Books by Matt Phillips

The concept of the parasite - 'one who eats at the table of another' - was mobilized by Michel Serres in 1980 to figure disruptions and breakdowns in society and communication. The chapters of this volume explore the concept in French literature, film, art and philosophy, demonstrating the new and continued relevance of the figure of the parasite.

Three linked crime novellas that follow working class antiheroes as they indulge in theft, murder, and lawless shenanigans. Ain't no cops running things out this way. In "Mesa Boys," Ronnie plots a haphazard heist with a twisted con man. In "The Feud," tough-as-nails Rex lets his resentment for a local pot dealer cloud his judgement. And, in "Bar Burning," a mysterious drifter goes toe-to-toe with his new lady's psychotic ex-husband. Accidental Outlaws is a hellfire ride through working class America's angsty underbelly. Praise for ACCIDENTAL OUTLAWS: "The hardest hitting rural noir I've read in ages, like a mule-kick in the teeth." -CS DeWildt, author of Love You to a Pulp and Kill 'Em with Kindness "Just sh*t loads of good fun...trailer trash noir at its very best." -Grant Nicol, author of On a Small Island, The Mistake, A Place To Bury Strangers and Out On The Ice "Matt Phillips speaks fluently the language of the dispossessed... His whiskey-soaked prose can at times be as slick as a man slinging snake-oil, and other times as brutal as a baseball bat to the head." -Eryk Pruitt, author of Hashtag and Dirtbags "Phillips' writing is so multi-layered and deep...An author to watch out for." -Regular Guy Reading Noir

For ex-con and pool cleaning man Jess Forsyth, life is a California rhythm of surf, work, tacos, and drink. He's gone straight, and he's happy with that...sort of. When he runs into an old pal, Jess finds himself taking money (and pride) from a well-heeled drug dealer. But things get twisted. On the journey that follows, Jess discovers you can't escape what you are, especially when there's cash for the taking. There are three kinds of fool in this life-the lost, the guilty, and the dead. But who the heck is who? Praise for THREE KINDS OF FOOL: "Reminiscent of Irvine Welsh's Crime but with that Southern Californian feel that only sex, guns, drugs, murder and surfboards can bring to the party..." -Grant Nicol, author of A Place To Bury Strangers "Three Kinds of Fool starts off with a bang and never lets up." -Craig Faustus Buck, author of Go Down Hard "Jess has gotten himself neck deep in some serious sh*t...I quite enjoyed Three Kinds of Fool." -David Nemeth at UnlawfulActs.net "[Phillips] paints sharp, cutting scenes...He peppers the action with tight quips, imagining a very true world through a very discerning set of eyes." -Tim Learn, author of the Chewy Noh series