Speaking of Greed: Stories of Envious Desire »

The second volume in the Seven Deadly Sins Series, Speaking of Greed is a collection of short stories on the destructive and deadly sin of greed. In addition to being the title of this anthology, "Speaking of Greed," is also the title of Lawrence Block's original novella that he has written for this first-rate collection. "My task as an anthologist in this series," Block writes in the introduction, "is threefold: First, I have to pick the stories; then I have to write a longish novella with my four series characters, whom we know only as the priest, the doctor, the soldier, and the policeman; finally, I have to hammer out an introduction." The stories Block has chosen are apropos. His novella is highly satisfying. And the introduction is a heads-up appeal to authors to ensure that their work will continue to be read after they are no longer around to write any more. A compelling anthology, Speaking of Greed will not only entertain but will give you pause to ruminate on that ruinous sin known as greed.