A pulp style thriller fest first and police procedural second. A SHOT OF TEQUILA reads like classic Elmore Leonard; punchy dialogue, endearing and humA pulp style thriller fest first and police procedural second. A SHOT OF TEQUILA reads like classic Elmore Leonard; punchy dialogue, endearing and humours characters, breakneck storytelling, and crafty plotting. The lead character in Tequila is a one man wrecking ball condensed in an unassuming yet hardened small stature. A former Olympic gymnast and now hired gun, Tequila is pitted against his employer, Marty the Maniac, after being framed for stealing a Super Bowl payday. Welcome to a world of pain and baths of blood.
Konrath doesn’t shy away from violence, embracing the extreme for the purpose of strengthening his characters menacing and mobbed-up façade. A simple extraction leads to a complete decimation of Tequila’s life as all those he holds close are taken away by Marty’s command turning the novel on its head from one of survival against the odds to waring vengeance and unquenchable blood lust.
Jack Daniels, the popular female protagonist of Konrath’s police procedural series plays a supporting role and adds a nice insight into the lawful side of the novel without becoming the main focus.
A SHOT OF TEQUILA is a solid introduction to Jack Daniels and a nice homage to the styling’s of Elmore Leonard.
From the authors Afterword:
“It’s an Elmore Leonard type of crime thriller, with some hyperkinetic violence and pulp-type action, and a diminutive anti-hero whom the book is named for.”
“This book takes place ten years before Jack’s (detective Jack Daniels) debut in WHISKEY SOUR.” ...more
LOCKED DOORS is the sequel to DESERT PLACES and features as a pivotal early piece in the ‘serial universe’ alongside other titles by Crouch and KonratLOCKED DOORS is the sequel to DESERT PLACES and features as a pivotal early piece in the ‘serial universe’ alongside other titles by Crouch and Konrath. Central character, Andrew Z. Thomas returns, the accused novelist now living in hiding is thrust into the dangerous world of serial killers once more when he learns of the re-emergence of Lucifer, a deranged and emotionally detracted killer.
LOCKED DOORS doesn’t have the same polished feel as DESERT PLACES with the second instalment in the Andrew Z. Thomas trilogy reading much like a typical serial killer tale. Yet, it’s the overly brutal manner by which it’s delivered that separates it from the pack. No character is safe as Lucifer does whatever it takes to enact revenge on Andrew for leaving him to bleed out at the end of DESERT PLACES.
At its core, LOCKED DOORS is driven by revenge. Lucifer, let to live regains his strength and targets those who were previously close to Andrew – once the bait is set and subsequently latched upon – the real gore begins.
Despite the graphical content, I felt it was warranted. Unlike other serial killer novels where the blood leads to distraction, the brutality and cruel ways of the killings served to enhance Lucifers lore and establish a truly menacing character.
I also liked the inception of a more investigative angle this time round. Violet, a young detective is on the hunt for Andrew – accused for murders his deranged brother committed, ends up forming a rather unique and interesting relationship with Andrew and Lucifer for that matter. I really liked the way Crouch wrote Violet – her story adds further humility to the series.
LOCKED DOORS is a pretty decent serial killer novel with plenty of gore with cause and thrills typical of the genre. Andrew Z. Thomas continues to grown on me as a ‘man wronged’ with his resolve tested to the fullest in this instalment. I’m interested to see what transpires in BREAK YOU, the conclusion to the Andrew Z. Thompson trilogy.
On a side note – Crouch includes a very handy read list of the Serial Universe up to LOCKED DOORS at the end of the novel in the kindle edition. ...more
The conclusion to the Andy Thomas trilogy focuses on three central characters; Andy, the writer portrayed as a serial killer to the broader community,The conclusion to the Andy Thomas trilogy focuses on three central characters; Andy, the writer portrayed as a serial killer to the broader community, Violet, the tough ex-cop now shacked up with Andy largely due to them surviving a harrowing ordeal with a crazed killer in LOCKED DOORS, and Luther Kite, the sadistic serial killer who still mourns the loss of Andy’s twin and like-minded killer Orson. The novella’s premise is simple; test character’s endurance by subject them to horrendous physical and physiological torture, all the while showcasing Luther’s truly sinister self and exposing the black hearted serial killer that he is.
While not as good as it predecessors, BREAK YOU will entertain, primarily by virtue of the shock and awe methods used for torture and manipulation (of human joints that is). For me, BREAK YOU didn’t really add anything to the trilogy – certainly not anything new. The core characters were already established and the chain of events leading to this point had left a lasting impression. I suspect, more than anything else, BREAK YOU is more a pit stop and bridge to STIRRED than actual stand-alone or designed specifically for the Andy Thomas series. That said, readers of the fiction set within the serial universe will lap this up – it’s violent, confronting, scary and entertaining. A one sitting read that will leave goose bumps. 3 stars.
Raw and uninhibited, 'Dark Places' epitomises the darker side of human life and the extremes we go to in order to take it away. A crime novel without Raw and uninhibited, 'Dark Places' epitomises the darker side of human life and the extremes we go to in order to take it away. A crime novel without boundaries, and endless possibilities - some of which have been realised through collaborate efforts with Kilborn/Konrath (re: Serial universe). In 'Desert Places' the reader is treated to a highly engrossing crime story whose core element resides within the demented and skewed mind of a serial killer. Protagonist, Andrew Z. Thomas, a famous crime author succumbs to the murderous crimes he himself crafts. Little does he know how closely his fiction resembles fact and that his bond with the criminal is equally strong in family as it is in ink. I could not put this book down! It's simply too good. Brimming with 'Silence of the Lambs' moments, shock and gag cruelty, and a rough edge that begs you to run your finger along it so you can feel what the characters themselves do, 'Desert Places' is the complete package. 5 stars. ...more
21 serial killers comprise this disturbingly violent and somewhat disjointed novel – each brandishing their own unique form of craft. Centralised arou21 serial killers comprise this disturbingly violent and somewhat disjointed novel – each brandishing their own unique form of craft. Centralised around Luther, the story erupts in truly terrifying fashion where a younger form of the budding serial killer is bare witness to the destruction of his family at the hands of a couple of sadistic killers. From that point forward, the perspective alternates from good and bad guys alike with their respective paths intertwining in comic book like crossover fashion. While the premise is sound, some of the chapters felt a little out of place with too much time lapse between events. Other than that, it was good to read about characters who have populated the works of both Crouch and Kilborn and learn a greater insight into some of their origins and back-story. Favourites of mine include Lucy and Donaldson, the deranged and sexy scary Alice, and of course – the main bad guy in Luther. Fans of both of these authors works wont be disappointed – 3.5 stars. ...more
Intrinsically linked serial killers populate the works of the pseudo author’s many facades to deliver a perspective on life focused on death. In this Intrinsically linked serial killers populate the works of the pseudo author’s many facades to deliver a perspective on life focused on death. In this instalment, the origins of the unassuming sadistic killer, Lucy are born in ‘Bad Girl’, the prequel to the disturbing anti hitchhiker movement that is ‘Serial’. At 15yrs of age, Lucy finds her way to a book convention held at a hotel and quickly lures one of the attendees into a hotel room where she satisfies her lust for blood only to be caught by two killers who share her enthusiasm for unwilling euthanasia. Touted as a novella, ‘Bad Girl’ is really a short story easily consumed in a single sitting with its intended purpose to wet the reader’s appetite for the proceeding books featuring Lucy’s serial killer accomplices ‘Desert Places’ and ‘Locked Doors’. While serviceable as a stand alone, ‘Bad Girl’ is best read in close proximity to ‘Serial’ where it adds context and a strong sense of continuity to Lucy’s story. Apart from being very short, ‘Bad Girl’ ticks all the right boxes, I just wish Lucy’s spree and ‘coming of age’ was further embellished. 4 stars. ...more
Kilborn doesn’t mince words, just body parts in this engrossing short story which picks up literally where Truck Stop left off. Donaldson’s god compleKilborn doesn’t mince words, just body parts in this engrossing short story which picks up literally where Truck Stop left off. Donaldson’s god complex, thirst for blood and need for complete victim submission come to fore in Serial at the expense of a naive hitchhiker. Kilborn teams Donaldson with yet another antagonist with a fetish for the macabre whose drive is that of the more imposing serial killer yet far more unassuming. Expect terror at every turn of the road.
Serial delivers on its relentless pursuit to dissuade people of picking up hitchhikers – I will never look at charred meat on the BBQ the same again as I am sure to envision the vivid and overtly graphic scenes described in this story. Sublime yet sadistic and so satisfying – 5 stars.
I recommend reading 'Truck Stop' first to add context - my review below:
Truck Stop is a culmination of all that is evil and perverse. Perennial killers Taylor and Donaldson, two corrupt souls find solace in a demented embrace at a roadside tuck stop. The initial victim; a prostitute whose body is seen as little more than a piece of meat ripe for dismemberment and consumption before the predators set their sights on police officer Jack Daniels. However, you could say, they bit off more than they could chew in underestimating Daniels’ survival instinct and hardened police training. Truck Stop is a brief interlude into the Jack Daniels saga and a good entry point for those unfamiliar with the character. Not a word is wasted in this thriller that touches on our deep seeded fear of experiencing a kidnapping, forced cannibalism and slow death. 4 stars.
Truck Stop is a culmination of all that is evil and perverse. Perennial killers Taylor and Donaldson, two corrupt souls find solace in a demented embrTruck Stop is a culmination of all that is evil and perverse. Perennial killers Taylor and Donaldson, two corrupt souls find solace in a demented embrace at a roadside tuck stop. The initial victim; a prostitute whose body is seen as little more than a piece of meat ripe for dismemberment and consumption before the predators set their sights on police officer Jack Daniels. However, you could say, they bit off more than they could chew in underestimating Daniels’ survival instinct and hardened police training. Truck Stop is a brief interlude into the Jack Daniels saga and a good entry point for those unfamiliar with the character. Not a word is wasted in this thriller that touches on our deep seeded fear of experiencing a kidnapping, forced cannibalism and slow death. 4 stars.
**My review of Serial**
Kilborn doesn’t mince words, just body parts in this engrossing short story which picks up literally where Truck Stop left off. Donaldson’s god complex, thirst for blood and need for complete victim submission come to fore in Serial at the expense of a naive hitchhiker. Kilborn teams Donaldson with yet another antagonist with a fetish for the macabre whose drive is that of the more imposing serial killer yet far more unassuming. Expect terror at every turn of the road.
Serial delivers on its relentless pursuit to dissuade people of picking up hitchhikers – I will never look at charred meat on the BBQ the same again as I am sure to envision the vivid and overtly graphic scenes described in this story. Sublime yet sadistic and so satisfying – 5 stars. ...more
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