Quote: From what I gather, A.M. Homes is known for being a provocative writer. And her debut short story collection certainly confirms this: ten disturbing tales that explore the dark side of middle-class, suburban life - the American nightmare that dares to capsize the American dream.

All of the stories have the most unsettling, ominous tone. Children engage in acts you would hope they know nothing about, their innocence long lost. Bored adults present a sunny facade to the outside world, but turn to debauchery behind closed doors. It is all quite depraved and perverse.

Two stories stood out, making me gasp at just how far they dared to go. Esther in the Night is an unflinchingly honest account of a mother's life with her paraplegic son. And in Slumber Party, the parents of a preteen are blissfully unaware of what is going on in the sleepover taking place in their basement.

I found the collection to be a little uneven, straining too hard to shock at times. And I know Homes can do better because I have read the magnificent May We Be Forgiven. However, when these stories work they are quite enthralling: subversive, twisted visions of lives that surely exist, but we don't like to talk about.