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Tense Commandment: a JJ Stoner story
Unconventional assassin JJ Stoner knows better than to accept a personal job from his violently volatile boss. But if your paymaster stalks the hallowed halls of Westminster, and if your girlfriend sells her body to a sordid clientele, and if you kill people for a living, well... sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.
Very dirty.
A witty mix of hardboiled humour and sinister manipulation. Recommended for readers who enjoy Walter Mosley, Derek Raymond and Don Winslow.
Tense Commandment is a self-contained short story which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the Stoner stories. It follows Nine Lies and introduces key characters from A Last Act Of Charity (and takes place quite a while before Charles III ascended, in case you were wondering). With an agile imagination, Tense Commandment can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!
---------Feedback from reviewers for the Killing Sisters / Stoner
‘Dark wit, saddlebags packed with lethal weaponry, and writing taut as a bowstring.’
‘Tense. Thrilling. Surprising. Sharp. Stylish. For people who like their crime fiction fast-paced, hard-edged and baptised in black humour.’
‘A great, visceral read with a style and attitude that deliver a gut-crunching punch. Stoner’s reality is sharp edges, hard angles, brutal noise and violent death.’
‘When the fighting starts, you want JJ Stoner on your side.’
‘A fast-paced, high-powered thriller… Terse and stiletto streamlined and sharp as the blade of a knife.’
‘Imagine an intimate encounter between Jack Reacher and the girl with the dragon that’s JJ Stoner and the Killing Sisters.’
‘Gritty story-telling at its best, with a plot that fires from the hip.’
‘It launches you straight into the mayhem and, like its protagonist, JJ Stoner, takes no prisoners.’
‘Fast-paced action, gritty dialogue and hard-nosed, resolute characters.’
‘Sharp. Staccato. Smart. Lovers of long, luxurious, lyrical prose should read this to see how the other half writes.’
‘The tightly-written prose has more than a touch of the Elmore Leonard about it – sparse, sharp and often witty as well.’
‘There is hardly time to draw breath in this fast-moving adventure introducing a frighteningly capable executioner.’
‘Serial killings and strange sisters, hard as nails hit men and shady superiors, sleazy blues and sometimes seedy sex.’
‘A punchy and compelling tale of an ice-cold assassin, more nuanced than your average hired killer. The writing is sparse and crisp, the dialogue frequently laced with sardonic British edge.’
‘Clever dialogue and plenty of descriptive narrative providing context for the violence, depth to the characters and shape to the story.’
‘Your first meeting with JJ Stoner does nothing for the man’s chances of being nominated for any awards for unbridled compassion or for turning the other cheek.’
‘Oh my, this book surely packs a punch. The writing is bold and blunt, with horrific things said in a matter of fact way.’
‘There is a hint of Derek Raymond in the more visceral physical descriptions and the sense that we are looking at a dark and dystopian oil painting.
Very dirty.
A witty mix of hardboiled humour and sinister manipulation. Recommended for readers who enjoy Walter Mosley, Derek Raymond and Don Winslow.
Tense Commandment is a self-contained short story which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the Stoner stories. It follows Nine Lies and introduces key characters from A Last Act Of Charity (and takes place quite a while before Charles III ascended, in case you were wondering). With an agile imagination, Tense Commandment can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!
---------Feedback from reviewers for the Killing Sisters / Stoner
‘Dark wit, saddlebags packed with lethal weaponry, and writing taut as a bowstring.’
‘Tense. Thrilling. Surprising. Sharp. Stylish. For people who like their crime fiction fast-paced, hard-edged and baptised in black humour.’
‘A great, visceral read with a style and attitude that deliver a gut-crunching punch. Stoner’s reality is sharp edges, hard angles, brutal noise and violent death.’
‘When the fighting starts, you want JJ Stoner on your side.’
‘A fast-paced, high-powered thriller… Terse and stiletto streamlined and sharp as the blade of a knife.’
‘Imagine an intimate encounter between Jack Reacher and the girl with the dragon that’s JJ Stoner and the Killing Sisters.’
‘Gritty story-telling at its best, with a plot that fires from the hip.’
‘It launches you straight into the mayhem and, like its protagonist, JJ Stoner, takes no prisoners.’
‘Fast-paced action, gritty dialogue and hard-nosed, resolute characters.’
‘Sharp. Staccato. Smart. Lovers of long, luxurious, lyrical prose should read this to see how the other half writes.’
‘The tightly-written prose has more than a touch of the Elmore Leonard about it – sparse, sharp and often witty as well.’
‘There is hardly time to draw breath in this fast-moving adventure introducing a frighteningly capable executioner.’
‘Serial killings and strange sisters, hard as nails hit men and shady superiors, sleazy blues and sometimes seedy sex.’
‘A punchy and compelling tale of an ice-cold assassin, more nuanced than your average hired killer. The writing is sparse and crisp, the dialogue frequently laced with sardonic British edge.’
‘Clever dialogue and plenty of descriptive narrative providing context for the violence, depth to the characters and shape to the story.’
‘Your first meeting with JJ Stoner does nothing for the man’s chances of being nominated for any awards for unbridled compassion or for turning the other cheek.’
‘Oh my, this book surely packs a punch. The writing is bold and blunt, with horrific things said in a matter of fact way.’
‘There is a hint of Derek Raymond in the more visceral physical descriptions and the sense that we are looking at a dark and dystopian oil painting.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2023
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Frank Westworth
18 books31 followersFrank Westworth shares several characteristics with his literary anti-hero, JJ Stoner: they both play mean blues guitar and ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Unlike Stoner, Frank hasn't deliberately killed anyone. Instead, Frank edits a monthly classic motorcycle magazine (see RealClassic.co.uk) and has written extensively for the UK motoring press.
Frank's ‘Killing Sisters’ series starts with 'A Last Act Of Charity', continues in 'The Corruption Of Chastity' and wraps up in 'The Redemption Of Charm'.
However, you can start with any of the books in the series; they're written to be enjoyed if you come in halfway through.
You can also meet key characters from the Killing Sisters series in the JJ Stoner short stories, which begin with First Contract.
Please note; the Stoner stories and Killing Sisters series are intended for an adult audience. They're violent and explicit and contain the occasional intellectual challenge.
If you'd like to know more - feel free to ask!
Frank's ‘Killing Sisters’ series starts with 'A Last Act Of Charity', continues in 'The Corruption Of Chastity' and wraps up in 'The Redemption Of Charm'.
However, you can start with any of the books in the series; they're written to be enjoyed if you come in halfway through.
You can also meet key characters from the Killing Sisters series in the JJ Stoner short stories, which begin with First Contract.
Please note; the Stoner stories and Killing Sisters series are intended for an adult audience. They're violent and explicit and contain the occasional intellectual challenge.
If you'd like to know more - feel free to ask!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2023
Westworth’s Tense Commandment
As a longtime Westworth fan, I very much enjoyed Stoner's tenth outing in this third prequel to the "Charity" books. The badinage between JJ and his boss, the Hard Man, is top-notch as usual. The "Seppuku" scene came about with such perfect timing that it stopped me cold—brilliant. He deserves a wider American audience, especially those of us who admire Len Deighton’s fiction.
As a longtime Westworth fan, I very much enjoyed Stoner's tenth outing in this third prequel to the "Charity" books. The badinage between JJ and his boss, the Hard Man, is top-notch as usual. The "Seppuku" scene came about with such perfect timing that it stopped me cold—brilliant. He deserves a wider American audience, especially those of us who admire Len Deighton’s fiction.
November 21, 2023
The clue is in the title. This is Frank Westworth’s tenth JJ Stoner prequel short story, which has been eagerly awaited by fans of his hard man, Stoner. Essentially, these prequels fill in a few blanks in the story related in the Killing Sisters trilogy of novels, A Last Act of Charity, The Corruption of Chastity and The Redemption of Charm. Tense Commandment is ‘the missing link between the Stoner stories and A Last Act of Charity.
For those who haven’t made his acquaintance yet (and why not?), Stoner is an assassin, infrequently employed by The Hard Man who works in London’s Whitehall. This time around he is asked to do a personal favour for the boss, involving the daughter of a woman friend of his boss. Though Stoner doesn’t do personal. Then Stoner relents; he’d ‘go check the lie of the land.’ The Hard Man replies: ‘Everybody lies, JJ. But the land rarely dies’ (p12).
Stoner teams up with his American pal, Stretch: ‘Stretch stretched his arms’ a few times – playing on words, as we’ve come to expect.
Also as usual, Westworth throws in plenty of wit, one-liners, and neat phrases: ‘... the weary wet ran off him and onto the hot engine, spitting as it returned vapour from the clouds whence it came’ (p38).
The repartee between Stretch and Stoner comes thick and fast, over scrambled eggs, burnt toast and strong coffee, even with allusions to Jennifer Lawrence’s movie Red Sparrow.
There’s a pornographic ring involved, and sudden and unexpected violence, yet none of this is presented gratuitously. And, inevitably, happily, there’s a nice little twist at the end.
In addition, Westworth has included an extra short story, which is with great topicality entitled ‘AI’. It concerns a high-end medical facility working on ground-breaking 3D printing that can mend broken spines: ‘eight pairs of working legs in two weeks’ (p63).
The most advanced person in recovery is Patient Six – nothing to do with The Prisoner! The hospital administrator is finely drawn, solely intent on basking in the glory of the surgeons and Regenovo technicians who are doing all the grand-standing work.
Again, there is some fine phrasing as we experience Patient Six’s recovery: ‘The air of shivering delight was contagious’ (p64).
But of course there happens to be a problem – and a blackly amusing if grim twist.
A quick yet satisfying read.
For those who haven’t made his acquaintance yet (and why not?), Stoner is an assassin, infrequently employed by The Hard Man who works in London’s Whitehall. This time around he is asked to do a personal favour for the boss, involving the daughter of a woman friend of his boss. Though Stoner doesn’t do personal. Then Stoner relents; he’d ‘go check the lie of the land.’ The Hard Man replies: ‘Everybody lies, JJ. But the land rarely dies’ (p12).
Stoner teams up with his American pal, Stretch: ‘Stretch stretched his arms’ a few times – playing on words, as we’ve come to expect.
Also as usual, Westworth throws in plenty of wit, one-liners, and neat phrases: ‘... the weary wet ran off him and onto the hot engine, spitting as it returned vapour from the clouds whence it came’ (p38).
The repartee between Stretch and Stoner comes thick and fast, over scrambled eggs, burnt toast and strong coffee, even with allusions to Jennifer Lawrence’s movie Red Sparrow.
There’s a pornographic ring involved, and sudden and unexpected violence, yet none of this is presented gratuitously. And, inevitably, happily, there’s a nice little twist at the end.
In addition, Westworth has included an extra short story, which is with great topicality entitled ‘AI’. It concerns a high-end medical facility working on ground-breaking 3D printing that can mend broken spines: ‘eight pairs of working legs in two weeks’ (p63).
The most advanced person in recovery is Patient Six – nothing to do with The Prisoner! The hospital administrator is finely drawn, solely intent on basking in the glory of the surgeons and Regenovo technicians who are doing all the grand-standing work.
Again, there is some fine phrasing as we experience Patient Six’s recovery: ‘The air of shivering delight was contagious’ (p64).
But of course there happens to be a problem – and a blackly amusing if grim twist.
A quick yet satisfying read.
January 21, 2024
JJ Stoner has a special place in my heart I must admit. Tense Commandment is the tenth short story focusing on the events surrounding the witty assassin.
You can quite easily read the series as standalones but I very much believe the dark humour comes through so much clearer if you read them all.. It’s been a while since we’ve seen stoner but from the first page the smile was back on my face.. oh how I’ve missed him.
In this instalment we see the needs of Stoners employer and his more personal life clash a little. The Hardman has a target…but there’s an issue…Stoner isn’t the first to get there..
In typical Stoner style the fun, thought-provoking plot hits quick as we, along with Stoner try and figure out who is behind events and what does this mean for Stoner.. is someone setting him up? Are they after his girlfriend… or is it his employer whose being targeted? And how does he get out of this one with his arse intact?
It was great to see the character Stretch back in the action also… they are very much unconventional friends but boy they like to have some fun!
For fans of the series, it really is the best yet and just adds more depth to Stoner.
I’m not going to spoil the twists and turns but the ending did not disappoint at all.. and we are lucky enough to be given an extra short tale from the author. The short is called “AI”. I’m really not going to say much other than WOW. Westworth has only ever been known to me for one reason.. JJ Stoner.. AI just shows what skills the author really has at being able to take on another subject matter.. Westworth is the King of the short story!
You can quite easily read the series as standalones but I very much believe the dark humour comes through so much clearer if you read them all.. It’s been a while since we’ve seen stoner but from the first page the smile was back on my face.. oh how I’ve missed him.
In this instalment we see the needs of Stoners employer and his more personal life clash a little. The Hardman has a target…but there’s an issue…Stoner isn’t the first to get there..
In typical Stoner style the fun, thought-provoking plot hits quick as we, along with Stoner try and figure out who is behind events and what does this mean for Stoner.. is someone setting him up? Are they after his girlfriend… or is it his employer whose being targeted? And how does he get out of this one with his arse intact?
It was great to see the character Stretch back in the action also… they are very much unconventional friends but boy they like to have some fun!
For fans of the series, it really is the best yet and just adds more depth to Stoner.
I’m not going to spoil the twists and turns but the ending did not disappoint at all.. and we are lucky enough to be given an extra short tale from the author. The short is called “AI”. I’m really not going to say much other than WOW. Westworth has only ever been known to me for one reason.. JJ Stoner.. AI just shows what skills the author really has at being able to take on another subject matter.. Westworth is the King of the short story!
November 26, 2023
Tense Commandment, the latest JJ Stoner thriller, is Frank Westworth at his best. A little song, a little dance, a little Guignol down the pants. Stoner finds himself at deadly odds with his longtime boss, the Dark Man, in an intrigue with a sadistic pornographer. Tight plotting and top-drawer gallows wit. Don’t miss it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews