THE DEATH OF TARPONS

“Edgerton's later novels have become Noir classics to many, and The Death of Tarpons hints at a moonless childhood that explains the author's successful literary journeys into darkness.” —Jack Getze, Spinetingler Magazine, 2017

Now middle aged and in poor health, widower and grandfather Corey takes a solo trip home to Freeport, the Texan town he grew up in. But that trip turns out to represent much more than a poignant journey for old times' sake, as memories of his childhood are prompted by the familiar landscape, Corey narrates the story of the 1950s summer that changed his life forever.

Dismissed and beaten by a frustrated and violent father and effectively abandoned by an emotionally fragile and obsessively religious mother, the teenage Corey turns to his grandfather for comfort until his grandfather is diagnosed with terminal cancer. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this is just one of several life-changing events to happen to Corey that summer. His parents' marriage falls apart, his mother's mental health declines and his father becomes increasingly angry, as a beloved father and grandfather slides towards death. Meanwhile, Corey's best friend lives locally in a violent and dysfunctional household, until the ultimate tragedy strikes and Destin is whisked away to live with relatives. Faced with the loss of his closest friend and imminent
loss of his grandfather, Cory focuses his attention on a very special project, a present for his father. A present intended to win his father's love.
But it doesn't. So Corey's good intentions vanish into violence....

Les Edgerton is a full-time writer and creative writing teacher. He's written eighteen books in a variety of forms: novels, short stories, nonfiction books, screenplays and about the craft of writing. His work has been nominated for or won: the Pushcart Prize, O. Henry Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, Derringer Award, Spinetingler Magazine Thriller of the Year (Legends category), Jesse Jones Book Award, Edgar Allan Poe Award (short story category), Violet Crown Book Award, and others.