My 5-Star review in entirety posted at Amazon for 'Tales by an Idiot' by Joseph Ferguson:

Far from signifying nothing—what the author alludes to in a quote from ‘Macbeth’: Act 5, Scene 5, for the derivation of his book title—this short story collection exudes intelligence on every page. And, I suppose Ferguson is counting on the reader to “get it”, even when going for a ride in effigy with the drunken Scurvy Bastards inside a ’59 baby blue Bonneville in “Oh Captain, My Captain, My Captain”.

This collection is a motley assortment of tales infused with humor and darkness based on keen musings and profound thoughts without letting up.

The author’s metaphors scattered throughout are unique. An excerpt from Adam’s thoughts in “The Christmas Bar”—“Lately his life seemed malleable as the memories of an eyewitness”.

The epitome of irony is to be had in “Down at Dante’s One Halloween” when you discover who wins the costume contest.

There are puns galore, and they abound in “Love on the Jersey Side: A Pun-Filled Line of Bull”. Cowabunga!

I hereby dub the author a “literary bard” who extrapolates the English language to suit his purpose—often. Also noted, his courage to summon the semicolon—often.

If you fancy a short story collection which draws you in further and further through intelligent writing, I highly recommend taking a quantum leap inside ‘Tales Told by an Idiot’.