Lesa's Book Critiques: Kevin’s Corner Annex – The Fatal Saving Grace by Jim Nesbitt

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Kevin’s Corner Annex – The Fatal Saving Grace by Jim Nesbitt

Review: "Selena" by Greg Barth

When you get a book released by All Due Respect Books you know that in all likelihood you will get one heck of a graphic crime filled read. Selena, the first installment of a three book series penned by Greg Barth, definitely meets the All Due Respect Books standard.  Not only is Selena book one of a three book series, this book is made up of three novellas that tell the tale.

Waking up with a hangover is always a negative. It is made worse this afternoon for Selena as she is naked and in the bed of some guy. She has no idea what his name would be or even were she is at. Based on what she feels on her thigh the latest attempt at safe sex failed. Selena gets dressed and before she leaves she swipes his cash and his cigarette lighter. She also swipes a music CD.

That was her big time mistake. Swiping the cash and the cigarette lighter might have been ignored. Taking the CD was a huge mistake as what is on it is certainly not music. There are very dangerous people who will want it back. They will track down the 98 pound twenty something stripper and unleash their fury on her. Their mistake will be in letting her live.

Graphic in terms of actions, descriptions, violence, and every other way possible, Selena by Greg Barth is pulpy crime fiction from start to finish. One could easily dismiss it as a violence filled revenge tale, but it is far more complicated than that. On the surface massive amounts of drugs and alcohol are consumed, sex is had, and many people are killed or if lucky just maimed a bit. At a deeper level, Selena is on a journey of self-discovery and is being molded by people and events throughout the course of the book.

Carnage frequently rules the read as Selena rolls through often leaving bodies in her wake. In many cases, she is left with very few options and is in a kill or be killed situation. Selena by Greg Barth is certainly not for everyone. If you don’t like graphic violence, graphic language, etc., this is not the read for you. If you prefer cozy cats and books where the most action happens when the detective runs for a bus or chases somebody down the street before losing them, this read is not for you. However, if you ever watched Charles Bronson in the Death Wish movies and thought he did not blast enough bad guys, or that John Wick got to a good start though he talked too much to the bad guys and should have just killed everyone in sight, Selena by Greg Barth is definitely the read for you.  

Review copy provided by Mike Monson of All Due Respect Books quite some time ago in exchange for my objective review. Mr. Monson has also supplied review copies of Diesel Therapy: Selena Book Two as well as the upcoming third book in the series, Suicide Lounge. 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016

Review: "What Happens In Reno" by Mike Monson

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

http://www.mikemonson.org

All Due Respect Books

http://www.allduerespect.com

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

WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The Bastard Executioner

WELCOME TO HELL ~ by Glenn Walker: The Bastard Executioner: I loved Kurt Sutter's "Sons of Anarchy." Sure, it wasn't perfect - I wish I'd skipped the Ireland season, and of c...