Cemetery
Dance has two signed, limited edition hardcovers, with
interconnected storylines available. The titles: Backshot: 1902 by Ed Gorman, and Backshot: 2012 by Tom Piccirilli. The stories are connected across
one hundred years by Marshal Delmar Royce. Royce is a character in 1902, and the grandfather of the
anti-hero protagonist in 2012.
1902
is a hardboiled, noirish—ish because
there is always a touch of hope in Ed Gorman’s work no matter how dark—Western.
In my review earlier this year I wrote:
“It
is very much like an old Gold Medal crime novel—a man trapped in a situation
far out of his control, his downfall brought by a beautiful woman, and his
redemption in the arms of another. It is developed with Ed Gorman’s masterful
colors of humanity. The most egregious, nasty villains are painted with the
light brush of understanding, creating a moral ambiguity that is more
horrifying than straight evil. It is an understated masterpiece, an apt
description of many of Ed Gorman’s works, and well worth the price of
admission.” [Read the review]
2012
is
a richly textured crime novel with betrayal and revenge at its core. It is
dark, splendid, and written with a style that very few writers are capable of.
In my review earlier this year I wrote:
“It
is thematically complex with a heaviness of the past’s influence on the
present. Royce is haunted by the image of a man he will never meet, Delmar
Royce, and Quill is tormented by the shadow of his abusive father. The story
never strays into predictability, and Royce is, if not exactly likable,
understandable and even familiar.” [Read the review]
Both of these titles can be purchased directly from Cemetery Dance (click the titles below to see the webpage for each book):
1 comment:
Ben, I still haven't got round to reading Ed Gorman and Tom Piccirilli but both these fine authors are on my wish-list. I have only read a Western by Mr. Gorman who has a unique writing style. His words talk to the reader.
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