Halloween Bingo 2025
A surprise entry in the DreadfulWater series. Mr. King has declared himself done writing and yet has produced 2 or 3 books since then. Thank you, sir! Any time you will grace us with more Thumps DreadfulWater I will gladly read it.
As usual, the characters make this book. The usual gang makes their appearances, with a few losses and changes. Everyone is worried about Duke after his wife Macy has died. Thumps is Temporary Deputy Sheriff while Duke grieves and figures out what he's going to do. Moses Blood is showing his age and isn't the spry, wise elder that he was in the early books. Claire is considering a move to Canada to access healthcare for her daughter Ivory.
On the plus side, Deanna Heavyrunner and Cooley Small Elk are officers of the law now (and obsessed with Jenga whenever they are in the office). Wutty Youngbeaver has made good by getting into a qualifying round for the U.S. Open (being held at Chinook) and the community is entranced with golf as a result.
Thumps is dealing with an unusual car theft situation. Cars disappear, only to be returned eventually, with repairs made and interiors detailed. Deanna is considering leaving her keys on the dash to facilitate a car kidnapping. More seriously, our temporary sheriff is called to investigate a dead body who turns out not to be dead. But Thumps knows that the shit is about to hit the fan when Cisco Cruz blows into town. Does Cruz bring trouble or follow it? A bit from Column A and some from Column B, perhaps.
This book has its funny moments, as all King's mysteries do, but it felt a little sadder to me. The dialogue is still snappy, but there's considerably less of Thumps' internal monologue. When he is wearing a badge instead of being a photographer drafted by Duke, he is much more serious. Which is appropriate, but slightly less entertaining (but only slightly). It was good to catch up with the gang again.
I read this book for the Village Villainy square of my Halloween Bingo card.
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