The Skid Row Slugger (Fucking Scumbags Burn in Hell: Book 2) by Drew Stepek
The Skid Row Slugger
While investigating a serial killer who is piling up bodies on LA's Skid Row, a racist cop's life is shattered when he interrogates a menacing transient named Sonny Hooper.
United StatesBetter than the first!
Book two was more intense than the first. Hoop is a hoot. Stepek did a perfect job conveying how good Hoop is at being different versions of himself. Not sure that really makes sense to anyone but me, not it's how I perceived the character. Can't wait to see what's next!
Australianasty scumbag
I read this as part of 'Call Me Hoop: Season 1' but you don't need to read the other stories before this one, it is well written story about a nasty scumbag who gets what he deserves.
United StatesA scumbag of the lowest order
This one's quick, brutal, and straight to the point. A nasty little story about a nasty little fucker.
Knocks It Out of the Park
The Skid Row Slugger is an amazing follow-up to A Little Bit Country, taking more time to flesh out the newest victim than we had with Country. While the first installment reminded me of C. S. Lewis and Chuck Palahniuk, with the portrayal of Hell as a dead-end job filled with bureaucracy and confusing rules, the follow-up feels more like a Clive Barker experience. This second tale also provides a tantalizing glimpse of how devious Hooper can be. There's nothing sympathetic or redeeming in the character of our protagonist. A racist, violent, and sexist LA cop isn't exactly the sort of person I imagine anyone cheering for--but supporters were speaking up in favor of the former officers involved in the Rodney King case and every major incident since then. The Skid Row Slugger isn't a story for those assholes, though. This is a tale written for those of us who feel that thrilling chill running up our spines when we witness a neo-Nazi punched on camera. It's the fictional catharsis we need when we try to live our lives as civilized people who won't resort to violence. Again, there's a sense of delight in reading this story, and we owe Drew Stepek a favor for giving us this cherished sense of satisfaction.
Batter up!
This one took a minute to acclimate myself to. This one almost caused whiplash with all the subplots coming together and I was happy to wear a neck brace after this one. It was also fun to find characters from Book 1 in this one as well. 5/5 aluminum bats.