A View from Memory Hill by Paul Toolan is a fascinating collection of short stories, twelve in all, each written from the perspective of protagonists who are in their ‘golden years’ – facing both the ravages time has wreaked upon bodies and minds as well as the feelings of disconnection from the hectic pace of the present day. I love short stories, and these are gems – well written, with wonderful dialog and quintessentially ‘English’ characters and situations.
All these stories are good but my two favorites are “A Bag for Life” and “And the Next Train is…” In a “Bag for Life” we find a touching portrayal of relationship and faithfulness that outlasts the limits of physical life. In “And the Next Train is…” the author gives us an unusual quirky take on the subject of ‘passing of the torch’ from one generation to the next. The exposition of hard-won wisdom in the form of an irrepressible enigmatic crone whose ‘chance’ encounter with a young man on the verge of entering full adulthood, turns him from his path into a wonderful new adventure.

At the end of this fine work, we are treated to a short Zig Batten story! This was wholly unexpected and delightful. For those who have not yet discovered Mr. Toolan’s irreverent, hardboiled Detective Inspector Batten I would urge you to immediately make his acquaintance in “A Killing Tree” You will thank me! Overall I gave this collection a rating of five stars and very well deserved. - 5 Star Review Amazon