Andrew Monge
@muchadoaboutnil
Books, books, and more books.
Before he passed, he was releasing his crime stories in collections called “Honorable Whoredom at a Penny a Word.” I had the first collection, and it was a blast. Never picked up the second one. Last I checked, they were OOP and cost a fortune on the secondary market. 😕
More #BookMail, more short stories. My favorite magazine of the year is the Detective Annual from Guilty. Good reading ahead!
I’m in a short-story frame of mind, so today’s #BookMail is timely. Looking forward to what @literarygarage.bsky.social and @kmwriter01.bsky.social put together in this one.
When Your Wife Might Be More Noir Than You, Part Two. bsky.app/profile/much...
Another recent #BookMail, this one a new crime novel from @cmattwrite.bsky.social. Sounds like a wild ride. Look forward to jumping in soon.
I’ve been lax on my #BookMail posts lately, so playing catch-up now. The first batch is from @pmpress.bsky.social’s Outspoken Authors series. Doesn’t get more legendary than these two. @joerlansdale.bsky.social #NormanSpinrad
(1 of 2) I had no idea SNL alum #KateMcKinnon started a YA series of books! Reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Mysterious Benedict Society, McKinnon’s debut showcases her trademark humor, wit, and creativity, offering up a delightful reading experience.
Nice! Placed my preorder at Bookshop just now. Looking forward to it.
I was lucky enough to snag an early copy of @brandonbarrows.bsky.social’s upcoming release, THE DARKER THE NIGHT, a novel that starts innocently enough — a man taking a road trip to visit his young son — but turns into a disaster when his ex is found murdered shortly after his arrival.
SEVEN ANGELS by @keithroysdon.bsky.social is a pressure cooker of a novel, weaving together a disparate set of characters — some with hopes of reviving the titular small town, others intent on bleeding its populace dry — and hurtling them towards a confrontation that leaves no one unscathed.
Today’s #BookMail is the first installment in Stark House’s new Whipcrack Western series. Love Marvin Albert/Al Conroy’s crime fiction (my favorite being DEVIL IN DUNGAREES), but I’ve never tried his westerns. I look forward to checking this out.
Today’s #BookMail is one of my most-anticipated releases of the year: @keithroysdon.bsky.social’s new novel, SEVEN ANGELS. Can’t wait to dive in later today.
Happy #IndependentBookstoreDay! I stopped by my local shop, Lykke Books, and walked away with some new titles. You should do the same at your local indie. They need our support now more than ever.
(1 of 5) The short version: KANSAS CITY BREAKDOWN, the second book in the Detective Keegan/Gunselle series by @meproctor.bsky.social and @russellthayer10.bsky.social, is a sexy, pulpy noir that pulls even with its predecessor before mashing down the pedal and blowing right by. So freakin’ good.
Just saw RATINGS GAME by #RyanCThomas is back with a 20th Anniversary edition. This book is a pulpy, demented, over-the-top, darkly comedic look at the news and what it takes to stay at the top. I read it a few years back and had a lot of fun with it. You might too. Link below.
#BookMail, Part Two: an oldie from #JackFinney, recommended by @brandonbarrows.bsky.social.
#BookMail, Part One: two books and a writing journal from @pmpress.bsky.social.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a short story as gonzo as “All In” from #RonClyburn. I can say it involves a hitman and a target, but not much else without spoiling the fun. Had me flipping pages as fast as I could. An absolute riot.
“The Predator’s Daughter” by #JeffSoloway explores the feelings of surviving family members after the patriarch - a respected professor and author - passes away to accusations of being a sexual predator throughout his life. Packs a one-two punch that takes your breath away.
Finally digging into the latest issue of Guilty, which is lead off by the always-on-his-game @brandonbarrows.bsky.social. “Danny Said” centers on a trio of lifelong friends, detailing what happens when one breaks bad, dragging the other two into the shit. Excellent story, per usual.
And here’s the real pocket watch, given to me by my grandpa Ken. Unlike the character in the story, I have no ambivalence toward it. 😉
A couple titles from @pmpress.bsky.social in my recent #BookMail. As an aside, their sticker game is on point.
Just a few days away from @marythor.bsky.social’s new release at @rhppress.bsky.social. I’ve got my copy pre-ordered; you should grab one too.
LINE OF SIGHT by @jqwritesstuff.bsky.social is an excellent bit of crime fiction, detailing a race-related case taken on by reporter-turned-PI Russ Avery. From the gritty Newark setting to the cast of drug dealers, crooked cops, reporters, and activists, this debut keeps the pages turning.
About a quarter of the way through THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT and came to “Wrong Fucking Place, Wrong Fucking Time” by @crobertcargill.bsky.social, a tale that melds love-of-movies with the goings-on of THE STAND, creating a wild story I won’t soon forget. Well done, sir.
A break from the usual #BookMail to show off a new t-shirt and sticker from @pmpress.bsky.social. Go check out their stuff. They’ve published some of my favorite books in recent years, and their other merch is excellent as well.
Mercy #1: A Lady’s Vengeance is a helluva series debut from @pointofimpactbooks.bsky.social, following the title character as she hunts down her family’s killers. Love Mercy’s progression from angry-but-green wannabe to hardened gunslinger as she gains experience, barreling toward the epic finale.
Despite working from home for ages, I’ve never had a proper office space. This past month we’ve been redoing some rooms in our basement, and I now have a nook in one of the bedrooms. So happy to have a place for work and writing! Wifey even got me some finishing touches for V-Day.☺️