Follow The Money: A Collection Of Interconnected Short Stories


Author
Ross Cavins
Publisher
RCG Publishing

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From one of America's most unknown authors comes a book so humorous, so vile, so inane ... it could only be a cry for help. If you're searching for a refreshing style that's a tad demented, with characters that burrow deep into your mind and never leave, you've found the right book. "Follow the Money" is a collection of ten interconnected short stories that will grab you, wrestle you to the ground and squeeze you until your funny bone snaps in two. A botched kidnapping, a money scam, a not-so-average convenience store holdup ... each story flows (with the money) through a series of interesting, and sometimes bizarre, plots. Layered and interweaved with seamless complexity, recurring characters and everyday motifs bind the ten stories into a single universal plot. Ingenious in its conception, flawless in its execution, "Follow the Money" is a hilarious, detailed study on the many facets of the human condition. Greed, Pride, Lust ... the seven deadly sins have never been so entertaining. Prepare yourself for a raunchy, gritty ride you'll never want to end.


Reviews

Follow The Money:  A Collection of Interconnected Short Stories
Author:  Ross Cavins
Publisher:  RCG Publishing
ISBN:  978-1438253961

I knew I had discovered a Kindred Spirit in author Ross Cavins when he started this collection of short stories with an all time favorite quote of mine from Moliere: "Writing is like prostitution.  First You do it for love, then for a few close friends and then for money."  This book is among the funniest I have ever read. 

What I especially love is that the humor sort of sneaks up on you, and leaves you laughing out loud and gasping for breath.  Thankfully, I was not reading in a crowded room.  Laughing and okay, actually snorting my way through these stories, I marvelled at the bigger than life characters, and for many of them, they rang true as the personalities of some family members and friends, all of whom shall remain nameless.

From a couple of inept "good ole boy" kidnappers to a slimey but smart " investment" con man to a fast talking (and even faster thinking) young redneck fellow in a rush to get on with what he hopes will be a romantic evening with his girl, these are really great characters, each memorable and a little bit nuts.  There are ten stories in this book, and it left me wanting lots more.  All ten are excellently done, with great characters and innovative plot lines.  I'm glad I don't have to pick one favorite, cause that would be tough.  Each are unique and charming.  The characters grow on you, and all of them could be the subject of a book by themselves.  I really look forward to reading more by this funny, funny author.  Read it all at once, or savor each story slowly, either way, you'll be glad to have followed the money.......what a ride!

Reviewed on 07/20/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member LAURI COATES

Ross Cavins' book is aptly titled and subtitled as "Follow the Money, A collection of interconnected short stories." The theme is not so much the actual pursuit of money as it is the enterprising efforts to hang on to it. Consequently, the reader, watching the bouncing ball of cash pass from one hand to another, is consistently entertained.
 
With sharp wit, and bold characters in capricious circumstances, this reader finds herself quickly turning pages to follow the twists in the tale. Personally, I laughed out loud at the copyright page, a most unexpected place to find clever humor. And being from Texas myself, and knowing folks similar to the characters in "Follow the Money," I can guarantee they are authentic in description and action. From Sammy with the mullet haircut to the beer-guzzling Wally (whose lights are on, but…) to the red-hot grandmas—yepper, these folks exist…and they're usually good for a lot of fun!
 
Presenting a body of short stories in book format could have been chancy—the reader might lose interest or dislike the disconnection within the overall book. But Cavins has it all together. The short stories could stand apart and succeed on their own. With the recurring characters and themes, the truly "interconnected" short stories function more like chapters in one, much bigger story—the "Follow the Money" story.
 
Bold—sexy—realistic yet imaginative—and, oh yes, quite hilarious, Cavins has delivered a very entertaining read.

Reviewed on 06/26/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Elaine Smith







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