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A review by stewie
The Neon Owl: Book 1: When the Shit Hits the Van by Chad Lutzke
5.0
I've been a big fan of [a:Chad Lutzke|8436955|Chad Lutzke|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1508884862p2/8436955.jpg]'s horror books ever since I read [b:Skullface Boy|41210152|Skullface Boy|Chad Lutzke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534549882l/41210152._SY75_.jpg|64397693], so when I heard he was doing a murder mystery, I was intrigued to say the least. Don't get me wrong, horror and murder are dark topics, but that doesn't necessarily mean because one is good at writing in one genre doesn't mean they can write the other. I'm here to say, Chad Lutzke can do both. Not only that, he does it with ease.
When the Shit Hits the Van is (hopefully) the first of many books in a series Lutzke calls The Neon Owl -- which is the name of the motel Jinx, the main character, inherits after his aunt's death. The motel is home to some delighfully unique characters, and it isn't long before Jinx bonds with Roddy, the motel's one-legged handyman, and the two start investigating the case of who is deficating on the motel property. Which naturally leads to a murder investigation.
This novella is great. The characters are wacky but real and Lutzke also injects a lot of human emotion throughout, something of which I'm a huge fan of in the works I've read. He is great at making you really feel for his characters.
I'm also a big fan of the unlikely teamup between Jinx and Roddy. The two are very different, but they really feed off each other and the dynamic is a lot of fun, not unlike Joe Lansdale's Hap and Leonard characters. You wouldn't think the two would get on the way they do, but Lutzke makes the relationship natural and believable.
If you like the crazy adventures of Hap and Leonard, or are a fan of the characters and stories the likes of an Elmore Leonard novel, or just want to enjoy a great read filled with unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and some real, human moments, you won't go wrong with When the Shit Hits the Van.
4.5/5 rounded up.
When the Shit Hits the Van is (hopefully) the first of many books in a series Lutzke calls The Neon Owl -- which is the name of the motel Jinx, the main character, inherits after his aunt's death. The motel is home to some delighfully unique characters, and it isn't long before Jinx bonds with Roddy, the motel's one-legged handyman, and the two start investigating the case of who is deficating on the motel property. Which naturally leads to a murder investigation.
This novella is great. The characters are wacky but real and Lutzke also injects a lot of human emotion throughout, something of which I'm a huge fan of in the works I've read. He is great at making you really feel for his characters.
I'm also a big fan of the unlikely teamup between Jinx and Roddy. The two are very different, but they really feed off each other and the dynamic is a lot of fun, not unlike Joe Lansdale's Hap and Leonard characters. You wouldn't think the two would get on the way they do, but Lutzke makes the relationship natural and believable.
If you like the crazy adventures of Hap and Leonard, or are a fan of the characters and stories the likes of an Elmore Leonard novel, or just want to enjoy a great read filled with unique characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and some real, human moments, you won't go wrong with When the Shit Hits the Van.
4.5/5 rounded up.