What do you think?
Rate this book
Fatboy
After his girlfriend leaves and takes their young son with her, Joey Hidalgo is left alone in the trailer they formerly called home with nothing to do but get drunk and contemplate her reasons. Is he really as angry, as volatile, so close to constant violence, as she claims he is?
No, Joey thinks, of course not, the real problem is money--or lack thereof. Joey's a bartender, always struggling to make ends meet, unlike his most vile regular customer, the rich and racist fatboy. So Joey hatches a plan to get his family back by taking him for all he's worth.
But the fatboy isn't going to make it easy for them. Neither is Joey's temper. Things are going to get messy, and it's gonna be one hell of a long night.
No, Joey thinks, of course not, the real problem is money--or lack thereof. Joey's a bartender, always struggling to make ends meet, unlike his most vile regular customer, the rich and racist fatboy. So Joey hatches a plan to get his family back by taking him for all he's worth.
But the fatboy isn't going to make it easy for them. Neither is Joey's temper. Things are going to get messy, and it's gonna be one hell of a long night.
Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2017
14 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 27, 2018
Paul Heatley's Fatboy has many of the things I enjoy in a read. It is dark, well written, and has violence to spare. What it also has is a love story of sorts, albeit one you may have to squint to see. It is not for the faint of heart, but should you choose to accept this mission, I believe you will enjoy what you find. Go forth. Seek out. Purchase and enjoy.
May 18, 2017
The big plan. The one that is going to fix everything for Joey. Bring his wife and his boy back, let him quit his mindless job, and get out of the damn trailer. Everything he needs to fix where his life has spun out of control. It seems simple enough, what could possibly go wrong?
I am not going to spoil any of the plot, this story was very clever and I was pleased to see it go somewhere I had not expected. The writing is crisp and the story was very well done, the plot has some turns and thrills that will leave you breathless and waiting for the next page, a very good modern crime novel.
Everyone knows a fatboy. Something like Sheldon's Personality Theory may suggest they should be fun-loving, sociable, and tolerant, but Heatley's characterization is quick to show why this ridiculous theory was rejected so long ago. Money and ignorance can highlight the worst in people, regardless of body type.
The descriptions of action and setting were phenomenal, and it was great to see the build to what ended up being a great finish. The comfortable language used in the narrative and dialogue helps pull you into the story and join Joey in his quest to make things right in his life. Right for his family.
Be prepared, though, the simplest plans can sometimes run into problems. Lucky you.
I am not going to spoil any of the plot, this story was very clever and I was pleased to see it go somewhere I had not expected. The writing is crisp and the story was very well done, the plot has some turns and thrills that will leave you breathless and waiting for the next page, a very good modern crime novel.
Everyone knows a fatboy. Something like Sheldon's Personality Theory may suggest they should be fun-loving, sociable, and tolerant, but Heatley's characterization is quick to show why this ridiculous theory was rejected so long ago. Money and ignorance can highlight the worst in people, regardless of body type.
The descriptions of action and setting were phenomenal, and it was great to see the build to what ended up being a great finish. The comfortable language used in the narrative and dialogue helps pull you into the story and join Joey in his quest to make things right in his life. Right for his family.
Be prepared, though, the simplest plans can sometimes run into problems. Lucky you.
August 2, 2017
Joey has had enough. His girlfriend has left him, taking their young son with her. He comes close to losing a bar job that he hates, and he is regularly verbally abused by one of his customers, a local big shot.
So he hits on a plan that will sort everything out. Of course, in true noir fashion, it’s not as easy as he thinks.
Paul Heatley’s Fatboy is brilliant. A perfect example of smalltown noir worthy of Jim Thompson or Dave Zeltserman. Highly recommended.
So he hits on a plan that will sort everything out. Of course, in true noir fashion, it’s not as easy as he thinks.
Paul Heatley’s Fatboy is brilliant. A perfect example of smalltown noir worthy of Jim Thompson or Dave Zeltserman. Highly recommended.
December 8, 2017
This not my normal genre of book reading, but the author Paul is a friend of my, an ex work colleague.
I found the book, very interesting to read, interesting characters all with human flaws.
The author writes with emotional descriptive narrative and gets you in the heart and mind with this storyline.
I found the book, very interesting to read, interesting characters all with human flaws.
The author writes with emotional descriptive narrative and gets you in the heart and mind with this storyline.
January 30, 2018
Let’s rip this dude off
Fatboy follows the standard “let’s rip this dude off” model of pulp crime. There aren’t a lot of big surprises, plot-wise. What makes this book stand out is Heatley’s character building. I don’t think the action even kicks off until halfway through the book. By then, we’re already thoroughly invested in the characters and their stories. Joey, the protagonist, is your classic ne’er-do-well. You feel for him despite, and probably because of, his issues. The other characters are painted with almost as much detail, so Fatboy never comes off as another formulaic exercise in noir. I’d say it’s almost a character study with a crime plot. I’ll be checking out more of Heatley’s work.
Fatboy follows the standard “let’s rip this dude off” model of pulp crime. There aren’t a lot of big surprises, plot-wise. What makes this book stand out is Heatley’s character building. I don’t think the action even kicks off until halfway through the book. By then, we’re already thoroughly invested in the characters and their stories. Joey, the protagonist, is your classic ne’er-do-well. You feel for him despite, and probably because of, his issues. The other characters are painted with almost as much detail, so Fatboy never comes off as another formulaic exercise in noir. I’d say it’s almost a character study with a crime plot. I’ll be checking out more of Heatley’s work.
August 3, 2017
There are few things I love more than reading a noir book that has all the necessary components to be a kick-ass book. Books that have plots driven by action, characters that come to life with believability, and dialogue that rings true are essential components for all books, but when they're embedded in a noir book that has crime, grit, and darkness, these books suck me in. Every once in a while, I get the pleasure of reading of reading a noir story that has all these pieces, but also mixes in heart, believable emotional conflicts, and leaves you feeling you would react the same way if you were in their shoes. Although hard to find, these books are the types of books that elevate authors into my “Must Read” group of authors. I am pleased to report that coming off the awesome An Eye for an Eye, which blew me away, Paul Heatley has outdone himself with his latest release, Fatboy.
In this well-crafted offering, Heatley tells the tale of Joey Hidalgo, a man with a temper, a drinking problem, and a reality that includes a wife who has left him and taken his young son away from him. Turning a blind eye to the true reasons for her departure, Hildalgo convinces himself if he can only turn a kidnapping scheme into a big payout, she'll come back to him and they can find their well-deserved happily ever after. But as every noir lover knows, the best plans never lead to a great outcome.
Heatley has created a well fleshed out man in Hidalgo. He loves his family with all his heart, yet he cannot control the animal that ranges from within. He hears only what he wants to hear when his wife tells him what has gone wrong in their life together. His desire to find an easy fix to a problem that has been brewing throughout his life is something many people can relate to. Hidalgo is a man many people can relate to in those regards, but his penchant for violence is what makes him a great character for this dark read.
I have been impressed with every offering Heatley has put forth. His short stories are superb and his previous book was a great revenge tale, but it seems Heatley saved his best for his latest. This book is what noir is meant to be; dark, gritty, and no shots at redemption.
Highly Recommended.
In this well-crafted offering, Heatley tells the tale of Joey Hidalgo, a man with a temper, a drinking problem, and a reality that includes a wife who has left him and taken his young son away from him. Turning a blind eye to the true reasons for her departure, Hildalgo convinces himself if he can only turn a kidnapping scheme into a big payout, she'll come back to him and they can find their well-deserved happily ever after. But as every noir lover knows, the best plans never lead to a great outcome.
Heatley has created a well fleshed out man in Hidalgo. He loves his family with all his heart, yet he cannot control the animal that ranges from within. He hears only what he wants to hear when his wife tells him what has gone wrong in their life together. His desire to find an easy fix to a problem that has been brewing throughout his life is something many people can relate to. Hidalgo is a man many people can relate to in those regards, but his penchant for violence is what makes him a great character for this dark read.
I have been impressed with every offering Heatley has put forth. His short stories are superb and his previous book was a great revenge tale, but it seems Heatley saved his best for his latest. This book is what noir is meant to be; dark, gritty, and no shots at redemption.
Highly Recommended.
May 15, 2017
Desperation. A man at the end of his rope. Life in tatters. A complete descent into the circles of hell. Check. A need for money. Check. A rather poorly planned heist with the oddest crew. Check. A hell of a final battle. Check. It's all there. All the ingredients for gritty crime fiction. Easy to read. Hard to put down. And a long steady build up to the climax. This novelette will not disappoint.
May 5, 2017
In an odd way, this reminded me of another slim novel, Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." That's because what sets the tragic plot in motion is a dream that seems within reach if only enough money can be obtained. It seems simple but goes awfully wrong.
The way things go wrong in "Fatboy" is strikingly real. This is crime as it truly happens: botched. The sardonic dialogue is another big plus.
The way things go wrong in "Fatboy" is strikingly real. This is crime as it truly happens: botched. The sardonic dialogue is another big plus.
June 5, 2024
I mean it was a well thought out and a brilliant plan, what could possibly go wrong.
September 6, 2020
A meticulous, gritty tragedy. Absorbing novella chunk of superior pulp.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews