A David J. Schow Triple Feature

You know what's cool? When one of your favorite writers has a new book out. You know what's even cooler? When one of your favorite writers has two new books out. You know what's absolutely fucking insane? When one of your favorite writers has three new books out... all in the span of, say, a month.

Then again, I've never made a claim for David J. Schow's sanity.

From The Man himself:

Many writers have such a huge backlist that three books per month is no sweat for them (Dr. Flip, for example, or that Lansdale guy). But these are three NEW books, all at once, a personal best for me not likely to ever occur again.

The paperback: HUNT AMONG THE KILLERS OF MEN, a pulpy softcover thriller in the “Gabriel Hunt” series founded by Hard Case Crime kingpin Charles Ardai (who also published GUN WORK). The adventures are written as “as-told-to” books, and this one’s my installment. The fabulous cover is by Glen Orbik. Yes, there are guns.

The hardcover: INTERNECINE, my first novel since 2003’s BULLETS OF RAIN; what I hope is received as a “suspenser .” Yes, there are lots more guns. (That’s Thomas Jane on the cover — twice — as rendered by Tim Bradstreet).

The pricier hardcover: THE ART OF DREW STRUZAN, which is pretty self-explanatory except that THIS is a book of comps — all the different interpretations of various movies before they get to the poster-painting stage (like those vetoed Indiana Jones posters with the swastikas on them, or the SIX OTHER VERSIONS of the famous Creature from the Black Lagoon limited-edition print). Drew speaks at length on these and his retirement from the Hollywood grind; I interpret what he says. Virtually no guns at all in this one.

Coming soon to actual, real bookstores everywhere.

I haven't read books #1 or #3 yet (but can't wait). However, I have read Internecine, and was flattered to be asked for a blurb. I kind of gushed, and I have no idea how much of it will actually be used. For all I know, I could just be...

"Balls-out!" --Duane Swierczynski

Or even just:

"Balls!" --Duane Swierczynski

But here's the whole blurb, and I stand behind every word. Seriously: we're only five months into 2010, and I can't imagine the thriller that will top this one.

You know how some writers twist reality just so, enabling you to see the world in a different way? David J. Schow doesn't twist reality so much as slip a garrote around its neck and hold it upside down from the roof of a burning skyscraper, all the while jamming a snub-nosed revolver into the base of its spine and telling reality: "Here's how it's going to be, my friend..."

Internecine is a balls-out, bone-snapping, mind-melting thriller -- the best I've read all year. Just when you think Schow's jabbing left, he goes right -- and somehow, you end up with a shiv between your ribs. To paraphrase Billy Bob Thornton: once you finish Internecine, you won't think straight for days.

Schow's even managed to out-shoot Stephen Hunter, who I've long regarded as the Ron Jeremy of gun porn. Duck, you suckers!

July 2010. Start putting aside your milk money now.