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mbpartlow's review
5.0
Hap and Leonard are the bomb! I owe my friend Vic for introducing me to this author and this book. Funny, funny, funny. If you've ever wanted to burn down the crack house next door, this is the book for you!
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
From what I remember of Savage Season, this second offering in the series was much darker, but I also found it much better. A grisly yet entertaining read, and Hap and Leonard seem to really emerge as fully fleshed-out, interesting characters at this point. This one definitely has me wanting to continue with the series.
bobmetal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
A big improvement over SAVAGE SEASON, MUCHO MOJO finds Hap and Leonard dealing with the aftermath of a death in Leonard's family, which leads them into all sorts of trouble. Unfortunately, I figured out most of the "mystery" pretty early in the book, but Lansdale has a sharp ear for dialogue, and there are some laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with some really unpleasant themes. Hap's narration wore on me after awhile, and the romance angle never really gelled for me, but it was a worthwhile read, especially for fans of dark mystery/thrillers.
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely going to keep going with this series and see where life takes Hap and Leonard. Full of heart, humor, irreverence, and badassery, this series is quite original.
kayloric's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
misterjay's review
4.0
Like a lot of thrillers, Mucho Mojo starts with a body. Leonard Pine's uncle Chester has died and he enlists the support of his friend Hap Collins to help him go through Chester's things. Things are going well until the pair of friends make a gruesome discovery in a box beneath Chester's house. The resulting investigation into the box's contents, how they got there, and why make for an intriguing mystery.
Mucho Mojo starts off slow, letting the setting (east Texas) and season (summer) build in the readers mind as Hap and Leonard interact with the community in which Uncle Chester lived. They meet the drug dealing thugs in the house next door and the kindly old lady across the street. They get involved with a lawyer and the police and church officials. As the story progresses, each of these characters is shifted onto one side or the other until a clear division of who is siding with Hap and Leonard and who is siding against them can be seen. That's when the story kicks into high gear, with plenty of fights and revelations along the way.
The slow boil of a plot does the novel a great service in allowing the setting and characters to be fully realized. At the same time, there is a lot of time given over to Hap's internal dialogue and how he is feeling that particular day. These monologues about the women he's been with and how life has lead both him and Leonard to this point can get a little tedious, making the reader wish for another fight or at least more of the banter between Hap and Leonard instead.
Because it is the banter between these two life long friends, one white and straight, the other black and gay, that makes the novel shine. Hap's wit and creative use of the language is contrasted with Leonard's dry, sarcastic humor to show the deep affection between them even through their words are little but insults and put downs littered with rural metaphors and aphorisms.
A last note about the edition I "read": The Audible edition of the book is read by Phil Gigante. Mr. Gigante gives Hap a slow drawl and Leonard a deep growl that provide a welcome dimension to the already well written characters. It appears that Mr. Gigante has read all seven of the Hap and Leonard books currently available from Audible; I look forward to listening to them all.
Mucho Mojo starts off slow, letting the setting (east Texas) and season (summer) build in the readers mind as Hap and Leonard interact with the community in which Uncle Chester lived. They meet the drug dealing thugs in the house next door and the kindly old lady across the street. They get involved with a lawyer and the police and church officials. As the story progresses, each of these characters is shifted onto one side or the other until a clear division of who is siding with Hap and Leonard and who is siding against them can be seen. That's when the story kicks into high gear, with plenty of fights and revelations along the way.
The slow boil of a plot does the novel a great service in allowing the setting and characters to be fully realized. At the same time, there is a lot of time given over to Hap's internal dialogue and how he is feeling that particular day. These monologues about the women he's been with and how life has lead both him and Leonard to this point can get a little tedious, making the reader wish for another fight or at least more of the banter between Hap and Leonard instead.
Because it is the banter between these two life long friends, one white and straight, the other black and gay, that makes the novel shine. Hap's wit and creative use of the language is contrasted with Leonard's dry, sarcastic humor to show the deep affection between them even through their words are little but insults and put downs littered with rural metaphors and aphorisms.
A last note about the edition I "read": The Audible edition of the book is read by Phil Gigante. Mr. Gigante gives Hap a slow drawl and Leonard a deep growl that provide a welcome dimension to the already well written characters. It appears that Mr. Gigante has read all seven of the Hap and Leonard books currently available from Audible; I look forward to listening to them all.
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
I don't have anything pithy to say about Lansdale's books. At this point I would gladly read all of them. They make me very happy. I am fascinated at two average guys doing good in the middle of nowhere. It's all so genuine. Get off your butts and read these books.
sandin954's review
2.0
I liked the two main characters and rural East Texas setting but the plot was not my favorite type and I thought there was a bit too much soapboxing. Narration was done by Phil Gigante who did a great low bass voice for Leonard and a nice easy going drawl for Hap which fit the characters perfectly.