Working It Off in Labor County: Stories

"There's a country song on every page. . . . These characters want out, want in, yearn for some luck, lose whatever fortunes appear in their lives. This collection's a keeper, worthy of shelf space between Larry Brown and Merle Haggard."
George Singleton, author of You Want More: Selected Stories

"Energetic, humorous, and full of heart. Thacker's voice feels fresh and alive."
Jonathan Corcoran, author of The Rope Swing

"Thacker's linked collection is a carnival ride of southern gothic tales and freak-show oddities. . . . Hilarious, yes, but it's also a thoughtful exploration of the residents of Labor County, Kentucky, who are desperate to pull meaning out of loss."
Marie Manilla, author of The Patron Saint of Ugly

"Larry Thacker's stories have bark, but they also have bite. These Labor County people aren't real, I keep telling myself that. They are just figments a writer made up in his head. But when you come away from this book, you'll feel that you've encountered a cast of characters who are going to stay with you-like newfound kin or a bad feeling in the bottom of your brain. Thacker writes like a wild man with a mean streak, breaking your tired heart all along the way."
Charles Dodd White, author of How Fire Runs and In the House of Wilderness

"A rollicking portrayal of small-town Kentucky life . . . unified by strong narrative drive and well-crafted prose. Fans of George Singleton will love this."
Publishers Weekly