Planter's Punch

The Duffy Dombrowski Mysteries

by J.A. Konrath

JA Konrath is the author of the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels mysteries, Whiskey Sour , Bloody Mary , Rusty Nail , Dirty Martini , Fuzzy Navel , and Cherry Bomb . Daniels is a Chicago homicide cop with a wicked sense of humor, and the novels fluctuate between funny business and serious suspense. Tom Schreck is the author of the Duffy Dombrowski mysteries, On the Ropes , TKO , and Out Cold . Duffy is a social worker by day and a semi-pro boxer by night, and he's quick with a left hook as he is with his wit. Planter's Punch is a 7500 word novella that features both Jack Daniels and Duffy Dombrowski. Both Schreck and Konrath write funny, laugh out-loud mysteries without skimping on the action and suspense. Kirkus calls Duffy, "Warmhearted, tough, and funny" and Crimespree Magazine raves, "In the boxing match of life I want Duffy Dombrowski as my ring man." Booklist calls the Jack Daniels series, "A solid success for those who like to mix comedy and grit" and Library Journal calls Konrath, "Not to be missed."

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Short Stories, Collections

Audio CD

First published April 8, 2009

About the author

Joe Konrath has written over twenty novels in the Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels thriller series. They do not have to be read chronologically to be enjoyed, but the order is: Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Rusty Nail, Dirty Martini, Shot of Tequila, Fuzzy Navel, Cherry Bomb, Dead On My Feet, Serial Killers Uncut (with Blake Crouch), Shaken, Stirred (with Blake Crouch), Dying Breath, Everybody Dies, Rum Runner, Last Call, White Russian, Shot Girl, Chaser, Old Fashioned, Bite Force, and Witch Brew. More coming soon.

Wow, that's a lot of Jack.

If you like your thrillers on the dark side, check out the Konrath Dark Thriller Collective, which includes the books The List, Origin, Afraid, Trapped, Endurance, Haunted House, Webcam, Disturb, What Happened To Lori, The Nine, Second Coming, and Close Your Eyes.

Joe also wrote the Stop A Murder mystery puzzle series, where you become the sleuth and solve brain teasers to try and catch a killer.

He also wrote the sci-fi trilogy, Timecaster, Timecaster Supersymmetry, and Timecaster Steampunk. Even if you don't think you like sci-fi, give them a try. They feature Joe's well-known characters from his other series, and are insane.

With Ann Voss Peterson he wrote the Codename: Chandler thrillers, including Flee, Spree, Three, Hit, Exposed, Naughty, Fix (with F. Paul Wilson), Rescue, and Free.

And, finally, he writes erotica under the pen name Melinda DuChamp, also with Ann Voss Peterson. Those books are probably too spicy for you, so only the brave and bold should seek them out.

Joe writes a lot. You should probably read everything.

You can visit Joe and sign up for his newsletter at www.JAKonrath.com/mailing-list.php

Reviews

[Dez Nemec]

A nice quick read. And you have to love a man willing to beat a man to death for hurting his dog!

[Litio Broie]

Una historia muy breve (lo que escribe Konrath siempre me sabe a poco, ojalá escribiera tochos como Stephen King) y simpática. Los autores se han divertido haciendo lo suyo (hacía tiempo que no me reía tanto) y ahora iría a comprarme Afraid, pero ya lo tengo (y lo he leído varias veces... Y las que vendrán).
Recomendable para fans que ya conocen a los personajes o, al menos, a los autores. Hay mucha autoreferencia y sería muy fácil perderse.

[Jerry B]

We don’t know what book to which the publisher’s blurb was referring, with ten short stories, but our ebook copy of “Punch” was just one very short tale featuring Konrath’s (Ms.) Jack Daniels with boxer Duffy Dombrowski, apparently the leading man of co-author Tom Schreck, about a kidnapping gone wrong and Duffy's dog. We dare not write more for fear our review will be longer than the story.

[Britt Echols]

Decent side Story featuring Jack and Herb. They are helping on a sting operation. A boxer named Duffy Dambrowski has his dog kidnapped. He is running all over and finally finds him. Duffy beat the shit out of the guy who took him and the dog bit off 3 fingers of the other guy. Fun little story with JD.

[Melissa]

Cute "Jack" Daniels/Duffy book

I wish I had the ability to rate using partial stars as this quick read would probably rate at least three and a half stars. Anyway, this short story introduced me to Duffy the boxer and Al his basset hound. I liked it (I have never not liked any book with Lt. Jack Daniels in it, frankly.) Recommended.

[Alabama Anthony]

An interesting novella from two authors.
A story cut to the bone, could have been fleshed out a bit more if it wasn’t a contest entry.

[Glitter]

A little off kilter for a Konrath, not to say it's bad... It's just not as intriguing or one that makes you want to race to the end.

[Terry Nichols]

Light, fun reading.

[David Blaylock]

Too short to rate any more stars.

[Candy]

Short and very enjoyable story with a lot of humor.

[Tom]

a short fun story with Jack Daniels

This is a very quick read that still packs in lots of action . A happy ending with a bit of a twist. I enjoyed this short story.

[Courtney Jordan]

Pretty good short story. Jack Daniels is in this one but, not really the main character. A good quick one.

[Suzanne Nelson]

Excellent short story

Love Jack Daniels stories. Looking forward to new book coming out later this year. I have read the whole series.

[Sally]

A novella (44 pgs) with interviews by the authors (total 51 pgs). Very good and enjoyed the humor.

[Karen]

PopSugar 2021: A DNF book from your TBR list

[Shelley]

Another collection of short stories. I had read the Jack Daniels shorts in another book (55 Proof) but I really enjoyed the Duffy stories. Tough guy boxer/social worker who always rights the wrongs and is the hero at the end of the day. Gotta love those kind of stories. And I love the Bassett Hound Al. Also like this book because it has a sneak peek at the next Jack Daniels book Shaken that is supposed to be out this year (CANNOT WAIT!)

[Allen]

This is a collaboration between Joe Konrath who has very few errors, if any and Tom Schreck who had way too many. I counted a total of 22 and although they joke about it in their interview, I still find it unacceptable and so they lost a star. I am surprised that Joe allowed this to go to print in this condition, it reflects on him as well but apparently they don't care about quality. Meanwhile their stories are typical horror and mayhem of the both of them.

[Suzanne]

read this as a short story in "Duffy to the Rescue"

[Bruce]

I enjoyed the stories by both authors (for the most part), but the combined tale at the end was the best. Good short stories.

[Mark]

Quick fun short story. Good collaboration between Konrath and Shreck.

[Will Phillipson]

kindle library book

[Delta]

An entertaining short story with wit, dark humor, and action--a fun read!

[Laurie]

Jack always gets five stars!

Any book, no matter how short, will get five stars if Jack Daniels is in it. As usual I laughed out loud.

[Spot]

well...listened would be correct. the books are great....full of mystery, drama, silliness. the audiobook only adds to it. i would give it more stars just for the LOL's the audio gave me.

[Jon]

Great short story. I am going to check out more of Tom Schreck's work. I want to know more about Duffy Dombrowski.

[Robert Berry]

short story about boxer his kidnapped bassett dog and jack daniels at the end.

[Amanda]

Short story with some more background of the characters. I really liked the dog and his enjoyment of “finger foods.”