E-book Bargain of the Week: Terminal Damage

Here starts a new DBK feature--e-book Bargain of the Week. As you may or may not be able to tell from the title, I'll be picking one Kindle text that sells for less than the big publishers want us to pay. I have a preference for short stories and novellas, but I'll probably include novels here as well.

One of the first books I checked out on the Kindle was Terminal Damage (99 cents), a collection of short crime fiction by the folks behind Do Some Damage. All the stories are set in an airport, which works out well and provides some consistency. These stories tend toward the hardboiled, violent side of the genre.

Last Man Standing by Dave White was one of my favorites. The narrator is a depressed teenager about to commit suicide when he spots two suspicious Arab guys. White possesses a natural, engaging voice and digs deep into the narrator's psyche. He's also got a great sense of humor--a nice contrast with the rather bleak subject matter.

In Walkways by Steve Weddle, we get to know Oscar Martello. Here's a guy you don't want to fuck around with--and everyone who does ends up paying for it. A satisfying read with blazing dialogue and creative swearing. (A big plus in my book.)

Perhaps the nastiest of the bunch is Cinnamon's Last Dance by Bryon Quertermous. Ex-stripper Mandy is trying to get back to Florida to visit her dying mother. Of course, JFK is the shitfuck that it usually is and the whole airport is shutting down. Mandy's got a way out, but is it worth it?

The answer is no, it is not worth it.

Overall this is a kickass collection of eight stories. For those who dig the dark side of the genre, it's well worth it.

Want to be part of Kindle Bargain of the Week? Feel free to contact me at chris.rhatigan@gmail.com if you'd like me to review your book, or--better yet--if you'd like to review a Kindle bargain you've found.