Stories that stood out for me were Elvis Lives and Hush Money. In Elvis Lives, we follow three Elvis impersonators that signed a contract they can't get out of. I won't say anymore so as not to ruin the story, but I will say that this story won the Edgar Award for best mystery short story. Hush Money involves Marilyn Monroe and how she "found" her voice, the one that "sounds like she just finished having sex."
There are stories in this collection for all tastes, and all told with such clear mastery of the craft that we all should admire.
As I read each piece, my feelings rose out of my guts, twirled around in my head, and then descended, much like the trajectory of the fireworks that are part of the July 4th celebration in the background of "Macy Is The Other Woman." I experienced delight, surprise, and then dismay at losing the characters when the stories ended.
Rationing the stories (no more than one per day as I commuted to and from work) helped a lot, stretching out the experience. I read slowly, savoring each piece. The women in this collection reminded me of women I have known, women I have wanted to know, and women I have been nervous to get to know. I'm glad for the opportunity to have visited with them all through this collection.
I think anyone who aspires to write short stories should read this book to learn how to construct a story in such a way its seams will be invisible. The stories are polished and perfect. Barrett is skilled at her craft, and this book leaves me wanting more.