I have quite a few reviews ready to go, but, first, let’s kick off the new year with one of Kevin Tipple’s reviews. And, don’t forget to check out his website at https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/.
Thank you, Kevin, for all the reviews,, the assistance with publicity, and this review of Treacherous by Gary Phillips.
Treacherous: Grifters, Ruffians, and Killers by Gary Phillips is an interesting short
story collection. Beyond the various crimes, the backdrop is often deals with issues of
race, privilege, class, and economic standing. The book is broken into four categories
with each section containing 4 to 7 previously published stories. The result is 21 crime
fictions tales. While they are all good ones, a few that I very much liked are below.
The book opens with the first section “Grifters.” A highlight is the opening short story,
“The Performer.” An aging lounge singer is making small talk with a woman after a set.
One thing leads to another, and soon he is, apparently, in the middle of a mess.
Another highlight is “Rodger Crumbler Considered His Shave.” 50 years old Rodger
Crumber is pleased with things, but is pretty sure it could be way better. He has a plan
to make things even better and that plan is underway.
The “Bad Juju” section comes next. These stories are all about messing with people
and things that should not be messed with at all.
“The Snow Birds” sees folks play polo by using bikes. It is street polo where grudges
are settled and crimes are plotted.
Glen Murry, aka Junie, is a teen and he does some things for the gamblers in “Sportin’
Men.” He makes drinks and food and works on his plan. He isn’t the only one with a
plan.
“Both of Shadows and Substance” comes next as the third section.
A truck driver by the name of Roosevelt Hopkins stops for a meal on the way to the port.
A waitress, a legendary car, and more are at work in “Can’t Be Satisfied.”
Maybe you are in the mood for zombies? In “Disco Zombies,” taking the drugs and more
seems to have worked out. Then the damn zombies showed up looking to take it all
back.
The plan was to rip off the aging rock star in “House of Tears.” The plan isn’t going as
well as they had thought it would in the first story of section 4, “Hell Bent.”
Racists and other scumbags, are hard at work in “Masai Back in Town.” Swanmoor put
one down and got intel from the other. He soon learns that the one he left alive is also
now dead as there are multiple agendas in play.
The 21 tales that make up Treacherous: Grifters, Ruffians, and Killers are all good
ones. These short stories are graphic crime fiction. That means they are graphic in use
of language and also frequently depict in detail violence and sexual situations between
various characters.
Along the way, the tales consider race, class, economic status, and a lot more. These
tales are not light hearted. Regardless of time period, these feature characters doing
their best to survive. As we all are, every single day, in a world often stacked to benefit
the wealthy and powerful.
My ARC digital reading copy came from the publisher, Level Short (Level Best Books),
through NetGalley with no expectation of a review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2024
Thanks for this review Kevin. I couldn’t find the book at my library but it’s not too expensive as a Kindle book so I’ve put it on my wish list.
Also here’s the post I finally got around to writing, (again it’s crazy at my house with 3 little grandsons still here) and I realized I posted it too late for anyone to see so I’m just going to repost:
Rosemary, what a treat to read your list. All of your books sound so interesting. I have read Lessons in Chemistry and listened to the audio version of All the Lonely People (terrific on audio, I highly recommend). I was able to find Richard Holloway’s Leaving Alexandria at my library and hope to find several more. Carrie’s War reminds me of Goodnight Mister Tom which I read and enjoyed years ago. I always love reading of your life in Scotland, you have a way of transporting me there and I often jot down places to visit on my next trip there.
Also, I am so late commenting on Lesa’s New Years post (still have family including 3 grandsons under 5 here and life is ..well, pretty crazy) but I wanted to say how much this blog means to me. Not only for the varied and wonderful book recommendations but for the community of kind people. It is so easy in this upsetting political time with horrible, mean things being said to feel that everyone is like that and then I come to Lesa’s world where there is such kindness. I too am trying to turn off the news and turn to uplifting places like this. Thank you to all the posters who tell me of your weather, where you are traveling and snippets of your lives. I feel I know so many of you and look forward to hearing what you are up to on Thursdays at Lesa’s.
Susan, I just can’t imagine having 3 grandsons under 5 in the house! It was hectic enough with one 5 year old in the house on Christmas! You’re a brave person.
Thank you. As you said, we talk about all kinds of things here, and it’s so good to have a place where we can talk books and weather, and be kind to one another. Thank you for being part of the group!
The cover depicted here is for the previous version. I “think” it is the same book as the new version. The version I reviewed is here: https://www.amazon.com/Treacherous-Grifters-Ruffians-Gary-Phillips-ebook/dp/B0DBN5CNN5
Thanks again to Lesa for letting me be here with a review now and then.