Peter Plate Livres

It’s Christmastime in the Southland in this near-future vision of 21st century California. Our narrators, an ex-con turned pistol-carrying priest, and Sugar Child, a halfway house resident, have just met. The priest is a donations solicitor for Blessed World, the church and charity, and works downtown, “where I bang a tambourine and beg for money in the mellifluous, singsong voice beloved by children Help the needy, give to the poor, amen.” But nothing is going right. Hassled by SWAT cops, and troubled after a failed marriage, he’s losing faith in himself. Sugar Child has her own problems. She’s arrested by SWAT police, and sent to “lockdown.” Her opinion of the priest is no She’s never met a man who was stronger than a woman. Looking at him, she never will.As the days speed toward Christmas—holiday shoppers aren’t giving him any money—the priest wonders whether there isn’t some new mission awaiting him, one that’ll help the people in the street, or perhaps one that will lead to his imprisonment. And as he bangs on his tambourine it becomes clear that the one thing he wants most is to take Sugar Child to the “promised land,” because what would Christmas be this year without an act of freedom.A novel that is also a psychic history in a time of attrition, With Death Laughing is a utopian crime story where the line between thievery and charity all but disappears.

Doojie, a small-time dealer living in a garage, navigates a dangerous world with his partners while selling low-quality dope. Everything shifts dramatically when he witnesses a rogue cop kill an unarmed Mexican, thrusting him and his friends into a perilous situation. This fast-paced, gritty narrative captures the essence of contemporary noir, showcasing the struggles of its characters against a backdrop of violence and moral ambiguity, marking a significant entry in the Peter Plate collection.

Set against the backdrop of a fully gentrified San Francisco, the narrative explores the profound changes and challenges faced by the city's diverse communities. It delves into the impact of gentrification on culture, identity, and social dynamics, highlighting the struggles of long-time residents as they navigate a rapidly evolving urban landscape. Through vivid storytelling, the book captures the tension between progress and preservation, revealing the complexities of modern city life.

One foggy day in San Francisco brings together bloody ghosts, a dandyish thug, capricious cops, a suicidal punk rocker, a hyperliterate slumlord, and a sweet old lady sent by God to hand out cash from a hijacked armored car. In Fogtown, Peter Plate uses a loving hand to carve his characters out of hallucination, perversity, and tenacity. Plate's noir sensibility gives him special fluency with the weary souls of urban America's down and out; Fogtown describes a new age unmistakably built on the twentieth century of Nelson Algren and Charles Bukowski.

In a gritty urban landscape, Ricky Durrutti, a petty criminal, must unravel the mystery behind a cop's murder to save his own life. The narrative unfolds across various city locations, showcasing a diverse cast, including Salvadoreno gangs, Jewish gangsters, and street-level characters like drag queens and addicts. As Durrutti navigates this chaotic world, the story reflects a raw, contemporary vibe reminiscent of literary giants Nelson Algren and Charles Bukowski, immersing readers in the struggles of low-lives striving for clarity amidst violence and chaos.

Set against a backdrop of crime and chaos, the story unfolds in the Department of Social Services in San Francisco, where social worker Charlene Hassler navigates a world rife with danger and betrayal. Amidst investigations and violence, including a co-worker's murder and personal attacks, Charlene's resilience shines through. The narrative explores themes of human vulnerability, unexpected heroism, and the complexities of relationships as Charlene confronts challenges and ultimately seeks personal fulfillment amidst the turmoil.

Set against the backdrop of a sweltering Christmas in San Francisco, the story follows Robert Grogan and Slatts Calhoun, who are reintegrating into society after serving time in San Quentin. Their past as inmates and lovers complicates Robert's return, as he faces the challenge of reconciling his relationship with his young wife and daughter, who are unaware of his connection with Slatts. As they navigate their new lives, tension looms in the bright winter sunlight, hinting at the struggles ahead.

After surviving a gunshot wound to the head, Ricky Bellamy awakens from a ten-month coma with a bullet lodged in his brain, deemed inoperable by doctors. This traumatic experience grants him unusual abilities, which he refers to as "visions" or a "third eye." As he navigates life with these newfound powers, the story explores themes of survival, transformation, and the impact of violence on the human psyche.

"California is on fire. Everyone has the virus. Sinister patrols of SWAT teams seem to materialize out of thin air, and if you're not careful, you'll end up exiled down in Bakersfield. In the middle of it all, the fourteen-year-old narrator in Night of the Short Eyes must take care of his mess of a family--Dad is in jail for stealing guns with his partner, Ronnie, and Mom is shacking up with the social worker assigned to the family's case--and he only has one thing to his advantage: he speaks perfect English. Refugees from Russia stream into San Francisco as our narrator approaches his next birthday. His younger brother (nicknamed Putin, "on account of his broken English and heavy accent.") seems determined to make trouble if he cannot find it himself. Which shouldn't be hard when even crossing the street is a walk on the dangerous side. In this world of worsening climate disasters, and set against the backdrop of a cold war that never ended, Night of the Short Eyes may be former San Francisco Literary Laureate Peter Plate's most outrageous novel yet. Written with lyrical grace and propulsive momentum, Plate's latest vision of California is so warped that it just might come to pass"-- Provided by publisher