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Mad As Hell: A Short Story
Victor King must die. At least, that’s how Ken sees it. Ken has one goal, but his head screams at him to let it go. That’s easier said than done with revenge on his mind and murder as the only option he can live with… or not.
Now Ken must wrestle with what he knows to be right and what he thinks will solve all his problems.
How will he proceed when the target is right in front of his nose?
Mad As Hell is an edge-of-your-seat short story. If you like violent noir fiction, deeply flawed characters, and pitch-black storytelling, then you’ll love Mike McCrary’s page-turning tale.
Read Mad As Hell to find out how this story ends!
Now Ken must wrestle with what he knows to be right and what he thinks will solve all his problems.
How will he proceed when the target is right in front of his nose?
Mad As Hell is an edge-of-your-seat short story. If you like violent noir fiction, deeply flawed characters, and pitch-black storytelling, then you’ll love Mike McCrary’s page-turning tale.
Read Mad As Hell to find out how this story ends!
19 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2019
6 people want to read
About the author
Mike McCrary
28 books77 followersMike McCrary is the bestselling author of Someone Savage, Relentless, and the Remo Cobb series. He's been a waiter, a dishwasher, investment analyst, and an unpaid Hollywood intern. He's quit corporate America, come back, been fired, been promoted, been fired again. Currently, he writes stories about questionable people who make questionable decisions. Keep up with Mike at www.mikemccrary.com.
"Mike McCrary is definitely a writer to watch." - John Rector, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Ridge, Already Gone, and The Cold Kiss.
"It's almost inhuman how frequently and effectively this book ups the ante on the reader." - Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse
“… a Hollywood action film in print form.” – Austin Statesman
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 13, 2019
Ah, what thoughts enter a mind from which everything has been taken-wife, daughter and all former life, everything one has lived for, loved and deeply desired...Gone due to something we All need everyday,that precise men says is safe and good for all...But What if it's Not..What would You do, if you could let yourself, to those who should never have been believed...
February 9, 2022
Good storyline of revenge filled terror. At times it's a little hard to follow. Only because the past follows the present. Good characters with well drawn characteristics. I am planning to read more of this author.
October 19, 2019
Mad As Hell - Another addition to Mr. McCrary's collection of short stories. If only revenge was this easy for such a horrible crime.
Well written and straight to the point, the main character's suffering is easily understood and his actions could be supported.
The author's talent for storytelling and his vivid descriptions bring the gamut of emotions and pain clearly to view without any graphic gore or vulgar language. Yes, you didn't know McC had that in him, huh? I contacted the author to review his books. 4*
Broken - OK, it's too short but this short is full of intrigue, suspense and good. Add a bunch of emotions to the mix. I could not help but like Riley and I was glad she cared for Albert. Riley does not like people and she has a screw loose, or a box. Good coffee break material. I cannot fuss about the length since the story is complete. 5*
Separate Checks – I love this short story. Even if vulgar language offends you, you will still enjoy this funny short story about two smart criminals, former lovers, that have a spat over money. Yes, there’s more to the story, a lot more, but I’m not giving up any spoilers. Well written. Intriguing. Humorous. 5*
Hard Hearts - One of my favorite authors always guaranteeing a good read, but this time the story and I didn't gee and haw. Don't get me wrong, it was good in many places and had good storylines and characters, but I couldn't get into this story easily and stay immersed. Usually read a McCrary book in one sitting, I did this one in three days, sporadically. It's still worth reading if you like strong, disciplined women, assassins and revenge, loyalty and betrayal, and doing what it takes to survive and protecting the innocent when the wrong people are after you. Although this book has violence, it's not gory-graphic, just the moves executed. It's a clean read. The is ending is perfect. I think BR and H would make a good series. I contacted the author to review his books. 4.5*
Genuinely Dangerous - How many times can a guy step in it? This is a rollercoaster ride through Hades and then some. Depravity; psychos and more sickos; twisted egos; and the list goes on. It's like watching a train wreck and you can't look away. Of course, there's humor, and bits and bobs of normalcy, but don't blink you'll miss it. This book even mentions Remo and more than likely set the foundation for the Remo Cobb series, which I enjoyed. Jesus wept. is not the shortest sentence, chapter 115 has a shorter one and it made me laugh. It's been a while since I've read this type of twisted story and it kept reminding me of a movie I had seen that could have been Ruby's family. So if you want to take a walk on a sick and twisting path, this is the book. Or if you liked Pulp Fiction, you'll like this book. 5*
Relentless - I was clueless about the storyline, so I really didn't want to read Relentless after I read the first couple of chapters. I don't care about LA, designer clothes and fancy cars; you got em, great but so what. But I've read a few books by Mr. McCrary and love his work, so I hung in there. Glad I did because the pace picked up, the plot turned intriguing and suspenseful, and the characters ranged the gamut from weak to pure evil, with plenty of manipulation from several directions. I figured out a few things, except one thing: what was actually wanted in the end by the bad guy. I want to say more, but I don't do spoilers; this is a review, not a book report. Another well written, well thought out story. 5*
Well written and straight to the point, the main character's suffering is easily understood and his actions could be supported.
The author's talent for storytelling and his vivid descriptions bring the gamut of emotions and pain clearly to view without any graphic gore or vulgar language. Yes, you didn't know McC had that in him, huh? I contacted the author to review his books. 4*
Broken - OK, it's too short but this short is full of intrigue, suspense and good. Add a bunch of emotions to the mix. I could not help but like Riley and I was glad she cared for Albert. Riley does not like people and she has a screw loose, or a box. Good coffee break material. I cannot fuss about the length since the story is complete. 5*
Separate Checks – I love this short story. Even if vulgar language offends you, you will still enjoy this funny short story about two smart criminals, former lovers, that have a spat over money. Yes, there’s more to the story, a lot more, but I’m not giving up any spoilers. Well written. Intriguing. Humorous. 5*
Hard Hearts - One of my favorite authors always guaranteeing a good read, but this time the story and I didn't gee and haw. Don't get me wrong, it was good in many places and had good storylines and characters, but I couldn't get into this story easily and stay immersed. Usually read a McCrary book in one sitting, I did this one in three days, sporadically. It's still worth reading if you like strong, disciplined women, assassins and revenge, loyalty and betrayal, and doing what it takes to survive and protecting the innocent when the wrong people are after you. Although this book has violence, it's not gory-graphic, just the moves executed. It's a clean read. The is ending is perfect. I think BR and H would make a good series. I contacted the author to review his books. 4.5*
Genuinely Dangerous - How many times can a guy step in it? This is a rollercoaster ride through Hades and then some. Depravity; psychos and more sickos; twisted egos; and the list goes on. It's like watching a train wreck and you can't look away. Of course, there's humor, and bits and bobs of normalcy, but don't blink you'll miss it. This book even mentions Remo and more than likely set the foundation for the Remo Cobb series, which I enjoyed. Jesus wept. is not the shortest sentence, chapter 115 has a shorter one and it made me laugh. It's been a while since I've read this type of twisted story and it kept reminding me of a movie I had seen that could have been Ruby's family. So if you want to take a walk on a sick and twisting path, this is the book. Or if you liked Pulp Fiction, you'll like this book. 5*
Relentless - I was clueless about the storyline, so I really didn't want to read Relentless after I read the first couple of chapters. I don't care about LA, designer clothes and fancy cars; you got em, great but so what. But I've read a few books by Mr. McCrary and love his work, so I hung in there. Glad I did because the pace picked up, the plot turned intriguing and suspenseful, and the characters ranged the gamut from weak to pure evil, with plenty of manipulation from several directions. I figured out a few things, except one thing: what was actually wanted in the end by the bad guy. I want to say more, but I don't do spoilers; this is a review, not a book report. Another well written, well thought out story. 5*
February 13, 2020
As with other Mike McCrary books I've read, this one his the mark! Even for a super short story, well written and descriptive are what makes this short work! Captivating from the beginning, violent but not in a nightmarish way. Mystery and suspense that is sure to make you want to read more by this author if you are unfamiliar. I love this author and this book is just another reason why. I received a complimentary copy and am relaying my honest opinion.
October 23, 2019
Great read...
Short and sweet. Typical Mike but to me somewhat lighter than normal - more like Hard Hearts and Seperate Checks. But then a good bit of vengeance is always heartening, isn’t it? :)
Short and sweet. Typical Mike but to me somewhat lighter than normal - more like Hard Hearts and Seperate Checks. But then a good bit of vengeance is always heartening, isn’t it? :)
October 18, 2019
Thank you for free Arc copy
This is the best short story I have ever read
Thoroughly enjoyed it
This is the best short story I have ever read
Thoroughly enjoyed it
October 19, 2019
A superbly crafted short story! You can feel the rage and taste revenge!
Thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
Thanks to the author for the ARC copy!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews