ISBN-13: 978-0578487809
Featuring Michael Bracken (Author), Thomas Pluck (Author), Matt Mattilla (Author), Soldan, William R, (Author), C.A. Rowland (Author), Nick Kolakowski (Author), Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Author), Rob McClure Smith (Author), Rusty Barnes (Editorages published by Redneck Press
I love anthologies. They give us the opportunity to dip a toe into other genres and tempt us to try stories by other authors without a huge financial commitment. Why waste time on 300 pages on a new novel by an unfamiliar writer? Can you trust the deluge of one star to five star reviews? No matter how many reviews you read, someone else’s trash or treasure may not match your taste.
So here’s my taste—I like humor, a good yarn, and a twist. Hence, I’ll give you my take on the shorts in Tough 2, subject to the proviso above. Guarantee—no spoilers.
Itsy Bitsy Spider by Michael Bracken
Loved the characters’ names, the swift pace, and underlying menace.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
The Third Jump of Frankie Buffalo by Thomas Pluck
Loved the flashbacks, atmospheric with a satisfying conclusion.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Day Planner by Matt Mattilla
Great premise, intriguing style with true chill factor.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Tally Ho by William R Soldan
Love the title, credible, complex characters, and a yarn that delivers a punch.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Beach Body by C.A. Rowland
Not what I was expecting—always a plus—great setting, well paced.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Viking Funeral by Nick Kolakowski
Taut, evocative descriptions—I could have been there.
Bonus – a new word for my vocabulary.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Long Drive Home by Andrew Welsh-Huggins
Beautifully crafted, several quotable one liners – a real treat.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Masonry by Rob McClure Smith
Clever dialogue and colloquial mastery, dark streets never seemed meaner.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Once Upon a Time in Chicago by Tia J’anae
Bleak noir—soulless without redemption—right on the page for aficionados.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
The Grass Beneath my Feet by S.A. Cosby
A heart-breaking tale with a clear ring of authenticity.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
No News is Good News by Evelyn DeShane
Empathetic characters and great relationships in the underbelly of modern noir.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
The Bag Girl by Alec Cizak
Fabulous, intriguing opener, and a sizzling, satisfying finale.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
Sarah, Sweet and Stealthy by Preston Lang
Thoroughly enjoyable and hilarious too.
Humor ✔️
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
With Hair Blacker Than Coal by Chris McGinley
Rural noir makes a welcome change of scene, but maintains a great sense of menace and mystery.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
She Goes First by Mary Thorson
A chilling finale, and a sobering slice of death.
Humor
Good yarn ✔️
Twist ✔️
I’m sure there are several outlets available to purchase this anthology, but here is Amazon’s https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Crime-Stories-Michael-Bracken/dp/0578487802/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=tough+2&qid=1566599727&s=gateway&sr=8-1
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