Synopsis/blurb…….
BAD HABITS collects
Keith Gilman's short stories.
“The best fiction has
this feeling that someone’s just leaned close to whisper in our ear, ‘I’ve
something important to tell you.’ Keith Gilman’s debut novel has and sustains
that quality from the first page. You know right away that you’re in the hands of
a natural and very fine storyteller. Authenticity, voice, the sense of lives
beyond the page, all those things we crave as readers and for which we work so
hard as writers, tossing the bones, hoping the magic will work--all are
solidly, soundly in place.” —James Sallis, author of Drive
“Dark, gritty, and
hauntingly lyrical, Keith Gilman writes Noir with the authenticity of a cop who
has actually worked the mean streets.” —Robin Burcell, author of Face of a
Killer
“…Grabbed me by the
collar and wouldn’t let go. Gilman’s voice is a powerful new addition to the
crime fiction community.” —Reed Farrel Coleman, Shamus, Barry and Anthony
Award-winning author of the Moe Prager series
A collection of short stories from Keith Gilman read back in March. 16 stories in all and a brief
excerpt from the author’s novel My
Brother’s Keeper.
Cops, ex-cons, bars, cheating wives, troubled teenagers, old
neighbourhoods, floating casino boats, pistols, pool tables, scams, death,
American flags, Sunday church services, Elvis wannabees and a lot more besides.
A couple of favourites….
Nice Round Numbers…..gambling, conning, assumed identity,
inheritance, a shapely bonus and an unexpected pay off.
Bus Stop – a mother’s loss and grief and guilt.
Guts…..a fractured family torn apart by abandonment.
 |
| Keith Gilman |
A great collection, some pure criminal entertainment, others
tackling difficult subjects……families, abuse, disappointment, failure, loss.
The last 20% of my kindle edition carries excerpts from other Down and Out authors - Jack Getze, Trey R. Barker and A. C. Frieden.....tempting!
4 from 5
Keith Gilman has
a couple of full length novels to his name My
Brother’s Keeper and Father’s Day
and his website is here. He's been a serving police officer in Philadelphia for over 20 years.
Bad Habits was supplied for review by the publisher Down and
Out Books. (Website here.)
Read back in March, 2016
Sounds like a good collection, Col. And it sounds as though the stories cover a variety of different themes. That can add to the interest. Glad you liked these so well.
ReplyDeleteMargot I did enjoy the diversity within the collection.
DeleteI enjoy the stories as well, writing them and reading. I still go back and check them out. My books r detective novels. The stories r Noir which is closer to what I'm trying to do with my writing. I appreciate u guys taking a look.
ReplyDeleteKeith, cheers for stopping by. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
DeleteCol, this sounds like a good collection of stories with some interesting noir elements.
ReplyDeleteI liked them Prashant. Worth a look if you get the chance.
DeleteSounds good. Will you try the novels?
ReplyDeleteI don't have any of them, but never say never!
DeleteI would not mind giving any of his books a try.
ReplyDeleteDitto - I'd like to try a novel by him, but doubt I have the time. I ought to be reading some of what I already have!
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