Adventurous!

This book was truly an exciting ride from start to finish. It was filled with non-stop action that kept me on the edge of my seat.

However, I have to admit that I didn't really care for the ending. It felt a bit rushed or perhaps not as satisfying as I had hoped.

But despite that, I can't really complain too much. The overall experience of reading the book was so thrilling that I was able to overlook the somewhat disappointing conclusion.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world, filled with interesting characters and heart-pounding adventures.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure story. It's not perfect, but it's still a lot of fun to read.

This is an extremely entertaining, gritty, and funny Southern Gothic/noir tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story revolves around a Viet Nam vet who, for reasons unknown, kills a banker. This act sets off a chain of events that leads to him being chased by a pair of highly unusual bounty hunters.

The bounty hunters add an extra layer of intrigue and humor to the story. Their methods and personalities are anything but ordinary, making for some truly hilarious and unexpected encounters with the Viet Nam vet.

With a bounty of $15K on his head, the vet must use all of his skills and wits to outrun the bounty hunters and stay one step ahead of the law. The story is filled with twists and turns, and you'll never know what's going to happen next.

Overall, this is great stuff that fans of Southern Gothic and noir fiction are sure to love. It's a thrilling and engaging read that will leave you wanting more.

I absolutely adored this book.

The story was truly captivating, with its unique characters, enchanting setting, and perfect pacing.

The characters stood out as being very distinct and quite different from those in other books I've read over the years, which immediately earned it a big thumbs up from me.

I don't really want to delve too deeply into the plot, but suffice it to say that the story caught my interest from the very first page and held it all the way to the end.

After committing a crime out of desperation, knowing that he would lose the last remaining thing he had in life, Dan Lambert goes on the run.

With only a limited amount of money in his pocket and a mind full of "What the fuck am I to do now?!?", Dan gets in his truck and drives as far away from the scene of the crime as possible.

On the way, he meets quite a few colorful characters and tries his best to get his thoughts in order.

This was such an enjoyable read. Dan is so desperate and scared, more for his family than for himself (read the book and you'll find out why).

Even though you just witnessed him kill a man, you can't help but feel sorry for him because he seems like a good guy, someone who never stepped on anyone's toes and always kept his mind on the right path.

He spends a significant portion of the book trying (not in an obvious way) to redeem himself and show that he is not necessarily a bad person.

I highly recommend this book to all of my GR friends. McCammon can truly write a compelling story that keeps you entertained from start to finish.

It is truly madness, yet captivating in its impossibility. Nothing here is as it seems and nothing happens in the way we think it will...

And yet - an interesting plot, exciting action that doesn't let you down!

This story takes you on a wild ride through a world of mystery and unexpected turns. You'll find yourself constantly guessing what's going to happen next, only to be surprised time and time again.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motives. You'll root for the heroes and despise the villains, getting fully invested in their stories.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, leaving you wanting more.

After reading the first chapter, I thought, "Hmm, if I read about 50 pages a day, I'll be able to finish it quite smoothly and it'll be okay."

But after the second chapter, I was like, "

Dan Lambert, who endured the harsh consequences of Agent Orange from his time in Vietnam and was currently facing difficult circumstances, found himself in a chaotic situation at the bank. In a moment of confusion, he ended up killing a man.

This incident set off a chain of events that led to him being on the run. As he fled, he was confronted by a diverse array of strange characters, all of whom were eager to claim the $15,000 bounty on his head.

The novel did a great job in characterizing the main characters, giving them depth and individuality. However, despite the fact that many people I respect had praised this novel highly, it simply failed to captivate me to a great extent.

I do plan to read more of McCammon's works in the future, but this particular one struck me as a rather average read. It didn't have that special something that would have made it truly stand out and leave a lasting impression on me.

Perhaps my expectations were too high, or maybe this just wasn't the right McCammon novel for me to start with. Nevertheless, I remain open to exploring his other works and hoping to discover the brilliance that others have found in his writing.

Excellent. McCammon is truly a master of building characters and worlds. His works are a testament to his incredible talent and imagination. With each story he weaves, he creates vivid and complex characters that readers can't help but become invested in. Whether it's the heroic protagonist or the devious antagonist, McCammon brings them to life with such detail and authenticity that they seem to step right off the page.

Not only does he excel at character building, but McCammon is also a genius when it comes to constructing rich and immersive worlds. His settings are so well-described that readers can easily picture themselves in the midst of the action. From the dark and foreboding forests to the bustling city streets, every aspect of his fictional universes feels real and tangible.

Overall, McCammon's ability to build characters and worlds is what sets him apart from other authors. His stories are a joy to read and a true escape into another realm. Whether you're a fan of horror, fantasy, or just great storytelling in general, you won't be disappointed by McCammon's work.

Prepare to be completely immersed in the tidal wave of genius that is Robert McCammon's work. This is one truly fucking wildly entertaining story that features some of the craziest and freakiest characters you'll ever have the pleasure of reading about.

Dan Lambert shows up every morning hoping for a day's work. However, things aren't looking too good for him. He's got leukemia, and his time is running out. Dan is a Vietnam vet with a coffin full of bad memories. These memories cost him his marriage, and he doesn't get to see his son because his ex-wife thinks he's unhinged.

Then, he receives a letter from the bank about missed payments on his truck. He just needs a little more time, a small extension. But you know it's not going to happen. This meeting is bound to be a disaster, and sure enough, it doesn't take long before we have one dead bank manager and one well-intentioned client on the run.

While evading the law, Dan crosses paths with Arden Halliday, who is on a mission. She's headed for the swamp lands in search of a mythical faith healer to get rid of the birthmark on her face. They fall in together like old friends, one searching and one running, helping each other along the way.

And then there are the two bounty hunters chasing the $15,000 reward on Dan. They're hot on his trail and are two more perfect rejects from Freaks R Us. Flint has a brother who hides in plain sight, and Pelvis Eisley is the king, kind of, on his first hunt. Flint has to endure the constant chatter, the jumpsuit, and a bloody dog.

The story is great. You can't help but become invested in Dan's plight, and you might even find yourself liking the bad guys, or at least not hating them. It's an ever so slightly disturbing quest, all wrapped up in a bizarre deviance that rarely strays onto the straight and narrow path. It's a fascinating tale of messed-up folk who have gone south.

A 4.5* Rating

Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...

Hope takes on unexpected forms because many seek it and there is not enough time for all. This is the essence of the novel that awaits readers. Dan Lambert, a Vietnam veteran, has been left with both physical and psychic scars by the war. When he receives a communication from the bank informing him that due to problems with credit payments, they will take away his van, his life takes a drastic turn. The meeting at the bank with the loan management responsible gets out of control and ends in incidents that cause a death. Dan flees and will have the members of the law enforcement forces and a rather peculiar pair of bounty hunters on his heels. During his journey, he will meet different people. If you want to know more about this book, without spoilers, visit the provided link: https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....

It was hell’s season, and the air was thick with the stench of burning children. This was a world of pain and suffering, a place where hope seemed to have abandoned all. Dan, a Vietnam War vet, was a casualty of this cruel war, suffering the lingering effects of Agent Orange. He had fought bravely for his country, only to be betrayed and left with nothing. His wife, his son, his home, all gone. Now, he was on his way to the bank, hoping to persuade the loans officer to let him keep his truck. But fate had other plans.

At the bank, he encountered a new loans officer, and a scuffle ensued. In a moment of desperation, Dan found himself guilty of a heinous act. Now, with a price on his head, he was on the run, heading south towards the Louisiana bayou. Along the way, he met Arden Halliday, a woman with a disfiguring purple birthmark that covered half her face. Life had been unkind to Arden, but she still held onto a glimmer of hope. She believed in The Bright Girl, a legendary faith healer who could be found in the bayou.

Dan and Arden’s journey was not without its challenges. They were pursued by two of the most curious bounty hunters one could ever imagine. Smoates, a connoisseur of freaks, had acquired Flint Murtaugh at a side show. Flint, in turn, had a brother, and together they made a formidable team. And then there was Pelvis Eisley, the big bellied, fat-jowled twin of Elvis Presley as he’d been the year of his death at Graceland. He was a hunter in training, and he had Mama with him.

The bayou was a place of mystery and danger. The locals governed themselves, and there was no law to be found. The green walls of the swamp closed in around them, and the alligators lurked in the murky waters. But Dan and Arden refused to give up. They paddled their boat forward, hoping to find redemption, a miracle, a way out, and a little dignity. Along the way, they would encounter many strange and wonderful things, and their lives would be changed forever.

McCammon is a master storyteller, and this adventure is a true gem. His descriptive powers bring the bayou to life, and his characters are rich and complex. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure story. It’s a journey you won’t soon forget.

First McCammon read for me and what a read it was!

It was truly an extraordinary experience. The characters he brought to life were not only very memorable but also felt so real. Each one had their own unique traits and personalities that made them stand out. The immersive atmosphere he created was simply captivating. It was as if I was transported into the world of the story, able to feel every emotion and experience every moment along with the characters. And let's not forget about the exceptionally good story pacing. It was neither too fast nor too slow, but just right. It kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what would happen next. Overall, it was a reading experience that I will never forget and would highly recommend to anyone.

4.5
This is perhaps the most mature novel by this author. Written in a particular moment for him - I refer to what the author himself wrote about this.

For most of the plot, I was exhausted by it. It was neither a genre novel nor something else unknown. Fantasy was hidden in it more as an unclear promise (The Fair Maiden). Above all, it was a story about a pair of regrets. Each for a different reason and on different life paths that converged. There was rather no promise of a good ending here. Moreover, a lot was happening - I'm even omitting the interesting main hunters - and sensation was mixed with drama. And I rarely like "problematic" novels. Because life provides far too many problems and why bother with them additionally? :) And usually after emptiness. So I didn't like this very much. So initially three stars, because 2.75 can't be marked.

But then came the ending, which made it worth the trouble with the characters on their path. Simple, even not revealing. But sincere and deep. Sometimes that's enough.