Cold in July

By: Joe R. Lansdale

Narrated by: Brian Hutchison

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

From the Edgar Award-winning author of the Hap and Leonard mysteries comes a shocking crime thriller to chill even the warmest summer's night. By turns vivid, raw, and darkly comedic, this mystery classic inspired the 2014 major motion picture Cold in July, starring Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Sam Shepard (Black Hawk Down), and Don Johnson (Miami Vice).

Richard Dane has killed a man. He cannot unhear the firing of the gun or unsee the blood on his living room wall. But everybody in the small town of LaBorde, Texas, knows Dane acted in self-defense. Everybody except Ben Russel, the ex-con father of the small-time criminal who invaded Dane's home. When Russel comes looking for revenge against Dane's family, the two are unexpectedly drawn into a conspiracy that conceals the vilest of crimes. Surrounded by police corruption, mafia deception, and underworld brutality, Dane, Russel, and eccentric PI Jim Bob Luke have discovered a game they may not survive.

©1992 Joe R. Lansdale (P)2014 Recorded Books

Joe never fails to deliver

Hap & Leonard is a very good tale and everything since have been always been right on. His humor is Texas through and through.

Cold In July

First off I am a big Joe R. Lansdale fan, I like pretty much everything he writes. I just watched the movie and it is very close to the book. As for this book the story kept me engaged throughout, I liked the main characters and there development and the mystery that ran through the story was also interesting and a well developed storyline. The narrator was also good. Will definitely keep reading and listening to more of Joe's books.

Well written but bland.

Any additional comments?

I felt that it was well written from a technical perspective. But the story lacked depth, was predictable, and without flavor.

Enjoyed this quite a bit

I enjoy Lansdales stories, the way he writes. Picked this purely because it was from Lansdale and it did not disappoint. If you like his other works or mysteries in general, you’ll probably did this one too.

Give It a Try if You Like Hap and Leonard

I found Joe R. Landsdale by accident and really started seeking out his library. This is not a Hap and Leonard tale, but it makes you feel that you are living next door to them while the action takes place. This is more of the Dixie Mafia, but only in terms of their reputation. The story goes from a nice guy who shoots a burglar to protect his family, only the perp is not who the cops say it is. Drama ensues and good guys begin to make questionable decisions and gunplay as always ends it. The narrative by Brian Hutchison is good and the story features a PI who has helped Hap and Leonard out of a Mexico ordeal. Have fun and find a way to listen to Joe R. Lansdale's library. You will get a good dose of one liners to use at work in a blood-soaked narrative.

One of Lansdale’s best, well narrated.

This dark tale of fathers and sons and the violence that can come between them is one of Lansdale’s
best. Really enjoyed the narrator as well.

Good fast paced story

Great audio book. The narrator moved the story along with his tone and pace. The characters were well developed and the story was tight and fast paced - definitely recommend it.

Great Pace

Quickly paced, appropriately violent, with a compelling father son storyline. Nothing left to be desired.

DNF. The "plot" is pointless.

The protagonist feels the need to help the psycho who tried to murder him, his wife, and his child because the guy reminds him of his father.

Trash

How anyone can write, or enjoy such trash is beyond me. Not only is it poorly written and a ridiculous story line, it is crass and offensive. It certainly makes Texans look like a bunch of uneducated idiots.