In the collected stories of Cold Eye, the characters face emotional mishaps, soulful sorrow and sucker-punch surprises in the City of Memphis, alternately known over the years as the murder capital of America, the home of the blues, and the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. With a backdrop like that, it figures that the stories told in the bars, barbecue joints, and churches of such a gritty city would offer a unique perspective on life.

In the title story "Cold Eye," a man named Franko discovers his own breast cancer while participating in his wife's monthly breast exam.

"In Lou Groza," a...