The Long High Noon by Loren D. Estleman / Reviewed by Brianna Goodchild

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase The Long High Noon or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

Loren D. Estleman Credit: Deborah Morgan

The Long High Noon by Loren D. Estleman
Reviewed by Brianna Goodchild

In Loren D. Estleman’s latest novel, The Long High Noon, Randy Locke and Frank Farmer are dead set on killing one another. Since their early twenties, they have been locked in a notorious, yet entertaining duel throughout the untamed West. Whenever one of them comes into shooting range of the other, one can expect gunfire within seconds.

Besides their wounded egos, Randy has a permanent limp from a horse riding accident and Frank has constant pain in his chest as well as a prosthetic ear. Both gifts bestowed onto one another via bullets after their first encounter in BlueBottle Saloon in El Paso.

Perhaps the duel started over the affections of a mystery woman, or related to finances, or a claim to a desirable piece of land? Whatever the reason, Abraham Cripplehorn (a.k.a. Jack Dodger) wants in on the action. An entrepreneur and professional liar with a handcrafted ivory eye, Cripplehorn is set on making a fortune from Locke and Farmer’s feud after reading about them in the Chicago Tribune.

After yet another duel in the woods outside of Oakland, California, Cripplehorn convinces the men to finish the fight in San Francisco, where he promises glory and fame to the winner.

However, the men are met with a new law posted by the Governor of California, who promises execution to anyone who participates in contests that could result in human death. So, the men go farther south to perform in an “Exhibition of the Century” for the ultimate duel to the death.

Who will be the last man standing?

---

Briana Goodchild is on the verge of becoming a bibliophile and is currently a student of English Literature and Drama. Like any book reader she enjoys a strong cup of tea and an enticing story to match. Occasionally, when diving into the Mystery Genre, caffeine is required. 

---

(If you have a book you would like featured, send an ARC for consideration. The Killer Nashville Book Reviews are coordinated by Clay Stafford with the irreplaceable assistance of Clay Janeway, Maria Giordano, Will Chessor, and credited guest reviewers. For more writer resources, visit us at www.KillerNashville.com and www.KillerNashvilleMagazine.com)

*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.

---

Want to review books for the Killer Nashville family?

With over 24,000 visits monthly to the Killer Nashville website, over 300,000 reached through social media, and a potential outreach of over 22 million per press release, Killer Nashville provides another way for you to reach more people with your message. Send a query to books@killernashville.com or call us at 615-599-4032. We’d love to hear from you.

"Prison Noir" by Joyce Carol Oates, Editor / Reviewed by Hillary Martin

Killer Nashville Book of the Day

Purchase “Prison Noir” or read other reviews through Killer Nashville’s affiliate, Amazon.com*

Joyce Carol Oates

"Prison Noir" by Joyce Carol Oates
Editor / Reviewed by Hillary Martin

Many of the authors featured in this Joyce Carol Oates–edited collection are still in prison. Nonetheless, readers will soak up every line, receiving every bit of depth they deserve. Every word gives a face to the faceless and a voice to the voiceless while giving a creative outlet to those who need it most. "Prison Noir" allows readers unfamiliar with life within the prison system to see those within for what they are: people.

There is an unexpected eloquence in the writings. It is as if each word on each page was meticulously thought out and well planed. “Bardos” by Scott Gutches is a particular stand out. This story deals with the unfairness of death. In “Trap” by Eric Boyd, readers will be thrown for a loop when they read the first officer’s treatment of the main character. Caution, it will turn readers’ stomachs. Still, these writers grab readers’ attention and take them on fantastic journeys.

Each story in this impressive collection will cause readers to respond in different ways, and every story represents a different voice. There is no doubt that readers from all walks of life, especially those less knowledgeable about life in prison, will appreciate "Prison Noir".

---

Hillary Martin is a student at a major Tennessee university. An English major, her interests include writing, reading and spending time with family and friends. She is a member of the Society of Technical Communication, and she is currently working on a few writing projects.

---

*Killer Nashville is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you purchase a book from the links on this page, Amazon will give Killer Nashville a small percentage of the total sale. Killer Nashville receives zero compensation (other than sometimes the book to review) from publishers who have been selected for the Book of the Day.

---

Want to review books for the Killer Nashville family?

With over 24,000 visits monthly to the Killer Nashville website, over 300,000 reached through social media, and a potential outreach of over 22 million per press release, Killer Nashville provides another way for you to reach more people with your message. Send a query to books@killernashville.com or call us at 615-599-4032. We’d love to hear from you.