Review: "Tussinland" by Mike Monson

If you have read Mike Monson’s work before such as The Scent Of New Death and What Happens In Reno you pretty know what to expect with Tussinland. You expect some seriously flawed human beings, plenty of violence, some sex, and a crime spree or two. Tussinland delivers on all that while mixing in some social commentary ab out life these days in the world of social media. It also explains how one might be able to use a certain cough syrup in a highly inappropriate way that is very contrary to all the warnings on the bottle and packaging.

Of course, Paul Dunn does live in Modesto, California, his flaming disaster of a marriage is over, and he is forced to live with his very odd mother, Mavis while being unemployed due to a back injury. Fortunately, she does not own a motel, but her house is bad enough.  One can’t blame him for wanting to use a certain cough syrup in mind altering amounts in order to escape reality.

If things weren’t bad enough for Paul, he is soon the number one murder suspect in the violent deaths of his ex-wife, Tina Dunn, and her new boyfriend, Mark Pisko. To the police and the average person reading the online news sites and commenting, it looks like Paul, despite the restraining order, made good on his threats to kill his ex and her lover. Being brought in for questioning by Detective Fagan is bad enough, but things are about to get way worse in this very twisted read.

Tussinland is the latest example of Mike Monson’s deep love and affection for the city of Modesto, California and its people. Filled with very twisted characters---Paul might just be the most stable of the bunch--- plenty of violence, evil doers, and more, the book is one heck of a read that is also full of social commentary. It also seems to this reviewer that Tarantino ought to talk to Mr. Monson about a movie deal or two. 

Tussinland

Mike Monson

http://www.mikemonson.org

All Due Respect

http://www.allduerespectbooks.com

October 2014

ASIN: B00O9E6192

E-Book (Print also available)

296 Pages

$2.99

E-book supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015

Via Mike Monson's Blog-- Sneak Peak of Tussinland — Coming October 7 From All Due Respect Books

I really enjoyed Mike's THE SCENT OF NEW DEATH as well as WHAT HAPPENS IN RENO when I read and reviewed them earlier this year. Mike has a blog and has announced his new  full length novel at...

Sneak Peak of Tussinland — Coming October 7 From All Due Respect Books

Review: "What Happens In Reno" by Mike Monson

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.

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

Via Mike Monson-- Update on the exciting world of Mike Monson, writer

 After you read his post go pick up THE SCENT OF NEW DEATH. Heck of a read....

Update on the exciting world of Mike Monson, writer

Via Crime Fiction Lover-- Low profile crime fiction

Short mentions of 8 crime novels including Mike Monson's The Scent Of New Death that I reviewed here...... 

Low profile crime fiction

Via In Reference To Murder--- Author R&R with Mike Monson

Author R&R with Mike Monson

 

 

 

Do Some Damage: Is My Book Too Dirty? by Mike Monson

 This is a posting by the author regarding my review of last week and the warning I included concerning the content of the book. While I have no issue at all with the blog posting, I have made a comment on the Do Some Damage blog explaining my position.

If you missed my review you should read that first and it is here:

 
Do Some Damage: Is My Book Too Dirty? by Mike Monson: by Mike Monson The Kindle edition of my new novella, The Scent of New Death , was released on April 21. That day, a review appear...