Norman Partridge has been doing some of the best work in horror over the past decade. A fan favorite, he also draws high praise from critics and peers, and his work is frequently included in various "Year's Best" collections. In fact, of the twenty-four stories included in The Man With the Barbed Wire Fists, four, "Blackbirds," "Bucket of Blood," "Harvest," and "The Bars on Satan's Jailhouse," found places in such volumes (The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror 11 & 12, and The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 6 & 7, respectively).

What stands out in this collection is Partridge's consummate professionalism, particularly his ability to give familiar archetypes a new twist. Thus, he does intriguing work even when constrained by the boundaries of theme anthologies. This is especially evident in the title story (Partridge's take on the Frankenstein mythology), and in tales like "Undead Origami" (featuring Howard Hughes as a vampire), "Do Not Hasten to Bid Me Adieu" (a deconstruction of and epilogue to Stoker's Dracula), "In Beauty, Like the Night (where he uses zombies to make a point about the porno industry), and "The Pack" (a clever mixture of werewolves, bikers, and Mayberry).

Another talent on display is Partridge's ability to grab his audience's attention from the first sentence. Witness this, from "Red Right Hand":

"Claire held the gun in her left hand, the blood in her right."

This, from "Coyotes":

"I was out past the dump, digging a grave for the coyote, when I spotted the van with the naked Mexican chained to the bumper heading my way."

Finally, this, from "Tombstone Moon":

"Black entered the cemetery shack and tossed the severed ear onto the desk, between a can of Brown Derby and a salami sandwich missing a bite."

Not everything in the Partridge universe is this straightforward, however. Tales like "Blood Money," 'Wrong Turn," Minutes," "Where the Woodbine Twineth," and "Mr. Fox" are less accessible, more exercises in style than in linear storytelling. Their often surreal qualities require more work on the part of the reader, an investment of time and effort that is ultimately rewarding.

Despite the obvious craftsmanship behind his work, there is nothing self-conscious or mannered about Norman Partridge's writing. There's an urgency about almost everything he writes, as if, to quote Peter Straub, Partridge is writing "as though his life depends on the words he sets down on the page." This urgency has served him well thus far (pick up previous collections, Mr. Fox and Other Feral Tales and Bad Intentions for further proof), and, by all indications, should exert a positive influence on his work for years to come.

Hey, it's Norman Partridge. What else you need to know? If you've ever read so much as one story by this guy then you know how great and original a storyteller he is. Buy this sucker now. Norman needs your money and attention.

Once in awhile a new collection of stories by a single author comes along that grabs the reader and forces him to take notice. Karl Wagner's posthamous "Exorisms and Ecstasies" was one and Harlan Ellison's "Love ain't nothing but sex mispelled" was another. Norman Partridge comes along and takes us for a spin along a gravel track with motor's spiting fire and both carbs blazing. This is a major contender for a World Fantasy Award, produced by Night Shade Books with a real cloth binding, a killer cover painting and an attention do detail that will leave you breathless. This collection offers 24 stories from Partridge that turned this reader into an instant fan. Be warned, if your idea of literature is a safe escape from the mundane world, don't get this book. Nothing is safe about it, it will grab you, hit you low and hard - but you won't look back and nothing will ever be safe again.

Readers who enjoy Carl Hiaasen, Ross Thomas or Elmore Leonard are bound to enjoy the work of Norman Partridge. His hero, former light-heavyweight champion and mob hanger-on, Jack Baddalach is assigned the unusual courier job of delivering an asthmatic chihuahua across the desert. He encounters a group of leathered up beauties with some very bad intentions and it just gets weirder from there. This is a good read but I would recommend reading 'Saguaro Riptide' first. Mr. Partridge is a worthy addition to the aforementioned writers.

Fun to read but very light entertainment. A good book for the beach but don't expect to remember it after you have finished.

(...) I bought this for the cover art and what a surprise.
The Characters leap off the page and smash you right in the face. If anything should be made into a film it should be this. Tarrentino, Soderburgh, if you guys are listening or reading. George Cloony as Jack Baddalach. Please someone with some cash MAKE THIS MOVIE. Norman write another NOW!!!!!!!!

I personally found this book to be wild. It had danger, mystery, violence, and love all put carefully inside a devouring plot. I would find myself hysterically crying one moment and rivited the next. This book made me have a true understanding of all the April Destino's of the world.

With Partridge's debut novel, he takes you on a whirlwind ride like no other can. Partridge cooks some some terrifying scenes and great characters. He's what you'd get if you threw Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, and Quenting Tarantino together. He's just great.

Norman Partridge has an anoying tendancy to throw in long cutsey dicriptions, psudo-hip refrences, and brand names of products continuously through the book, but the characters had a lot of heart. And when the book was over, I did want more.

To anyone suggesting that the Baddalach novels are breezy
and insufficient is to completely miss the point of Norman
Partridge's work.
The two Jack Baddalach novels of Mr. Partridge represent
a very particular type of story for particular type people, namely
those people who love b-films, classic monster movies, surf music
and women in leather. Partridge uses the icons of the Atomic Age
to give SAGUARO RIPTIDE a resonance and power, and like any
highly-skilled, original writer, his references and in-jokes give
the learned, film-literate reader some of the best Drive-In Fiction
since Joe Lansdale.
Both Baddalach novels, including the TEN-OUNCE SIESTA,
are fast-moving, unpretentious studies of criminals, killers, and
cult leaders, in a world of violence and death. Partridge funnels
his series character, boxer Baddalch, through a world of surreal
b-movie iconography, as anything can and does happen at any
moment; all the while, Partridge displays his absolute knowledge and
love for movies, monsters, and tough crime novels, compressed
into Partridge's distinct and completely original novels. When you
read Partridge, you read a lifetime of Partridge's most-cherished
icons all-starring their way through his fiction. Two excellent reads,
and a pure festival for anyone who dreams in Technicolor.

With all the attitude of "Shaft" and the gusto of a Cohen brothers film, Partridge takes a quick, satisfying trip through the Southwest in this novel. His storyline is enticing to any adventurous reader, thrilling to those who love a wild ride. His character work is full and rich, much bolder and stronger than most authors writing popular fiction today. I'm sold on his work and will anxiously pick up his other novels. It's extremely refreshing to pick up a 'fun' summer read and find an author with a distinct voice and heart to share. Partridge is a truly promising novelist who, when he makes it big, may well put John Grisham to shame. He is certainly the more talented writer.

This is a book for thirty year old (or more) people (like myself) : when you read these stories you think that you are watching again one of that old remakes, like "The Bubble". There is action, there is suspense, but there is a lack of novelty. It is like a cookie, it is nice, but you already know the taste.

Paulo Sunao

This book is intended to be a "period piece." It's not today's sci fi (exactly) - look at the title, look at the cover. Just great stories and great fun!

RED RIGHT HAND is a story that tells the goings-on of a Bonnie and Clyde-type duo and their ending in a California town. It's a very exciting ride and the ending is a true killer. The characters are original, the dialogue funny and scary at the same time and the action and drama are intense. Recommended.

The rebel without a cause himself narrates this short tale that explains what really happened to him after that fiery crash in his Spyder. We also get a peek into the secret behind his superstar success. You'll find some vampirism, some raising of the dead, and some witchery.

This is a very short chapbook (about 22 pages), so you might want to consider that before shelling out the cash. It is an interesting short story, however, and Partridge gives a great voice to Dean.

This book has not one person who can be considered a hero and yet it is still an edge-of-your-seat-thriller. Partridge takes us to a new level with this one. He shows you he can do more than the hip, surf music in the background kind of writing he does so well. This book suceeds all the way.

This book was ok until the end. The end was a major let-down and seemed hurried. I also did not like the fact that Lilith has the grimoire *and* Raymondo.

Ok, right now, get you hands on anything and everything you can find by Norman Partridge. I am a big fan of Joe R. Lansdale, and I never thought anything could be a much of a ripping good time as a story or novel by Hisownself, but then along comes Norm. Now i'm not saying he's better than Joe R., just saying he is every bit as good. Partridge mines his own vein, brothers and sisters, and we should all thank him for it. So, on to Wicked Prayer.

Even as a fan of his work, I was a little skeptical at first of Norman Partridge writing a Crow novel. Then I thought: Hey, the whole concept of the Crow is pretty cool, and the Clash By Night novel by Chet Williamson was good, so what am I waiting for?

Wicked Prayer is GREAT! This is another rollicking, two-fisted, high-octane Norman Partridge novel. The whole thing plays out beautifully in your mind and I for one got a prickly feeling all over during a wigged-out scene with some scorpions. There is no superhero-type element at play here. Supernatural, you bet. This is the Crow gone desert rockandroll noir on a dumptruck load of peyote. Put some Calexico or Friends of Dean Martinez on the stereo and settle back into this story and you will not be disappointed.

I took this book with me when I took a flight to Mississippi for eye surgery. I started reading it on the way there, and after I got my surgery, I couldn't stand to read anything with my eyes hurting so bad. I was so disappointed that I could not finish the book right then and there, I was very into the plot from the beginning. The man in the beginning had a lot of mystery behind him and I was left wanting to know so much more. When I was able to start reading again, I could not put this book down.

As with the vast majority, but not all, books that bite off huge taxonomic groups this one fails to provide detailed updated information on this group but does provide an overview and excellent illustrations. If you desire more than the basics purchase Johnsgard's books or some other title that limits its treatment. If its the basics that you desire its worth the money.