A Sure Thing

Stories from a Post-Break World

By: Chris Tullbane

Narrated by: Joseph Vernon

In the post-break world of superpowers, Los Angeles is a city divided between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the Capes and the Black Hats.

But there is a secret organization working in the shadows of the underworld. The Company focuses on illicit profit instead of mayhem or fame.

Clive Treeble isn't a Power. He isn't much of anything at all, other than a petty criminal struggling to hold on to his mother's house.

Until the day an old acquaintance reaches out with an offer. The Company needs a man for its latest heist. Succeed and Clive's future is assured. Fail and the city might not be big enough to hide in.

Stories From a Post-Break World are short tales that take place in the same post-apocalyptic superhero world as See These Bones and the rest of the Murder of Crows trilogy.

©2021 Chris Tullbane (P)2021 Chris Tullbane

Great as a stand-alone or as a companion to See These Bones/Red Right Hand/One Tin Soldier

I’ve recently listened to See These Bones and it’s sequels, and I wanted to experience other stories from that setting. Of the three independent shorter stories currently available, this is my favorite. It’s unique in that it’s essentially a heist movie in a broken world with super powers, but what really makes this worth a listen is how the protagonist reflects on his place in it as a normal person. To those who have listened to the main trilogy, you may find some details familiar once they are described, but I can assure you that this story has twists to it that you probably wouldn’t expect. Those twists are the other main reason I recommend the story (especially if you’ve have or plan to read Red Right Hand). To those who haven’t read the main trilogy, this book stands on its own and is well written. Details regarding the larger setting aren’t explained in detail, but they don’t need to be. Key elements are explained sufficiently for context and narrative support. All the books in this setting are performed by the same person, and he does an outstanding job. I’ll be looking into his and the author’s other work for my next few credits as they are nuanced artists of their respective crafts.

Loved exploring more stories in this world

This story takes place in the same world as the Murder of Crows trilogy. The story takes place in Los Ángeles where Clive Treeble, a petty criminal, is trying to hold on to his mother’s house. When an opportunity to work for a secret organization working in the shadows of the underworld, he leaps at the chance and promised income. Fate has other plans.

Clive is not a power, but he is clever and once he passes, he is invited to be a member of a high stakes heist. The tale that unfolds shares what happens on that fateful night and the outcome.

Tullbane pulled me in from the powers to the heist. Once again, morals and redemption play a factor in the story and I was held captive. I don’t think it is necessary to listen to the trilogy to enjoy this tale.

At under two hours, the author proves he can write a full story regardless of the length. Joseph Vernon narrates and did a wonderful job of giving voice to Clive and the cast.

Joseph Vernon

I am officially a fan of Joseph Vernon. The story is well wriiten and the narration is outstanding. I will continue to look for Mr. Vernon's name on other titles.