Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby

 

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby

Rating: 5 stars

Summary: A family man who adores his wife and young children is trying to make a go of the family life and leave his past behind. When he looses a contract to take care of a fleet of cars and lead an honest life he chooses to make one last heist to pay a mounting debt. No one was expected to get hurt and the promise of a quick score was to tempting.. 

Comments: The debut novel by Cosby that I regretted reading sooner. Hard core chaotic crime novel of bad or worse decisions to be a good guy. Cosby doesn’t waste time with long drawn out scenes. He gets right to the hard truths and flips the readers pages. Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Blacktop-Wasteland-Novel-Shawn-Cosby-ebook/dp/B07WCYQZ4Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SOL2WOBSCXDV&keywords=blacktop+wasteland&qid=1640876042&s=digital-text&sprefix=Blacktop%2Cdigital-text%2C85&sr=1-1

Shifty’s Boys by Chris Offutt

 

Shifty’s Boys by Chris Offutt

Rating: Starred Review

Summary: The second stunning novel featuring a Mick Hardin who is still recovering from a wound suffered during a IED blast. Set in the rolling hills of Eastern Kentucky where someone might say Hidy to you as a fine greeting. Mick is asked by a local woman who’s son is found dead in an apparent bad drug deal. Th local cops don’t care and Micks gotta find something to do before is return date with the army. 

Comments: The second splendid crime novel with Offutt featuring Mick Hardin and equally important Linda, and super organized character Johnny Boy. Superior dialog places you deep in the Kentucky hills with plenty of scenes starting or ending with song birds. Robbins being the most spectacular North American bird. Since I like a birds this was a great setting for me. Highly highly recommended. I hope to see more Mick Hardin. This is an incredible series. 

Side Note. I once traveled this area and still remember it’s beauty and deep rolling hills and twisting curves. Incredible.

https://smile.amazon.com/Shiftys-Boys-Mick-Hardin-Novels-ebook/dp/B09JV4B6G4/ref=sr_1_10?crid=120XLNAYRFCCN&keywords=chris+offutt+books&qid=1640873499&s=digital-text&sprefix=Chris+offutt%2Cdigital-text%2C128&sr=1-10

2021 Year In Review

 So many great reads this year.

Here’s three that stood out.

William Boyle’s. Shoot The Moonlight Out 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VJLDBL5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Lighting Strike by William Kent Krueger

https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Strike-Novel-OConnor-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08LDWY46J

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

https://www.amazon.com/Harlem-Shuffle-Novel-Colson-Whitehead-ebook/dp/B08QMZC2PM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Harlem+shuffle&qid=1636040976&sr=8-1