Category: Books

THE UNDERTAKER VOLUME 1: THE GOLD EATER & DANCE OF THE VULTURES by Ralph Meyer, Caroline Delabie and Xavier Dorison

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THE UNDERTAKER VOLUME 1: THE GOLD EATER & DANCE OF THE VULTURES by Ralph Meyer, Caroline Delabie and Xavier Dorison is coming. Here’s the scoop…

A gold-toothed corpse, a town hungry for vengeance, and a hearse full of secrets ― a gripping opening to a groundbreaking graphic novel series by expert duo Xavier Dorison and Ralph Meyer.

Jonas Crow is not your average mortician. Tall, lean, and accompanied by a carrion-eating vulture, he travels the Old West in a black hearse, providing final rites for those who can afford them. But Jonas is a man with a past as dark as the clothes he wears―and his newest client is about to make life very difficult for the living.

When the wealthy and hated mining tycoon Joe Cusco summons Crow, it’s for a peculiar request: Cusco knows he’s dying, and he plans to take his vast fortune with him. By swallowing his hoard of gold nuggets before drawing his last breath, he turns his own body into a literal treasure chest.

Now Jonas Crow must transport the gold-filled corpse across a desert crawling with outlaws, desperate miners, and Cusco’s own vengeful former employees. With a straight-laced English governess and a mysterious woman named Rose by his side, Crow must navigate a trail of greed where the line between the “good guys” and the vultures is razor-thin.

Why You’ll Love The Undertaker:

A Masterclass in Visual Storytelling: Winner of multiple European comic awards, featuring the gritty, high-contrast art of Ralph Meyer.
The Modern Western: Perfect for fans of True Grit, The Sisters Brothers, or Django Unchained.
Darkly Humorous & Action-Packed: A blend of cynical wit, high-stakes shootouts, and a deep, unfolding mystery regarding Jonas Crow’s true identity.

Click on preview pages below to get a biggie-sized look!

THE UNDERTAKER VOLUME 1 Hardcover

THE UNDERTAKER VOLUME 1 Kindle

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE by Jordan Harper!

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Jordan Harper’s A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE sounds like it’s going to be a banger…

This epic crime novel tells a story of Los Angeles power brokers and those at the edge — and a single shattering incident that threatens to bring it all crashing down.

Los Angeles, right now. America with its back up against the wall. This Frankenstein’s monster of crimes and lurid dreams sewn together into something like a city.

A city ready to explode: A Hollywood pedophile is arrested, and is ready to tear down the city to get his freedom. A young woman goes missing — and men in black rubber gloves who look like cops clean out her apartment in the middle of the night. And the serial killer known as the LA Ripper is on the loose, leaving tragic/graphic/brutal crime scenes in his wake. Three people trying to keep their heads above the dirty water will find themselves coming together to unite these strands into one enormous, unspeakable crime …

Jake Deal is a gonzo live-streaming nightcrawler, beaming the city’s chaos straight to his audience of blood-hungry subscribers, giving them the view from the top of the mushroom cloud — until a job he can’t refuse drags him back into his old life of Hollywood glamour, drugs, sex and sleaze. Armed with cameras and hidden mics, he’ll infiltrate private clubs, gather high-class dirt — and stumble onto a conspiracy woven into the center of LA’s most powerful men, who call themselves “The Kids in the Candy Store.”

Doug Gibson is a street lawyer, who fights for his clients against the army of cops, prosecutors and judges—he is the knife they bring to the gunfight. But when he’s hired by a Hollywood pedophile ready to sell out his friends for a chance for freedom, he’ll take on a fight bigger than he could have imagined. And when his client “commits suicide” in prison, Gibson will have to stop being a weapon — and become a warrior.

Kara Delgado works for an underground private concierge company—a make-a-wish foundation for the terminally rich. She scores drugs, makes connections, and plans multi-million dollar sex parties.She has learned the secret truth of this world: there are no rules, only prices. Her best friend Phoebe has gone missing, and Kara’s the only person who knows that Phoebe’s place was wiped clean of evidence by men in black rubber gloves. But when she begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to Phoebe, and its connection to the killer known as the LA Ripper, it will drag her into the dark heart of the city.

As Jake, Doug and Kara all investigate these crimes, they’ll encounter ketamine-addled sitcom stars, bloody riots, homeless gangsters, a killer cop on death row, secret vaults in Beverly Hills, tech-bro orgies, medical cannibals, true crime junkies, private security wet-work teams, reality shows, street takeovers, car chases, coyotes, a sadistic Tarzan, and a three day, fifty million dollar wedding, before everything is revealed and they must each make their choice about how to fight back in this violent world before the bloody, blazing conclusion.

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE HARDCOVER

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE PAPERBACK

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE KINDLE

James Byron Huggins’ THE LAST HUNT is a HIT and the Sly Stallone Connection!

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James Byron Huggins’ THE LAST HUNT (the third in the Hunter trilogy) is a hit!  It currently has a 4.5 / 5 star rating at Amazon.  Its Goodreads rating is even better – 4.65 / 5 stars.

Perhaps even more impressive is that THE LAST HUNT sits in Goodreads’ Listopia #1 spot on the list of Best Action & Thrillers Ever.  Huggins is in the company of legends (Child, Clancey, Lundlum and Evanovich) and leads the pack! (See chart below.)

Long time readers of this site know that James Byron Huggins wrote HUNTER with Sylvester Stallone in mind as the lead character.  In fact Sly discussed ideas with Byron prior to the novel being written and the second edition is dedicated to Sylvester Stallone.

Sly Stallone has held the movie rights to HUNTER since the start.  A couple of times it appeared that the movie adaptation of Hunter would be soon on Sly’s agenda.  But the movie business proceeds in mysterious ways, and HUNTER has yet to reach the production stage.  Sly’s Balboa Productions still has the rights and hopefully fans will get to HUNTER as a feature film or television series.

Every book in the HUNTER trilogy gets my highest recommendation.

 

“Intruder in the Dust” (1949) / Z-View

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Intruder in the Dust (1949)

Director: Clarence Brown

Screenplay: Ben Maddow; based on INTRUDER IN THE DUST by William Faulkner

Stars: David Brian, Claude Jarman Jr., Juano Hernandez, Porter Hall, Elizabeth Patterson, Charles Kemper, David Clarke, David Clarke, Elzie Emanuel, Lela Bliss and Will Geer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

In the 1940s in a small Southern town, Lucas Beauchamp, a man of color, is falsely arrested for the murder of a white man.  It will be up to a teenage boy, his lawyer uncle and an old woman to find the true killer before a lynch mob loses control.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The film was shot on location in Oxford, Mississippi.  William Faulkner, who wrote the source novel grew up in Oxford.

William Faulkner won the Nobel Prize for literature for his novel INTRUDER IN THE DUST.

Intruder in the Dust (1949) rates 3 of 5 stars.

THE BLACK BEETLE Deluxe Omnibus by Francesco Francavilla!

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Francesco Francavilla’s Black Beetle is getting a deluxe omnibus!  Here are the details…

FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA’S BLACK BEETLE RETURNS — IN A STUNNING GRAPHIC NOVEL OMNIBUS CELEBRATION OF PULP, PERIL, AND PURE STYLE!

From the mind and pen of Eisner Award–winning author Francesco Francavilla comes the complete saga of the mysterious masked crime-fighter who stalks the shadows of Colt City — The Black Beetle!

Now, for the first time ever, every thrilling tale of The Black Beetle from Dark Horse Comics is collected in one deluxe omnibus, featuring:

The pulse-pounding full-length adventures No Way Out and Kara Böcek.
The moody, hard-hitting one-shot Night Shift.
A treasure trove of never-before-seen bonus content including concept art, layouts, character studies, vintage-style lobby cards, and behind-the-scenes material straight from Francavilla’s sketchbook.
Plus: An all-new painted cover by Francesco Francavilla, created exclusively for this volume!

With its intoxicating blend of pulp noir, supernatural intrigue, and explosive action, The Black Beetle is a love letter to classic crimebusters — and a masterclass in visual storytelling.

Step into the shadows. Fight for justice. Discover the legend. Perfect for longtime fans and newcomers alike — this is the definitive Black Beetle collection.

Pre-orders available now!  Deal me in.

RIP: Dan Simmons

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It was announced yesterday that Daniel Simmons died on February 21st from complications of a stroke.  Mr. Simmons was 77.

Dan Simmons began his career in education. Mr. Simmons received a B.A. in English from Wabash College and a Masters Degree in Education from Washington University in St. Louis.  While teaching, Dan Simmons began submitting short stories.

His first published story, “The River Styx Runs Upstream,” won the Rod Serling Memorial Award.  This got Dan Simmons an agent.  His first novel, SONG OF KALI followed.  It won the World Fantasy Award. His first horror novel, CARRION COMFORT, won the Bram Stoker Award. His first science fiction novel, HYPERION, won the Hugo Award.

Someone who writes in a lot of different genres, could be the sign of an artist looking for his voice. In Mr. Simmons’ case, it was a talent who refused to be constrained.

Even with all the awards Dan Simmons won, I was only vaguely familiar with his work. I don’t read fantasy, and very little science fiction or horror. But I do love a hardboiled thriller! You know, the kind written by Andrew Vachss, or Eugene Izzi, Stephen Hunter, or Richard Stark.  And that is how I came to love Dan Simmons’ writing.

Mr. Simmons wrote three novels about Joe Kurtz –

Joe Kurtz was a PI… before he was an ex-con. See he killed a man, a couple of men actually. They’d murdered his girl and unborn child. While it’s pretty reasonable to me that he threw one of ’em off a six story building, the jury didn’t see it that way.

Now, out of prison after eleven-and-a-half years…

…you’d think things would be looking up for Kurtz. You’d be wrong. Too many people want him dead…

I loved the Kurtz novels and they led me to others written by Mr. Simmons.  I enjoyed every one of them.  Even in the genres I generally avoided.  In fact, I still have a few Dan Simmons novels on my “to be read” shelf.  I’m going to have to move them up on the list. Dan Simmons was a master storyteller.  He was able to write compelling tales in every genre he attempted.  How many writers can say that?

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Daniel Simmon’s family, friends and fans.

HOW NOT TO DIE IN PRISON: A SURVIVAL GUIDE by Taylor Sheridan and Tom Nelson!

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HOW NOT TO DIE IN PRISON: A SURVIVAL GUIDE by Taylor Sheridan and Tom Nelson is coming!  Here’s the lowdown…

The debut book from Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Taylor Sheridan, creator of Landman and cocreator of Yellowstone — a no-bullsh*t, darkly funny survival guide to life inside a maximum-security prison, cowritten with prison-hardened ex-con Tom Nelson.

So, you f*cked up. Can’t talk your way out of it, buy your way out of it, or beg your way out of it.

You are going to prison. You will be living under a set of rules made up by men who have demonstrated to society that they need a big ol’ time out. There is no book of these rules. Nobody will tell them to you. But when you break one—boy, will you know it. For the newbie, the fish, the fresh meat—this book is your survival guide. How to mind your business without becoming a target. When to walk away. When to stand your ground.

This is how you don’t die. Follow the advice in this book, and you just might make it out alive.

Pre-orders are available now.

“The Night Eats the World” (2018) / Z-View

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The Night Eats the World (2018)

Director: Dominique Rocher

Screenplay: Jérémie Guez, Guillaume Lemans, Dominique Rocher; based on La nuit a dévoré le monde by Pit Agarmen

Stars: Anders Danielsen Lie, Golshifteh Farahani, Denis Lavant, Sigrid Bouaziz.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When Sam goes to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment to pick up his belongings, a huge party is going on.  Sam is finally able to catch up to his ex and she tells him his things are in a back room.  Sam goes in and closes the door to get away from the crowd.  He sits down and falls asleep.

When Sam wakes the apartment is empty.  But there are signs of a massacre.  Blood on the walls… the floors.  Thankfully Sam is alone.  He locks the door.

As he looks out the window he see more bloodshed and destruction.  Then he spots a family running to a parked car.  Before they can escape the family is swarmed and killed.

The zombie apocalypse is well underway… and Sam is trapped in the apartment.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Night Eats the World (2018) is a SLOW burn.  If you’re into that, you’ll like it more than me.  I prefer more action in zombie movies.

The Night Eats the World (2018) rates 2 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone as Rambo by Jarrod “The Yardsale Artist” Alberich!

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Jarrod Alberich aka The Yard Sale Artist created the Sly Stallone as Rambo piece for pick-up at HeroesCon.  I’ve known Jarrod for years.  He’s a fun guy and an easy artist to deal with.

Jarrod calls himself The Yard Sale Artist because he uses materials that he finds at yard sales, thrift stores and so on. When Jarrod comes across books that with torn covers, missing pages, etc., instead of discarding them, he repurposes the pages for art.  This drawing came from a Rambo movie adaptation novel.

“His & Hers” (2026) starring Tessa Thompson & Jon Bernthal / Z-View

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His & Hers (2026)

Developed by: William Oldroyd; based on HIS & HERS by Alice Feeney

Directors:

  • William Oldroyd (Eps. 1-2; 6)
  • Anja Marquardt (Eps. 3-5)

Teleplay:

  • William Oldroyd (Eps. 1; 3)
  • Tori Sampson (Ep. 2)
  • Erika Sheffer (Ep. 3)
  • Dee Johnson (Ep. 4)
  • William Oldroyd and Tori Sampson  (Ep. 5)
  • Bill Dubuque (Ep. 6)

Stars: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Marin Ireland, Sunita Mani, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Crystal Fox, Kristen Maxwell, Leah Merritt, Tiffany Ho, Isabelle Kusman, Dave Maldonado and Chris Bauer.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A murder brings television news reporter Anna Andrews back to her small hometown.  Her estranged husband, Jack is a Detective working the case.  Things take a turn when Anna finds evidence that Jack may have been the killer.  At the same time Jack is finding clues pointing to Anna as the murderer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal fan.

Pablo Schreiber and Chris Bauer co-starred together in Season 2 of The Wire.

As we were watching I told my wife who the real murderer was.  She laughed and said that would be too crazy.  I then said, “No, it’s really _____.”  My wife replied, “That would be even more out there.”  Guess what?  I wasn’t wrong.

His & Hers (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.

NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney / Z-View

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NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney

First sentences…

Behold!  The Big Easy in all its wicked splendor!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frank Guidry is living the life he could only imagine as a boy.  Guidry’s charm, smarts and ruthlessness made him a valuable asset to New Orleans’ mob boss Carlos Marcello.  Now Guidry is a fixer for Marcello.  This comes with benefits.  Guidry’s a known man in New Orleans. He gets the best seats at restaurants. He’s respected.  Women are attracted to him.  Even Seraphine, Marcello’s right hand and brains of the outfit fell for Guidry’s charms. Guidry believes he’ll rise even higher in Marcello’s organization.

Then President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.

Within hours of Kennedy’s murder, associates of Carlos Marcello start turning up dead.  No way it is a coincidence.  Guidry is worried.  Marcello had Guidry drive a car to Dallas before the assassination.  It was a strange request.  Guidry didn’t think much of it at the time.  But now he’s concerned.  Was it used as the getaway car after the assassination?  If so, Guidry is one of the few people who can tie Carlos Marcello to the President’s murder.  That means Guidry is marked for death.

Maybe he’s reading too much into the errand.

Then Seraphine tells Guidry he needs to return to Dallas to “get rid” of the car.  Seraphine also wants to know the hotel that Guidry is going to use.  Now there is no doubt.  Guidry is sure he’s next on the hit list.  His only chance is to run.

If Guidry can make it to Las Vegas, a contact who hates Marcello will help him escape. Getting to Vegas quick and gone is the plan.  But when Guidry sees a woman and two little girls beside a broken down car, he stops to assist.  Charlotte is heading to California with her two girls to start a new life.  Her car engine is beyond repair.  Guidry realizes that the hitmen sent after him won’t be looking for a man with a woman and two kids.  Guidry offers to take them along if they’ll accompany him to Vegas.  There he promises to help her get a car for the rest of her trip.

Although hesitant at first, Charlotte agrees.  Guidry realizes that Marcello and the killers he sends will think Guidry is racing to Vegas.  If he slows down, they may think he got away.  Then he can slip into Vegas with Charlotte and her kids and his escape will be complete.

There are two things Guidry didn’t count on.  One: He and Charlotte falling in love.  Two: The killer Marcello sent is Barone.  Barone is a ruthless, intelligent, killing machine.  Barone never quits until he’s target is hit.

+++

I loved NOVEMBER ROAD.  At the start of the tale Guidry isn’t sure if he’s been set up or not.  If he has, he needs to run.  But if he hasn’t been set up and he runs, that will surely mark him for execution.  We also see right away that Guidry is all about self-preservation.  Will that change with Charlotte and her girls?

The time on the road for both Guidry and the killer provides for interesting situations for both.  The tension builds as bodies pile up and the killer closes in.

NOVEMBER ROAD has an ending that surprises and satisfies.

Rating:

“The Running Man” (2025) directed by Edgar Wright, starring Glen Powell / Z-View

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The Running Man (2025)

Director: Edgar Wright

Screenplay: Michael Bacal, Edgar Wright based on THE RUNNING MAN by Stephen King

Stars: Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, Alyssa Benn, David Zayas, Greg Townley, Karl Glusman, Joey Ansah, James Frecheville, Lee Pace, Sean Hayes, Chris Rogers, Debi Mazar and Jayme Lawson.

Tagline: Survive 30 days while the world hunts you down.

The Plot…

In a dystopian future, most of the population lives in poverty.  Those lucky enough to have jobs barely get by.  The masses spend their days glued to the television watching game shows where contestants can win large sums of money.  The most popular is The Running Man hosted by Bobby Thompson.  Contestants actually risk their lives to play.  They are called runners, and are given $1,000 as well as a 12 hour head start.  Then, if they can survive 30 days, they will win one billion dollars.  Life changing money.  But there is a risk.  In addition to the show’s hunters, any one in the country can kill a runner.  If a citizen kills the runner, they win a small cash prize.

When Ben Richards is unable to afford needed medicine for his daughter, he decides to try out for a television show.  He hopes to win enough cash to pay for his daughter’s meds.  Richards is shocked when he is picked to appear on The Running Man.  He doesn’t want to die, but if he could somehow win, his family would be set forever.

Let the game begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in the original The Running Man, appears on money used in the movie.

Stephen King’s novel, written in 1982, is a futuristic tale set in 2025, the same year as the film’s release.

The film starts out well enough, but by it’s very nature is so over the top that Geln Powell’s character, despite finding himself in tough situations, never really feels in danger.

The Running Man (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Death by Lightning” (2025) written by Mike Makowski, directed by Matt Ross, starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman and Betty Gilpin / Z-View

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Death by Lightning (2025)

Created by: Mike Makowsky; based on DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC: A TALE OF MADNESS, MEDICINE AND THE MURDER OF A PRESIDENT by Candice Millard

Director:

  • Matt Ross (Eps. 1-4)

Teleplay:

  • Mike Makowsky (Eps. 1-4)

Stars: Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Bradley Whitford, Nick Offerman, Laura Marcus, David Nykl, Alfie Tempest, Paula Malcomson, Barry Shabaka Henley and Vondie Curtis-Hall.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Congressman James Garfield went to the 1880 Republican National Convention to give a nomination speech.  Garfield’s oratory was so powerful that through an unlikely series of events he became the party’s nominee.  Although an underdog, Garfield won the election and became the 20th President of the United States.

Charles Guiteau, an ex-con, chronic liar and thief has dreams of glory and fame.  Guiteau admires Garfield and feels their destiny’s are intwined.  But they are not.

So Guiteau decides to kill the man he admires.  Guiteau shoots Garfield in the back.  Garfield is bedridden and in pain for months.  Eighty days after being shot he dies.  James Garfield was President just 200 days.  But his Presidency had a positive impact to this day that few realize.

Charles Guiteau dreamed of fame.  He was executed for his crime and is largely forgotten except to historians.

This is their story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Death by Lightning is an amazing, but true story.  Although a dramatization, it sticks very close to the actual events.  Kudos to Mike Makowsky, who wrote the teleplay for all four episodes, and to Candice Millard who wrote the book which inspired the project.

The cast is amazing.  Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Bradley Whitford and Nick Offerman give performances that deserve awards.  They are amazing.  It was also nice to see Barry Shabaka Henley and Vondie Curtis-Hall appear.

Death by Lightning gets my highest recommendation.

Death by Lightning (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

FEVER HOUSE by Keith Rosson / Z-View

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FEVER HOUSE by Keith Rosson

First sentences…

Tim Reed sits in the driver’s seat of his ancient and rust-punched Datsun hatchback, balancing a screwdriver on the tip of his finger.  Hutch and Tim are killing time, waiting for some poor guy to come home so they can terrify him and, if necessary, perform grievous harm to the architecture of the man’s body.  It’s the usual deal: reluctance to pay a debt owed.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Tim and Hutch are leg-breakers for Peach Sorreno.  Although the two are more than willing to throw a beatdown on deadbeats who’ve borrowed from Peach, when Tim and Hutch show up to collect, more often than not they come away with money.  That’s par for the course and the way it’s been working that night.

Until they get to Wesley.

Wesley’s a methhead. He claims he has no money.  When Tim and Hutch search Wesley’s apartment, they find a severed hand in his refrigerator.  Tim and Hutch decide to take Wesley and the hand to Peach’s warehouse.  There they’ll sort out what to do next.

What Tim and Hutch don’t know, but will soon learn is the hand causes anyone near it to get violent, murderous thoughts.  These urges become so strong and persistant that those under the influence lose control and act on them.  They will brutally murder anyone near.  Worse still, the killed by a person under the influence of the demon hand, reanimate as zombies with the same sadistic killing urges.

As the madness spreads two factions work to recover the hand…

  • Peach Sorreno knows Tim and Hutch had the hand, but do they still?  Sorreno wants it badly, and brings in Nick Coffin, one of his “fixers” to resolve the issue.

 

  • A US government black ops organization that deals with the occult has been searching for the hand.  Under the direction of David Lundy (who wants the demon hand to weaponize it), two field agents, John Bonner and Samantha Weils are boots on the ground.

With each passing minute, the fevor spreads.  One infected becomes two.  Two become four.  If the hand isn’t recovered and destroyed, it could be the end of the world.

+++

When I started FEVER HOUSE I expected a crime novel with horror overtones.  What I got was an epic, crime/conspiracy/horror/demonic/apocalyptic tale that I absolutely loved.  I’ve already purchased the sequel and it’s nearing the top of my next-to-read pile.

FEVER HOUSE gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“The Thicket” (2024), starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Leslie Grace with Gbenga Akinnagbe / Z-View

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The Thicket (2024)

Director: Elliott Lester

Screenplay: Chris Kelley, based on THE THICKET by Joe R. Lansdale

Stars: Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ned Dennehy, James Hetfield, Macon Blair, Arliss Howard, Leslie Grace,  Ryan Robbins, Teach Grant,  Derek Gilroy, Roger LeBlanc and David Midthunder.

Tagline: Death comes fast in Texas

The Plot…

Jack, his sister Lula and their grandfather Caleb, are on their way to Caleb’s 700 acre ranch in Montana.  At a ferry crossing they come across the infamous outlaw Cut-Throat Bill and her gang.  Caleb is murdered.  Jack left for dead and Lula is kidnapped.

Jack makes it to the next town.  There he sees part-time bounty hunters / grave diggers Reginald Jones and Eustace Howard in action.  Jones and Howard make an unlikely pair.  Jones has dwarfism and Howard is a black man.  Jack wants to hire them to help him rescue his sister.  Jones and Howard are hesitant to go against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang.  When Jack tells them he owns a 700 acre ranch in Montana and offers them land if they take on the job.  They agree knowing that success is unlikely.

What chance does a young kid, and part-time bounty hunters have against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang?  Let’s find out.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Thicket is based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name released by Mulholland Books on September 10, 2013.  Making the film was a longtime passion project for Peter Dinklage.  Dinklage was first linked to the project in 2014.

Juliette Lewis has never been better.  She owns every scene as the frightening and murderous Cut-Throat Bill.

The Thicket (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.