Gangster Thriller-Comedy Makes E-Book Debut

Online, December 2, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Suppose you were a big-time gangster who spent twenty-five years dodging the law and now wanted to turn himself in, only to find out that it is nearly impossible to do?

Such is the dilemma of Frank Lamott, the lead character in "Not for Evil," R. J. Thomas' 2002 thriller-comedy novella now making its' e-book debut.

In the story, Lamott, a longtime Chicago mobster, has come to the end of his rope. Finding himself by accident in the small town of Cypress Lake, Illinois, full of regrets about his twenty-five-year career as a mobster, Lamott decides to turn himself in to the local authorities.

Unfortunately for Lamott, turning himself in isn't as easy as he thought it would be.

"I heard a story once about a western outlaw who decided to turn himself in," Mr. Thomas said. "After years as an outlaw he finally gave up. Can you imagine the sheriff's response? A notorious outlaw walks into your office and says 'arrest me.' Would the sheriff think it was a trick? How would he react? The comic possibilities are endless."

Mr. Thomas made his lead character a 1930s gangster instead of an 1870s western outlaw, setting the story in a small Illinois town.

"The townsfolk have trouble believing there is a mobster in their midst," Mr. Thomas said. "Thus begins Lamott's quest of getting someone to believe him so that he can be arrested."

"Not for Evil" is now available as an e-book at BooksAndSuchMart.com.