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Larry Laughlin #1
Hope for the Wicked
Sometimes, bad people do good deeds.Larry and Mo Laughlin are retired killers turned private investigators with monetary woes. So when their handler introduces them to the Trudeaus, one final job is placed on the docket.Jacob and Bernice Trudeau need their teenage daughter, Amy, found, and they also want the men responsible dead. Two million dollars is an offer Larry and Mo can’t refuse.To find Amy, the Laughlins must travel to Mexico, where they are thrust into a world of debauchery so foul they will be forever changed.One crazed pimp, a veterinarian turned doc-for-hire, and an enigmatic facility called “The Show” lie in wait for the wayward couple.Is there any hope for the wicked?
174 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2013
About the author
Edward Lorn
63 books2,918 followersEdward Lorn (E. to most) is a reader, writer, and content creator. He's been writing for fun since the age of six, and writing professionally since 2011. He can be found haunting the halls of Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
E. lives in Alabama with his wife and two children. He is currently working on his next novel.
E. lives in Alabama with his wife and two children. He is currently working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 12, 2015
Dead silence. That's what I was surrounded by when I finished the last page of this book. Then I couldn't contain myself. "YEEEAAH," I announced, Howard Dean-style. Why? Because there is a SEQUEL ... and what an appropriate place for the story to pick up again! If you haven't read Hope For the Wicked yet, you have a lot to look forward to. But first, some questions. Can you handle extreme violence and gore? Taboo behavior? Intense scenes of retaliation? Incest? If your answer is "yes," then please proceed.
This is not a pretty book. It tells the story of two people who begin their lives with some very messed-up role models. Somehow the two of them survive their respective childhoods intact. Skip to adulthood, and the same two characters meet again and fall in love. Their union is sealed with vengeance and a promise to bring justice to the wronged. One more round of retribution, and they will be rich. We accompany them on their journey, taking ruthless twists and turns. This book was impossible to put down. I made the mistake of starting it during a long weekend, and was frustrated when I actually had things to do other than read. I completed the second half of the book this morning, and I'm exhausted. But that won't stop me from hunting down the sequel.
This is not a pretty book. It tells the story of two people who begin their lives with some very messed-up role models. Somehow the two of them survive their respective childhoods intact. Skip to adulthood, and the same two characters meet again and fall in love. Their union is sealed with vengeance and a promise to bring justice to the wronged. One more round of retribution, and they will be rich. We accompany them on their journey, taking ruthless twists and turns. This book was impossible to put down. I made the mistake of starting it during a long weekend, and was frustrated when I actually had things to do other than read. I completed the second half of the book this morning, and I'm exhausted. But that won't stop me from hunting down the sequel.
January 28, 2014
Hope for the Wicked combines several genres seamlessly. It has elements of the wise-cracking PI novel, the suspense thriller. and the horror shockfest. Even though the chassis this thing's built on is a hard-boiled detective story (the kind where the investigators get pulled deeper and deeper into an ugly underworld), I'd say the book would appeal most to horror fans. One reason is that the PIs are only PIs for a short time, and then they revert back to their old jobs as hired assassins. But the biggest reason this book will likely not appeal to your typical suspense reader is that it deals with subject matter that is extremely dark and discomfiting.
One thing that struck me while reading this book was that Lorn isn't afraid to take risks. There is one storytelling choice in particular that demonstrates that the man has rather large balls. Very large and admirable balls. And what I'm talking about here has nothing to do with the graphic subject matter, the pervasive theme of child abuse, the scenes of extreme violence and gore. I can't tell you what I'm referring to, actually. To do so would ruin the story for you.
You'll just have to read it to find out.
Not for the squeamish.
Seriously.
One thing that struck me while reading this book was that Lorn isn't afraid to take risks. There is one storytelling choice in particular that demonstrates that the man has rather large balls. Very large and admirable balls. And what I'm talking about here has nothing to do with the graphic subject matter, the pervasive theme of child abuse, the scenes of extreme violence and gore. I can't tell you what I'm referring to, actually. To do so would ruin the story for you.
You'll just have to read it to find out.
Not for the squeamish.
Seriously.
July 11, 2015
Sweet Christ. What did I just read? Edward Lorn is a brilliant writer. He can turn a phrase with the best of them.
I found this book completely appalling. I nearly dnf'ed three times. This was so f'ed up I can't even begin to do it justice. Highly recommended for those with intestinal fortitude.
I found this book completely appalling. I nearly dnf'ed three times. This was so f'ed up I can't even begin to do it justice. Highly recommended for those with intestinal fortitude.
June 15, 2014
Hope for the Wicked is another superb horror novella from Edward Lorn, there’s some seriously shocking scenes in this, I won’t elaborate further but a strong stomach is essential if you’re thinking of reading this.
More of a revenge thriller that has no issues with crossing over into horrific detail, a troubled and wickedly flawed protagonist that suffered an abusive childhood and grew up to right those violations for others, all for a price of course.
The line between good and evil is somewhat faded in this tale and this shows through perfectly in the characterization, Larry and Mo Laughlin have done terrible things to the worst of people but are now aiming for legitimacy as private investigators in Long Beach, California.
It’s a struggle until a big job lands smack on their doorstep, one promising enough for early retirement, a rich couple’s daughter has been kidnapped and the ransom needs to be dropped off in Mexico, 2 million along with the lives of the perpetrators, definitely not dead or alive, only well and truly dead will suffice.
A more interesting couple you’re unlikely to come across again, they've both been through the mill and come out the other side stronger for it, their history is one of heartbreak and more than explains the path they now walk. A path filled with retribution but the heartbreak is one that never ends and the final link to another story finds our flawed hero heading back home to Bay’s End.
If you like dark fiction, you won’t get much darker than this, it’s compelling, violent, removal of sexual organs with pliers type violence and a ruthless brutality. All the shocks combined with the depth of the characters and the harsh lives they lead gives another highly entertaining read from an author who’s back catalogue I’m now racing through.
A 4.5 Rating.
More of a revenge thriller that has no issues with crossing over into horrific detail, a troubled and wickedly flawed protagonist that suffered an abusive childhood and grew up to right those violations for others, all for a price of course.
The line between good and evil is somewhat faded in this tale and this shows through perfectly in the characterization, Larry and Mo Laughlin have done terrible things to the worst of people but are now aiming for legitimacy as private investigators in Long Beach, California.
It’s a struggle until a big job lands smack on their doorstep, one promising enough for early retirement, a rich couple’s daughter has been kidnapped and the ransom needs to be dropped off in Mexico, 2 million along with the lives of the perpetrators, definitely not dead or alive, only well and truly dead will suffice.
A more interesting couple you’re unlikely to come across again, they've both been through the mill and come out the other side stronger for it, their history is one of heartbreak and more than explains the path they now walk. A path filled with retribution but the heartbreak is one that never ends and the final link to another story finds our flawed hero heading back home to Bay’s End.
If you like dark fiction, you won’t get much darker than this, it’s compelling, violent, removal of sexual organs with pliers type violence and a ruthless brutality. All the shocks combined with the depth of the characters and the harsh lives they lead gives another highly entertaining read from an author who’s back catalogue I’m now racing through.
A 4.5 Rating.
November 19, 2017
It should be noted that I am a big Edward Lorn fan, we are on-line friends and if I ever meet him in person I’m going to buy him a beer. Or two…
Lorn wastes zero time with this one. It is a fast moving, disturbing, violent, and bloody mother f*cker. Even with a few laughs thrown to help ease the brutality of the plot line, I think I may still be a bit traumatized.
Another solid effort from Edward Lorn. Dude is twisted…and a hell of a writer.
Lorn wastes zero time with this one. It is a fast moving, disturbing, violent, and bloody mother f*cker. Even with a few laughs thrown to help ease the brutality of the plot line, I think I may still be a bit traumatized.
Another solid effort from Edward Lorn. Dude is twisted…and a hell of a writer.
August 10, 2014
I've been a fan of Lorn's work for a while now and this is yet another shining example of why. Like usual, Lorn pulls no punches with any of his characters (especially in this book!) and I ran the full gamut of emotions while reading this. Even though the two main characters are technically bad people, I couldn't help but feel for them and wind up loving them. I was pleasantly surprised to see a connection to Bay's End (another fantastic book by him) in here with the main characters and the promise of more to come.
If you've never read anything by Lorn, you really need to since you're missing out on some wonderful dark fiction by a great guy. Give it a try and you'll be sorry you waited so long. Highly recommended!
If you've never read anything by Lorn, you really need to since you're missing out on some wonderful dark fiction by a great guy. Give it a try and you'll be sorry you waited so long. Highly recommended!
March 8, 2018
I have briefly spoken with Mr Edward Lorn here and on a book blogging site, but we're not friends by any stretch of the imagination, so I'm sure he won't mind me reviewing Hope for the Wicked - because he has asked his friends not to review his books, as he does not want his scores stacked in his favour. (Class act, IMHO, but I digress...)
Hope for the Wicked is a well-written twist on the traditional first-person detective story courtesy of two essential differences: 1) Said "detective" is partnered with his wife; and 2) Said "detective" and his wife are serial killers who investigate people they're going to kill and then get the deed done. Well, that's not quite right. Larry and Mo are sexual abuse survivors who go about taking out others accused of perpetrating those crimes. Hope for the Wicked serves as their introduction and explains how they have come to do what they do, while also following them on their latest - and if Larry has any say in the matter, last - case: to find and return a kidnapped rich family's daughter, and to kill those responsible for the kidnapping.
Hope for the Wicked is a powerful story which packs quite a few punches in its relatively lean page count, and it does not skimp on the blood, violence and nastiness the above synopsis would suggest. In other words, it was just the tonic I needed to wake me from my reading stupor.
The major complaint I have is a spoiler, so I'll hint at it by simply saying one tantalising plot thread was set up which was not addressed in any remotely satisfying way. Perhaps I missed a subtle reference which explained it well enough, or maybe Lorn always intended it to be this way, but I was left a little frustrated at book's end for this reason.
Regardless, Hope for the Wicked is an excellent way to spend a couple of hours. Just be prepared for some harsh violence of a more disturbing kind.
4 Alternative Ways to Make a Living for Hope for the Wicked.
Hope for the Wicked is a well-written twist on the traditional first-person detective story courtesy of two essential differences: 1) Said "detective" is partnered with his wife; and 2) Said "detective" and his wife are serial killers who investigate people they're going to kill and then get the deed done. Well, that's not quite right. Larry and Mo are sexual abuse survivors who go about taking out others accused of perpetrating those crimes. Hope for the Wicked serves as their introduction and explains how they have come to do what they do, while also following them on their latest - and if Larry has any say in the matter, last - case: to find and return a kidnapped rich family's daughter, and to kill those responsible for the kidnapping.
Hope for the Wicked is a powerful story which packs quite a few punches in its relatively lean page count, and it does not skimp on the blood, violence and nastiness the above synopsis would suggest. In other words, it was just the tonic I needed to wake me from my reading stupor.
The major complaint I have is a spoiler, so I'll hint at it by simply saying one tantalising plot thread was set up which was not addressed in any remotely satisfying way. Perhaps I missed a subtle reference which explained it well enough, or maybe Lorn always intended it to be this way, but I was left a little frustrated at book's end for this reason.
Regardless, Hope for the Wicked is an excellent way to spend a couple of hours. Just be prepared for some harsh violence of a more disturbing kind.
4 Alternative Ways to Make a Living for Hope for the Wicked.
May 11, 2015
Gritty and brutal short from a favorite author of mine. This is not for the sensitive mind - Lorn himself has included a warning in his text about it on Goodreads (it should be heeded!).
At the same time, let me say that this is not related to "torture porn" (I don't know any other name for that particular sub-genre, sorry!!) or slasher/gore/schlock designed for the shock value only. The happening(s) in this one are for a reason - making it all the more effective, since the "cartoonish" taste over-the-top-gore invariably tilts over to does not happen here.
Even if none of the characters are really worthy of our sympathies in this one, of course you lean that way for the main protagonists (it's definitely a bit of "Dexter"-feeling here) and the revelation/realization of an event (trying hard to not ruin this for you, I'm seldom sensitive to "spoilers" myself, but this is so darned impressive writing you must find out yourself!) is extremely effective and devastating.
The connections to "Bay's End" adds another dimension also and the ending is, in the vein of the rest of the story, effective and ultimately satisfying.
Add my recommendation to the author's warning :)
At the same time, let me say that this is not related to "torture porn" (I don't know any other name for that particular sub-genre, sorry!!) or slasher/gore/schlock designed for the shock value only. The happening(s) in this one are for a reason - making it all the more effective, since the "cartoonish" taste over-the-top-gore invariably tilts over to does not happen here.
Even if none of the characters are really worthy of our sympathies in this one, of course you lean that way for the main protagonists (it's definitely a bit of "Dexter"-feeling here) and the revelation/realization of an event (trying hard to not ruin this for you, I'm seldom sensitive to "spoilers" myself, but this is so darned impressive writing you must find out yourself!) is extremely effective and devastating.
The connections to "Bay's End" adds another dimension also and the ending is, in the vein of the rest of the story, effective and ultimately satisfying.
Add my recommendation to the author's warning :)
May 10, 2015
UPDATE: Ignore the last paragraph. He doesn't care if I rate it. If I thought it sucked, I would say so.
This was fun. A horror/thriller that I would throw in the “hardcore horror” family but not in an overly gratuitous Edward Lee’s Bighead kind of way. It has too much of a thriller element to really carry the hardcore label but be aware that it does have some extreme content that will either make you squirm and/or throw the book in a fire wondering what kind of sick bastard would come up with stuff like this.
Edward Lorn would be that sick bastard. The man knows how to write and he knows how to spin a yarn. I’ve only read a few of his books so far but he certainly proves himself with this one. If you haven’t read him yet, this is a good place to start. I just got to it now because the sequel is being released and I almost accidentally read that first. That would have been a whoops. Anyway, looking forward to the sequel.
The author is a friend of mine so I’ll withhold the star rating. Excellent read and I highly recommend. That’s all you really need to know.
This was fun. A horror/thriller that I would throw in the “hardcore horror” family but not in an overly gratuitous Edward Lee’s Bighead kind of way. It has too much of a thriller element to really carry the hardcore label but be aware that it does have some extreme content that will either make you squirm and/or throw the book in a fire wondering what kind of sick bastard would come up with stuff like this.
Edward Lorn would be that sick bastard. The man knows how to write and he knows how to spin a yarn. I’ve only read a few of his books so far but he certainly proves himself with this one. If you haven’t read him yet, this is a good place to start. I just got to it now because the sequel is being released and I almost accidentally read that first. That would have been a whoops. Anyway, looking forward to the sequel.
The author is a friend of mine so I’ll withhold the star rating. Excellent read and I highly recommend. That’s all you really need to know.
July 12, 2015
Though my current relationship with horror is somewhat challenged, not reading Ed Lorn's book when available just isn't an option. The man can write and does so with such a natural ease that it puts one in mind of other genre's greats and awesomes such as Ketchum and Strand. This is something of a departure, nothing supernatural, this is a thriller, albeit one of strikingly horrific brutality. Warning...there is a rape scene in the book one isn't likely to forget. While the parenthesis and the existence of sequel hint at how the book is going to turn out, there are still plenty of surprises (even if one of them is eerily reminiscent of Odd Thomas). This may not be the most stunningly original work, killers with conscience and principals seem to be in vogue, this was just so well written, with such well rendered engaging characters and such kickass action and suspense that it makes for a terrific read. Tons of fun and, though I normally don't particularly enjoy sequels or series, definitely something to look forward to. Highly recommended.
November 11, 2019
What an excellent book! One of Lorn’s finest!
October 11, 2018
Leave it to Edward Lorn.....THE SECOND MOST FUCKED UP THING I HAVE EVER READ, and the first most fucked up thing I have ever read was written by him too!!!!
I'll start by saying I couldn't put this book down, even though I wanted to at one point. I read it in one sitting tonight after work. Like moist of Edward Lorn's best work it's like a car crash, you shouldn't look but you can't look away.
Reading this book is like watching Mr. And Mrs. Smith mixed with The Mexican mixed with Saw mixed with JESUS FUCK EDWARD WHAT THE HOLY FUCK???
I am traumatized, but I can't wait to see what happens next in the sequel titled: Pennies for the Damned (Fuckin auto-correct wanted to title it Penis for the Damned 😂, dirty Siri) and I feel as dirty as Siri rating it this high, but I couldn't put this bitch down.
(P.S. As eloquently as possible....Don't read this if you don't like fucked up shit and stuff or don't mind fucked up shit and things mixed in with good story shit)
I'll start by saying I couldn't put this book down, even though I wanted to at one point. I read it in one sitting tonight after work. Like moist of Edward Lorn's best work it's like a car crash, you shouldn't look but you can't look away.
Reading this book is like watching Mr. And Mrs. Smith mixed with The Mexican mixed with Saw mixed with JESUS FUCK EDWARD WHAT THE HOLY FUCK???
I am traumatized, but I can't wait to see what happens next in the sequel titled: Pennies for the Damned (Fuckin auto-correct wanted to title it Penis for the Damned 😂, dirty Siri) and I feel as dirty as Siri rating it this high, but I couldn't put this bitch down.
(P.S. As eloquently as possible....Don't read this if you don't like fucked up shit and stuff or don't mind fucked up shit and things mixed in with good story shit)
July 12, 2015
Solid tale from Lorn about a married couple trying to go straight after living a life of murders-for-hire who are hired to travel to Mexico to search for the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy couple. Not everything is at it seems, and Lorn does a fantastic job of laying out the narrative piece by gruesome piece until the ending hits you like a sledgehammer. There is a brutal rape that occurs unlike anything I've read before which is not for the faint of heart. Well-written with characters that have surprising substance. This book was recommended by a trusted friend (thanks Bandit!) and I'm very glad I gave it a try. You will be too, if you can handle the brutality and raw violence that populates the story, which never feels gratuitous. 4.5 stars. Very highly recommended.
June 12, 2019
I’ve been reading a lot of traditionally published books lately, you know the ones, with a team of editors, proofreaders, and marketing experts behind them. More often than not they’re good books, while at the same time, they can be a little vanilla. One of the so-called experts decides you can’t do this or that, someone might get offended, or worse yet, triggered. I’m lucky because I haven’t suffered through a life-altering event that triggers me and, you know what? Sometimes I just want to be shocked. So, with its “WARNING: EXTREME CONTENT” tag, I thought that Hope for the Wicked could be just the thing for me.
For the first half or so I was anticipating some massive shocks and didn’t get them, but then it all hit the fan at once. I appreciate the tease.
Lorn has written a great story here. He has created a couple of fantastic characters with Larry and Mo. They are dark and twisted with an intertwining backstory that would make your head spin. Lorn expertly counterbalanced the darkness of Hope for the Wicked with some light dashes of humor. And this story will shock! If you are easily offended or triggered, don’t read it, this is not a book for you. It’s for me. MINE!
The only thing I wanted and didn’t get from Hope for the Wicked is more. At one hundred and fifteen pages, it’s a little on the light side. I could have stood for some more: more description, more details, more mayhem and torture.
For the first half or so I was anticipating some massive shocks and didn’t get them, but then it all hit the fan at once. I appreciate the tease.
Lorn has written a great story here. He has created a couple of fantastic characters with Larry and Mo. They are dark and twisted with an intertwining backstory that would make your head spin. Lorn expertly counterbalanced the darkness of Hope for the Wicked with some light dashes of humor. And this story will shock! If you are easily offended or triggered, don’t read it, this is not a book for you. It’s for me. MINE!
The only thing I wanted and didn’t get from Hope for the Wicked is more. At one hundred and fifteen pages, it’s a little on the light side. I could have stood for some more: more description, more details, more mayhem and torture.
January 20, 2013
Larry and Mo Laughlin are private investigators, a job very different from their former profession. When their handler, Tommy Kirsch, comes to them with an offer to do one more job like they used to do, they decide the money is too good to pass up. It all goes sideways from there.
Well-written with a tight fast plot and well-developed characters this story will keep you glued to the pages. The ending was very different from what I was expecting and it should be remembered that your past can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.
*Many thanks to Red Adept Publishing for providing me with a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
Well-written with a tight fast plot and well-developed characters this story will keep you glued to the pages. The ending was very different from what I was expecting and it should be remembered that your past can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.
*Many thanks to Red Adept Publishing for providing me with a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
May 18, 2013
Let me start off this review by saying this book holds NOTHING back. It was down, dirty, and to the point the entire way through. If you can't handle gore or really heavy topics best left to people with stronger constitutions, this book will not be for you.
This book disturbed me. Every time I thought it couldn't get worse, it DID. As usual, Edward Lorn is not shy about touching on subjects that most people find revolting. He builds characters that are multifaceted and warped, broken and mostly grasping for any signs of normality. He gives you the faintest touch of hope, then sweeps it out from under you.
I gave this book three stars, and I'm going to tell you why.
1) It was graphic. Everything he described, I could see, hear, and smell. When I say that the book is disturbing, I don't say that lightly. Granted, I finished it, but the book left me in a brief state of shock. I had not expected a lot of what was found in those pages, and though very well written with intense, thought-provoking characters, I was still stunned by the morbid subject matter.
2) Despite all of the graphic chaos that makes this book so unsettling, it was actually very well written. The characters all had a lot of depth, and I did have fun looking into the quirky relationship between the narrator and his wife. It wasn't a normal relationship by far, but there was genuine love to be found there, and I clung to that as a reader.
3) The book is rife with emotions. Fear, love, sadness, pain, and an ample amount of confusion when shit hits the fan all kept me reading. Every twist and turn this book made had me going along for the ride, even when I was nearly pushed to my limits.
And finally, 4). This book is one that I would consider controversial amongst my circle of friends. It was intense and something that I enjoyed reading despite cringing every so often, but at the same time, it isn't something that I would suggest to my friends. I can take a lot of mental (fictional) abuse, but this is not a book for the lighthearted.
As a reader, I have to say, if you don't mind going somewhere really dark and getting lost there, then try this book out. If you know you are sensitive to questionable subject matter, then steer clear, this book is not for you.
Brilliant read, but I really need to turn some lights on in the house right now, and purge some of the darkness left behind by Hope for the Wicked.
This book disturbed me. Every time I thought it couldn't get worse, it DID. As usual, Edward Lorn is not shy about touching on subjects that most people find revolting. He builds characters that are multifaceted and warped, broken and mostly grasping for any signs of normality. He gives you the faintest touch of hope, then sweeps it out from under you.
I gave this book three stars, and I'm going to tell you why.
1) It was graphic. Everything he described, I could see, hear, and smell. When I say that the book is disturbing, I don't say that lightly. Granted, I finished it, but the book left me in a brief state of shock. I had not expected a lot of what was found in those pages, and though very well written with intense, thought-provoking characters, I was still stunned by the morbid subject matter.
2) Despite all of the graphic chaos that makes this book so unsettling, it was actually very well written. The characters all had a lot of depth, and I did have fun looking into the quirky relationship between the narrator and his wife. It wasn't a normal relationship by far, but there was genuine love to be found there, and I clung to that as a reader.
3) The book is rife with emotions. Fear, love, sadness, pain, and an ample amount of confusion when shit hits the fan all kept me reading. Every twist and turn this book made had me going along for the ride, even when I was nearly pushed to my limits.
And finally, 4). This book is one that I would consider controversial amongst my circle of friends. It was intense and something that I enjoyed reading despite cringing every so often, but at the same time, it isn't something that I would suggest to my friends. I can take a lot of mental (fictional) abuse, but this is not a book for the lighthearted.
As a reader, I have to say, if you don't mind going somewhere really dark and getting lost there, then try this book out. If you know you are sensitive to questionable subject matter, then steer clear, this book is not for you.
Brilliant read, but I really need to turn some lights on in the house right now, and purge some of the darkness left behind by Hope for the Wicked.
January 24, 2013
Larry and Mo Laughlin are a husband and wife team of hired guns. And in case you're wondering, Curly is their St. Bernard.
Despite getting out of the assassination business and into the private eye game, they still have that old itch--especially Maureen--and when their handler, Tommy, sets them up with a new job that combines the two professions, how can they refuse? The teenage daughter of a rich power couple has been abducted in Mexico and held for ransom. Larry and Mo will have to go down there under the guise of paying the ransom and saving the girl, but ultimately they are being paid to gun down the men responsible.
In some ways, the story feels overly familiar, at least if you've read more than a few stories about killers ... well, killing. But Lorn throws in a wheelbarrow full of quirks and twists that really make Hope for the Wicked stand out as one of the more memorable--and disturbing--thrillers I've read in a while.
There's this strange interplay between Larry and Mo, as it feels their marriage is strained since going straight, and the prospect of doing one last hit that could set them up financially against their languishing P.I. firm practically has Mo salivating to pull the trigger, while Larry sees a dark road ahead for them by falling back on their old ways. There are points where it's hard to decide if I should be rooting for these two or cringing at what could be a nuclear-caliber meltdown while they're on the road.
As for the villains they're after, they kind of exist on the periphery for much of the story, as this is really about Larry and his wife (told through his POV), with the skeletons in their closet coming to bear. Oh, the villains show up, and one insanely horrific scene in this novella put them over the top as some of the sickest sonsofbitches in the genre. If I'm to knock this book, it would simply to be to say that the scene is so stark and visceral in tone, it kind of threw me right out of the story for a bit. Not so much a speed bump, but more of a 747 crash landing on the highway. It's hard to miss.
Anyway, that bit aside, I thought Edward Lorn did a helluva job with this one, managing to make me care about a couple of assassins, hoping they'd make it out of Mexico alive. Sympathizing with the sadistic? That's an accomplishment right there.
Despite getting out of the assassination business and into the private eye game, they still have that old itch--especially Maureen--and when their handler, Tommy, sets them up with a new job that combines the two professions, how can they refuse? The teenage daughter of a rich power couple has been abducted in Mexico and held for ransom. Larry and Mo will have to go down there under the guise of paying the ransom and saving the girl, but ultimately they are being paid to gun down the men responsible.
In some ways, the story feels overly familiar, at least if you've read more than a few stories about killers ... well, killing. But Lorn throws in a wheelbarrow full of quirks and twists that really make Hope for the Wicked stand out as one of the more memorable--and disturbing--thrillers I've read in a while.
There's this strange interplay between Larry and Mo, as it feels their marriage is strained since going straight, and the prospect of doing one last hit that could set them up financially against their languishing P.I. firm practically has Mo salivating to pull the trigger, while Larry sees a dark road ahead for them by falling back on their old ways. There are points where it's hard to decide if I should be rooting for these two or cringing at what could be a nuclear-caliber meltdown while they're on the road.
As for the villains they're after, they kind of exist on the periphery for much of the story, as this is really about Larry and his wife (told through his POV), with the skeletons in their closet coming to bear. Oh, the villains show up, and one insanely horrific scene in this novella put them over the top as some of the sickest sonsofbitches in the genre. If I'm to knock this book, it would simply to be to say that the scene is so stark and visceral in tone, it kind of threw me right out of the story for a bit. Not so much a speed bump, but more of a 747 crash landing on the highway. It's hard to miss.
Anyway, that bit aside, I thought Edward Lorn did a helluva job with this one, managing to make me care about a couple of assassins, hoping they'd make it out of Mexico alive. Sympathizing with the sadistic? That's an accomplishment right there.
May 16, 2015
This book definitely was a wild ride and it wasn't until I was almost finished with it, that I caught the connection to Bay's End. Wow! This is not one for the squeamish, but it was good. Now I am looking forward to Pennies for the Damned!
July 7, 2014
The subject matter in this book was truly horrific but Mr. Lorn can write very well. I am interested in reading more of his work.
February 4, 2014
The author gifted me with a copy of this book. That has not compromised my ability to write an honest and critical review of this book.
4/2 - This is Kinsey Millhone for adults. Take away the 'cosy mystery' tag that Sue Grafton's books fit under and replace it with 'gore-y, curse-filled, conflicted heroes (although I doubt the 'heroes' are conflicted, but we are about whether or not they're actually heroes) mystery' and you've got an idea of what's going on in Hope for the Wicked - which is EXCELLENT because I love Kinsey, but her murders are a bit clean and follow a clear formula in each book. I'm looking forward to the 'heroes' doing some very unheroic murdering which will (I hope) be graphically described followed by the rescue of a much more battered than usual victim with some raunchy sex scenes thrown in for good measure. To be continued...
An hour later - This is perfect for me - a pair of vigilante private investigators ready, willing and able to deal out some swift and violent justice to the scum they're paid to hunt down (or in this case the scum who kidnapped the victim they were paid to rescue). I think there's a number of good arguments for vigilantism, as long as you are skilful enough to avoid hurting or executing innocent people and you keep the killing to only those necessary (like those who won't surrender without a gun battle and the ones you can't actually prove are guilty in a legal sense, but you know they did it), while the rest of the bad guys get a bullet in the kneecap and a trip to jail for a very long time (Person of Interest-like). I would have absolutely no problem with John Reese being the judge, jury and executioner (if necessary) in my city (if it was as full of corrupt cops and city officials as New York seems to be), we'd be seeing a lot less rape, murder and random gun violence if he was patrolling the streets instead of just the cops who often seem hamstrung by all the damn legal procedures necessary to make an arrest and conviction. To be continued...
Now past midnight, so the next morning 5/2 - If Dane hadn't taken care of it in his own way I would suggest Larry and Mo could take some time out and meet with Ella May Peters, I'm sure they could also come up with a number of 'fitting' endings for a mother who was too scared to save her son from his father's fists. Larry and Mo carry out the kind of sentence I always wished Benson and Stabler had the authority to when I watched Law and Order: SVU - guess what I always wanted to do to the rapists (hint, it ends with the rapist screaming until they pass out, only to wake in even more pain than before, but no dying - dying's too easy, living is the best punishment). To be continued...
Later that afternoon - I've just lost a lot of respect for Mo because it seems she's more a serial killer who happens to kill bad guys (mostly) rather than a vigilante who kills to stop monsters. I don't know how Mo and Larry are going to be able to go on after that revelation, for both of them to realise that they don't know their spouse of ten years at all might be too much for them to deal with. That's not even considering the secret Larry's still carrying about his and his father's connection to Mo's past - if Larry's realisation of who Mo's willing to kill and for what reasons isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back, then Mo's discovery of Larry's connection to childhood trauma definitely will be. To be continued...
A chapter later - WOW! I wasn't expecting that. If I had been watching it rather than reading it I would have jumped for sure. As it is my heart's pounding with a little bit of fear that Mo's not going to survive. As Mo and Larry managed to 'make up' after Mo's revelations concerning the Bloomindale job, despite my belief that it might be impossible (I knew there'd be a raunchy sex scene in here somewhere), it would be particularly heart-breaking to see her die on this final job, the one with the big score to set them up for life. To be continued...
A few hours later - Please don't tell me Mo knew who Larry really was the whole time!! And that she's been planning her terrible revenge from the beginning!! If that's where this is going, damn I was not expecting that and while it's a fantastic twist (a key feature of Lorn's writing?) I really don't want it to be true because I really liked their relationship. They were (or hopefully, still are) the perfect pair - in love with each other and in love with executing the vilest of criminals. But maybe this isn't the final twist, maybe what seems to be happening now isn't what's really going on. To be continued...
Another hour later - Oh I seeee (or at least I think I do, I may be jumping the gun a bit but the way Corte is talking to the windshield man is a bit suspicious)!! I wonder whether she was or if his mind broke after the horror of being forced take part in Maureen Samson's abuse. It's like the last chapter of Life after Dane, I want to go back through the whole story and check for clues that I might have missed. I had no inkling of this new twist - well I guessed the previous 'twist' I figured out (which turned out to be a fake twist to distract me) wouldn't be the final one because there was still quite a few chapters to go - but until Corte got to the end of his story about the 'firmer' I had no idea what the twist might be (Lorn certainly didn't telegraph his big reveal until it was almost inevitable that we should see it). I always feel a certain sense of satisfaction when I work out the bad guy before the story (in books, movies or tv) means for me to know, but at the same time I feel a bit disappointed that the author (or writers) didn't do a better job hiding the final reveal in plain sight, like a magician only showing me what they want me to see, when they want me to see it. Don't worry, there's no sense of satisfaction here, I had no idea what was going to happen and I hope I've managed to conceal it from you, yet at the same time made it sound enticing. To be continued...
SPOILERS BELOW THE PAGE BREAK, CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK
A half hour later - Okay, so Mo was real and alive right up until El Burro's rape literally split her apart, which, unsurprisingly, killed her. That was a very graphic scene, btw - puts the MA15+ rating up to R18+, on level with the Saw movies. I'm not sure if the fact that Mo was real makes her death more, or less, devastating for Larry (and me). I'm really quite sad about the loss of Mo as I was imagining a long-running series of books with Larry and Mo (and occasional guest spots for Curly) doing normal P.I. work and occasionally coming out of retirement for particularly evil criminals who really need to be tortured and then disposed of. Now what's going to happen? Is Larry going to become an angry, alcoholic, work-obsessed P.I. whose only company is a dog? Maybe Tommy will escape him in this book and Larry will make it his life's mission to track him down and re-enact poor Mo's final moments on Tommy. To be continued...
Another half hour - Oh dear, why'd he have to go and kill the dog? Was that really necessary? And what the hell is going on? Does it have something to do with the fact that I just noticed that the front cover has the shadow of a video camera sitting on a tripod on it. What's that about? Is it all part of some crazy "Just Kidding" type game show with secret cameras following him everywhere? Or even, instead of 'The Truman Show', is this 'The Larry Show'? Or is Larry insane, locked in a mental institution and this has all been another of his delusions? It's all very strange. To be continued...
11:30 pm - Okay, so I had some 'out there' theories of what might be going on, but in my defence my brain was a bit overloaded with thoughts of where the story might be going - and of course I was way off-course (I usually am). I'm not going to give away any more of the ending, but I will say I am very curious to see where the plot of Larry Laughlin, #2 is going to take us as the end doesn't scream "cliff-hanger! Sequel coming soon!". I mean, I suppose it could follow on from exactly where Hope for the Wicked left off, but unless the entire book is Larry's 'dealings' with Jude I can't imagine where the plot would go after Jude was taken care of - I guess that's the magic of a great author, they completely confuse and surprise you with the plot twists, but it all makes sense in the end.
4/2 - This is Kinsey Millhone for adults. Take away the 'cosy mystery' tag that Sue Grafton's books fit under and replace it with 'gore-y, curse-filled, conflicted heroes (although I doubt the 'heroes' are conflicted, but we are about whether or not they're actually heroes) mystery' and you've got an idea of what's going on in Hope for the Wicked - which is EXCELLENT because I love Kinsey, but her murders are a bit clean and follow a clear formula in each book. I'm looking forward to the 'heroes' doing some very unheroic murdering which will (I hope) be graphically described followed by the rescue of a much more battered than usual victim with some raunchy sex scenes thrown in for good measure. To be continued...
An hour later - This is perfect for me - a pair of vigilante private investigators ready, willing and able to deal out some swift and violent justice to the scum they're paid to hunt down (or in this case the scum who kidnapped the victim they were paid to rescue). I think there's a number of good arguments for vigilantism, as long as you are skilful enough to avoid hurting or executing innocent people and you keep the killing to only those necessary (like those who won't surrender without a gun battle and the ones you can't actually prove are guilty in a legal sense, but you know they did it), while the rest of the bad guys get a bullet in the kneecap and a trip to jail for a very long time (Person of Interest-like). I would have absolutely no problem with John Reese being the judge, jury and executioner (if necessary) in my city (if it was as full of corrupt cops and city officials as New York seems to be), we'd be seeing a lot less rape, murder and random gun violence if he was patrolling the streets instead of just the cops who often seem hamstrung by all the damn legal procedures necessary to make an arrest and conviction. To be continued...
Now past midnight, so the next morning 5/2 - If Dane hadn't taken care of it in his own way I would suggest Larry and Mo could take some time out and meet with Ella May Peters, I'm sure they could also come up with a number of 'fitting' endings for a mother who was too scared to save her son from his father's fists. Larry and Mo carry out the kind of sentence I always wished Benson and Stabler had the authority to when I watched Law and Order: SVU - guess what I always wanted to do to the rapists (hint, it ends with the rapist screaming until they pass out, only to wake in even more pain than before, but no dying - dying's too easy, living is the best punishment). To be continued...
Later that afternoon - I've just lost a lot of respect for Mo because it seems she's more a serial killer who happens to kill bad guys (mostly) rather than a vigilante who kills to stop monsters. I don't know how Mo and Larry are going to be able to go on after that revelation, for both of them to realise that they don't know their spouse of ten years at all might be too much for them to deal with. That's not even considering the secret Larry's still carrying about his and his father's connection to Mo's past - if Larry's realisation of who Mo's willing to kill and for what reasons isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back, then Mo's discovery of Larry's connection to childhood trauma definitely will be. To be continued...
A chapter later - WOW! I wasn't expecting that. If I had been watching it rather than reading it I would have jumped for sure. As it is my heart's pounding with a little bit of fear that Mo's not going to survive. As Mo and Larry managed to 'make up' after Mo's revelations concerning the Bloomindale job, despite my belief that it might be impossible (I knew there'd be a raunchy sex scene in here somewhere), it would be particularly heart-breaking to see her die on this final job, the one with the big score to set them up for life. To be continued...
A few hours later - Please don't tell me Mo knew who Larry really was the whole time!! And that she's been planning her terrible revenge from the beginning!! If that's where this is going, damn I was not expecting that and while it's a fantastic twist (a key feature of Lorn's writing?) I really don't want it to be true because I really liked their relationship. They were (or hopefully, still are) the perfect pair - in love with each other and in love with executing the vilest of criminals. But maybe this isn't the final twist, maybe what seems to be happening now isn't what's really going on. To be continued...
Another hour later - Oh I seeee (or at least I think I do, I may be jumping the gun a bit but the way Corte is talking to the windshield man is a bit suspicious)!! I wonder whether she was or if his mind broke after the horror of being forced take part in Maureen Samson's abuse. It's like the last chapter of Life after Dane, I want to go back through the whole story and check for clues that I might have missed. I had no inkling of this new twist - well I guessed the previous 'twist' I figured out (which turned out to be a fake twist to distract me) wouldn't be the final one because there was still quite a few chapters to go - but until Corte got to the end of his story about the 'firmer' I had no idea what the twist might be (Lorn certainly didn't telegraph his big reveal until it was almost inevitable that we should see it). I always feel a certain sense of satisfaction when I work out the bad guy before the story (in books, movies or tv) means for me to know, but at the same time I feel a bit disappointed that the author (or writers) didn't do a better job hiding the final reveal in plain sight, like a magician only showing me what they want me to see, when they want me to see it. Don't worry, there's no sense of satisfaction here, I had no idea what was going to happen and I hope I've managed to conceal it from you, yet at the same time made it sound enticing. To be continued...
SPOILERS BELOW THE PAGE BREAK, CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK
A half hour later - Okay, so Mo was real and alive right up until El Burro's rape literally split her apart, which, unsurprisingly, killed her. That was a very graphic scene, btw - puts the MA15+ rating up to R18+, on level with the Saw movies. I'm not sure if the fact that Mo was real makes her death more, or less, devastating for Larry (and me). I'm really quite sad about the loss of Mo as I was imagining a long-running series of books with Larry and Mo (and occasional guest spots for Curly) doing normal P.I. work and occasionally coming out of retirement for particularly evil criminals who really need to be tortured and then disposed of. Now what's going to happen? Is Larry going to become an angry, alcoholic, work-obsessed P.I. whose only company is a dog? Maybe Tommy will escape him in this book and Larry will make it his life's mission to track him down and re-enact poor Mo's final moments on Tommy. To be continued...
Another half hour - Oh dear, why'd he have to go and kill the dog? Was that really necessary? And what the hell is going on? Does it have something to do with the fact that I just noticed that the front cover has the shadow of a video camera sitting on a tripod on it. What's that about? Is it all part of some crazy "Just Kidding" type game show with secret cameras following him everywhere? Or even, instead of 'The Truman Show', is this 'The Larry Show'? Or is Larry insane, locked in a mental institution and this has all been another of his delusions? It's all very strange. To be continued...
11:30 pm - Okay, so I had some 'out there' theories of what might be going on, but in my defence my brain was a bit overloaded with thoughts of where the story might be going - and of course I was way off-course (I usually am). I'm not going to give away any more of the ending, but I will say I am very curious to see where the plot of Larry Laughlin, #2 is going to take us as the end doesn't scream "cliff-hanger! Sequel coming soon!". I mean, I suppose it could follow on from exactly where Hope for the Wicked left off, but unless the entire book is Larry's 'dealings' with Jude I can't imagine where the plot would go after Jude was taken care of - I guess that's the magic of a great author, they completely confuse and surprise you with the plot twists, but it all makes sense in the end.
July 6, 2015
As a horror devotee, I can say that there are some scenes from books in the genre that have forever scarred my not-so-wholesome brain. There's a scene from Kealan Patrick Burke's Kin that comes to mind, and pretty much all of The Summer I Died. There's some scenes in J.F. Gonzalez's Survivor that are beyond mess up and the beginning of the novella When We Join Jesus In Hell is gut wrenching, courtesy of Lee Thompson. Well, now Lorn has entered my WTF hall of fame for the most well-written but shockingly violent scenes I've read. Thanks a lot, man.
Excuse me while I go pour bleach on my brain.
April 23, 2018
The synopsis for this book begins by saying "Sometimes Bad People Do Good Deeds".
I don't believe our main characters Mo and Larry Laughlin are bad people but adults that with tainted pasts looking for vengeance, whether that means helping others in similar circumstances, meanwhile they decide to do some legal work and become P.I's.
The structure of this story covers many genres but will mainly draw a horror/dark fiction audience. It covers many sensitive topics which may not suit all readers, I found myself quite captured by the story and went through all the different emotions Larry did on this little journey. (FYI Larry is actually Ryan from Bay's End).
Humour has been added but not to the point of overkill and if anything it helps break the ice on some of the touchy subjects in certain places. I commend Edward Lorn for having the guts to write a book involving subject matters that we all try to avoid mentioning and thank christ there is a sequel!
I don't believe our main characters Mo and Larry Laughlin are bad people but adults that with tainted pasts looking for vengeance, whether that means helping others in similar circumstances, meanwhile they decide to do some legal work and become P.I's.
The structure of this story covers many genres but will mainly draw a horror/dark fiction audience. It covers many sensitive topics which may not suit all readers, I found myself quite captured by the story and went through all the different emotions Larry did on this little journey. (FYI Larry is actually Ryan from Bay's End).
Humour has been added but not to the point of overkill and if anything it helps break the ice on some of the touchy subjects in certain places. I commend Edward Lorn for having the guts to write a book involving subject matters that we all try to avoid mentioning and thank christ there is a sequel!
July 27, 2014
What a splendid story!!! I'm a failure at reviews lately. I suck. I love this one as I do all of Ed Lorn's books!!!! I look forward to the next installment!!
Want to Read
July 10, 2015Because I learned something dirty and fun... :)
January 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this. It was something different by Ed, who is more well known for his horror. Make no mistake this one has a rather horrific scene towards the end, but the main story focuses on a couple that kill bad people for money.
It has some great action set pieces, the desert shootout and the escape from the border being my two favourites. This being Ed, as expected, the violence is pretty no holds barred, and if molestation, and in this case, bestiality ain't your thing, then stay clear. Not that they're anyones thing, I hope. You know what I mean.
With an ending that sets up the sequel nicely and a nice tie in with Eds bay's end series, this one is well worth a read. It's quick, relentless, and i pretty much read it in one sitting. Dig it.
It has some great action set pieces, the desert shootout and the escape from the border being my two favourites. This being Ed, as expected, the violence is pretty no holds barred, and if molestation, and in this case, bestiality ain't your thing, then stay clear. Not that they're anyones thing, I hope. You know what I mean.
With an ending that sets up the sequel nicely and a nice tie in with Eds bay's end series, this one is well worth a read. It's quick, relentless, and i pretty much read it in one sitting. Dig it.
April 7, 2013
The title is perfect for this story. Is there hope for the wicked? Should there be? When you meet Larry and Mo Laughlin, you’ll be asking these questions.
Larry and Mo are a married couple and retired killers. They aren’t nice people. They are bad people. Bad people, that kill worse people. But I kind of liked them. Well, I liked Larry. Mo scared me. Of the two, I’d say she was the happy clam when they came out of retirement.
Their private investigation company isn’t doing that well, so when a job comes along with a two million dollar payday, they jump back into the business one last time. They should have stayed retired.
They head to Mexico to find their client’s daughter and bring her back if possible. Whether she’s alive or dead, their orders are to kill all those responsible.
Larry and Mo should have listened to their inner voices. If the money’s too good to be true, it usually is. And they find out in the most brutal, horrific way.
One thing about Edward Lorn, he isn’t afraid to take you into some of the darkest, most disturbing places. You emerge eventually, dirty, disgusted, and glad it wasn’t you.
I must warn you, this is graphic horror with sexual deviants and a whole bunch of psychopaths bent on getting their pleasure however they can. My stomach almost couldn’t take it in one particular scene.
And this was how the author got me to care about two killers. Sure, they killed people worse than themselves. They did it in cruel ways. And they enjoyed it. But they were still more likable than the other guys.
There are times when I laughed, times when I wanted to stop reading because I couldn’t take it anymore, and times when I cried. That’s some fine writing.
I received this book for my honest review.
Larry and Mo are a married couple and retired killers. They aren’t nice people. They are bad people. Bad people, that kill worse people. But I kind of liked them. Well, I liked Larry. Mo scared me. Of the two, I’d say she was the happy clam when they came out of retirement.
Their private investigation company isn’t doing that well, so when a job comes along with a two million dollar payday, they jump back into the business one last time. They should have stayed retired.
They head to Mexico to find their client’s daughter and bring her back if possible. Whether she’s alive or dead, their orders are to kill all those responsible.
Larry and Mo should have listened to their inner voices. If the money’s too good to be true, it usually is. And they find out in the most brutal, horrific way.
One thing about Edward Lorn, he isn’t afraid to take you into some of the darkest, most disturbing places. You emerge eventually, dirty, disgusted, and glad it wasn’t you.
I must warn you, this is graphic horror with sexual deviants and a whole bunch of psychopaths bent on getting their pleasure however they can. My stomach almost couldn’t take it in one particular scene.
And this was how the author got me to care about two killers. Sure, they killed people worse than themselves. They did it in cruel ways. And they enjoyed it. But they were still more likable than the other guys.
There are times when I laughed, times when I wanted to stop reading because I couldn’t take it anymore, and times when I cried. That’s some fine writing.
I received this book for my honest review.
February 25, 2013
Edward Lorn describes himself as a horror writer, yet the books of his I’ve liked the most are those that are something more. Case in point, Hope for the Wicked has some scenes that are very graphic and show Lorn’s talents for horror, but the book goes well beyond what I think of when considering the horror genre. This is a suspense novel, with all that implies, but has the twist that the main characters of the story are, at least on the surface, bad people. Or maybe that should be good people who do bad things. Maybe even for a good reason. You’ll have to decide.
I love books that have characters who aren’t clearly good guys or bad guys (if they are, they’re one dimensional and boooring). If the story can get you considering the big questions about good and evil, as this did, even better. That it was a story that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all turn out, with a few surprises thrown in, was perfect.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
I love books that have characters who aren’t clearly good guys or bad guys (if they are, they’re one dimensional and boooring). If the story can get you considering the big questions about good and evil, as this did, even better. That it was a story that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all turn out, with a few surprises thrown in, was perfect.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 30, 2015
This book made the Top 5 (maybe Top 2) of most disturbing scenes that I have ever read. I don't know what giving this book 5 stars says about me, but regardless of how this book scarred me, it was beautifully written and compelling. There is a difference in being disturbing JUST to evoke discomfort for the reader and being disturbing because it is crucial to push the story forward and evoke the necessary reactions from the characters.
Mo and Larry are retired killers that are now private investigators. To avenge a teenager's kidnapping, they get an offer to do one last kill that will set them up for life. Along their way, they get a series of good fortune that seems to steer them on the path to success, but they are tragically thwarted when the job is not what it appears to be.
I was surprised I didn't get the connection to another one of Edward Lorn's books until the very end. Once I have cleared my head, I will read the next book in the series, Pennies for the Damned.
Mo and Larry are retired killers that are now private investigators. To avenge a teenager's kidnapping, they get an offer to do one last kill that will set them up for life. Along their way, they get a series of good fortune that seems to steer them on the path to success, but they are tragically thwarted when the job is not what it appears to be.
I was surprised I didn't get the connection to another one of Edward Lorn's books until the very end. Once I have cleared my head, I will read the next book in the series, Pennies for the Damned.
April 25, 2013
A very interesting story and I read through this one pretty quickly. Overall a good story, though the stuff with the donkey was a bit much. I enjoyed the story and the main characters Mo and Larry. The little twist at the end when you find out the reasoning behind what happens to Mo and Larry was good.
Also a side note, it didn't dawn on me till the end, but the link to the story Bay's End was really nice. I like when authors do that with their stories and this was a big one in connection with Bay's End.
Also a side note, it didn't dawn on me till the end, but the link to the story Bay's End was really nice. I like when authors do that with their stories and this was a big one in connection with Bay's End.
May 8, 2013
Larry Laughlin, the narrator of Hope for the Wicked, is no hero. He may not even be an anti-hero. He's a man with a terrible past, a shocking present, and by the end of this pacy novella, an uncertain future. Empathy for this protagonist is hard to find, but sympathy Larry earns in spades.
Edward Lorn's writing is tight, evocative and beautifully paced - reminiscent of Raymond Chandler, if Chandler had a twisted alter ego. Lorn leads us on a gripping and occasionally nauseating ride to the darkest corners of the human condition. This novella is not for the squeamish, but for those who aren't afraid of the dark it's a wonderfully rewarding read.
Edward Lorn's writing is tight, evocative and beautifully paced - reminiscent of Raymond Chandler, if Chandler had a twisted alter ego. Lorn leads us on a gripping and occasionally nauseating ride to the darkest corners of the human condition. This novella is not for the squeamish, but for those who aren't afraid of the dark it's a wonderfully rewarding read.
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