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Out by the Trees: Short Dark Fiction
Short Dark Fiction...
What does a child's first memory have to do with an Indian girl whose brother has just joined a terrorist group? What does a man in a dark Midwestern house have in common with a teenager running from the Buenos Aires Police? A misplaced biker and a boy whose sister is about to die? A policewoman hanging onto her sanity and a faded British pop star? They are the people we are. They share the same hopes and fears that we do. They walk about us every day and stare back from the mirror. Welcome to Out by the Trees. Eleven shorts stories, from one to thirty pages each, all with a dose of noir.
What does a child's first memory have to do with an Indian girl whose brother has just joined a terrorist group? What does a man in a dark Midwestern house have in common with a teenager running from the Buenos Aires Police? A misplaced biker and a boy whose sister is about to die? A policewoman hanging onto her sanity and a faded British pop star? They are the people we are. They share the same hopes and fears that we do. They walk about us every day and stare back from the mirror. Welcome to Out by the Trees. Eleven shorts stories, from one to thirty pages each, all with a dose of noir.
90 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2012
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Max Tomlinson
13 books197 followersBorn in the wilds of San Francisco, with its rich literary history and public transport system teeming with potential characters suitable for crime novels, it was inevitable that Max Tomlinson would become a writer.
He is also kindred spirits with a dog named Floyd, a shelter-mix who stops and stares at headlights as they pass by at night. There's a story there, too. If only Floyd could talk. Then again, maybe not.
His work to date includes SENDERO (listed as one of the top 100 Indie novels of 2012 by Kirkus), WHO SINGS TO THE DEAD, LETHAL DISPATCH, THE CAIN FILE (selected by Amazon’s Kindle Scout program) and the follow-up – THE DARKNET FILE. A new three-book mystery series set in 1970s San Francisco debuted in 2019 with Oceanview Publishing. The first book, VANISHING IN THE HAIGHT, features ex-con Colleen Hayes, on the hunt for her long-lost daughter. TIE DIE, book #2, releases August 2020.
Max also writes under the pen name “Max Radin” when he’s not being purely mysterious or suspenseful. Check out ROCK 'N' ROLL VAMPIRE for his comedy debut.
He is also kindred spirits with a dog named Floyd, a shelter-mix who stops and stares at headlights as they pass by at night. There's a story there, too. If only Floyd could talk. Then again, maybe not.
His work to date includes SENDERO (listed as one of the top 100 Indie novels of 2012 by Kirkus), WHO SINGS TO THE DEAD, LETHAL DISPATCH, THE CAIN FILE (selected by Amazon’s Kindle Scout program) and the follow-up – THE DARKNET FILE. A new three-book mystery series set in 1970s San Francisco debuted in 2019 with Oceanview Publishing. The first book, VANISHING IN THE HAIGHT, features ex-con Colleen Hayes, on the hunt for her long-lost daughter. TIE DIE, book #2, releases August 2020.
Max also writes under the pen name “Max Radin” when he’s not being purely mysterious or suspenseful. Check out ROCK 'N' ROLL VAMPIRE for his comedy debut.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 3, 2013
This is a great choice if you are looking for a quick read. The nine short stories are gripping, powerful and leave you wanting more. I especially liked A Song for Ivy and Coming Down. A Song for Ivy was packed with emotion! Coming Down full of suspense and interesting twists! Looking forward to reading more from Max Tomlinson.
August 22, 2018
I only read 5 of these stories including Out By The Trees. I have only two things to say The title is wrong. It should be either "Recipes for Depression" or "These Short Stories Have No Ending".
January 16, 2015
Not usually a fan of dark fiction, Max Tomlinson captures more insight into the human condition than many authors do in an entire novel. These stories are quirky and dark, yes, but they hit that spot we want to deny we have. The spot that worries us and often draws us to questionable decisions, conflictive circumstances and violent thoughts. We wonder about these characters. There's something about them that we understand, relate to and fear. These short works are an excellent introduction to author Max Tomlinson.
August 10, 2014
I needed a quick read while waiting between meetings. Picked this book and was intrigued by the thought provoking stories and underlying messages.
Wonderful collection of dark tales. Tomlinson gives readers a taste of our darkest fears.
Wonderful collection of dark tales. Tomlinson gives readers a taste of our darkest fears.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews