Enter the world of THUGLIT, oh lovers of dark and nasty crime fiction. Come on in. Spend some time, but don't forget the sanitizer. You might want to take a bath in it after you roll around with these EIGHT BRAND NEW STORIES!!!
POACHERS by Neil Krolicki DESPERATION by Albert Tucher AUTHENTI CITY by Eddie McNamara GRANDPA'S PLACE by S.A. Cosby BE MY ALIBI by Blair Kroeber ASSISTED LIVING by CT McNeely SHOOTING CREEK by Scott Loring Sanders HEART by Dan J. Fiore
the stories are what we have all come to expect from this publication -- terse, realistic, dark crime fiction. Although perhaps not as mindblowing as other issues, there is some good stuff here about organ harvesting, about hydroponic grow rooms, about a prostitute who thinks she's a detective, and about restaurant wars. There's a story told entirely through the modern-day convention of text messages. There's a small town country story about collecting lightning bugs and throwing horseshoes told through all different points of view. I particularly liked "Heart" by Dan Fiore.
This crime short story collection includes eight gritty and thought provoking tales. Two stories, Neil Krolicki’s “Poachers” and Dan J. Fiore’s “Heart,” the first and last stories in the collection, respectively, were my favorites. The gripping story of “Heart” is jam packed with beautiful writing, visceral images, and a protagonist who digs deep in her pursuit of true love. It came as no surprise to me that Fiore’s contribution was one of the winners of Lit Reactor’s ARREST US! writing completion. “Heart” is an extremely satisfying read and yet I crave more of the compelling character of Kay and her fascinating world. After reading “Poachers,” I’ll never look at a ladybug the same way again.
The editors are still keeping this magazine fresh and spicy after more than two years in the current incarnation. Again I enjoyed each individual entry, but if there was one particular standout this time, it's AuthentiCity by Eddie McNamara. As I finished reading it, my wife just happened to come out and asked, "Why are you smiling?"