Monday 14 October 2013

CRIME THRILLER REVIEW: The Thicket - Joe R Lansdale

Release Date: 06/09/13
Publisher:  Mulholland Books

SYNOPSIS:

Acclaimed author Joe Lansdale's landmark tale of love and vengeance at the dark dawn of the East Texas oil boom. Jack Parker knows all too well how treacherous life can be. His parents did not survive a smallpox epidemic. His grandfather was murdered. Now his sister Lula has been kidnapped by a bank robber. Alongside bounty hunter Shorty, an eloquent dwarf with a chip on his shoulder, and Eustace, the grave-digging son of an ex-slave, Jack sets off to rescue Lula. In turn-of-the-century Texas, that quest is likely to turn dangerous. Murderous outlaws find their homes in the remote wilderness. Oil wells spurt liquid money from the ground. And blood and redemption still rule supreme.


REVIEW:

I love a crime mystery that tries to do something a little different and whilst this book is set last century it has all the wonderful delight of bringing an old west to the modern reader as the principle protagonist brings together perhaps the strangest posse to help rescue his captured sister.

Its definitely quirky, has hints of Louis L’Amour and to be honest was definitely something that I had a lot of fun reading. I loved the principle character and the interactions between the supporting cast, add to this an author who clearly has a love of the old west as he weaves magical story bringing the best as well as the worst to the fore. Add to this great pose and pace, some wonderful turns of phrase as well as a colourful use of dialogue and all round I was more than a happy reader.

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