The Breaker - series. Books 1 - 3:

 

The Breaker

ISBN: 9781656281517

Description:

How do you know the one you love won’t hurt you?

Or even try to kill you?
In many cases … you don’t.

How do we choose our path and purpose in life?

What makes us who we are?
When Seth Egan starts working as a private detective, he knows he’ll make enemies.
It goes with the territory.
As Seth works on a murder case and hunts down the killers, he becomes the target.
Some people have no conscience, shame, empathy, or remorse.
To get their own way, to get what they want, to take everything, they will do anything.
Even murder.
In the end, they will drag you down to hell with them.
Sometimes, our enemies are those closest to us.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/eKFZ03giKR?amp=1

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Bad Blood

ISBN: 9798682203192

Description:

No one is paying Seth Egan for his latest case.

He keeps this one unofficial.

Pro bono publico.

Off the books.

For him, this one is personal.

A matter of bad blood.

A woman with a grudge of her own leads Seth to a place where people vanish without trace.

Money is the motive.

Greed is the motivator.

Scores that can only be settled in blood.

A dark underworld of illegal gambling, prostitution, drugs, violence and murder.

Amazon link:

 

https://t.co/e0XiS8crAr?amp=1

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Mall Maze

ISBN: 9798729917235

Description:

Friday the 13th.

Unlucky for many.

What should have been a routine adultery case ends with Seth Egan fighting for his life.

Cut off from the world.

With no way to call for help.

Trapped in a place where the walls are coming down around him.

Seth is running out of places to hide.

As chaos reigns and the city burns … the hunters close in.

Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09244XVYW/

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Themes:

Abuse by proxy, Adultery, C-PTSD, crime, detective, domestic abuse, enabler, flying monkey, gaslighting, hardboiled, heist, infidelity, murder, narcissism, narcissist, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, personality disorder, psychopath, sociopath, suspense, thriller, vigilante, violence.

Books available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of my books is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

What’s On?

What’s On?

A Guide to Movies and TV Shows

Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9798342696098

Paperback

ISBN-13: 9798341177307

Kindle

ASIN: B0DJTZ8T58

Back cover description:

What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over 1,900 titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:

“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”

Slipped Masks:

Slipped Masks

ISBN: 9781719330640

Description:

I can’t call you because if he hears me talking on the phone he’ll hit me again. He scares me. I know sooner or later he’s going to kill me. I’ll text you again when I can. I love you, Casey. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving to you how much I love you. Please come. Please save me …

With only text messages to guide him, Casey Byrne is on the hunt, racing across five states to save his ex-girlfriend, Madison.

Casey loves Madison deeply and wants desperately to save her life and rekindle their relationship.

But the closer he gets to her, the more surreal his journey becomes as the dead bodies pile up in his wake.

Clinical Lycanthropy: the delusion that a human can physically transform into a wolf.

If you were insane, would you know it?

How would you see the world if you were convinced you could transform into a wolf?

The hunter … and the hunted.

Slipped Masks is a dark neo-noir thriller about how the need for love and companionship becomes twisted into obsession, possession, jealousy, violence and murder.

A horrifying portrait of Clinical Lycanthropy.

Amazon link:

https://t.co/2Gwb135V3m

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Themes:

Sociopathy, narcissistic abuse, personality disorder, Clinical Lycanthropy, crime, murder.

Book available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

A percentage from sales of this book is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

Work in progress:

My next books are Triangulation and Stinger.

Books 4 and 5 in The Breaker series.

Set in the year 2001, the story continues from Mall Maze.

Themes:

Crime, detective, hardboiled, heist, murder, narcissism, narcissistic abuse, neo-noir, psychopath, sociopath, thriller, vigilante.

 

A percentage from book sales is donated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research.

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The Breaker is an on-going series.

I’m outlining other stand-alone thriller novels.

Several coffee table books on my photography and my wife’s artwork.

A humorous book, based on the antics of our crazy pet Ragdoll cat, entitled: It’s That F****** Cat Again!

Here’s a GIF I made of our cat, settling down for another of his daily naps:

On this day in music history - Sacred Heart, by Shakespear’s Sister (1989):

Sacred Heart

Album by Shakespear’s Sister,

released August 21, 1989.

Track list:

Heroine; Run Silent Run Deep; Dirty Mind; Sacred Heart; Heaven Is in Your Arms; Twist the Knife; You’re History; Break My Heart; Red Rocket; Electric Moon; Primitive Love; Could You Be Loved; You Made Me Come to This.

On this day in movie history - The Big Easy (1987):

The Big Easy

directed by Jim McBride,

written by Daniel Petrie, Jr.,

was released in the United States on August 21, 1987.
Music by Brad Fiedel.

Cast:

Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman, Lisa Jane Persky, Ebbe Roe Smith, Tom O'Brien, Charles Ludlam, Grace Zabriskie, Marc Lawrence, Solomon Burke, Gailard Sartain, Jim Chimento, Edward Saint Pe, Robert Lesser, Cheryl Starbuck, Margie O'Dair, Arden Lo, Rickey Pierre, Nick Krieger, Gary Anthony Sturgis, Byron Nora, Archie Sampier, Jeff Hollis, Joy N. Houck Jr., Steve Broussard, Eliott Keener, August Krinke, John Schluter, Zephirin Hymel IV, Jack Harris, George Dureau, Patrick Frederic, Lane Trippe, Nik Hagler, Don Lutenbacher, Carol Sutton, Peter Gabb, Jim Garrison, Dave Petitjean, Buddy Quaid, Dennis Curren, Rico Wheat, Robert Kearney, Joe Catalanotto, Terrance Simien, Gene Chambers, Popp Esprite, Earl Sally, Rudy Chambers, Phillip V. Caruso, Duane Delco.

On this day in movie history - An American Werewolf in London (1981):

An American Werewolf in London

directed and written by John Landis,

was released in the United States on August 21, 1981.
Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Cast:

David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, David Schofield, Joe Belcher, Brian Glover, Lila Kaye, Rik Mayall, Sean Baker, Paddy Ryan, Jenny Agutter, Anne-Marie Davies, John Woodvine, Frank Oz, Don McKillop, Paul Kember, Colin Fernandes, Albert Moses, Jim Henson, Michele Brisigotti, Mark Fisher, Gordon Sterne, Paula Jacobs, Claudine Bowyer, Johanna Crayden, Nina Carter, Geoffrey Burridge, Brenda Cavendish, Christopher Scoular, Mary Tempest, Cynthia Powell, Sydney Bromley, Frank Singuineau, Will Leighton, Michael Carter, Elizabeth Bradley, Rufus Deakin, Lesley Ward, George Hilsdon, Gerry Lewis, Dennis Fraser, Alan Ford, Peter Ellis, Denise Stephens, Christine Hargreaves, Linzi Drew, Lucien Morgan, Dave Cooper, Susan Spencer, Bob Babenia, Ken Sicklen, John Salthouse, John Altman, Keith Hodiak, John Owens, Roger Rowland, Lewis Alexander, Jack Armstrong, Vic Armstrong, Alan Austen, Roy Beck, Kevin Brennan, John Cannon, Ina Clare, Simon van Collem, Harry Fielder, Noel Flanagan, Alan Flyng, Ryan Folsey, Laurie Goode, Dave Griffiths, Brendan Hughes, John Ketteringham, John Landis, Dave Lanning, Aileen Lewis, Tommy Little, Derek Lyons, Lou Morgan, Ralph G. Morse, James Muir, Terence Mustoo, George Oliver, James Payne, Quentin Pierre, Jack Ross, Terry Sach, Alecia St Leger, David Stone, John Timberlake, Terry Walsh.

On this day in movie history - The Longest Yard (1974):

The Longest Yard

aka The Mean Machine,

directed by Robert Aldrich,

written by Tracy Keenan Wynn,

based on a story by Albert S. Ruddy,

was released in the United States on August 21, 1974.
Music by Frank De Vol.

Cast:

Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Michael Conrad, James Hampton, Harry Caesar, John Steadman, Charles Tyner, Mike Henry, Jim Nicholson, Bernadette Peters, Pervis Atkins, Tony Cacciotti, Anitra Ford, Michael Fox, Joe Kapp, Richard Kiel, Pepper Martin, Mort Marshall, Ray Nitschke, Tony Reese, Sonny Sixkiller, Robert Tessier, Dino Washington, Ernie Wheelwright, Joe Dorsey, Gus Carlucci, Jack Rockwell, Sonny Shroyer, Ray Ogden, Don Ferguson, Chuck Hayward, Alfie Wise, Steve Wilder, George A. Jones, Wilbur Gillian, Wilson Warren, Joe Jackson, Howard Silverstein, Donald Hixon.

Born on this day – Hugh Wilson:

Hugh Wilson

Director

Writer

August 21, 1943 – January 14, 2018

Born on this day – Frank Perry:

Frank Perry

Director

Writer

Producer

Actor

August 21, 1930 – August 29, 1995

Credits:

ABC Stage 67 (1966); Adventures in Rainbow Country (1969); Among the Paths to Eden (1967); Compromising Positions (1985); David and Lisa (1962); Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970); 'Doc' (1971); Dummy (1979); Faye (2024); Federico Fellini - un autoritratto ritrovato (2000); Festival of Family Classics (1973); Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (1957); Hello Again (1987); Howard K. Smith (1963); Island Women (1958); J.F.K.: A One-Man Show (1984); Ladybug Ladybug (1963); Last Summer (1969); Man on a Swing (1974); Mommie Dearest (1981); Monsignor (1982); Moving Image Salutes Sidney Lumet (1985); On the Bridge (1992); Play It As It Lays (1972); Playwright at Work (1961–1962); Rancho Deluxe (1975); Skag (1980); The 68th Annual Academy Awards (1996); The David Frost Show (1970–1971); The Dick Cavett Show (1971); The Merv Griffin Show (1970); The Story of the Swimmer (2014); The Swimmer (1968); The Thanksgiving Visitor (1968); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1970); Today (1973); Trilogy (1969).

Born on this day – Friz Freleng:

Friz Freleng

Animator

Cartoonist

Director

Producer

Composer

August 21, 1905 – May 26, 1995

Born on this day – Albert S. Rogell:

Albert S. Rogell

Director

August 21, 1901 – April 7, 1988

Credits:

A Damsel in Distress (1937); Air Hawks (1935); Air Hostess (1933); Aloha (1931); Among the Missing (1934); Argentine Nights (1940); Atlantic Adventure (1935); Below the Sea (1933); Broken Arrow (1957–1958); Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987); Butch Minds the Baby (1942); Carnival Boat (1932); Cheyenne (1929); City Streets (1938); Courageous Fool (1925); Crack o' Dawn (1925); Cyclone Cavalier (1925); Desperate Chances (1921); Double Reward (1922); Earl Carroll Sketchbook (1946); East of Fifth Avenue (1933); Easy Money (1925); Escape from Devil's Island (1935); Fighting Fate (1925); Fog (1933); For Love or Money (1939); Fugitive Lady (1934); Galloping Gallagher (1924); Geared to Go (1924); Goat Getter (1925); Grand Jury (1936); Grinning Guns (1927); Hawaiian Nights (1939); Heaven Only Knows (1947); His Brother's Blood (1922); Hit Parade of 1943 (1943); Hollywood (1980); I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby (1940); In Old Oklahoma (1943); Jail House Blues (1942); Laugh It Off (1939); Lightning Romance (1924); Li'l Abner (1940); Love, Honor and Goodbye (1945); Mamba (1930); Men of Daring (1927); Men of the Night (1926); Murder in Greenwich Village (1937); My Friend Flicka (1956); Name the Woman (1934); No Man's Gold (1922); No More Women (1934); North of Nevada (1924); Northwest Stampede (1948); Painted Faces (1929); Phantom of the Hills (1922); Priorities on Parade (1942); Private Affairs (1940); Public Enemies (1941); Red Hot Leather (1926); Roaming Lady (1936); Rough and Ready (1927); Sailors on Leave (1941); Senor Daredevil (1926); Shadow of Fear (1955); Sleepytime Gal (1942); Somewhere in Sonora (1927); Song of India (1949); Start Cheering (1938); Streak of Yellow (1922); Suicide Fleet (1931); Super Speed (1925); Sweepstakes (1931); Tangled Trails (1921); The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1956–1957); The Admiral Was a Lady (1950); The Black Cat (1941); The California Mail (1929); The Canyon of Adventure (1928); The Circus Cyclone (1925); The Claim Jumpers (1922); The Danger Point (1922); The Dangerous Coward (1924); The Devil's Saddle (1927); The Eagle Man (1921); The Fear Fighter (1925); The Fighter of Diamond X (1921); The Fighting Sap (1924); The Fighting Three (1927); The Flying Marine (1929); The Ford Television Theatre (1956); The Glorious Trail (1928); The Greatest Menace (1923); The Hell Cat (1934); The Knockout Kid (1925); The Last Warning (1938); The Lone Wolf in Paris (1938); The Lone Wolf's Daughter (1929); The Magnificent Rogue (1946); The Man from the West (1926); The Mask of Lopez (1924); The Midlanders (1920); The Overland Stage (1927); The Patent Leather Pug (1925); The Phantom City (1928); The Queen of Hearts (1921); The Ranch Mystery (1921); The Red Raiders (1927); The Rider of Death Valley (1932); The Shepherd of the Hills (1928); The Silent Stranger (1924); The Snob Buster (1925); The Sphinx (1933); The Stranger (1921); The Sunset Derby (1927); The Tip-Off (1931); The Unknown Cavalier (1926); The Upland Rider (1928); The Western Rover (1927); The Western Whirlwind (1927); The Wrecker (1933); Thundering Hoofs (1924); Tight Shoes (1941); True to the Army (1942); Unknown Woman (1935); West Meets East (1922); You May Be Next! (1936); Youth on Parade (1942); Youth's Gamble (1925).

Recommended reading - The Revenant (2002):

The Revenant

By Michael Punke.

Published by Picador.

Movie tie-in edition published in 2015.

Published 2002.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 9781250072689

ISBN-13: 978-1250072689

Description:

Read the book that inspired to major motion picture.

A thrilling tale of betrayal and revenge set against the nineteenth-century American frontier, the astonishing story of real-life trapper and frontiersman Hugh Glass.

The year is 1823, and the trappers of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company live a brutal frontier life. Hugh Glass is among the company’s finest men, an experienced frontiersman and an expert tracker. But when a scouting mission puts him face-to-face with a grizzly bear, he is viciously mauled and not expected to survive. Two company men are dispatched to stay behind and tend to Glass before he dies. When the men rob and abandon him instead, Glass is driven to survive by one desire: revenge. With shocking grit and determination, Glass sets out, crawling at first, across hundreds of miles of uncharted American frontier. Based on a true story, The Revenant is a remarkable tale of obsession, the human will stretched to its limits, and the lengths that one man will go to for retribution.

“The makings of a western classic, Michael Punke's novel The Revenant provides muscle and sinew to the vengeful and epic tale of mountain man Hugh Glass that even a sow Grizzly couldn't rend asunder.” – Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire novels.

“One of the great tales of the nineteenth-century West.” – The Salt Lake Tribune.

Ruth Rendell, on reading:

Some say life is the thing,

but I prefer reading.

- Ruth Rendell.