Tooth & Claw: 5 Edgy Tales of Contemporary Life

by Janine Donoho

We humans account for one limb of an extraordinary and varied tree of life. As other animals adapt to an often violent world, so must we. In this dark collection of tales, join ordinary people in a fierce exploration of what it means to survive.

Tess chooses a Smith & Wesson to exact revenge on predators both urban and wild. Or does she opt for a more nuanced and satisfying reprisal? Elly lives in rural desert, disconnected from communal support by both distance and a fragile worldview. Her philandering husband’s abuse keeps her in line–until a bout with the flu places him in her capable hands.

When a close-knit community falls prey to urban criminals, retired firefighter Wayne and his mother Eva tap into courage, then discover its connection to mercy. National news reports a sniper’s progress as four women react according to the gravity of their wounds and personal strengths. Finally Renata and Zorah discover a unique means to exact vengeance on scoundrels who dismiss them as expendable--and harmless.

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2013

About the author

Award-winning writer Janine Donoho grew up navigating extremes—perhaps due to the ups and downs of her San Franciscan birthplace. That Escher landscape primed her to embrace imaginary worlds. With one foot planted in fuzzy science and the other in invented realms, she occupies the land of What If. Published in novel-length and short fiction, along with essays, Janine pursues the thumps that echo in the night—and writes about those, too.

With her intrepid husband, sighthounds, and tuxedo cat, Janine makes her home in the spectacular Spokane area. Mountain lions, coyotes, and bears—oh, my!