Praise for Of Mice and Minestrone

“Five stories, four of them new, filling in more of the early years of that imperishable East Texas duo, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. . . .The dialogue throughout is worth the price of admission, not as stylized as Elmore Leonard's but laden with the same irresistible combination of relaxed badinage and playful threats that sometimes spiral into serious consequences while still remaining playful. The 17 down-home recipes contributed by Lansdale's daughter, Kasey, many of them as chatty as the stories, are a bonus.” 
—Kirkus 

“Of Mice and Minestrone is the last bit of connective tissue missing from the Hap and Leonard Mythos, which is one of the most entertaining series in modern literature. This book, which deals with abuse, friendship, violence, growing up, race, food, and justice, is full of the wit that's made Lansdale a star.”
—Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs  

“There’s a place in East Texas where story shades into memory, where violence and tenderness are just part of the wonder of living, and that’s precisely where Joe Lansdale lives, and writes from, and we’re all the better for it. The eating's pretty good there, too, as Hap's recipes more than attest. You leave this book hungry, both for food and to start the whole series all over again, live through it one more time, maybe just live there a while.”
—Stephen Graham Jones, author of Mongrels and The Only Good Indians

“Of Mice and Minestrone is classic Lansdale at his legendary best . .  Compelling. Hilarious. Poignant. Readers have waited a long time for this collection to finally appear. It was well worth that wait.”
—New York Journal of Books

"I enjoyed every tale in this collection. The best was the title story which was pretty dark and incredibly sad. I really need to read more of Hap and Leonard’s adventures if this book is an example of what they get up to."
—Book Lover's Boudoir

“Of Mice and Minestrone is a must-read for all Lansdale devotees. If you somehow missed or avoided the previous Hap and Leonard novels or story collections—or are new to the works of this prolific and distinctive author—this anthology of stories from the duo’s early years is a wonderful introduction.”
—Bookgasm

“These stories evoke the likes of Elmore Leonard, and manage to feel so reflective that one can almost taste the food.”
—Green Man Review

“I didn't think about the corona virus at all when reading this, and I read it over two days, but could easily have done it in one. I wanted to savor the experience. I think you should too!”
—Char’s Horror Corner

“They’ll make you smile, and take you to a different place, a different time, and show you some of what was terrible and beautiful about it . . . Overall, a fantastic collection, for old hands, and new readers of the series alike."
—Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviews

“Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, the leads in Lansdale’s long-running series, are a pair of mismatched East Texas roustabouts with a propensity for trouble. Hap sat out Vietnam as a conscientious objector, and Leonard was a marine. Leonard is also black and gay, no light burden in East Texas in the sixties. Their friendship is forged on the fact that both are outsiders who find in the other a kindred soul, despite their apparent differences. In these origin stories, they begin their friendship as teenagers, hanging out together and daring the world to separate them. They take on the training of a young black boxer with less skill than heart. Considering that the youngster could get himself killed against an older, more experienced opponent, Leonard takes the kid’s place with predictable results. Hap and Leonard also begin their unconventional career together, as battlers against injustice and racism in all their forms. As they battle, there is plenty of room for smart-ass humor, fisticuffs, broken hearts, and gunplay. Mostly, though, the Hap and Leonard adventures are grounded in friendship. Lansdale is the author of more that 80 novels and short-story collections for which he’s won numerous awards. He’s a master storyteller, and this short collection sets the stage for his most compelling characters.”
—Booklist

“Amply filled with humor, wisdom, and heart . . . An excellent addition to a great collection."
—Manhattan Book Review

“5/5 Stars. Delightful collection of stories with interesting introduction and bonus collaborative recipes.”
—Nonstop Reader

“While Lansdale’s work is as varied as the regions of Texas, there is one common link through all of it: his brilliant storytelling. I had only dabbled in the world of Hap and Leonard before this, but it’s safe to say that after reading this collection, I’m hooked, and will be reading more of these stories sooner rather than later.”
—Grimdark Magazine

“All-in-all, an excellent pairing of crime writing tales, blood-soaked friendship, and Southern grits. Five out of Five stars.”
—Ginger Nuts of Horror

Promotion targeting mystery, crime, thriller, and Texan media and publications • Regional Texas, national, and international author appearances • Consumer and trade advertising / co-op / media • Planned online interviews, blog posts, and author and publisher social media • ARC giveaways on Goodreads, NetGalley, and Edelweiss