This collection of short stories features some author names known to me and some previously not; a fun mix. DANGEROUS GAMES features original speculative fiction stories, on the theme of games - which we all play, from sudoku to cards, or roleplaying games. Some of these stories are not about people we'd like. That's okay, because they get what they deserve from losing or winning.

South Mountain, by archetypal modern Irish fantasy author Paul Kearney, features a band of American Civil War re- enactors; this is their game, and the battle of South Mountain in West Virginia is the board. Black doctor Avery is four generations removed from slavery, and curiosity moves him to try the activity, camping out with period gear the night before the anniversary of the battle. Something changes overnight, though, and the men wake to the sounds of artillery and musketry. This is a splendid tale, rich with setting detail and filled with ordinary men in an extraordinary time.

The Game Changer by Libby McGuigan follows two parents desperate to save the life of their son, even if it means using nanotechnology to fight the spreading illness in his body. Adam has created a jungle computer game for little Max to play, since he can't run around; a spot of hacking into a university medical programme should not be beyond his skills.

Gary Northfield has contributed a wryly humorous comic strip asking why so many people prefer violent action wargames to other forms of entertainment.

Many of the stories are pretty dark, some outright horror, and this will suit other people better than it suits me. However I reckon the stories above are worth the price of the book. DANGEROUS GAMES is for adult readers who like to ask what if. Jonathan Oliver has also edited horror collections such as End Of The Line based around London's Underground, the Metro and other below-ground locations.