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The Highway Kind
Thrilling crime stories about cars, driving, and the road from the world's bestselling and critically acclaimed writers.
Like fiction, cars take us into a different from the tony enclaves of upper crust society to the lowliest barrio; from muscle car-driving con men to hardscrabble kids on the road during the Great Depression; from a psychotic traveling salesman to a Mexican drug lord who drives a tricked-out VW Bus. We all share the roads, and our cars link us together.
Including entirely new stories from Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, George Pelecanos, Diana Gabaldon, James Sallis, Ace Atkins, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sara Gran, Ben H. Winters, and Joe Lansdale, The Highway Kind is a street-level look at modern America, as seen through one of its national obsessions.
Like fiction, cars take us into a different from the tony enclaves of upper crust society to the lowliest barrio; from muscle car-driving con men to hardscrabble kids on the road during the Great Depression; from a psychotic traveling salesman to a Mexican drug lord who drives a tricked-out VW Bus. We all share the roads, and our cars link us together.
Including entirely new stories from Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, George Pelecanos, Diana Gabaldon, James Sallis, Ace Atkins, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sara Gran, Ben H. Winters, and Joe Lansdale, The Highway Kind is a street-level look at modern America, as seen through one of its national obsessions.
353 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2016
About the author
Patrick Millikin
2 books24 followersPatrick Millikin is a bookseller at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale. As a freelance writer, his articles, interviews, and reviews have appeared in Publishers Weekly, Firsts Magazine, Paradoxa, Yourflesh Quarterly, and other publications. Millikin currently lives in central Phoenix.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 75 reviews
November 21, 2016
In 2009, Patrick Millikin edited a great collection of short stories published as Phoenix Noir, which remains one of the best entries in the Noir series from Akashic. Millikin now returns with an excellent new collection of stories in The Highway Kind.
As was the case with Phoenix Noir, Millikin has recruited an all-star cast of writers, including Michael Connelly, Ace Atkins, George Pelecanos, C.J. Box, Gary Phillips, Wallace Stroby, Joe R. Lansdale and others. There's even a contribution from Patterson Hood, who is perhaps better known as a founding member of Drive-By Truckers, and whose contribution to this collection is a very noirish story featuring a Chevy Chevelle SS.
Millikin, who is currently restoring a 1960 Cadillac, notes in the preface that "Over the years, the automobile has come to represent not just our freedom, but our isolation.... When we're not checking our e-mail or text-messaging with our friends, we're driving and we're thinking.... Our cars facilitate our secret lives."
The vehicles featured in these stories are as wide-ranging as the authors who produced them. Perhaps not surprisingly, Michael Connelly's story, "Burnt Matches," takes place in Mickey Haller's Lincoln. C.J. Box's contribution, "Power Wagon," centers on a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon. George Pelecanos picks a 1970 E-body Plymouth Barracuda for his entry, "The Triple Black 'Cuda." Ace Atkins chose a vintage Ford Bronco, perfectly restored with a new Cleveland 321 engine and jacked up with a Pro Comp lift kit, Pro Comp wheels and big, chunky Goodrich tires. Luis Alberto Urrea, who won an Edgar for his story in Phoenix Noir, returns here with "The Pleasure of God," which features a tricked-out yellow VW van.
The vehicles are all interesting and the stories are all top-notch, as one would expect from a group of writers this talented. It's a collection that will appeal to anyone who loves excellent crime fiction, great cars and the open road. And with that combination, you can't possibly go wrong.
As was the case with Phoenix Noir, Millikin has recruited an all-star cast of writers, including Michael Connelly, Ace Atkins, George Pelecanos, C.J. Box, Gary Phillips, Wallace Stroby, Joe R. Lansdale and others. There's even a contribution from Patterson Hood, who is perhaps better known as a founding member of Drive-By Truckers, and whose contribution to this collection is a very noirish story featuring a Chevy Chevelle SS.
Millikin, who is currently restoring a 1960 Cadillac, notes in the preface that "Over the years, the automobile has come to represent not just our freedom, but our isolation.... When we're not checking our e-mail or text-messaging with our friends, we're driving and we're thinking.... Our cars facilitate our secret lives."
The vehicles featured in these stories are as wide-ranging as the authors who produced them. Perhaps not surprisingly, Michael Connelly's story, "Burnt Matches," takes place in Mickey Haller's Lincoln. C.J. Box's contribution, "Power Wagon," centers on a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon. George Pelecanos picks a 1970 E-body Plymouth Barracuda for his entry, "The Triple Black 'Cuda." Ace Atkins chose a vintage Ford Bronco, perfectly restored with a new Cleveland 321 engine and jacked up with a Pro Comp lift kit, Pro Comp wheels and big, chunky Goodrich tires. Luis Alberto Urrea, who won an Edgar for his story in Phoenix Noir, returns here with "The Pleasure of God," which features a tricked-out yellow VW van.
The vehicles are all interesting and the stories are all top-notch, as one would expect from a group of writers this talented. It's a collection that will appeal to anyone who loves excellent crime fiction, great cars and the open road. And with that combination, you can't possibly go wrong.
April 20, 2026
4 stars
**Very recommended!**
short review for busy readers:
An excellent commissioned anthology of 16 stories featuring cars or driving in some capacity. Many are crime fiction, but not all. Lots of big name contributors and exceptionally high quality work. Really hit my sweet spot and will probably top my list of Best Anthologies Ever. Your mileage may vary.
in detail:
Statistically a 4, but for enjoyment, about a 4.8.
While I'm not a gearhead, I'm definitely a fan of good crime fiction and stories that move. And these ones certainly do! On top of the interesting theme, 3 of my all-time favourite authors contributed a story: Joe R Lansdale, Wallace Stroby and Willy Vlautin!!! How could I pass THAT up?
Fun fact:
Vlautin took his non-crime story "The Kill Switch" (story #14) and expanded it out into his latest novel The Left and the Lucky. I guess he liked it as much as most readers did!
Here's a run down of the stories with ratings:
Test Drive - Ben H. Winters
5 stars. This car lot manager has no idea who he's getting in the car with for this test drive!
Power Wagon - C. J. Box
5 stars. A dead old bastard and a debt from a long ago bank robbery comes due, with fatal results.
Burnt Maches - Michael Connelly
3.5 stars. Lawyer and the guy he couldn't keep out of jail meet up again. This time with a gun involved. A Mickey Haller series extra.
Runs Good - Kelly Braffet
4 stars. What to do when you're almost 18 and have to walk home from your 2 lousy jobs? Get yourself wheels, that's what.
Night Run - Wallace Stroby
5 stars. What do you do when a biker threatens to run you off the road on a lonely highway in FL? This story actually scared me. Good going, Stroby! My fave of the book.
What You Were Fighting For - James Sallis
5 stars. A Drive extra. Better if you know the original books. Splendid in the detail work.
The Triple Black 'Cuda - George Pelecanos
4 stars. Very good slice of life portrait of a mechanic's sons.
Fogmeister - Diana Gabaldon
3.5 stars. Slow, but picks up in the end. Based on a true story about the 1938 test run of a Porsche racing car that killed the driver.
Whipperwill and Back - Paterson Hood
3.5 stars. Some rednecks have to be drunk to think. But that doesn't mean reality has to play along!
Driving To Geronimo's Grave -Joe R. Lansdale
5 stars. One of Lansdale's comedies with stinky corpses and stinky grifters and one smart little girl with a deadly aim. This one was a fave with most reviewers.
Hanna Martinez - Sara Green
3.5 stars. What's a small time con artist who likes to drive to do but travel America? A fun little story that wanders around much like the protagonist.
Apache Youth -Ace Atkins
3 stars. An odd story about a rather stupid Hollywood writer getting more than he bargained for on an Apache rez. One of two stories in the book that didn't appeal to me.
The Two Falcons- Gary Phillips
2 stars. A confused and confusing story about gangs and a police officer who hid bank robbery money. Worst of the bunch.
The Kill Switch Willy Vlautin
4 stars. One of the more understated Vlautins. A housepainter buys and fixes up a junker car while acting as a father figure to the neglected boy next door. It's hard not to like Vlautin's loveable, hardscrabble characters.
The Pleasure Of God - Luis Alberto Urrea
4 stars. A Mexican man takes bloody revenge on a gringo gangster called "The Surfer" and steals his bright yellow VW van. The only story that doesn't take place in the US.
**Very recommended!**
short review for busy readers:
An excellent commissioned anthology of 16 stories featuring cars or driving in some capacity. Many are crime fiction, but not all. Lots of big name contributors and exceptionally high quality work. Really hit my sweet spot and will probably top my list of Best Anthologies Ever. Your mileage may vary.
in detail:
Statistically a 4, but for enjoyment, about a 4.8.
While I'm not a gearhead, I'm definitely a fan of good crime fiction and stories that move. And these ones certainly do! On top of the interesting theme, 3 of my all-time favourite authors contributed a story: Joe R Lansdale, Wallace Stroby and Willy Vlautin!!! How could I pass THAT up?
Fun fact:
Vlautin took his non-crime story "The Kill Switch" (story #14) and expanded it out into his latest novel The Left and the Lucky. I guess he liked it as much as most readers did!
Here's a run down of the stories with ratings:
Test Drive - Ben H. Winters
5 stars. This car lot manager has no idea who he's getting in the car with for this test drive!
Power Wagon - C. J. Box
5 stars. A dead old bastard and a debt from a long ago bank robbery comes due, with fatal results.
Burnt Maches - Michael Connelly
3.5 stars. Lawyer and the guy he couldn't keep out of jail meet up again. This time with a gun involved. A Mickey Haller series extra.
Runs Good - Kelly Braffet
4 stars. What to do when you're almost 18 and have to walk home from your 2 lousy jobs? Get yourself wheels, that's what.
Night Run - Wallace Stroby
5 stars. What do you do when a biker threatens to run you off the road on a lonely highway in FL? This story actually scared me. Good going, Stroby! My fave of the book.
What You Were Fighting For - James Sallis
5 stars. A Drive extra. Better if you know the original books. Splendid in the detail work.
The Triple Black 'Cuda - George Pelecanos
4 stars. Very good slice of life portrait of a mechanic's sons.
Fogmeister - Diana Gabaldon
3.5 stars. Slow, but picks up in the end. Based on a true story about the 1938 test run of a Porsche racing car that killed the driver.
Whipperwill and Back - Paterson Hood
3.5 stars. Some rednecks have to be drunk to think. But that doesn't mean reality has to play along!
Driving To Geronimo's Grave -Joe R. Lansdale
5 stars. One of Lansdale's comedies with stinky corpses and stinky grifters and one smart little girl with a deadly aim. This one was a fave with most reviewers.
Hanna Martinez - Sara Green
3.5 stars. What's a small time con artist who likes to drive to do but travel America? A fun little story that wanders around much like the protagonist.
Apache Youth -Ace Atkins
3 stars. An odd story about a rather stupid Hollywood writer getting more than he bargained for on an Apache rez. One of two stories in the book that didn't appeal to me.
The Two Falcons- Gary Phillips
2 stars. A confused and confusing story about gangs and a police officer who hid bank robbery money. Worst of the bunch.
The Kill Switch Willy Vlautin
4 stars. One of the more understated Vlautins. A housepainter buys and fixes up a junker car while acting as a father figure to the neglected boy next door. It's hard not to like Vlautin's loveable, hardscrabble characters.
The Pleasure Of God - Luis Alberto Urrea
4 stars. A Mexican man takes bloody revenge on a gringo gangster called "The Surfer" and steals his bright yellow VW van. The only story that doesn't take place in the US.
February 24, 2017
Over the years, the automobile has come to represent not just our freedom, but our isolation. For many Americans, driving is the closest we'll get to a meditative state. When we're not checking our e-mail or text-messaging with our friends, we're driving and we're thinking. We silently plot crimes, decide to quit drinking, sneak cigarettes, muster the courage to leave our husbands or wives, binge on fast food at anonymous drive-ins. Our cars facilitate our secret lives.*
I've never been a huge fan of the automobile. My dreams are not filled with flashy sports cars, sturdy pickup trucks, or even rides in stretch limos. In my life, cars are a necessary evil - a thing to get you from point A to point B. And yet, there are times when even I have to admit . . . there's just something special about being behind the wheel.
The highlights from this collection include Runs Good by Kelly Braffet, The Kill Switch by Willy Vlautin, The Pleasure of God by Luis Alberto Urrea, and, of course, Driving to Geronimo's Grave by Joe R. Lansdale. A few of the stories, including entries by Diana Gabaldon, Ace Atkins, and Gary Phillips - I just couldn't get into at all.
But, there were more that I loved than didn't, so four stars is my rating. Your mileage may vary; always buckle up for safety.
To read a much better, and more comprehensive review, turn here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
AND - put the pedal to the metal - there's a giveaway that ends March 3rd:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
*from Preface by Patrick Millikin
I've never been a huge fan of the automobile. My dreams are not filled with flashy sports cars, sturdy pickup trucks, or even rides in stretch limos. In my life, cars are a necessary evil - a thing to get you from point A to point B. And yet, there are times when even I have to admit . . . there's just something special about being behind the wheel.
The highlights from this collection include Runs Good by Kelly Braffet, The Kill Switch by Willy Vlautin, The Pleasure of God by Luis Alberto Urrea, and, of course, Driving to Geronimo's Grave by Joe R. Lansdale. A few of the stories, including entries by Diana Gabaldon, Ace Atkins, and Gary Phillips - I just couldn't get into at all.
But, there were more that I loved than didn't, so four stars is my rating. Your mileage may vary; always buckle up for safety.
To read a much better, and more comprehensive review, turn here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
AND - put the pedal to the metal - there's a giveaway that ends March 3rd:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
*from Preface by Patrick Millikin
April 28, 2026
Pondering why I would be attracted to a book of short stories about “Fast Cars, Desperate Drivers, and Dark Roads”, I concluded that although I’m far from a gear head, I do have the All-American love of being able to just get in a car and drive without stopping.
I’m not especially comfortable on islands. Hawaii, beautiful as it is, slightly unnerves me with the realization that you very quickly must convert from driving to traveling by plane or sea to get anywhere. And did you know that nowhere in Great Britain is more than 70 miles from the sea? (Of course you can get in a longer drive by going lengthwise down the island, but still, it’s not the same as driving from NY to CA.)
Also, I dated a guy who was a gear head in high school and by osmosis got to know most of the classic muscle cars that appear in some of these stories. So there’s that.
In short, with Berengaria’s encouragement about the generally fine writing, I tried this one - and thoroughly enjoyed it. As with any anthology the quality of the stories varied, but with a first rate group of contributors it was a winner overall.
I’m not going to review each story, but I’ll group them by stars and make a few comments:
*****
Test Drive - Ben Winters (probably my favorite, but not surprising given how much I enjoy Winters’ writing)
Night Run - Wallace Stroby (vaguely reminiscent of the Spielberg’s TV movie Duel, but with some delicious ambiguities built in)
Driving to Geronimo’s Grave - Joe Lansdale (great Depression-era setting and lots of humor)
****
Burnt Matches - Michael Connelly (featuring the Lincoln Lawyer)
Runs Good - Kelly Braffet (sometimes even a girl needs to do what she needs to do to get the wheels she needs to change her life)
The Kill Switch - Willy Vlautin (a tone of appealing warmth and compassion)
***
Power Wagon - C J Box (well developed but not quite there for me)
What You Were Fighting For - James Sallis (made me want to re-read Driver, then read Driven)
The Triple Black ‘Cuda - George Pellicanos (kind of poignant; reminded me of those muscle cars)
Hannah Martinez - Sara Gran (what goes around, comes around)
** (Meh)
Apache Youth - Ace Adkins
The Two Falcons - Gary Phillips
The Pleasure of God - Luis Alberto Urrea
Whipperwill and Back - Patterson Hood
*
Fogmeister - Diana Gabaldon. (I didn’t find this particularly interesting, but I really disliked the author’s comments at the end. She claims that it is “Historical Narrative” rather than “Historical Fiction” because it is built on an actual time trial in prewar Germany. That’s only true up to a point. The inner core of the story is actually about the impact of the Nazi regime on individuals who brush up against it, and she has invented all of that part. Additionally, she thanks someone else for both the original idea for the story and for all of the research material. I found all of that distasteful in a story she represents as her own “Historical Narrative”. )
Really, I think anyone who enjoys well constructed short stories would like most of these.
I’m not especially comfortable on islands. Hawaii, beautiful as it is, slightly unnerves me with the realization that you very quickly must convert from driving to traveling by plane or sea to get anywhere. And did you know that nowhere in Great Britain is more than 70 miles from the sea? (Of course you can get in a longer drive by going lengthwise down the island, but still, it’s not the same as driving from NY to CA.)
Also, I dated a guy who was a gear head in high school and by osmosis got to know most of the classic muscle cars that appear in some of these stories. So there’s that.
In short, with Berengaria’s encouragement about the generally fine writing, I tried this one - and thoroughly enjoyed it. As with any anthology the quality of the stories varied, but with a first rate group of contributors it was a winner overall.
I’m not going to review each story, but I’ll group them by stars and make a few comments:
*****
Test Drive - Ben Winters (probably my favorite, but not surprising given how much I enjoy Winters’ writing)
Night Run - Wallace Stroby (vaguely reminiscent of the Spielberg’s TV movie Duel, but with some delicious ambiguities built in)
Driving to Geronimo’s Grave - Joe Lansdale (great Depression-era setting and lots of humor)
****
Burnt Matches - Michael Connelly (featuring the Lincoln Lawyer)
Runs Good - Kelly Braffet (sometimes even a girl needs to do what she needs to do to get the wheels she needs to change her life)
The Kill Switch - Willy Vlautin (a tone of appealing warmth and compassion)
***
Power Wagon - C J Box (well developed but not quite there for me)
What You Were Fighting For - James Sallis (made me want to re-read Driver, then read Driven)
The Triple Black ‘Cuda - George Pellicanos (kind of poignant; reminded me of those muscle cars)
Hannah Martinez - Sara Gran (what goes around, comes around)
** (Meh)
Apache Youth - Ace Adkins
The Two Falcons - Gary Phillips
The Pleasure of God - Luis Alberto Urrea
Whipperwill and Back - Patterson Hood
*
Fogmeister - Diana Gabaldon. (I didn’t find this particularly interesting, but I really disliked the author’s comments at the end. She claims that it is “Historical Narrative” rather than “Historical Fiction” because it is built on an actual time trial in prewar Germany. That’s only true up to a point. The inner core of the story is actually about the impact of the Nazi regime on individuals who brush up against it, and she has invented all of that part. Additionally, she thanks someone else for both the original idea for the story and for all of the research material. I found all of that distasteful in a story she represents as her own “Historical Narrative”. )
Really, I think anyone who enjoys well constructed short stories would like most of these.
Want to Read
November 1, 2016ix - Preface - Patrick Millikin
003 - "Test Dreve" - Ben H. Winters
017 - "Power Wagon" - C. J. Box
049 - "Burnt Maches" - Michael Connelly
060 - "Runs Good" -Kelly Braffet
086 - "Night Run" - Wallace Stroby
104 - "What You Were Fighting For" - James Sallis
114 - "The Triple Black 'Cuda" - George Pelecanos
138 - "Fogmeister" - Diana Gabaldon
171 - "Whipperwill and Back" - Paterson Hood
186 - "Driving To Geronimo's Grave" -Joe R. Lansdale
223 - " Hanna Martinez" - Sara Green
230 - "Apache Youth" -Ace Atkins
250 - "The Two Falcons" - Gary Phillips
271 - "The Kill Switch" Willy Vlautin
300 - "The Pleasure Of God" - Luis Alberto Urrea
327 - Acknowledgments
329 - Contributors
337 - Copyright Acknowledgments
339 - About The Editor
All stories appear to be copyrighted 2016.
003 - "Test Dreve" - Ben H. Winters
017 - "Power Wagon" - C. J. Box
049 - "Burnt Maches" - Michael Connelly
060 - "Runs Good" -Kelly Braffet
086 - "Night Run" - Wallace Stroby
104 - "What You Were Fighting For" - James Sallis
114 - "The Triple Black 'Cuda" - George Pelecanos
138 - "Fogmeister" - Diana Gabaldon
171 - "Whipperwill and Back" - Paterson Hood
186 - "Driving To Geronimo's Grave" -Joe R. Lansdale
223 - " Hanna Martinez" - Sara Green
230 - "Apache Youth" -Ace Atkins
250 - "The Two Falcons" - Gary Phillips
271 - "The Kill Switch" Willy Vlautin
300 - "The Pleasure Of God" - Luis Alberto Urrea
327 - Acknowledgments
329 - Contributors
337 - Copyright Acknowledgments
339 - About The Editor
All stories appear to be copyrighted 2016.
December 11, 2016
*Won this on GR Giveaway*
4 Stars
Rated this for consistency throughout this book of short stories. Each one quite different than the next. All about drivers and roads and where that all leads us. Some stories are darker than others, but tell a great tale.
4 Stars
Rated this for consistency throughout this book of short stories. Each one quite different than the next. All about drivers and roads and where that all leads us. Some stories are darker than others, but tell a great tale.
December 31, 2018
Never knew I would love writings about cars. This book takes me into a different world, totally intriguing. Few that I personally love:
Test Drive (Ben H. Winters)-- The starting was good. It driven my curiosity and attention, I know that something was not right, twist was expected though I was a bit puzzled and judging Steve as some psychos but when I thought nothing was related to Roegenberger and Steve was wrong the writer then gave me with the unexpected. Very nerve-racking. Love the idea and way it was narrated.
Power Wagon (C. J. Box)-- Suspense and gripping. Love how the writer twinning the story with emotions and action. That searching on wagon scene was my favorite part, some action and revenge, expected twist of Wade and Pingston but glad ending was a (quite) happy one.
Night Run (Wallace Stroby)-- Sort of revenge out of fear but somehow it turns to something psychotic. Think Kirwan got the wrong guy but still, Harley and Volvo shouldn't have met.
Hannah Martinez (Sara Gran)-- I don't know why but think this was cute. A very short story of a woman's life, love the narrator. A rambling of this and that, Cadillac and Ford, and life goes on. Like the ending.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave (Joe R. Lansdale)-- Saving the best for last. My most favorite with an interesting first paragraph-- nice story telling and plot. Love all the characters in it. An adventurous journey to Oklahoma for a dead uncle's body and bring that dude home for a proper burial-- such intriguing and super crazy horror thrilled. Chauncey and Terri such a great duo and loving the sidekick Ford.
For the rest, it was okay and I like that some having twist and unexpected ending. Love the dark crime/action thriller stuff for some, and honestly all were written well. Entertaining and fit the theme.
Test Drive (Ben H. Winters)-- The starting was good. It driven my curiosity and attention, I know that something was not right, twist was expected though I was a bit puzzled and judging Steve as some psychos but when I thought nothing was related to Roegenberger and Steve was wrong the writer then gave me with the unexpected. Very nerve-racking. Love the idea and way it was narrated.
Power Wagon (C. J. Box)-- Suspense and gripping. Love how the writer twinning the story with emotions and action. That searching on wagon scene was my favorite part, some action and revenge, expected twist of Wade and Pingston but glad ending was a (quite) happy one.
Night Run (Wallace Stroby)-- Sort of revenge out of fear but somehow it turns to something psychotic. Think Kirwan got the wrong guy but still, Harley and Volvo shouldn't have met.
Hannah Martinez (Sara Gran)-- I don't know why but think this was cute. A very short story of a woman's life, love the narrator. A rambling of this and that, Cadillac and Ford, and life goes on. Like the ending.
Driving to Geronimo's Grave (Joe R. Lansdale)-- Saving the best for last. My most favorite with an interesting first paragraph-- nice story telling and plot. Love all the characters in it. An adventurous journey to Oklahoma for a dead uncle's body and bring that dude home for a proper burial-- such intriguing and super crazy horror thrilled. Chauncey and Terri such a great duo and loving the sidekick Ford.
For the rest, it was okay and I like that some having twist and unexpected ending. Love the dark crime/action thriller stuff for some, and honestly all were written well. Entertaining and fit the theme.
January 10, 2020
The Highway Kind is a collection of short stories of varying lengths by an all-star cast of writers including such famed authors as Michael Connelly, George Pelecanos, and Wil Vilharo. The theme of these stories is the fuel-infected powerful rides that some men spend their whole lives working on and perfecting.
Even what seem like the tamest stories about test driving a "dadmobile" are not tame, but at a certain point become emotionally out of control (winters' Test Drive). Other stories are hard crime stories but are almost hauntingly beautiful tales of isolated farmhouses and what comes out of the cold wintry night (Box's Power Wagon). Connelly's Burnt Matches draws on familiar characters from his Lincoln Lawyer series. There are stories about desperation and others about road rage ( Stroby's Night Run). Atkins' Apache Youth takes us on a road through a reservation.
Lots of good stuff here. And too many stories to describe them all even briefly.
Even what seem like the tamest stories about test driving a "dadmobile" are not tame, but at a certain point become emotionally out of control (winters' Test Drive). Other stories are hard crime stories but are almost hauntingly beautiful tales of isolated farmhouses and what comes out of the cold wintry night (Box's Power Wagon). Connelly's Burnt Matches draws on familiar characters from his Lincoln Lawyer series. There are stories about desperation and others about road rage ( Stroby's Night Run). Atkins' Apache Youth takes us on a road through a reservation.
Lots of good stuff here. And too many stories to describe them all even briefly.
June 14, 2019
RATING: 3 STARS
2016; Mullholland Books/Hachette Book Group
(Review Not on Blog)
I mostly read this for Michael Connelly's story as it contained his character, Mickey Haller. I also looked forward to reading Diana Gabaldon's story. There were a few other authors I have heard and the rest were new to me. Like any anthology, there are some great stories and some not so great. I found only a couple were good, but it is a good way to get a taste of some authors you may want to try.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2016; Mullholland Books/Hachette Book Group
(Review Not on Blog)
I mostly read this for Michael Connelly's story as it contained his character, Mickey Haller. I also looked forward to reading Diana Gabaldon's story. There were a few other authors I have heard and the rest were new to me. Like any anthology, there are some great stories and some not so great. I found only a couple were good, but it is a good way to get a taste of some authors you may want to try.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
May 15, 2025
Nice selection of stories involving cars.
October 20, 2016
THE HIGHWAY KIND, edited by Patrick Millikin, is a collection of 15 short stories centered around cars and driving, written by some of the finest of todays mystery/suspense authors. Unlike many collections I have read in the past few years, this stands out for the sheer consistent excellence of the stories. They go from the very good to great in their description of character, setting, mood, and motivation. I especially liked Driving to Geronimo's Grave by Joe R. Lansdale for it's graphic morbidness. The picture of those two youths driving around depression era Oklahoma with that thing in the backseat sent chills up my spine.
Michael Connelly, Diana Gabaldon (OUTLANDER), Ace Atkins, and C.J.Box are represented here along with a handful of authors both familiar and brand new to me. Each story is a revelation, be it about Triple Black 'Cudas, meeting up with wild Apache youth on the reservation, a certain Lincoln Lawyer facing a gun barrel or a car salesman confronting the wrath of an angry customer.
It's always nice to try a sampler, to test out new things but not be committed to a long term relationship. It is even better when every sampled item is a winner.
I won this book through GoodReads.
Michael Connelly, Diana Gabaldon (OUTLANDER), Ace Atkins, and C.J.Box are represented here along with a handful of authors both familiar and brand new to me. Each story is a revelation, be it about Triple Black 'Cudas, meeting up with wild Apache youth on the reservation, a certain Lincoln Lawyer facing a gun barrel or a car salesman confronting the wrath of an angry customer.
It's always nice to try a sampler, to test out new things but not be committed to a long term relationship. It is even better when every sampled item is a winner.
I won this book through GoodReads.
May 12, 2021
Solid anthology of short stories by some of my favorite authors, as well as some newly-discovered gems. Dark, gritty stories, leaning heavily toward noir/psychological works, rather than straight suspense. Audiobook features a variety of excellent voice actors.
December 8, 2016
What a cool idea-- assemble a bunch of talented authors and ask each to write a short story that somehow involves a car. Being a "car-guy," I was happy to find a copy in the library, and from it's pristine condition, I'd guess few before me had discovered this interesting book.
The good: several stories grabbed me from start to finish, notably the entries from Ben Winters, C. J. Box, Wallace Stroby and Patterson Hood. The first two were probably the best.
The bad: after a bit, there was a sense of sameness (though these were all distinct stories), and a feeling of wanting more -- a more complex or complete story -- due to the limits of short (very short) stories herein. One author that I read quite often and always enjoy, Michael Connelly, was a disappointment. His entry read like a chapter in one of his Lincoln Lawyer series, and almost seemed like he "mailed it in. " Oh well, in a collection such as this, they won't all be winners, but it's an enjoyable read anyway. Car-guy mentality not required.
The good: several stories grabbed me from start to finish, notably the entries from Ben Winters, C. J. Box, Wallace Stroby and Patterson Hood. The first two were probably the best.
The bad: after a bit, there was a sense of sameness (though these were all distinct stories), and a feeling of wanting more -- a more complex or complete story -- due to the limits of short (very short) stories herein. One author that I read quite often and always enjoy, Michael Connelly, was a disappointment. His entry read like a chapter in one of his Lincoln Lawyer series, and almost seemed like he "mailed it in. " Oh well, in a collection such as this, they won't all be winners, but it's an enjoyable read anyway. Car-guy mentality not required.
October 29, 2016
I received an advance reading copy edition of this book via the Goodreads Giveaways program and would like to thank everyone involved with making that possible.
This was more like 4.5 stars rounded up! I am not a big (or even a little!) car fanatic so I was a little wary of this one but given the impressive list of contributors went ahead and entered the giveaway anyway. I am so glad that I gave this one a chance! These stories are a hell of a lot of fun. They lead down some very dark roads and are laden with action and violence. There were a couple that didn't really blow my skirt up but overall the collection is excellent! My absolute favorite story was "Driving to Geronimo's Grave" by Joe R. Lansdale but "Test Drive" by Ben H. Winters, "Power Wagon" by C.J. Box, "Night Run" by Wallace Stroby and "The Kill Switch" by Willy Vlautin were all 5-star stories as well.
This was more like 4.5 stars rounded up! I am not a big (or even a little!) car fanatic so I was a little wary of this one but given the impressive list of contributors went ahead and entered the giveaway anyway. I am so glad that I gave this one a chance! These stories are a hell of a lot of fun. They lead down some very dark roads and are laden with action and violence. There were a couple that didn't really blow my skirt up but overall the collection is excellent! My absolute favorite story was "Driving to Geronimo's Grave" by Joe R. Lansdale but "Test Drive" by Ben H. Winters, "Power Wagon" by C.J. Box, "Night Run" by Wallace Stroby and "The Kill Switch" by Willy Vlautin were all 5-star stories as well.
November 17, 2016
I went through a phase a while back of reading American 'grit lit', including Willy Vlautin (featured here) and crime novels including Sallis and Pelecanos (ditto) and reading this reminded me that I'd like to read more of it. I must say that the undoubted highlight for me was Benjamin H. Winters' story, which opens the collection and is excellent.
Equally I should point out that I might not have heard of this volume were it not for the fact that it features a story by the co-founder of my favourite band, the Drive-By Truckers: Patterson Hood (his first as a published writer of fiction). It, too, is great - a classic slice of American Psycho-style unreliable narrator - and fulfils the long held suspicion that just as Vlautin's was, his talent for lyric-writing would be transferable to the page.
Equally I should point out that I might not have heard of this volume were it not for the fact that it features a story by the co-founder of my favourite band, the Drive-By Truckers: Patterson Hood (his first as a published writer of fiction). It, too, is great - a classic slice of American Psycho-style unreliable narrator - and fulfils the long held suspicion that just as Vlautin's was, his talent for lyric-writing would be transferable to the page.
May 9, 2017
Short story collections can be hit or miss, but The Highway Kind knocks it out of the park. This collection of stories from crime fiction authors- from big names to small- explores our relationship with cars and the road in unexpected ways and I was surprised to get so much emotion from the stories. Standouts include Willy Vlautin's "The Kill Switch" and Joe Lansdale's "Driving to Geronimo's Grave," but really every story carried its weight and the collection rounds out well as a whole. I wouldn't limit "The Highway Kinds" readership to those only interested in cars or crime writing. These stories go far beyond those limitations and I think any reader would find something to love in this collection. Highly recommended!
April 26, 2017
The pleasure of reading this anthology was that I found some new authors to try --Ben Winters, Willy Vlautin, Luis Urrea and one to give a second chance -- C J Box and unfortunately, some to steer well clear of -- Diana Gabaldon, Sara Green, Ace Atkins. Then there are the very good but really dark/morbid/noir -- Wallace Stroby, George Pelecanos. Overall, I give it four stars because Joe Lansdale's entry alone was worth the price of the book!
October 30, 2016
Fantastic collection of short stories. All different takes on the theme.of cars and the open road. Two of my favorite subjects, and a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Passing it on to my dad, who taught me to love these two subjects.
October 17, 2016
This is a great book! I loved it!
November 11, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Thrilling crime stories about cars, driving, and the road from the world's bestselling and critically acclaimed writers.
Like fiction, cars take us into a different world: from the tony enclaves of upper crust society to the lowliest barrio; from muscle car-driving con men to hardscrabble kids on the road during the Great Depression; from a psychotic traveling salesman to a Mexican drug lord who drives a tricked-out VW Bus. We all share the roads, and our cars link us together.
Including entirely new stories from Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, George Pelecanos, Diana Gabaldon, James Sallis, Ace Atkins, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sara Gran, Ben H. Winters, and Joe Lansdale, THE HIGHWAY KIND is a street-level look at modern America, as seen through one of its national obsessions.
I was very interested in reading this collection of stories - featuring some of my favourite authors, I thought this was a no-brainer. But, as is always the case with anthologies, some of the stories really worked for me - others just didn't. And that is to be expected - if every story or author was the same (or told the same story), we wouldn't need more than one author.
My highlights from this were:
"Power Wagon" by C. J. Box
"The Triple Black 'Cuda" by George Pelecanos
"Driving To Geronimo's Grave" by Joe R. Lansdale (of course!)
"Hanna Martinez" by Sara Green
"The Pleasure Of God" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Paul
ARH
Thrilling crime stories about cars, driving, and the road from the world's bestselling and critically acclaimed writers.
Like fiction, cars take us into a different world: from the tony enclaves of upper crust society to the lowliest barrio; from muscle car-driving con men to hardscrabble kids on the road during the Great Depression; from a psychotic traveling salesman to a Mexican drug lord who drives a tricked-out VW Bus. We all share the roads, and our cars link us together.
Including entirely new stories from Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, George Pelecanos, Diana Gabaldon, James Sallis, Ace Atkins, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sara Gran, Ben H. Winters, and Joe Lansdale, THE HIGHWAY KIND is a street-level look at modern America, as seen through one of its national obsessions.
I was very interested in reading this collection of stories - featuring some of my favourite authors, I thought this was a no-brainer. But, as is always the case with anthologies, some of the stories really worked for me - others just didn't. And that is to be expected - if every story or author was the same (or told the same story), we wouldn't need more than one author.
My highlights from this were:
"Power Wagon" by C. J. Box
"The Triple Black 'Cuda" by George Pelecanos
"Driving To Geronimo's Grave" by Joe R. Lansdale (of course!)
"Hanna Martinez" by Sara Green
"The Pleasure Of God" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Paul
ARH
January 5, 2024
A brilliant, eclectic mix of short stories in which the car is either the star, or it plays a very important supporting role. There are road trips and night drives and rare finds to keep every kind of car and driving enthusiast happy.
There is a decent amount of tension in drama in almost every story, too. If you like thrillers, and collections of short ones, then this is for you even if you're not particularly into cars.
Aside from the oddball drug-lord owned VW van or ancient Dodge Power Wagon, there is very much an American Muscle vein running through this collection. But this is definitely more than just an ode to Americana and motoring. The most compelling aspects of these stories is the very human characters who are as relatable as they are sometimes shocking. The early story 'Test Drive' (featuring a Honda Odyssey rather than any sort of classic American muscle car) is very much testament to this.
Themes of loss, depression, abuse, insanity and family permeate the patina of the cars which grace this tome. A seriously decent collection; well worth reading.
There is a decent amount of tension in drama in almost every story, too. If you like thrillers, and collections of short ones, then this is for you even if you're not particularly into cars.
Aside from the oddball drug-lord owned VW van or ancient Dodge Power Wagon, there is very much an American Muscle vein running through this collection. But this is definitely more than just an ode to Americana and motoring. The most compelling aspects of these stories is the very human characters who are as relatable as they are sometimes shocking. The early story 'Test Drive' (featuring a Honda Odyssey rather than any sort of classic American muscle car) is very much testament to this.
Themes of loss, depression, abuse, insanity and family permeate the patina of the cars which grace this tome. A seriously decent collection; well worth reading.
February 25, 2024
Brutal but wonderful read even if you're not a car fanatic. Some of the stories are outstanding.
July 12, 2017
I loved these short stories of many different kinds of cars.For anyone who either has loved or hated a car or know someone who is obsessed with their car these stories make sense.They are all different and intriquing in their own ways.The first story Test Drive sucked me right in and it was hard putting down the book to do necessary things.Two of my co-workers were very interested when I had it at work with me.One of them never reads but said "They are short stories right.Maybe I would like them."She is the first one to get it.I love to promote reading and hearing that made my day.Thanks to Patrick Millikin for getting such interesting authors ideas into one book.
August 20, 2017
As is often the case with short story collections, some of the writers are very good, i.e., Michael Connelly and others not so much. The automotive thread was interesting. The advantage to anthologies is each short story stands alone; the book can easily be picked up for a quick read. Great for summer reading
June 26, 2017
Consistently entertaining thriller stories from the bookseller's favorite authors.
June 27, 2017
A collection of short stories about cars. Loved it. It reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock stories.
November 29, 2016
The "Highway Kind:Tales of Fast Cars, Desperate Drivers and Dark Roads" is a collection of short stories, all, as you can guess by the title, are car or driving related. I was initially drawn to this collection as some of my favourite writers, such as Michael Connelly, George Pelacanos, Wallace Stroby, Ace Atkins, Joe R. Lansdale and Willy Vlautin all contribute stories. There are also contributions from writers I've not read before and even a story from Patterson Hood, the main songwriter of one of my favourite bands, Drive by Truckers.
The stories are mainly contemporary but Diane Gabaldon's, Fogmeister is set in pre-WW2 Nazi Germany and is based on real events. I also particularly enjoyed Joe R. Lansdale's, 'Driving to Geronimo's Grave', which is a depression era treasure hunt, with a rather smart mouthed youngster called Terri and Luis Albert Urrea's, 'The Pleasure of God', where an old Mexican prison guard seek's revenge on a young Narco.
Like all good short stories there is mainly a resolution to the dilemma or circumstances that the protagonist finds themselves in but the stories also leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about these people and their lives, beyond the confines of the story.
This collection is edited by Patrick Millikin who has also compiled another collection of stories, 'Phoenix Noir' which I now plan to read as I throughly enjoyed this collection.
The stories are mainly contemporary but Diane Gabaldon's, Fogmeister is set in pre-WW2 Nazi Germany and is based on real events. I also particularly enjoyed Joe R. Lansdale's, 'Driving to Geronimo's Grave', which is a depression era treasure hunt, with a rather smart mouthed youngster called Terri and Luis Albert Urrea's, 'The Pleasure of God', where an old Mexican prison guard seek's revenge on a young Narco.
Like all good short stories there is mainly a resolution to the dilemma or circumstances that the protagonist finds themselves in but the stories also leave you with a feeling of wanting to know more about these people and their lives, beyond the confines of the story.
This collection is edited by Patrick Millikin who has also compiled another collection of stories, 'Phoenix Noir' which I now plan to read as I throughly enjoyed this collection.
August 11, 2019
The authors of these different stories are all well-known and have made each story an interesting tale around the vehicle that is being used to describe the action that is happening. The different authors which I have read most at one time or another keep the stories entertaining like other ones that I have read from there’s. The difference is the vehicle in each story and the description of each one. Anyone who loves cars or even the Dodge power wagon will be happy with each story. I was and I am glad I took the time to read this book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
April 4, 2020
A great collection of short stories all centered around cars. Who would have thought I’d be into cars?! But it was really a collection of stories about humans getting into and out of complex life situations. It was bey compelling. I found myself saying, ‘I’ll put the book down after this story.’ I did that repeatedly until I was half way through the book. It was recommended by the editor himself, Patrick Millikin, when we stumbled into The Poisoned Pen in Phoenix, AZ. What a great experience—I highly recommend the book, the bookseller’s opinion on which books to buy, and the establishment!
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