One Less Elvis and Other Stories edition by Kent McDaniel Literature Fiction eBooks
Download As PDF : One Less Elvis and Other Stories edition by Kent McDaniel Literature Fiction eBooks 
The title story is a 10,000 word novelette set in Chicago in 1993. More specifically at the Anders Regency in The Loop, where an Elvis impersonators convention is going on. Larry "Hound Dog" Vasquez has been found murdered. Those at the convention--musicians, impersonators, agents, hangers-on--all share an admiration of Elvis. The other thing they seem to have had in common was a virtually universal dislike of "Hound Dog" Vasquez, who'd apparently been obnoxious. But then again, so is Lt. Davis, the cop investigating the homicide, and he's also lazy and cynical. He thinks the easiest thing would be slap together a case against Howie Sparkle, "The Memphis Queen." A few of those at the convention, though, harbor the quaint idea that there should be an actual investigation of the murder.
The remaining four stories involve an eleven-year-old girl who discovers something disturbing in her brother's backpack, a deranged pizza delivery man, a commodities trader pushed to the literal edge, and an apostate minister trying to come up with a sermon on Easter morning.
One Less Elvis and Other Stories edition by Kent McDaniel Literature Fiction eBooks
A dead Elvis impersonator at a convention of Elvis impersonators? How could I resist? I mean c’mon. Kent McDaniel has produced a delicious collection of short stories. My favorite? The Great Escape. This little gem reminded me of the stories found in the Hitchcock mystery series. It's about a loser named Stu who devises the ultimate plan to finally be free of his family.An excellent and varied collection. McDaniel writes with the assurance of a seasoned wordsmith. Well done!
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One Less Elvis and Other Stories edition by Kent McDaniel Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
Five short stories of varying length and subject. All but one previously published in various magazines and brought together in one volume.
The first and title story is set at an Elvis impersonators convention in Chicago, 1993. Larry ‘Hound Dog’ Vasquez is found murdered. The investigating cop, Lieutenant Davis, quickly comes to a conclusion on who the murderer is, but the other attendees aren’t so sure and a ‘whodunnit’ follows, led by the various characters at the convention.
One Less Elvis, comprises nearly 50% of the work. It’s reasonable, has a vein of humour within and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The characters are, like Elvis, larger than life and all placed in an unusual situation (well, unusual for most of us that is).
Or Someplace Shining is the next story, where 11 year old Rita brings a bag of grass she found in her brother Steven’s bag to Reverend McDermott. Steven is in a band and has come under the influence of Twitch, a songrwriter collaborator in the band they’re trying to get up and running – the drug profits will help pay for the album they’re going to cut.
This and That is the best of the bunch. A jumper atop a tall building starts a conversation with a woman watching him from a window. It’s neatly done and has a degree of tension about it.
In The Great Escape, Stu plans the perfect murder of his parents, with his sister firmly in the frame. The trouble is his father’s joking around causes a problem for the would-be killer.
And finally is Pizzazz about Jimmy Stu Sloan, a pastor and true man of God.
Overall the stories are well written in themselves, the author clearly has an ability with words. But for me the biggest issue was a lack of tension (except This and That) where it seemed the reader was an observer, rather than someone along for a ride. A case of stepping through a door, seeing what goes on behind it, then move on. Without any sense of excitement or being gripped by the events.
Or Someplace Shining is the best example of this. The premise is good – conflicted sister looking out for her brother, reverend trying to do the best by both of them and somewhat manic sidekick stirring things up. But unfortunately the contents left me with stacks of questions and unresolved strands. McDermott mentions he has an ex-girlfriend – so? Twitch storms in and causes trouble and McDermott comes up with a solution to the problem that closes the story but in a way that produces a so what? All the build-up for…?
It’s a pity because McDaniel can write.
**Originally reviewed for Books and Pals blog. May have received free review copy.**
I am a bit of an Elvis fan and I suspect the the author is too, as he lets us believe we break even. I enjoyed every story. Perfect length for a plane or train ride.
A dead Elvis impersonator at a convention of Elvis impersonators? How could I resist? I mean c’mon. Kent McDaniel has produced a delicious collection of short stories. My favorite? The Great Escape. This little gem reminded me of the stories found in the Hitchcock mystery series. It's about a loser named Stu who devises the ultimate plan to finally be free of his family.
An excellent and varied collection. McDaniel writes with the assurance of a seasoned wordsmith. Well done!
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