Bad People
written by Jeremy Bates
written by Jeremy Bates
Collections of shorter works don't take much time to finish. If you read a bad story, you can find a good story in a few pages. The author has less time to go on and on; he must quickly grab your attention and keep it. The author must put up or shut up.
Jeremy Bates is talented. There aren't many authors who can rework 2500 year old stories into modern thriller tales so skillfully that you're halfway done with the story before realizing what happened.
These are thriller tales with some explicit sex and violence. There are no ghosts, ghouls, vampires, or other supernatural entities. Bad People is about well, bad people--though who the bad guy is may not always be obvious. There are four short novels.
"The Mailman":
In 1985 Mick Freeman is a Los Angeles record executive who is searching for the next big rock band. Mick thinks he's found them in The Tempests, a drug addled group that reeks of danger. Unknown to Mick, his wife Jade has become bored. Mick doesn't make her motor run any more. Jade is a housewife. When the new twenty year younger handsome mailman Ronnie makes a move, Jade reciprocates. Complications arise.
In the near future an asteroid has hit the earth, China to be exact. There was a worldwide apocalypse, during which most of Earth's population died. One man who didn't die is an Australian survivalist named Burt James. Burt prepared for just such an eventuality. He stocked up food, water, and ammunition. Burt lives with his two sons. Burt keeps a diary. Burt is not a trusting fellow. Burt only has six bullets left.
"Re-Roll"
In 2049 technology has progressed to the point where companies can produce human appearing androids called Mechs. Although initially Mechs were just used for war or dirty jobs some people wanted Mechs for more intimate tasks. This is not as far fetched as you might think. Awkward, lonely, desperate, fed up, or occasionally degenerate men spend a year's salary or more to purchase "female" Mechs.
A buyer can request any physical trait for a Mech. A buyer can randomly select three primary personality traits. If the buyer dislikes those traits he can re-roll for the same or higher price. The buyer could receive the same, better, or worse traits. Mr. Kim is a bossy nerdy computer programmer hacker who thinks he deserves the best in life. He won't accept less from his Mech.
"Box of Bones"
Jim Livingston is an American expatriate who teaches English in the Philippines. Jim is not quite a playboy but he gets around. Jim wakes up in a coffin apparently six feet underground. His arms are tied behind him. Jim has his phone but can't charge it.
Jim doesn't know his location. Jim doesn't know who put him in the coffin. And not being a math, biology, or physics major, Jim can't calculate how much time he has before his oxygen is gone. He knows it's not much. And that's scary enough. Jim must start calling people for help. Not everyone Jim calls is interested in or capable of assistance. Jim may unknowingly call the person who put him in the coffin.
I liked this book. There was no fat. The characters all felt real. I will look for other works by this author.
