The title of Hoods, Hot Rods, and
Hellcats says it all even before you get to the cover tag
line of Drive Fast. Kill Young. Love A Pretty Girl.
This anthology edited by Chad Eagleton certainly delivers on that
premise. The image of the 50's depicted in Happy Days,
American Graffiti, and others
is quickly shattered by the introduction by Mick Farren. It
sets a tone that is held up quite well by the eight authors involved
in the book.
Coming up first is Christoper Grant
with “1958: Somewhere In Texas” where three young lesbians are on
a robbery and killing spree. Shifting in time back and forth across
several months it becomes clear how things began and escalated
quickly.
“Red Hot” by Thomas Puck follows
next with a tale of Bobby, Karen, and the love of fast cars and
beautiful woman. Both are equally dangerous and like a lot of other
things can end up being expensive in so many ways.
Don Bayliss likes to steal things. It
is a passion for him. 17 year old Sharon has ignited another passion
in “Forlorn Hope” by Matthew Funk. Having seen combat he is
looking for something. He isn't the only one looking.
Brothers Charlie and Butch rob places
in “Only The Vultures Will See Me Hang” by Nik Korpon. Both
served and saw combat and get along well enough most of the time.
Then, there are the other times when plans don't go so well just like
what often happened in combat.
A guitar is the supreme goal for John.
Growing up in a Christian household he should have known not to steal
it. But, he did and then things got rough in “Lola” by Eric
Beetner.
Editor Chad Eagleton comes next with
his tale “Blue Jeans And A Boy's shirt. “ A fast car, a sawed off
shotgun, and a girl walking on a bridge change the future for Lonnie
Bonner. Like other stories in the anthology, combat flashbacks play a
major role in this tale. Combat that though it happened in the past
still fuels the actions of Lonnie now as well as many others in these
tales.
“Scarred Angel” by Heath Lowrance
comes next with a tale where a beautiful hellcat is the one driving
the action. Unlike most of the preceding stories where the guys are
running things (or at least appear to be) in this case a woman dubbed
“Frankie Scar” is definitely running the show. Scotty knew she
was something when he saw her at “Jimmy Bo's.” Thanks to his
buddies he finally went and said hello. Thanks to her he soon was on
a wild ride he would be lucky to survive.
“Headless Hoggy Style” by David
James Keaton is the final and possibly the most disturbing story of
the anthology. Jake is never sure what Cherry is thinking. He plans
on getting her to talk and Uncle Jake might be able to help. He also
has some things to do as does his Uncle in this dark tale.
The book closes with an acknowledgments
section detailing the contributions of those who kept the project
alive followed by detailed bios of the contributor's.
Reviewing a collection or an anthology
is tough as one does not want to give away too much and ruin the
stories. This was certainly the case here with these very complicated
tales. They are violence filled short stories peopled by characters
that usually do what they want when they want to do it. Adult
language, adult situations, and more fill the pages of this anthology
that proves the point made in the introduction. There was a very dark
and very violent side to the 50's and Hoods, Hot Rods and
Hellcats gives you a small glimpse of that along with some
solidly good stories.
Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats
Editor Chad Eagleton
Self Published
August 2013
ISBN# 978-1491002537
Paperback (e-book available)
162 Pages
$8.00
E-book was provided by the editor in
exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple (c)2014
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