Friday 21 June 2019

STEVE BREWER - PAYOFF (2012)


Synopsis/blurb.....

Eddie may be seventy-seven years old, but he's still a tough guy, a former heist man who packs a pistol in his pocket. But Eddie's no killer. Then a young woman in a bar makes him an offer he can't refuse.

This hard-boiled short story, which originally appeared in the anthology "Damn Near Dead," is veteran author Steve Brewer at his best.

"Like Elmore Leonard, the writer whose work his most resembles, Brewer writes with a light and deft touch, bringing style and wit to the crime genre." --David Montgomery, Chicago Sun-Times

More fun and games from Steve Brewer with another enjoyable short story. It’s one which I’ve apparently read before – 10 years or so at least – as it appeared in the previously consumed Damn Near Dead anthology. Obviously, my memory isn’t what it used to be, as it read new and fresh second time around.

A grumpy old geezer, a bar, a confrontation with a lippy college kid, a gun, some calm, followed by a foxy lady, a proposition, a phone number and a chance to clear the bar tab and have some folding green for the foreseeable future, if he can be persuaded to kill a man.

Decisions, planning, action, outcome, and a sting in the tale.

Attitude, action, character, pace and a decent payoff.

Half an hour's fun reading - 3 Brewer shorts down this month, 2 to go!

4 from 5

Read - June, 2019
Published - 2012
Page count - 14
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Format - kindle

4 comments:

  1. A 77 year old tough guy is appealing to me. As I age I am grateful for writers who have senior age characters with spirit to them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill, I couldn't agree more. I hope we are both as feisty when we hit that benchmark!

      Delete
  2. I remember the “geeezer noir” anthology. Will have to check my Kindle log. I think it is sitting there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember buying the anthology when it first published. I copy a copy signed by about a dozen of the contributors. I stupidly got rid of it after reading.

      Delete