Fire in the Hole (book adapted as the TV series "Justified")

Fire in the Hole is a collection of short stories written by American author Elmore Leonard. It includes the story "Fire in the Hole" which was later adapted into the popular television series "Justified".

The book is set in Harlan County, Kentucky, a rural and mountainous area known for its coal mining. The main character is US Marshal Raylan Givens, who has returned to his hometown after being sent away for shooting a man in Miami. Givens is a tough and principled lawman who is not afraid to use force to get the job done.

In "Fire in the Hole", Givens is called to Harlan County to deal with Boyd Crowder, a former friend turned criminal. Crowder is trying to steal explosives from a mining company to use in his own criminal enterprise. Givens confronts Crowder, and the two men engage in a tense and violent showdown.

Other stories in the collection feature Givens dealing with various criminals and ne'er-do-wells, from a bank robber planning a heist to a young man on the run from the law. The stories are all set in the same world and feature many of the same characters, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative.

One of the strengths of the book is Leonard's ability to create vivid and memorable characters, even in the short format of a short story. Each character is given a distinct voice and personality, making them feel like real people rather than stock characters. Additionally, Leonard's dialogue is sharp and witty, full of the idiosyncrasies and rhythms of real-life conversation.

SUMMARY: Fire in the Hole is a gripping and entertaining collection of stories that showcases Elmore Leonard's skill as a writer. The book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and those interested in the rural and mountainous culture of Harlan County, Kentucky.

Get the Book: Digital Book (Apple Books)

Get the Television Series: Digital TV Series (AppleTV)