For this final Friday in August, I am reminding
you of this issue of Crime Syndicate Magazine. After you read the review, make sure you head
over to Patti Abbott’s blog and
see what she recommends as well as Happiness Is A Warm Book where
Aubrey Nye Hamilton has her own selection. Don’t let the news of the world make
you crazy and enjoy your weekend.
The
second issue of Crime Syndicate Magazine proves that
the first issue was not a fluke. Lightening does strike twice and it certainly
did in this case. “Intense” and “edgy” are often over used clichés when applied
to crime fiction, but they certainly apply here in several cases.
After a
brief introduction by the boss, Michael Pool, Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis
kicks things off with his story “Bottom of the Ninth.” The Yankees are playing
the Reds in the first game of the series. Gambler Nick Tuccirello has a lot
riding on the game. Not just the pennant, but his wife too.
Readers
go from 1939 to modern day Hawaii in “The Song Remains the Same” by Matt
Andrew. Leroy is a music expert and is absolutely sure that certain classic
rock songs should be played back to back. The DJ at KPOL “Oahu’s Best Rock
Station” is seriously violating the rules. Kimo would rather get to the job on
time than stop and talk music, but Leroy believes what songs go together are so
important that they have affected how things in his life have worked out.
“Fight
in the Dog” by Mike O’ Reilly takes readers to the brutal world of dog
fighting. His favorite dog, Honey, is one heck of a fighter. She came to him by
the way of Jimmy buying her from a guy known as Bobby Le Mas. The narrator does
not like Bobby for multiple good reasons and is about to big time hate him. If
you love dogs, this is a very tough story to read.
The
young teen runaway is clearly out of place in the homeless shelter. Claudia,
the counselor, does her best to make her feel welcome as well as get some basic
information from her. Claudia is overworked and underpaid with few options at
the Martinson Shelter. At least no matter what her situation had been the rich
girl had far better options than Claudia ever did.
Samuel
“Sugar” Cane is sitting on his back porch in Lacy Lakeview, Texas drinking beer
and cleaning his .38 while sweating from the heat. “Sugar” by Michael Bracken
explains where he got the gun, his history, and what he does as a collector for
Tejano De La Rosa. There is plenty of work in the area around Waco. There are
also some surprises along the way as he makes his rounds collecting money owed
to his employer Monies paid by people who should have known better than to get
involved in any way with Tejano De La Rosa.
A
typical night of drinking has turned into a bizarre and very dangerous game
among the four guys. The guy known as Rat had the original idea, but Yak has
taken things to a terrible new level this time in “Thunderstone” by Stephen
McQuiggan. Backing out now would make things worse.
There
are mysteries to tell about what went on that recent winter when the snows hit
Boston so hard. “Secrets in the Snow” by J. M. Taylor tells a couple of these
secrets including what happened to Billy Myers.
There
has been an incident as “Jackpot Blue Thistles” by Jinapher Hoffman begins and
there is a bit of a mess. Prissy, the maid, can handle the cleanup. She has the
easy job, all things considered, despite the spilled blood. Miss Honey has a
couple of other things to arrange including getting a replacement package from
Mr. Jal for her client.
Alan
Johnson opened his liquor store in 1982 a week after he had purchased a shotgun
with a pistol grip. He knows the neighborhood and still believes he will never
have to use it. In “Stickup” by Nick Kolakowski things change in many ways
including Alan’s plan to never use the weapon.
After
the nine stories, there is an interview with Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis.
Michael Pool talks to him about his new novel Triggerfish as
well as writing crime fiction, upcoming projects, and various other things.
Issue 2
of Crime Syndicate Magazine is another very good read featuring complicated
tales and characters that do what needs to be done one way or another. While
there is not a laugh out loud like there was in the first issue, there are times when a nod and
sardonic smile might play across your lips. The tales are all good ones that
work on every level. Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2 is
also very much worth your time.
Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2
Edited
by Michael Pool and Dietrich Kalteis
Short
Stack Books
May
2016
ASIN: B01F28AAC2
eBook
(paperback available)
151
Pages
Material
was picked up to read and review back in early May by way of funds in my Amazon
Associate account.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2016, 2020
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