As this review came up in my Facebook feed
yesterday, it seemed to be a good time to remind you of this review from five years
ago.
Thuglit:
Issue 21
continues the anthology tradition of hard hitting noir stories. Eight new
stories that tell tales of folks living on the edges doing what needs to be
done due to compulsion or to survive. Of course, since these are short stories,
it is not possible to say much as to do otherwise would create spoilers. It can
be said that, as always, these tales will make you consider your own
circumstances and the realization that things could be far worse.
It was a
street kid and his dog near an on ramp in Sacramento that caused Alan to stop
in “The Long Drive Home” by William R. Soldan. Hopper and his dog, Maggie, are
headed to Chicago to see family. Maggie is a far better traveling companion.
If you have
kids you are probably well aware of the issue of life threatening nut allergy
as no doubt at least one kid in the school your child attends has this life
threatening problem. “Nut Lobby” by Preston Lang takes a different tack on the
idea by focusing on the lobbyists of both sides who make presentations before
school boards and the like. For Lydia Todd of the national peanut council it is
a life and death battle as well.
At least this
time when he wakes up Fred does not find a dead hooker in the bed with him.
Still, he knows Connor did something really bad. He is about to find out what
that was in “Being Fred” by Travis Richardson opens thanks to a phone call from
Vladmir Dvoynev. A wakeup call from him, or any other time, can’t be a good
thing.
Back in Oct.
2012, the gigantic statue known as “Big Tex” burned down to its metal frame at
the Texas State Fair. It was not terrorists, as first reported by local
television stations, but a simple electrical short. A fictionalized version of
that fire is just part of the deal in “The Night They Burned Ol’ Big Tex Down”
by Christopher Fulbright. All Darla-May and Ray have to do is get rid of Toby
when the moment is right. Fair Park in Dallas is a long way from Afghanistan,
but a bullet does the same damage/death thing everywhere.
Jamie insists
on being a virgin and plans to remain so. They have known each other since the
first grade as Jamie lives down just down the street. It isn’t surprising that
sometimes the narrator goes to the woods behind the house to check out the
bedroom view in “Virgin Sacrifice” by David Rachels. Graduation is coming and
there are plans.
Cici has been
gone for a few years, but is back in Maui. In “Paradise” by Rena Robinett,
Trelani is missing and Cici is on the hunt as a mother does what she has to do.
Bad enough to
come home and find your place ransacked. Your daughter’s toys were one of the
few things not messed with while you and your family were at the movies.
Especially annoying to find out that your two AR-15s are gone. In “A Nice Pair
Of guns” by Nick Kolakowski the hunt is on for the guns and these responsible.
His father
Hal told him to only trust his eyes and ears and ignore what was on television
and in the paper. He apparently never said a word about watching out for stuff
falling on your head by the way of a crane on the hard docks of Oakland. He
certainly isn’t going to say anything at all how thanks to the blow caused by
six tons of Malaysian tin hitting his head. Jimmy is still coping with the
aftermath of that is so many ways in “Mercy” by Dale Sandlin.
The bios of
eight authors involved and the editors Todd Robinson, Allison Glassgow and
Julie Mccarron bring the latest issue to a close.
If you have
read Thuglit before you know what you are in for as this issue
meets high standards. If you have not, this series is not about unicorns and
rainbows. If any are present, they are because of your imagination is in
whacked out over drive as you have been chasing meth and alcohol the last 36
hours in a desperate attempt to get some money together in a cock eyed plan to
rip somebody off. Or, somebody hit you over the head and you had strange dreams
while lying unconscious as god knows what went on around you and to you. Thuglit:
Issue 21 is another dark read and another good one.
Material was
purchased to read and review back in late January by way of funds in my Amazon
Associate account.
Kevin R.
Tipple ©2016, 2021
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