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The Concept
[SHORT STORY] Robinson Anders was once the darling of the art world, but those days are far behind him. Everyone thinks he's a laughing stock now, including his ex-wife and even his agent. When it seems things couldn't get any worse, a chance encounter results in Robinson moonlighting as a hitman. But that's when things take a surprising turn, because the more people he kills, the more the art world seems to fall back in love with him. This blackly comic short story was first published in "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine" in August, 2005.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2012
56 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Wignall
40 books560 followersArmy Child till age nine.
Settled back in a small town in the west of England.
Lancaster University - degree in Politics &
International Relations.
Writer.
Also writes as K.J. Wignall
Email: kevin@kevinwignall.com
Settled back in a small town in the west of England.
Lancaster University - degree in Politics &
International Relations.
Writer.
Also writes as K.J. Wignall
Email: kevin@kevinwignall.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 29, 2023
Round Robinson?
Robinson is an artist who is done with his great days. Once celebrated, he is now invisible.
He needs something new. A new gimmick. A gimmick that will put him back into the spotlight.
While working on an octopus, the doorbell rings. On the other side of the doorbell is the answer to his prayers.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Robinson is an artist who is done with his great days. Once celebrated, he is now invisible.
He needs something new. A new gimmick. A gimmick that will put him back into the spotlight.
While working on an octopus, the doorbell rings. On the other side of the doorbell is the answer to his prayers.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 31, 2020
This the fourth short story I have read in a week by this author.
Finished this one 20 minutes ago. 31 pages
He is gifted with an extremely creative imagination. Kudos to him.
Finished this one 20 minutes ago. 31 pages
He is gifted with an extremely creative imagination. Kudos to him.
June 19, 2017
A writer who never fails to bring a smile to my face and at times is in danger of leaving me audibly amused.
The Concept First published in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine” (August 2005) is a short story but filled with all the elements that make Wignall a favourite writer of mine. He takes the idea of a contract killer, contemplates it for a while, adds a fair amount of research and comes up with a riotous roulade of murder and mayhem.
The question he poses is what makes a hitman. Are they some unique product of evolution or could anyone slip into the role? The author doesn't suggest it enters the curriculum school or fill one of your weekly job responses. However, in The Concept he perhaps suggests it could be an extensive of an artist leaning. Certainly, this story based on a modern artist, down on his luck. Stale and devoid of ideas the thought of killing transforms his creativity in the same way Vincent Price started his House of Wax.
These reproduced short stories available on kindle is a wonderful way to embrace the genius that is Kevin Wignall. Happily, he writes longer novels and in all formats, remains a wonderful storyteller.
The Concept First published in “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine” (August 2005) is a short story but filled with all the elements that make Wignall a favourite writer of mine. He takes the idea of a contract killer, contemplates it for a while, adds a fair amount of research and comes up with a riotous roulade of murder and mayhem.
The question he poses is what makes a hitman. Are they some unique product of evolution or could anyone slip into the role? The author doesn't suggest it enters the curriculum school or fill one of your weekly job responses. However, in The Concept he perhaps suggests it could be an extensive of an artist leaning. Certainly, this story based on a modern artist, down on his luck. Stale and devoid of ideas the thought of killing transforms his creativity in the same way Vincent Price started his House of Wax.
These reproduced short stories available on kindle is a wonderful way to embrace the genius that is Kevin Wignall. Happily, he writes longer novels and in all formats, remains a wonderful storyteller.
September 7, 2017
A new way to look at artists. Are they clever. Or does cleverness just knock at the door.
This story let's you look at what makes an artist famous. Is it talent? Is it luck? Or is it just being in the right place at the right time. Read on to find out.
This story let's you look at what makes an artist famous. Is it talent? Is it luck? Or is it just being in the right place at the right time. Read on to find out.
September 29, 2017
Funny and crisp
Really good, enjoyed it. I like the writing, style and that this short story is different from his other book. Can't imagine it any shorter or longer
Really good, enjoyed it. I like the writing, style and that this short story is different from his other book. Can't imagine it any shorter or longer
August 5, 2018
Boring.
I didn't like the main character and I found the book far fetched and pointless. One of the worst books i have ever read.
I didn't like the main character and I found the book far fetched and pointless. One of the worst books i have ever read.
December 3, 2018
Unusual
Wignall enjoyed himself writing this one! An artist whose neighbor is murdered after hiding a bag with the artist.
Short and unexpected.
Wignall enjoyed himself writing this one! An artist whose neighbor is murdered after hiding a bag with the artist.
Short and unexpected.
July 25, 2020
Oh fudge
What is more annoying than a story that is finished before you want to stop reading?
I need to have a word with my friend Kevin
What is more annoying than a story that is finished before you want to stop reading?
I need to have a word with my friend Kevin
June 13, 2021
Wow
Very interesting and somewhat disturbing. Very quick read. I recommend any Kevin Wignall books. I’ve read many and enjoyed them all!
Very interesting and somewhat disturbing. Very quick read. I recommend any Kevin Wignall books. I’ve read many and enjoyed them all!
February 14, 2017
A fun short story with a morbid tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.
One of the ending sentences says:
...was he now an artistic hitman, or a hitman artist?
And the last sentence of the book is the crown jewel of the entire encounter.
Grab this for a fast chuckle.
One of the ending sentences says:
...was he now an artistic hitman, or a hitman artist?
And the last sentence of the book is the crown jewel of the entire encounter.
Grab this for a fast chuckle.
February 6, 2016
Chilling
This story was insane. The characters, most especially Robinson, definitely are certifiably crazy. I know very creative artists usually are geniuses and hold onto their sanity, but poor Robinson just let go. The r e st of the characters are just plain wacky crazy. I won't say it is an enjoyable read, but don't read it before going to see an art exhibit. Or before going to bed.
This story was insane. The characters, most especially Robinson, definitely are certifiably crazy. I know very creative artists usually are geniuses and hold onto their sanity, but poor Robinson just let go. The r e st of the characters are just plain wacky crazy. I won't say it is an enjoyable read, but don't read it before going to see an art exhibit. Or before going to bed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews