The Hap Collins and Leonard Pine books

by Joe R.Lansdale

Review by James R.Cain

The Hap and Leonard books deal with the adventures of two friends, a life-trodden battler, Hap Collins, and his black, gay friend Leonard Pine.  Leonard's an ex-Vietnam vet, with a sour disposition toward life.  Hap, ever-optimistic, is a jaded idealist who did a stretch in the pen for refusing to fight in the war. 

There are six books in the series and in each of them Lansdale gives us a poignant commentary of many aspects of contemporary American society.  Told from the viewpoint of Hap Collins, a bit of a joker, they're simply delightful reading.  Lansdale is a master of prose.  They're violent, funny, and simply great yarns.  I highly recommend these books if you're a fan of pulp.

My only advice is to read the books in order as they do refer to each there, particularly the last book Captains Outrageous.   

Savage Season is the first book in the series.  In it, Hap and Leonard take a job for Hap's ex-wife in recovering stolen loot from an old bank robbery.  Things are not as they seem however, and in traditional Hap and Leonard style, their up to their necks in trouble.

Mucho Mojo is the second book.  Leonard inherits the house of his deceased uncle.  Hap moves in to help renovate and they discover the remains of a murdered child under the floorboards.  The pair set out to get to the bottom of the mystery and hopefully clear the uncle's name.

The Two-Bear Mambo sees Hap and Leonard down south looking into the disappearance of a friend.  It's not long before they cross paths with the KKK and are up to their necks in trouble.  I regard this one as the best book in the series.  It's a rivetting mystery and the most suspenseful book of the lot. 

Bad Chili sees Leonard wanted for murder.  Hap and Leonard must find the real killer before Leonard gets busted for the crime.  It's a book that doesn't disappoint.  In Bad Chili, we have the introduction of Brett Sawyer, a hard-assed nurse that gets involved with Hap.  Brett is in the following two books.

Rumble Tumble sees Hap and Leonard heading south of the border with Brett to rescue Brett's daughter from a biker brothel.  It's full on action this book, and was my second favorite in the series.

Captains Outrageous sees Hap and Leonard on holidays after Hap rescues a girl from rape and murder and gets a reward.  One thing leads to another, and soon Hap and Leonard are going head to head with a Mexican mobster.  The books a good mystery and I think a nice conclusion to the series.

That being said though, I hope Lansdale writes some more Hap and Leonard books.  They're prime reading, and I'll certainly be reading them again and again in the years to come.