Stations: A Collection Of Short Stories Inspired By The Overground – Book Review

Given that Boris celebrated the completion of the London’s Overground’s encircling of the capital earlier this week, it was entirely appropriate that a new book, ‘Stations‘, should land on my desk for a review.

stations book review arachne press‘Stations’, edited by Cherry Potts, is a collection of short stories whose common theme is the London Overground’s destinations – twenty five tales are gathered between its covers, set in locations ranging from Highbury & Islington in the north to Crystal Palace in the south.

The first story deals with the odd Inspector Bucket and a rather safe account of his uncovering of a group of petty thieves stealing from commuters on the line, but things get more colourful as you delve deeper into the book – the colourful streets of Dalston are immediately recognisable in ‘Moving Mike’ and Haggerston (or is it?) gets an other-wordly treatment in ‘Platform Zero’.

As the Overground exits the southbound tunnel under the Thames the tone of the tales changes – a dangerous relationship is rekindled in ‘Beetle, set in Wapping, a very gloomy Canada Water is recreated in ‘No Prob At Canada Water’, and the apparitions of Crystal Palace loom large in ‘She Didn’t Believe In Ghosts’.

‘Stations’ is certainly an eclectic group of stories, but I enjoyed every one – well-written and engaging stuff. I imagine that it would be ideal for dipping in and out of while you’re passing the time between Kensal Rise and Clapham Junction…

‘Stations’ is published by Arachne Press and can be found in all the usual spots – right now on Amazon you can pick it up for £9.89.