Joe R. Lansdale is one of the most talented and naturally gifted storytellers working today. He has a near perfect sense of pace, and plot twists that virtually ambush a reader yet seem inevitable in hindsight. The Hap and Leonard book series, one of his better known creations, is a perfect example of how Lansdale defies stereotypes and cliches by taking the familiar tropes and turning them around, back, sideways, and beyond. Not since the late great Elmore Leonard has a writer so completely revamped the genre of Crime Fiction -- Lansdale takes it to places it's never been before in ways you never imagined.

What strikes me the most about this great collection is how much it shows the growth and evolution of the East Texas dynamic duo known as Hap and Leonard. From young guns who are ready to take names and kick butt without breaking a sweat to men of a certain age who now prefer air conditioning and soft beds but still feel compelled to do the right thing even when they know it's probably going to hurt... a lot! The "boys" aren't playing, the consequences and the stakes are serious (even if they, themselves, rarely are).

I'm probably going to get some negative feedback for saying this but if you are not already familiar with Lansdale's Hap & Leonard series then this really isn't the one to start with, reason being simply that you'll be cheating yourself. You'll be cheating yourself out of the pleasure of seeing how well these collected stories and novellas capture the evolution of these two brothers of no relation, you'll end up missing some of the more nuanced touches that only a fan can truly appreciate. So go ahead, buy the book - buy it right now - but wait until you've read a few of the full length novels before you dive into this one. You'll thank me later (you're welcome).

*Contains adult content, racial slurs, strong language, and tongue-in-cheek observations on a variety of subjects. Sensitive and easily offended readers should consider themselves warned.

Another fine Lonsdale offering in the even finer Hap and Leonard series of stories. Lonsdale continues to impress with his gifted story telling. If you enjoyed the tv series or his past writing or just new to Lonsdale you will not be disappointed. Great reading,

Although I enjoy full novels more, this compilation of short stories is as enjoyable with Hap, Leanard, daughter & wife are full of life and quirky as usual.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

Fine book with an exciting premise. Not my typical read but I enjoyed it. Both protagonists seem real and relatable. I haven’t read any of the authors other works and maybe I shouldn’t have started with this book. While you don’t need to read the others in the series, it would certainly help.

I have not read any of the previous stories about Hap and Leonard, but that didn’t stand in the way of me enjoying (if enjoy is the right word) this collection gritty crime short stories. Considering the subjects of the crimes, this is not a cosy detective series where the ugliness is largely kept off page and there were times when I definitely felt queasy. However I was captured by the nuanced and detailed character work. A gripping if intense read

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is set to be published in March 2022.

"Born For Trouble: The Further Adventures of Hap and Leonard" by Joe R. Lansdale is the latest installment in the Hap & Leonard series, which I've been following for my entire life.
Joe Lansdale's creative genius has never disappointed me and I believe it never will.
This collection of 5 fast-paced, action-packed novellas is a welcome return to the world of the "boys" for longstanding fan of the series, like me, and it will also work well as an introduction to the boys' adventures for newcomers.
I love the sharp writing style, the witty banter, and the rare and all the more precious emotional bits scattered in these pages. More than once, the outrageous improbability of the messes Hap and Leonard keep getting themselves in made me laugh out loud.
Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoyed the subtle feminist nuance permeating these stories, all the more unusual because the protagonists are two action men (and one of them is gay). Hap and Leonard are the brilliant exception in a genre that is sadly still dominated by a sexist culture. Joe Lansdale's works are proof that a man can write action/adventures novels (or novellas, in this particular case) without including sexist subtexts and tropes.
I feel bad about giving "Born for Trouble" only 5 stars: it deserves more!