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motherhorror's review
4.0
Review originally published at Cemetery Dance https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/review-neon-owl-book-1-chad-lutzke/
Showing up for a Chad Lutzke story is a resignation of emotional preservation. You come to engage with the words on the page with your heart fully exposed and a willingness to let Lutzke do as he wishes. More often than not, the book will end on a note that breaks your heartstrings and leaves the reader with a nasty bookish hangover.
The Neon Owl is a bit of a departure from the usual agreement and I loved it! This story manages to put a big grin on your face instead of streaking your cheeks with tears and I’m not mad about it.
This guy named Jinx (who feels very much like one of those charming, confirmed bachelor types. Everyone knows a couple of those guys) inherits his Aunt’s fleabag motel called, The Neon Owl. It’s one of those roadside motels that have long-term, live-in residents rather than a place where tourists would want to stay for the night.
I absolutely adore Jinx and the cast of colorful characters he meets assuming his new role managing the motel.
Not at all surprising, Lutzke expertly leans into his gift of humor he’s been hinting at and teasing his readers with all along.
It’s really clear that Chad is one of those people, in real life, who watches people. He listens to them. He’s an observer. He brings this gift of details and mannerisms to the page; bringing to life fully formed, dimensional characters that the reader can vividly see and relate to--often times I find myself thinking, I know somebody just like that.
Somewhere along the line, a mystery is ushered into the plot and it is hysterical. I love the ridiculous nature of this situation Jinx finds himself in and the fact that it’s important enough to him and some of the residents in the motel, to solve the mystery once and for all. Of course, like most things in life, something that starts off seemingly innocent or silly, begins to snowball into something more serious. This is when things go from zany antics to wild and dangerous.
I’m so pleased this is Book 1 and that Lutzke promises there are more of these tales to come. It reminds me of a series Lansdale would write- a mixture of horror, heart and humor. My all-time favorite blend.
Showing up for a Chad Lutzke story is a resignation of emotional preservation. You come to engage with the words on the page with your heart fully exposed and a willingness to let Lutzke do as he wishes. More often than not, the book will end on a note that breaks your heartstrings and leaves the reader with a nasty bookish hangover.
The Neon Owl is a bit of a departure from the usual agreement and I loved it! This story manages to put a big grin on your face instead of streaking your cheeks with tears and I’m not mad about it.
This guy named Jinx (who feels very much like one of those charming, confirmed bachelor types. Everyone knows a couple of those guys) inherits his Aunt’s fleabag motel called, The Neon Owl. It’s one of those roadside motels that have long-term, live-in residents rather than a place where tourists would want to stay for the night.
I absolutely adore Jinx and the cast of colorful characters he meets assuming his new role managing the motel.
Not at all surprising, Lutzke expertly leans into his gift of humor he’s been hinting at and teasing his readers with all along.
It’s really clear that Chad is one of those people, in real life, who watches people. He listens to them. He’s an observer. He brings this gift of details and mannerisms to the page; bringing to life fully formed, dimensional characters that the reader can vividly see and relate to--often times I find myself thinking, I know somebody just like that.
Somewhere along the line, a mystery is ushered into the plot and it is hysterical. I love the ridiculous nature of this situation Jinx finds himself in and the fact that it’s important enough to him and some of the residents in the motel, to solve the mystery once and for all. Of course, like most things in life, something that starts off seemingly innocent or silly, begins to snowball into something more serious. This is when things go from zany antics to wild and dangerous.
I’m so pleased this is Book 1 and that Lutzke promises there are more of these tales to come. It reminds me of a series Lansdale would write- a mixture of horror, heart and humor. My all-time favorite blend.
teamredmon's review
4.0
Jinx inherits an apartment building in LA when his aunt Luna dies. When he arrives he meets the residents of the building. In addition to getting to know the building and its denizens, he's immediately confronted with a mystery pooper that's defecating in the parking lot. He teams up with the building's one-legged handyman, Roddy, to stake out the parking lot to catch the pooper. Jinx has always wanted to be a detective and dives into the poop mystery with gusto. Then, people show up dead and the real investigation has to begin.
Chad Lutzke is one of my favorite authors and I have deeply enjoyed everything that he's written. His voice is so authentic and he writes fantastic characters that immediately set up camp in your mind and heart. While this book is a departure for Chad, in that it's more of a crime story, it still has all the soul of his other books. Unlike many of his other books, I was not a blubbering crying mess at the end of this one. It seems that this might be the beginning of a series of books revolving around the Neon Owl apartment building and I will be here for all of them.
Chad Lutzke is one of my favorite authors and I have deeply enjoyed everything that he's written. His voice is so authentic and he writes fantastic characters that immediately set up camp in your mind and heart. While this book is a departure for Chad, in that it's more of a crime story, it still has all the soul of his other books. Unlike many of his other books, I was not a blubbering crying mess at the end of this one. It seems that this might be the beginning of a series of books revolving around the Neon Owl apartment building and I will be here for all of them.
brennanlafaro's review
5.0
This book is a change of pace if you think you know what to expect from picking up a book by Chad Lutzke. Typically you’re in for a tough read that gets you invested in the characters and then puts them through trials, tribulations, and emotional turmoil.
The Neon Owl: When the Shit Hits the Van keeps the top notch character development but applies it to a private investigator-type setting. Jinx is instantly likable when thrust into his brand new role of motel owner, and the maintenance man, Roddy, who helps him find his bearings is irreplaceable. The rapport that Lutzke quickly builds between these two is the foundation on which the story rests it’s success.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is that all the residents of the Neon Owl motel have a backstory, and their own unique interactions with Jinx. This just about makes the motel itself a player in the story and hopefully in future installments. One could also argue that Coltrane, Jinx’s vehicle of choice, also takes center-stage. It’s also possible that as a lifelong jazz fan, I just nerded out when my favorite composer was name-dropped.
The reader has a laugh out loud good time through some of the absurd situations that go down and it’s made even better by the seriousness with which they are treated. You really need to encounter Jinx and Roddy’s first case for yourself. The dialogue is written in a snappy Lansdale-esque fashion that keeps the pages turning and a smile on the reader’s face.
The instant I turned the last page I was left eagerly anticipating the next Los Angeles-based adventure that Jinx, Roddy, and Coltrane get themselves into.
The Neon Owl: When the Shit Hits the Van keeps the top notch character development but applies it to a private investigator-type setting. Jinx is instantly likable when thrust into his brand new role of motel owner, and the maintenance man, Roddy, who helps him find his bearings is irreplaceable. The rapport that Lutzke quickly builds between these two is the foundation on which the story rests it’s success.
One of my favorite aspects of this story is that all the residents of the Neon Owl motel have a backstory, and their own unique interactions with Jinx. This just about makes the motel itself a player in the story and hopefully in future installments. One could also argue that Coltrane, Jinx’s vehicle of choice, also takes center-stage. It’s also possible that as a lifelong jazz fan, I just nerded out when my favorite composer was name-dropped.
The reader has a laugh out loud good time through some of the absurd situations that go down and it’s made even better by the seriousness with which they are treated. You really need to encounter Jinx and Roddy’s first case for yourself. The dialogue is written in a snappy Lansdale-esque fashion that keeps the pages turning and a smile on the reader’s face.
The instant I turned the last page I was left eagerly anticipating the next Los Angeles-based adventure that Jinx, Roddy, and Coltrane get themselves into.
kmoreads's review
5.0
As usual this book did not disappoint! It was a change from the typical horror that Lutzke usually writes and a great debut into crime/murder/mystery.
It was a story about a guy, named Jinx, who's hippie Aunt Luna dies and leaves him The Neon Owl. He moves to L.A. and he settles in getting to know the long term tenants of the place when he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a pile of shit. Okay, not really, but sort of. Something fishy is going on, people are dying. He and Roddy, the maintenance guy, set out to figure out why. Meanwhile, Jinx still has a bit of a broken heart. His former girlfriend, Audrey also lives in L.A. and he is hoping to reconnect with her.
I am loving the story line. I can't wait to see what the next book holds.
It was a story about a guy, named Jinx, who's hippie Aunt Luna dies and leaves him The Neon Owl. He moves to L.A. and he settles in getting to know the long term tenants of the place when he finds himself smack dab in the middle of a pile of shit. Okay, not really, but sort of. Something fishy is going on, people are dying. He and Roddy, the maintenance guy, set out to figure out why. Meanwhile, Jinx still has a bit of a broken heart. His former girlfriend, Audrey also lives in L.A. and he is hoping to reconnect with her.
I am loving the story line. I can't wait to see what the next book holds.
armand_rosamilia's review
5.0
Another great story from the author, and it further expands his writing choices and genres, which is amazing.
A great start to this humorous crime thriller series, with memorable characters (including The Neon Owl itself) and a murder mystery that will leave you guessing until the end. Can't wait for the next installment!
A great start to this humorous crime thriller series, with memorable characters (including The Neon Owl itself) and a murder mystery that will leave you guessing until the end. Can't wait for the next installment!
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