The Kinky and Unfortunate Events of Billy "Bone Spurs" Bumble: A Novelette

by Steve Zappa

No longer able to terrorize families in the streets of Nashville, ICE agent Billy Bumble is forced into an office position due to his ailing bone spurs. At home, his pious and prudish wife, Kristi, is incapable of fulfilling his secret kinks. And so he lives out his fantasies with a Latina domme named Lady Penelope. After learning of his secret kinks, Kristi falsely accuses him of being a “transgender homosexual.” Tensions rise. Billy murders and dismembers his wife. And his peers dispense justice.

“The Kinky and Unfortunate Events of Billy ‘Bone Spurs’ Bumble” is the “tragic” tale of a MAGA man who was just looking for a good time.

45 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2026

About the author

Steve Zappa is the author of Alma Mendoza: A Novella, and of Pineapple Abyss: A Memoir. He studied literature and philosophy at California State University, Fullerton. He lives in Orange County, California.

Reviews

[Bryan Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharp-edged satire that throws in some gonzo plot twists and a cast of characters that have to be read to be believed. The author mixes in thriller and horror elements into this absurdist dark comedy and doesn't pull any punches. If you're looking for something dark, different, and daring, this novella will do the job nicely!

[C. Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few satirical works commit so completely to their own voice while maintaining such remarkable discipline in execution. The Kinky and Unfortunate Events of Billy "Bone Spurs" Bumble presents an audacious narrative that skewers American right-wing extremism through irony so meticulously layered that much of its brilliance resides beneath an intentionally plainspoken surface. The dialogue is fearless, the characterization is wickedly precise, and the plot unfolds with a confidence that never sacrifices wit for spectacle. Every outrageous exchange and seemingly offhand observation contributes to a carefully engineered satire whose understated prose only amplifies its impact, rewarding attentive readers with ever-deepening layers of meaning.

The narrative resoundingly succeeds because it never mistakes volume for sophistication. Rather than relying on exaggerated rhetoric, it trusts dry humor, impeccable timing, and subtle tonal shifts to expose delusion and its consequences with surgical precision. The result is a refreshingly original take on an unapologetically anti-"cult of the right" ethos that remains intellectually engaging while being relentlessly entertaining. Such restraint is deceptively difficult to achieve, making the writing itself one of the novelette's greatest accomplishments. Equal parts hilarious, incisive, and gasp-inducing, this is the rare political satire that feels genuinely inventive, demonstrating a masterful command of irony and leaving a lasting impression long after the final page. I read it twice, I will read it again, and every literate American should do the same. Five stars is frankly not enough.

(Thank you Steve Zappa for the free copy, I will be downloading the rest of your books with high expectations!)

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway

[Kelsey Hughey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simultaneously outlandish and so close to reality that you feel like the characters live in the next county over. A quick and fun read.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the free ebook.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly absurdist dark humor. A hilarious take on the unfortunate reality we live in.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird

Not safe for most people. This was one of the strangest stories I have ever read. It really captures the MAGA hidden truths. A twisted tale of a 'not' transgender homosexual ICE agent who has some serious kinks. I don't know what I was expecting from this book but not what it ended up being. This one is not for the weak of heart. Probably worth a re-read.

[Jordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say about this book. It was my first satirical book and I won a copy of it in a giveaway. It was a wild ride, that's for sure! I didn't hate it but I also spent most of my time pausing to digest each crazy thing that was happening. Definitely not one I'll forget!