Thuglit: Last Writes is the latest, and unfortunately, the
last issue of Thuglit franchise. The final issue contains twelve quality stories
that are very good in their own right as well as also honoring what has come
before them.
After a very short
introduction from Editor Todd Robinson, Nick Kolakowski is up with his story “A
Bad Day in Boat Repo.” The client is Clive Stevens and he has a cargo vessel in
Cuban waters. The crew was paid off to walk away from it and the harbormaster
wants an incredible amount of money to release the ship. Mr. Stevens can’t use
the normal channels, won’t pay the money, and wants the narrator to repo the
vessel and bring it back to the Bahamas. Since Mr. Stevens is adamant against
employing the authorities clearly means the cargo is something illegal and most
likely drug related. That is the first strike against taking the gig and there
are a number more culminating with the fact it is in Cuban waters. But, there
is a lot of money at stake so soon the repo man and his number two, Limonov, have
a plan and are on the way from the Bahamas to Cuba.
Ray did not want a
baby in “What’s A Jim Hat?” by Nick Manzolillo. But, things have changed and he
knows he has to do what needs to be done. His woman, Snack, is pregnant and he
has to provide. He’s going to talk to Lou because Lou is his local conduit to
the local crime boss. Hopefully, there is something he can do. All he is
looking for is an opportunity as he needs the money bad.
Somebody should have
shot Richie Vaillard years ago. He would have been shot down in the states.
But, this is Canada and so it took way longer for Richie to get his. In “The Missing
Piece” by Aaron Fox-Lerner, Guy did it. Now his big brother has to keep his
baby brother safe and out of a mess that seems to getting bigger and worse by
the hour.
He knows his meeting
with Jackie is a last supper of sorts. Differences have to be settled in “Separate
Checks” by Mike McCrary. Hunter has his gun, has made plans, and is keenly
aware of what she can do as he has seen her kill a lot of people.
Duchamp is taking
Sara out to the ghost town in the swamp. Mid-August and the heat and humidity
take their toll on the two in the small boat. But, what is coming up out of the
swamp thanks to Westerfield Chemical is far worse in “The Last Living Thing” by
Andrew Paul.
Willie Lynn isn’t in
the best of moods in “Flip the Record” by Patrick Cooper. The August sun and
humidity certainly isn’t helping him as he lives out his days at the retirement
community. The property manager of the place in Boca Raton isn’t helping
either. Jazz records and his friend Henry keep him centered in the moment.
Though he isn’t always with it, Willie has got a plan to liberate some cash so
the two of them can get out of the Gracious Homes Retirement Community hellhole
and go hang out on a Mexican beach.
Abby has been having
a hard time of late in “Juke” by Kyle Summerall. It hasn’t been easy on her
partner. The stress and all has taken a huge toll. At least there is always Larkin’s
Bar for some escape from reality with folks who don’t know his personal
situation.
It never is a good
idea to date a coworker. Especially if it the hired help. Amber didn’t check in
and he knows that means the worst. Not only for her, but for him too in
“Forever Amber” by Dale T. Phillips. The only question is how many he can take
out first.
A screaming child in
your backseat will drive any parent insane. The jackknifed tractor trailer, the
gridlocked road covered in ice, and everything else isn’t helping Travis
Hayes in “All Things Come Around” by William Soldan. Trying to get home any way
he can and to escape the gridlock, he follows a number of cars off the nearest
exit only to then realize he is back in the old neighborhood where he had a far
different life and plenty of memories.
Lonnie leads the life
of a scammer and a thief so Vanessa isn’t supposed to know where she lives.
But, she is in his place as “Prowl” by James Queally begins and that is most
definitely not a good thing. The big Armenian with her who is built like a
linebacker is going to have to be dealt with the hard way.
Despite the drought,
the almond trees around them have somehow thrived. For Colby and Trav the plan
is to do some payback to Galinger Farmworks. These folks have been taking all the
water in the Central Valley of California, among other things, and they have to
be stopped and sent a message. That is easier said than done in “Tulare” by
Blair Kroeber.
The candy apple red
Plymouth Duster in the far corner of the garage has caught the customer’s eye
in “Slant Six” by S. A. Cosby. He wants to buy it and thinks he made a good
offer. The customer has no idea what the car represents and why it would not be
for sale. The car cost far too much and more than he could ever get back.
As one expects in the
Thuglit
series, the nine tales in this last issue are all solidly good ones. Thuglit:
Last Writes features crime fiction at its best as well as subtle and not
so subtle social commentary. The
struggle to survive permeates every story to its core. Thuglit: Last Writes is
not only a highly entertaining read, it is a fitting end to what has been a
great ride in the passenger seat as the black sedan, driven by a succession of
talented folks, sped down shadowy dangerous streets.
Thuglit: Last Rites
Editors Todd Robinson, Allison Glasgow,
and Julie McCarron
Thuglit Publishing
June 2016
ASIN: B01HLC62XS
eBook (print format available)
171 Pages
$2.99
Material was picked up back in late June to read and review
by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
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