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About the Author: Carlos Orsi is Brazilian writer with three short story collections and two novels published in Portuguese. In English, his work has appeared in Mystery Weekly, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Crypt of Cthulhu and in the anthologies Rehearsals for Oblivion (Elder Signs Press), War Stories (Apex), Tales of the Wold Newton Universe (Titan) and 'Swords v. Cthulhu' (Stone Skin).
“Stolen?” Samantha’s eyes were wide with surprise, but the corners of her mouth trembled with mirth.
“Don’t laugh”, Roberto begged, dejected. “The thing is bad enough as it is.”
“How?”
“Taken from the locked safe inside the locked vault of the locked museum. It is uncanny.”
“But a frog?”
He shrugged. “Well, it is a herpetology collection, after all.”
“And you just found it out because …”
“Because Luiz wanted to see it before going ahead with the trial.”
She made a face, stabbing a small red sausage with a green plastic toothpick. They were at a new lounge bar, one that had only recently opened for business. The service was lousy: the pickled sausages they’d ordered as appetizers had arrived after they’d finished the main course. As a silver lining, that course, steaks with onions and mushrooms, had been superb.
“Don’t call it a ‘trial’. You are being dramatic.”
He looked annoyed.
“What else am I supposed to call it?”
“By its proper name. Research Ethics Committee meeting.”
“A meeting convened to judge me!”
Her brown eyes, the color of dark honey, sparkled.
“To evaluate your conduct.”
I am very selective in stories that I read - and if I am not immediately interested, I will not read at all. But this story captivated my interest from the first word - and kept me interested till I finished reading the story. This story is entertaining, well-written, with an unusual plot twist - I really enjoyed it! Especially I am delighted that a lady solved the riddle!
Wonderful. I like to learn new things about people, places and things when I read a mystery. Refreshing puzzle solved!
Great story! Love a riddle with a twist - and this had a very clever one.
Good one - interesting'hook' and kept me reading. I enjoyed learning a little something and also liked that the girlfriend figured it out! I'll watch for more stories by Carlos Orsi.
Great read. I love short stories and this one was especially good with a twist I never saw coming. Thanks.
The tale was interesting because of the "frog." However, it didn't grab me like many of the other mysteries I've read here. I found myself a trifle bored and the ending did not leave me "gasping." Well written though for sure.
Wonderful storytelling. A dead amphibian brings a story to life! I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing. More please!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, Excellent scene and character description.
I enjoyed this story so much. I loved how the dialogue moved the story along without seeming contrived. And the story itself was refreshingly unique.
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