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Three-Smile Mile
Glover, Texas has three restaurants, two gas stations, and its very own underground crime syndicate. Other than that, the town’s about as lively as roadkill. That’s been Cake Donaldson’s experience, anyway.
Cake flips burgers at the local diner on Route 66 for the same mouths day in, day out. Life is simple. Too simple. So, when an attractive older woman shows up with a spontaneous proposition—a sex-filled road trip full of adventure—he bites the hook.
Unfortunately for him, she leaves out some details, like what’s in the trunk of her car, and just how bad her husband wants it.
A cat and mouse crime thriller that meets True Romance with The Graduate.
Cake flips burgers at the local diner on Route 66 for the same mouths day in, day out. Life is simple. Too simple. So, when an attractive older woman shows up with a spontaneous proposition—a sex-filled road trip full of adventure—he bites the hook.
Unfortunately for him, she leaves out some details, like what’s in the trunk of her car, and just how bad her husband wants it.
A cat and mouse crime thriller that meets True Romance with The Graduate.
ebook
Published January 27, 2023
6 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Chad Lutzke
91 books748 followersChad has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue, Cemetery Dance, and Scream magazine. He's had dozens of short stories published, and some of his books include: OF FOSTER HOMES & FLIES, STIRRING THE SHEETS, SKULLFACE BOY, THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU, THE PALE WHITE, THE NEON OWL and OUT BEHIND THE BARN co-written with John Boden. Lutzke's work has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, Richard Chizmar, Joe R. Lansdale, Stephen Graham Jones, Tim Waggoner and his own mother.
He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com
He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 27, 2023
Having so far, only read two of Chad Lutzke’s books, ‘Wormwood’ and ‘Wallflower’, both of which are two of my favourite books I’ve ever read, I was ecstatic to receive the ARC for his new one ‘Three-Smile Mile’.
As usual with this author’s books, I devoured it in one sitting, excitedly turning each page, completely enveloped in the story.
Diner cook, Cake and unhappily married Diane, go on the run from her abusive husband Conner, and what ensues is a game of ‘cat and mouse’ across the state.
As always with Chad’s writing, you feel as though you are actually a character in his book. He writes with such flowing, beautiful description, which sucks you up completely, and this book just has to be my favourite, yet.
It was a privilege to read this amazing book, which I highly recommend.
A solid 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As usual with this author’s books, I devoured it in one sitting, excitedly turning each page, completely enveloped in the story.
Diner cook, Cake and unhappily married Diane, go on the run from her abusive husband Conner, and what ensues is a game of ‘cat and mouse’ across the state.
As always with Chad’s writing, you feel as though you are actually a character in his book. He writes with such flowing, beautiful description, which sucks you up completely, and this book just has to be my favourite, yet.
It was a privilege to read this amazing book, which I highly recommend.
A solid 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 25, 2023
This is an absolute BANGER - and might be my favourite Lutzke yet!
Chad takes a step away from the horror genre that he’s known so well for writing and delivers a superb crime thriller which doesn’t let up until the final page is turned.
He had me rapt with angst, breathing heavily as I flicked through the pages, desperately wanting to know what happens. Lutzke taking this step away from horror is great on many levels (I love his work in horror and hope it’s not a prolonged absence - but on this offering, he’s going to take the crime world by storm - and I’m there for anything he does… period).
Lutzke is one talented son of a gun and what he’s developed over time in the horror sphere; creating protagonists and antagonists we love and hate, stories we can lose ourselves in and delighting us with his astounding prose… he’s a breath of fresh air for crime fiction. I just hope his fanbase follows him into these uncharted waters of crime because he’s writing like a master of that genre already.
Also, Lutzke also broke my damned heart with this one too - you know how he’s been doing that for years in the horror scene, well, he’s taken that rare gift with him and this book is no exception!
There are vibes of S.A. Cosby about his work and that is exciting as Cosby is now a must-read for me and I never really enjoyed crime fiction before he came about.
Lutzke does for crime fiction what Hitchcock did for showers - utterly terrifying and uniquely thrilling.
Chad takes a step away from the horror genre that he’s known so well for writing and delivers a superb crime thriller which doesn’t let up until the final page is turned.
He had me rapt with angst, breathing heavily as I flicked through the pages, desperately wanting to know what happens. Lutzke taking this step away from horror is great on many levels (I love his work in horror and hope it’s not a prolonged absence - but on this offering, he’s going to take the crime world by storm - and I’m there for anything he does… period).
Lutzke is one talented son of a gun and what he’s developed over time in the horror sphere; creating protagonists and antagonists we love and hate, stories we can lose ourselves in and delighting us with his astounding prose… he’s a breath of fresh air for crime fiction. I just hope his fanbase follows him into these uncharted waters of crime because he’s writing like a master of that genre already.
Also, Lutzke also broke my damned heart with this one too - you know how he’s been doing that for years in the horror scene, well, he’s taken that rare gift with him and this book is no exception!
There are vibes of S.A. Cosby about his work and that is exciting as Cosby is now a must-read for me and I never really enjoyed crime fiction before he came about.
Lutzke does for crime fiction what Hitchcock did for showers - utterly terrifying and uniquely thrilling.
February 14, 2023
Fans of True Romance will revel in this tight thriller about a grill cook named Cake and the femme fatale that turns his life upside down with three simple smiles. With drugs in the trunk, thugs in pursuit, and dead bugs on the windshield, sometimes dropping everything for a better life just isn't all that easy. Three-Smile Mile is a killer crime noir and Chad Lutzke is one hell of a writer. I won't even mention the end. Readers need to discover it for themselves.
January 23, 2023
With a synopsis describing this novella as True Romance meets The Graduate, I knew I had to dig into this one, and am so glad I did. Chad Lutzke has a unique style, and a way of telling stories unlike anyone else around. I knew this much going in, but what really impressed me here was the versatility. As I’m still making my way through Lutzke’s oeuvre, all I can say is that Three-Smile Mile is unlike anything else I’ve read from him, and yet still retains his unmistakable fingerprint—weaving a propulsive story that pulls at your heartstrings. (There’s also a scene near the end that gave me strong Bruce Springsteen-I’m On Fire-music-video vibes—but I digress).
Tender and brutal, Three-Smile Mile is an adventurous, crime-riddled road-trip story, one that ponders the dead ends our lives occasionally meet but with some good laughs along the way. Highly recommend this latest offering from Chad Lutzke, which releases later this week.
Here are a few choice quotes for a bit of that Lutzke shine:
“It wasn’t about finding love anymore. It was about surviving. A string of bad men painting a different picture, where needs are met as long as legs are spread, and self-worth was a lie—a three-legged horse you could never put your money on.”
“Butterflies in the stomach are cute. These are piranha, chipping away. It’s a familiar feeling. Fear, excitement, and maybe love wrapped in a bouncing ball filled with teeth.”
Tender and brutal, Three-Smile Mile is an adventurous, crime-riddled road-trip story, one that ponders the dead ends our lives occasionally meet but with some good laughs along the way. Highly recommend this latest offering from Chad Lutzke, which releases later this week.
Here are a few choice quotes for a bit of that Lutzke shine:
“It wasn’t about finding love anymore. It was about surviving. A string of bad men painting a different picture, where needs are met as long as legs are spread, and self-worth was a lie—a three-legged horse you could never put your money on.”
“Butterflies in the stomach are cute. These are piranha, chipping away. It’s a familiar feeling. Fear, excitement, and maybe love wrapped in a bouncing ball filled with teeth.”
May 31, 2023
All I have to say is Chad Lutzke fucking rules he is just a awesome writer and a bad ass storyteller that never disappoints. This book was just a blast to read. I was drawn in from the start. It actually kinda reminded me a little of the movie True Romance. This is just a kick ass crime\thriller that I read mostly in one sitting and I was bummed out when it was over. I highly recommend this and anything by Chad Lutzke
February 9, 2023
Really enjoyed this crime thriller from Lutzke. The characters had the perfect amount of quirkiness and relatability. The plot moved at a steady pace, the twists perfectly placed. And the ending was extremely satisfying. Highly recommend!
December 30, 2022
Chad has done it again! A successful foray into the crime genre but still with the signature Lutzke touch. Read it, it's a page turner for sure.
February 5, 2023
Horror Bookworm Reviews
Three-Smile Mile by Chad Lutzke
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Glover, Texas. Twenty two year old Cake works as a short order cook at a hometown diner along Route 66. Feeling unsatisfied with his job and a “mind-numbing” daily routine, Cake yearns for a change. When an attractive woman walks into the cafe with her significant other, an unexpected offer lands right on his plate. An extreme lifestyle modification is in order for this young man to contend with along with the struggle to stay alive.
Chad Lutzke focuses his writing talents on a small town in Texas. He provides the reader a first hand lesson in body language and how the three-smile rule applies. One smile is polite, two smiles and you’re sending a message, three smiles and you’re willing to descend into a life changing decision…good or bad. This exhilarated adventure combines internal struggles along with life lessons in weighing pros and cons. Lutzke is a genius at combining a unique brand of horror with both crime genre and thriller genre.
Giving No Country For Old Men a run for its money, Three-Smile Mile is characterized by the old adage, “a simplistic solution to a problem is usually a bad solution.” Shining a light on what motivates greed, Lutzke crosses the point of no return by using envy and dishonor within his sinister self-seeking story.
As I wrap up this review, I have to say Chad Lutzke kicks ass. Three-Smile Mile validates this by answering questions like…how much are you willing to risk for a new shot at life? Can you run away from your problems? What is love, or rather what isn’t love? This is a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation that you should be reading today.
Three-Smile Mile by Chad Lutzke
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Glover, Texas. Twenty two year old Cake works as a short order cook at a hometown diner along Route 66. Feeling unsatisfied with his job and a “mind-numbing” daily routine, Cake yearns for a change. When an attractive woman walks into the cafe with her significant other, an unexpected offer lands right on his plate. An extreme lifestyle modification is in order for this young man to contend with along with the struggle to stay alive.
Chad Lutzke focuses his writing talents on a small town in Texas. He provides the reader a first hand lesson in body language and how the three-smile rule applies. One smile is polite, two smiles and you’re sending a message, three smiles and you’re willing to descend into a life changing decision…good or bad. This exhilarated adventure combines internal struggles along with life lessons in weighing pros and cons. Lutzke is a genius at combining a unique brand of horror with both crime genre and thriller genre.
Giving No Country For Old Men a run for its money, Three-Smile Mile is characterized by the old adage, “a simplistic solution to a problem is usually a bad solution.” Shining a light on what motivates greed, Lutzke crosses the point of no return by using envy and dishonor within his sinister self-seeking story.
As I wrap up this review, I have to say Chad Lutzke kicks ass. Three-Smile Mile validates this by answering questions like…how much are you willing to risk for a new shot at life? Can you run away from your problems? What is love, or rather what isn’t love? This is a five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation that you should be reading today.
April 9, 2023
I’m going to open this review by saying I loved it – Lutzke’s easy-flowing storytelling style and the intrinsically good character of its MC make it impossible to have any other opinion. Chad writes characters that are logical, human, and flawed but ultimately decent human beings. They might be put into situations that are impossible, heart-rending or dangerous, yet their basic humanity is what wins them through – as in Three Smile Mile – the drama here is human, the beauty is human, and throughout it all, as in all of his works, that thread of Hope that imbues every page is the thing we all devour his books for.
I won’t summarize the plot here, you can read the blurb on the cover or on Amazon or Goodreads, but I will say Lutzke keeps it simple. This isn’t a story that could go on indefinitely, it comes to its bittersweet conclusion quickly – plays out its violence and love in a single sitting, gets you invested in the characters in record time then destroys you with the simple play of logic with a phone tracking app. That sour note, hidden amongst the wild ride love story informs the reader right from the start that there isn’t going to be a fairytale ending.
I can see Lutzke’s hesitation in classifying this as horror – there are elements of many genres in the mix here, noir, thriller, romance, the great American road trip, crime, and yes, horror. I don’t think it matters. I, like all of the other readers, will have got this book because it has Chad Lutzke’s name on the cover, and we get what we expected. Humanity shown in all of its wonderful, hopeful, and desperate colors.
If you haven’t read any of Lutzke’s books until now, this is an excellent place to start, but honestly, you’ll want to invest your money in getting the collection.
Chad, as always, it was a pleasure.
My thanks to both Chad Lutzke, Sadie Hartmann, and Static Age Books for the ARC.
All the stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I won’t summarize the plot here, you can read the blurb on the cover or on Amazon or Goodreads, but I will say Lutzke keeps it simple. This isn’t a story that could go on indefinitely, it comes to its bittersweet conclusion quickly – plays out its violence and love in a single sitting, gets you invested in the characters in record time then destroys you with the simple play of logic with a phone tracking app. That sour note, hidden amongst the wild ride love story informs the reader right from the start that there isn’t going to be a fairytale ending.
I can see Lutzke’s hesitation in classifying this as horror – there are elements of many genres in the mix here, noir, thriller, romance, the great American road trip, crime, and yes, horror. I don’t think it matters. I, like all of the other readers, will have got this book because it has Chad Lutzke’s name on the cover, and we get what we expected. Humanity shown in all of its wonderful, hopeful, and desperate colors.
If you haven’t read any of Lutzke’s books until now, this is an excellent place to start, but honestly, you’ll want to invest your money in getting the collection.
Chad, as always, it was a pleasure.
My thanks to both Chad Lutzke, Sadie Hartmann, and Static Age Books for the ARC.
All the stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
January 25, 2023
Three smile mile……. All it takes is three smiles, one you’re being polite, two you’re sending a message and three you’re already picking out the hotel room! Definitely a great cat and mouse crime thriller following Cake as he starts his day flipping burgers but gets sucked in by an attractive woman and ends up on a wild ride trying to out run her criminal husband.
September 9, 2024
Transgressive fiction at it's finest.
Chad Lutzke know how to play with the emotions of his readers. And he sure knows how to write something, that make you feel like you're there.
I could almost feel the sun on my skin in that Thunderbird. I could feel the connection between them. It's not a book I will ever forget.
Chad Lutzke know how to play with the emotions of his readers. And he sure knows how to write something, that make you feel like you're there.
I could almost feel the sun on my skin in that Thunderbird. I could feel the connection between them. It's not a book I will ever forget.
January 8, 2023
Chad Lutzke channels both Don Winslow's SAVAGES and Elmore Leonard's OUT OF SIGHT with THREE-SMILE MILE...the excitement is expected, but not the emotional connection -- you can tell Lutzke is at the helm of this crime-fic beauty.
January 27, 2023
Crime Thriller
I have enjoyed every Chad Lutzke book that I've read, and this is no exception. A great crime fiction novella.
I have enjoyed every Chad Lutzke book that I've read, and this is no exception. A great crime fiction novella.
April 6, 2024
I tore through this white-knuckled page-turner in record time. Three-Smile Mile is a hard-boiled crime thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Author Chad Lutzke has proven he can tug at heart strings no matter the genre.
Punchy. This book is punchy. Sure, its not a long book to begin with but you feel every word. Every sentence drips with importance. Each paragraph, imperative. And the food. Food adds flavor to the story as well. And, while a lot of Lutzke's other work explored a coming-of-age aspect, Three-Smile Mile lacks that angle (kinda) and yet still manages to pull at your emotions, builds you up and then crushes you the way he can, seemingly with a casual ease and mindful turn of phrase.
Bottom line: If you enjoy Chad Lutzke, read this. If you're curious about Chad Lutzke, read this. If you hate Chat Lutzke, read this. And then go visit a phsychiatrist. There's no room for hate. Well, maybe for the bad guys in this book.
Punchy. This book is punchy. Sure, its not a long book to begin with but you feel every word. Every sentence drips with importance. Each paragraph, imperative. And the food. Food adds flavor to the story as well. And, while a lot of Lutzke's other work explored a coming-of-age aspect, Three-Smile Mile lacks that angle (kinda) and yet still manages to pull at your emotions, builds you up and then crushes you the way he can, seemingly with a casual ease and mindful turn of phrase.
Bottom line: If you enjoy Chad Lutzke, read this. If you're curious about Chad Lutzke, read this. If you hate Chat Lutzke, read this. And then go visit a phsychiatrist. There's no room for hate. Well, maybe for the bad guys in this book.
February 22, 2023
An emotion, thrilling and shocking adventure that all started with a smile!
Once again, Chad knocks it out of the park with his brilliant characters and gripping story.
I loved Cake from the moment I started reading. His demeanor, his appearance, his plight....everything. His situation is bleak, and I was rooting for him from the first page.
The story is a fresh and unique take on two people, stuck in a dismal life, who take a completely unexpected turn when they feel a spark...for each other.
The ending is fittingly shocking, leaving the reader in disbelief, yet totally satisfied.
Please read this book.
Once again, Chad knocks it out of the park with his brilliant characters and gripping story.
I loved Cake from the moment I started reading. His demeanor, his appearance, his plight....everything. His situation is bleak, and I was rooting for him from the first page.
The story is a fresh and unique take on two people, stuck in a dismal life, who take a completely unexpected turn when they feel a spark...for each other.
The ending is fittingly shocking, leaving the reader in disbelief, yet totally satisfied.
Please read this book.
February 12, 2023
Best dollar I’ve ever spent!!
How does Lutzke continue to write novella’s that are so well-rounded and page turning? His characters and plots are equally brilliant and this novella is no exception.
This crime thriller is equally as good as his horror work.
At this point, I’d have to say Lutzke is my favourite author..
How does Lutzke continue to write novella’s that are so well-rounded and page turning? His characters and plots are equally brilliant and this novella is no exception.
This crime thriller is equally as good as his horror work.
At this point, I’d have to say Lutzke is my favourite author..
April 26, 2023
Everything Chad Lutzke writes is gold. Another 5 star novella!
April 28, 2023
The old time feel of the cover and the Route 66 sign made me pause and check out Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke. The premise, a diner cook and a hot female customer, made me think of a twisted version of Thelma and Louise. It’s not believable, but isn’t that the meaning of fiction? An author has artistic license to make the story whatever they want it to be.
I’ve seen Chad Lutzke’s name around the blogosphere and he has a lot of books to his credit, so I decided to give him a shot. He has a quirky writing style and I felt there was some humor involved, along with the danger and murder.
I gave Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke a three star rating, because, after reading it, I would still give another book a shot, and I think others may enjoy his writing style more than I. I did read it in one sitting. I had to know how it would end, and, there was a surprise or two, including the ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke.
I’ve seen Chad Lutzke’s name around the blogosphere and he has a lot of books to his credit, so I decided to give him a shot. He has a quirky writing style and I felt there was some humor involved, along with the danger and murder.
I gave Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke a three star rating, because, after reading it, I would still give another book a shot, and I think others may enjoy his writing style more than I. I did read it in one sitting. I had to know how it would end, and, there was a surprise or two, including the ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Three Mile Smile by Chad Lutzke.
March 24, 2023
Reading Lutzke will always put a smile on your face.
January 30, 2023
Fast paced and entertaining novella that’s worth the read if you’re looking for a crime thriller. Was closer to a 3 star read for me until the last few chapters, and the ending specifically. My main issue was some things in the story were a bit too convenient, and they were placed there to move the story along quickly since it’s such a short read. I would’ve liked for it to be a bit longer so those plot points had room to grow.
January 27, 2023
Review - THREE-SMILE MILE by Chad Lutzke
This is a cat and mouse crime thriller story about a diner cook who suddenly runs away with a married woman he just met while working. There are many obstacles and threats they have to face in order to get what they want or need.
Ahhh Lutzke does such a great job at writing characters that I end up adoring. The main male character's name is Cake which I love so much and his counterpart is Diane. Even in a short amount of pages, the characters have depth and some growth.
There is insta love which I typically don't care for but it didn't bother me hete. I was surprised at how much this is a love story and it was really refreshing. Plus some moments surprised me--yeeesss!!
There are some violent characters that are unpredictable and this perfectly adds tension to many different scenes. It gave me the same uncertain feeling as the series FARGO/TRUE DETECTIVE and I love that!
This is a story about love, adventure, knowing yourself and what you really want. In order to break free from your insecurities and chains of the mundane, sometimes you have to follow your gut and run away with that mysterious stranger sitting in a diner booth.
Happy Pub Day THREE-SMILE MILE!
CW - DM me if you want to know them.
4.25/5
This is a cat and mouse crime thriller story about a diner cook who suddenly runs away with a married woman he just met while working. There are many obstacles and threats they have to face in order to get what they want or need.
Ahhh Lutzke does such a great job at writing characters that I end up adoring. The main male character's name is Cake which I love so much and his counterpart is Diane. Even in a short amount of pages, the characters have depth and some growth.
There is insta love which I typically don't care for but it didn't bother me hete. I was surprised at how much this is a love story and it was really refreshing. Plus some moments surprised me--yeeesss!!
There are some violent characters that are unpredictable and this perfectly adds tension to many different scenes. It gave me the same uncertain feeling as the series FARGO/TRUE DETECTIVE and I love that!
This is a story about love, adventure, knowing yourself and what you really want. In order to break free from your insecurities and chains of the mundane, sometimes you have to follow your gut and run away with that mysterious stranger sitting in a diner booth.
Happy Pub Day THREE-SMILE MILE!
CW - DM me if you want to know them.
4.25/5
February 25, 2023
I loved this little noir novella. This is my first read by Chad Lutzke and I am a fan now. This book doesn’t waste any time and gets right into the action. It reads incredibly quick and you cannot help but become invested in these characters. Being a noir story the crimes are not big and the story is dark, that’s what noir is. I felt like Lutzke was channeling some Elmore Leonard with this story, it’s not a copy of his writing but it reminds me of how Leonard kept you invested from page one. I hope we see some future stories from Lutzke like this one.
January 23, 2023
I have been watching the hell out of the Investigation Discovery channel and forensic factor lately, so this was right in my mood wheelhouse 🙌. Lutzke has proven himself a writer of genre blending fiction and i thoroughly enjoyed this quick page turner of a crime thriller.
—-
“ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰ**ᴋ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴄʀᴀꜰᴛ ɪꜱ, ᴅᴜᴍʙᴀꜱꜱ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ꜱʜᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇꜱ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ.”
Dianne is out for lunch at a small roadside diner with her unsavory character of a husband, when she catches the eye of the cook. They steal glances at each other, and after a brief chat decide neither one has anything to lose, and take off together on a wild adventure.
What follows is a crazy highway chase as Dianne’s husband vows to take his revenge, and get back what he’s left in the trunk.
—
You will want to pick this up if your looking for a fun, fast past read. For those Lutzke lovers out there, don’t worry. There is still some sprinklings of grief that has become Chads trademark.
This one comes out January 27th !
—-
“ɪ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰ**ᴋ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴄʀᴀꜰᴛ ɪꜱ, ᴅᴜᴍʙᴀꜱꜱ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ, ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴇʟʟ ꜱʜᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇꜱ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ.”
Dianne is out for lunch at a small roadside diner with her unsavory character of a husband, when she catches the eye of the cook. They steal glances at each other, and after a brief chat decide neither one has anything to lose, and take off together on a wild adventure.
What follows is a crazy highway chase as Dianne’s husband vows to take his revenge, and get back what he’s left in the trunk.
—
You will want to pick this up if your looking for a fun, fast past read. For those Lutzke lovers out there, don’t worry. There is still some sprinklings of grief that has become Chads trademark.
This one comes out January 27th !
January 25, 2023
(Cue the music) A little ditty about Cake and Diane. Two American folks doing, the best they can. Cake wants to be a country star, Diane just wants to be free with Cake on the road in his car.
Sorry, couldn't help myself, but this book was a pedal-down character-driven story that was hard to put down. While cloaked as a thriller, it delved into the dark psychology that people find to trap themselves in undesirable situations. Some of which, unfortunately end in violence as they spring the traps in others. Lutzke creates some very interesting characters, with rich internal dimensions, and puts them into horrifically unwanted positions that bring them together, but at great costs.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who like heartfelt thrillers with interesting characters. I did want the setting to be more prominent. A small West Texas town can be an important character in itself and I wish it was better fleshed out. I think that would have made this a stronger story. But that said, I think people will enjoy this. It was the first I've read from Lutzke, but will definitely not be the last.
Sorry, couldn't help myself, but this book was a pedal-down character-driven story that was hard to put down. While cloaked as a thriller, it delved into the dark psychology that people find to trap themselves in undesirable situations. Some of which, unfortunately end in violence as they spring the traps in others. Lutzke creates some very interesting characters, with rich internal dimensions, and puts them into horrifically unwanted positions that bring them together, but at great costs.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who like heartfelt thrillers with interesting characters. I did want the setting to be more prominent. A small West Texas town can be an important character in itself and I wish it was better fleshed out. I think that would have made this a stronger story. But that said, I think people will enjoy this. It was the first I've read from Lutzke, but will definitely not be the last.
February 2, 2023
Un libro cautivador que no se puede soltar. Me gusta el estilo conciso y directo de Lutzke, sin rodeos y con justo lo necesario.
March 14, 2023
Great Crime Thriller
As always, another great read from Chad Lutzke. While a short read, it's a very enjoyable read that involves a love triangle, the mob, and stolen money.
I had envisioned how I wanted the story to end. While his ending was very close, I found that it worked great.
I continue to look forward to future work of his.
As always, another great read from Chad Lutzke. While a short read, it's a very enjoyable read that involves a love triangle, the mob, and stolen money.
I had envisioned how I wanted the story to end. While his ending was very close, I found that it worked great.
I continue to look forward to future work of his.
January 4, 2023
Regret comes in many forms. Same as love. In Lutzke’s THREE-SMILE MILE we get a mass helping of both, the circumstances attached to each player involved starting long before we enter the fray. Add in sympathetic characters, a few assholes, and an ending bleaker than expected, and you guessed it, Fun was had. Go forth, seek out, purchase and enjoy. Tell ‘em another lover of greasy spoons sent you.
January 28, 2023
Wow, what another great book by Chad Lutzke! Having read nearly every book Chad has written (usually on release day),I can honestly say this is one of his best yet. I really loved Chad’s delving into crime fiction, this genre really suits his style of storytelling well. Chad mentioned Joe Lansdale being an influence (another favorite author) and it shows through Chad’s use of witty yet at times terrifying dialogue and top notch characters that stay with you. This ‘cat and mouse’ chase story was so incredibly entertaining, it has everything that crime fiction enthusiasts would want in a book. This title comes highly recommended, I just hope that Chad writes further stories in this genre, so much fun!
February 5, 2023
Another amazing book from the author. I feel his crime thriller work is even better than his horror, and that's saying something. Quirky, well-defined characters and twisty plots that have you guessing to the last page. I cannot wait to read what comes next from Mister Lutzke.
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