I had been distressed by the increasing violence and vulgarity of the books, but this one seems to get back to some of the heart that really gives the series it’s appeal. Don’t worry, there is still a house full of testicles in jars. I am assuming the ending is a totally uncalled for sham. Be forewarned , upsetting ( )

Good in-the-background listening. This is my second listen in the series but I've never read one and haven't thought critically about it. ( )

I don't think there's many authors that could take a series, 11 books in, and keep it not only fresh and fun, but poignant and real as well.

Lansdale can.

This series is strange in that it's just a story of two good ol' boys who magnets for trouble and death. But, on the other hand, this series is about so much more. There's hidden depths here.

And the writing, while continuing to be wonderful and hilarious, also is created with the care and craftmanship of a poet, albeit a foul-mouthed one.

I cannot express how much I love this series.

If I have one complaint, it's this: I didn't mind the author mentioning his daughter in a passing conversation. No problem. But to then bring her up again later, highlighting both her album and a specific song? Bit too heavy-handed on the product placement.

But that is my one and only complaint about this novel. I loved it. ( )

Honky Tonk Samurai is a Hap and Leonard novel. It was touching, action packed and hilarious all at the same time. But the end! The ending just slayed me.

This time around the buddies take on a case for an elderly, and not at all pleasant woman, Lilly. Lilly saw them set a man straight after they discovered him abusing his dog, (now Hap's dog), and hires them to find her thieving, estranged grand-daughter. Alongside that plot line is another, concerning Hap's past showing up on his doorstep to throw a monkey wrench into his life with his wife, Brett.

From there, a crazy cast of characters enter the picture and the story takes off. We have a beautiful woman called Frank, a half insane guy named Booger, the ultra cocky Jim-Bob (P.I.), and Vanilla Sky, just to name a few. The action ensues, the pacing never slows, and the wonderful relationship between Hap and Leonard deepens even more.

I'm a late comer to this series and I've read my first two H & L's out of order, (my friend Dan assured me it would be okay to do so), but all that has accomplished is to make me want to tackle the rest of them and RIGHT NOW. Good thing this is my Year of Lansdale, and I have set aside ample time to tackle the rest of this series and hopefully, more of his older work as well.

Highly recommended to fans of Joe Lansdale, but especially to fans of the Hap and Leonard series!

You can buy your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Honky-Tonk-Samurai-Hap-Leonard/dp/1444787217/ref=tmm_pap_t...

**In case you haven't heard, Hap and Leonard is now a series on the Sundance Channel. It's most excellent thus far.**


*I received a free e-copy of this book via Net Galley and the publisher, in exchange for my honest review. This is it.* ( )

“That’s love for you. When it’s good, it’s magic. When it isn’t, it just pees all in your soup.”
Ahh, Mr. Lansdale. Such a way with words...

LOVED the character Lilly Buckner, the straight talking, foul mouthed old lady that hires Hap and Leonard to find her granddaughter! Her dialogue is vulgarly precious! And Jim Bob and his Red Bitch are in here too! Again, more vulgarly precious language! Add yet another favorite from past books, and a nutcase named Booger, and you have a rag-tag team formed to take on the Canceler!

Another great H&L book! And it has one of the bleakest endings yet! I might have to re-read "Rusty Puppy" to remember what happens next! Aww, shucks! ( )