Back
in July 2014 I first reviewed What
Happens In Reno by Mike Monson. As often seems to happen these days there
were various issues with the original publisher and the book went away. It is now
back via All Due Respect Books with a new and way better cover. So, below is my
original review with the updated publishing information on a very dark and
twisted read that is also mighty good.
For Matt Hodges this Tuesday morning
finds him in what has become a common place event as What Happens In Reno by
Mike Monson opens. Waking up in the car in the parking lot of the old Denny's
just north of downtown Modesto, California after yet another hard night of
drinking and bar hopping. Going home just after 7am to shower and clean up
wasn't really a good idea either as his cheating wife, Lydia, is waiting there
for him.
Their marriage is circling in a
toilet bowl of pain and despair. He's mad that she is cheating on him with
various guys as a way of getting back at him because of his employment
problems, gambling, and heavy drinking. She's mad at him over his drinking,
gambling, and inability to keep a job as well as his failures as a stepfather
to her teenage son, Tanner. Now she has involved another person in the madness
of their lives with her latest boyfriend, Hunter Manning. He's a real winner as
he is an ex-con with Aryan Brotherhood associations and a propensity to
violence of all kinds. That isn't surprising considering his shaved head,
numerous tattoos, and a general bad attitude.
Today is the day Matt Hodges is
finally going to sell his mom's old house. Once the mortgage is paid off and
other claims are resolved, Matt will receive a little more than 12k.
Considering his various issues and her belief that she has paid everything for
months on end, Lydia wants all of the money. She plans to use
5k for a much
needed tummy tuck as she works to improve her body post weight loss. Per Lydia,
Matt’s only mission for the day is to get to the bank with the check and get
all of the money into their account. Do not pass go and do not take twenty
dollars. She should have known better trusting Matt with the check as Matt is a
drunk and degenerate gambler so there is no way that will ever happen.
If you have read Mike Monson's very
good and very adult oriented novella The Scent of New Death you will see some
of the same themes at work here. Violence of all types plays a center role in
this read though not quite at the same level of the novella. Sexual situations,
graphic language and violence, and adult topics are very much present in this
book as the read follows the various characters. Those who prefer the violence
offstage and their language clean without curse words are advised to avoid this
read. Nobody is a happy camper in this book and all involved use various ways
of coping with their unhappiness. They self-medicate by way of meaningless and
often rough sex, alcohol, drugs, and/or gambling. Some characters know they are
on a downward path to disaster while others have absolutely no clue.
While a well written book What
Happens In Reno is a dark read and very much strong noir with
occasional flashes of very dark and twisted humor. Though highly entertaining
if you like your reads dark and twisted this is not a read featuring any
likeable characters or anyone that makes you feel good about humanity. No
puppies will be saved, no one helps old women across the street, and the theme
of take what you want is followed by all. What Happens in Reno is also a good
hard hitting novella and well worth your time.
What Happens In Reno
Mike Monson
All Due Respect Books
September 2015
ASIN: B015P098FW
E-Book (also available in paperback)
77 Pages (estimated)
$0.99
Material supplied by the author in
exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014, 2015
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