So Many Things To Bury

by Chris Orlet

This classic story of bad decisions leading to worse consequences takes place in a small Illinois Rust Belt city circa 1979.

Al Heidorn is a working stiff, a Korean War vet and recently divorced father of three whose life is unraveling from decades of drinking and neglect. Now Al is determined to start over and put things right.

But that’s easier said than done. Rather than get his life on track Al makes a tragic decision that seems likely to haunt him for the rest of his days.

Will he find redemption or will he squander the only thing that he has yet to lose—his young daughter's love and life?

Critical Acclaim for So Many Things To Bury :

“There’s not anything good about Al Heidorns’s life. Falling apart at the seams, Al’s just not boy scout material. Heidorn has no where to go but six feet under. Chris Orlet’s story is filled with top-notch witty prose and humor until the reality of Heidorn’s choices leaves no one laughing. High fives for Orlet, a worthy author, who makes it clear some people continually make bad decisions.” —Wil A. Emerson, bestselling short story author

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2023

About the author

Chris Orlet is the author of the true crime book Sun Gone Down (coming early 2026), and the novels Jacks Fork (Down & Out Books); So Many Things to Bury (Down & Out); A Taste of Shotgun (Down & Out); In The Pines (New Pulp Press) and a contributor to Dirty Boulevard: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Lou Reed (Down & Out). He was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois.

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING
"Chris’s books are among my favorite noir reads. I can't wait to sink into his next one.” –Jim Thomsen, The Killing Rain: Left Coast Crime Anthology

“Finally a worthy successor to James Crumley and Newton Thornburg and Kem Nunn, the 1970’s godfathers of true noir’s long-needed revival.” Jonathan Ashley, author of South of Cincinnati, Out of Mercy, and The Cost of Doing Business

“Often very funny, and true to the “noir” tradition in that its central characters are terminal screw-ups who get themselves deeper and deeper into horrible fixes. The more they try to dig themselves out, the worse it gets.” Rory Costello, Hard Sentences: Crime Fiction Inspired by Alcatraz

“A great view of small-time crime and its working-class in America roots as people struggle to keep a roof over their heads and feed their families.” David Nemeth, Unlawful Acts

“White trash noir at its finest. Dirt balls, criminals, and other assorted living train wrecks doing crazy stupid things, and it is funny as well. What is there not to love? I look forward to other titles by this author.” Paul McBride, book reviewer

Reviews

[Mark Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda like a white trash version of the movie Fargo. Lots of snow and lots of violence. It’s the abundance of bad decisions that drive the book. I’ll definitely read more by this author.

[Steve Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a drunk (now a recovering one) I've had many bad days that led to horrendous weeks. Luckily none of my poor decision making led to the death of other people. Although they very well could have. Eleven years ago, when I finally got sober, the new favorite quote in A.A was "do the next right thing". Al's thinking is like mine used to be in weighing out the shitty choices I was looking at. This book was a quick read and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the protagonist makes one horrible decision after another, I kept rooting for him hoping he'd figure things out. This starts off bleak and becomes increasingly darker by the chapter. My favorite novel by this author so far.