THE TWO-BEAR MAMBO Hap and Leonard, Book 3

From the opening strands of guitar and harmonica to the poignant final chapter, Phil Gigante narrates Lansdale's 1995 novel, the third to feature Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. Hap and Leonard are best friends—the former is white and straight; the latter black, gay, and unpredictable. When this duo sets out on an adventure, there's no telling which way the chips will fall. This adventure, involving the search for Leonard’s former girlfriend, takes the pair to a backwoods east Texas town, where the Klan is alive and well. Lansdale's writing is known for its direct “in-your-face” style, its tender and poignant character studies, and its laugh-out-loud situations and dialogue. Gigante's acute sense of Lansdale's writing is clear in his every nuance, every beat, and every accent. His singsong cadence captures the epitome of Texas storytelling and fits with Lansdale's writing like a well-worn pair of boots. S.E.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2009]