SKULL FULL by Anthony Neil Smith
First sentence…
Cubby sat at the picnic table in the park like always, counting the mosquitos on his arm.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Anthony Neil Smith presents fourteen short stories that are, as he says are “about f*****-up families, f*****-up relationships, f*****-up crimes, and f*****-up f*****ness, and are adorably twisted around a darkly humorous core.” (And trust me, he doesn’t say “f*****, he says the actual word. If that offends you, turn back now. )
The tales include…
Cubby – Cubby thought being special was good. Of course he thought his friends were his friends. A sad tale of a boy waiting for his mother.
Twenty-Eleven Nissan Something – Rhonda thought her luck was changing. Her new man didn’t hit her. Didn’t treat her bad. He even liked her kids. Rhonda knew what her man wasn’t. She didn’t know what he was.
Exit Row Savior – When you fly as much as I do, you know things. You know that if things go sideways, you want a man who can handle things by the exit. I’m your guy.
Money on the Table and a Pistol on the Floor – Randy had a weakness. Wasn’t drugs or gambling. Nope. It was women. Randy had three ex-wives and had lost more jobs than you could easily count. The reason? Women. Take his last job for instance. Fired from Lowe’s for having sex with a nineteen year old while he was on the clock. She was fired too. Now she thinks they’re a, well if not a couple, at least a team. She has a plan for some quick cash. All it will take his her, Randy and his pistol.
Roadrage – Why is everyone screwing with me. I’m driving and everyone is trying me. Well, I have a way to end that.
The Blind Girl – Everyone is a target. Being a sophomore in high school ain’t for the faint-hearted. Everyone is a target. Find your group and blend in. That won’t protect you for sure, but it helps. Everyone is a target. Well, almost everyone. Mess with the wrong person and you might find out.
A Skull Full of Solyanka – I’m getting forgetful. That could be dangerous in my line of work.
Lady Icarus, Nazi – I’m rich. And can get you anything you want. You better believe that.
Must Be Wanderlust – Fay, her pistol and a singer/songwriter.
Sundays in the Workshop with Dad – Chet loved his time in the workshop. He recognized his son, Jerimiah’s raw talent when the boy was young. So Chet did what any good dad would do. He had patience and put in the time so Jerimiah would be come a true craftsman.
Used Panties – Give the people what they want.
Piece of Shit Guitar – A semi-famous, good-for-nothing musician reminisces as he waits for his son to arrive.
+++++
Anthony Neil Smith wasn’t kidding when he described SKULL FULL. He creates tales that will stick with you. If you’re all about happy endings, this isn’t for you. But if you like crime stories that surprise, entertain, and take you to places you’d never want to enter in real life… give it a go.
My favorite stories in this collection are: Twenty-Eleven Nissan Something; Roadrage; Lady Icarus, Nazi; Sundays in the Workshop with Dad and Piece of Shit Guitar.
Rating:
