Joe R. Lansdale
Joe R. Lansdale is an American author and martial arts instructor known for his works in various genres including horror, crime, and westerns. He has written numerous novels, short stories, and screenplays, and is particularly famous for his Hap and Leonard series.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Night They Missed The Horror Show
In the story, two teenagers with a penchant for mischief and a lack of sensitivity towards racial issues set out on a night that takes a dark turn when their quest for entertainment leads them to witness a gruesome scene of violence and torture. The night's events escalate as they become unwilling participants in a horror that surpasses anything they could have imagined, confronting the consequences of their own prejudices and the monstrous nature of true human depravity. The narrative serves as a chilling reminder of the horrors that can arise from ignorance and the depths of evil that can exist in the most unexpected places.
The 8288th Greatest Book of All Time -
2. The Bottoms
This novel is a gripping Southern Gothic mystery set in the 1930s East Texas. It follows the story of a young boy, Harry Crane, who stumbles upon the mutilated body of a black woman in the Bottoms, an area near the Sabine River. As more victims emerge, the community is gripped by fear and suspicion, with racial tensions running high. Harry and his father, Jacob, a moral and just man, find themselves at the heart of the investigation, confronting not only the brutality of a serial killer but also the harsh realities of racism and injustice in their small town. The narrative weaves a tale of suspense, family bonds, and the loss of innocence, against a backdrop of a deeply segregated society.
The 8314th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. By Bizarre Hands
Stories
This collection of short stories delves into the macabre and the grotesque, exploring the darker sides of human nature and the supernatural. With a blend of horror, suspense, and dark humor, the tales traverse a range of unsettling themes, from the bizarre and the surreal to the deeply disturbing. Each story is crafted with vivid detail and a unique voice, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary collides with the extraordinary, often leading to unexpected and chilling conclusions. The narratives are rich with Southern Gothic elements, reflecting the author's distinctive style and mastery of the horror genre.
The 11323rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
4. The Drive In
A B-Movie with Blood and Popcorn, Made in Texas
In this horror novella, a group of friends visits a drive-in theater for an all-night movie marathon, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmarish reality when a mysterious comet passes overhead. The once-familiar setting transforms into a surreal and terrifying landscape where time and space seem to warp, and the patrons are forced to confront their darkest fears and primal instincts. As chaos ensues and societal norms collapse, the friends must navigate the bizarre and violent new world to survive, facing both external threats and the unraveling of their own humanity.
The 17125th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. Savage Season
In this gritty crime novel, two lifelong friends, Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, find themselves embroiled in a dangerous scheme when Hap's ex-wife, Trudy, reappears with a tantalizing proposition. She convinces them to help recover a sunken treasure of stolen money, supposedly hidden in a river by a group of radicals during the 1960s. As they delve deeper into the plan, Hap and Leonard encounter a series of violent and unexpected twists, forcing them to confront their own moral boundaries and the true cost of loyalty and greed. The story unfolds with a blend of dark humor and intense action, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of human nature.
The 17125th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon