Bullets for Silverware

by Jim Antonini

A young pharmacist takes a job in a small rural town and is quickly introduced to a world of drugs, sex, guns, and deceit. Unexpectedly, he falls in love with the local 'good-time girl' and finds himself trying to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of the pharmacist he was hired to replace.

282 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2020

About the author

Jim Antonini is an award-winning author from West Virginia who has written 6 books published by Pump Fake Press.

1. THE BUTCHER AND THE BUTTERFLY: A wearied boxer turns his back on a chance at a world championship to search for his estranged brother in New Orleans. Trapped in a strained family relationship, a promising, young ballet dancer looks for an escape. Unexpectedly, their paths cross as they discover friendship, heartbreak, and hope in the most unlikely place.
“…A gritty story of smoky bars, violence, and salvation… The novel’s pulpy sensibility wears its references on its sleeve. There’s a little bit of Bukowski, a dash of the classic detective noir, and an array of shameless boxing-story tropes that touch on everything from Rocky to Raging Bull…” – Independent Book Review, 12/10/2024

2. WILD BILL RIDES AGAIN: To escape an unfilled life, a socially awkward middle-aged family man steals one million dollars and goes on an unforgettable joyride from the east coast to the west. As he keeps one step ahead of the law and a fascinated media, he discovers love and friendship, becoming a national folk hero along the way.
“…a marvelous adventure story …written fluidly, keeping readers on the move…” -BookTrib - 11/10/2023
“…A striking story full of wit and emotion about individualism in America and how one can redefine a life when everything seems lost…” -Independent Book Review - 11/01/2023
“…With non-stop tension, compelling characters, and a plot that twists like a Rocky Mountain switchback, WILD BILL RIDES AGAIN is an epic road story that never disappoints. Highly recommended…” -Greg Leatherman, Goodreads - 11/22/2023

3. BULLETS FOR SILVERWARE, is a gritty, murder-mystery thriller set in the backwoods of West Virginia. It was a finalist for the Appodlachia 2020 Best Appalachian Book of the Year. What others have said:
“...chills, titillates, and above all entertains...the scenes roll out smoothly, and it is easy to imagine this story as film noir...has a Hitchcockian flavor..." - Independent Book Review - 07/28/2020
“…feels fast-paced, hard-boiled, and edgy...” - BookTrib - 05/05/2021

4. LIKE FALLING FROM AN AIRPLANE, is a romantic, urban drama set on the downtown streets and back alleys of San Francisco. What others have said:
“…A fast-paced novel of family, betrayal, and undeniable attraction… If you love a bad boy, a shot of tequila, or a forbidden love story, you’ll be more than pleased… … a swirling storm of events in this quick literary fiction…” - Independent Book Review - 04/08/2022
“…Fast-paced… break-neck story telling centering around unstable dreamers... Set in a dreamy version of San Francisco… it's a chaotic and rollicking trip that is unsettling, and at the same time wildly satisfying… Full of bad decisions and good fun…” Amazon Review - 08/11/2022

5. THE HOT DOG DIARIES: The book is for everyone who has ever visited Morgantown’s oldest and most beloved neighborhood bar—Gene’s Beer Garden. It was written in collaboration with friend Al Bonner, owner of Gene’s. It is in celebration of the bar’s 80th year of operation. With this book, some good tales and memories were revisited after 80 years in business.

6. SOMETIMES ORANGE IS ALMOST ORANGE: This book captures the colorful and hilarious exploits of a group of orange-clad outcasts on their futile two-decade quest for softball glory. Part softball team. Part social club. Part mythology. But mostly failure. Nobody loses better than the Chico’s Bail Bonds softball team–the forever doormats of adult softball in a college town in the hills of West Virginia.

All 6 books and other Pump Fake Press merchandise are available online at https://jimantonini.com

Reviews

[BookTrib.com]

Jim Antonini has crafted a dark, twisty thriller that feels fast-paced, hard-boiled, and edgy, where lies, corruption and horrific crimes lurk around every corner (including some scenes involving sensitive material such as violence and sexual assault). Fans of thrillers and crime fiction will find it an engrossing, gritty tale that ventures into the illicit underbelly of a tiny rural town with plenty of secrets to hide.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/05/05/bulle...

[Greg Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern pulp fiction in the vein of Jim Thompson. Desperate addicts, crooked passion, corrupt police, and a convincing narrative kept my attention. Author does a great job of maintaining tension throughout, in part because the narrator, a Pittsburgh student in rural West Virginia, is so well drawn. The book has a cinematic feel, because the author embeds a lot of music references that tend to play in the mind of the reader who gets them.

[S. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting. Great story with fast paced story-telling and an unexpected turn of events. The characters are so real you can taste them. And smell them. Check it out!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had a great tense atmosphere in this thriller novel, it had a great story going on and I was enjoying going through the story. The characters were really well done and worked in the story. I really enjoyed reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept. Young pharmacist takes a job in a small rural town and quickly finds that things are not quite right. He is introduced to a world of drugs, sex, guns, and deceit. While I didn't always like the characters, the plot held my interest.

[John]

Very entertaining thriller with an interesting setting.