Sunday 3 May 2009

Gary Dobbs - Short Story Writer

With the encouragement that I received from the last time I highlighted a short story writer I thought that I might make it a monthly event.
So, as we are all heading for another Wild West Monday I decided that Gary Dobbs' short stories that have been published on the net should be highlighted.
Gary has the knack of making the Valleys of South Wales sound like a very dangerous place.
In 'Loose Ends' published on Twist Of Noir he shows that even friendship can be a dangerous thing. Two friends that once shoplifted together are faced with a situation where one witnesses a killing by the other. Can you trust in friendship? Not in a Gary Dobbs story.
The thing that I like with Gary's shorts is that they are character driven like the hitman who kills to his own soundtrack in 'Happiness Is A Warm Gun' to be found at Thieves Jargon.
Alternatively, there is the palpable fear of the hero in 'Rhondda Lives' (published at Twist Of Noir and Thieves Jargon) who discovers that he has teamed up with the wrong people.
Gary is not only at home with the crime element for he combines this with a touch of dark humour and horror as he ventures into 'The Way To A Man's Heart' (also at Twist Of Noir).
Writing under his alias as Jack Martin, Gary wrote a splendid western short 'A Man Called Masters' that appeared in Beat To A Pulp and will be in print via the June edition of the 'First Edition' short story magazine (on sale May 7th).
June also sees the publication of his debut Black Horse Western novel 'The Tarnished Star'.
I feel certain that there will be a lot more to come from both Gary Dobbs and Jack Martin - he is one of those writers who keep you interested.

6 comments:

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

Thanks Ray - that's a very flattering look at my work. And coming from Jack Giles it means a lot.

Paul D Brazill said...

I'm with you 100% with this. A Man Called Masters was so gripping it cured my hangover! A top collection of stories so fat and The Tarnished Star should be a great success.

Steve M said...

Great post Ray.

David Cranmer said...

Gary is a wonderful writer and such a passionate motivator of all things western. It’s a real privilege to be a part of his Wild West Mondays.

Ray said...

With Gary's enthusiasm I think that he could go a long way.

Nik Morton said...

A useful and excellent roundup of your work, Gary - thanks, Ray.