Book Review: Sunset and Sawdust

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Sunset and Sawdust     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Joe R. Lansdale
Class/Genre:   Mystery

Sunset isn't the name she was born with, but her hair is such a brilliant red that the nickname stuck. Sunset was left to fend for herself as a teenager, first by her father who left without a word, and then later by her mother who followed a boyfriend out of town leaving only a short note and an extra pair of shoes.

Without parents to guide her Sunset doesn't make good decisions - and after enduring an abusive marriage for far too long she dispatches her husband to the hereafter by means of a shot from a 38 pistol. We can view what follows as a long delayed coming of age - with missteps and poor judgement intertwined with growing responsibility and maturity.

Her mother-in-law's intervention gets Sunset a position as a local constable. As she begins to inquire into circumstances of two dead bodies found buried on a local black farmer's land, Sunset gradually uncovers a web of greed and dishonesty. Her eventual victory has more than a few missteps. Sunset still has a lot to learn.

Lansdale's East Texas locales are always rich in atmosphere and the local history of the area. Sunset is not the most admirable of heroines and the end of the book has enigmatic overtones. Nevertheless this is a good read from one of the best authors working today.

Woodstock - RAM

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