Willeford's early writings always remind me of how wryly funny he could be and how ludicrous the directions he was willing to take his stories before he started delivering more polished thoroughly plotted works in his later career. But it's always important to look at the roots.

Short story collection from one of my favorite noir authors. Willeford is all over the map here, trying his hand at psychological horror, absurdist fable, and the occasional Twilight Zone piece.

In Willeford's own words: "I had a hunch that madness was a predominant theme and normal condition for Americans living in the second half of this century."