Gone Bad by Julie Morrigan

You can get this collection at amazon. Gone Bad by Julie Morrigan

Ms. Morrigan’s collection is rough and disturbing in parts, but never for shock value. There is meaning in the words and the thoughts they provoke.

Searching

A sinister tale that leaves you wishing the story were longer, only so that someone would figure it out and serve some justice. But as happens at times, there is none here.

Keeping it Real

All people who work with Ms. Morrigan should worry. Those who simple meet her in a dark alley should run. If the question is whether art imitates life, or the other way around, then we all hope the answer is neither.

It Could Be You

Now that’s some justice. You really have to be a bit morally bankrupt to steal from your own grandmother, but that just makes the comeuppance all the sweeter.

Fight Night

Well, there is a warning that you might not like all the people these stories are about. Here Ms. Morrigan shows us the rough side of life that it out there. It’s done plain and matter of fact. No embellishment or moral lesson, just a pull back of the curtain.

The Loan Arranger

Now here’s a young man that’s going places. A good eye for business opportunity. A sense of what he wants and how to get it. And a drive to not let anything get in the way. But does he have that last element? The complete lack of a guilt that allows a person to justify whatever they do? Yep. In spades.

The Sins of the Father

Sometimes seeing vigilante justice gives the reader a cathartic release. A relief that good will triumph, even if the methods are a little harsh. Other times, it makes you think about the actions of the vigilante and of they are really better than the crime. This one? You tell me.

East Money

Ah, the lure of the quick score. Sounds good at first. Not always when it’s happening. But it’s an addiction. The easy score is a drug.

Watching

Sometimes what seems obvious is not quite right. Jumping to conclusions from that, not a good idea. Taking that next step. Action. Well, that can take you to some pretty bad places. This is well paced story that feels like it has more than the length suggests. It’s really an wonderful example of the amount of story you can put in a short. Nice one.

Closing Time

The language here creates a threatening and sinister mood. You can feel the disgust in the narrator. Of course, that just makes the end both more touching and sad.

Local Hero

I got a real kick out of this one. There’s so much dark humor inside the thoughts of a truly despicable person. The thoughts are violent and terrible, but the manner of their description will tickle you. The end, a mindless act of jealousy more than compassion results in quite the finale.

Pick a Pig Night

Clueless. Just perfectly clueless. But, they both went home happy.

Just the Two if Us

Well, he’s right. He was stupid. Sometimes you should listen. Especially when something like that is going down. Now, I don’t really feel bad for the guy. I mean, not a prince, but come on. Think.

Sweet Charity

Oh the poor sap. What a shitty life he’s crafted for himself. Now, he’s not completely a victim of circumstance hear, he’s done a good deal of the crafting, but, really, poor sap. By the way, perfect ending.

Twenty-five Grand

Well, that did not go as planned. It went much better than planned for one party. Well, two parties if you count the reader. The turnabout was frantic, confused, but awesome.

Devlin, Me and Cherry B

Wow, so much in here. Great characters. Really well-rounded, sympathetic and but despicable at the same time. A layered plot as well, giving emotion, action, confusion and resolution (sometimes false) as needed. And, within all that, is a tale that makes you think. Think about choices people make. Who they choose to be with, how they treat other people and why people do things they know are the bad choice. There’s also some really hard scenes that add that gut impact that crime and noir fiction can give you. Great story. Best of the bunch.

Colin

A nice monologue that leaves you guessing about the narrator. You can feel the disgust, and that something is looming. But, it’s held back wonderfully until the end for great impact.

Denny’s First Job

I hope Denny takes that knife and has an “accident” when his brother reveals the truth. Asshole.

Let’s Dance

Oh, now this was great also. Jasmine, or whoever, is not a girl to mess with. She’s one in a million for sure. But if she don’t get the million, woe be the lover. Also, completely agree about “Sususidio”.

This is a full and powerful collection. Grab it up. You won’t be disappointed.