[(That Escalated Quickly!)] [By (author) Ryan Sayles] published on

by Ryan Sayles

Flash fiction doesn’t leave a lot of room for build-up, so it’s best to start by going for the throat and seeing where it leads. In these stories Ryan Sayles does just that. He turns on a dim light and leads the reader down an already claustrophobic path. Active shooter event? Check. Ugly, failed relationships? Check. Dope fiends making smart decisions? Check. People seeking out roadkill because that’s the deepest relationship they can handle? Check. Putting on a soiled Easter Bunny costume to say goodbye the hard way to your former office colleagues who all foolishly thought they had the last laugh? Check and double check. Each story is like an unmarked pill; just swallow it and see what happens. C’mon. It’ll be fun.

Paperback

First published December 7, 2013

Reviews

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't advocate short story collection that aren't written for a purpose in particular, but I guess Ryan Sayles is just that special of a writer. His prose is worth twice the price of this collection alone. It's a prose that creates friendships, triggers thoughts, makes you appreciate the chaotic, absurd nature of life like nothing else. I had a sweet spot for the stories involving his trademark character Richard Dead Bucker THE ROACH MOTEL REPUTATION and ONE-SIDED CONVERSATION, but there were other classics as well. I know I can't twist your arm into reading an author you don't know, but consider this like a flea market experiment. Ryan Sayles is one of these hidden treasures lost in a seat of old crap.

[John]

I am beginning to like to read more short stories from various authors. And this was my first time reading anything by Ryan Sayles. Who I will attempt to read more from in the future.

What I like about the short stories because it cuts out a lot of "fat" used to tell stories in longer form.

In this I like being drawn into the plot quickly and then having "twist" that changes what I perceived the outcome to be. In this collection the shorter the chapter the better for me.

[Todd Morr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready, because Sayles goes dark, real dark, but it you like that kind of thing (and you should) he does it as well as anyone. Mostly short, flash fiction length for many, pieces that hit hard and never disappoint.