Cutting Teeth

by Jack Burbank

A bunch of kids playing in quicksand (!!!) discovering a body, a big bust going down, a shrewd man getting back at the court system, a clever bank robbery, a false charge of abduction and a man driving himself to his sentencing. All "lite" mysteries that should warm a winters night, or chill a summers morning. A series of stories by Jack Burbank as he cut his teeth into the field of writing in the early days. His last short story, "Ballard", leads off the pack about a Sherlock Holmes type of mind with a very observant eye.

Genres: Realistic Fiction

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2015

About the author

When I started a business (around my patented product for high-end wall coverings) I did a lot of traveling, domestic and international. A lot of time in airports, airplanes, hotels and restaurants. Since I wasn't a carouser, I began reading novels to make the time bearable. And loved them. After reading maybe a thousand or so, and having demonstrated my creativeness through marketing pieces for my business, I wondered why I couldn't write. With my business sold, I had the time.

I love my new vocation and hope readers will get as much enjoyment from reading my writings as I enjoy writing them. I avoid anything too graphic, so your kids can enjoy the read too. But I don't write for kids, I write about real situations for real people. Try one. Then come back for more.

Reviews

[Harmonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why but Sinking Mr. Wiggins completely got under my skin. It started off playful and dumb like kids just being kids, but then it hit this unexpected tone shift that made everything feel heavy without being dramatic. The dialogue was spot-on. I could almost hear it. And the ending? I just sat there. Not many stories do that to me. It felt so natural and so wrong at the same time. And that’s what made it land.

[Bulletproof Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every story hit for me, but the variety made it easy to keep going. Some were more mystery-focused, others more about irony or emotion. I liked that I couldn’t predict where each one would go. The writing has a kind of no-frills directness to it, like the author trusts the reader to keep up. It never felt overwritten, which I appreciated.

[Jiminie Mochi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ballard is such a satisfying opener. That kind of hyper-observant detective character is hard to write without sounding corny, but it worked here. I loved how every little clue added up. The lipstick, the gravy stain, the mirror — all those details just quietly stacking up until you go “damn.” It felt clever but grounded, not showy. I’d honestly read a whole series with that character.

[Lala Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I liked most wasn’t even the plots. It was the tone. A lot of these stories walk this tightrope between being funny and quietly brutal. Not in-your-face drama, but like… you get hit with something sneaky when you’re not expecting it. That contrast keeps it interesting. I never got bored, even if I didn’t love every single one.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I didn’t expect was how strong the voices were, especially the kids. A lot of writers mess that up and make kids sound too adult or too dumb. But here? The banter, the jokes, the way they act without realizing the weight of what they’re doing felt too real. It made the emotional moments hit harder because you weren’t being prepped for them.

[Ruth Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of short stories where the ending makes you reevaluate the whole thing. A Penny for Your Thoughts did that perfectly. I was laughing halfway through and then immediately felt annoyed and impressed at the same time. I don’t even know if I liked the main character, but I respected the hustle. The visual of the courtroom full of pennies is gonna stick with me.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection feels like someone remembering stories they’ve told people over the years. Some are polished. Some are rougher. A few feel like inside jokes. But that’s what gives the whole book a kind of charm. It’s not sterile or overly “literary.” It feels like someone who loves stories is just putting their favorites down and saying “here, take a look.”

[JP Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the pacing was perfect for me. Short stories can sometimes feel rushed or like setups for punchlines, but these had enough breathing room. Even the shorter ones still gave me a full arc. And the themes sneak up on you, like regret, justice, coincidence were handled lightly, but they’re there. It’s got layers if you want to look, but it’s also fine if you don’t.

[Chris A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep thinking about that line in one of the stories about a dinner jacket and goulash. Like… such a weird combo, but it was weirdly brilliant. The author has this way of describing physical objects in a way that makes them weirdly funny or sad. It’s subtle, but it gives the stories texture. I noticed it a lot, how details were doing double duty.

[Sue Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a fun read if you’re into low-stakes crime stories and twists that sneak up on you. Nothing here is over-explained or dragged out. The author knows when to leave a scene. I read most of it in between errands, and it was perfect for that. The mix of character types from sleazy landlords to clever kids kept it from feeling repetitive. Solid collection overall.