For Kinky Friedman plots stopped mattering some books back and God Bless John Wayne has little in the way of plot, or God or John Wayne for that matter.

In fact, God Bless John Wayne is an excuse for the Kinkster to reintroduce us to his cast of eccentric friends, his cat and his musings and oneliners, although sadly there's no reference to brontosaurus foreskin boots here. Only of passable interest, particular when compared to Friedman's early work. ( )

God bless Kinky Friedman. I think I'm in love with the little pervert. Kinky puts himself in harm's way yet again, this time to help establish NY Ratso's origins. Scary thought that. Kinky has a wonderful way of crucifying the English language, but the result is a truly enjoyable escape. ( )

It won't make me popular around here, but... I've been a big fan of Don Imus and his radio show since I discovered it during my junior high years. To get this out of the way now, I am not crazy, nor am I a racist, okay?

Anyway, one of the I-Man's frequent guests over the years has been his good friend Kinky Friedman. In between country music projects and running for Governor in Texas, Kinky is something of an author, and would always plug his latest novel on the Imus radio show. I never read one until recently, but I always figured I should get around to it at some point since the Kinkster makes me laugh my head off when he's on the radio.

And what can I say? The Kinkster made me laugh my head off on the couch as I read this book. As a private detective, Kinky is like a twisted, snarky version of Marlowe mixed with a little bit of that dry humor I loved in Jim Rockford. The plot may be lacking a bit, yes, but it's just the way Kinky writes that kept me turning the pages rapidly. The manner in which he describes certain things really struck a chord with me: how damn cold it gets in the Northeast during the winter, or how ridiculous some people can make themselves look in a fancy restaurant, or how one can have murderous thoughts first thing in the morning until they get that first cup of coffee in them -- all things I related to, all written in a laugh out loud style.

However, as a person who recently acquired a cat in my life, it was Kinky's interaction with his feline companion that really did it for me. I thought I was the only person on the planet who spoke to my cat in a conversational manner. After reading a Kinky book, I now know I'm not alone. ( )