Joe Lansdale's back with a new novel, and it's about time. For many of you, that's all you needed to know, and you've stopped reading this and gone out to buy the book. But you can't get it yet, heh heh. Release date is Feb 13, and only powerful and influential bloggers such as myself have been able to get a look at it. Let's just say that I read it straight through in one sitting and that when you're lucky enough to join me in reading it, you won't be disappointed.Oh, what the hell. Let's say more than that. Let's say that Harry Wilkes, because of a childhood illness, is left with the ability to "hear" the past, the violent past, that is. "It's like I hear and see ghosts in sounds," he says. This is a curse, of course, and Harry eventually becomes a drunk to avoid the visions.
After a while Harry meets another drunk, Tad, who's a former martial arts teacher. Together they try to get sober and find their centers. This works out pretty well, until the past shows up again, this time in the form of Kayla, a cop who knew Harry when they were kids. She wants him to use his ability to help her find out the truth about her father's death. Eventually Harry gives in, and what he "sees" doesn't improve things at all, certainly not for Harry, Tad, and Kayla.
Like the best of Lansdale's work, this book has all the moves: action, humor, political incorrectness, and fine storytelling. Check it out as soon as you can, and you'll see what I mean.
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