Nick Kolakowski's Blog - Posts Tagged "noir"
'Somebody's Trying to Kill Me: 17 Noir Tales'
Coming August 2: a book of my noir short stories titled “Somebody’s Trying to Kill Me.” Most of the tales have been published in various crime-fiction venues (including Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate Magazine, etc.) over the past few years, but the title novella is all new, all weird, and hardboiled through and through. If you’re looking for late-summer beach reading, it’ll be out in Kindle and paperback.
Here's the description, from Amazon:
A bounty hunter tears through the underworld in search of a pair of stolen assault rifles. Somewhere in the Southwestern desert, a college dropout trades textbooks and keggers for ripping off mob dealers. Up in Harlem, a liquor-store owner gambles with his life during a high-stakes robbery, while down in Brooklyn, a penniless novelist finds himself tangled in a mystery involving tattooed freaks, damaged supermodels, and hipsters who can’t shoot straight.
SOMEBODY’S TRYING TO KILL ME features seventeen adrenaline-charged noir thrillers, including the titular novella. Some of these dark tales have been published in Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate, and other crime-fiction magazines; more are all new; and every single one of them is guaranteed to keep you turning pages until dawn.
Kindle edition is available for pre-order; paperback will release August 2.
Here's the description, from Amazon:
A bounty hunter tears through the underworld in search of a pair of stolen assault rifles. Somewhere in the Southwestern desert, a college dropout trades textbooks and keggers for ripping off mob dealers. Up in Harlem, a liquor-store owner gambles with his life during a high-stakes robbery, while down in Brooklyn, a penniless novelist finds himself tangled in a mystery involving tattooed freaks, damaged supermodels, and hipsters who can’t shoot straight.
SOMEBODY’S TRYING TO KILL ME features seventeen adrenaline-charged noir thrillers, including the titular novella. Some of these dark tales have been published in Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate, and other crime-fiction magazines; more are all new; and every single one of them is guaranteed to keep you turning pages until dawn.
Kindle edition is available for pre-order; paperback will release August 2.
New Book Out!
Over the past few years, I’ve published several hardboiled tales of mayhem and murder in a handful of publications: Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate Magazine, etc. Now I’ve collected them together along with an all-new novella set in Brooklyn. “Somebody’s Trying to Kill Me” is now available in paperback and Kindle:
Here's the Amazon description:
"A bounty hunter tears through the underworld in search of a pair of stolen assault rifles. Somewhere in the Southwestern desert, a college dropout trades textbooks and keggers for ripping off mob dealers. Up in Harlem, a liquor-store owner gambles with his life during a high-stakes robbery, while down in Brooklyn, a penniless novelist finds himself tangled in a mystery involving tattooed freaks, damaged supermodels, and hipsters who can’t shoot straight.
"SOMEBODY’S TRYING TO KILL ME features seventeen adrenaline-charged noir thrillers, including the titular novella. Some of these dark tales have been published in Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate, and other crime-fiction magazines; more are all new; and every single one of them is guaranteed to keep you turning pages until dawn."
(And if you've read down this far, you'll learn that we're doing an Amazon giveaway tomorrow, because why not?)
Here's the Amazon description:
"A bounty hunter tears through the underworld in search of a pair of stolen assault rifles. Somewhere in the Southwestern desert, a college dropout trades textbooks and keggers for ripping off mob dealers. Up in Harlem, a liquor-store owner gambles with his life during a high-stakes robbery, while down in Brooklyn, a penniless novelist finds himself tangled in a mystery involving tattooed freaks, damaged supermodels, and hipsters who can’t shoot straight.
"SOMEBODY’S TRYING TO KILL ME features seventeen adrenaline-charged noir thrillers, including the titular novella. Some of these dark tales have been published in Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, Crime Syndicate, and other crime-fiction magazines; more are all new; and every single one of them is guaranteed to keep you turning pages until dawn."
(And if you've read down this far, you'll learn that we're doing an Amazon giveaway tomorrow, because why not?)
The Book's 99 Cents This Week!
The Kindle edition of 'Somebody's Trying to Kill Me' is a mere 99 cents this week, which means a whole lot of noir-y, hardboiled mayhem for the cost of a can of Coke!
Or if you want to take your chances on landing a copy for free, we're also hosting an Amazon giveaway.
Or if you want to take your chances on landing a copy for free, we're also hosting an Amazon giveaway.
A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps
So the Amazon pre-order for my new noir novel, “A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps,” is live. Here’s the description:
Bill is a hustler’s hustler with a taste for the high life. He pulls off big scores for one of New York City’s more vicious gangs…until he suddenly grows a conscience. However, living the clean life takes a whole lot of money, and so Bill decides to steal a fortune from his employer before skipping town.
With a bag of cash in the trunk of his car, Bill heads west, ready for a new life. But all that money makes him a tempting target for some bad people he meets on the road—and if that wasn’t dangerous enough, some old friends are close behind him, and they intend to make a trophy of his head.
Pursued by crooked cops, dimwitted bouncers, and a wisecracking assassin in the midst of a midlife crisis, Bill will need to be a quick study in the way of the gun if he wants to survive his own getaway. Who knew that an honest attempt at redemption could rack up a body count like this?
‘A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps’ is a gonzo noir journey into obsession, violence, and the power of love.
Release date is May 12. Pre-order for the e-book version will go live before that.
Bill is a hustler’s hustler with a taste for the high life. He pulls off big scores for one of New York City’s more vicious gangs…until he suddenly grows a conscience. However, living the clean life takes a whole lot of money, and so Bill decides to steal a fortune from his employer before skipping town.
With a bag of cash in the trunk of his car, Bill heads west, ready for a new life. But all that money makes him a tempting target for some bad people he meets on the road—and if that wasn’t dangerous enough, some old friends are close behind him, and they intend to make a trophy of his head.
Pursued by crooked cops, dimwitted bouncers, and a wisecracking assassin in the midst of a midlife crisis, Bill will need to be a quick study in the way of the gun if he wants to survive his own getaway. Who knew that an honest attempt at redemption could rack up a body count like this?
‘A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps’ is a gonzo noir journey into obsession, violence, and the power of love.
Release date is May 12. Pre-order for the e-book version will go live before that.
Tech in Crime Fiction
Hey everybody!
Over at Crimespree Magazine, I wrote a (brief) blog post about the use of technology in crime fiction. Specifically, I talk about how tech can (and often does) serve as a MacGuffin (“We must find the USB drive with the incriminating photos on it!”), an effective Deus ex machina (“My hacking skills will let us escape this impossible situation!”), and, in the case of a lot of thrillers and mysteries, a horrifying or hilarious way to kill people.
So if you're looking for a little Friday reading, check it out:
http://crimespreemag.com/hackers-and-...
In that posting, I also included a YouTube clip that inspired one of the wilder sequences in "A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps."
Over at Crimespree Magazine, I wrote a (brief) blog post about the use of technology in crime fiction. Specifically, I talk about how tech can (and often does) serve as a MacGuffin (“We must find the USB drive with the incriminating photos on it!”), an effective Deus ex machina (“My hacking skills will let us escape this impossible situation!”), and, in the case of a lot of thrillers and mysteries, a horrifying or hilarious way to kill people.
So if you're looking for a little Friday reading, check it out:
http://crimespreemag.com/hackers-and-...
In that posting, I also included a YouTube clip that inspired one of the wilder sequences in "A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps."
Newsletter!
You know what humankind needs? Another newsletter. Seriously. Everyone's email inbox is far too empty these days.
Fortunately, I have a solution. I promise - pinky swear! - that I will only fire a newsletter into your inbox once a month, and that it will be filled with only the most delicious content and links. That means not only my stuff (articles, upcoming books, chapter excerpts, etc.) but also things I've found interesting (other folks' books, music, etc.).
Fortunately, I have a solution. I promise - pinky swear! - that I will only fire a newsletter into your inbox once a month, and that it will be filled with only the most delicious content and links. That means not only my stuff (articles, upcoming books, chapter excerpts, etc.) but also things I've found interesting (other folks' books, music, etc.).
Release Day!
"A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps" is finally (finally!) seeing the proverbial light of day!
We're out in every medium; here are some easy links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.:
Paperback: https://goo.gl/SYmhSl
Amazon Kindle: https://goo.gl/XUgk92
B&N Nook: https://goo.gl/PAZiO9
Apple iTunes: https://goo.gl/kBSclb
And if you *do* pick up a copy, I'd greatly appreciate it if you left a review either here on Goodreads or Amazon; it'll help spread the word.
Happy reading!
N.
We're out in every medium; here are some easy links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.:
Paperback: https://goo.gl/SYmhSl
Amazon Kindle: https://goo.gl/XUgk92
B&N Nook: https://goo.gl/PAZiO9
Apple iTunes: https://goo.gl/kBSclb
And if you *do* pick up a copy, I'd greatly appreciate it if you left a review either here on Goodreads or Amazon; it'll help spread the word.
Happy reading!
N.
Giveaway!
We have a Goodreads giveaway going for "A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps: five signed copies that'll go to lucky winners. Check it out.
Newsletter Incoming!
Apologies for skipping August's #newsletter. Things got crazier than expected, there was a bit of a midnight flight through the woods... you know how it goes.
In any case, September's newsletter is about to drop, featuring a #goodreads #giveaway, a nifty author interview with Marie Crosswell (who wrote the just-released "Texas, Hold Your Queens"), and linkage to my latest short story, "Auditions," which appears in Out of the Gutter.
Signup is here: http://nickkolakowski.com/?page_id=858
In any case, September's newsletter is about to drop, featuring a #goodreads #giveaway, a nifty author interview with Marie Crosswell (who wrote the just-released "Texas, Hold Your Queens"), and linkage to my latest short story, "Auditions," which appears in Out of the Gutter.
Signup is here: http://nickkolakowski.com/?page_id=858
'Slaughterhouse Blues' is up for pre-order!
Noir lovers: Blatant self-promotion time! (It'll be worth it, I swear.) My new book, "Slaughterhouse Blues," is available for pre-order in paperback and e-versions (#kindle, etc.) from Shotgun Honey and Down & Out Books; it's the sequel to "A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps," and filled with hardboiled goodness. Here's the description:
"'Slaughterhouse Blues' catches up with Bill and Fiona, the chattery and gun-happy anti-heroes of 'A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps,' soon after they’ve escaped the Rockaway Mob, the criminal enterprise from which Bill 'borrowed' several million dollars.
"Holed up in Havana, Bill and Fiona know the Mob is coming for them—it’s just a question of time. But they’re not prepared for who the Mob sends: a pair of assassins so utterly amoral and demented, their behavior pushes the boundaries of sanity. Seriously, what kind of killers pause in mid-hunt to discuss the finer points of thread count and luxury automobiles?
"Forced on the run (again), Bill and Fiona will venture from the crumbling streets of Cuba to the steaming jungles of Nicaragua, and finally back to the mean streets of New York City. If they want to survive, our fine young criminals can’t retreat anymore: they’ll need to pull off a massive (and massively weird) heist—and the loot has some very dark history…"
Just in case you haven't started the series, here's some praise for A BRUTAL BUNCH OF HEARTBROKEN SAPS:
“Dark, bleak and in-your-face, take-no-prisoners prose, everything you want in crime fiction.” —Frank Bill, author of 'Donnybrook' and 'Crimes in Southern Indiana'
“Ruthless, off-the-wall and surprisingly heartfelt, A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps is much more than a heist book, and showcases the skills of an emerging writer in Nick Kolakowski. Featuring memorable characters, a down-on-his-luck protagonist and a story that’s equal parts insane and sincere, Saps is the kind of book you read fast and revisit immediately to savor the experience again.” —Alex Segura, acclaimed author of 'Dangerous Ends' and 'Down the Darkest Street.'
Whew! Here's the link to the Down & Out bookstore, which features all kinds of special discounts, and here's the link to Amazon (if Amazon's your thing).
"'Slaughterhouse Blues' catches up with Bill and Fiona, the chattery and gun-happy anti-heroes of 'A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps,' soon after they’ve escaped the Rockaway Mob, the criminal enterprise from which Bill 'borrowed' several million dollars.
"Holed up in Havana, Bill and Fiona know the Mob is coming for them—it’s just a question of time. But they’re not prepared for who the Mob sends: a pair of assassins so utterly amoral and demented, their behavior pushes the boundaries of sanity. Seriously, what kind of killers pause in mid-hunt to discuss the finer points of thread count and luxury automobiles?
"Forced on the run (again), Bill and Fiona will venture from the crumbling streets of Cuba to the steaming jungles of Nicaragua, and finally back to the mean streets of New York City. If they want to survive, our fine young criminals can’t retreat anymore: they’ll need to pull off a massive (and massively weird) heist—and the loot has some very dark history…"
Just in case you haven't started the series, here's some praise for A BRUTAL BUNCH OF HEARTBROKEN SAPS:
“Dark, bleak and in-your-face, take-no-prisoners prose, everything you want in crime fiction.” —Frank Bill, author of 'Donnybrook' and 'Crimes in Southern Indiana'
“Ruthless, off-the-wall and surprisingly heartfelt, A Brutal Bunch of Heartbroken Saps is much more than a heist book, and showcases the skills of an emerging writer in Nick Kolakowski. Featuring memorable characters, a down-on-his-luck protagonist and a story that’s equal parts insane and sincere, Saps is the kind of book you read fast and revisit immediately to savor the experience again.” —Alex Segura, acclaimed author of 'Dangerous Ends' and 'Down the Darkest Street.'
Whew! Here's the link to the Down & Out bookstore, which features all kinds of special discounts, and here's the link to Amazon (if Amazon's your thing).
