Dead Dog Blues

For readers who enjoy the novels of Joe R. Lansdale-specifically the Hap/Leonard series-let me introduce you to Mr. Lansdale's mentor, Neal Barrett, Jr., a Texas author who's been writing for well over forty years. I've been aware of Barrett as a SF author since the late Sixties, but it was only a few weeks ago that I finally decided to purchase a couple of mysteries by him. I picked up a copy of DEAD DOG BLUES (though it has "Blues" in the title, this isn't a Wiley Moss novel), read a few pages, and found myself hooked line and sinker. I can easily see how Mr. Lansdale was influenced by the work of Neal Barrett, especially with regards to developing one's sense of dark humor and in being able to create a cast of colorful, off-the-wall characters. This is definitely a novel that's filled with both dark humor and an array of colorful characters that leave you wanting more when the last page is finally reached. DEAD DOG BLUES is the story of Jack Track, a native of Pharaoh, Texas, who left town to go to college and disappeared for fourteen years, living a life of crime part of the time and hiding for the rest by riding the rails. When his Uncle Will gets sick, Jack returns to Pharaoh and agrees to take over his uncle's job as town constable on a temporary basis. It's an easy job for Jack. All he has to do is make sure the downtown stores are locked up at night. Things suddenly change, however, when millionaire Max Croomer's dog is murdered in a rather peculiar fashion. Then, Max's maid, Emma, disappears. When Max is murdered and his body is publicly displayed on the local school's football field, Jack realizes that he has a deadly killer on his hands. What makes matters even worse is that Max's wife, Millie, had a brief fling with Jack when they were teenagers, and now she's showing interest in renewing their old relationship. This could cause Jack some serious problems, especially if his girlfriend, Cecily Benet-the yogurt queen of Texas-finds out. The only one Jack can really count on is his close friend, Earl Murphy, both of which shared a childhood of being poor. Now, Earl is a self-made Wall Street millionaire who lives on the lot next to Jack's. There's no house on Earl's property-only stacks of lumber, brick, shingles, pipes, and a shed filled with power tools. Earl cooks on a camp stove and sleeps in his Aston-Martin Lagonda. Being black, Earl still harbors some hard feelings toward the good citizens of Pharaoh, and it doesn't bother him in the least that a few of them have been murdered. Earl, however, has to take a stand when the killer decides to come after Jack. That's why he keeps a .44 Magnum revolver under the seat of his two hundred thousand dollar car. DEAD DOG BLUES is a surprise of the best sort. Mr. Barrett made the town of Pharaoh, Texas come alive with his vivid descriptions and eccentric characters. Though having done things that are against the law, Jack Track is a strong protagonist that tries to do w

If you are a fan of great writing, you must try out Neal Barrett. This "Blues" series is Barrett in top form. After you've torn through these books, check out Joe Lansdale and Andrew Vachss, and while you're at it, track down a copy of Barrett's out-of-print masterpiece, "The Hereafter Gang."

This mystery is great because you never know for sure who did it until the very end. The characters in the book are delightful as well as comical. It is different from traditional mysteries and very well written.

Neal Barret has a wonderful command of English and he writes dialogue so well you can hear the characters talking. The story is a fast and fun read with a good share of scares and well drawn characters.