Killer's Dozen
Thirteen Mystery Tales
📘 About This Book
From the Introduction by Ed Gorman: If there's one thing Dick Lupoff understands (with perverse glee) it's the sorry state of the human condition. In this collection you'll find a wide variety of humans whose conditions leave much to be desired. A pit bull owner who's just as nasty as his dog A thief who believes his father-in-law was a real Nazi A dead-end boxer who has come back in a boxing movie A detective named Caligula Foxx who might be Nero Wolfe in drag A crooked corporal whose payoff is death Not only are the storylines original, the writing is indelibly stamped with Dick's vision and voice. Dick's writing talents really can't be defined by the usual means. Yes, he writes science fiction. Yes, he writes fantasy. Yes, he writes mystery. But what he really writes are Lupoffs. Long, short, hilarious, whimsical, dark, mysterious-they're all Lupoffs. Richard A. Lupoff is the author of many books including the popular Lindsey-and-Plum mysteries. The next of these, The Emerald Cat Killer, will be published by St. Martin's Press in October, 2010. His most recent collection of mysteries is Quintet: The Cases of Chase and Delacroix, published by Crippen & Landru.
📖 Summary
Killer's Dozen by Richard A. Lupoff is a compelling collection of fiction published in 2010 that spans 254 pages and showcases the author's unique mastery of storytelling. As noted in the introduction by Ed Gorman, Lupoff possesses a profound and perversely gleeful understanding of the sorry state of the human condition. Within these pages, readers encounter a diverse parade of flawed individuals whose life circumstances and personal choices leave a great deal to be desired. The characters inhabiting this volume are unforgettable, ranging from a brutal pit bull owner who mirrors the nasty temperament of his vicious dog to a thief convinced that his late father-in-law was a genuine Nazi. Other memorable figures include a washed-up, dead-end boxer who finds a bizarre second wind starring in a boxing movie, a crooked corporal whose ultimate payoff is death, and a uniquely eccentric detective named Caligula Foxx who playfully evokes the imagery of Nero Wolfe in drag. Lupoff defies easy categorization, seamlessly moving across genres that encompass science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, yet ultimately transcending them all. The stories collected here cannot be defined by standard literary metrics; instead, they are purely and unmistakably Lupoffs, driven by original storylines and stamped indelibly with the author's singular vision and distinctive voice. The narrative journey offers a fascinating look into the shadows of human nature, blending dark humor, sharp observations, and unpredictable plots. Each of the thirteen tales acts as a standalone showcase of Lupoff's creative range, proving that genre boundaries are merely suggestions for a writer who prefers to chart his own literary course. Readers who appreciate fiction that refuses to play by the rules will find plenty to ponder in this eclectic anthology. By turns gritty, absurd, and darkly entertaining, Killer's Dozen remains a testament to a versatile author who spent decades entertaining audiences with his inimitable style.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Original and unpredictable storylines across every tale
Stamped with a distinct and memorable authorial voice
Features a fascinating variety of deeply flawed characters
Skillfully blends multiple genres including mystery and science fiction
⚠️ Cons
The dark view of the human condition may not appeal to all readers
Short story formats can sometimes leave readers wanting more depth from specific plots
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Killer's Dozen? +
The book was written by Richard A. Lupoff.
When was Killer's Dozen published? +
It was published in 2010.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The collection spans 254 pages.
Who wrote the introduction to the book? +
The introduction was written by Ed Gorman.
What genres does the book cover? +
The stories span science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, combining them into a unique style of fiction.
