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Bullets and Fire
"Dad told me once, that if people don't care about where they live, the way they act, people they associate with, they get lost in the dark, can't find their way back cause there's no light left. I had taken a pretty good step into the shadows tonight."
It's payback time, in this short story by Joe R. Lansdale.
It's payback time, in this short story by Joe R. Lansdale.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2011
27 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Joe R. Lansdale
819 books3,896 followersChampion Mojo Storyteller Joe R. Lansdale is the author of over forty novels and numerous short stories. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, as well as numerous foreign publications. He has written for comics, television, film, newspapers, and Internet sites. His work has been collected in more than two dozen short-story collections, and he has edited or co-edited over a dozen anthologies. He has received the Edgar Award, eight Bram Stoker Awards, the Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Grinzani Cavour Prize for Literature, the Herodotus Historical Fiction Award, the Inkpot Award for Contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and many others. His novella Bubba Ho-Tep was adapted to film by Don Coscarelli, starring Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis. His story "Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" was adapted to film for Showtime's "Masters of Horror," and he adapted his short story "Christmas with the Dead" to film hisownself. The film adaptation of his novel Cold in July was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and the Sundance Channel has adapted his Hap & Leonard novels for television.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
He is currently co-producing several films, among them The Bottoms, based on his Edgar Award-winning novel, with Bill Paxton and Brad Wyman, and The Drive-In, with Greg Nicotero. He is Writer In Residence at Stephen F. Austin State University, and is the founder of the martial arts system Shen Chuan: Martial Science and its affiliate, Shen Chuan Family System. He is a member of both the United States and International Martial Arts Halls of Fame. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas with his wife, dog, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 1, 2016
In order to join a gang, Tray punches a little girl in the nose and takes her wallet. But why does he really want to join the gang badly enough to hurt a child? Vengeance!
When I saw this short story was free on the Kindle, I jumped at the chance to read it. After all, Uncle Joe has a pretty good stash of my money in his cookie jar at home.
Bullets and Fire is a bloody, violent revenge tale, penned by the master of mojo, Joe R. Lansdale. Tray joins the gang, gains their confidence, and then begins his bloody work. That's pretty much all there is to it. Violent, gore, and a satisfying conclusion.
Bullets and Fire is a fun read for Lansdale veterans and newcomers alike. Four blood-drenched stars!
When I saw this short story was free on the Kindle, I jumped at the chance to read it. After all, Uncle Joe has a pretty good stash of my money in his cookie jar at home.
Bullets and Fire is a bloody, violent revenge tale, penned by the master of mojo, Joe R. Lansdale. Tray joins the gang, gains their confidence, and then begins his bloody work. That's pretty much all there is to it. Violent, gore, and a satisfying conclusion.
Bullets and Fire is a fun read for Lansdale veterans and newcomers alike. Four blood-drenched stars!
February 24, 2014
A neat, whip sharp, mean piece of business.
Gotta love a tale of vengeance, this one is brief and bullet ridden, but could have been meatier. I do prefer an even trade of sins so some fire and things nailed down at the end would have been nice.
What it lacked in character development it almost made up for in description and humour. Good fun.
Gotta love a tale of vengeance, this one is brief and bullet ridden, but could have been meatier. I do prefer an even trade of sins so some fire and things nailed down at the end would have been nice.
What it lacked in character development it almost made up for in description and humour. Good fun.
January 4, 2012
Derived from a plot hatched with vengeance and fuelled by hated, Lansdale’s blood soaked gun romp is a class act. In a salute to shoot-out and pistol packing, gun toting gangsters, Lansdale weaves a tale laced with as much heart as adrenaline. On a quest to deliver justice one round at a time, the protagonist joins a street gang responsible for the death of his brother and the forced suicide of his father.
As the saying goes ‘keep you enemies closer’ – once initiated into ‘the life’, it doesn’t take long before the tale turns typical and predictable. That being said, when the bullets fly and the blood lashes many a surface, the climatic ending is enjoyable and leaves the reader satisfied as much as the protagonist is vindicated. Short, sharp, and oh so sweet – this one will leave an everlasting smell of cordite long after the light ammunition is spent. 5 stars.
As the saying goes ‘keep you enemies closer’ – once initiated into ‘the life’, it doesn’t take long before the tale turns typical and predictable. That being said, when the bullets fly and the blood lashes many a surface, the climatic ending is enjoyable and leaves the reader satisfied as much as the protagonist is vindicated. Short, sharp, and oh so sweet – this one will leave an everlasting smell of cordite long after the light ammunition is spent. 5 stars.
December 9, 2011
The last of four short stories by Joe R. Lansdale currently offered through Amazon and Gere Donovan Press. Another early crime noir tale. It was pretty easy to see where it was headed but it got there beautifully. Lansdale knows how to up the tension.
July 25, 2015
A fairly straight forward, predictable tale of revenge with a rather poignant ending. Written from a first person POV, using simplistic language (with lots of "and then"s) that I just didn't take to.
April 23, 2015
I am a big fan of Joe Lansdale and his writing. I even met the man once at a Horror Writers of America convention in New York City. He is a good man and a great writer.
One of Joe Lansdale's books will stand you on the back of your heels like a good stiff right cross.
If it doesn't hit you that way, you probably ought not to be reading anything beyond "See Dick Run".
I especially like this little yarn because it was free. That's right, I am a cheap old bear and I pinch my money until the janitor at the mint blushes flamingo pink.
This is a fast-reading yarn that goes down like a shot of cold whiskey on a hot summer day.
It is also a fairly simply tale and I have to admit that I saw where it was going by page 17 or so. That isn't usually the case with any of the many other Joe Lansdale tales that I have ever read - but in this instance it was.
Still, that did not spoil the reading experience anymore than seeing a road sign that read "NEW YORK CITY TWENTY EIGHT MILES" is going to spoil the experience of the Empire State Building hitting you smack between the eyeballs in all of its skyscraping splendor.
I do not want to spoil this tale just in case you don't happen spot the tattletale plot point like I did. We all have our own set of eyes and you ought to look at this story with a fresh set. Still, I will tell you that it is gang-related and violent as all get out. If you are sensitive or easily-offended you probably might want to settle on a Zane Grey novel or perhaps an old school Harlequin Romance.
Better hold out for one of those more delicate Harlequins - the kind with only half a bodice ripped.
BULLETS AND FIRE is a gangster story and it reeks of testosterone and locker room tale-telling. It is a cheap tavern steak, served up hot and fresh. It is a cold glass of beer on a hot summer day. It is not pretty or poetic but the scenes in the last couple of chapters will leave you feeling as if you had been drop-kicked by a sledge hammer.
If you dig Charles Bronson's Death Wish, you want to read this story.
If you think that Breaking Bad is the epitome of episodic television then you want to read this story.
If you want a tale that will smack you between the eyeballs so hard that the next thing you look at will be hanging off the wrong end of your lower intestine then pick up this story.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
One of Joe Lansdale's books will stand you on the back of your heels like a good stiff right cross.
If it doesn't hit you that way, you probably ought not to be reading anything beyond "See Dick Run".
I especially like this little yarn because it was free. That's right, I am a cheap old bear and I pinch my money until the janitor at the mint blushes flamingo pink.
This is a fast-reading yarn that goes down like a shot of cold whiskey on a hot summer day.
It is also a fairly simply tale and I have to admit that I saw where it was going by page 17 or so. That isn't usually the case with any of the many other Joe Lansdale tales that I have ever read - but in this instance it was.
Still, that did not spoil the reading experience anymore than seeing a road sign that read "NEW YORK CITY TWENTY EIGHT MILES" is going to spoil the experience of the Empire State Building hitting you smack between the eyeballs in all of its skyscraping splendor.
I do not want to spoil this tale just in case you don't happen spot the tattletale plot point like I did. We all have our own set of eyes and you ought to look at this story with a fresh set. Still, I will tell you that it is gang-related and violent as all get out. If you are sensitive or easily-offended you probably might want to settle on a Zane Grey novel or perhaps an old school Harlequin Romance.
Better hold out for one of those more delicate Harlequins - the kind with only half a bodice ripped.
BULLETS AND FIRE is a gangster story and it reeks of testosterone and locker room tale-telling. It is a cheap tavern steak, served up hot and fresh. It is a cold glass of beer on a hot summer day. It is not pretty or poetic but the scenes in the last couple of chapters will leave you feeling as if you had been drop-kicked by a sledge hammer.
If you dig Charles Bronson's Death Wish, you want to read this story.
If you think that Breaking Bad is the epitome of episodic television then you want to read this story.
If you want a tale that will smack you between the eyeballs so hard that the next thing you look at will be hanging off the wrong end of your lower intestine then pick up this story.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
December 28, 2013
Short and succinct, raw and bloody. Not a word goes to waste in this noir-ish tale. Revenge may be sweet, but the cost is dear. 'A righteous piece of witchiness'. Yes, indeed it is.
August 4, 2012
Bullets And Fire opens with the first person narrator relaxing in a bar after attacking a twelve year-old girl and breaking her nose. He might not be that proud of it, but it’s what he had to do to prove his worth as he aims to achieve initiation into one of the local gangs.
Job done, he asks the men with him about their own initiation. For me, the questions are a little bold for the narrator to be pushing at such an early stage and the lips of the gang members are a little too loose given their responsibilities.
Passing his test, the protagonist is taken along to the old bowling alley, not the gang’s hangout.
It’s a grim, primitive space, vividly described and bordering on the setting for a horror piece.
The setting shows Lansdale’s work off well.
From this point, the story unfolds with 3D smellivision and non-stop action.
It’s a good story, but not a great one. There are many strengths to the piece as you might expect, but for me it lacks a little something – the dark edge of humour perhaps, a little more of a test for the main character or a little more deviation or some deviation from the path upon which things start.
Good work. Solid work. Worth reading.
Job done, he asks the men with him about their own initiation. For me, the questions are a little bold for the narrator to be pushing at such an early stage and the lips of the gang members are a little too loose given their responsibilities.
Passing his test, the protagonist is taken along to the old bowling alley, not the gang’s hangout.
It’s a grim, primitive space, vividly described and bordering on the setting for a horror piece.
The setting shows Lansdale’s work off well.
From this point, the story unfolds with 3D smellivision and non-stop action.
It’s a good story, but not a great one. There are many strengths to the piece as you might expect, but for me it lacks a little something – the dark edge of humour perhaps, a little more of a test for the main character or a little more deviation or some deviation from the path upon which things start.
Good work. Solid work. Worth reading.
February 2, 2017
Кратка ганкстерска история, пълна с кръв, куршуми и насилие. Става въпрос за отмъщение - чакано, кърваво и безсмислено. Няма изненади, няма усложнения, просто история от квартала.
February 12, 2015
Lansdale has a certain confidence; a story-telling swagger that sits you down and lets you know you will like this. Like a sexy jedi Jagger; you almost don’t have a choice. Heck, right on the cover you’ve got the confidence (perhaps cockiness is a better word) spelled out for you. Champion Mojo Storyteller. I really wouldn’t argue with that. If you’ve never read any of Lansdale’s work before, Bullets and Fire isn’t a bad place to start. It’s got all the Lansdale elements: Grittiness, dark humor, great writing, genuine dialogue and those unexpected moments where you reread that last sentence, because no way did that just happen. Like Robert McCammon, Mr. Lansdale doesn’t care for being boxed into one genre and stresses that importance to other writers. I believe his talent merits being listened to when giving that advice, and this short gives a great example of it.
Bullets and Fire is a short that tells the story of a man returning to his old turf, doing what he can to become part of a local gang. Why he’s bent on being a member, we don’t know. And I’d rather not divulge that info here, as it could slow down the ride for you and you want this baby going full speed ahead.
The dialogue Lansdale has given these characters is a grade-A example on character development merely using conversation. It’s real and it’s entertaining. Three fourths of the way through, I was hoping we could slow down and get to know the characters a bit more, but then Lansdale throws the poo into the fan and there’s no stopping it. It gets everywhere and it’s a mess right to the end.
Lansdale puts a bloody bow on this little package with a closure that should end no other way. Champion mojo storytelling indeed.
Bullets and Fire is a short that tells the story of a man returning to his old turf, doing what he can to become part of a local gang. Why he’s bent on being a member, we don’t know. And I’d rather not divulge that info here, as it could slow down the ride for you and you want this baby going full speed ahead.
The dialogue Lansdale has given these characters is a grade-A example on character development merely using conversation. It’s real and it’s entertaining. Three fourths of the way through, I was hoping we could slow down and get to know the characters a bit more, but then Lansdale throws the poo into the fan and there’s no stopping it. It gets everywhere and it’s a mess right to the end.
Lansdale puts a bloody bow on this little package with a closure that should end no other way. Champion mojo storytelling indeed.
October 12, 2015
This full-on noir-vella is a perfect introduction to the brutally authentic, bitterly bloody writing of Joe R Lansdale. Apparently, he was asked to contribute something seriously hard-boiled to an anthology, and he came up with this fast paced tale of gangland revenge. You know exactly where it’s going within a couple of pages, the pitch-perfect banger banter making it absolutely clear that the opening act of senseless violence is only the start. And it’ll lead to an inevitable end.
Where some authors would take ten chapters to describe the past history of each character and every rock they ever kicked along life’s rough roads, JRL creates living, breathing, bleeding and stinking people with a few deft sentences. This is an edge-of-your-seat story. It’s only going in one direction but every page pulls you along to the inevitable conflict: a moment of vengeance which is almost as senseless as the event which first inspired it. And finally, a possibility of redemption. Or perhaps nothing more than silence…
Some whole novels manage to achieve less than this in 400 or more pages. In three or four scenes, Bullets and Fire vividly brings to life a young man; his brother, their aspirations, their family. Then it rips these ordinary people apart in an entirely credible fashion. If you’re dithering about whether to read any of LJR’s full-length fiction, then this will help you make up your mind about spending a few dollars. (I did.)
9/10
Where some authors would take ten chapters to describe the past history of each character and every rock they ever kicked along life’s rough roads, JRL creates living, breathing, bleeding and stinking people with a few deft sentences. This is an edge-of-your-seat story. It’s only going in one direction but every page pulls you along to the inevitable conflict: a moment of vengeance which is almost as senseless as the event which first inspired it. And finally, a possibility of redemption. Or perhaps nothing more than silence…
Some whole novels manage to achieve less than this in 400 or more pages. In three or four scenes, Bullets and Fire vividly brings to life a young man; his brother, their aspirations, their family. Then it rips these ordinary people apart in an entirely credible fashion. If you’re dithering about whether to read any of LJR’s full-length fiction, then this will help you make up your mind about spending a few dollars. (I did.)
9/10
October 24, 2014
“We’re gonna drive by, and then when they think it’s over, we’re gonna come back on them.” -Headmaster
Tray, who is a loner with no family, wants to get in good with Billy and Juan to join their gang so Tray beats up a girl and takes her wallet to prove he has what it takes to be a gang member. Once Tray passes the test, he must interview with the leader “Headmaster” and pass yet another test, one of bravery and stamina against the other gang members in an initiation brawl. Tray completes the initiation with flying colors and embarks on a killing spree never to be forgotten….
Bullets and Fire is a short story packed with plenty of punch and action in just the right places. Joe Lansdale does not disappoint in this tale of a man who no longer has a loving family fulfilling a long awaited release of frustration and loneliness within himself. Included at the end of this book is an excerpt of The Big Blow historical novella, which is also an enjoyable and fun read. This novella is for book lovers of fast action and drama who loves a good shoot-‘em-up, bang-bang read.
Tray, who is a loner with no family, wants to get in good with Billy and Juan to join their gang so Tray beats up a girl and takes her wallet to prove he has what it takes to be a gang member. Once Tray passes the test, he must interview with the leader “Headmaster” and pass yet another test, one of bravery and stamina against the other gang members in an initiation brawl. Tray completes the initiation with flying colors and embarks on a killing spree never to be forgotten….
Bullets and Fire is a short story packed with plenty of punch and action in just the right places. Joe Lansdale does not disappoint in this tale of a man who no longer has a loving family fulfilling a long awaited release of frustration and loneliness within himself. Included at the end of this book is an excerpt of The Big Blow historical novella, which is also an enjoyable and fun read. This novella is for book lovers of fast action and drama who loves a good shoot-‘em-up, bang-bang read.
August 31, 2014
It's amazing to think of all the different categories of fiction that Lansdale writes and it's even more amazing to realize that he could be considered a master of all of then. His Hap and Leonard books are quite different from his weird western stories (or just plain weird stories and I'm looking at you "Bubba Ho-Tep") which in turn is quite different from his thoughtful or coming-of-age stories. And then there is his crime noir stories into which "Bullets and Fire" falls. Maybe more appropriately this story might be contained in a sub-category for dark noir stories. The story is about how much one person will do for revenge and for family. Is compromising oneself in order to achieve closure right? How much is too much when getting revenge? They are questions that Lansdale addresses head-on at 80 mph with no helmet. You have no choice but to watch.
September 25, 2012
3.5*
Decent story though predictable. Disappointed with the ending, I was expecting the revenge part of the story to be much more clever than it actually was.
Decent story though predictable. Disappointed with the ending, I was expecting the revenge part of the story to be much more clever than it actually was.
December 24, 2012
Bullets and Fire, by Joe R. Lansdale, is a very violent, hard-boiled, crime short story about a man’s vengeance against a street gang.
May 21, 2014
This is a fairly predictable short story about revenge against a gang. There's really not much else to say about it. It is a short, quick read offering little outside of that.
3 STARS
3 STARS
August 28, 2014
3 Stars
Revenge. Nothing like a barrage of bullets against your enemies, to make you feel better.
Revenge. Nothing like a barrage of bullets against your enemies, to make you feel better.
January 6, 2018
Lansdales writing is on point, as usual, but the story, as quick as a read it is, left me a little bit disappointed. It's not really the authors fault, he perfectly describes the downward spiral of violence and its consequences and that's the reason the story left me a bit sad and disillusioned. It's not an uplifting read, but a very truthful one.
September 19, 2017
Love This Guy!
Nice short entry by Mr. Lansdale. Told in his distinctive voice, you come along for a violent ride with a twist.
Have been looking to get back to reading horror and this was a nice way to dip my foot in.
Nice short entry by Mr. Lansdale. Told in his distinctive voice, you come along for a violent ride with a twist.
Have been looking to get back to reading horror and this was a nice way to dip my foot in.
July 23, 2021
A mean little story packed with violence and ugliness. Not much more to say about it, really. An interesting experiment in revenge fiction from Lansdale. It does kind of pointlessly introduce that the main character is a proficient martial artist, which never properly pays off.
July 17, 2018
Bloody
A story full of blood, bullets, and martial arts.
Not really a surprising twist, but enjoyable anyway. It worths one hour of your time
A story full of blood, bullets, and martial arts.
Not really a surprising twist, but enjoyable anyway. It worths one hour of your time
March 23, 2018
This was a good introduction to Lansdale work. This felt like it was a brief snapshot into a much bigger story, and that is not a bad thing. I enjoyed it, though it was much more violent than I was expecting.
January 18, 2014
Okay, so maybe I'm in the minority here, but I thought this story was just okay. I did like the plot (the only thing that kept me going. Even if it was a bit predictable.), but the writing style got to me a bit. I know that it's supposed to have that slang feel to it, but the amount of times the word "and" was used was overwhelming, and especially distracting throughout the climax. It was very rough to say the least, even the typos weren't as irritating as the choppiness of the writing style. Also, the end was on the edge of being too drawn out for my taste. All in all, the plot made it worth the read, but I wish it were written smoother. All the author had to do was read it out loud to see it needed at least one more draft before publishing.
February 21, 2015
Revenge is best served...hard and fast! And that's exactly how Lansdale dishes it up. A short story about a guy looking to do whatever it takes to join a gang. We quickly learn that his motivation is to get inside the gang to enact revenge on the very thugs that are responsible for his brother's murder and led to their grief-stricken father to commit suicide. While the story may be predictable, it's a fast-paced and enjoyable adrenaline ride with Lansdale's writing style being it's strength.
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
September 10, 2016
Another kindle freebie from Joe R Lansdale, and another rollicking read.
Yes the plot is paper thin, almost transparent, but it's the ride that Mr Lansdale takes us on that is the beauty here.
The characters and locations are evoked wonderfully, the sights, sounds and smells feel almost tangible.
The only problem with these early short stories of his is that I'm left wanting more, like a greedy schoolkid who stuffs everything in too quickly and rues that he has nothing left!
Yes the plot is paper thin, almost transparent, but it's the ride that Mr Lansdale takes us on that is the beauty here.
The characters and locations are evoked wonderfully, the sights, sounds and smells feel almost tangible.
The only problem with these early short stories of his is that I'm left wanting more, like a greedy schoolkid who stuffs everything in too quickly and rues that he has nothing left!
August 28, 2014
This short story, which offers a slice of urban gang life, is not only well-written but also surprising in the direction it takes. I have to say I didn’t see the end coming—not the way it was presented or from the standpoint of character motivation. It’s a quick read, but it packs a good amount of detail and personality for its length. I recommend this work to fans of contemporary fiction with a gritty and bold tone.
January 31, 2014
Its a short story about death, hatred, gangs and revenge. I can totally understand the hatred of the protagonist and one will question if it is enough to justify the things that he did in order to get his revenge. But there are things that is impossible to let go of and just move on.
It is well-written. It evoked an emotional response from me, so Im going to give a 5 stars.
It is well-written. It evoked an emotional response from me, so Im going to give a 5 stars.
June 14, 2015
I usually never read short stories, but I had just finished another book by this author and came across this one. Boy, it packed a punch and left an impression. After I read it I honestly couldn't tell how I felt about it. I ended up deciding I liked the story even though some parts were hard to get through with all the bloodshed.
September 11, 2016
Well, this was sure violent
A quick and dirty tale of urban revenge. Not for the weak of hearts. The pacing is tight and very little time is wasted as our protagonist schemes to infiltrate a ruthless gang of killers.
I wish this had been more fleshed out into a novella length piece, but hey, what can you do?
A quick and dirty tale of urban revenge. Not for the weak of hearts. The pacing is tight and very little time is wasted as our protagonist schemes to infiltrate a ruthless gang of killers.
I wish this had been more fleshed out into a novella length piece, but hey, what can you do?
January 18, 2012
Very predictable, right from the very beginning, but something made me keep reading anyway...perhaps the raw language in which the protagonist spoke? Revenge was all he cared about, and believe me, you wanted that for him... you wanted him to have relief, quick justice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews