Culprits: The Heist Was Just the Beginning - Softcover

Battles, Brett; Kaye, Jessica; Sharp, Zoë; Haywood, Gary Anthony; Clifford, Joe; Ramos, Manuel; Corbett, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1943818908 ISBN 13: 9781943818907

Publisher: Polis Books, 2018

Synopsis

Some stories are all about the crime. These stories are about the maelstrom of what happens after... A hard-bitten crew of professional thieves pull off the score of their lives, coming away with seven million in cash. Like any heist there are some unforeseen complications, and unfortunately they don’t get away without a few bodies dropping. But despite this, they get away with the swag. Seven million. Enough to change their lives, make new identities, start fresh. But that’s when the real trouble begins... In this unique, riveting, linked anthology, we follow each member of the crew of culprits as they go their separate ways after the heist, and watch as this perfect score ends up a perfect nightmare. Featuring stories penned by acclaimed writers Brett Battles, Gar Anthony Haywood, Zoë Sharp, Manuel Ramos, Jessica Kaye, Joe Clifford and David Corbett, CULPRITS examines what happens next to these criminals once they take their cut and go their separate ways, only to find that the end of the heist was the beginning of their troubles.

About this title

About the Author

Richard J. Brewer, a native Californian, has always been a lover of stories and storytelling. He has worked as a writer, actor, bookseller, story editor, book reviewer, movie and television Development Executive, and audiobook narrator. He was co-editor of the critically acclaimed Bruce Springsteen inspired short story anthology Meeting Across the River. His most recent short story, Last to Die, was included in another anthology inspired by The Boss, Trouble in the Heartland, and was noted as one of the Distinguished Mystery Stories of the year in The Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

Gary Phillips is the author of the Ivan Monk series, and is the author of numerous novels and graphic novels. He co-edited and contributed to the acclaimed Black Pulp, has short stories in the upcoming Asian Pulp and Jewish Noir, and wrote Big Water, a graphic novel about the fight for that most precious of resources. A reviewer said of his novella The Extractors, about a one percenter who steals from the one percent -- "Gary never disappoints. Great plots and complex and interesting characters, McBleak being one of them." He lives in Los Angeles.

The are the co-editors of OCCUPIED EARTH: Stories of Aliens, Resistance and Survival at all Costs, available now from Polis Books.

Review

Outstanding praise for CULPRITS

“CULPRITS has a consistently strong lineup of writers and a great hook! Brewer and Phillips have done a fantastic job putting together this multi-layered story and I couldn’t read it fast enough!”
―Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-Winning Author of EXIT STRATEGY

“CULPRITS slams the bull’s eye for first-rate entertainment. From the heart-stopping robbery that opens the book to each of the linked short stories that follow, you’ll find the nine murderously good noir authors of this smart collection deliver a plate brimming with suspense, thrills, and violence. Sit down and savor. What a ride.” ―Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of THE ASSASSINS

"A well executed heist, like fine wine, pleasures the palate and can age well. In CULPRITS, liken the aftermath of the criminals from a heist to craft beer and a bumpy ride. Prepare to stay up all night!” ―Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author of the Aimée Leduc series

"CULPRITS is quite a lot of fun...If you are looking for a smart, entertaining book then this is it.” ―Unlawful Acts

Praise for OCCUPIED EARTH
“Alien occupation has never been so dark and sexy. Occupied Earth is The Fifth Wave meets Robopocalypse, in the best way possible.”
―Michelle Gagnon, author of the PERSEFONE series
"Plenty of applicable social commentary. We get to read tales of heroes and martyrs, as well as traitors and collaborators, although the lines are often blurred. A fantastic collection of short stories that deliver in a cohesive narrative. Highly recommended."
―SF Reader
"The narrative universe feels cohesive and genuine, making it easy to invest yourself in the champions and villains alike. Occupied Earth is collaborative sci-fi done right."
―Manhattan Book Review
"Clearly, these writers know what they're doing. The stories range from brutal and R-rated to straight-up sci-fi action. One neat thing about the book as a complete entity is the presence of hope. It's not dystopia and misery. The oppressed plan to rebel. The good guys aim to fight. That's good stuff."
―RevolutionSF
"A unique and impressive anthology that deserves to be brought to the attention of science fiction fans everywhere...a terrifically entertaining read with deftly crafted short stories that will linger in the mind and memory long after this outstanding anthology is finished and set back upon the shelf. Very highly recommended."
―Midwest Book Review
"Fans of “alien invasion” sci-fi, near-future dystopia, post-apoc (though this isn’t strictly that), and good old classic science-fiction will find much to engage in this diverse yet unified collection of quality sci-fi stories."
―The Blood-Shed

About this edition

• Publisher: Polis Books
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1943818908
• ISBN 13: 9781943818907
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352
• Editor: Brewer Richard, Phillips Gary