Pancho Villa Skull — art by Gabriel Frias (http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=1066347)
OK, so I’m working on the Frontier Partisans book, right? My reading time is dominated by research (that’s not as work-like as I made that sound). Then some rough diamond turns up right where I’m working my claim and I can’t resist…
Stumbled across “Head Games” by Craig McDonald (2007) and the pages just keep turning themselves. What a hoot. McDonald is in love with the same kind of pulpy goodness that trips my trigger and he put together a wild-and-wooly, lurid trip through 1957 America with a soundtrack by Tom Russell.
Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich, the ghosts of the Mexican Revolution… What’s not to love?
Dig the caper:
In a dusty cantina on the far side of the Rio Grande, larger-than-life and recently widowed crime writer Hector Lassiter and Bud Fiske, a callow young poet sent by True Magazine to profile Hector, are handed a carpet bag. Inside they find the stolen head of Mexican general Francisco “Pancho” Villa — a long missing relic that may point the way to a fortune in lost treasure or a blood-and-thunder death…
In the dank, hallowed halls of Yale University creep the members of the Skull & Bones, a secret society shrouded in whispers. They are a fraternity whose members include media barons, über executives and politicians, including three generations of men called Bush — and their sanctum sanctorum’s trophy cabinet is purportedly packed with the stolen bones of long-dead luminaries…
In a ‘57 Bel Air, Hector, Bud, and the beautiful Alicia tear through the desert with a trunk full of human heads. Caught in a crazy crossfire, they lead all manner of headhunters on a breakneck chase across Lost America. U.S. intelligence services, murderous frat boys, the soldier of fortune who stole Pancho’s head from its grave, and the specter of a dead Mexican legend all want Villa’s head—though they might settle for Hector’s…
That comment about the Tom Russell “soundtrack”? That’s literal. The book is dedicated to Tom and his former guitar-slinger Andrew Hardin and the book is loaded with easter eggs for TR fans. Hell, Lassiter is working on a script for John Ford for a movie about cockfighting…
McDonald is clearly having a blast just wallowing in his passions: noir; hyper-masculine literature; booze; good music; the old, weird America; Mexico; The Road; dark-eyed beauties. Sure, it’s over the top — that’s part of its charm.
“Head Games” is one of four Hector Lassiter books. This is gonna be a problem.
Emil Holmdahl: Soldier of Fortune and grave robber.
Keith West says
You had me at Tom Russell.
JimC says
Here’s the cool thing about my wife. I showed her the back blurb on the book and she says, “That’s a Tom Russell song…” I say, “Look at the dedication…”
That gal is one dialed-in woman.
Craig McDonald says
Jim: Thanks so much for the kind words. I very much look forward to returning the read; your book sounds right up my alley.–Craig
JimC says
Hey, Craig — thanks for stopping by. I have this hunch that our alleys run pretty close together…
I’m better than half-way through the writing. Then I’m gonna put together a budget for editing, cover art, promotion, printing; e-book formatting, etc. and launch a Kickstarter. So there’s a bit of work to do but it’ll be there in early 2015.
Eccentric Cowboy says
It warms my heart to know that there are still folks loving and writing in good old pulp style! This is a story I can certainly get into! I’m glad ya’ll mentioned it. I think I can spare a few dollars for some good lit. 😉
And this is sliiiiightly off course, but please tell me I’m not the only one who looked at that picture of Emil Holmdahl and thought of Neal Fargo!
JimC says
Damn straight, amigo, I’m pretty sure Ben Haas (John Benteen) looked at that picture and thought “Neal Fargo.” Pick up “Head Games.” You won’t be disappointed.
JimC says
From the first page, I pictured William Holden as Hector Lassiter. Just read an interview with Craig McDonald — apparently he does, too. Cool.
steve bodio says
Why don’t I KNOW this guy??
Thanks, Jim– ordered both Head Games and the interview book.
Just heard from Tom– some interesting stuff fermenting there too…
Email me for more info. Rough few months but some light there too.
JimC says
I figured you did — but then, I should have, too. I’ll be in touch.
John Maddox Roberts says
Because nothing says Soldier of Fortune like a polka-dot necktie! I read the SOF iconography a little differently. Frank O’Rourke wrote a wonderful Western adventure novel set in 1916 Mexico called “A Mule for the Marquesa.”. It was bought for the movies and produced as “The Professionals,” staring Lee Marvin as Fardan, leader of the Pros. The costume designer, looking for a distinctive outfit for Fardan, found that picture of Holmdahl and used it. Benteen saw the movie, copied the Lee Marvin look, right down to the prematurely-white hair, changed the name from Fardan to Fargo, and gave him a really cool arsenal.
JimC says
Well there ya go.
One of my favorite movie moments: When the Pros’ client realizes he’s been double-crossed, he grimaces at Fardan and spits, “You bastard!” Fardan says, “In my case, an accident of birth. you, sir, are a self-made man.”
John Maddox Roberts says
My own favorite was when the boys, just about to grab Claudia, see that she and Raza have been lovers all along, goggle in amazement and Lancaster looks at Marvin and says, “Amigo, we’ve been had!”
JimC says
Gotta watch The Professionals again. Love those Vietnam-era Mexico westerns.