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Two Turtle Doves
Suicidal teenager Rich Anthony was on his way to step in front of an express train when he spots a battered acoustic guitar left outside an Oxfam shop. Intrigued, Rich postpones his plans, takes the guitar home and teaches himself to play.
What happens next changes his life.
What happens next changes his life.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2021
2 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wall
10 books25 followersHello,
I'm Richard Wall, author of the novels, Fat Man Blues, Near Death, and some other stuff.
My stories reflect my life-long fascination with the dark underbelly of American culture; be it tales of the Wild West, the simmering menace of the Deep South, the poetry of Charles Bukowski, or Langston Hughes, the writing of Andrew Vachss and John Steinbeck, or the music of Charley Patton, Son House, Johnny Cash, or Tom Waits.
I'm Richard Wall, author of the novels, Fat Man Blues, Near Death, and some other stuff.
My stories reflect my life-long fascination with the dark underbelly of American culture; be it tales of the Wild West, the simmering menace of the Deep South, the poetry of Charles Bukowski, or Langston Hughes, the writing of Andrew Vachss and John Steinbeck, or the music of Charley Patton, Son House, Johnny Cash, or Tom Waits.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 10, 2021
Two Turtle Doves is a short story by Richard wall following a bullied teenager as he becomes obsessed with gaining the guitar of his dreams. Going so far as to murder to get the money to do so. This leads him down a path that drags him in to fame, but also to the top of a spiral that will lead him to a tormented life of drugs and death.
The tale is a dark display of obsession and anger. The main character’s story seeming to be a repeat of so many dead rockers from the glory days of rock and roll. How far can an individual go to get what they want, and how sweet is revenge when they get what they want?
Two Turtle Doves is a fantastic short story you should pick up if you have twenty minutes to kill and are looking for a quick read, or if you just enjoy a dark rock and roll tale. This short story reads like many of the biographies of histories great musical stars. Pick it up, you will enjoy it!
The tale is a dark display of obsession and anger. The main character’s story seeming to be a repeat of so many dead rockers from the glory days of rock and roll. How far can an individual go to get what they want, and how sweet is revenge when they get what they want?
Two Turtle Doves is a fantastic short story you should pick up if you have twenty minutes to kill and are looking for a quick read, or if you just enjoy a dark rock and roll tale. This short story reads like many of the biographies of histories great musical stars. Pick it up, you will enjoy it!
November 27, 2021
You can read it here: https://www.close2thebone.co.uk/wp/tw...
This is a really good short story with a simple and very effective delivery like a yarn of an old musician, but with brutal content, the story asks about how far obsession can go. And what's the price to pay for both fame and revenge, for getting what you want.
The story follows a young bullied kid from a difficult environment as he gets his hands on a very special guitar teaches himself to play. It begins as a sort of memoir that does remind me of the stories of so many rock stars recalling their youth and road to stardom. However,along the way things happen, convenient coincidences...and the story takes on a very, very brutal turn. And all we hear is the ominous "everyone pays their bills on Fridays". It is, in fact, like a Faustus of the music world- this idea attracted me to the story to begin with and it delivered! Between simple and brutal, realistic and fantastic, it's a read with a great concept and central question.
This is a really good short story with a simple and very effective delivery like a yarn of an old musician, but with brutal content, the story asks about how far obsession can go. And what's the price to pay for both fame and revenge, for getting what you want.
The story follows a young bullied kid from a difficult environment as he gets his hands on a very special guitar teaches himself to play. It begins as a sort of memoir that does remind me of the stories of so many rock stars recalling their youth and road to stardom. However,along the way things happen, convenient coincidences...and the story takes on a very, very brutal turn. And all we hear is the ominous "everyone pays their bills on Fridays". It is, in fact, like a Faustus of the music world- this idea attracted me to the story to begin with and it delivered! Between simple and brutal, realistic and fantastic, it's a read with a great concept and central question.
November 25, 2021
Move over, Robert Johnson, you've got company....
In the 1930s, when Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play great blues, it was probably quite a lonely position to be in. Not so any more, I guess. Two Turtle Doves tells a story that seems troublingly familiar now - kid from a rough home, some stuff to hide, would do anything to make it big in the music business, anything, anything. But the cost is a bit of a nightmare all the same...
This is a pitch dark little story, told with disarming simplicity. Perfect.
In the 1930s, when Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play great blues, it was probably quite a lonely position to be in. Not so any more, I guess. Two Turtle Doves tells a story that seems troublingly familiar now - kid from a rough home, some stuff to hide, would do anything to make it big in the music business, anything, anything. But the cost is a bit of a nightmare all the same...
This is a pitch dark little story, told with disarming simplicity. Perfect.
December 1, 2021
Blackthorn Book Tours has a wonderful new “Quick Bite” tour. These are shorter stories than the normal novels we get to choose from. I happen to really dig short stories and novellas so I jumped at this opportunity. It’s nice to have a short story to read on a lunch break or waiting at the airport, that kind of thing. Just a little quick retreat and escape from the crazy hustle and bustle of day to day living in these modern times. Everyone is so go, go, go. So surely at only about five thousand words (around nineteen pages) anyone could fit this in for a reader’s rapid retreat.
Here is the blurb that made me request the book:
“Suicidal teenager Rich Anthony was on his way to step in front of an express train when he spots a battered acoustic guitar left outside an Oxfam shop. Intrigued, Rich postpones his plans, takes the guitar home and teaches himself to play.
What happens next changes his life.”
I’m not going to say anything else really about the actual story itself. I want you all to read it. It was fantastic!
First of all, I read this in less than twenty minutes. Such a quick read. Part of that is because the plot is constantly moving forward at an intriguing pace. Plus, this is a story that surrounds only a few characters so you aren’t trying to figure out who did what with whom and when and why, always having to jog your memory thinking to yourself ‘was that the guy that was in the story a few chapters back? What was his deal again?, making you go backwards in the story instead of forward and thereby disrupting the flow of the imagination. Not happening in this short story. The limited character structure helps with keeping their individual personalities straight and is a perfect way to continually establish a timeline, since you are only dealing with just a few people.
I actually liked this story enough I read it twice. The author uses the most wonderful descriptions with a very impactful vocabulary to create specific images in the mind of the reader. Even though it is a short story, the amount of information presented is staggering but entertaining. Everything is immaculately detailed, direct, precise and expertly constructed to beckon the reader to press on to the end and find out what happens.
The one thing I enjoyed most about this story is the idea of karma worked into the plot line. Karma is supposed to be quite fickle at times but always there somewhere. Here we have a front row seat to the unfolding of true karmic retribution and the inevitable cosmic balance of the universe. Truly a tantalizing tale. A must read for horror, suspense and thriller lovers. An absolute must have!!!
RATINGS
5/5 Stars
Here is the blurb that made me request the book:
“Suicidal teenager Rich Anthony was on his way to step in front of an express train when he spots a battered acoustic guitar left outside an Oxfam shop. Intrigued, Rich postpones his plans, takes the guitar home and teaches himself to play.
What happens next changes his life.”
I’m not going to say anything else really about the actual story itself. I want you all to read it. It was fantastic!
First of all, I read this in less than twenty minutes. Such a quick read. Part of that is because the plot is constantly moving forward at an intriguing pace. Plus, this is a story that surrounds only a few characters so you aren’t trying to figure out who did what with whom and when and why, always having to jog your memory thinking to yourself ‘was that the guy that was in the story a few chapters back? What was his deal again?, making you go backwards in the story instead of forward and thereby disrupting the flow of the imagination. Not happening in this short story. The limited character structure helps with keeping their individual personalities straight and is a perfect way to continually establish a timeline, since you are only dealing with just a few people.
I actually liked this story enough I read it twice. The author uses the most wonderful descriptions with a very impactful vocabulary to create specific images in the mind of the reader. Even though it is a short story, the amount of information presented is staggering but entertaining. Everything is immaculately detailed, direct, precise and expertly constructed to beckon the reader to press on to the end and find out what happens.
The one thing I enjoyed most about this story is the idea of karma worked into the plot line. Karma is supposed to be quite fickle at times but always there somewhere. Here we have a front row seat to the unfolding of true karmic retribution and the inevitable cosmic balance of the universe. Truly a tantalizing tale. A must read for horror, suspense and thriller lovers. An absolute must have!!!
RATINGS
5/5 Stars
December 8, 2021
"Two Turtle Doves" by Richard Wall was a dark and edgy read that kept the pages flying. Richard painted an accurate picture of the psychological effects of bullying, built up a great rapport with the reader through the complex main character, and threw in more twists than I expected in such a short time. I loved the story's surreal atmosphere. "Two Turtle Doves" almost had a Crossroads (1986) vibe to it (particularly the nightmare scene), which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the "be careful what you wish for" aspect of the work, which elevated it to a thought-provoking tale that encouraged readers to really consider the consequences of their actions before they take them. Nightmarish and intense, "Two Turtle Doves" was an entertaining, well-written short story that revenge horror fans are likely to enjoy.
(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this work from Henry Roi PR for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)
Trigger Warning: This work includes some disturbing material, including violence, homicide, and gore.
(Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this work from Henry Roi PR for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own and are honest and unbiased.)
Trigger Warning: This work includes some disturbing material, including violence, homicide, and gore.
November 28, 2021
I received a gifted E-Book copy of ‘Two Turtle Doves’ by Richard Wall from Henry Roi PR in return for my honest review.
This short story follows Rich Anthony and starts when he is a teenager with suicidal thoughts.
He finds an abandoned guitar which changes his plans and sets him on a new path.
Where will his new direction in life to play music take him? How will it change his life?
This short story is very powerful and the authors straight to the point style of writing adds to the shock of the storyline.
This story definitely has a punch to it, and it certainly is not the kind of storyline I was expecting.
It is devastating to see how the character’s life changes throughout the book, and it is emotional to hear the characters thoughts.
Overall, a powerful and emotional short story.
This short story follows Rich Anthony and starts when he is a teenager with suicidal thoughts.
He finds an abandoned guitar which changes his plans and sets him on a new path.
Where will his new direction in life to play music take him? How will it change his life?
This short story is very powerful and the authors straight to the point style of writing adds to the shock of the storyline.
This story definitely has a punch to it, and it certainly is not the kind of storyline I was expecting.
It is devastating to see how the character’s life changes throughout the book, and it is emotional to hear the characters thoughts.
Overall, a powerful and emotional short story.
November 25, 2021
How far would you go to become a rockstar? For this bullies teenager, it turns out he’ll go as far as he must. This short story is a take on the “selling your soul” trope that’s everywhere. I enjoyed the way the author brought this around with a guitar rather than a person convincing him to sell his soul.
There are plenty of content warnings including murder, drug abuse, death, suicide and bullying. It’s amazing the amount of evil that can be portrayed in such a short amount of pages.
This is a well done dark short story. There’s nothing light and happy about it, and there isn’t supposed to be. It’s interesting and enjoyable - providing you enjoy dark stories.
There are plenty of content warnings including murder, drug abuse, death, suicide and bullying. It’s amazing the amount of evil that can be portrayed in such a short amount of pages.
This is a well done dark short story. There’s nothing light and happy about it, and there isn’t supposed to be. It’s interesting and enjoyable - providing you enjoy dark stories.
November 29, 2021
This was a fantastic short story that grabbed my attention right from the opening lines, had me gripping my kindle tightly and quickly turning the pages to see how it all ends. It’s a dark tale filled with bloody revenge, murder and mayhem, obsession, drug abuse and suicide. And I loved every second of it.
If you like short dark and twisted stories, this one is definitely for you.
If you like short dark and twisted stories, this one is definitely for you.
December 1, 2021
What a great little story! Started this before work and I couldn’t wait til lunchtime so I could finish it. You quickly build empathy for the main character and cringe at all he goes through. Life isn’t always fair and that’s all I can say without spoilers
November 21, 2024
Though short, this story is vivid and packed with tension and emotion. I could hear the music and feel the vibrations as I read this original take of the 'selling your soul' tale. Excellent story.
November 29, 2021
A gritty and harsh short story, Two Turtle Doves is sure to leave you with goosebumps. The dark tale begins deceptively but explodes into a young boy’s thoughts on revenge against the guys who bully him. The revenge scenarios that he creates inside his mind give a glimpse to the reader into the darkness that is hidden inside his soul. But once the guitar named El Diablo lands into the picture, this short story explodes into one of revenge and murder.
Two Turtle Doves reflects the lives of the rock stars of the yesteryears whose life have spiraled down to drugs and then sad deaths after achieving the fame that they have never dreamed of. Hardly a 20 min read, Two Turtle Doves is freaking awesome in that it brings into focus many of those dreaded topics like abuse, bullying, revenge and gruesome killings for such a short read.
Many thanks to Henry Roi PR and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
Two Turtle Doves reflects the lives of the rock stars of the yesteryears whose life have spiraled down to drugs and then sad deaths after achieving the fame that they have never dreamed of. Hardly a 20 min read, Two Turtle Doves is freaking awesome in that it brings into focus many of those dreaded topics like abuse, bullying, revenge and gruesome killings for such a short read.
Many thanks to Henry Roi PR and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
December 23, 2021
Content Warning: Depression, Suicide, Suicide Ideation.
I received a free copy of Two Turtle Doves through Blackthorn Book Tours for their November Quick Bites in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity!
This was an intense 26 pages. Right from the start, we’re thrown into the fire. We’re introduced to a depressed teenager who’s fed up with being bullied and on his way to commit suicide when he comes across a guitar. Woah!
Those first initial paragraphs completely captivated me. I wanted to know what would happen next. And what I saw shocked me even more than those opening sentences. This book gets dark quickly. And the ending was just as intense.
I found this short story to be unique and a thrill to read from start to finish!
However, this book could be triggering for some. So please keep that in mind.
I received a free copy of Two Turtle Doves through Blackthorn Book Tours for their November Quick Bites in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity!
This was an intense 26 pages. Right from the start, we’re thrown into the fire. We’re introduced to a depressed teenager who’s fed up with being bullied and on his way to commit suicide when he comes across a guitar. Woah!
Those first initial paragraphs completely captivated me. I wanted to know what would happen next. And what I saw shocked me even more than those opening sentences. This book gets dark quickly. And the ending was just as intense.
I found this short story to be unique and a thrill to read from start to finish!
However, this book could be triggering for some. So please keep that in mind.
March 11, 2022
My full review can be found here: https://thereadingwife.com/two-turtle...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews