Pain Train

by David H. Hendrickson

Twelve years ago, private detective Mick Flanagan and his buddy Zeke were gridiron gods. The Pain Train delivered massive, bone-crushing blows to their opponents. But all those blows exacted a horrible price. For Zeke, that price has taken the form of unbearable, uncontrollable pain.

These days Zeke’s riding a different train. Addicted to Oxy, he’s playing a vicious game against opponents he doesn’t understand and can’t possibly beat. Not on his own.

Mick Flanagan has seen the deadly consequences of drug addiction. Whether Zeke wants his help or not, Mick’s not about to let his buddy ride this train to its inevitable lethal conclusion. He’ll do what it takes for the Pain Train to win this last battle together, even if it costs him everything he holds dear.

Even if it costs him his own life.

"With Mick Flanagan, David H. Hendrickson has created the perfect private investigator for the times we live in. Hard-edged, loyal, clear-eyed but without the cynicism that often goes hand-in-hand with the hard-boiled detectives of decades past. Mick Flanagan sees the world as it is. He’ll still go the extra mile to save his little part of it."
- Annie Reed, award-winning author of A Death in Cumberland

“David H. Hendrickson is one of my favorite writers.”
- Kristine Kathryn Rusch, International bestselling author

“A fantastic writer, one of our best working right now.”
- Dean Wesley Smith, International bestselling author

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

David H. Hendrickson’s first novel, Cracking the Ice, was praised by Booklist as “a gripping account of a courageous young man rising above evil.” He has since published five additional novels, including Offside, which has been adopted for high school student required reading.

His short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and numerous anthologies, including multiple issues of Fiction River.

Hendrickson has published well over one thousand works of nonfiction ranging from sports journalism to humor and essays. He has been honored with the Joe Concannon Hockey East Media Award and the Murray Kramer Scarlet Quill Award.

Get a free short story and be notified of new releases by signing up for his mailing list at www.hendricksonwriter.com.