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trin's review against another edition
4.0
I agree with the general consensus that Lansdale seemed fairly tired of Hap, Leonard, and their shenanigans when he wrote the previous book in this series, [b:Captains Outrageous|219727|Captains Outrageous (Hap and Leonard, #6)|Joe R. Lansdale|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1172804775s/219727.jpg|3002847], but fortunately he took a nice long break before apparently deciding he missed these crazy bastards. Lansdale, Hap, and Leonard are all back on top form here -- in fact, this book has some of the best action sequences of the series so far. There's also some nice Hap angst as he deals with another descent into dime-store moral philosophy. And since Lansdale is back on form, these parts are beautifully written, and the contrast between Hap's self-reflection and the gators, guns, and general mayhem of the rest of the book is again delightful, and one of the things that keep me coming back to this series.
Though the main thing is really just how evident it is, on every page, that Hap and Leonard and Brett all love each other. That's surprisingly rare: a series where the characters all like each other so much.
That said -- I would absolutely read a spin-off devoted to infamous assassin Vanilla Ride.
Though the main thing is really just how evident it is, on every page, that Hap and Leonard and Brett all love each other. That's surprisingly rare: a series where the characters all like each other so much.
That said -- I would absolutely read a spin-off devoted to infamous assassin Vanilla Ride.
missyjohnson's review
3.0
Hap and Leonard are rude,crude and often socially unacceptable but are still a lot of fun. I will be interested to see when Ms Ride pops up again. reminded me of a movie when you knew that there would be a sequel
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, although no huge surprise there as there hasn't been a Hap and Leonard book I haven't liked. Tempted to go back to the start and rediscover them all over again
kleonard's review against another edition
3.0
Hap and Leonard just never win. This isn't my favorite of the series--it feels a bit called-in, a little too easy, a little light on planning.
the_enobee's review
4.0
This one got dark. Still hilarious and full of aphorisms, I love how Lansdale doesn’t let the violence become common place or taken for granted. And Tonto, holy shit what a character.
greybeard49's review
4.0
Love detective noir particularly from Deep South. Joe Lonsdale is a master at moving a story at pace, at the same time sucking you right into that beckoning vortex. Dialogue is so good at times that you just stop, reread and wonder. Humour is amazing.
Would award 4.5 stars if I could. Leonard & Hap are back!
Would award 4.5 stars if I could. Leonard & Hap are back!
misterjay's review
4.0
Another day, another pile of trouble for Hap and Leonard. This time around, it's all in the name of a good cause, that cause being the rescue of the wayward granddaughter of Hap's former rival and one-time coma patient Marvin Hanson.
Like all the Hap and Leonard books, Vanilla Ride is heavy on violence, with dashes of sex, drugs, profanity, witty repartee, and just a bit of East Texas wisdom thrown in for flavor. And like all Hap and Leonard books, it's a hell of a lot of fun.
As with the previous novels, I didn't actually read it. Rather, I listened to the version available from Audible dot com, read by Phil Gigante and, like always, it is excellent.
Well worth the time and effort.
Like all the Hap and Leonard books, Vanilla Ride is heavy on violence, with dashes of sex, drugs, profanity, witty repartee, and just a bit of East Texas wisdom thrown in for flavor. And like all Hap and Leonard books, it's a hell of a lot of fun.
As with the previous novels, I didn't actually read it. Rather, I listened to the version available from Audible dot com, read by Phil Gigante and, like always, it is excellent.
Well worth the time and effort.
dantastic's review
5.0
It's been close to a decade since Joe Lansdale gave us another Hap and Leonard tale. Was it worth the wait? HELL YES! I gave it five stars, didn't I?
Hap and Leonard get talked into doing a favor for their friend Marvin. Marvin's granddaughter has been hanging with drug dealers and Hap and Leonard go to bring her back. Things go south for Hap and Leonard, as they always do, and soon the drug dealers are looking for payback. One shootout later and our boys are in the clink. The FBI offers them freedom in exchange for finding the son of a member of the Dixie Maffia and the three hundred thousand dollars he stole. That's when things really get bad...
Mrs. Lansdale's little boy hasn't lost a step. Hap and Leonard's banter is as fresh and dark as ever. The violence is stark and comes in heaping handfuls. While most of the antagonists seem to be there to take bullet holes, Vanilla Ride, the hitwoman the book is named after, is quite a character, a killer with a moral code. I wouldn't be surprised if Old Joe writes a solo adventure for her in the future. The crooked cops from No Enterprise should top anyone's scumbag list. Leonard Pine once again proves what a bad mother he is.
To sum up, if you're a fan of Hap and Leonard, snap this one up. It's the best one since the third or fourth book.
Hap and Leonard get talked into doing a favor for their friend Marvin. Marvin's granddaughter has been hanging with drug dealers and Hap and Leonard go to bring her back. Things go south for Hap and Leonard, as they always do, and soon the drug dealers are looking for payback. One shootout later and our boys are in the clink. The FBI offers them freedom in exchange for finding the son of a member of the Dixie Maffia and the three hundred thousand dollars he stole. That's when things really get bad...
Mrs. Lansdale's little boy hasn't lost a step. Hap and Leonard's banter is as fresh and dark as ever. The violence is stark and comes in heaping handfuls. While most of the antagonists seem to be there to take bullet holes, Vanilla Ride, the hitwoman the book is named after, is quite a character, a killer with a moral code. I wouldn't be surprised if Old Joe writes a solo adventure for her in the future. The crooked cops from No Enterprise should top anyone's scumbag list. Leonard Pine once again proves what a bad mother he is.
To sum up, if you're a fan of Hap and Leonard, snap this one up. It's the best one since the third or fourth book.
iam_griff's review against another edition
4.0
Here I am finishing Vanilla Ride, book 7 in the Hap Collins & Leonard Pine Series. I love this series & Lansdale's abilities writing the banter between characters & the development over the course of the series is what makes it so great. Characters like Vanilla Ride that was introduced in this book I hope Hap & Leonard encounter her again & we get to see more of her story.
I've got to leave the Hap & Leonard series at this point as I'm waiting for more credits on Audible to get the next book (Well Book 9 Honky Talk Samurai), book 8 isn't an audio book.
I've got to leave the Hap & Leonard series at this point as I'm waiting for more credits on Audible to get the next book (Well Book 9 Honky Talk Samurai), book 8 isn't an audio book.
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
A fun new adventure with Hap and Leonard along with some new favorite characters. Unfortunately they don’t all live