Bull

In Bull, Mark Sinnett's first full-length collection of short fiction, the local bar is full of ancient stuffed birds, punk rockers and women in sea-blue bodysuits. Somewhere outside, a motel swimming pool harbours synchro-swim Olympians, a weatherman confused by the randomness of the world knocks off a dog, and a vengeful Chicago cowboy works on his disguise: a lousy Scottish accent.

These are stories populated by the lost and distracted, dread-filled existentialists and die-hard romantics; all of them are hunting for answers, a purpose, or maybe even just a glimpse at real happiness.