Rating:  Summary: A so-so return for Hap & Leonard. Review: RUMBLE TUMBLE is the fifth in the Hap & Leonard series, a mostly crime/mystery serial. This novel has Hap & Leonard searching for Brett's, Hap's girlfriend, daughter who has been prostituting for a tough guy, Big Jim in Oklahoma. Hap & Leonard run into a colorful cast of outlaws and outcasts on their search. The climax is when they find Tillie, Brett's daughter, in a Mexico compound and the surgical strike they perform is excellent, action-filled drama. Unfortunately, I feel that the dynamic duo is wearing thin on me, the dialogue, usually so funny, is a bit stale and feels like we've been there before, which we have. I think if Lansdale concentrated on some other projects before the next novel, it would help incredibly. Recommended for Hap & Leonard fans.
Rating:  Summary: A so-so return for Hap & Leonard. Review: RUMBLE TUMBLE is the fifth in the Hap & Leonard series, a mostly crime/mystery serial. This novel has Hap & Leonard searching for Brett's, Hap's girlfriend, daughter who has been prostituting for a tough guy, Big Jim in Oklahoma. Hap & Leonard run into a colorful cast of outlaws and outcasts on their search. The climax is when they find Tillie, Brett's daughter, in a Mexico compound and the surgical strike they perform is excellent, action-filled drama. Unfortunately, I feel that the dynamic duo is wearing thin on me, the dialogue, usually so funny, is a bit stale and feels like we've been there before, which we have. I think if Lansdale concentrated on some other projects before the next novel, it would help incredibly. Recommended for Hap & Leonard fans.
Rating:  Summary: THE "HAP COLLINS/LEONARD PINE" SERIES IS ONE OF THE BEST!!! Review: RUMBLE TUMBLE, the fifth novel in the series, by Joe R. Lansdale continues the saga of Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, beginning where BAD CHILI left off. It all starts when Hap's girlfriend, Brett Sawyer, tells him that a man called on the telephone and said that he had news about her wayward daughter, Tillie, but that it's going to cost her five hundred dollars to find out what it is. Hap and Leonard (think Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson--thanks, Dale!), accompanies Brett to the seedy motel where the voice on the phone is staying. It turns out there are two men at the motel--a redheaded midget with an attitude the size of King Kong and a stupid giant-size piece of white trash who thinks he's tougher than he actually is. Both guys want to make some quick money by telling Brett that her daughter, who's a prostitute, is being held against her will in Hootie Hoot, Oklahoma by the local crime lord, Big Jim Clemente. Naturally, it isn't long before Hap, Leonard, and Brett are heading to Hootie Hoot to rescue the trick-turning prodigal, but nothing is ever easy for these folks. After a big confrontation and a shootout in Big Jim's house of ill repute, the trio finds out that Tillie's been sent to Mexico to sexually service a gang of bikers called the Bandito Supremes as punishment for a misdeed. Hap and Leonard are two tough hombres, but the odds against rescuing Brett's daughter just got considerably higher with the addition of a biker gang of killers. Before the week is over, our two favorite amigos are going to have to deal with the treachery of a midget that can do handstands, an ex-biker turned preacher who wants redemption for his past deeds, a Texas armadillo in need of little friendship and kindness, and a shootout in old Mexico that will remind you of the ending in the movie, The Wild Bunch. RUMBLE TUMBLE delivers with full force the fun and excitement expected from any 'Hap Collins/Leonard Pine' novel. The characters are deftly drawn, the dialogue is true to the ear, and the story line has all of the necessary ingredients to fulfill one's desire for action, suspense and drama. Mr. Lansdale has created Hap and Leonard with not only a strong sense of humor, but with an avid sense of justice and honor. These two men also have a profound view of life and how to live it that gives the reader an opportunity to think about his or her own belief system. This fantastic series is more than just popcorn entertainment for the masses. It's a great author's attempt to tell a good story, while at the same time reflecting on what it means to be a decent human being and staying true to one's values. I can't recommend the 'Hap/Leonard' novels enough. This is writing that has power and honesty, and is able to touch the heart, as well as the funny bone. Now, it's time to pick up MUCHO MOJO, the third book in the series, and find out what the dysfunctional duo was like before Brett came into the picture.
Rating:  Summary: A stinkin' wallerin' rotten read. Review: Sorry Landale fans - this was my first read of his, and I thought it was just awful. While the stylized writing is cute, it wears thin after a while, like eating at the same BBQ joint every night. I found the black gay character a little contrived (double minority; gee, the writer must be so open minded) and the descriptions of people completely two-dimensional (example: all six bad guys in one fight scene are completely identical) Thanks, but no thanks: I'll pass on the 2nd half of this book and all other Landsdale.
Rating:  Summary: Not a grumble when it comes to RUMBLE TUMBLE... Review: The characters, as always, are satisfyingly realistic. The author's handling of their futures is also optimistic while at the same time remaining realistic. The women of importance survive in this story; a quality that must NOT be undervalued in modern stories. I've become curious to see if the daughter-prostitute will be the subject of Leonard's or Hap's wickedly weird logic, in an effort to get her to kick her rotten lifestyle. That might be a good exercise for Joe to attempt -- in the midst, of course, of more righteous mayhem and ass-kicking. Of course, Joe could always take the low road, the easy sleazy, and get the hooker knocked off in the next Hap-Leo saga. If that happens... Well, I don't think it will, that's all. What I mean is this: Joe's too supportive of his audience, and properly cares for us readers to let that kind of snappy-crappy happen to a character who bears some significant relationship to an emerging character of importance in the Hap-Leo equation. (Just don't have Hap or Leonard be eating no jellified hog jowls, is all, and we'll all keep our dinners in our stomaches, okay?)Keep up the outrageously fine work, Joe!
Rating:  Summary: gut wrenching humour Review: this book should not be read by people who havent a quirky sense of humour, and who mind crudeness.
Rating:  Summary: The Best Yet in the Hap & Leonard Series! Review: This one had me laughing and turning the pages and I couldn't put it down. In the end, it was sad. I was disappointed in The 2-Vaer Mambo, but got back on with Bad Chili, and now with Rumble Tumble, I'm hooked, and can't wait until next year to read the next one, Captain Outrageous. Hap and Lenoard are the low-life Spencer and Hawk. I feel for Hap...after all he does, and in the end, Brett deserts him. She'll probably die later on in the series, like many of Hap's women.
Rating:  Summary: A Fun Romp Review: This was the second Joe Lansdale book I read, and the first novel in this seris. To be honest, I didn't even know it was part of a series when I picked it up. The beauty is, it didn't matter. 'Rumble Tumble' was a fun book with good characters that didn't need knowledge of a huge backstory. I enjoyed the main character of Hap the best. He's a good man who'll do whats right, but he's not necessarily a brave man. Writing such a macho, roughneck type book, it must be tempting to make the main character a one-dimensional badass, but the people who populate this story are truly interesting characters. Can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Rating:  Summary: A good read Review: Tillie earned a living in Tulsa as a prostitute. Her last letter to her mother Brett Sawyer, living in East Texas, was actually upbeat as her pimp stopped beating her and her clientele was improving. When Hap Collins goes to visit Brett, he finds his lover is very distraught. Apparently, some guy staying at a nearby hotel had information about Tillie, which he is willing to sell to her for $500. Joe accompanies Brett to the hotel where they meet Red, a midget, who, until he was caught dipping into the till, worked for Jim Clemente, the head honcho of illegal activities throughout Oklahoma. Red informs the pair that Jim has assigned Tillie to work her tricks at "The Farm" where a large Neo-Nazi contingent use women until they drop dead. Hap and Brett, accompanied by their friend Leonard Pine and a killer cum preacher decide to more than just rescue Brett. They plan to kick some butt. RUMBLE TUMBLE is not for everyone even though Joe R. Lansdale's latest novel is as outrageous as usual. The story line is action-packed and extremely humorous as any thoughts of acceptable norms of behavior are constantly nuked by this motley group of lunatics. However, like all of the well-written Collins-Pine novels, this book contains the highest levels of suspense possible to be found in this type of story. Being on Hap's team in a Mr. Lansdale tale is a roller coaster ride into danger, thrills and chills. This is the best novel in one of the best off-beat, zany series on the market today. Harriet Klausner
Rating:  Summary: Lansdale always has a winner Review: Tillie earned a living in Tulsa as a prostitution. Her last letter to her mother Brett Sawyer, living in East Texas, was actually upbeat as her pimp stopped beating her and her clientele was improving. When Hap Collins goes to visit Brett, he finds his lover is very distraught. Apparently, some guy staying at a nearby hotel had information about Tillie, which he is willing to sell to her for $500. Joe accompanies Brett to the hotel where they meet Red, a midget, who until he was caught dipping into the till, worked for Jim Clemente, the head honcho of illegal activities throughout Oklahoma. not only is Jim after Red, he has assigned Tillie to work her tricks at "The Farm" where a large Neo-Nazi contingent use women until they drop dead. Hap and Brett, accompanied by their friend Leonard Pine and a killer cum preacher decide to more than just rescue Brett. They plan to kick some butt. RUMBLE TUMBLE is not for everyone even though Joe R. Landale's latest novel is as outrageous as usual. The story line is action-packed and extremely humorous as any thoughts of acceptable norms of behavior are constantly nuked by this motley group of lunatics. However, like all of the well-written Collins-Pine novels, this book contains the highest levels of suspense as unlike Superman who somehow returned to life, anyone can be blown away or survive, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, or that your on Hap's' team in a Mr. Lansdale tale. This is the best novel in one of the best off-beat, zany series on the market today. Harriet Klausner
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