Bat Out of Hell: An Anthology of New Mystery Short Stories

Music and Murder Mystery #4

by Don Bruns (Editor), Andrew Child (contributor), Rick Bleiweiss (contributor)

Inspired by the debut album from legendary rock star Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell is a stellar collection of mysteries from some of the best writers in the genre.

The fourth installment in the Music and Murder Mystery series, edited by Don Bruns, Bat Out of Hell is a nonstop thrill ride of engrossing mysteries from some of the best authors in the business. An anthology unlike any other, this collection includes a brand-new Jack Reacher story from Andrew Child, a never-before-seen Pignon Scorbion prequel from Rick Bleiweiss, as well as exciting new mysteries from Heather Graham, John Gilstrap, Dave Bruns, C. J. Kudlacz, and Charles Todd.

Whether you are familiar with the series or encountering it for the first time, Bat Out of Hell has something for everyone.

Genres: Short Stories, Mystery, Anthologies, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime

230 pages, Hardcover

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

Don Bruns is a writer, novelist, musician, songwriter, painter, cook, advertising executive and stand up comic who has no idea what he wants to be when he grows up. He's the author of nine books and was editor of the mystery/music anthology A Merry Band Of Murderers.

Don's published novels cover two series. One, a Caribbean thriller collection and two, the Stuff series, a humorous look at two twenty-four year old guys in South Florida who start their own detective agency and end up neck - deep in trouble.

Jamaica Blue, Barbados Heat, South Beach Shakedown, St. Barts Breakdown and Bahama Burnout make up the Caribbean books. The Stuff series consists of Stuff To Die For, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, Stuff To Spy For, and Don't Sweat The Small Stuff. Bruns is currently working on the fifth Stuff book, Too Much Stuff.

He currently resides on Florida's West coast.

Bahama Burnout/ Finalist, National Best Books Award - Mystery/Suspense 2009
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner National Best Books Award -Fiction/Suspense 2006
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner, Indie Excellence, 2006 Award - Mystery/Suspense
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner USA Book Award, 2006 - Mystery
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/ Winner Indie Excellence Award 2009 - Mystery/Suspense
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/IndieBound Notable, October 2008
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/Winner Florida Writer's Association -
Stuff To Die For/ Starred review Booklist

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when classic rock collides with classic crime fiction?

You get Bat Out of Hell — a killer anthology inspired by Meat Loaf’s legendary debut album, and it's as bold, gritty, and unforgettable as the music itself.

This is the fourth installment in the Music and Murder Mystery series, and it might just be the strongest yet. Don Bruns has assembled an all-star lineup of mystery and thriller heavyweights, and every story in this collection brings it.

🎯 Want action? There's a brand-new Jack Reacher story from Andrew Child.

🕵️‍♂️ Craving clever deduction? Rick Bleiweiss delivers a smart, stylish Pignon Scorbion prequel.

🔥 And if you're just in the mood for great storytelling? Heather Graham, John Gilstrap, Charles Todd, C.J. Kudlacz, Dave Bruns, and Bruns himself knock it out of the park.

Each story is unique, yet they all carry that undercurrent of danger, rebellion, and raw emotion that defined Meat Loaf’s music. This isn't just a theme slapped onto a few mystery stories — it's a vibe. Think back-alley deals, morally grey heroes, small-town secrets, and adrenaline-fueled confrontations, all with a soundtrack playing in the background.

Whether you’re here for the music, the mysteries, or just a really solid collection of short fiction, Bat Out of Hell is a must-read. 🎤💥

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1977 not only did one of the most famous debut albums of all time get released but also one of the most iconic albums of that era. “Bat Out Of Hell” lauded the emergence of an unforgettable creative team --- Marvin Lee “Meat Loaf” Aday on vocals and Jim Stienman providing legendary lyrics. It remains one of my favorite albums ever.

Editor Don Bruns and Blackstone Publishing have taken this iconic album and used it as the impetus for a series of terrific short stories based directly or loosely upon the songs from that album. It follows in a series of similar collections based on the albums “Thriller,” “Hotel California,” and “Back In Black.”

There is not a bad story in this collection, and I am carefully highlighting just a few that stood out for me:

• “Bat Out Of Hell” – Andrew Child – to my knowledge, this is the first time that Andrew is penning a solo Jack Reacher story without his brother Lee, who originally created the character and has collaborated now on several novels with him. The ever-wandering giant nomad of justice known as Jack Reacher finds himself in the small town of Maynard’s Creek where his life is about to intersect with a nefarious biker gang and the diner waitress named Blythe who had once worked with them and now was the latest damsel in distress that Reacher must rescue. Great stuff here and Reacher fans will be begging for more.
• “You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth” – Rick Bleiweiss – the story based on my favorite song from the album, also known as “Hot Summer Night.” This story is set in 1910 London and features the character well-known to readers of Bleiweiss’s work --- Chief Police Inspector Pignon Scorbion. His area of purview is the English countryside, and he is investigating the beating death of a young woman outside a bar by a bunch of ruffians. In true Sherlock Holmes style, Scorbion is able to see things no one else seems able to and solves this tricky case by using his guile, wit, and powerful observation ability.
• “All Revved Up With No Place To Go” – John Gilstrap – Ace and Deb are on their third, and perhaps final, date together. This one involves off-road four-wheel drive racing in a contraption that would strike fear in almost anyone. When they end up crashing and flipping upside down, they come face to face with an armed, camouflaged man once they are able to free themselves. He initially claims to be the owner of the property who is angered at people who abuse his land in the way that Ace and Deb have. They soon learn that this man has other intentions, and they involve using Ace and Deb as live hunter’s prey in what turns into a lethal game of cat-and-mouse.
• “For Crying Out Loud” – Charles Todd – Charles, who wrote for years as the ‘duo’ Charles Todd with his late mother Caroline continues to go it alone. His contribution to this collection speaks to his love of historical fiction, often involving wartime. This story is set in the heart of WWI with a young soldier named Laurence Hughes who is injured in action and needs to have his leg amputated. Upon his return home to recover, he wants nothing more than to see his fiancée, Elsie. His pain will continue when he gets some tragic news involving her and it will take an amazing plot twist to bring about the resolution to this complex and heartfelt tale.
I applaud editor Don Bruns, who also contributes a story to this collection, as well as Blackstone Publishing for continuing to produce this unique series of mystery short stories paired with classic rock and pop albums. Eager to see what selection they have in mind next!

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It really bums me out to have to write this because I absolutely loved the concept and structure of the Music and Murder series when first introduced to it. Fashioning a collection of stories on an album, each entry loosely based on an individual track, was about as good a set-up for a story collection as you can get.

But these are getting more and more repetitive and farther and farther away from the spirit of the songs the stories are supposed to reference.

Generally I think Bruns is a very good curator, and the stories he penned for this collection are the best of the lot. But it might be time to branch out a bit more, as we’re seeing the same authors over and over in these collections, and they’re almost all very mainstream and well-known crime writers. If there’s one thing I don’t need out of a collection where I’m hoping to discover new material or authors, it’s ANOTHER Jack Reacher story. Sigh.

There’s some good stuff in this collection and absolutely none of it is poorly written or conceived, but it definitely feels a little stale here on the forth installment in the series.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do these eight short thrillers have in common? Well, they are all well written and suck the reader into the action quickly. All of the main characters work on solving a problem to the best of their ability, but they are not afraid to seek assistance. Plus the story titles all seem to be Meat Loaf song titles. We have a crew facing down a motorcycle club and winning, Reacher being Reacher, a dangerous game played out in West Virginia woods, a jewelry heist solved with voodoo, and a couple of feel-good tales of family being there for each other. A nice set of quick reads that entertain.

Thanks Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the chance to read this title!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not too much of a fan of short stories, but this included well known mystery authors, including one of my favorites, Charles Todd. This is part of a series of short story collections with titles based on musical albums (this title comes from a Meatloaf album). The selection of stories was pretty interesting, and Charles Todd did not fail us. A quick read, but some interesting stories.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blackstone Publishing provided a galley for review.

I was a pre-teen when the album that inspired this collection was released. I believe that Jim Steinman's compositions were true masterpieces and that Meat Loaf's delivery of the lyrics was pure perfection. How could I turn down checking out this volume? It is a fun concept of doing stories inspired by songs (I've done it myself once or twice).

How much the song each author was assigned/chose influences their story is a very mixed bag. Some went out of their way to incorporate lyrical elements into details of their tale, others maybe worked in the title of their song in some manner and that was it, while still others (maybe) crafted their story in a bit of a vibe to their song. There were a couple I had a hard time finding the connection, if there was one even made.

Even still, the collection provided a good reading experience overall. This was my first exposure to Child's Jack Reacher which I liked. John Gilstrap's tale was my favorite of the group (I might have to seek out more of his work).

[Silver Screen Videos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories appearing in anthologies typically share a common element, such as characters, settings, or central themes. I thought I had encountered almost every possible premise for an anthology, and then I read “Bat Out of Hell,” compiled and edited by noted mystery author Don Bruns. This book is the latest in Bruns’s Music and Murder Mystery Series, each volume of which takes its title and theme from an iconic album. The stories in “Bat Out of Hell” are suggested by the songs on Meat Loaf’s iconic 1977 debut album of the same name. Some tales hew closer to the “source material” than others. However, once readers get past the album tie-in and focus on the stories’ overall quality, the collection is an entertaining read for mystery and crime fiction fans.

“Bat Out of Hell” contains eight stories by different authors, including editor Bruns. Most of the stories take their titles from songs on the album. (Since the anthology has eight stories and the album only has seven songs, some songs had to do double duty.) The anthology’s opening entry, also called “Bat Out of Hell” by Andrew Child, stays closest to its source material and is also the best in the book. It’s a typical Jack Reacher story. (Andrew Child has taken over writing the Reacher series from his brother, Lee Child.) Reacher finds himself in a small New Mexico town that’s seen better days. While having dinner in a local diner, he watches a woman barricade herself in the ladies’ room while a large man pounds on the door, demanding she get out. Of course, Reacher comes to her rescue. However, he later learns there is far more to her story than simply hiding from an abusive boyfriend. Some typical well-staged Reacher action ensues. The story is exciting, and anyone familiar with the first verse of the titular song will soon realize that the story’s plot tracks that verse closely.

None of the other stories in the anthology mesh that well with the album’s songs and titles. Still, several are pretty good. “All Revved Up with No Place to Go” by John Gilstrap is another variation on Richard Condon’s classic story that never grows old, “The Most Dangerous Game.” A man tries to impress his date by taking her four-wheeling in his ATV in the remote West Virginia woods. The ATV crashes, stranding them in the middle of nowhere. Their situation soon goes from bad to calamitous. They meet a demented hunter who announces his intention to kill the couple for trespassing in his woods. The result is a battle of wits and a deadly chase. I enjoyed seeing the would-be victim (who calls himself Ace) work out a strategy to survive. The story’s only drawback is Ace’s female companion, Deb, whose personality changes dramatically from scene to scene to fit the story’s requirements.

Two other stories in the anthology besides the Reacher story employ characters from the authors’ other works. “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by the collection’s editor is set in New Orleans and features his series regulars. Quentin Archer is a homicide detective, and his unofficial partner, Solange Cordray, is a voodoo practitioner who assists on his cases. Here, Archer investigates a murder-robbery at a high-end jewelry store and solves the case when Solange visits the store and picks up vibes from the jewelry. My description may sound silly, but the author makes the premise work, and the story is entertaining.

“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” (a character utters those words at the end of the story) by Rick Bleiweiss features his historical detective, Pignon Scorbion. He’s the chief police inspector in a rural English town in 1910 and uses Holmesian-style deductions to solve cases. The central mystery here is good, but some unfortunate narrative choices mar the story. First, although other Scorbion stories take place in 1910, this one serves as a prequel. In 1910, the inspector had dinner with a friend and described a case that took place in 1888. The shift between time frames is sometimes confusing. I was more annoyed by Scorbion’s highly affected style of speech, which doesn’t sound like the way anyone would talk in 1910 or ever. For example, when Scorbion tells his barber he must go back to the police station to work on a case, he says: “We shall forgo having you perform your customary services upon me today, and instead, I will return to the station so that I may learn more about this unfortunate transgression.” Going through 40 pages of similar dialogue is an unfortunate transgression for readers.

Although I had problems with several stories in the anthology, only two seemed off to me. “For Crying Out Loud” by Charles Todd is a touching romance about a British soldier in World War I who is badly wounded in battle and returns home to find the girl he left behind. I liked the story, but it is not in any way a mystery or crime story. Further, its relation to the Meat Loaf song with the same title is strained at best. The closest connection I could find is that both were love stories. Some readers may be jarred or disappointed by the inclusion of this story in the collection.

The only story that really let me down was the last one in the collection, Heather Graham’s “Hot Summer Night.” Graham is the only author in the anthology, besides Andrew Child, that I’d ever heard of, and I expected a better story. Although the tale is true to its title (she mentions several times it takes place on a hot summer night), it is routine action fare involving an undercover FBI agent taking on a boatload of drug smugglers. The author’s description of the ultimate showdown is choppy and lacks suspense or excitement.

As an anthology of mystery stories “inspired” by the Meat Loaf album of the same name, “Bat Out of Hell” is only intermittently successful. Sometimes, it’s a mystery just figuring out how a particular song inspired the story. However, the anthology fares much better for those just looking for some good crime fiction stories. I had varying degrees of problems with several stories, but, overall, I enjoyed reading seven of them (including Charles Todd’s romance story). I also discovered several new authors worth checking out. “Bat Out of Hell” isn’t platinum quality, but it’s a worthy addition to genre fans’ bookshelves.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

1977 saw the release of one of the most iconic albums of that era. Bat Out of Hell lauded the emergence of an unforgettable creative team: Marvin Lee Aday, aka “Meat Loaf,” on vocals and Jim Steinman providing the lyrics. It remains one of my favorite albums ever.

Editor Don Bruns and Blackstone Publishing have taken Bat Out of Hell and used it as the impetus for a series of terrific short stories based directly or loosely on the songs from this legendary album. Previous Blackstone anthologies have featured tales inspired by the albums Hotel California, Thriller and Back in Black.

There is not a bad story here, so I am highlighting just a few that stood out for me.

“Bat Out of Hell” by Andrew Child
This is the first time that Andrew Child has penned a Jack Reacher story without his brother, Lee Child, who created the character and has collaborated on several novels with him. The ever-wandering giant nomad of justice finds himself in the small town of Maynard’s Creek, where his life is about to intersect with a nefarious biker gang and the waitress who had worked with them once and is now the latest damsel-in-distress whom Reacher must rescue. There is great stuff here, and fans of Reacher will be begging for more.

“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” by Rick Bleiweiss
Based on my favorite song from the album, also known as “Hot Summer Night,” this story is set in 1910 London and features Chief Police Inspector Pignon Scorbion. His area of purview is the English countryside, and he is investigating the beating death of a young woman outside a bar by a bunch of ruffians. In true Sherlock Holmes fashion, Scorbion can see things that seemingly no one else can. He solves this tricky case by using his guile, wit and powerful ability to observe.

“All Revved Up with No Place to Go” by John Gilstrap
Ace and Deb are on their third, and perhaps final, date together. This one involves off-road four-wheel drive racing in a contraption that would strike fear in almost anyone. When they end up crashing and flipping upside down, they come face to face with an armed, camouflaged man once they are able to free themselves. He initially claims to be the owner of the property and is angered by people who abuse his land in the way that Ace and Deb have. They soon learn that he has other intentions, which is to use them as live hunter’s prey in what turns into a lethal game of cat-and-mouse.

“For Crying Out Loud” by Charles Todd
Charles Todd, who wrote for years with his now-deceased mother, Caroline, continues to go it alone. His contribution to this collection speaks to his love of historical fiction, often involving wartime. The story is set in the heart of WWI and features Laurence Hughes, a young soldier who is injured in action and needs to have his leg amputated. Upon his return home to recover, he wants nothing more than to see his fiancée. But his pain will continue when he receives some tragic news involving her. It will take an amazing plot twist to bring about the resolution to this complex and heartfelt tale.

I applaud Don Bruns, who also contributes a story to BAT OUT OF HELL, as well as Blackstone for continuing to produce this unique series of mystery stories paired with classic rock and pop albums. I am eager to see what selections they have in store for us next!

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the debut album from legendary rock star Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell is a collection of mysteries from some of the best writers in the genre.

This was an interesting collection of stories that are supposed to be related to the album "bat out of hell."  Having written years of fanfiction
my self, I was familar with lyric fiction. You weaved a story around a line from the song or its title.
It was a fun and imaginative way to create an original tale that carried a feling of familiarity for the reader

I didn't get that feeling with this collection. Some of the more famous and popular songs from that album were skipped for whatever reason. But I just could not find a connection to the music and the story.
Having said all that, there were sk.ereal gems in this collection.
The standouts were not so much mystery stories.
Such as : "Final notice"- a mother's love can either ruin your life or save it.  There was a mystery but not one to solve.
"For crying outloud" - a war story/love story and "Two out of three ain't bad - I couldn't find a connection to the song or title which was a shame. Us it's my favorite song from the album
Overall, it was a good and fast read.
Recommended. Published July 15,2025

Thanks to @netgalley and Blackstone Publishing  for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this collection for the Charles Todd story "For Crying Out Loud." It did not feature Bess Crawford or Ian Rutledge, as I thought it might, but new characters still in the WWI setting. The only other story I liked was Heather Graham's "Hot Summer Night," about drug-running in Miami. They each get a star, so 2 stars overall it is.

The other stories were just okay, with the exception of Rick Bleiweiss' "You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth." That one was terrible - all of the characters sounded exactly the same and spoke in a weird stilted way with a large vocabulary. It just didn't sound natural in any way. I probably should have skipped it after the first page, but I appear to be a glutton for punishment.

Also, the main mystery seems to be where were the mysteries? For a series called The Music And Murder Mystery Series, there were very few with murder or mystery. The connection to the song title each author used also seemed to be a stretch for a few of them as well.

I had hoped this would be a fun series to read, but I'm not inclined to go seek out the others.

[Elizabeth Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bat Out of Hell is an absolute knockout—a powerhouse anthology that delivers mystery, suspense, and unforgettable storytelling on every page. Inspired by Meat Loaf’s iconic debut album, this collection brings together some of the finest names in the genre, each offering a tale as sharp, thrilling, and unique as the next.

The standout for me was the brand-new Jack Reacher story from Andrew Child, which alone makes this anthology worth picking up. Add to that Rick Bleiweiss’s brilliant Pignon Scorbion prequel, plus fresh, gripping contributions from Heather Graham, John Gilstrap, Charles Todd, and more, and you’ve got a book that refuses to be put down.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Music and Murder Mystery series or just diving in, this collection is a perfect blend of creativity and intrigue. Every story hits with its own rhythm, yet together they form a symphony of mystery that keeps you hooked from cover to cover. Highly recommended for thriller and mystery lovers—you’ll find something here to savor and remember.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing stories by some of the best authors. Love this series of books. Andrew Child delivers as usual with a great Reacher story. Heather Graham made me feel Vanessa's predicament the minute she hit the water. Don Bruns can put you in the middle of New Orleans and murder in a heartbeat. John Gilstrap takes you on a ride for your life along with a hide and seek through the woods. Great suspense and surprise ending. Dave Bruns brings back his Carl Boyd character who I loved in his first book. Great story. Go back to the Western Front of Belgium in 1915 a story I wasn't excepting from the talented Charles Todd. Rick Bleiweiss also takes you back to 1910 giving you a great detective story set in Haxford England. "Final Notice" written by CJ Kudlacz was a white-knuckle experience. First time reading anything by him and it won't the last. The trip to Canada was eye opening.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a mixed short story collection, one of a series based on classic rock albums. The contributors include veteran mystery and crime writers, many of with highly successful long-running series to their credit. A collection like this is one of the best ways to tempt buyers: lure them with the promise of a mini-fix of their favorite serial detective between novel-length release of novels that feature the character.
Jack Reacher fans get their money's worth, but those hoping for a glimpse of Ian Rutledge will be disappointed as Charles Todd's entry in the collection doesn't mention the Scotland Yard investigator at all.
Still, this is like a summer potluck picnic: as long as you go in knowing you'll love some dishes but be underwhelmed by others, you can finish the book satisfied enough, even if you're left with an even stronger craving for the next outing of your favorite sleuth.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anthologies and often recommend them to anyone looking for "something different". Short stories with a mutual theme, this one is music and murder, written by authors, well-known or new discoveries, flexing their skills. Each story must grab the reader's attention quickly, giving them a beginning and end in fewer pages than many book chapters. As always, some stories are better than others, but every one of these is a winner.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

***Goodreads Giveaway Win***
It's difficult review a collection of short stories. However, this collection does have a common vibe. The vibe is men are competent heroes and women are plot objects used to drive the heroics of these manly men.
If you love men being men and women being plot devices then you'll love these stories.

[Phillip Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tales. Mostly more action oriented American tough guy type detective stories but very well done! A fun read!

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great stories in this book.