Synopsis/blurb.....
An isolated farm . .
. A lonely woman . . . And a young man who may not be what he seems . . . But
when the wind whips up dust devils on the Texas plains, nothing is what it
seems. Toby McCoy is full of questions when he is shoved headfirst into a mix
of robbers, murderers, betrayals and death. Toby has his own share of dark
secrets that will have to come out before any answers are found.
James Reasoner
is the author of the classic noir TEXAS WIND and finally returns to his roots
in this action-packed redneck-noir thriller.
James Reasoner has apparently authored over 300 novels in a
variety of genres. This was my first taste of his stuff and whilst it was
enjoyable and passed away a few hours in a pleasant fashion, I’m probably going
to stop at the 3 already in my possession. (Texas Wind and Tractor Girl
are the other 2 that I own.)
Dust Devils is a
short sharp crime novel blowing in at just over 150 pages long. Slightly
disturbing in some of the characters motivations, we are jollied along with a
tale of an abandoned son, Toby seeking resolution with his mother. His arrival
at Grace Halligan's farm seeking work masks his true intentions. Grace, herself
may be harbouring a few secrets also.
Guns, death, cops, robbers, incest and secrets
all figure as some of Grace’s former friends from her old life come calling.
Double crosses meet triple crosses in a bloody finale.
Enjoyable, unsettling in places, great action with the
outcome in doubt until the end, and best of all I didn't have to wade through
400 pages to reach the resolution. Satisfying enough, so I carried on with Tractor Girl straight afterwards.
4 from 5
Recently purchased new for Kindle on Amazon.
Col - I like that term 'redneck noir. It says a lot in just two words. I'll be frank; this doesn't sounds like my cuppa, but I know Reasoner's been very prolific and has a following. Glad you enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteMargot, you need to push that envelope a little bit. Beneath that cosy exterior, lurks a hard-boiled fiend, I reckon!
DeleteI like short. But Texas and redneck. I don't know.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not this one then. You get a pass!
DeleteThat makes 3 of us, amongst your female followers all feeling the same.... Anyway, imagine if I really loved it - then I'd have to start collecting and reading all 300.
ReplyDeleteHeavy sigh......maybe Tractor Girl will entice you.
DeleteTractor Girl, hmmm. This one just doesn't grab me like I thought it would. *shocker*
ReplyDeleteTractor Girl has a more pulpy feel to it, so maybe.
DeleteCol, Mr. Reasoner is one of the most prolific writers in America. He writes the kind of books that I'd read. I used to visit (and still do) his equally prolific blog much before I got into blogging. In the past he has been kind enough to answer my queries related to fiction including vintage westerns.
ReplyDeleteI had him more pegged as a western writer. I would like to try one some day maybe, but a bit bogged down at the minute.
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