Short Story Wednesday Review: Thuglit: Issue 8 Edited by David Robinson (aka Big Daddy Thug)

After the positive response last week, I thought I would crack open the magnificently massive archive and remind you of yet another Thuglit issue today.

 

Thuglit: Issue 8 is the latest installment of the series and another hard hitting anthology of eight stories that portray life on the edges of society. If you want to feel good about humanity you should look elsewhere for your reading material. Or, read Thuglit: Issue  8 after donning a pair of rose tinted glasses and loading your favorite shotgun.

 

After a brief intro by Todd Robinson, the stories begin with “McFerrin and Black” by Buster Willoughby. Working at the retirement home is a hard job, but it has its perks. Like when sometimes one of the old folks lets slip some information about riches to be found.

 

A wrestler is looking for a payday and a way out in “The Rightful King of Wrestling” By Chad Dundas. He might have of found both if he takes that gig south of the border.

 

The work of Patti Abbott is always a treat and this issue is not exception. In “The Higher The Heels” Cara Willis is a realtor who knows how to move real estate. Her personal track record with men isn't so good, but maybe Joey Rinaldi will surprise her in good ways.

 

A day in the life of a teen selling crack in North Charleston, South Carolina during the summer of 2012 is found in “Cocaine Starlight” by Isaac Kirkman. The crack selling is just part of it in this tale packed with details and backstory.

 

Sure, Edmond ran her down with his car and busted her up a bit. Something similar has happened before so what are a few more scars in “Three Days Ahead.” by Caleb J. Ross. He may have run her down, but he also is hanging out at the hospital and spending time with her. Can't say that about her family. He also has a plan for the future and she can be a major part of it.

 

His girlfriend, Tammy, told Russell where to go past the old Shiloh cemetery so that he could score for them. As long as he plays it cool with the dealers in “Nothing to Lose” by David A. Summers everything should be fine.

 

It is the late 30's and movie serials are all the rage. Working as an extra is good in “Extras” by Mark Pruett, but the side job is where he makes the money. He identifies problems for people and, for the right price, quietly removes them. Eddie Ross has had all weekend to make a decision and now it is time to close the deal. 

Christmas Eve is not a happy evening for Max in “Not Even A Mouse” by Nolan Knight. A guy with the name of “Jello” is not doing any better. Max and Jello are on a collision course even if they don't know it just yet in the story that is the final one in the book.

Author bios bring the book to a close. 

The latest in the series, Thuglit: Issue 8, is another solidly good one. The tales are dark, for the most part, and feature people on the edge doing the best they can to cope with reality in their own ways. Some ways work, at least for a moment in time, while other ones don’t. 

 

 

Material was recently purchased for my use in an objective review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013, 2022

Short Story Wednesday Review: Thuglit: Issue 4 Edited by David Robinson (aka Big Daddy Thug)

Thuglit was a great read. Since I am cracking open once again the massive archive here at Casa Tipple and Home Eatery Library, I thought as we begin August with the sun still trying to kill us all and two plagues upon the seared landscape, I would remind you of this issue.

 

Thuglit: Issue 4 of the anthology magazine features eight stories from eight talented authors. Edited by Todd Robinson, aka Big Daddy Thug, these tales lean toward the noir side of things. These are stories where the reason why something happens is just as important as the act itself.

 

Crystal went all the way up to the bedroom in the small attic looking for the guest of honor. In “Through the Perilous Night” by Anton Sim she finds him watching TV, drinking, and clearly not in the mood for company for a very good reason.

 

Herb has had enough of everything in “Going in Style” by Eric Beetner. While he snapped during a game of gin rummy, the bigger issue is the retirement of home and everything it stands for in the twilight of their lives. He has a plan and wants Charles to go with him. But, Charles isn't the only one that heard the plan and wants in.

 

“Bet It All On Black” by Christopher L. Irvin opens with a murder accomplished by drowning the victim. The plan for afterwards is just part of this tale from the Vegas Strip.

 

Joe is the young new guy who is supposed to drive the in from out of town contract killers around. That and whatever else needs doing in “Brass” by Roger Hobbs.

 

Despite taking all the precautions she could, Diana, is a bit worried about things in “Under The Bus” by Albert Tucker. Diana Andrews has been in the business for a while now and isn't going to willingly be part of an elaborate political and legal mess if she can help it.

 

Two old school killers decide it is time to settle things in “Gallows Point” by Sam Wiebe. The Old Man and the Bastard have a long and complicated history so the final battle will be epic.

 

Patti Abbott is next with her increasingly dark tale “Allure Furs.” Iris needed a job for spending money that would help out at home. Employment has its rewards and its dangers like any job does, but this job is not run of the mill.

 

For Rex speeding down the open road is something he must do. The reasons why are complicated in “Of Being Darker Than Light” by Garrett Crowe.

 

These eight stories are followed by a short section of author bios, the editor bio, and suggestions of other books from various publishers. These eight noir stories in Thuglit: Issue 4 are all very good and feature rich characters dealing with people and events the best they can do. What some would consider in moral or illegal is fairly normal for these characters. Characters that are looking to survive despite the hand they have been dealt.

 

Material was picked up during the editor’s recent free read promotion.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013, 2022

Review: "Thuglit: Issue Six" edited by Todd Robinson

The recently released Thuglit: Issue Six keeps the reading momentum of recent issues going with eight more hard hitting stories to mess with your mind. Characters at the edge and desperate for a way out no matter the odds populate these stories in locales familiar and not. As always in the Thuglit series, these are short stories so in the interest of avoiding spoilers, details will be limited.

This issue opens with “PIN” by Hugh Lessig. The robbery of the customer after he left the ATM went off without a hitch. Everything went like Tory planed and told him it would. But, nobody planned for what would happen when they pulled it off.

After being in the Norfolk vicinity in the previous story it is off to Asia in “Wheels” by Rena Robinett. Nick trained her long ago how to move drugs by being a smuggler. She is good at it though she does have a problem as her flight has been grounded short of her destination by bad weather. That is definitely a problem. So too is the increasing interest being shown to her by a friendly stranger.

The next three stories take readers back to the United States before leaving again. The first one is “Come on Home” by Scott Adlerberg where the marriage is in trouble and both parties know it. Carla believes he is cheating and expects him to call in precisely at 10 pm from work as a way of proving he isn’t cheating and is actually working. The fact that he is at least forty-five minutes late with the call is going to make her very unhappy.

Eating a sub sandwich and cleaning your gun at the same time can be done. It may not be the smartest thing ever to do, but that February evening Mike “Muzz” Mukowski was absolutely starving. He wanted that sandwich and had been thinking about it all day. That wasn't the only thing he wanted and had taken in recent days. He really should have thought of the repercussions in “Having Chiqui” by Kieran Shea.

Louie and Vince set up a drug deal with Pete and now things are getting a bit strange in “Soul Collection” by T. Fox Dunham. Philly may be a big place, but Louie is sure he knows Pete from somewhere and just won’t let it go. All Vince knows is what should have been an easy piece of business is not turning out so easy after all.

“Sweet Caroline” by Jessica Adams takes readers to Cabo San Lucas and a pregnant woman and the choices she has to make. It isn't like James is still around to be involved now.

Aaron Fox-Lerner takes readers to China in “The Ghost Wife.” Mallory wanted to go China and be an English teacher. Her boyfriend went with her as a big romantic gesture. But, Wu Dong is the real China in all its smoke belching glory and they were not remotely prepared for the experience. They don’t fit in and they don’t have any real way out which leads to a desperate gamble.

The legendary Sanchez Penitentiary sits outside the city of El Paso, Texas. It is home to some of the most deranged and vile human beings mankind has ever spawned. “Rogues Gallery” by B. H. Shepherd tells the tale of some of those inmates currently hidden way from civilization.

Those eight tales are followed by author bios as well as other suggested books to read.

Thuglit: Issue Six is a good one featuring solid stories filled with characters in desperate situations. There is not an obvious theme to the issue beyond the basic idea of characters in a variety of settings and circumstances experiencing desperation of various types. Sometimes the tiniest of things has disrupted their plans. Other times the worst thing possible has happened thanks to a monumental error by themselves or others. Consequences are always present as is the suspense and the danger. At an estimated 134 pages the latest issue delivers another quality and varied read.

Thuglit: Issue Six

Editor: Todd Robinson

Thuglit Publishing

http://www.thuglit.com

June 2013

ASIN: B00DQ3PIZK

E-Book (also available in Paperback)

Estimated 134 Pages

$1.99

Material was purchased for use in an objective review by way of an Amazon Gift Card payment for my participation in the Amazon Associate Program.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

Review: "Thuglit: Issue 4" edited by David Robinson (aka Big Daddy Thug)

Thuglit: Issue 4 of the anthology magazine features eight stories from eight talented authors. Edited by Todd Robinson, aka Big Daddy Thug, these tales lean toward the noir side of things. These are stories where the reason why something happens is just as important as the act itself.

Crystal went all the way up to the bedroom in the small attic looking for the guest of honor. In “Through the Perilous Night” by Anton Sim she finds him watching TV, drinking, and clearly not in the mood for company for a very good reason.

Herb has had enough of everything in “Going in Style” by Eric Beetner. While he snapped during a game of gin rummy, the bigger issue is the retirement of home and everything it stands for in the twilight of their lives. He has a plan and wants Charles to go with him. But, Charles isn't the only one that heard the plan and wants in.

“Bet It All On Black” by Christopher L. Irvin opens with a murder accomplished by drowning the victim. The plan for afterwards is just part of this tale from the Vegas Strip.

Joe is the young new guy who is supposed to drive the in from out of town contract killers around. That and whatever else needs doing in “Brass” by Roger Hobbs.

Despite taking all the precautions she could, Diana, is a bit worried about things in “Under The Bus” by Albert Tucker. Diana Andrews has been in the business for a while now and isn't going to willingly be part of an elaborate political and legal mess if she can help it.

Two old school killers decide it is time to settle things in “Gallows Point” by Sam Wiebe. The Old Man and the Bastard have a long and complicated history so the final battle will be epic.

Patti Abbott is next with her increasingly dark tale “Allure Furs.” Iris needed a job for spending money that would help out at home. Employment has its rewards and its dangers like any job does, but this job is not run of the mill.

For Rex speeding down the open road is something he must do. The reasons why are complicated in “Of Being Darker Than Light” by Garrett Crowe.

These eight stories are followed by a short section of author bios, the editor bio, and suggestions of other books from various publishers. These eight noir stories in Thuglit: Issue 4 are all very good and feature rich characters dealing with people and events the best they can do. What some would consider in moral or illegal is fairly normal for these characters. Characters that are looking to survive despite the hand they have been dealt.

Thuglit: Issue 4

Editor David Robinson

Thuglit Publishing

http://www.thuglit.com/home.html

February 2013

ASIN: B00BNGXS18

E-Book (Print available)

108 Pages (estimated)

$0.99

Material was picked up during the editor’s recent free read promotion.

Kevin R. tipple ©2013