolk are decidedly odd. And the tourist business isn't at all what they thought it would be.
Safe and Sound, by Jeff Abbott begins with Nora Dare, a rabid reporter who is determined to bring Jason Kirk home to his parents! after he went missing during a tropical vacation. The parents and the police force and citizenry of the island are growing increasingly angry at her tactics, but she refuses to let the story go.
Seeing is Believing by L. A. Banks starts in Port Arthur, Texas. Jessica is chatting with the elderly Sheriff, or rather, he is telling her that she sould get out of there and go, as he believes that she deserves better than the way she is living now. He knows that she has the sight like her mother did before her, but when she tells him that the bodies turning up there were dumped there by werewolves, he gets a little dubious. Little does she know, a short trip to New Orleans will change the way she deals with the situation before her.
The Perils of Effrijim by Katie MacAlister sees Newfoundland dog shaped demon Effrijim on a vacation apart from Guardian Aisling Grey, his demon-lord. Just as he was about to leave for Paris to see his beloved Welsh Corgi Cecile, he is betrayed and sent to Akasha where he meets Titania, a nymph with revenge on her mind. Can he aid her and make it to Paris to see his doggie girlfriend?
Thin Walls by Christopher Golden explores a night in a California hotel. While Tim is on a pilgrimage, of sorts, the sound of a headboard banging against the wall of the next room let him know that some couple is getting over zealously busy. When he meets the woman the next day, she has some surprises in store for him.
The Heart is Always Right by Lilith Saintcrow: a gargoyle saves an Evilmart checkout girl from the forces of darkness, as she leaves work for the day and is attacked by strange creatures. In the process, he realizes that she is marked by the Heart, a force of good, and that he must now deliver her to his brethren in Paris, as the Heart requires.
The Demon in the Dunes by Chris Grabenstein involves a summer at the shore, when 16 year old Dave smokes his first cigarette and gets to second base with a bikini-clad college girl. This is a bit of a ghost story.
Home from America, by Sharan Newman: the O'Reillys are invited to a family gathering back in Ireland, where their family originated. The younger members are in for some surprises, as they find their parents haven't told them everything about their heritage that they needed to know.
Pirate Dave's Haunted Amusement Park by Toni L. P. Kelsner starts as a young woman, changed into a werewolf against her will is being courted by local packs in an attempt to get her to join them. Wearied by their incessant attention, she decides to take a vacation back to an old favorite spot from her youth. What she finds when she gets there is a puzzle, waiting to be solved.
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