The Two-Bear Mambo

A Hap and Leonard Novel #3

By: Joe R. Lansdale

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

In this rollicking, rollercoaster ride of a novel, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine take a break from their day jobs to search for Florida Grange, Leonard's drop-dead gorgeous lawyer and Hap's former lover, who has vanished in the Klan-infested East Texas town of Grovetown. Before she disappeared, Florida was digging up some dirt behind the mysterious jailhouse death of a legendary black bluesman's son, who was in possession of some priceless blues recordings. To Hap and Leonard, something doesn't smell right. With murder on their minds, Hap and Leonard set out to investigate as only they now how...chaotically.Listen to another Hap and Leonard novel.©2009 Joe R. Lansdale (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Excellent

If you have read the two previous books in this series, you know what to expect. Lansdale writes fun characters, and has a great turn of phrase.

Narrator Phil Gigante is fantastic. He makes each characters voice unique, and you can tell he is having a great time with this material. If you haven't read any Hap and Leonard novels before, start at the beginning with 'Savage Season.' If you are returning, then be happy to know that this is another great entry in the series.

Hap & Leonard book 3

A good many chuckles here. Great fight scenes (Champion Joe thinks these out in realistic detail) and flood scenes recall Lansdale horror at it's best.

Some Days You Get the Bear...

Some days the bear gets you!
Well, Leonard Pine, the gay conservative african american best friend of hippie Hap Collins has really done it now. He's gone and burned down the drug den he lives next to...again. Matter of fact this is something like the third time he's done it. You'd think the police would stop caring after awhile. This time, though, Lieutenant Marvin Hanson intends to throw the book at Leonard. Unless, that is, Hap would be willing to do the Lt. a small favor.
All Hap has to do is take a trip down to Grovetown where the Klan and other unsavory intolerant jerkwads run things to look into the disappearance of Florida Grange the beautiful, tough as nails, no nonsense (and also black) lawyer who just happens to be the ex lover of both Hap and Lt. Hanson. Of course, Leonard (a man with a somewhat confrontational attitude from time to time) refuses to let his best friend go it alone. And down in this evil little crap town Hap and Leonard will be tested like never before.
Champion Mojo Storyteller Joe R Lansdale hits a home run in what is one of my favorite of his novels. You want hijinks? Done! Action? You got it! Intrigue? Yessir! You heard it here first (well, you did if you read this review first): Hap and Leonard Vs. a whole town of backwards racist good ol' boys. But who really disappeared Florida, and does it have anything to do with the untimely death of blues legend L.C. Soothe's grandson Bobby Joe?

Hap and Leonard at it again

I have enjoyed close to a half dozen Hap and Leonard books, they have all been good and this on is no exception
The short lived TV series was good but the books are 10x better

Deep story but also a very enjoyable mistyery

What did you like best about this story?

This story deals with many serious themes , including racism, homosexuality and male friendship. Albeit they are considered seriously, this is not a treatese but a mistery, The light banter between the two main characters, that they keep going even in the most grivious situations, also helps the reading. In summary, the story has depth, but it is a good mistery and a pageturner (... or the equivalent for an audiobook)

What does Phil Gigante bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have only a very sketchy knowledge of inflections in various areas of the US, and surely listening to the performer helped me.there. The fact that he has a pleasant voice also helped.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I was hooked, and sometimes scared of what was coming, like in a good story.

loved-great series of novels

love this series. made into a great tv show aswell, many differences between show and books. love them both

Oh man I love me some Hap and Leonard

Great one! Better than 2nd. About as good as 1st. I'm on to book 4 now.

Lansdale + Gigante = pure East Texas mojo

What made the experience of listening to The Two-Bear Mambo the most enjoyable?

Sure. There's mystery, plot twists, etc. But the snappy, southern-fried dialogue between protagonists Hap Collins and Leonard Pine as written by Lansdale--and performed by Phil Gigante--are the real reason anyone shoud read the Hap and Leonard series. Great book! Great listen!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You betcha.

An other great story

It's Hap and Leonard folks, need I say more? Go ahead and download, give it a listen

The boys are not invincible

I’m having so much fun with this series. It is always entertaining and keeps me laughing. No matter how serious the matter at hand is, Hap and Leonard can throw out a good line to keep you smiling. Even when dealing with horrific racism, rape, or murder the boys like to push others buttons and not take any crap from anyone. When they are dealing with a whole town of racism and the klan, maybe it would be best if they left it alone.