Billie Letts (1938–2014)

This book is full of quirky characters. The Honk and Holler Opening Soon is a restaurant in Oklahoma that is run by a man in a wheelchair. It is often not very busy until a young woman hops out of her ride and says she will work for tips as a carhop. The owner reluctantly agrees. Then a young Vietnamese man who can barely speak or understand English shows up looking for work. This crew, plus Molly O, who keeps things running smoothly round out the employees. As the patronage of the show more restaurant grows the reader becomes acquainted with some of the strange people of the town. This book captures the mom and pop diners of the past. Each of the main characters seem to be looking for something or missing something in their life. Follow their strories as each person has their dreams come true. show less

Book on CD read by Kathe Mazur

In 1972 the citizens of DeClare, Oklahoma were shocked by a brutal crime. Gaylene Harjo’s body was found in her trailer with multiple stab wounds, and her baby, Nicky Jack, was missing. Nicky Jack’s body was never found, though the sheriff dug up most of the land around the presumed killer’s home after finding the infant’s torn and bloody pajamas nearby. Nearly thirty years later, a tall man comes to town and claims to be the missing Nicky Jack. His show more reappearance stuns the populace, challenges long-held assumptions, and angers the sheriff who doesn’t like to have his crime-solving ability questioned.

Letts has crafted a fine mystery here. Originally intending only to meet the mother who gave birth to him and find out why she gave him up, Mark’s discovery that she died only leads to more questions. How did Mark Albright (a/k/a Nicodemus Jack Harjo) wind up adopted by a California couple? Who was his father? Who killed his mother? As he begins to dig for answers he is helped by his aunt, Teeve Harjo, his cousin Ivy, and a tenacious reporter turned true-crime author with an axe to grind. Along the way he finds love and has to make some decisions about how he’ll live the rest of his life and the man he’ll be.

This is the third book by Billie Letts that I’ve read, and I’ve enjoyed them all. She has a way with dialogue and dialect that really brings her characters to life. Even the minor characters are fully drawn and interesting. Her plotting is pretty good, as well – keeping the reader turning pages and busy trying to figure out the truth behind all those efforts to conceal and derail. And while I did guess the real culprit before Letts revealed the answer … I was only a page or so ahead of the characters as they uncovered the truth.

I have one tiny quibble … a doctor explaining the injury to a shooting victim states: ”Fortunately, it’s a through-and-through, didn’t involve bone, artery or nerve. Even missed muscle.” Huh? How can a bullet go through someone’s leg and involve absolutely NOTHING? (Note: Sorry for obsessing, but this just jumped off the page at me. I work for surgeons in a Level 1 Trauma unit, and I’ve read more than one report about gunshot wounds. A “through-and-through” should at least involve muscle – otherwise it’s just a grazing wound.)

Kathe Mazur does a fine job of the audio, although her voice is a little high-pitched for many of the male characters. Still, I enjoyed her performance. I admit that I stopped listening and read the text at about 2/3 of the way through the book. Not because there was anything wrong with Mazur’s reading, but because I wanted to get the book finished for a challenge. That experience really showed that it is really Billie Letts’s words that bring the novel to life. show less

Novalee Nation, 17 years old and 7 months pregnant, is left at the WalMart in Oklahoma by her boyfriend. She has only $7.77 to her name. She believes that 7 is her unlucky number. But, fortunately for Novalee, the community supports her and takes her under their wing. She has the baby in the store, and cares for her little girl. Sister Thelma Husband is her spiritual compass. She is lucky to meet librarian Forney Hull, who falls in love with her. But, Novalee thinks Forney should be with show more someone who is on his level.
This is a unique coming-of-age story, with a young girl showing enormous growth, with the help of her community.
Enjoyable and heartwarming. show less

I enjoy the writing and stories of this author and this was a good one. Loved these characters! Bui, a Vietnamese immigrant, is especially endearing. The Honk and Holler Opening Soon was a mistake on the sign of a little restaurant -- the opening soon bit was supposed to be removable. The charming cast of people associated with the restaurant is down to earth and fun, though not without sobering moments and plenty of action. This seems like a real place; haven't you been there? I have. The show more regulars come together in a small place to visit, eat, and form a kind of family. I didn't want this story to end. show less