Reviews

Tijuana Donkey Showdown by Adam Howe

sjj169's review against another edition

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4.0

Reggie Levine has had an adventuresome life. I'll give him that. He got his knocks in as a former boxer and then there was that bit of trouble that happened in Damned Dirty Apes. He has now sorta pissed through any money that came his way and is working as a bouncer in in bar. Living his legend of the his fame.
Nicolas Cage played yours truly, sporting a mullet that made his "Con-Air"-'do seem conservative, even though I haven't styled my hair like that since the nineties.
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Reggie finds himself beginning to head down that 'what the hell' road again after he rescues the local user car salesman from having himself flushed in the toilet.
He then takes a job from that used car salesman rescuing his wife's priced pooch from a roadside attraction stand.

Because... It all started with a chupacabra.
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It always does Reggie..it always does.

Reggie finds himself become besties real quick with a well endowed donkey.
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That image was for you Kelly!
My watch remained dangling from Enrique's johnson like a ticking cock-ring. He could keep it. Under the circumstances, I'm sure Nic Cage would've understood.
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Booksource: I received a copy of this book from the author. I don't remember him asking me for anything in return. I live in the boondocks though so I may send him a photo of the neighbors donkey.

twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition

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5.0

Adam Howe writes like a high octane Joe Lansdale.

raincorbyn's review against another edition

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4.0

Tasteless, offensive, and crass but damn if I didn’t cackle and retch like a mutt with the hydrophobie.

The audiobook narration by Drew Blood is of particular note. My only possible critique is that I didn’t get to it first. Yeehaw!

sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition

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5.0

Tijuana Donkey Showdown is the second book that features Reggie Levine. He also appears in Damn Dirty Apes which is one of three novellas that feature in Die Dog or Eat the Hatchett. I wouldn’t say it is essential to have read Damn Dirty Apes first, but I think it will give the reader a better idea of Reggie and what happens in the first book and how it fits into the second novel.

If you haven’t read anything by this author before then open your mind to a very warped ride. His books certainly won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but if you like a far out read that’s a bit tongue in cheek, well, you are going to love it.

Head bouncer Reggie is back and boy is the reader in for a fun journey. Getting caught up in a toilet brawl, Reggie finds himself getting involved in another mans mess which ends up turning into a bit of a disaster.

Who knew that trying to get back a missing dog would end up with Reggie and his friends fighting for survival. Gizmo really does not envision pleasant thoughts, he sounded like one of the ugliest dogs I’ve ever heard of. Obviously beauty is skin deep but there really was nothing nice about this leg humping mutt. I have to admit at feeling a bit bad about laughing at something that happens to Gizmo but won’t say what as wouldn’t want to spoil it for others, but it was rather funny.

It’s obvious that Nicholas Cage is a bit of an icon for the author. He even gets his own cameo appearance in the book. I’m actually a bit of a fan of this actor and loved how the author includes him into the story and thought it all flows brilliantly.

Tijuana Donkey Showdown is the perfect read if your an action fan. It reminds me a lot of the Hollywood block buster movies like Big Trouble In Little China where there is a certain amount of humour in them. A highly enjoyable read that is totally bonkers with some really stand out characters. Loved it!

My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

jimbob_luke's review against another edition

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5.0

I cant believe Adam Howe is British. His southern voice and humour is on par with Joe Lansdale's. The story moves at a breakneck pace, with more twists and turns than an epileptic gymnast.

Sometimes people describe books as being 'laugh out loud.' For once this phrase was true. My wife kept asking me what I was laughing at, then wishing she hadn't asked when I tried to explain. Lewd, crude and very rude, but hilarious. Bravo, Mr. Howe.


mrfrank's review against another edition

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4.0

I found this book on many people's Best of 2016 lists. I love a good fun idea and TIJUANA DONKEY SHOWDOWN sounded like a great time. I enjoyed the hell out of it too. I'm a big fan of Tim Dorsey's Serge Storm books and this is every bit the fun caper story that those are. I've seen author Adam Howe compared to Joe Lansdale in style (and while I do see the comparison) but I think he's more closely compared to a Dorsey or Hiaasen at least in regard to this book.
The main character, Reggie Levine, is vivid and rich. All his cohorts are brilliant and funny. The characters drive the story and steer the plot where it needs to go. There are a lot of call backs to a Reggie Levine short story in a previous collection by Howe. The references are not heavy handed, they give you a deeper insight in to the character's motivations and as a bonus for the author, makes you want to go read Levine's adventure with the Stink Ape.
There isn't much I can poke at this critically. The writing is economical yet conveys a great deal of punch in its simplicity. The book is short but nothing is missing. And if you would want to complain about the length, there is a bonus short story thrown on at the end to give you a little extra bang for your buck
I'm glad I saw this book keep popping up on best of lists near the end of December. I picked it up and tore through it, determined to get it done by 2016. I'm glad I did. If you enjoy tales of funny criminal capers with lovable miscreants then TIJUANA DONKEY SHOWDOWN is for you. I mean, there is a genuine Tijuana Donkey in it, that alone is worth the cover price!

thomaswjoyce's review

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5.0

As with the other Adam Howe books I have read so far, this one kept me thoroughly entertained throughout. Engaging and often over-the-top characters and the dialogue between them are surely considered trademarks of Howe's work. Not to mention the thrilling, often hilarious, situations he leads them into. From screams of terror at the brutal violence on display, to screams of pure joy at the banter of the characters, whether between allies or enemies, both were elicited freely and joyously during my read. Upon finishing the book, I immediately bought Black Cat Mojo, the only Howe book I've yet to read. I just hope I won't have to wait too long for a brand new story. The big publishers don't know what they're missing out on by not snapping this author up. But thanks to small press and independent publishing, we still get to read these great authors. I only wish their fantastic work could be enjoyed by even more people.

charshorrorcorner's review

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5.0

4.5 stars!

This is one of the funniest books I've read in my entire life.

Reggie Levine is the likable bouncer at The Henhouse and just wants to disappear into the men's room with his magazine and do his business. Unfortunately, he's unable to do that. Local used car guru Harry is busy getting his head dunked in the only toilet bowl available and it's making a damn mess. So begins Tijuana Donkey Showdown.

Off the top of my head this story features: an extremely well endowed drug mule, (and when I say mule, I mean a jackass and when I say well endowed I mean WELL endowed), a circus strongman, a sexy veterinarian, a gas station/zoo, (WTF??), a Chinese Crested Terrier that likes to hump legs, an overweight stripper and, (wait for it)....Nic Cage. (That's right, he spells it Nic. Supposedly, what do I know?)

I laughed out loud for most of the time I was reading this book. My husband thought I was nuts last night, and my coworkers though the same, just now at lunch. When I thought things could not go more over the top, they did just that.

This story was fast paced and in your face! I recommend it to fans of down and dirty stories that leave no holds barred. You might be offended, you might think it's disgusting, but I guarantee you this-you WILL be laughing. Well done, Mr. Howe! Well done!

You can buy your copy here: Tijuana Donkey Showdown

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
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