(1997) Joe R. Lansdale, Gollancz, £9.99, trdpbk, 292pp, ISBN 0-575-06534-6
This is the fourth book containing the continuing story of Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, two Texans who are a magnet for trouble of the criminal kind. The previous three books, Savage Season, Mucho Mojo and The Two-Bear Mambo are wonderfully funny, tightly written marvels of the 'mystery' genre. This fourth offering also stars Jim Bob Luke, from Cold In July, a private detective unlike any you've met before.
In this novel Leonard's boyfriend, Raul, meets his end, but who's behind it? The Chili king, an undercover cop, or the ex-wrestler turned video porn maker? The fast-talking, wise-cracking duo must find out, aided by Jim Bob, before they end up as statistics themselves. I would highly recommend you get to read as much Joe Lansdale as you can, and I'm not just saying that because he's an incredibly nice guy and considerably bigger than me...
Tony Chester
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