Captain Cookie Sullivan does not normally take her ship, Linda Rae, to Bishop 13, one of the manmade moons of Mars. But, the well-paying contract specifies pickup at the Martian moon so she is there. In about four hours her co-pilot, N’Doro, is to be back at the ship for the twelve hour run from the Corporation moon to Toshiba Station. Once the cargo was loaded –strictly legit this time– she will be free to stretch her legs and get a bite to eat.

She could have eaten something from the replicator aboard her ship. That quest for food will get her in trouble in Blue Plate Special: A Cookie Sullivan Short Story by Kate Thornton.

One of several of the Cookie Sullivan short story series this is another good one. Though is just may make you think twice about what is on your plate when eating out.

Much like author Kate Thornton’s book INHUMAN CONDITION: Tales of Mystery and Suspense  as well as the short story It Doesn’t Take A Genius and her other works, a mystery is present in these science fiction tales. That was certainly the case with Happy Hour: A Short Story and is the case here with Blue Plate Special: A Cookie Sullivan Short Story. Regardless of the genre, Kate Thornton is always a good read.

According to Amazon I picked this up July 2015. I have no idea now if I got it by way of an author free read or I used funds in my Amazon Associate account to snag it to read and review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016

Allison Coil came out to Colorado’s Flat Top wilderness to leave memories of death and destruction behind. Which is somewhat ironic since her new chosen profession was to be a hunting guide where she would routinely see death. The concept of death and what death means has become an almost constant companion while she seeks solace in the beautiful Colorado Mountains and the local area known as Ripplecreek. Hunting guides aren’t a rarity in the mountains but being a woman she stands out and once again has to prove herself—especially to the good old boy network. Of course, if the protest group “Fighting Animal Torture Everywhere” otherwise known as “FATE” has its way, nobody will be hunting in the mountains anymore.

As a snowstorm descends on the area, Allison Coil hears a gunshot. Certainly not unusual but the actions of who she thinks is the shooter when she catches a glimpse of him through the swirling snow make her wonder. She watches him or her over on the next ridge dragging something and then the snow thickens and she loses sight of what was happening. Something didn’t look right and she thinks about it as she works to guide herself and her horse, Bear, safely off the mountain.  Her suspicions are further encouraged when she learns that a local hunting guide is missing as is one of the protestors. She knows something funny is going on and after being shoved aside once too many times when she spoke up, begins to investigate in her own way.

In a novel that shifts point of view through numerous characters, author Mark Stevens weaves a compelling tale of greed and murder with the majestic beauty of the Colorado Rockies as his backdrop. Allison Coil is a strong complex character who quickly comes to life despite some of the other characters who seem to be little more than stock stereotype figures. A first novel from the author, it shows most tellingly in that a significant portion of the character depth is recovered for Coil. However, it is also clear that at least two of the secondary characters have definite possibilities should this work become part of a series.

Where the author showcases real talent is in the weaving of the various storylines as well as bringing alive the beauty of the setting. A theme within the work is the fact that responsible hunting is a part of wildlife management today. That theme coupled with the concept of what it means to be a female guide in an area dominated by men could have become a series of information dumps that would preach to readers. Instead, showing real skill, the information is occasionally presented in the course of doing other things and never becomes the reason for anything.

Add in the scenic beauty and the at times harsh elements, good old fashioned greed with a thoroughly modern twist, along with several plot surprises in the last 50 pages and the result is a very good book. Author Mark Stevens has created a very good read that quickly becomes a real page turner and one well worth your reading investment.

Kevin R. Tipple ©  2016

Retired Suffolk County cop Gus Murphy is living a dead existence. Alive, barely functioning, and deep in a well of painful memories that has destroyed his marriage, his relationships, and nearly him. He has been that way since his son died. Divorced, he drives a courtesy van at night for The Paragon Hotel of Bohemia, New York located close to Long Island MacArthur Airport. He lives at the Paragon as well and tries to not think by any means possible. His grief is overwhelming and shows no sign of abating.

He never thought Thomas Delcamino would ever be in his world again let alone show up at the Paragon looking for him. Known to cop and crook alike as Tommy D., the man tracked him down because he wants the old Gus, the Police Officer Gus, of more than two years ago who always treated him fairly despite the fact that Tommy D. was/is a known dirtbag. He did plenty of stuff, nothing really major, and was often arrested and in the system for one thing or another.

Four months ago Tommy’s son, TJ, was tortured and ultimately killed after some pretty horrible things were done to him. Tommy D. gave the detectives some leads of people to talk to and a few other things and waited for the cops to do their jobs. He didn’t try to do anything on his own. Absolutely nothing at all has happened with the case. TJ may have had a bad man as his father, but that does not mean he deserved what he got or for the cops to do nothing about his murder.  Tommy D. wants to hire Gus to find out who killed his son.

Gus isn’t about to help a piece of human waste like Tommy D. find out anything. Tommy D. is devastated over his son’s murder and his pain is far too much for Gus to handle in his own state. He’s got too much pain over the loss of his own son to think about anyone else. That is until everyone at all levels of local law enforcement as well as other folks start warning him away from the case. Another murder ensures that the case of what happened to TJ is something he can’t let go.

No review will tell you just how good Where It Hurts by Reed Farrell Coleman truly is. This review doesn’t do it justice either. It is an incredible read and one that works on every possible level.

Just read it already.

Where It Hurts: A Novel
Reed Farrel Coleman
http://www.reedcoleman
G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House)
http://www,penguin.com
January 2016
ISBN# 978-0-399-17303-9
Hardback (also available in audio and e-book formats)
363 Pages
$27.00

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016

Thuglit: Issue 21 continues the anthology tradition of hard hitting noir stories. Eight new stories that tell tales of folks living on the edges doing what needs to be done due to compulsion or  to survive. Of course, since these are short stories, it is not possible to say much as to do otherwise would create spoilers. It can be said that as always these tales will make you consider your own circumstances and the realization that things could be far worse.

It was a street kid and his dog near an on ramp in Sacramento that caused Alan to stop in “The Long Drive Home” by William R. Soldan. Hopper and his dog, Maggie, are headed to Chicago to see family. Maggie is a far better traveling companion.

If you have kids you are probably well aware of the issue of life threatening nut allergy as no doubt at least one kid in the school your child attends has this life threatening problem. “Nut Lobby” by Preston Lang takes a different tack on the idea by focusing on the lobbyists of both sides who make presentations before school boards and the like. For Lydia Todd of the national peanut council it is a life and death battle as well.

At least this time when he wakes up Fred does not find a dead hooker in the bed with him. Still, he knows Connor did something really bad. He is about to find out what that was in “Being Fred” by Travis Richardson opens thanks to a phone call from Vladmir Dvoynev. A wakeup call from him, or any other time, can’t be a good thing.

Back in Oct. 2012, the gigantic statue known as “Big Tex” burned down to its metal frame at the Texas State Fair. It was not terrorists, as first reported by local television stations, but a simple electrical short. A fictionalized version of that fire is just part of the deal in “The Night They Burned Ol’ Big Tex Down” by Christopher Fulbright. All Darla-May and Ray have to do is get rid of Toby when the moment is right. Fair Park in Dallas is a long way from Afghanistan, but a bullet does the same damage/death thing everywhere.

Jamie insists on being a virgin and plans to remain so. They have known each other since the first grade as Jamie lives down just down the street. It isn’t surprising that sometimes the narrator goes to the woods behind the house to check out the bedroom view in “Virgin Sacrifice” by David Rachels. Graduation is coming and there are plans.

Cici has been gone for a few years, but is back in Maui. In “Paradise” by Rena Robinett, Trelani is missing and Cici is on the hunt as a mother does what she has to do.

Bad enough to come home and find your place ransacked. Your daughter’s toys were one of the few things not messed with while you and your family were at the movies. Especially annoying to find out that your two AR-15s are gone. In “A Nice Pair Of guns” by Nick Kolakowski the hunt is on for the guns and these responsible.

His father Hal told him to only trust his eyes and ears and ignore what was on television and in the paper. He apparently never said a word about watching out for stuff falling on your head by the way of a crane on the hard docks of Oakland. He certainly isn’t going to say anything at all how thanks to the blow caused by six tons of Malaysian tin hitting his head. Jimmy is still coping with the aftermath of that is so many ways in “Mercy” by Dale Sandlin.

The bios of eight authors involved and the editors Todd Robinson, Allison Glassgow and Julie Mccarron bring the latest issue to a close.

If you have read Thuglit before you know what you are in for as this issue meets high standards. If you have not, this series is not about unicorns and rainbows. If any are present, they are because of your imagination is in whacked out over drive as you have been chasing meth and alcohol the last 36 hours in a desperate attempt to get some money together in a cock eyed plan to rip somebody off. Or, somebody hit you over the head and you had strange dreams while lying unconscious as god knows what went on around you and to you. Thuglit: Issue 21 is another dark read and another good one.

Thuglit: Issue 21
Editors Todd Robinson, Allison Glassgow, and Julie Mccarron
Thuglit Publishing
http://www.thuglit.com
December 2015
ASIN#: B01A1I89H6
E-Book (Paperback also available)
132 Pages
$1.99

Material was purchased to read and review back in late January by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016