John T. Cullen has authored over 20 books, including The Generals of October (Simon & Schuster, 2004)—pulse-pounding political-military suspense fiction set in a near-future U.S. Constitutional crisis.
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John T. Cullen also writes screenplays, including one for Nebula Express (adapted from his SF novel) and the violent, darkly glistening, utterly strange tale of a serial killer in Scorpion.
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Neon Blue
a novel
by John T. Cullen
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12.
San Diego
Joe Travignan, 30, stepped off the plane feeling muzzy. He'd shot up in the plane's bathroom, slept a while, and now it was wearing off. He took a taxi from the airport to Vincent's hideaway in La Mesa. Under sighing eucalyptus trees, he found the place shuttered and empty. Disappointed, he broke in and made himself comfortable. What had happened? Why had Vincent not showed up as he'd promised? Vincent knew about Joe's problem, had promised to help find a solution. He depended on Vincent now, dammit, where was he? It was getting out of hand again. He craved the stuff. He tried calling Hamilton, but Vincent was not taking calls. Darn!.
Oh Lord, he thought doubled on the floor, you have sent this scourge to tax me and test me. How can a guy break your bread and drink your wine and be so fucked up and all alone? Jesus, please help me. Vincent did not show up.
Joe took a taxi downtown, past palm-swept streets. In the Mission District, where bums kissed the sidewalk and bag ladies pushed carts, he shambled into a cheap hotel. Before he entered, he took off the ring Joanna had given him and stuck it in his sock. Jesus, he thought, help me carry this cross. A scroungy blond man was waiting in the lobby for deals. Joe said: "I need."
The man rolled his eyes upward, along the stairwell. "Room 301. A guy's got."
Joe hurried up the stairwell, thinking about his money. On the third floor, wall paper sagged. There was a musty smell. The doors looked constricted, dark, and foreboding. Joe felt his way along, touching the crumbling numbers on doors. He was so intent, he didn't notice a door open, a body move out, a blow struck against his head. Vomiting, he lolled about, groggy, until he woke dry-mouthed and felt his pants. His wallet was gone. He spat blood, sitting up. He'd been rolled. God, where was Vincent now? Vincent always had money. Vincent, who wanted the names of elderly ladies. Vincent, who promised to fix things. Who could get money.
Joe staggered down the hallway. Room 301. The door swung on its hinges. He entered. Burst in upon a deal going down. A black man and a white man looked up with bruised faces, murderous eyes. There was a pile of bags on the naked floor. Heroin. At the same moment, a door opened and a spray of gunfire spewed out. Joe had just enough time to see a Tech-10 assault pistol methodically chew up the two men. Then the bullets tore into him, and he started to tumble down a long corridor, toward a bright light, where his sister Joanna stood waiting.
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If you like what you're reading, please send at least two other avid readers to this website.
—Thank you! …Your grateful author, John T. Cullen.
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Other gripping books by the author:
Copyright © 2005 by John T. Cullen. All Rights Reserved.
John T. Cullen has been a pioneer in digital publishing since 1996. He is listed by digital publishing historian Karen Wiesner as the sixth digital publisher in history, and the second person to publish serialized chapters on line (starting 1996). His web magazine Deep Outside SFFH was the first to be listed along with the professional pulps in Writer's Market (1999) and was at one time the oldest professional SFFH magazine in the world. John T. Cullen continues to explore new ways to adapt the primordial power of storytelling to emerging new digital opportunities as the Third Millennium springs to light.
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A Walk in Ancient Rome John T. Cullen (Simon&Schuster May 2005) innovative, acclaimed walking & teaching tour—explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history—smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome.
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= Summer 2008 =
A Walk in Ancient Rome, Second Edition John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books 2008)—New! Many new maps; images from the unique scale model of AndréCaron of Quebec. Read this innovative book, with its acclaimed walking & teaching tour. Explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history. Smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome. The new edition is bigger, like an atlas. Some people have carried the 1st edition with them to Rome, and found it ggreatly enhanced their experience. Preorders start Spring 2008.
Dead Move: Kate Morgan and the Haunting Mystery of Coronado, 2nd Ed. John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books, San Diego, Summer 2008). John T. Cullen has tackled the mystery of the ghost at the Hotel del Coronado. He has assembled a dramatic new theory about how and why she violently died on the back steps of the hotel in 1892. A first-class ghost story and whodunit wrapped in one. Don't miss it! Preorders start Spring 2008.
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