Coal Black: Stories

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Set in the hills of eastern Kentucky, these unfiltered tales expose the dark realities of mountain crime. The backdrop often features the opioid epidemic, revealing the human wreckage and violence it brings. Other stories focus on poachers and petty thieves, whose desperation leads them into peril. The action unfolds in the high hills, where rarely seen wildlife and local folklore's spirits coexist. The collection is filled with gripping narratives, unexpected twists, and characters straddling the law as they navigate a treacherous landscape. Each story is a gritty exploration of crime, marked by clever storytelling and sometimes brutal endings. Praise highlights the collection's intensity and the author's unique voice, likening it to the works of Donald Ray Pollock and Frank Bill. Critics commend the mesmerizing prose, which captures the haunting nature of crime and its impact on rural Appalachia, emphasizing the emotional depth within the sparse writing. Readers are urged to experience these stories, described as a pitch-black journey into America’s heart, showcasing the struggle of Appalachians against the backdrop of a lost industry and the devastation of drugs. The collection is celebrated for its artful crafting and powerful storytelling, drawing inspiration from early American literary giants.