Monday, June 25, 2012

Short Story Review: “The Missing Sniper” by Earl Staggs

Thanks to his gift, Adam Kingston knew he would get a phone call. Who was calling, why he would be called, he didn’t know.  But, he knew it would be a call about someone dying somewhere and he would be involved. Hard to sleep when you know something is going to happen. Hard to sleep when you know for absolute certainty just enough to be worried.

The phone call finally comes by way of Sheriff Dillon Corbin of Mendes County, Florida.  Adam is on a master list of Law Enforcement consultants and the good Sheriff needs his help. Three weeks ago somebody tried to take out a State Senator.  While they know where the shots came from they knew nothing else and have no suspects. The shooter is still out there and may try again if he or she isn’t stopped.

Soon Adam is in Jacksonville, Florida with Sheriff Dillon working the case. The target, Senator Willy Thornton, has plenty of enemies because of his politics and the way he lives his life.  Business rivals, spouses of the women he has seduced and many others have good reason to want him dead.  Good thing Adam has a bit of ability with extra sensory perception and can pick up a few images along the way as he helps with the case.

Released from Untreed Reads last January this is the short story that ultimately gave rise to Earl Staggs' powerfully good novel Memory of A Murder.  This cozy style type read is full of twists and turns and on that will keep you very entertained as it moves through the pages.


The Missing Sniper
Earl Staggs
Untreed Reads
January 2012
E-book
$1.50  

It should be noted as I have mentioned before Earl and I are members of a local writer’s group.  Because of Earl’s ongoing willingness to drive me and put up with my slowly worsening mobility issues and needs, I am still able to sporadically attend. Beyond that, I consider Earl to be a good friend and mentor. However, I did not ever provide any assistance through the group or have any input at all on this story as it was first published years ago before I joined the local writers group. Earl supplied this story quite some time ago for possible review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2012

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for a great review. Adam is very special to me, and he's grateful to you, too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sure he knew it was coming. Take care, Earl.

    ReplyDelete