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Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats
Pile your hair high, shine your leather jacket, pop the switchblade, and turn on the devil’s music! Get ready to roar down the desolate American highway with eight tales of hoods, hot rods, and hellcats! "The 1950s are recreated one more time, but here it's with a savage, razor-honed edge you'll never find in Grease, Happy Days, or American Graffiti," from the introduction by the legendary Mick Farren. Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats features brand new fiction from Eric Beetner, Chad Eagleton, Christopher Grant, Matthew Funk, David James Keaton, Nik Korpon, Heath Lowrance, and Thomas Pluck.
- GenresShort StoriesCrime
162 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Chad Eagleton
14 books6 followersChad Eagleton is a Spinetingler Award nominee and a two-time Watery Grave Invitational finalist. His work is available in print, ebook, and online.
Chad is a former reader for Needle: A Magazine of Noir, and formerly served as co-editor for the Beat To A Pulp webzine.
He edited Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats, a 1950s-themed anthology featuring an introduction from counterculture legend Mick Farren. Hoods showcases brand new fiction from Eric Beetner, Christopher Grant, Matthew Funk, Heath Lowrance, David James Keaton, Nik Korpon, and Thomas Pluck.
Chad lives with his wife and rescue dog in the Midwest where he is completing a biography of forgotten crime author Shane Stevens, tentatively titled The Darker Half.
Chad is a former reader for Needle: A Magazine of Noir, and formerly served as co-editor for the Beat To A Pulp webzine.
He edited Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats, a 1950s-themed anthology featuring an introduction from counterculture legend Mick Farren. Hoods showcases brand new fiction from Eric Beetner, Christopher Grant, Matthew Funk, Heath Lowrance, David James Keaton, Nik Korpon, and Thomas Pluck.
Chad lives with his wife and rescue dog in the Midwest where he is completing a biography of forgotten crime author Shane Stevens, tentatively titled The Darker Half.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2021
“Hoods, Hot Rods, And Hellcats” is a superb anthology. Not a clunker in this bunch of stories. The goal of this collection was to cut beneath the fabric of the fifties culture and portray the greasers, hotrodders, skanks, crooks, losers, and twists that were out looking for some excitement. Given the authors in this collection, you would bet that it would be good, but you wouldn’t think it would be this good.This is one of those books that, once you pop it open, you wonder why you let it linger on your bookshelf for so long without reading it. Yeah, it’s that good.
October 24, 2014
The title of Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats says it all even before you get to the cover tag line of Drive Fast. Kill Young. Love A Pretty Girl. This anthology edited by Chad Eagleton certainly delivers on that premise. The image of the 50's depicted in Happy Days, American Graffiti, and others is quickly shattered by the introduction by Mick Farren. It sets a tone that is held up quite well by the eight authors involved in the book.
Coming up first is Christopher Grant with “1958: Somewhere In Texas” where three young lesbians are on a robbery and killing spree. Shifting in time back and forth across several months it becomes clear how things began and escalated quickly.
“Red Hot” by Thomas Puck follows next with a tale of Bobby, Karen, and the love of fast cars and beautiful woman. Both are equally dangerous and like a lot of other things can end up being expensive in so many ways.
Don Bayliss likes to steal things. It is a passion for him. 17 year old Sharon has ignited another passion in “Forlorn Hope” by Matthew Funk. Having seen combat he is looking for something. He isn't the only one looking.
Brothers Charlie and Butch rob places in “Only The Vultures Will See Me Hang” by Nik Korpon. Both served and saw combat and get along well enough most of the time. Then, there are the other times when plans don't go so well just like what often happened in combat.
A guitar is the supreme goal for John. Growing up in a Christian household he should have known not to steal it. But, he did and then things got rough in “Lola” by Eric Beetner.
Editor Chad Eagleton comes next with his tale “Blue Jeans And A Boy's shirt. “ A fast car, a sawed off shotgun, and a girl walking on a bridge change the future for Lonnie Bonner. Like other stories in the anthology, combat flashbacks play a major role in this tale. Combat that though it happened in the past still fuels the actions of Lonnie now as well as many others in these tales.
“Scarred Angel” by Heath Lowrance comes next with a tale where a beautiful hellcat is the one driving the action. Unlike most of the preceding stories where the guys are running things (or at least appear to be) in this case a woman dubbed “Frankie Scar” is definitely running the show. Scotty knew she was something when he saw her at “Jimmy Bo's.” Thanks to his buddies he finally went and said hello. Thanks to her he soon was on a wild ride he would be lucky to survive.
“Headless Hoggy Style” by David James Keaton is the final and possibly the most disturbing story of the anthology. Jake is never sure what Cherry is thinking. He plans on getting her to talk and Uncle Jake might be able to help. He also has some things to do as does his Uncle in this dark tale.
The book closes with an acknowledgments section detailing the contributions of those who kept the project alive followed by detailed bios of the contributor's.
Reviewing a collection or an anthology is tough as one does not want to give away too much and ruin the stories. This was certainly the case here with these very complicated tales. They are violence filled short stories peopled by characters that usually do what they want when they want to do it. Adult language, adult situations, and more fill the pages of this anthology that proves the point made in the introduction. There was a very dark and very violent side to the 50's and Hoods, Hot Rods and Hellcats gives you a small glimpse of that along with some solidly good stories.
Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats
Editor Chad Eagleton
http://cathodeangel.blogspot.com/
Self Published
August 2013
ISBN# 978-1491002537
Paperback (e-book available)
162 Pages
$8.00
E-book was provided by the editor in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
Coming up first is Christopher Grant with “1958: Somewhere In Texas” where three young lesbians are on a robbery and killing spree. Shifting in time back and forth across several months it becomes clear how things began and escalated quickly.
“Red Hot” by Thomas Puck follows next with a tale of Bobby, Karen, and the love of fast cars and beautiful woman. Both are equally dangerous and like a lot of other things can end up being expensive in so many ways.
Don Bayliss likes to steal things. It is a passion for him. 17 year old Sharon has ignited another passion in “Forlorn Hope” by Matthew Funk. Having seen combat he is looking for something. He isn't the only one looking.
Brothers Charlie and Butch rob places in “Only The Vultures Will See Me Hang” by Nik Korpon. Both served and saw combat and get along well enough most of the time. Then, there are the other times when plans don't go so well just like what often happened in combat.
A guitar is the supreme goal for John. Growing up in a Christian household he should have known not to steal it. But, he did and then things got rough in “Lola” by Eric Beetner.
Editor Chad Eagleton comes next with his tale “Blue Jeans And A Boy's shirt. “ A fast car, a sawed off shotgun, and a girl walking on a bridge change the future for Lonnie Bonner. Like other stories in the anthology, combat flashbacks play a major role in this tale. Combat that though it happened in the past still fuels the actions of Lonnie now as well as many others in these tales.
“Scarred Angel” by Heath Lowrance comes next with a tale where a beautiful hellcat is the one driving the action. Unlike most of the preceding stories where the guys are running things (or at least appear to be) in this case a woman dubbed “Frankie Scar” is definitely running the show. Scotty knew she was something when he saw her at “Jimmy Bo's.” Thanks to his buddies he finally went and said hello. Thanks to her he soon was on a wild ride he would be lucky to survive.
“Headless Hoggy Style” by David James Keaton is the final and possibly the most disturbing story of the anthology. Jake is never sure what Cherry is thinking. He plans on getting her to talk and Uncle Jake might be able to help. He also has some things to do as does his Uncle in this dark tale.
The book closes with an acknowledgments section detailing the contributions of those who kept the project alive followed by detailed bios of the contributor's.
Reviewing a collection or an anthology is tough as one does not want to give away too much and ruin the stories. This was certainly the case here with these very complicated tales. They are violence filled short stories peopled by characters that usually do what they want when they want to do it. Adult language, adult situations, and more fill the pages of this anthology that proves the point made in the introduction. There was a very dark and very violent side to the 50's and Hoods, Hot Rods and Hellcats gives you a small glimpse of that along with some solidly good stories.
Hoods, Hot Rods, and Hellcats
Editor Chad Eagleton
http://cathodeangel.blogspot.com/
Self Published
August 2013
ISBN# 978-1491002537
Paperback (e-book available)
162 Pages
$8.00
E-book was provided by the editor in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
July 11, 2014
"Best. Book. Ever"
Funny how I came to read and review this...
Chad Eagleton shared a one-star review that simply read: "Worst. Book. Ever." So I had to find out for myself.
Now, whether or not this is the best book ever, it is a great collection. It centers around an America of the fifties, in the shadows of World War Two and Korea, and chronicles the twisted landscape of an era not too far separated from our own.
Hoods, Hot Rods and Hellcats, as a theme collection, is dead on point. It has the feel of the era, like cruising the grease-pits of the burger joint where they wait on you in roller-skates.
Christopher Grant's 1958: Somewhere in Texas is a forbidden rebel love romp that uses great time jumps. Thomas Pluck's Red Hot is a racing tale that has great buildup. Matthew Funk's Forlorn Hope is a very visual, textured piece. Nik Korpon's Only the Vultures Will See Me Hang is a stark, badass kind of tale. Eric Beetner's Lola hits pretty deep. Chad Eagleton's Blue Jeans and a Boy's Shirt is a great mix of conversation and action. Heath Lowrance's Scarred Angel is a straight joyride to read, and David James Keaton's Headless Hoggy Style is a slow-burner that will zap you at the end.
What makes this a great compilation to me is that when I finished each story, I went back to remember the writer's name for follow-up. It's a showcase, no filler.
In my opinion, I don't think that one-star reviewer actually read the stories. You can't beat the writing.
Funny how I came to read and review this...
Chad Eagleton shared a one-star review that simply read: "Worst. Book. Ever." So I had to find out for myself.
Now, whether or not this is the best book ever, it is a great collection. It centers around an America of the fifties, in the shadows of World War Two and Korea, and chronicles the twisted landscape of an era not too far separated from our own.
Hoods, Hot Rods and Hellcats, as a theme collection, is dead on point. It has the feel of the era, like cruising the grease-pits of the burger joint where they wait on you in roller-skates.
Christopher Grant's 1958: Somewhere in Texas is a forbidden rebel love romp that uses great time jumps. Thomas Pluck's Red Hot is a racing tale that has great buildup. Matthew Funk's Forlorn Hope is a very visual, textured piece. Nik Korpon's Only the Vultures Will See Me Hang is a stark, badass kind of tale. Eric Beetner's Lola hits pretty deep. Chad Eagleton's Blue Jeans and a Boy's Shirt is a great mix of conversation and action. Heath Lowrance's Scarred Angel is a straight joyride to read, and David James Keaton's Headless Hoggy Style is a slow-burner that will zap you at the end.
What makes this a great compilation to me is that when I finished each story, I went back to remember the writer's name for follow-up. It's a showcase, no filler.
In my opinion, I don't think that one-star reviewer actually read the stories. You can't beat the writing.
August 14, 2013
Very solid collection with a terrific unifying concept. I hadn't read any of Thomas Pluck's work before, but his good rep preceded him, and his piece really lived up to it. I'm a big fan of Eric Beetner, and "Lola" was a really good outing for him. Same goes for Heath Lowrance's entry. Project coordinator Chad Eagleton's sneaked up on me and lingered in my memory. I could say something good about everything here, but those are the ones that stood out for me.
April 11, 2023
Some really great shorts in this anthology, well worth reading if you like the genre.
May 7, 2014
'Hoods'is an extremely strong collection of short fiction. It recreates a period in modern American history that I’ve always been fascinated by and paints it in shades I’ve not really associated with it before. There are strong themes in the work as outlined in the title and the stories overlap a in a number of respects. They’re also substantial pieces in their own right and any one of them would be worth the price of entry.
Many of the characters have been damaged in some way, often related to coming back from war and having to come to terms with their nightmares. Either that, or they’ve lived through the depression or been damaged by those who were supposed to keep them safe. They’re trying to find something or someone to settle their hearts and minds and to help them with their loneliness and this is no easy quest. They’re also capable of extremes of behaviour that make for interesting reading.
I found each piece to be haunting even after their resolutions, for in these stories the ending is often only a new beginning.
Wrapped up in the tales of car racing, robbery, scrapping, killing and stolen guitars there are many tender moments of humanity and poetry.
I loved the backdrop and the way the writers handled the sense of time and place. They had me purring like some of the car engines I’ve come to know a little better.
I’ll not single out any one in particularly; for me, my favourite was always the one I was reading at the time.
An excellent collection that you really shouldn’t miss, especially if your looking for something vibrant and fresh to engage with.
Many of the characters have been damaged in some way, often related to coming back from war and having to come to terms with their nightmares. Either that, or they’ve lived through the depression or been damaged by those who were supposed to keep them safe. They’re trying to find something or someone to settle their hearts and minds and to help them with their loneliness and this is no easy quest. They’re also capable of extremes of behaviour that make for interesting reading.
I found each piece to be haunting even after their resolutions, for in these stories the ending is often only a new beginning.
Wrapped up in the tales of car racing, robbery, scrapping, killing and stolen guitars there are many tender moments of humanity and poetry.
I loved the backdrop and the way the writers handled the sense of time and place. They had me purring like some of the car engines I’ve come to know a little better.
I’ll not single out any one in particularly; for me, my favourite was always the one I was reading at the time.
An excellent collection that you really shouldn’t miss, especially if your looking for something vibrant and fresh to engage with.
May 7, 2014
A fine set of stories set in the fifties when youth was beginning to rebel against conformity, wanting to do their own thing, be different from the "old" folks. Uncompromising, gritty, tales not for the easily shocked.
Slightly before my time, I was a child during the fifties(the sixties my era and just as rebellious as the fogies from the fifties), I nevertheless bought into this group of stories that placed me there.
Worth a look.
Slightly before my time, I was a child during the fifties(the sixties my era and just as rebellious as the fogies from the fifties), I nevertheless bought into this group of stories that placed me there.
Worth a look.
January 26, 2016
Grade: 78% / 'C'
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews