For regular followers of this blog, you'll remember I did a long interview here with Thomas Pluck back in November of 2012. I warned everybody then to keep an eye peeled for this guy. Subsequently, he published his first novel, BLADE OF DISHONOR, and I covered it here, too. Now, in addition to editing the popular PROTECTORS charity anthology for PROTECT.org and his continuing output of short stories for various publications, he has released a collection of shorts featuring his protagonist, Danny the Dent.
For starters, Denny the Dent is one of the most original
characters I've read in over five decades of devouring crime/mystery fiction.
What's more, while some writers who strive mightily to make their protagonist
somehow unique and memorable too often forget the basics of good writing and/or
simply telling a good story, author Pluck's writing talent is more than up to
the task.
Each of the five tales contained in this collection are
complete in and of themselves. But, at the same time, Pluck skillfully layers
in scenes that tell more and more of Denny's backstory, gradually bringing into
sharper focus this deformed, tormented hulk who dishes out his brand of street
justice by means of violent acts that may take your breath away yet is filled
to overflowing with so much compassion for the vulnerable and abused it'll
break your heart.
Pluck often describes his writing as: "Unflinching
fiction with heart." That has never been more in evidence than in this
collection.
If you're unfamiliar with the Pluck byline, for crying out
loud correct that as soon as possible! In addition to DENNY THE DENT, his first
novel, BLADE OF DISHONOR, is available through various outlets and his next,
BURY THE HATCHET, is due out soon.
I highly recommend DENNY THE DENT, as well as anything else
you can find by this author.
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