Gone Bad...

Getting High on Daisy - Richard Godwin

2011-10-13T18:30:00.002+01:00

The latest instalment of Paul Brazill's Drunk on the Moon series has been written by Richard Godwin - and it's dark. Very dark. As you would expect from the pen of Mr Godwin.

The publisher says:
Roman Dalton wakes in a flat with no memory of how he got there. Ton Ton Macoute's men are after him and millionaire Harry Nero is engaged in kidnapping and zombification. All Roman knows is he has to find Daisy before it's too late. The only problem is, he can't remember who Daisy is. A dark intense story by Richard Godwin involving slavery, which looks at the genesis and workings of Roman's lycanthropy.

My two penn'orth:

Getting High on Daisy is the fifth instalment in the Drunk in the Moon series and arguably the first to show Roman Dalton in his element. He’s more Cujo than Diefenbaker, far more animal than human. He’s certainly no puppy dog. And it’s fantastic to see that side of the character.

Richard Godwin is one of the most exciting writers to emerge in recent times. His writing is dark and lyrical, beautifully crafted, and while he never includes words or scenes purely for shock value, he never shies away from showing us the truth of a story.

Getting High on Daisy is a wild ride. Roman Dalton is dangerous, feral, visceral. And so is Daisy.

Getting High on Daisy is a bargain at just 86p/99c. Richard Godwin is one of the classiest writers around. Put the two together and you'd be mad not to pick this up.

Liverpool 5 - Luca Veste

2011-10-13T18:17:00.003+01:00

Up until now, Luca Veste has been primarily known for being a blogger, reviewer and interviewer and a great supporter of other writers and their work. Now he's thrown his hat in the ring and published his debut collection of short stories. So, how does it measure up?

The publisher says:
'Liverpool 5’ is five short stories based in and around Liverpool, England. Showing both the light and dark side of life in a famous city, featuring characters inspired by real life situations. From a friendship between an old guy and a young upstart, to a husband and wife in the last gasps of marriage, ‘Liverpool 5’ is about life and death, and the wafer thin relationship between the two.

My two penn'orth:

Luca Veste’s debut collection of short stories is a very varied selection with one thing in common — each one is an absolute belter. You’ll meet some great characters in the pages, a park bench philosopher, a glamour model, an impressively heavy sleeper, a put-upon wife, and two very different brothers.

As the name would suggest, the collection is very firmly rooted in Liverpool and the dialogue bears that out, having, as it does, the authentic ring of real speech. This is an impressive collection by any standards. The fact that it’s the writer’s first makes me very keen to see what comes next.

Liverpool 5 is well worth the 86p/99c price tag - grab a copy and see for yourself.

Heartbreaker - Julie Morrigan

2011-10-07T21:30:00.002+01:00

All Johnny Burns ever wanted was to be in a band. When he and his best friend Tom Watson founded Heartbreaker, they realised their wildest dreams a hundred times over.

If the sixties was a naive and charming flower child, then the seventies was her big, bad older brother; darker, more worldly, less giving … and the eighties was his garishly-painted and promiscuous girlfriend. It’s no wonder against such a backdrop that things could become confused — and that dreams could turn to heartbreak.

When Alex Weston is hired to ghostwrite a book about the life of Johnny Burns and his band — from playing down-and-dirty pubs and clubs in the sixties, through the excesses of seventies stadium rock to eighties meltdown — even she isn’t prepared for the depths of excess, betrayal and guilt that she uncovers.

At the heart of the Heartbreaker story lies the tragic deaths of two members of a band at the very summit of its success — deaths wrapped in a web of secrets and lies. As Alex sets out to learn more and digs deeper into the past, she is forced to realise that she may have to confront Johnny’s part in the devastating events of all those years ago …

Now available on Smashwords, Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Flashes of Revenge - Darren Sant

2011-10-06T20:21:00.002+01:00

Darren Sant (aka Old Seth's care worker) has been at it again and this time the theme is retribution. Terrific stuff!

The publisher says:
Revenge is one of the most powerful motivating forces we can experience. A wild justice that seeks no counsel or consults no jury. People have written films about it such as Quentin Tarantino's epic two-film extravaganza Kill Bill. There have been classic novels such as Carrie by Stephen King.

Flashes of Revenge is Darren Sant's take on the idea of revenge. It's not all blood and guts. He takes a humorous sideways glance at the idea in one or two stories. Revenge can come in many forms. It can be as brutal as a stiletto to the kidneys or as cruel as a rabbit in a pot.

Are you ready to look below the surface at the dark heart of revenge? Flashes of Revenge is a collection of six short sharp tales that will leave you looking over your shoulder and wonder who might be after you.

A man walks the streets on a rainy night with just one sinister goal in mind.

A cynical hard drinking rock journalist has a surprise in store back stage at a gig.

An arranged rendezvous in a smoky dive on the wrong side of town.

A man awakes to find he is bound to a chair and with no idea why.

Two bitter rivals in a show down in a New Orleans alleyway.

Two old guys meet in a pub but is all as innocent as it seems to onlookers?

My two penn'orth:
Darren Sant’s Flashes of Revenge is a cracking collection of six tales of retribution: cruel, funny, absurd, scary and extremely human. I love the characters in this collection. Each lives and breathes on the page, each has his own strengths and failings. Each story is a satisfying read and they complement one another beautifully. If I have a favourite, it’s possibly The Ungrateful Dead, wonderfully written and wickedly funny.

Flashes of Revenge is highly recommended. Darren Sant is a writer to watch.

Fantastic brand spanking new 'Julie Morrigan' author website

2011-10-05T22:33:00.000+01:00

You might find it hard to believe (especially if you've been out for a drink with me) but I'm actually quite shy. So when, just over a year ago, my mate Paul Brazill asked me if I wanted to do an interview for his Hit the North! series, my initial reaction could be summed up in two words - fuck, no! Luckily my partner is a lot more sensible than me and he persuaded me not only that I should do it - and I'm glad I did - but also that I should start a blog. And this is it.

The next thing I did that astonished me was discover e-books and love them. Not only love them, but actually start to publish them myself.

One of the hardest things to do when you self-publish is let people know that you have books out there. Over the past eight months or so I've read a fair old bit about the various things that writers 'have' to do, and one thing that crops up time and again is the importance of a good website. Despite me being a writer, I find it nigh on impossible to write about myself and my stories, at least without apologising. And that just doesn't cut it for an author site. Luckily for me, Steven stepped in and he has made a fantastic 'Julie Morrigan' website. I absolutely love what he's done with it. I just hope I can live up to it.

Check it out and see what you think.

A Reader's Heaven

2011-10-02T20:09:00.000+01:00

A quick post because I got a mention over at Paul Phillips's fab blog, A Reader's Heaven, today. And I'm in great company, too - if you check out the blog, you'll see a bunch of terrific writers have been showcased there over the last month or so. Well worth a browse.

Many thanks to Paul - and if you find yourself in New South Wales, pop into A Reader's Heaven in person, because it's not just a blog, it's an indie bookstore. How cool is that! :D

Death by Sarcasm - Dani Amore

2011-09-22T08:52:00.001+01:00

Death by Sarcasm was on my radar for quite a while before I bought it, then it sat on my laptop a while before I read it. (I now have an e-mount TBR as well as a physical one.) I wish I hadn't left it so long! Dani Amore is a fine writer and she's treated us to a real page-turner with this book. At 99c/86p it's an absolute bargain and it's consistently ranking highly in the Mystery and Thrillers lists on Amazon (.com). Dani's second novel Dead Wood is also available and at the same bargain price (yes, I have it, but I haven't yet read it) and there's a follow-up to DbS featuring wise-cracking PI Mary Cooper on the horizon. Another one to look forward to.

What the publisher says
DEATH BY SARCASM introduces mystery readers to Mary Cooper, a Los Angeles area private detective who masks her true, caring nature with a razor-sharp, heavily sarcastic sense of humor.

In DEATH BY SARCASM, Mary learns that her uncle, a former stand-up comedian has been murdered. She is asked to assist in finding the killer by both the police and family members. Mary quickly discovers that her uncle’s death was just the opening act for a bloody rampage. As Mary investigates, she exposes a dark and deadly legacy with mysterious links to her own past.

DEATH BY SARCASM careens through Hollywood, Catalina Island and the exclusive enclave of Malibu, with nonstop action and unforgettable characters.

This is the first novel by Dani Amore, who can be found at her website, deadlysarcasm.com

My two penn'orth

Death by Sarcasm is a terrific read: a brilliant cast of characters, great dialogue, biting wit, plenty of action … and revenge. What more could a reader want? Mary Cooper is a wonderful creation: spiky and acerbic, she wears her one-liners like armour and yet can’t disguise the fierce loyalty and vulnerability that are also elements of her nature. I hope this isn’t the only time we see her in action. Cooper is something special - mouthy, brash, intelligent, tenacious, brave and very, very funny. If there were sides to be picked, you’d want her on yours, even though she’d take the mickey out of you, mercilessly, from dawn ‘til dusk. What a gal!

Sant, Slammer and Somebody likes Gone Bad

2011-09-14T15:57:00.001+01:00

Darren Sant is the man who is everywhere just now, with Community Spirit, the second story in his Tales from the Longcroft Estate series, and Flashes of Revenge, six tales of vengeance, both recently released. PDB has the skinny over at YWST,WY. On top of that, you can hear Daz talking to Giovanni Gelati on blogtalk radio. Makes you wonder where he'll pop up next!

The news for Allan Guthrie fans (of which I am one) is that Slammer is now out on Kindle. It's an absolutely brilliant read, dark and twisty and unputdownable. (Yes, that is a word. ;p) But don't take my word for it - check out what the ubiquitous Darren Sant has to say over at Daz's Short Book reviews.

Finally, Crime Fiction Lover have published their top eight crime-themed e-book short story collections and I'm delighted to be able to tell you that my collection, Gone Bad, gets a mention. Just to bring things full circle, PDB is on there too, with Brit Grit, and deservedly so. There's not a bad book on the list and I am thrilled to be in such fine company.

Can't be bad!

Status Stories: Leaving Home

2011-09-05T18:31:00.000+01:00

Writer Nick Triplow has started a smashing group on Facebook: Status Stories - short fiction in 100 words or less. I chucked my hat in the ring yesterday with Leaving Home (below, if you're interested). If you're on FB, why not seek us out? There are some cracking stories on there and it's damn good fun.

Also, Nick's debut novel is due out soon from Caffeine Nights Publishing. Frank's Wild Years is a blast - definitely one to watch for.

And another Nick - Nick Quantrill, this time - has his second novel out soon. Grab yourself a wee free peek at The Late Greats, why dontcha!

And finally, a reminder that I have a new FB author page. Pop over and say hello, if you are so inclined. I'd be much obliged.

And now, without further ado, here's Leaving Home

Devlin saw his home town as if for the first time. It was a mess; graffiti, dog shit, litter … He heard a commotion and saw a running dog followed by screeching kids and a bloke with a watering can. The dog’s tail was ablaze, a fiery plume it was trying desperately to outrun. Zippo MacKay must finally be home: his mother would be pleased. Howling in pain, it ran into the road to be killed by a speeding, stolen Mondeo.

Devlin strode toward the bus station. Whatever he found on his travels, it could only be better than this.

Brit Grit - Paul D. Brazill

2011-09-01T09:55:00.001+01:00

Paul Brazill is very much a mainstay of the crime fiction community - a prolific writer and tireless promoter of other folks' work, you can find him anywhere there's something good going on. His writing has a very distinctive style - it's unflinching in its honesty and full of great dialogue and humour. Humour that's as black as midnight. I'm a big fan of Paul's, so when he brought out a collection of stories recently, I was keen to grab a copy and get stuck in. Here's a bit more about it.

What the publisher says
Brit Grit, Paul D Brazill's first short sharp story collection, casts a bleary eye over Britain's' grubby underbelly in nine hard hitting crime stories. The collection includes Guns Of Brixton, which was chosen for The Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime 2011.

Spinetingler Award nominee Paul D Brazill has had stories in loads of classy print and electronic magazines and anthologies, such as A Twist Of Noir, Beat To A Pulp, Crime Factory, Dark Valentine, Deadly Treats, Dirty Noir, Needle, Powder Burn Flash, Thrillers, Killers n Chillers, Noir Nation, Pulp Ink, Pulp Pusher, Radgepacket Volumes Four and Five, Shotgun Honey& The Mammoth Book Of Best British Crime Volume 8.

He writes for Pulp Metal Magazine and Mean Streets.His blog, You Would Say That, Wouldn't You? is here:http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/

He is the creator of the horror/noir series, Drunk on the Moon, published by Trestle Press.

My two penn'orth

Paul Brazill’s writing is a wonderful mix of gritty urban noir stylings, superb dialogue and wonderful one-liners.

Brit Grit gives you a meaty, informative introduction to the genre followed by nine terrific fast-paced stories populated for the most part by stoned, drunken, thieving losers. The absurdities of everyday life are meat and drink to PDB, and his observations and characters are in turn sad, poignant, greedy, wicked, ridiculous and funny. Very, very funny. This whole collection is shot through with rich, dark humour and it acts as an effective foil to some of the truly terrible acts his characters commit.

This is a dark, powerful and thrilling collection from one of crime fiction’s rising stars. Don’t miss it!

Brit Grit may be found here in the UK and here in the US.

Apostle Rising - Richard Godwin

2011-08-31T17:23:00.000+01:00

Richard Godwin is a cracking writer as anyone who has come across his stories will already know. Earlier this year, he published his debut novel and it has been making waves both sides of the pond ever since. I was looking forward very much to reading it and I have to say, I wasn't disappointed.

What the publisher says
Detective Chief Inspector Frank Castle never caught the Woodlands Killer and it almost destroyed him. Now years later, mauled by the press, and traumatised by nightmares, he is faced with a copycat killer with detailed inside knowledge of the original case. He and his partner DI Jacki Stone enter a deadly labyrinth, and at its centre is the man Castle believes was responsible for the first killings. He's running a sinister cult and playing dark mind games with the police. The investigation has a shattering effect on the lives of Castle and Stone. The killer is crucifying politicians, and he keeps raising the stakes and slipping through their hands. Dark coded ritualistic killings are being carried out on high profile figures and the body count is rising. Castle employs a brilliant psychologist to help him solve the case, and he begins to dig into the killer's psyche. But some psychopaths are cleverer than others. 'Apostle Rising' is an extremely powerful Noir Crime story that contains a unique twist, timed to perfection by the author. It is a dark, layered narrative with detailed psychological profiling, and a chilling dimension of horror.

My two penn’orth
People are dying and Frank Castle, tainted and twisted by past failure, has a sinking sense of déjà vu. Jacki Stone, his partner, is drawn in by the copycat killer just as Castle was by the original case years ago. Both are struggling to maintain a grip on reality in the face of visceral horror and cruel psychological mind games.

Despite there being two serial killers at work, this is not just a ‘slasher’ novel. It is well researched, cleverly written, and very satisfying. It contains layers, mirrors and echoes and has at its end a twist that knocked the breath out of me.

The chapters in Apostle Rising are quite short and I found they pulled me into the story. I would read just one more, then just one more: once I got into the book, I didn’t want to put it down.

Apostle Rising is a dark, disturbing debut, without doubt one of the best books I’ve ever read. I recommend it to you wholeheartedly. And I very much hope there will be a sequel.

Apostle rising may be found here in the UK and here in the US.

Heartbreaker cover

2011-08-30T19:07:00.000+01:00

Steven's been working hard on the cover for Heartbreaker, the next novel. So far we're liking this one:

Really excited about this!

Brit Grit: Best of the Blogs

2011-08-27T10:52:00.000+01:00

There's a series on Brit Grit over at Ashedit. It started with Two Fingers of Noir, a smashing story from Alan Griffiths, and the most recent post from Col Bury lists the Best of the Blogs. And I'm absolutely delighted to say that this little blog gets a mention. Thanks, Col!

The whole series is well worth a read - there's some terrific stuff in there. Highly recommended!

10-star Tuesday

2011-08-23T19:38:00.000+01:00

My day got off to a great start when I discovered that Chris Rhatigan had posted a brilliant review of Convictions over at Death by Killing. Thank you, Chris!

Then I checked the books on Amazon for the first time in a while and found that not only had Chris been kind enough to post the Convictions review there, but Nigel Bird had posted a smashing review of Gone Bad.

That's a 10-star start to a Tuesday - absolutely nothing there to get upset about.

And I also have a shiny new author page on Facebook. Pop over and 'like' it if you feel so inclined. And thanks!