SUNSET AND SAWDUST

Joe R. Lansdale is a superb storyteller who serves up a gem in SUNSET AND SAWDUST. Set in East Texas in the 1930s, the story focuses upon Sunset Jones, who has just killed her abusive husband, Pete, who was the town constable. Unexpectedly, Sunset's mother-in-law, who owns the mill in the company town where they live, forgives Sunset and appoints her constable. Both naive and street savvy, Sunset finds herself embroiled in controversy, murder, and hatred. Deborah Marlowe's gentle, almost innocent, Southern voice is ideal, meshing wonderfully with Lansdale's prose. Marlowe has a soft, yet emotional, style, which allows the listener to focus on Lansdale's characters. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]