"Second Thoughts On The Ledge" is a continuation of Hamilton's distinctive dark and witty style, this time in the form of nine short stories varying in length from four novellas to stories of less than ten pages. Zombies, Superheroes, Post-Apocalyptic America, Philanderers ... there's something in this book for everyone and no one should put it down unsatisfied.

Ben Strickland is a disgruntled factory worker whose life is going down the tubes before his eyes. He dreams of becoming a successful writer, but when fortune finally smiles upon him, it comes at a cost. The secret of his success? Murder. Dead Men's Tales is a 92,000 word novel, the story of Ben Strickland's transformation from a lowly machine operator to a critically acclaimed writer. Simultaneously, it is the story of his transformation from a surly blue collar worker to a deranged sociopath. One day, when Ben's frustrations at the factory where he works finally boil over and he snaps on a co-worker, he is forced into therapy at his employer's insistence. There, he is prescribed a relatively new mood-altering drug. This drug, combined with painkillers and his typical over-indulgence of alcohol, causes Ben to have hallucinations-- namely, his dog, Bruno, begins speaking to him and suggesting that he commit murder. In a blackout, Ben does just this and to his surprise, the next day he is offered a deal on his first book. He recognizes the pattern, kills again and another of his books is published. He follows this formula for success as he spirals into madness. Detective Dave Hellman is assigned to the case and seeks to put a stop to the quickly-expanding list of missing people in Montrose, Indiana, becoming Ben's nemesis. As Hellman puts together the pieces of the puzzle and begins to suspect Ben of the murders, Ben sets his sights on the detective and his girlfriend, Penny, leading to a fiery climax.

When Tara Light flees from the fundamentalist compound in which she was raised and finds love with a Hollywood actor, her dreams seem to be coming true-- until her former cult's leader decides to kidnap her and hold her for ransom at the expense of her wealthy new beau. A Simple, Ordinary Life is an 87,000 word novel that is a tale of worlds colliding-- specifically, Hollywood and a religious fundamentalist compound. A Simple, Ordinary Life follows Greg Steel who is Hollywood's preeminent action star. He has grown jaded with Hollywood and his lack of opportunities to play substantive roles. When he becomes smitten with a mysterious young girl named Tara, he begins to rediscover happiness. As their relationship develops, Tara confesses that she has recently fled from a cult called Haven Rock, of which she had been a member since birth. When paparazzi photos of the couple posted on the internet find their way to the desk of Delroy Black, the corrupt head of Haven Rock, he immediately recognizes the opportunity to cash in on Steel's wealth by kidnapping the girl and ransoming her back to the action star. When Black and Steel finally meet, it becomes unclear whether the action hero will pay the ransom or recreate the roles he so frequently plays on the silver screen in real life and play it tough.