Bad Juju & Other Tales of Madness and Mayhem

by Jonathan Woods

Running a scam in a two-bit Caribbean republic, a tough-as-nails gun moll has to outrun both a murder rap and the local neo-Nazi commandant. A jealous archaeologist uses a Mayan stone dildo to bludgeon to death the chairman of the Archaeology Department. An accountant goes on a tropical vacation to a place where everything is falling apart, including his own sketchy soul. Seduced by an escaped psychopath named Dandelion, a frat boy has no choice but to commit murder. The nineteen opium dreams that make up Bad Juju provide the most outrageous, entertaining and over-the-top crime spree since Quentin Tarantino appeared on the scene.

Genres: Crime

228 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2010

Reviews

[Melki]

"We're dead. Finished. Don't you see that, Marge? We'll never get out of Jersey alive."

I suppose there are worse things than dying in Jersey, though at the moment, I can't think of any.

These stories are brimming with action-packed intensity, delightfully demented and completely addictive. I was reminded, at times, of little pulpy bits emerging from the wrong side of a churning motor. The characters, almost none of whom are innocent, experience close calls in exotic locations (and Jersey) as they go about their business of looking to get laid, cheating on their spouses, escaping with the cash or running from the law (or the mob). There's loads of sex and violence, and scads of black, black humor. Guns are fired and heads do occasionally roll...or get tossed at bystanders.

In No Way, Jose, my favorite tale, some thieves, the sheriff, a terrorist and an escaped lunatic collide in one fantastic showdown.

Fans of the Blood & Tacos series should eat this up!

Thanks for bringing this one to my attention, Josh.

[Josh]

The hype surrounding Jonathan Woods is entirely justified. 'Bad Juju and Other Stories...' is a fantastic collection of short stories lathered in gore, soaked in blood, and hard boiled in pitch black noir. Im probably alone in thinking the collection got off to a rocky start with 'Incident In The Tropics' and 'Bad Juju' not really doing it for me with both feeling like they were building towards something before coming to an abrupt end. From then on in the action really heated up with 'Down Mexico Way' in which we're introduced to Jack, a compulsive gambler who bets and looses his wife Jill in a vacation-vibe romp, while 'Ideas of a Murder in South Vermont' tells the story of a delusional husband who fantasies about murdering his partner in a number of gruesome ways - creepy and graphic and very well executed. 'Drive By' is nothing short of pure pulp as Thigpen falls for a curvaceous and somewhat deranged beauty and ultimately ends up embroiled in a family drama leading to the unveiling of a murder plot and broken promises - one of the best in the collection. 'Maracaibo' felt like a modified Mr. and Mrs. Smith retelling with a bit of diamond snuggling thrown in for good measure, again a solid story and great addition to the collection.

I could go on and on about how good all these stories are in their own right but it would take far too long - other highlights include: 'No Way Jose' - a multi layered short story in which a bunch of characters come together at end in a dramatic conclusion, 'Dog Dayz' - very noir, very cool, 'Goa' a story about a bank heist and a timely encounter of the unexpected, 'Then What Happened' - black comedy at its finest, probably my favourite, 'An Orphans Tale' - I just didnt want this story of a 15yro old kidnapped girl to end, and last but not least, 'Mexican Standoff' right up there with the best about an excavation that leads to an ancient mating ritual and subsequent sacrifice, an action adventure romp.

Overall this is probably the best collection of short stories I've read on the kindle - right up there with Julie Morrigan's 'Gone Bad' and Dave White's 'More Sinned Against'. 5 stars and definite re-read appeal.

[Charles Dee Mitchell]

Possibly the most libidinal narrators you will ever encounter tell these stories of drug deals, jewel smuggling, adultery, murder, with the occasional talking heads and flying shark thrown in to keep things lively. The stories move as quickly as the characters do making their many getaways, and you can sense the glee Woods must experience as he strings together the outrageous plots. At times the language gets a little ripe for even the pulpy tone Woods sets, but more often than not he pulls off his shamelessly extreme images. Every reader will have favorites. One of mine, actually tame by the books standards: "The sky is as blue as the eyes of a madman."

[Dave]

Jonathan Woods’ great collection Bad Juju and Other Tales of Mayhem and Madness is a group of unconnected short fiction that sits firmly in a world of modern noir. Many of the pieces are set in the tropics and there is often an ephemeral and otherworldly quality to his writing. These are not tight classically plotted stories, but they are emotionally powerful and slightly twisted. They are filled with conspiracies – with seductive women, fast cars, and automatic weapons. Sometimes they land a man amidst foreign towns and whispered secrets. Of course, the flight might begin with Suzanne, your air hostess, offering a Tequila Sunrise or more. There are other stories in the tropics that show how unnerving life in a foreign culture can be when you are suspicious of everyone and the way they stare at you. There are rip-offs and double-crosses and missing money, sleazy lawyers, blood spraying out, gamblers, and crooked CEOs on the lam. There are blondes (attractive in a bordello sort of way) inviting themselves into the fraternity house and involving a poor dude in things he can’t quite squirrel his way out of. There are one-eyed dogs and robberies committed wearing Dick Cheney masks. Through it all, you can feel the pull of the classic noir situations – the poor sap in over his head and usually being led around by a seductive femme fatale who is going to leave him to take the blame. Woods is such a great writer though that this is worth reading more than once.

[Hugh]

This book is a fascinating collection of "noir" short stories by local Key West author Jonathan Woods. Mostly set in gritty out of the way locales in Texas, the Caribbean, Mexico, and even Venice, these stories portray what happens when innocent or unknowing people get involved in desperate situations usually involving a murder, a crime, or other misadventures. I found the stories compelling, grisly, humorous,and clever. Most stay with you after putting the book down. While these stories aren't for everyone, they'll captivate those that enjoy the darker side of literature. An imaginative joyride into the underside of life.

[Jack]

This is a really good collection of noir stories. Very well written and thought out. Gritty. Stories of hard core people in bad situations. No one has clean hands; they are all low lifes of one sort or another.
I liked the last story, "No Way, Jose'" the best. It's a real collision of Small Town Texas denizens and visitors. Reminded me of Joe Diffie's tune "Third Rock From The Sun".

I'd read more of Jonathan Woods' work.

[AH]

Kindle free download 8/6/12