A Town Called Suckhole

A Town Called Suckhole by David W. Barbee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When a killer has the men of th epost-apocalyptic redneck town of Suckhole living in fear of being murdered and having their genitals severed, Sheriff Billy Jack Bledskoe and his son, Deputy Jesco, turn to mutant Dexter Spikes for help. Will Spikes find the killer or will the three men (or two men and one mutant) wind up penisless and past tense?

In this outing, David Barbee explores the idea of a nuclear apocalypse where only the rednecks survive and thrive in the aftermath. And it's hilarious! The redneck lever is pulled all the way down and duct-taped into place in this book.

Barbee lovingly skewers the redneck culture, taking it to an extreme but still logical level. Where else can you read about worshipers of St. Hank and Jeezus, people with three first names living in double decker trailers, and a monster constructed from deceased Daughters of the Confederacy called Sluttenstein? Not very many, unless you're from the godless arctic hellhole called Ohayo...

The story is a mystery that takes Jesco and Dexter all around Suckhole and the general vicinity. While I didn't find it to be much of a mystery, it was quite an entertaining, especially after a certain character was unexpectedly killed. If I cut and pasted all the funny bits I want to mention, I'd quickly run out of space. Klu Klux Commandos, a one gallon soda called the Thurst Fucker, collard-wrapped hog pecker deep fired in peanut oil, an artificially intelligent moonshine still, the list goes on and on.

The characters are an interesting bunch. Jesco, the deputy struggling to fill his father's shoes, Dexter Spike, the mutant who longs for acceptance, and Mayor Crockwallop, who reminds me of the mayor in Jaws.
A Town Called Suckhole will appeal to fans of redneckery in general, as well as fans of Joe Lansdale's brand of humor. It's a fun way to spend a few hours.

View all my reviews