A Thousand Doors: An Anthology of Many Lives

A fascinating premise lifts this excellent anthology compiled by Thriller Award winner Ellison (The Cold Room), whose opening story, “The Day She Died,” introduces Mia Jensen, who’s assessing the decisions she has made that have led her to a frightening point in her life. “At 8:03 this evening, the seesaw of Mia’s years of could have, should have, would have, did finally collided. The day Mia Jensen died, she finally got to live.” The 15 well-crafted stories from other contributors that follow all provide thoughtful, elegantly realized alternatives for Mia’s life. Many contain an element of crime. Murder plays a part in Heather Gudenkauf’s “The Primatologist,” Catherine McKenzie’s “The Lawyer,” and Rebecca Drake’s “The Archaeologist.” Others are crime-free but just as engrossing, such as Alisha Klapheke’s “The Senator’s Wife,” Lisa Patton’s “The News Anchor,” and Patti Callahan Henry’s “The Singer/Songwriter.” This volume not only provides great pleasure but also offers readers the opportunity to sample the work of first-class writers who may be new to them. (Nov.)