Tom Franklin Knihy

Siles „32“ Jones je městský policista v mississippském městečku Chabot, motorizovaný strážník „pro všechno“. Sní o tom, že jednou bude šerifem, ale ve službě má odkroucené teprve dva roky. Městečkem hýbe případ zmizelé studentky, a Siles má proto oči na stopkách. Jednoho dne na rutinní patrole zahlédne nad nedalekým lesem kroužit hejno supů. V předtuše nejhoršího se tam vydá a nalezne v močálu mrtvolu. Ale není to pohřešovaná dívka; je to muž, lokální postavička s kontakty na dealery drog. V téže době si někdo přijde pro místního „úchyláka“, který před dávnými lety svezl do kina jednu dívku a pak se vrátil bez ní – tělo se tenkrát nenašlo a on od té doby měl špatnou pověst. Teď ho, s novým zmizením mladé ženy, někdo přijel zabít…

Set in 1897 Alabama, the story revolves around the aftermath of a politician's murder, sparking a violent vendetta by his friends, primarily impoverished cotton farmers. They form a secret society, Hell-at-the-Breech, unleashing a year-long campaign of terror against those they hold responsible, leading to a devastating massacre. The narrative intertwines the lives of four key figures: a conflicted sheriff, a compassionate midwife, a relentless detective, and a young clerk with a dark secret, each navigating the chaos of the Mitcham war.

Set against the backdrop of Alabama's woodlands and swamps, the collection features ten haunting tales that explore themes of violence, desperation, and the human condition. Tom Franklin's lyrical prose reveals a gritty world filled with hunting, gambling, and poaching. The title novella presents a chilling encounter between three boys and a mythic game warden, highlighting the dangers of their environment. Amidst the bleakness, Franklin uncovers moments of grace in the lives of his flawed characters, portraying their resilience and humanity.

In 1927, as rains swell the Mississippi, the river threatens to burst its banks and engulf everything in its path, including the tiny hamlet of Hobnob, where federal agents Ted Ingersoll and Ham Johnson arrive to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents—and find a baby boy abandoned in the middle of a crime scene. Ingersoll finds a home for the infant with local woman Dixie Clay Holliver, unaware that she's the best bootlegger in the county and has many tender and consequential secrets of her own. The Tilted World is an extraordinary tale of murder and moonshine, sandbagging and saboteurs, and a man and a woman who find unexpected love.

fast-paced and unrelentingly violent...readers looking for a strange and savage tale can't go wrong. Publishers Weekly

The book showcases the personal journeys of diverse American entrepreneurs who own golf courses, highlighting their achievements and challenges. With the golf industry significantly impacting the U.S. economy, these narratives delve into the unique perspectives of course owners on trends in ownership and management. Each story reflects the entrepreneurs' perseverance, diverse skill sets, and passion for golf, illustrating the varied personalities that shape this vibrant sector.

Della grande famiglia degli Stati Uniti d'America il sud, e in particolare questo sud, l'Alabama, è un po' il parente povero: sporco, squattrinato, rurale - per non dire zotico -, esplicito fino all'insolenza. Dai racconti di Tom Franklin emerge un quadro autentico e viscerale di questo spirito, sempre in bilico tra audacia e disperazione, malinconia e illusione. Un viaggio tra piante dai nomi magici e arcaici, animali straordinariamente evocativi e misteriosi (mocassino acquatico, crotalo diamantino, rana toro), costeggiando bar ed empori, paludi e torrenti, capanni di caccia e combattimenti di galli. Con Franklin l'arte del racconto torna a essere qualcosa di sacro e ancestrale: una caccia di frodo, come quella dei famosi bracconieri dell'Alabama, in cerca di particolari, dettagli, stati d'animo, da ghermire con forza. "Non ho mai perso il bisogno di raccontare la mia Alabama, di svelarla, florida, verde, piena di morte" confessa Franklin.