The Silver Revolver

I've covered a number of John Shirley's books here at Paperback Warrior. From series entries in the Traveler and The Specialist, to politically-charged stand-alone novels like The Brigade. I've read Shirley's stories for a long time, predating Paperback Warrior's humble beginnings in 2013. I wanted to refocus my efforts on reading more of his stories, series titles, and stand-alone novels. I was emailed his newest novel, The Silver Revolver, published by Rough Edges Press in October 2025. 

“That humid summer morning, I brushed my teeth, showered, consumed bran cereal, drank some coffee while reading the lead paragraphs on the front page of the Chronicle, and took the Muni to work in downtown San Francisco. A little later that day, I was going to the emergency room to see my son. A little later yet, I was getting drunk beside a pool of  blood.”

Just like that, Shirley invites readers into a complex criminal underworld through his conduit, a divorced father from Texas named Slim Purdoux. After his son dies from a fatal drug concoction, Slim enters a feral underworld of pimp overseers and drug servants to hunt the man responsible. Yet, his entrance into this violent, vengeful reverie is surprising. 

In the book's first two chapters, which may be the best one-two punch of recent memory, Slim patiently sits as his corporate overseer, a publishing manager, carefully explains that AI will consume most of his job for the foreseeable future. An hour or two later, Slim finds himself ankle deep in blood as the survivor of a mass shooting. This uncanny intrusion of life's unexpectedness permanently scars Slim and propels him into action. It's rudimentary cause and effect, but in the hands of John Shirley, it's an unceremonious approach to upend crime noir's most effective plot device – the man on the run.

The novel plunges both Slim and the reader into a narcotic wasteland of pimps, whores, drug runners, and their makeshift masters. It's a noxious journey for Slim, a likable ex-con gone-good forced to fast-draw (literally) his way through a twisty labyrinth of painted ladies and shady men. Shirley's inclusion of Dulcet, a sexy, enigmatic hooker, uplifts Slim's violent mission and adds a sexy exuberance to the story. It reminded me of crime fiction's most dangerous couple, Dan J. Marlowe's Drake and Hazel, albeit less affectionate. 

The Silver Revolver is a testament to John Shirley's blunt-force storytelling ability. It's an intense crime noir that transforms not only the characters, but the reader. Make this your next absolute page-turner! Highly recommended.

Get the book HERE.