Elizabeth Hand is one of those veteran authors that genre aficionados know and appreciate but who has never made it completely into the mainstream. Honestly, this is a big shame, because every single book by her is a professionally written world of its own - well crafted, well researched, always with an extra mile beyond the ordinary story line. Her Locus and Shirley Jackson nominated latest book Curious Toys is no different; it combines elements of historical fiction, crime fiction and horror in a way that will keep you up at night turning the pages. I for my part enjoyed reading it so much that I carefully rationed the pages so that I wouldn't devour it within a couple of days in my haste and in order to prolong my enjoyment. Truth is, this isn't only a book. This is a captivating time capsule that will carry you away to the early 20th century and that definitely lives up to its title! It's August 1915 and the Riverview Amusement Park in Chicago features many curiosit...