Hap Collins and Leonard Pine are an inseparable pair who have tangled with more than a few formidable adversaries. Still, they have their work cut out for them when they must corral an out-of-control 400-pound pig for a client and manage to barely escape with their lives. The fruits of their labor are bruises and a wrecked house for their client.

Hap and Leonard are honorable men, so they return the client’s money, provide payment for the broken furnishings, and assist with fixing the pigpen. The monstrous porker belongs to the ne’er-do-well neighbors, and while attempting to rebuild it, Hap discovers a hidden meth lab in the shed.

They report their findings to local law enforcement, who don’t appear overly concerned. However, this laissez-faire attitude is soon checked with the appearance of the LaBorde Police Chief. While not a fan of Hap and Leonard, he is a by-the-books cop. The drug paraphernalia is confiscated, and the authorities are on the lookout for the drug-running Planter family, who shortly thereafter are found brutally murdered.

"Lansdale’s literary gift is creating new and refreshing trouble for the lovable pair to become ensnared in.... The finished product is a rip-roaring action narrative that will make you pine for more from this prolific writer."

Hap and Leonard’s friendship is rock solid, but their domestic lives are pulling them in different directions. Hap is happily married to Brett, who runs their private investigation business, while Leonard is engaged to a local cop named Pookie. Leonard plans to run a gym and put the danger of the past in his rearview mirror.

Hap is inclined to forget the meth-manufacturing family and focus on less messy cases with Brett until he is contacted by the former sheriff. He is related to the Planters and hires Hap to look into the case. As Hap, Leonard and Brett begin to explore leads, they find more dead bodies along the way, including the former sheriff. A warning is sent the trio’s way in the form of an axe to their office door.

A vicious assault on Leonard follows soon after, but he ably defends himself while knocking a pair out of commission. Leonard describes his assailants as a gang of women armed with axes and hatchets. The danger facing Hap, Leonard and their loved ones comes from a bereaved woman hellbent on revenge. They will need brains, brawn, allies and luck to defeat a foe unlike any they have experienced before.

HATCHET GIRLS is the latest thrilling and enjoyable installment in Joe R. Lansdale's long-running series. This 14th entry finds these stalwart friends a bit older and wiser, but always ready for battle when necessary. While Hap and Leonard bear the scars of engagement with numerous henchmen, assassins and psychopaths, they have never backed down from a fight or walked away.

Lansdale’s literary gift is creating new and refreshing trouble for the lovable pair to become ensnared in. He imbues this story with the right amount of cynicism and dark humor to make you laugh and the right amount of heart to buoy your spirit. The finished product is a rip-roaring action narrative that will make you pine for more from this prolific writer.