In Steve Rasnic Tem’s stories, environments are inhabited by droogs and degenerates, lost or forgotten. Violence is the wallpaper that lines these squalid hallways. Stories like “Facing It” and “Rough Justice” portray a dog-eat-dog world where “little bastards” are held in check and accused baby killers receive their just deserts.

In “Rat Catcher,” an infestation of rodents in one family’s home leads to an anguished plea for help. The man who arrives leaves their children unsettled, and a horrific manifestation is resurrected. In “The Stench,” Riley is continually hampered by foul odors found in ordinary people, places, and things, forcing him to avoid them at all costs.

“Love Letters” features a man traveling cross country in the hopes of recovering his ex’s love notes. “Daddy’s an Actor” and “My Daughter is Here” feature two distinct father-daughter depictions: one surrounding a fascination with the art of acting, and the other with end-of-life care.

These forty-three tales of crime and deception run the gamut from high-altitude capers to back-alley brouhahas. You will meet obsessives and connivers, goons and scoundrels. This collection contains nearly 500 pages of content.