The Rough Stuff: Tales of Whiskey, Tobacco and Bitter Black Coffee

by Michael Cardwell

The Rough Stuff is a powerful collection of short stories. Filled with unforgettable characters, it is a mix of action-filled fiction and reflective morality tales about the truisms of life, its spectacle, its inherent dangers, and its frustrating uncertainty. Whether in the mountains of Afghanistan, on a farm in Indiana, or in a lake cabin in Idaho, Cardwell tells brutally honest stories about the lives of decent, hard men in America.

227 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2022

About the author

After thirty-two years of service in the United States Army, I transitioned from the discipline of military life to the craft of storytelling. I studied creative writing at Indiana University, where I began publishing poetry, short fiction, and novellas in literary journals, reviews, and magazines.

Today, my world revolves around writing novels, brewing strong coffee, wrangling enthusiastic dogs, and keeping up with eight energetic grandchildren. I live in Indiana with my wife, Roni.

I am the author of the well-received Coogan Mystery Series, which includes Frontier Justice, Frontier Outlaws, and Frontier Marshal. The fourth novel, Frontier Vengeance, releases November 24, with Frontier Bounty following next year. Each book has earned excellent reader ratings and strong sales, and I am grateful for the support of a growing audience of mystery and western-thriller readers.