Trouble in the Heartland: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Bruce Springsteen (Gutter Books Rock Anthology Series)

The first thing you need to know about this compilation of short stories is that you don't have to be a Bruce Springsteen fan to enjoy it. I like Bruce Springsteen, know a few of his songs, and have heard more, but I'm no diehard. The stories in this book are inspired by Bruce Springsteen songs, yes. They have the titles of Bruce Stringsteen songs, yes. But it's what Bruce Springsteen represents: the America of the working class, of the hopes and dreams that dot the rolling countrysides and flow along the gutters of city streets. America, not as a plastic postcards, but as a tattered photographs, stained with blood and sweat in a million photo albums, naked in all its good and its bad. Not a country, but a feeling, an experience that resonates throughout the world. That's what Bruce Springsteen inspires, and the grit beneath that experience is what fills Trouble in the Heartland.For a book like this, it's easy to name-drop and be done with it. Look at the cover if you want that. It's there. There are big names and unknowns in here. But what surprised me was the consistency of the stories. There's a current in Trouble in the Heartland that puts the rebellion and desperation, and sometimes desolation, that is uniquely American in flavor against a backdrop of small-town decline. Economic opportunity comes and goes at the barrel of a gun. Justice doesn't exist past that granite steps of courthouses. Lost love comes at terrible costs, and in the stillness of a quiet country night, someone is dying; they just don't know it yet.I didn't want to single out favorite authors and stories. And in fact, I did jot down something about each story in the collection. I liked them all that much. But if I wrote them all down here, you'd never finish reading this.I've been turned on to a lot of new (new to me) writers that have incredible stories in here. You just might too.

The concept here is inspired (even if I myself have just a passing interest in the work of Bruce Springsteen). What's more impressive still, though, is the inspiration that this broad array of fine writers drew from the concept. Crime is the bedrock of this collection, but there are other surprising elements to it as well -- a dash of sci-fi and even a funny joke for variety. You'll find numerous different settings, hear many different voices, and be impressed by the skills on display. Only here and there will you actually find yourself thinking directly of Springsteen -- the team just runs from that starting point.

Pretty quirky, violent stories. Some were really great and thought provoking. Worth the time. They lead with Dennis Lehane in the title. That's a bit misleading. It's many different authors. Didn't expect the level of violence. Only loosely based on the Boss' songs.

It’s ok but some stories aren’t worth the read

Stories are very hit or miss, but the anthology is worth reading.

Well done. Lots of different stories, any one of which can be read in less than 30 minutes.

Really enjoyed this anthology based on the songs of Bruce Springsteen. From bestsellers to midlisters to some young up and comers, there are a ton of great, powerful stories in here that manage to perfectly capture the essence of Bruce will standing up all alone. Definitely worth purchasing.

decent

“Trouble in the Heartland” is a collection of crime fiction short stories each based on the title of a different Bruce Springsteen song.My Dad and I are huge Springsteen fans and also big readers so when I heard about this book we obviously both had to have it. Springsteen’s songs themselves are often like little short stories with their own characters and plots so I was intrigued to see what had been done with them here.Honestly, I’m not a huge lover of short stories in the main, I prefer more time to get to know characters and a plot I can really get my teeth into but sometimes short stories are good if you’re lacking focus a little. These were extremely short though. The book is 270 pages and there were 41 stories, so that probably gives you some idea as to how short they had to be.It was a real mixed bag. Some stories I really liked, others not so much and some were a little too on the nose for the song title they were using. The “I’m on Fire” one, for example, uses some of the lyrics directly as well as a visual representation of some of them, which just didn’t really work for me.I loved the Dennis Lehane story that started the collection off, “State Trooper”. His writing style worked well in the short story format although I would still say I needed more, could have easily read a full length book in this vein as there were lots of hints to events that it would have been good to see play out.“Highway Patrolman” by Ryan Sayles, who I’d never heard of before reading this, was another highlight and conjured up images that really fit with the song.Overall, the good outweighed the bad and it was a fun journey through a whole range of Springsteen songs, right up to 2012’s “Wrecking Ball” album. I found myself singing the songs as I was reading and sometimes for quite a while after.If you’re a Springsteen fan and like crime fiction I’d definitely recommend it, despite not liking all the stories, as they really are so short that you’re soon passed it if you’re not really into some of the stories and I’m sure there would be something for everyone in there.

great small stories that capture your interest and imagination !

Brilliant