No matter the plot I am weary of James Doss's arrogant smugness in regards to his clever writing style.....his attitude reeks through his writing, and alas that just gets onmyverylastnerve! That being said...................

This book is filled with gratuitous violence....that I found to be very disturbing and ugly. There is a group of "brujos" called the "Family" that go on vacation and scheme their next major crime spree down to the minute detail....

Of course the pitukuph comes to Aunt Daisy to let her know he knows something she doesn't while insisting on a trade for his information (she has a basket of delectable jams & goodies for Charlie)...and Aunt daisy being herself has Sarah deal with the "Little Man"

Then the ghost of the woman that the Little Man was telling Aunt Daisy about appears to Charlie....and Charlie in turn deciphers her ramblings to stop a robbery/murder that involves the "Family"

Scott Parris is having the strangest dreams, featuring himself....

Agent Lila McTeague is back and on the "Family's" case.......


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This installment of Doss' highly-entertaining Charlie Moon mysteries pits the lanky Ute against his most ruthless foes yet: a criminal gang with no qualms about using horrific violence to achieve its ends. When Charlie inadvertently foils their plans, they set their sights on him as the next target. Will Charlie and his loved ones survive? Or will this be lights out for a Columbine Ranch resident?

'Revenge' has all the trademark features that make all the Moon books such a delight to read – Daisy's amusingly bad attitude paired with her mystic streak, the lovelorn Sarah Frank pining away over the oblivious detective, and plenty of engaging banter between Moon and his pals. As usual, the nameless narrator is pretty much a character in and of itself. Doss doesn't just tell a story, he spins a yarn, and it's really quite enjoyable at that. Now, in this installment, he does indulge himself a little bit and we're treated to several lengthy dream sequences via a snoozing Scott Parris. For those more interested in the actual meat of the story, this might be a turnoff. However I felt it was in keeping with the "narrator" character's sense of whimsy and enjoyed it.

The book manages another feat in that it's a weird mix of super-creepy and tragic, yet still keeping the humorous angle alive. It's an odd combination, but compelling.

Overall, a great read. ( )