A boy makes a series of bad decisions after his father bans him from reading books. A Jewish family is forever changed when a boy with a Neo-Nazi background is thrust into their lives. A man’s epic downfall is narrated through a beer ad. An arthritic grandmother hopes to serve justice to an untouchable, evil sheriff. A heavy-metal rocker’s life takes a radical turn during the 1992 LA riots.

These are a few stories in Bloodshot and Bruised, a blistering collection of crime, retribution, and the fragile humanity that survives. Settings range from excessive mansions and freeway gridlock of California to clapboard houses and frozen hunting grounds of the South. Pathos and humor mix to create a complex portrait of Americans under pressure. Acclaimed author Travis Richardson presents this collection of sixteen stories including Anthony, Macavity, and Derringer Award finalists. These original tales divided between the South and West will leave an indelible impression on any reader.

“Travis Richardson brings us two-fisted tales—one fist stained with meth and tobacco juice, the other one with dabs of avocado and blood—in this outstanding collection of funny, dark and thrilling crime stories from both the West Coast and the South.”

— Jordan Harper, author of Edgar Award-winning She Rides Shotgun

“Steeped in blood and grit, Bloodshot and Bruised is taut, twisted, and thrilling. Travis Richardson has an exceptional talent for bringing shady characters to life in all of their vengeful, double-crossing glory. His stories represent the dark side of the American Dream, and they are unforgettable.”

— Hilary Davidson, Anthony Award–winning author of One Small Sacrifice

"Travis Richardson proves, yet again, that his name belongs at the top of the list of master short storytellers. Bloodshot and Bruised collects prose both sharp and serrated, then gives rise to a voice that is bleak, uncompromising, and funny. You won't be able to put it down."

— Eryk Pruitt, author of What We Reckon and The Long Dance podcast