Dirty Old Man

by R.A. Carter-Squire

Roy Corwin, a simple man, widower, retired. A long life lived with a purpose, but don't ever call him a Dirty Old Man. Roy loved Halloween. He treated it as the most special night of the year, next to Christmas Eve. Decorations, spooky stories, kids dressed as ghosts and goblins running from house to house collecting enough candy to satisfy any sweet tooth for a year. That's what he thought until this year. Roy, a decorated Vietnam veteran, lives alone in his childhood home in a neighborhood where the only other occupied house belongs to a drug lord. Two foes united by differing memories of Halloween, a visit from a lost friend. Years, of savagery in the jungles of a foreign country, struggling with the loss of his wife, and living with the stigma of a slanderous dark story from his past, have pushed him to the brink on this All Hallows Eve. Roy is taking back his self-respect.

110 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2016

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Old Man is a short story by Canadian author, R.A. Carter-Squire. Old widower Roy Corwin is the last hold-out in a street where a drug gang has taken over. But Roy is a Vietnam veteran, and he’s not going to be intimidated. A threat on Halloween sets him on a vigilante path. This short story tries, rather ambitiously, to pack in a bunch of topical issues: dementia, grief, wrongful accusation of paedophilia, and PTSD; it succeeds to some extent, but the characters are fairly stereotypical, there are some far-fetched ideas and several plot holes. A quick read.

[Carol Cassada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Corwin is a decorated Vietnam vet and mentor to young kids. But the arrival of a drug gang, lead by Enrique has made all the families in the neighborhood leave. Roy is the only person left in the neighborhood and he seeks to rid it of the gang once and for all.

Meanwhile, Eric Thomson is one of the kids Roy mentored and he's grown up to become a detective. Eric's task is to take down Enrique's gang, but every time he does the case slips through his fingers.

One Halloween night everything comes to a head as Eric, Roy, and Enrique's tales come together.

What follows is a story filled with suspense, a little bit of action, and heartwarming tidbits. The suspense aspect was great as Roy's plot against the gang unfolded.

But the best parts were the flashbacks of Roy's life along with his interactions with Eric. You'll become misty-eyed as you read about Roy's life.

This is a very quick read, but one that will have you in a whirlwind of emotions.

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Emotional Stars for Dirty Old Man

Drawing memories of Gran Torino, and of my father-in-law, and a touch of M*A*S*H, this chilling tale hit all of the right notes with me. Very reminiscent of the neighborhood my husband grew up in, this is a tale of a once nice, middle class neighborhood that has become a nightmare over the years, this one due to gang infiltration and intimidation. And the one old man who remains a holdout against their tyranny. There are some interesting side stories going on, like the one the story gets its name from, the police officer who leads the gang task force, and the flashbacks to Mr. Corwin's days in Vietnam. It is a short story with major punch, and very highly recommended.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Old Man
: R. A. Carter-Squire


This is a quick listen that shows the protagonist in several societal situations. One old man trying to live out his life the best he can. I will look for more from this author.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Michael Soma read this well.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story was ok but I've read the same story just different names and location.

[Alisa Jenkins]

it was a sweet & sad story. Not a romance.