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dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
When Tomas Morales tracks down Juan's grandfather, Jimmy Veeder and his wife head to Mexico for a honeymoon and to meet up with him, with Bobby Maves and Grizelda in tow. Little does Jimmy Veeder know that he's stepping into a hornet's nest of drug dealers and killers...
I got this from Netgalley.
Johnny Shaw's dimwitted duo, Jimmy Veeder and Bobby Maves, are back and in fine form. Jimmy gets married and heads to Mexico, only to stir up trouble as only he and Bobby Maves can. Things have changed since the last book, however. Jimmy has built a good life with Angie and Juan and has a lot more to lose.
As with the previous book, the humor is the star of the show. The book is peppered with hilarious lines, shades of early Joe Lansdale. In fact, if Joe Lansdale ever chooses to die and his estate wants to farm Hap and Leonard out to someone, he could do a lot worse than Johnny Shaw.
Speaking of Lansdale, Imperial Valley reminded me of [b:Captains Outrageous|219727|Captains Outrageous (Hap and Leonard, #6)|Joe R. Lansdale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1172804775s/219727.jpg|3002847], both because of the humor and of the structure, with the first half taking place in Mexico and the second, when the conflict comes home. While I knew Jimmy and Bobby wouldn't die, there were some tense moments.
One thing did irk me, however. When a book is this hilarious, it kind of deflates the sense of jeopardy. When everyone is cracking wise, it's hard to take the violence seriously. That being said, this book is high on violence but higher on laughs. I lost count of lines I would have uttered aloud if anyone was sitting within earshot.
Honestly, the third Jimmy Veeder fiasco does not disappoint. It's as funny as the previous two. Four out of five stars. Special bonus points to Shaw for including the World's Deadliest Mexican from [b:Blood & Tacos #1|15710576|Blood & Tacos #1|Johnny Shaw|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339985497s/15710576.jpg|19063801] for a cameo appearance.
I got this from Netgalley.
Johnny Shaw's dimwitted duo, Jimmy Veeder and Bobby Maves, are back and in fine form. Jimmy gets married and heads to Mexico, only to stir up trouble as only he and Bobby Maves can. Things have changed since the last book, however. Jimmy has built a good life with Angie and Juan and has a lot more to lose.
As with the previous book, the humor is the star of the show. The book is peppered with hilarious lines, shades of early Joe Lansdale. In fact, if Joe Lansdale ever chooses to die and his estate wants to farm Hap and Leonard out to someone, he could do a lot worse than Johnny Shaw.
Speaking of Lansdale, Imperial Valley reminded me of [b:Captains Outrageous|219727|Captains Outrageous (Hap and Leonard, #6)|Joe R. Lansdale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1172804775s/219727.jpg|3002847], both because of the humor and of the structure, with the first half taking place in Mexico and the second, when the conflict comes home. While I knew Jimmy and Bobby wouldn't die, there were some tense moments.
One thing did irk me, however. When a book is this hilarious, it kind of deflates the sense of jeopardy. When everyone is cracking wise, it's hard to take the violence seriously. That being said, this book is high on violence but higher on laughs. I lost count of lines I would have uttered aloud if anyone was sitting within earshot.
Honestly, the third Jimmy Veeder fiasco does not disappoint. It's as funny as the previous two. Four out of five stars. Special bonus points to Shaw for including the World's Deadliest Mexican from [b:Blood & Tacos #1|15710576|Blood & Tacos #1|Johnny Shaw|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1339985497s/15710576.jpg|19063801] for a cameo appearance.
wyrmdog's review against another edition
3.0
I love Johnny Shaw's Veeder books. I really do. And I liked this one a lot. Veeder fiascos are something I discovered almost on accident and I've begun to really look forward to them.
Jimmy and his found-family are crude and crass and loyal to a fault and they're great. They're all the best bits of the myths of the rural American turned up to 11 with the bad bits reduced to funny quirks. In that sense, it's fantasy, but it's fantasy that makes you feel good. It's fantasy for those that like a rollicking good adventure yarn that doesn't involve wizards or robots or superheroes.
The violence is couched in near-apocalyptic and yet personal terms but the sense of true danger to our heroes is virtually non-existent. At this point - if you've read this far in the series - you know that nothing will intrude to break the dynamic. Jimmy and co. will prevail in dramatic fashion with minimal hurt.
But they are hurt, make no mistake. Not everyone in Jimmy's orbit survives to the last page. Yet Jimmy and co. feel more like they did in Dove Season than Plaster City. Yes, they've grown and changed, but the story itself feels a tiny bit regressive, taking shelter in its roots and retreating from the edge it picked up in Plaster City.
To borrow an element from the book itself: Imperial Valley kept its panties on.
Jimmy and his found-family are crude and crass and loyal to a fault and they're great. They're all the best bits of the myths of the rural American turned up to 11 with the bad bits reduced to funny quirks. In that sense, it's fantasy, but it's fantasy that makes you feel good. It's fantasy for those that like a rollicking good adventure yarn that doesn't involve wizards or robots or superheroes.
The violence is couched in near-apocalyptic and yet personal terms but the sense of true danger to our heroes is virtually non-existent. At this point - if you've read this far in the series - you know that nothing will intrude to break the dynamic. Jimmy and co. will prevail in dramatic fashion with minimal hurt.
But they are hurt, make no mistake. Not everyone in Jimmy's orbit survives to the last page. Yet Jimmy and co. feel more like they did in Dove Season than Plaster City. Yes, they've grown and changed, but the story itself feels a tiny bit regressive, taking shelter in its roots and retreating from the edge it picked up in Plaster City.
To borrow an element from the book itself: Imperial Valley kept its panties on.
sjj169's review
4.0
Getting a new Johnny Shaw book always puts me in a really good mood.
Especially if it's one featuring two of my all time favorite characters. Jimmy and Bobby. Those two pretty much guarantee a good time.
They haven't changed much...
I had always tried to do the right thing, even when I seemed to consistently make things worse. Now it was time to do the wrong thing. I hoped that worked out better.
Jimmy starts off the book by finally marrying Angie. You think things would be calm now that he has settled down and they are in the middle of newlywed bliss. You'd have the wrong book if that was your plan.
Drug lord Tomas comes calling for the after wedding with a present for Jimmy. Some cash, a pre-paid trip and he has found Jimmy's adopted son's true grandfather. They just have to go to Mexico to find him.
That works out pretty much as expected after Bobby and his girlfriend shows up. These two guys attract trouble like no one else. One thing about it though, they are ALWAYS there for each other. No matter how stupid the other may be.
It's hard to review this one without going spoilery and it's way too much fun to get spoiled on one of these books. Just know that Bobby is his usual self...full of helpful tips.
"You have no idea how hard it is to find good muscle."
"Have you tried Craigslist?" Bobby said. "Look in the 'Hoods and Flunkies' category."
Then throw in all Jimmy's buddies, Snout, Buck-Buck, Mr. Morales, Tomas and a few new wonderful characters that also fit into Bobby's motto of.."I've been waiting my whole life for a fight like this. Finally. It's finally time to fuck some fuckers the fuck up."
These are the guys I'd want as friends if the crap hit the fan.
I'd bring plenty of beer so calm down.
(P.S. You can read these as stand alone's but honestly you would miss the backstory. Go read them all.)
ETA: This book has a mixed tape of ass-kicking music to accompany it. 2.0 you should love this:
"Modern Day Cowboy by Tesla" "Hair of the Dog by Nazareth" "Pure Rock Fury by Clutch"..that's just the beginning.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Especially if it's one featuring two of my all time favorite characters. Jimmy and Bobby. Those two pretty much guarantee a good time.
They haven't changed much...
I had always tried to do the right thing, even when I seemed to consistently make things worse. Now it was time to do the wrong thing. I hoped that worked out better.
Jimmy starts off the book by finally marrying Angie. You think things would be calm now that he has settled down and they are in the middle of newlywed bliss. You'd have the wrong book if that was your plan.
Drug lord Tomas comes calling for the after wedding with a present for Jimmy. Some cash, a pre-paid trip and he has found Jimmy's adopted son's true grandfather. They just have to go to Mexico to find him.
That works out pretty much as expected after Bobby and his girlfriend shows up. These two guys attract trouble like no one else. One thing about it though, they are ALWAYS there for each other. No matter how stupid the other may be.
It's hard to review this one without going spoilery and it's way too much fun to get spoiled on one of these books. Just know that Bobby is his usual self...full of helpful tips.
"You have no idea how hard it is to find good muscle."
"Have you tried Craigslist?" Bobby said. "Look in the 'Hoods and Flunkies' category."
Then throw in all Jimmy's buddies, Snout, Buck-Buck, Mr. Morales, Tomas and a few new wonderful characters that also fit into Bobby's motto of.."I've been waiting my whole life for a fight like this. Finally. It's finally time to fuck some fuckers the fuck up."
These are the guys I'd want as friends if the crap hit the fan.
I'd bring plenty of beer so calm down.
(P.S. You can read these as stand alone's but honestly you would miss the backstory. Go read them all.)
ETA: This book has a mixed tape of ass-kicking music to accompany it. 2.0 you should love this:
"Modern Day Cowboy by Tesla" "Hair of the Dog by Nazareth" "Pure Rock Fury by Clutch"..that's just the beginning.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
moreadsbooks's review
3.0
I did not know there was a third Jimmy Veeder fiasco floating around! This provided a welcome, hliarious counterpoint to all of the relentlessly bleak stuff I've been reading for the past week.
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