Dead End

by Craig Faustus Buck

Johno Beltran is a former homicide detective who fell from grace when a stupid mistake allowed a rich, sadistic sex killer to go free. When the notorious murderer drives into the restaurant parking lot where Johno now works as a valet, their reunion leads Johno down a dark, twisty road toward a deadly collision between paranoia and reality. A short story.

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2012

About the author

Craig Faustus Buck is an L.A.-based journalist, nonfiction book author, TV writer-producer, screenwriter, short-story writer and novelist.

His first noir mystery novel, Go Down Hard, was published by Brash Books in 2015

His short stories have won a Macavity Award and been nominated for multiple Anthony and Derringer awards.

Among his six nonfiction books, two were #1 NYT bestsellers. He wrote the Oscar-nominated short film Overnight Sensation. He was one of the writers on the seminal miniseries V: The Final Battle.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts off one way and ends up somewhere completely unexpected. You're drawn into the action right from the start. Johno, an ex-cop, is now working as a valet when the very reason he's now an ex-cop drives up. This starts off a chain of events and we're swept along for the ride.

In just a few short pages the author brings us to the edge of our seats and then pulls the rug out from under us (to mix a few metaphors). This is a tight, descriptive short story and well worth a read.

Thanks to the author for making this available free for review.

[Connie Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. The author has a terrific style and turn of phrase. The exploits of disgraced detective Beltran are dark and funny and gritty. Don't miss this (now nominated for an Anthony) short story.

[Kevintipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn’t the fact that Dr. Luke Vico drives a BMW worth more than 100 grand that makes him a scumbag. For ex-detective Beltran it is Vico’s public behavior this particular evening as well as what he did to Angela Landau. Vico got away with murder and nothing was right ever again. Maybe Beltran can now figure out a way to fix things.

There is quite a lot going on in this complex short story. Nominated for the 2014 Anthony Award for Best Short Story this material is currently free at the Untreed Reads Store. Dead End is very good. Clearly, Craig Faustus Buck is an author to keep an eye on.

Dead End
Craig Faustus Buck
http://www.CraigFaustusBuck.com
Untreed Reads Publishing
http://www.untreedreads.com
ASIN: B00D9A37XU
E-Book
16 Pages
$0.99


Material supplied by Untreed Reads Publishing in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2014

[Not Now...Mommy's Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review To Come Soon