He has been called “hilarious . . . refreshing . . . a terrifically gifted storyteller with a sharp country-boy wit” (Washington Post Book World), and praised for his “folklorist’s eye for telling detail and [his] front-porch raconteur’s sense of pace” (New York Times Book Review). Now, Joe R. Landsdale gives us a fast-moving, electrifying new novel: a murder mystery set in a steamy backwater of Depression-era East Texas. It begins with an explosion: Sunset Jones kills her husband with a bullet to the brain. Never mind that he was raping her. Pete Jones was constable of the small sawmill town of Camp Rapture (“Camp Rupture” to the local blacks), where no woman, least of all Pete's, refuses her husband what he wants. So most everyone is surprised and angry when, thanks to the unexpected understanding of her mother-in-law—three-quarter owner of the mill—Sunset is named the new constable. And they're even more surprised when she dares to take the job seriously: beginning an investigation into the murder of a woman and an unborn baby whose oil-drenched bodies are discovered buried on land belonging to the only black landowner in town. Yet no one is more surprised than Sunset herself when the murders lead her—through a labyrinth of greed, corruption, and unspeakable malice—not only to the shocking conclusion of the case, but to a well of inner strength she never knew she had. Landsdale brings the thick backwoods and swamps of East Texas vividly to life, and he paints a powerfully evocative picture of a time when Jim Crow and the Klan ruled virtually unopposed, when the oil boom was rolling into and over Texas, when any woman who didn't know her place was considered a threat and a target. In Sunset, he gives us a woman who defies all expectations, wrestling a different place for herself with spirit and spit, cunning and courage. And in Sunset and Sawdust he gives us a wildly energetic novel—galvanizing from first to last.
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"My first Lansdale book. The characters are interesting. Situations in the book vary from humorous to brutal. Lansdale seems to have a grasp of creating sensible motivations for his characters whether they be protagonists or antagonists. I especially enjoyed how he created a picture of Depression-era Texas that didn't require any foreknowledge." — Dan (4 out of 5 stars)
"My first Lansdale book. The characters are interesting. Situations in the book vary from humorous to brutal. Lansdale seems to have a grasp of creating sensible motivations for his characters whether they be protagonists or antagonists. I especially enjoyed how he created a picture of Depression-era Texas that didn't require any foreknowledge."
" I'd give this 3.5 if I could. It's pretty raw and quirky, but I was definitely entertained. I'll give Lansdale another try in the future. "
" One of the rare Lansdale books I hadn't read. Nice little yarn. Always a good time with Joe. "
" This is a good quick read. Just like most of Joe R. Lansdales books. I would recommend it, just don't be bothered by the use of the N word as it is on just about every page. But it was in the old south so just don't be offended by it. All in all it is a good story. About a woman who must take back the power taken from her by a wife beating rapist. "
" Hilarity and a really high body-count. This is the first Landsdale book I ever read, and I've been sucking them down like cheap beer ever since. "
" This is my first Lansdale. Right from the start, I was laughing more than I've laughed in a long time. "
" This book was just okay. It starts off too slow for my tastes but I went ahead and read it all. It was confusing because some of the details seemed too present tensed for the fact that its actually more of a western story. "
" Very enjoyably entertaining, as is the case with Lansdale's latest, full-length novels. "
" This is my first Joe Lansdale book and I am loving it. Very visceral descriptions. "
" i love this guy and he's always a great writer, but sometimes his actual stories are hit and miss. I should have trusted my gut instinct and given up 100 pages before the end "
" A rough, wild and violent story set like a western on steroids. Very good story and the characters are awesome. I would love to read a follow up to this novel. A cool book. "
" I really like his books. But, don't read them unless you're ok with violence. "
" Great I think its just as good as The Bottoms if not better "
" Stopped reading at 40%. Not my cup of tea. "
" I loved the way this book was written. Thoroughly engrossing and yet it never took itself too seriously. My friend Tommy gave it to me for my birthday one year and I sat down and devoured it in one weekend. It made me laugh out loud inappropriately, which is one of the signs of a very good book. "
" This was a fun read, kind of silly, but fun. "
" Just finished! Very good book, fun and thrilling at the same time! "
" I don't usually pick stories that are set in the old Wild West. This was pretty good. After a while, I figured out who the crooks were and the nature of the scam, but it was still interesting to read through. "
" I love this book. My favorite non Hap and Leonard novel by Champion Joe. "
" A solid, occasionally hilarious, murder mystery set in Depression-era East Texas. A bit Elmore Leonard-ish, without being derivative. "
" The main character is a redhead. Why are books involving a redheaded woman as the protagonist so great? I have no idea... hahaha. "
" Good read, but not as enjoyable as The Bottoms. "
" A rip-roaring and often hilarious thriller written with voice, color and authority. The ending is a wee bit unsatisfying, but you know what, I'm sure that's how the characters felt, too, so it actually works quite well. "
" This was a rough, rough read for me. I'm not saying it's not a good book, but I think in the end it was too raw for my taste. Don't get me wrong, it's very well-written and made me laugh out loud several times. Just...raw. "
" Another great read from Joe R Lansdale. The characters are fleshed out quickly, entwined in a fast paced plot. A real page turner, from a shocking opening with some truly malevolent characters. "
Joe R. Lansdale is the author of nearly four dozen novels, including the Edgar Award–winning The Bottoms. He has received nine Bram Stoker Awards, the American Mystery Award, the British Fantasy Award, a Critics’ Choice Award, and the Grinzane Cavour Prize for Literature, among others. His novella Bubba Ho-Tep was adapted to film by Don Coscarelli.
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