Cold in July by Joe R. Lansdale, Tachyon Publications

Ann wakes her husband, Dane, in the middle of the night because she heard something. Dane goes downstairs to find an intruder standing in the living room. Shots ring out and the intruder is dead. Dane is still in shock the day of the funeral for the intruder, Freddy Russel.  He goes to the funeral against police advice. There he finds the father of the slain criminal, Ben Russel (Russel).

Russel  threatens Dane and his family because of the killing. Dane goes to the police and they really can’t do anything because Russel hasn’t done anything yet. One night, Russel breaks in and tries to kill Dane’s son, Jordan. He is caught and goes to jail. Dane finds Russel’s wallet under the bed in his son’s room. He looks at the pictures in the wallet and discovers the man he killed is not Russel’s son.

After having Russel released from jail, they both want to know who it was that Dane killed that night. If it wasn’t Russel’s son, then who was it? That meant Russel’s son is still alive. They hire Russel’s friend, Jim Bob Luke, a private investigator to find Freddy. Jim Bob finds Freddy and tells Russel and Dane. What ensues afterward, you will not believe. Was it  a mistake finding Freddy? Will they make it out alive?

Joe R. Lansdale has written a novel that had me totally engrossed from page one to the end. It made me laugh in parts, but was mostly suspenseful. The characters were very likable, with Jim Bob being my favorite. Mr. Lansdale gives insight at the end of the novel for the idea that made this novel possible. I recommend this novel to all who love crime mysteries and suspense fiction with a bit of humor. Great book!

I received this book free from Tachyon Publications for this review.

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