Heartworm

by Ben Vendetta

Britpop, booze, cults, and a questionable Chinese restaurant bar? It's 1995 and small-time music critic Drew has a desire for destruction. While championing an underdog Irish band, Whipping Boy, he embarks on a voyage of sex and drugs from Boston to Belfast while burying memories of his estranged wife - who is now in danger. His life was once saved by rock 'n' roll, but it may be too late for redemption in the last days of the music industry before the bubble bursts.

Whether dropped by your record label or dropped by a lover--these situations call for a drink.

Genres: Fiction

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2015

About the author

Ben Vendetta resides in the Rust Belt. His fourth novel, Runnin' with the Devil, will be released in Spring 2026.

Reviews

[Michelle Briand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't describe myself as a nostalgic person but once I picked up "Heartworm", I couldn't stop reading it. Aside from being set against the backdrop of one of my favorites times in music, the Britpop Explosion, Vendetta has really wonderful knack for subtly evoking emotions & personal memories without being overwrought. The emotional premise of the story (and plot) is the main character, music journalist Drew's life hasn't quite sorted out as planned. Yes, he married the love of his life. Yes, he had a dream career in the music business. (The first installment, "Wivenhoe Park" does a great job chronicling that time). When Drew gets into his late 20s/early 30s, he realizing that his life doesn't quite feel as happy and fulfilling as it once did. It's not because he doesn't love music or Claire, it's just that time marches on & things change. He's growing up; life's had a few major bumps; Claire is struggling; and the music industry is evolving. Drew is trying to process all the changes & find his spot in all of it...all while listening to & being inspired by amazing music.

Rumor has it that there's going to be a 3rd installment (ladies love trilogies!). So, I can't wait to see where Drew lands and what music he's listening to...I am routing for him!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book astonished me. The second installment of Ben Vendetta’s Trilogy of life and vintage Rock n Roll; Heartworm truly stands on its own merit. It can be read either in sequence after the great Wivenhoe Park, or as its own individual work unto itself with equal pleasure.
It is a book about disillusion, aging, failed relationships, increasingly mechanical and sinful lust, drinking, and the soundtrack we piece together to help make sense of it all. In the case of this book, Whipping Boy’s Heartworm, which one reviewer described as “an earth-shatteringly powerful experience” becomes the central soundtrack (in fact, title) for Vendetta’s Drew.
Yet, Heartworm the book is more electrifying than depressing. Reading Vendetta is like mainlining adrenaline. You strive to keep up with his hero as he travels from continent to continent, venue to venue, bar to bar, and all the scene kids, pop stars, and attractive females with killer taste in music in-between these remarkably evoked locations. The Red Dragon, alone, is worth the price of admission.
Cannot wait for Book 3.

[Nathan O'hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartworm is the story of music journo Drew, at a crossroads in his life having split up from his wife Claire, and moving between Ireland, London and Boston, when he discovers the album Heartworm by Irish band Whipping Boy. The album provides the soundtrack to Drew's struggles, both with relationships, and his profession.
Heartworm is a 'Less Than Zero' for the pre-Britpop indie generation, with it's use of real-life indie music figures. There are also echoes of 'Catcher In the Rye'.
I ploughed through this novel in two sittings, and will be reading Vendetta's other work, 'Wivenhoe Park' as soon as possible.

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little harder to read than the first...so much heartache and pain. But it is still a great story. I really hope there is a third, because there were loose ends!

What made this one a more emotional read, too, is that I am listening to Billy Idol's Dancing with Myself bio, and a lot of his story cooincides with this one, even though this one is fiction.

[Barbara Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun and quick read by Ben Vendetta. Loved how he weaved the music and location references in to the story about love, depression and heartbreak both in life and in the music industry. Looking forward to the next!

[Gail Banavage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Britpop nostalgia galore. I'm 33 now so this book made me very emotional. Oh I'm spending the weekend listening to all my faves. Thanks for this

[Tabitha Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, dreamlike, exciting. Loved it!