Patrick Welch's Westchester Station

Patrick Welch's Westchester Station is a kaleidoscope of interesting characters, some familiar throughout history and literature, and others based completely on the inventiveness of their author.

Robert Winstead, Winchester Station's protagonist, is predestined, during a Chicago blizzard, to try and find his way to Schenectady, NY by the only means possible, the enigmatic train depot called Westchester Station. In a series of events not quite controlled by him, Winstead is taken to the train station and told by the stationmaster that Winstead is there for a reason. This reason is the root of Winstead's trip through the magical depot and the reinvigoration of his entire being.

Winstead, a marketing account executive, is dissatisfied with his current position, status and general life plan. By meeting and interacting with (both causing and solving problems) the denizens of the depot, Winstead learns his reason for coming to Westchester station, which is his reason for, well, being.

Welch has mixed a great tapestry of characters together to propel his character to the desired destination. Winstead meets Jack the Ripper, the Minotaur of Greek mythology's brother, residents of Atlantis City, an actual werewolf and even Lucifer. And while at the station, Winstead manages to thwart an alien invasion, a few graffiti-inspired major disasters and a serial killer's reign of terror. There is no rhyme or reason why these people, along with Winstead, have found themselves at Westchester Station. The stationmaster, though, lets them know that, like Winstead, everyone has a reason for being there.

Although Winstead's story is intriguing and his character development is superb, the novelette has a few minor drawbacks. First and foremost, Welch's dialogue comes across as stilted. When writing for a classical character, like the Minotaur or Lucifer, Welch's melodic prose is suited and appropriate. When that same dialogue is coming from a professional gambler or shapechanging prostitute it sounds misplaced.