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Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue Two
Crime Syndicate Magazine is back with nine of the hottest crime fiction short stories on the market today. This issue is full of variety with noir stories, transgressive stories, stories about betrayal and lust, heist stories, rock and roll stories and, surprisingly, baseball stories. Prepare to be entertained!
A man bets big on the World Series while stuck on the wrong end of a kidnapping (or is he?) in Dietrich Kalteis's "Bottom of the Ninth."
A couple of Hawaiian hoodlums are plagued by a negligent disk jockey on the night of their most serious heist to date in Matt Andrew's "The Song Remains the Same."
There is no greater loyalty than that between a man and his dog, even under the darkest circumstances, in Mike O'Reilly's "Fight in the Dog."
A lonely teen gets way more help than she bargained for in Preston Lang's "The Counselor."
Samuel "Sugar" Cane is a hard man, but he's got a sweet spot for taking care of his own in Michael Bracken's "Sugar."
Four British twenty-somethings seek Legendary status as they wreak mayhem on their town as well as their own lives, crossing nearly every line of decency imaginable, in Stephen McQuiggan's "Thunderstone."
Gentrifiers learn the hard way how things work in their new Boston neighborhood in J.M. Taylor's "Secrets in the Snow."
A pair of mysterious women, each with their own agenda, bring tidings of death with them everywhere they go in Jinapher Hoffman's "Jackpot Blue Thistles."
A longtime store clerk remembers the rules as he prepares for the inevitable stickup in Nick Kolakowski's "Stickup."
A man bets big on the World Series while stuck on the wrong end of a kidnapping (or is he?) in Dietrich Kalteis's "Bottom of the Ninth."
A couple of Hawaiian hoodlums are plagued by a negligent disk jockey on the night of their most serious heist to date in Matt Andrew's "The Song Remains the Same."
There is no greater loyalty than that between a man and his dog, even under the darkest circumstances, in Mike O'Reilly's "Fight in the Dog."
A lonely teen gets way more help than she bargained for in Preston Lang's "The Counselor."
Samuel "Sugar" Cane is a hard man, but he's got a sweet spot for taking care of his own in Michael Bracken's "Sugar."
Four British twenty-somethings seek Legendary status as they wreak mayhem on their town as well as their own lives, crossing nearly every line of decency imaginable, in Stephen McQuiggan's "Thunderstone."
Gentrifiers learn the hard way how things work in their new Boston neighborhood in J.M. Taylor's "Secrets in the Snow."
A pair of mysterious women, each with their own agenda, bring tidings of death with them everywhere they go in Jinapher Hoffman's "Jackpot Blue Thistles."
A longtime store clerk remembers the rules as he prepares for the inevitable stickup in Nick Kolakowski's "Stickup."
150 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
24 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Dietrich Kalteis
25 books118 followersDietrich Kalteis is the critically acclaimed author of thirteen novels and winner of the 2022 Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence for Best Crime Novel for Under an Outlaw Moon. His first novel, Ride the Lightning, won the bronze medal for Best Regional Fiction in the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2015. House of Blazes was his fourth novel and won the silver medal for Best Historical Fiction in the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2017. His screenplay Between Jobs is a past finalist in the Los Angeles Screenplay Contest. He enjoys life with his family on Canada’s West Coast.
Visit his website: http://www.dietrichkalteis.com/
He regularly contributes at Off the Cuff: http://www.dietrichkalteis.blogspot.ca/
And at 7 Criminal Minds:
http://www.7criminalminds.blogspot.ca/
You can also find him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dietrich.kalt...
and Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dietrichkalteis/
Visit his website: http://www.dietrichkalteis.com/
He regularly contributes at Off the Cuff: http://www.dietrichkalteis.blogspot.ca/
And at 7 Criminal Minds:
http://www.7criminalminds.blogspot.ca/
You can also find him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dietrich.kalt...
and Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dietrichkalteis/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 15, 2017
Excellent gritty crime fiction anthology. Not a clunker in the bunch. Nasty, bloody, hard-nosed. With a sardonic sense of humor. I read the first story about a Yankees Reds game just as the real life a Yankees Reds game was starting. Sabathia didn't pitch particularly well today, but it wasnt as exciting as a story about a game being interrupted by calls about one's wife being kidnapped and threats to send her appendages in a box. That's followed up by gang warfare on the Hawaiian Islands. From there, we are faced with dogfighting and it's intellectually superior fans. And then the fun of ripping off the rich kids. Bill collectors are never boring in a gritty crime fiction way. Very story here is a gem right down to the advice we get about neighborliness and liquor store stick ups.
February 1, 2018
Killer stuff. Always happy to see crime fiction magazines thriving. Excellent stories here by established and new (or at least new to me) authors. Anyone who liked Thuglit, Needle, and All Due Respect should check this out.
July 15, 2017
As a big fan of Matt Andrew’s writing, issue 2 of Crime Syndicate Magazine was an automatic buy. Andrew’s contribution, “The Song Remains the Same,” evokes a world where American culture and superstition rule. His words weave a vivid setting, the dark side of a popular vacation destination. The character’s personalities pop and Andrew masterfully transports the reader to a grisly off-camera scene through the mention of a certain smell. “The Song Remains the Same” is a story that holds its richness and depth upon multiple readings.
The other stories in this top-notch collection feature a sleazy businessman, a tender-hearted dog fighter, a counselor obsessed with shiny things, a sweet money collector, a group of adrenaline junkies, a protective neighbor, a loyal employee, and a liquor store owner. While Andrew’s tale is my hands-down favorite, J.M. Taylor’s “Secrets in the Snow” also resonated with me. Taylor’s story provided unexpected humor along with great character development and old school justice.
I look forward to Crime Syndicate Magazine’s next publication.
The other stories in this top-notch collection feature a sleazy businessman, a tender-hearted dog fighter, a counselor obsessed with shiny things, a sweet money collector, a group of adrenaline junkies, a protective neighbor, a loyal employee, and a liquor store owner. While Andrew’s tale is my hands-down favorite, J.M. Taylor’s “Secrets in the Snow” also resonated with me. Taylor’s story provided unexpected humor along with great character development and old school justice.
I look forward to Crime Syndicate Magazine’s next publication.
September 29, 2021
A Great Collection of Short Stories About Murder
A very entertaining collection of short stories about crimes that are ironic. I especially liked the story about the wife who was supposedly kidnapped and later the husband was also kidnapped by others.
A very entertaining collection of short stories about crimes that are ironic. I especially liked the story about the wife who was supposedly kidnapped and later the husband was also kidnapped by others.
May 20, 2017
Good quick crime reads but nothing that blew me away.
August 21, 2016
The second issue of Crime Syndicate Magazine proves that the first issue was not a fluke. Lightening does strike twice and it certainly did in this case. “Intense” and “edgy” are often over used clichés when applied to crime fiction, but they certainly apply here in several cases.
After a brief introduction by the boss, Michael Pool, Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis kicks things off with his story “Bottom of the Ninth.” The Yankees are playing the Reds in the first game of the series. Gambler Nick Tuccirello has a lot riding on the game. Not just the pennant, but his wife too.
Readers go from 1939 to modern day Hawaii in “The Song Remains the Same” by Matt Andrew. Leroy is a music expert and is absolutely sure that certain classic rock songs should be played back to back. The DJ at KPOL “Oahu’s Best Rock Station” is seriously violating the rules. Kimo would rather get to the job on time than stop and talk music, but Leroy believes what songs go together are so important that they have affected how things in his life have worked out.
“Fight in the Dog” by Mike O’ Reilly takes readers to the brutal world of dog fighting. His favorite dog, Honey, is one heck of a fighter. She came to him by the way of Jimmy buying her from a guy known as Bobby Le Mas. The narrator does not like Bobby for multiple good reasons and is about to big time hate him. If you love dogs, this is a very tough story to read.
The young teen runaway is clearly out of place in the homeless shelter. Claudia, the counselor, does her best to make her feel welcome as well as get some basic information from her. Claudia is overworked and underpaid with few options at the Martinson Shelter. At least no matter what her situation had been the rich girl had far better options than Claudia ever did.
Samuel “Sugar” Cane is sitting on his back porch in Lacy Lakeview, Texas drinking beer and cleaning his .38 while sweating from the heat. “Sugar” by Michael Bracken explains where he got the gun, his history, and what he does as a collector for Tejano De La Rosa. There is plenty of work in the area around Waco. There are also some surprises along the way as he makes his rounds collecting money owed to his employer Monies paid by people who should have known better than to get involved in any way with Tejano De La Rosa.
A typical night of drinking has turned into a bizarre and very dangerous game among the four guys. The guy known as Rat had the original idea, but Yak has taken things to a terrible new level this time in “Thunderstone” by Stephen McQuiggan. Backing out now would make things worse.
There are mysteries to tell about what went on that recent winter when the snows hit Boston so hard. “Secrets in the Snow” by J. M. Taylor tells a couple of these secrets including what happened to Billy Myers.
There has been an incident as “Jackpot Blue Thistles” by Jinapher Hoffman begins and there is a bit of a mess. Prissy, the maid, can handle the cleanup. She has the easy job, all things considered, despite the spilled blood. Miss Honey has a couple of other things to arrange including getting a replacement package from Mr. Jal for her client.
Alan Johnson opened his liquor store in 1982 a week after he had purchased a shotgun with a pistol grip. He knows the neighborhood and still believes he will never have to use it. In “Stickup” by Nick Kolakowski things change in many ways including Alan’s plan to never use the weapon.
After the nine stories, there is an interview with Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis. Michael Pool talks to him about his new novel Triggerfish as well as writing crime fiction, upcoming projects, and various other things.
Issue 2 of Crime Syndicate Magazine is another very good read featuring complicated tales and characters that do what needs to be done one way or another. While there is not a laugh out loud like there was in the first issue, there are times when a nod and sardonic smile might play across your lips. The tales are all good ones that work on every level. Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2 is also very much worth your time.
Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2
Edited by Michael Pool and Dietrich Kalteis
Short Stack Books
May 2016
ASIN: B01F28AAC2
eBook (paperback available)
151 Pages
$2.99
Material was picked up to read and review back in early May by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
After a brief introduction by the boss, Michael Pool, Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis kicks things off with his story “Bottom of the Ninth.” The Yankees are playing the Reds in the first game of the series. Gambler Nick Tuccirello has a lot riding on the game. Not just the pennant, but his wife too.
Readers go from 1939 to modern day Hawaii in “The Song Remains the Same” by Matt Andrew. Leroy is a music expert and is absolutely sure that certain classic rock songs should be played back to back. The DJ at KPOL “Oahu’s Best Rock Station” is seriously violating the rules. Kimo would rather get to the job on time than stop and talk music, but Leroy believes what songs go together are so important that they have affected how things in his life have worked out.
“Fight in the Dog” by Mike O’ Reilly takes readers to the brutal world of dog fighting. His favorite dog, Honey, is one heck of a fighter. She came to him by the way of Jimmy buying her from a guy known as Bobby Le Mas. The narrator does not like Bobby for multiple good reasons and is about to big time hate him. If you love dogs, this is a very tough story to read.
The young teen runaway is clearly out of place in the homeless shelter. Claudia, the counselor, does her best to make her feel welcome as well as get some basic information from her. Claudia is overworked and underpaid with few options at the Martinson Shelter. At least no matter what her situation had been the rich girl had far better options than Claudia ever did.
Samuel “Sugar” Cane is sitting on his back porch in Lacy Lakeview, Texas drinking beer and cleaning his .38 while sweating from the heat. “Sugar” by Michael Bracken explains where he got the gun, his history, and what he does as a collector for Tejano De La Rosa. There is plenty of work in the area around Waco. There are also some surprises along the way as he makes his rounds collecting money owed to his employer Monies paid by people who should have known better than to get involved in any way with Tejano De La Rosa.
A typical night of drinking has turned into a bizarre and very dangerous game among the four guys. The guy known as Rat had the original idea, but Yak has taken things to a terrible new level this time in “Thunderstone” by Stephen McQuiggan. Backing out now would make things worse.
There are mysteries to tell about what went on that recent winter when the snows hit Boston so hard. “Secrets in the Snow” by J. M. Taylor tells a couple of these secrets including what happened to Billy Myers.
There has been an incident as “Jackpot Blue Thistles” by Jinapher Hoffman begins and there is a bit of a mess. Prissy, the maid, can handle the cleanup. She has the easy job, all things considered, despite the spilled blood. Miss Honey has a couple of other things to arrange including getting a replacement package from Mr. Jal for her client.
Alan Johnson opened his liquor store in 1982 a week after he had purchased a shotgun with a pistol grip. He knows the neighborhood and still believes he will never have to use it. In “Stickup” by Nick Kolakowski things change in many ways including Alan’s plan to never use the weapon.
After the nine stories, there is an interview with Guest Editor Dietrich Kalteis. Michael Pool talks to him about his new novel Triggerfish as well as writing crime fiction, upcoming projects, and various other things.
Issue 2 of Crime Syndicate Magazine is another very good read featuring complicated tales and characters that do what needs to be done one way or another. While there is not a laugh out loud like there was in the first issue, there are times when a nod and sardonic smile might play across your lips. The tales are all good ones that work on every level. Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2 is also very much worth your time.
Crime Syndicate Magazine: Issue 2
Edited by Michael Pool and Dietrich Kalteis
Short Stack Books
May 2016
ASIN: B01F28AAC2
eBook (paperback available)
151 Pages
$2.99
Material was picked up to read and review back in early May by way of funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
May 28, 2021
3.5*
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews