I've really become a fan of Lansdale after reading most of his Hap and Leonard series as well as several of his stand alones. His novels are always hard-hitting and full of grit showing the darker side of the human experience and always touched with his sardonic humor.
In this one, Cason Statler, a reporter who was nominated for a Pulitzer, comes home to Camp Rapture, Texas to work for the local newspaper the Camp Rapture Report. He returns to his hometown because of a scandal he caused in Houston over boning his boss' late forties wife and thirty something daughter which pretty much ended his career as a journalist. But the cranky editor of the Report gives him a chance to redeem himself even though she is unhappy that he always appears to be hung over. Cason is assigned to write local columns for the paper and based on his predecessor's notes, he decides to investigate the disappearance of a twenty-three year old history major, the beautiful Caroline Allison, who vanished while on a late night food run with her car abandoned near the old creepy Siegel place. As he makes inquiries, Cason sees a connection with some more recent odd unsolved felonies that may even involve his older brother, a history professor who knew Caroline as one of his students. So what happened to Caroline? Was she murdered or is she still out there? Is Cason's brother involve in her disappearance?
This as usual was a real page turner from Lansdale filled with unforgettable characters who often act without regard for common decency. Another strong recommendation for Lansdale...really good stuff!
In this one, Cason Statler, a reporter who was nominated for a Pulitzer, comes home to Camp Rapture, Texas to work for the local newspaper the Camp Rapture Report. He returns to his hometown because of a scandal he caused in Houston over boning his boss' late forties wife and thirty something daughter which pretty much ended his career as a journalist. But the cranky editor of the Report gives him a chance to redeem himself even though she is unhappy that he always appears to be hung over. Cason is assigned to write local columns for the paper and based on his predecessor's notes, he decides to investigate the disappearance of a twenty-three year old history major, the beautiful Caroline Allison, who vanished while on a late night food run with her car abandoned near the old creepy Siegel place. As he makes inquiries, Cason sees a connection with some more recent odd unsolved felonies that may even involve his older brother, a history professor who knew Caroline as one of his students. So what happened to Caroline? Was she murdered or is she still out there? Is Cason's brother involve in her disappearance?
This as usual was a real page turner from Lansdale filled with unforgettable characters who often act without regard for common decency. Another strong recommendation for Lansdale...really good stuff!
