Rating: 
Summary: THIS NOVEL IS THE MOST FUN I'VE HAD IN YEARS!
Review: After having read Joe R. Lansdale's beautiful and poignant novel, THE BOTTOMS (everybody should read this!), I decided to back track and try some of the books in his 'Hap Collins/Leonard Pine' series, starting with BAD CHILI. I hate to say it, but after just one novel, I'm now addicted to these two fascinating and utterly delightful characters. I found myself laughing so hard in the first four pages of this novel that I started crying and then got stomach cramps. I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally pick up a book by this fantastic author. I must've had my head buried in a hole of sand for the last seven years. What's BAD CHILI about? Well, it's about Hap Collins and Leonard Pine (a couple of schmucks as Leonard would say of himself and his friend) who find themselves getting caught up in the most outrageous and dangerous situations, usually because they're trying to help someone. Hap is white, in his mid-forties, hates violence, dislikes guns, tries to stay within the law, has a bald spot on the back of his head, and is generally the calmer of the two. Leonard is black and homosexual, trained in the martial arts, tougher than any five guys put together, and the first to lose his temper. When Hap returns home after working on an off shore oil rig for several months, he and Leonard go out into the woods to shoot cans and play catch up on each other's life. It isn't long before a big, mean squirrel with rabies comes bouncing out of the woods and chases Hap around the field before finally latching onto his arm. While Hap goes to the hospital, Leonard attempts to find his boyfriend, Raul, who's left him for another man. Both Raul and his new lover end up dead, and Leonard is blamed for their murders. This leads Hap and Leonard on a quest to find out whom the real killer is, not to mention the person behind a sex/video ring who films homosexuals being beat up by several guys and then sexually abused by them. Hap will encounter one of the most dangerous and biggest men he has ever met'a slightly deranged ex-wrestler who likes to apply electricity to a person's genitals before beating them to death with a baseball bat. If Hap thought the squirrel was deadly, waits till he meets Big Man Mountain! BAD CHILI is the most fun I've had with a novel in an extremely long time. I immediately loved the characters of Hap and Leonard, feeling as if these were two guys I'd like to know in real life. I couldn't get enough of the bantering between the two of them. Both men proved to be tough hombres who knew when to cross the line for payback. These are guys you'd want covering your back, or tracking down the killers after you're dead. They're like dogs with a bone that won't let go, no matter what the cost. Hurt them or one of their friends, and they'll track you down to the ends of the earth to get a little helping of revenge. Brett Sawyer, a... nurse, who long ago bonked her husband on the head and then set him on fire, is Hap's new love interest, and she's just as tough as he is. Then, there's Jim Bob Luke, a professional P.I. who reminded me just a little bit of Steven Seagal in his ability to go in and take out the bad guys in less than thirty seconds with no mercy shown. Mr. Lansdale's writing in BAD CHILI is like a cold Corona going down on a hot Texas day'it makes you sigh with pure happiness when the last drop is finally swallowed. The story has more twists and turns than the Sabine River; and, as my late grandpappy would say, the trials and tribulations that Hap and Leonard go through would be enough to make a preacher cuss. BAD CHILI is definitely the real thing. It's the kind of book that adds a strong sense of joy to one's life and makes a reader glad that he's alive to have these kind of experiences. Needless to say, I've already purchased the rest of the books in the series and intend on reading all of them within the next week or so. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Rating:
Summary: Bad Chili is Bad Ass Great!
Review: After reading BC, I'm reminded of the reviews that some of Carl Hiaasen's fans gave him over his latest book, "Lucky You." Many complained that he didn't deliver the great funny characters and situations as he'd done in his earlier novels -- characters such as Skink, etc. Perhaps some future nitwit might do the same with Joe's "Bad Chili." I certainly hope their front teeth rot and fall off if they do this idiotic deed. BC is right on target, both with suspense, characterization, and great humor.. Maybe Joe decided not to deliver a great funny line at the onset but he can afford to lay back. The novel is first rate when it comes to a gripping plot and outlandish scumbags. Hap and Leonard are funny but are showing realistic signs of internal growth, so their relationship is not nearly as lively as in the past stories -- a change I find refreshing. Cartoon characters are the ones that never if seldom change. Which is why I enjoyed Joe's changes to his characters. I find the addition of Brett good for the character of Hap, and hope Joe keeps her with the series. I also immensely enjoy the private detective pig farmer. That guy should definitely make more appearances, and hey lets have some really good pig and farm animal jokes to tell too! There's lots of good ones out there that Joe can throw into the mix, like how a big mamma sow, lying in the mud with a dozen piglets clinging on her titties, will make you think she's performing a David Copperfield illusion when she makes that chicken that fell into her pen vanish with nothing left but a few white feathers clinging to her snout. Protein!Great novel, Joey!
Rating:
Summary: Bad Chili is Bad Ass Great!
Review: After reading BC, I'm reminded of the reviews that some of Carl Hiaasen's fans gave him over his latest book, "Lucky You." Many complained that he didn't deliver the great funny characters and situations as he'd done in his earlier novels -- characters such as Skink, etc. Perhaps some future nitwit might do the same with Joe's "Bad Chili." I certainly hope their front teeth rot and fall off if they do this idiotic deed. BC is right on target, both with suspense, characterization, and great humor.. Maybe Joe decided not to deliver a great funny line at the onset but he can afford to lay back. The novel is first rate when it comes to a gripping plot and outlandish scumbags. Hap and Leonard are funny but are showing realistic signs of internal growth, so their relationship is not nearly as lively as in the past stories -- a change I find refreshing. Cartoon characters are the ones that never if seldom change. Which is why I enjoyed Joe's changes to his characters. I find the addition of Brett good for the character of Hap, and hope Joe keeps her with the series. I also immensely enjoy the private detective pig farmer. That guy should definitely make more appearances, and hey lets have some really good pig and farm animal jokes to tell too! There's lots of good ones out there that Joe can throw into the mix, like how a big mamma sow, lying in the mud with a dozen piglets clinging on her titties, will make you think she's performing a David Copperfield illusion when she makes that chicken that fell into her pen vanish with nothing left but a few white feathers clinging to her snout. Protein! Great novel, Joey!
Rating: 
Summary: CRUDE RUDE TACKY!
Review: I cannot believe how CRUDE this book is. I'm guessing the rest of the reviewers must be men--as I certainly don't know any women that would like the language in this book. It's definately written from a man's viewpoint--a classless one at that. I just got to the point where I couldn't read anymore as the plot and characters were lost in the filthy language! Hope the ending was a good one---I'll never know.
Rating:
Summary: This book cracked me up!
Review: I loved this oddball duo! Hap and Leonard stole my heart with their antics and sharp wit! I was especially interested in the depiction of Leonard...a butt-kicking badass who was not ashamed of his homosexuality or his heritage. The sexual wisecracks and the racial slurs were a bit heavy, so this book may offend some readers. All in a all, a very funny book and a delightful read. Glad to know that the adventures of these two characters continues on.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Chili--a tasty dish for fans of John Woo...
Review: If you've met Hap and Leonard before, you are familiar with Landsdale's twisted take on the buddy caper novel. This time out, in a n attempt to clear Leonard of a bum murder rap, Hap faces a rabid squirrel, a pack of bikers led by a sadistic pro wrestler and one of the best creations of recent memory, tough as nails P.I. Jim Bob Luke. Watch out for sexual innuendoes and gut wretching violence. Here is John Woo's print soul-mate
Rating:
Summary: A sense of humor, and no boundaries
Review: In the end it was a police procedural, but this thing will have you laughing your butts off. I hope he does more with these characters, but even if he doesn't - the story was a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Bad Chili Is Good and Hot
Review: Initially, I had to decide if the opening chapter was too far out for even Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, the unique but very real main characters in Joe Lansdale's crime series. However, after Hap left the hospital in the midst of in-patient (for insurance purposes) rabies treatment to look for his friend Leonard, the prime suspect in a biker's murder, I decided that once again, Lansdale had laid the groundwork and set the stage for an entertaining escape into one of his thrillers. With the setting in East Texas and characters named Horse Dick, Big Man Mountain, Pierre, King Arthur and Jim Bob Lee, Lansdale manages to construct a plot around grease stealling, video gay bashing, possible police corruption, murder, torture, spousal abuse, and love between Hap and the dynamic and feisty Brett. (She's more than a handful and willing to meet every one of Hap's demands, sarcastic comments, and character flaws head-on. She'd be a welcome addition to any future entries into the series). Obviously, I'm very satisfied with my decision to continue reading. In fact, reflecting back upon the story, even being bitten by a rabid squirrel makes sense. This is another highly rated Joe Lansdale entree.
Rating:
Summary: CRUDE RUDE TACKY!
Review: It's surprising Joe R. Lansdale would write suspense novels, given his writing style. At least, that's what I thought when I first picked up "Bad Chili" and read the first page. The exact words are a little too explicit to be repeated here; suffice it to say Hap Collins' buddy Leonard has a creative method of nightclub bouncing. Reading Lansdale's style, one can almost picture a pair of cowboy boots propped up before the narrator, taking his time to unravel his tale. In his way, with skill, Lansdale makes this work beautifully. "Bad Chili" was my first Lansdale novel, but not the last by a long shot. He's too good a writer to put away, and his body of work is impressive. Next for me is "Mucho Mojo;" try this one and see what I mean!
Rating:
Summary: Spicy heat, simmered slow.
Review: It's surprising Joe R. Lansdale would write suspense novels, given his writing style. At least, that's what I thought when I first picked up "Bad Chili" and read the first page. The exact words are a little too explicit to be repeated here; suffice it to say Hap Collins' buddy Leonard has a creative method of nightclub bouncing. Reading Lansdale's style, one can almost picture a pair of cowboy boots propped up before the narrator, taking his time to unravel his tale. In his way, with skill, Lansdale makes this work beautifully. "Bad Chili" was my first Lansdale novel, but not the last by a long shot. He's too good a writer to put away, and his body of work is impressive. Next for me is "Mucho Mojo;" try this one and see what I mean!
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