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ANGLOMERIKA
By Zane Smith
Double Dragon Publishing 1-894841-52-2
ebook
$4.99Sam O'Hara's life sucks big ol' cow dick. Throughout his life, he lost his parents, his wife, his daughter, his grandson, and currently his job. That was the shot in the mouth. Not able to find work, Sam's assets dwindle and he can't find affordable insurance to cover his diabetes medication. Could things get worse? Yes. Sam is blamed for the murder of his friend and former boss, landing him in jail and straight to death row.
In a true noir fashion, a highly attractive woman named Christine walks into his life. Christine is attached to a political group who wants Sam to become there private assassin, knocking off figureheads who are trying to make America the way it used to be instead of the totalitarian country it is now. So begins a twisted and tense adventure of a middle class man thrown into an extreme situation - take out the lives of others trying to make the country better and get his life back or try to get away from it all with a clean conscious.
"Anglomerika" is an interesting twist on genres. The story takes place in a slightly exaggerated future where the rich and the politicians hold power and oppress the poor, the middle class, and the American minority (kinda like where we are today). But the plotting and characters are truly pulp fiction, reminiscent of Jim Thompson and Raymond Chandler: a pretty dame who plays with the heroes mind, a couple of vile thugs, a wide-cracking hero, and a wife beating bad guy who takes no shit.
There is a lot of political talk, but it doesn't cloud the story. Smith firmly holds the story with O'Hara's point of view so we understand what is going on as it is thrown at us, often reacting to things the way we might: sarcastic and thoughtful.
The story runs tight the fist three quarters of the story, but then it blows open, inviting new character and building new relationships with Sam, weakening the story in my opinion. (I got a sense that Smith was stuck in a hole and couldn't get out of it with Sam alone, then again, what writer hasn't had this problem.) But with the surprising twist at the very end, your mind will be so focused on what is happening, you might not really care.
"Anglomerika" is a rapid fire, political noir with a down to earth main character thrown into corrupt situations. This is about the coolest mystery book I read in a long time, and most likely, you will think that too.
Review by Mike Purfield
Critical Raves for Mike Purfield's "Dirty Boots."
"If you're looking for a good read, something you've never experienced before, then this is the book for you." Paul Kane of Terror Tales.
Rated 3 out of 4 by Unhinged Magazine.
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