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| My Thoughts On "The Cold Spot" http://www.horrorworld.org/msgboards/viewtopic.php?f=120&t=4449 |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Thu May 15, 2008 8:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | My Thoughts On "The Cold Spot" |
I should start out by saying that of all the Tom Piccirilli books I have read, I would say this is his most accessible one. A reader does not have to be a fan of any particular genre to enjoy The Cold Spot, they just have to be able to dig excellent writing coupled with a thrilling and action packed plot. I was expecting what I thought would be more of a noir type novel, like The Midnight Road was and even more to the point, The Fever Kill. And though the style of Pic’s writing in this novel seems quite Noirish to me (but I am not an expert) the story reads more like a contemporary crime novel. This book should appeal to the Pic faithful as well as the Wal-Mart browsing crowds. If there is any justice in the eyes of the Book Gods, this should be a huge seller for Tom. This book, as far as I can tell is part of a trilogy with the main character, Chase (one of the most appropriate names of a character I’ve ever read) to be the leading man in all three. To be brief concerning the plot: Chase starts out getting involved in some petty crimes and working his way up to grand larceny under the tutelage of his Grandfather. He reaches the ripe old age of 15 before he and his Grandfather have a parting of the ways. After a series of adventures and one misadventure, Chase finds the girl of his dreams, gets married, and goes straight. Then…well you can guess. In fictional crime novels (unlike in real life, ha!) things don’t always go the way they are supposed to and Chase finds himself in a situation that forces him to reconnect with his Grandfather. And his Grandfather is a very bad man. So bad in fact, that Chase realizes that at any moment his Grandfather would put a bullet in his head if he provoked his Grandfather the wrong way. Together, Chase and his Grandfather hunt down a very violent gang with a sexy blond ringleader all the while constantly looking over their shoulders at each other. This book is hard, tough as nails in spots, and bloody. What set it apart for me anyways, from Pic’s other novels is the relationship of Chase and his bride. Tom actually makes them seems like a cute couple who love each other in normal ways! They don’t smack each other around, call each other bad names, sleep around on each other, or try to constantly prove themselves better than the other. They actually love each other and do the things a couple in real life might do! They have jobs, go to shows, buy a house, have friends, in other words, are normal people! Tom spends chapters on this relationship and how great it is. But of course there is a reason for this… but even so, you just don’t expect this in a Tom Piccirilli novel which makes all this wedded bliss jarring in itself. As I mentioned above, the writing is superb. Just read the first sentence in the first paragraph in the first chapter of the book below…this is how the book starts! “Chase was laughing with the others during the poker game when his grandfather threw down his cards, took a deep pull on his beer, and with no expression at all shot Walcroft in the head.” Look at the economy of words and the lack of emotion to get the point across. You can picture the scene in your head without knowing any other facts and you feel shocked…imagine, this young kid is watching his Grandfather shoot someone in the head! The novel has just started and your minds already working! That sentence just sucks you in and then you just ride the tide of his words to the end of the novel. This is not Choir Of Ill Children, November Mourns, or even The Midnight Road, but I don’t think it was meant to be. The horror in this novel is not internalized by the reader, you don’t have to think too hard get it, but its not forgettable either..there are no cheap scares in The Cold Spot and no action cliché’s. But there is great writing and a lot of funky shit going down in the city. This is a welcomed addition to Tom’s mmpb work in my opinion. Tt |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Sat Jun 07, 2008 4:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I see on Amazon that the sequel is already up for pre-order. Is it really called The Coldest Spot? Tt |
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| Author: | Tom Piccirilli [ Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I just checked Amazon, Tony, and the correct title is listed. It's THE COLDEST MILE. |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:15 am ] |
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Thanks Tom. I'm looking forward to it no matter what its called. Tony |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:43 pm ] |
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| Author: | Tom Piccirilli [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:29 am ] |
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Thanks for the kind words, Tony, as well as helping to face-out the books (authors, friends, fans, and family members of mine do this practically at an instinctual level now...it always helps to see the face of the book). So far as I know there's been no new printing of the book, so I'm not sure what you saw that might be different about it. |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:23 pm ] |
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| Author: | ttzuma [ Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: My Thoughts On "The Cold Spot" |
Congrats on The Cold Spot making the Ten Best List in Amazon in 2008 Tom! |
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