Cold in July by Joe R. Lansdale

By Pamelascott

Richard Dane has killed a man. He cannot unhear the firing of the gun or unsee the blood on his living room wall. But everybody in the small town of LaBorde, Texas knows Dane acted in self defense. Everybody except Ben Russel, the ex-con father of the small-time criminal who invaded Dane's home.

When Russel comes looking for revenge against Dane's family, the two are unexpectedly drawn into a conspiracy that conceals the vilest of crimes. Surrounded by police corruption, mafia deception, and underworld brutality, Dane, Russel, and eccentric PI Jim Bob Luke have discovered a game they may not survive.

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[That night, Ann heard the noise first] ***

(Particle Books, 24 July 2018, first published 1989, ebook, 288 pages, ARC from publisher and voluntarily reviewed)

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I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the dramatic opening. The book is packed with twists and turns. I thought I knew where the plot was going and without warning everything is turned on its head when Dane realises certain things about the robbery and the police investigation don't add up. The plot is compelling, dark and twisted: police corruption, bad guys versus good guys and snuff movies to name but a few. Cold in July ended up a lot of places I wasn't expecting. The book is dark at times but there is also a lot of humour as well. I had a great time reading it.