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Six Strings: a JJ Stoner story
In a former life, JJ Stoner was a hard-faced military man. Now, discreetly and deniably, he resolves sticky situations for the British authorities. So when the Drug Squad can’t convict a particularly unpleasant pusher, Stoner is tasked with permanently solving the problem. But before he can deploy his very particular skill set, an old acquaintance steps out of the shadows and delivers disconcerting intelligence…
Six Strings is a quick thriller, an hour’s intrigue and entertainment. It features characters from the JJ Stoner / Killing Sisters series. You don’t need to have read any of the other stories in the series: you can start right here if you like.
‘You want me to kill someone.’
Stoner plainly had a grasp of both the gravity and the subtlety of the situation. ‘There’s no need to rattle on so much. Killing people is what I do.’
He paused.
‘But only if he orders me to...’
As well as a complete, stand-alone short story, Six Strings includes an excerpt from The Corruption Of Chastity.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes blog from author Frank Westworth, who shares some of the secrets of Stoner’s shady existence.
Please note that Six Strings is intended for an adult audience and contains explicit violence.
------------
Feedback from reviewers for Frank Westworth's Killing Sisters / Stoner stories:
‘When the fighting starts, you want JJ Stoner on your side.’
‘A fast-paced, high-powered thriller… Terse and stiletto streamlined and sharp as the blade of a knife.’
‘Imagine an intimate encounter between Jack Reacher and the girl with the dragon tattoo: that’s JJ Stoner and the Killing Sisters.’
‘Gritty story-telling at its best, with a plot that fires from the hip.’
‘It launches you straight into the mayhem and, like its protagonist, JJ Stoner, takes no prisoners.’
‘Fast-paced action, gritty dialogue and hard-nosed, resolute characters.’
‘Sharp. Staccato. Smart. Lovers of long, luxurious, lyrical prose should read this to see how the other half writes.’
‘The tightly-written prose has more than a touch of the Elmore Leonard about it – sparse, sharp and often witty as well.’
‘There is hardly time to draw breath in this fast-moving adventure introducing a frighteningly capable executioner.’
‘Serial killings and strange sisters, hard as nails hit men and shady superiors, sleazy blues and sometimes seedy sex.’
‘A punchy and compelling tale of an ice-cold assassin, more nuanced than your average hired killer. The writing is sparse and crisp, the dialogue frequently laced with sardonic British edge.’
‘Clever dialogue and plenty of descriptive narrative providing context for the violence, depth to the characters and shape to the story.’
‘Your first meeting with JJ Stoner does nothing for the man’s chances of being nominated for any awards for unbridled compassion or for turning the other cheek.’
‘Oh my, this book surely packs a punch. The writing is bold and blunt, with horrific things said in a matter of fact way.’
‘The writing is clever and inventive, paying few dues to existing genres or styles... There is a hint of Derek Raymond in the more visceral physical descriptions and the sense that we are looking at a dark and dystopian oil painting.’
‘A brilliant read, along the lines of Jack Reacher.’
‘The dialogue is snappy, the characters are sharply developed, and the plot moves effortlessly forward.’
‘Intelligently written, with excellent characterisation, sharp wit and punchy back-n-forth dialogue.’
‘The author makes no apologies for Stoner's pragmatic attitude towards the elimination of his targets, and the result is a solid, well thought through action thriller, intelligently handled.’
‘Rich and ambitious, this violent tale plays out with memorable scenes interspersed with writing to savour. A feast of poetic prose wrapped in noir.’
‘Sophisticated story-telling, written in a mature style, and targeted at a mature audience.’
‘The novelette has a terse, spare style and winds the reader in – definitely a page-turner. Move over Ian Fleming, JJ Stoner could replace James Bond…’
‘For every alpha male with a gun and a hard-on, there’s an equal, often opposing and effective feminine force...'
_______
Six Strings is a quick thriller, an hour’s intrigue and entertainment. It features characters from the JJ Stoner / Killing Sisters series. You don’t need to have read any of the other stories in the series: you can start right here if you like.
‘You want me to kill someone.’
Stoner plainly had a grasp of both the gravity and the subtlety of the situation. ‘There’s no need to rattle on so much. Killing people is what I do.’
He paused.
‘But only if he orders me to...’
As well as a complete, stand-alone short story, Six Strings includes an excerpt from The Corruption Of Chastity.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes blog from author Frank Westworth, who shares some of the secrets of Stoner’s shady existence.
Please note that Six Strings is intended for an adult audience and contains explicit violence.
------------
Feedback from reviewers for Frank Westworth's Killing Sisters / Stoner stories:
‘When the fighting starts, you want JJ Stoner on your side.’
‘A fast-paced, high-powered thriller… Terse and stiletto streamlined and sharp as the blade of a knife.’
‘Imagine an intimate encounter between Jack Reacher and the girl with the dragon tattoo: that’s JJ Stoner and the Killing Sisters.’
‘Gritty story-telling at its best, with a plot that fires from the hip.’
‘It launches you straight into the mayhem and, like its protagonist, JJ Stoner, takes no prisoners.’
‘Fast-paced action, gritty dialogue and hard-nosed, resolute characters.’
‘Sharp. Staccato. Smart. Lovers of long, luxurious, lyrical prose should read this to see how the other half writes.’
‘The tightly-written prose has more than a touch of the Elmore Leonard about it – sparse, sharp and often witty as well.’
‘There is hardly time to draw breath in this fast-moving adventure introducing a frighteningly capable executioner.’
‘Serial killings and strange sisters, hard as nails hit men and shady superiors, sleazy blues and sometimes seedy sex.’
‘A punchy and compelling tale of an ice-cold assassin, more nuanced than your average hired killer. The writing is sparse and crisp, the dialogue frequently laced with sardonic British edge.’
‘Clever dialogue and plenty of descriptive narrative providing context for the violence, depth to the characters and shape to the story.’
‘Your first meeting with JJ Stoner does nothing for the man’s chances of being nominated for any awards for unbridled compassion or for turning the other cheek.’
‘Oh my, this book surely packs a punch. The writing is bold and blunt, with horrific things said in a matter of fact way.’
‘The writing is clever and inventive, paying few dues to existing genres or styles... There is a hint of Derek Raymond in the more visceral physical descriptions and the sense that we are looking at a dark and dystopian oil painting.’
‘A brilliant read, along the lines of Jack Reacher.’
‘The dialogue is snappy, the characters are sharply developed, and the plot moves effortlessly forward.’
‘Intelligently written, with excellent characterisation, sharp wit and punchy back-n-forth dialogue.’
‘The author makes no apologies for Stoner's pragmatic attitude towards the elimination of his targets, and the result is a solid, well thought through action thriller, intelligently handled.’
‘Rich and ambitious, this violent tale plays out with memorable scenes interspersed with writing to savour. A feast of poetic prose wrapped in noir.’
‘Sophisticated story-telling, written in a mature style, and targeted at a mature audience.’
‘The novelette has a terse, spare style and winds the reader in – definitely a page-turner. Move over Ian Fleming, JJ Stoner could replace James Bond…’
‘For every alpha male with a gun and a hard-on, there’s an equal, often opposing and effective feminine force...'
_______
56 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2018
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Frank Westworth
18 books31 followersFrank Westworth shares several characteristics with his literary anti-hero, JJ Stoner: they both play mean blues guitar and ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Unlike Stoner, Frank hasn't deliberately killed anyone. Instead, Frank edits a monthly classic motorcycle magazine (see RealClassic.co.uk) and has written extensively for the UK motoring press.
Frank's ‘Killing Sisters’ series starts with 'A Last Act Of Charity', continues in 'The Corruption Of Chastity' and wraps up in 'The Redemption Of Charm'.
However, you can start with any of the books in the series; they're written to be enjoyed if you come in halfway through.
You can also meet key characters from the Killing Sisters series in the JJ Stoner short stories, which begin with First Contract.
Please note; the Stoner stories and Killing Sisters series are intended for an adult audience. They're violent and explicit and contain the occasional intellectual challenge.
If you'd like to know more - feel free to ask!
Frank's ‘Killing Sisters’ series starts with 'A Last Act Of Charity', continues in 'The Corruption Of Chastity' and wraps up in 'The Redemption Of Charm'.
However, you can start with any of the books in the series; they're written to be enjoyed if you come in halfway through.
You can also meet key characters from the Killing Sisters series in the JJ Stoner short stories, which begin with First Contract.
Please note; the Stoner stories and Killing Sisters series are intended for an adult audience. They're violent and explicit and contain the occasional intellectual challenge.
If you'd like to know more - feel free to ask!
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 4, 2018
Never get that part of my life back
What on earth , I have I just been reading? It was sold to me as similar to Jack Reacher. It was nothing like it, mercifully only took 20 minutes so wasn't a DNF.
What on earth , I have I just been reading? It was sold to me as similar to Jack Reacher. It was nothing like it, mercifully only took 20 minutes so wasn't a DNF.
March 12, 2018
"Fast and furious"
Quick, slick and chock-full of the trademark thrills from the pen of Frank Westworth. Great stuff.
Quick, slick and chock-full of the trademark thrills from the pen of Frank Westworth. Great stuff.
March 16, 2018
Another great story with action exploding from each page
This is the sixth JJ Stoner short story and again it hits all the right notes (and in the right order). I have read all Frank's short stories and full-length books and, suffice to say, I have a standing order with Breakaway Reviewers to send me his latest book. In this story, our hero helps out the drug squad in their search for a particularly nasty drug pusher but information from an old acquaintance of Stoner's muddies the waters.
As ever, if you like a lot of violence bordering on gratuitous, then this is the series for you. I love it and will continue to do so I am sure. It will take an average reader two hours to complete this but, my word, how much does the author pack into those 120 minutes! The story is quick, dirty, violent, has double-crossed aplenty and is immensely satisfying. I read it on a train journey from Poole to Waterloo and finished it just as we were pulling into the station. Never have I enjoyed a train journey so much.
Like all the other JJ Stoner short stories, this can be read as a standalone thriller, but I would suggest wholeheartedly that you read them all in order to maximise your reading enjoyment. Frank's writing is very descriptive and flows beautifully and, as a final comment, he is a very nice bloke to boot, having communicated with me via his publisher following one of my previous reviews.
Julian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
This is the sixth JJ Stoner short story and again it hits all the right notes (and in the right order). I have read all Frank's short stories and full-length books and, suffice to say, I have a standing order with Breakaway Reviewers to send me his latest book. In this story, our hero helps out the drug squad in their search for a particularly nasty drug pusher but information from an old acquaintance of Stoner's muddies the waters.
As ever, if you like a lot of violence bordering on gratuitous, then this is the series for you. I love it and will continue to do so I am sure. It will take an average reader two hours to complete this but, my word, how much does the author pack into those 120 minutes! The story is quick, dirty, violent, has double-crossed aplenty and is immensely satisfying. I read it on a train journey from Poole to Waterloo and finished it just as we were pulling into the station. Never have I enjoyed a train journey so much.
Like all the other JJ Stoner short stories, this can be read as a standalone thriller, but I would suggest wholeheartedly that you read them all in order to maximise your reading enjoyment. Frank's writing is very descriptive and flows beautifully and, as a final comment, he is a very nice bloke to boot, having communicated with me via his publisher following one of my previous reviews.
Julian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
May 3, 2018
A few days ago I picked up another Jack Reacher novel… then put it down. Kinda lost interest in it. I wanted a thriller, but something fresh.
I got “Six Strings” by Frank Westworth. It's another character driven crime thriller series, though there's nothing typical and certainly nothing copycat about it - no one will say this character is a Reacher knock-off. It's darker, raw, and captivating in its energy.
Guitar playing JJ Stoner is a killer for hire on a badass Harley. He offers no excuses, takes care of the business of killing people that are hardly innocent, and loses his in the process. What makes him real is that he's at war with himself: his ties to Christianity and criticism of radical Islam play heavily on his cold, bold thought processes.
A passage that resonated with me:
“He sang softly to the unamplified chords on the Stratocaster; ‘Born under a bad sign, I been down since I began to crawl…’ “
When the guns came out I couldn't necessarily smell the oil and see the shining barrels. But I could feel the adrenaline, the urgency and danger - and feel the experience JJ Stoner used to maneuver through the job. Frank Westworth must have been there, is what I felt. The man can write.
I discovered there are several more JJ Stoner books and will be purchasing them and adding them to the very top of my To Be Read pile.
I got “Six Strings” by Frank Westworth. It's another character driven crime thriller series, though there's nothing typical and certainly nothing copycat about it - no one will say this character is a Reacher knock-off. It's darker, raw, and captivating in its energy.
Guitar playing JJ Stoner is a killer for hire on a badass Harley. He offers no excuses, takes care of the business of killing people that are hardly innocent, and loses his in the process. What makes him real is that he's at war with himself: his ties to Christianity and criticism of radical Islam play heavily on his cold, bold thought processes.
A passage that resonated with me:
“He sang softly to the unamplified chords on the Stratocaster; ‘Born under a bad sign, I been down since I began to crawl…’ “
When the guns came out I couldn't necessarily smell the oil and see the shining barrels. But I could feel the adrenaline, the urgency and danger - and feel the experience JJ Stoner used to maneuver through the job. Frank Westworth must have been there, is what I felt. The man can write.
I discovered there are several more JJ Stoner books and will be purchasing them and adding them to the very top of my To Be Read pile.
March 12, 2018
For Fans of JJ Stoner, written by Frank Westworth, this is a backstory to be enjoyed. Westworth writes with an easy descriptive flow, almost poetry, giving the reader pictures as well as story. It was my first taste of JJ Stoner, but it left me hungry for more. Good read.
February 16, 2018
It's not every day you discover a short story with action, tension, and characters who draw you in. But Westworth's JJ Stoner short story, Six Strings, offers all that plus dangerous locations and precision plotting wrapped in a ribbon of sharp noir dialogue. Brisk, tight, and worth the read…keep your eye on Stoner. And Westworth too.
March 19, 2019
Six Strings is book 6 in the JJ Stoner series. These books are short and pack a punch!
What I love about the book is that the writing style gives you just enough to develop the tale in such a short page span..it's not epic tomb of a read.. it's straight to the point and it's packed of the good stuff I've come to enjoy about Frank's work.
For me I really think you need to start at the beginning of the series to see the character development. I'll be brutally honest..this books too short..but wait..that's not a bad thing.. it really makes you want read the author's longer works..these are a perfect intro to Frank's style and offer a quick read when you really need on.
I'm not sure what the authors long-term plans are for the series but I've seen real progression and the more I read the more I enjoy them... I'm sure this is far from the end.
With a short tale I always find it hard to give a glimpse into the plot without spoiling it all..rest assured Six Strings is another gem in this developing series. Short tales arent for everyone but these hit the spot with me!
What I love about the book is that the writing style gives you just enough to develop the tale in such a short page span..it's not epic tomb of a read.. it's straight to the point and it's packed of the good stuff I've come to enjoy about Frank's work.
For me I really think you need to start at the beginning of the series to see the character development. I'll be brutally honest..this books too short..but wait..that's not a bad thing.. it really makes you want read the author's longer works..these are a perfect intro to Frank's style and offer a quick read when you really need on.
I'm not sure what the authors long-term plans are for the series but I've seen real progression and the more I read the more I enjoy them... I'm sure this is far from the end.
With a short tale I always find it hard to give a glimpse into the plot without spoiling it all..rest assured Six Strings is another gem in this developing series. Short tales arent for everyone but these hit the spot with me!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews