Concise in expression, the short stories in this book cover a wide range of subjects. As an experienced journalist, Verity Donovan has mastered the art of clear, succinct writing and captures the reader’s interest from the very first line. Three of the stories in this collection, aptly entitled Briefly Shorts, are set in the author’s beloved Yorkshire during the thirties and the Second World War. Dementia, old age and homosexuality all get an airing, interspersed with a light-hearted look at personalities as a whole. Three of the stories have been read out on the BBC.