Eli Cranor

Eli Cranor's debut is a mash-up of Friday Night Lights and the Southern noir. Trent Powers relocates his family from Anaheim to Arkansas to take over as head coach of the Denton Pirates, a high school football team powered by a volatile but talented running back named Billy Lowe. Billy comes from an extremely troubled home: a trailer park where he is terrorized by his unstable mother's abusive boyfriend. Billy takes out his anger on the field, and it's not long before he crosses a line. Instead of punishing him, though, Trent takes Billy into his home, hoping to protect his star player as the Pirates begin their playoff run. But when Billy's stepfather is found murdered, nothing can stop an explosive chain of violence that could tear the town apart. WINNER OF THE PETER LOVESEY FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST

Don't Know Tough

Ozark Dogs

'A searing and stunningly poignant study in what makes us and what breaks us' S. A. Cosby, New York Times bestselling author of Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland 'A gripping novel about rage and trauma, redemption and damnation, football and family' Steph Cha Friday Night Lights with a Southern Gothic twist - a powerful debut noir for fans of S. A. Cosby and Megan Abbott. In Denton, Arkansas, the fate of the high school football team rests on the shoulders of Billy Lowe, a volatile but talented running back. Billy comes from an extremely troubled home: a trailer park where he is terrorized by his unstable mother's abusive boyfriend. Billy takes out his anger on the field, but when his savagery crosses a line, he faces suspension. Without Billy Lowe, the Denton Pirates can kiss their playoff bid goodbye. But the head coach, Trent Powers, who just moved from California with his wife and two children for this job, has more than just his paycheck riding on Billy's bad behavior. As a born-again Christian, Trent feels a divine calling to save Billy-save him from his circumstances, and save his soul. Then Billy's abuser is found murdered in the Lowe family trailer, and all evidence points toward Billy. Now nothing can stop an explosive chain of violence that could tear the whole town apart on the eve of the playoffs. WINNER OF THE PETER LOVESEY FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST A USA Today Best Book of the Year (So Far) An Amazon Editor's Pick CrimeReads Most Anticipated Books of 2022 New York Post Top Reads for the Week 'Southern noir at its finest, a cauldron of terrible choices and even more terrible outcomes' The New York Times Book Review

'Southern noir at its finest' NEW YORK TIMES

Former professional QB turned award-winning author Eli Cranor reminds readers that sports should be FUN in this laugh-out-loud story about a late-blooming sports fanatic who just can't wait to "grow up." A must-read for young athletes ages 8-13!When Jeff Bernstein arrives at the Jacksonville Jocks' first 7th grade football practice, he fully expects to be the starting QB. There's just one problem: the other boys are HUGE! Some of them even have armpit hair! Before Jeff can figure out what's happened, Coach Max-the Jocks' crazy new coach-kicks him off the team and makes him the mascot. Heartbroken, Jeff reluctantly puts on the musty "Jock" uniform, but then he starts to GROW! And grow, until Jeff's the biggest-hairiest-Jock in 7th grade! But will his newfound power be enough to save his teammates from becoming beefed-up Coach Max clones? Fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green will enjoy this hilarious, middle grade sports story with a superhero twist. Drawing from his own career, as well as years spent writing a nationally-syndicated sports column, Cranor's penned the perfect book for parents hoping to get their young athletes reading again!

Jock Boy

Friday Night Lights gone dark with Southern Gothic; Eli Cranor delivers a powerful noir that will appeal to fans of Wiley Cash and Megan Abbott. In Denton, Arkansas, the fate of the high school football team rests on the shoulders of Billy Lowe, a volatile but talented running back. Billy comes from an extremely troubled home: a trailer park where he is terrorized by his unstable mother’s abusive boyfriend. Billy takes out his anger on the field, but when his savagery crosses a line, he faces suspension. Without Billy Lowe, the Denton Pirates can kiss their playoff bid goodbye. But the head coach, Trent Powers, who just moved from California with his wife and two children for this job, has more than just his paycheck riding on Billy’s bad behavior. As a born-again Christian, Trent feels a divine calling to save Billy—save him from his circumstances, and save his soul. Then Billy’s abuser is found murdered in the Lowe family trailer, and all evidence points toward Billy. Now nothing can stop an explosive chain of violence that could tear the whole town apart on the eve of the playoffs. WINNER OF THE PETER LOVESEY FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST

Eli Cranor

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