Review:
EXPLETIVE DELETED edited by Jen Jordan
Review by Sandra Ruttan
Short story anthologies have enjoyed a recent surge of popularity, with location-centric noir collections dominating the market. Moving in a refreshing new direction, EXPLETIVE DELETED editor Jen Jordan offers readers a collection that aims to pay tribute to the f-word, and the result is a treasure trove of noir stories you won’t want to miss out on.
Otis Twelve’s FLUFF is a twisted tail about a desperate mother, delivered with a knock-out punch. Staying with the family theme, Russel D. McLean’s PEDRO PAUL is a tragic tale about how the most noble intentions can turn into horrific mistakes. Ruth Jordan looks at monsters within and without in an absolutely chilling story called LITTLE BLUE PILL, and you won’t soon forget Charlie Huston’s LIKE A LADY after reading it.
One might think that an anthology dedicated to the f-word would be filled with four-letter words but it’s the spirit of **** that’s being celebrated. Even when the stories contain no profanity themselves, the events that unfold are such that in your mind you’re thinking, “Oh ****” and as with all classic noir it’s often like watching a train wreck in motion. You want to warn the characters to stop before it’s too late but are powerless to save them, although all too often the twist in the end is more shocking than what you anticipated would happen.
The proof of the range of the stories is best exemplified with John Rickards’ TWENTY DOLLAR FUTURE, which is as much a social commentary as it is a gripping tale that rounds out this collection beautifully. Add in contributions by Ken Bruen, Olen Steinhauer, Anthony Neil Smith, Ray Banks, Kevin Wignall and many more, and you have a collection of short stories well worth indulging in. To say more would give too much away.