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Billy Lafitte #2
Hogdoggin'
Former Deputy Billy Lafitte is a no-good, grits-for-brains, despicable and dangerous traitor Special Agent Franklin Rome is sure of it. So sure, in fact, that he's willing to investigate outside departmental bounds. Willing to blackmail and bribe his fellow lawmen into helping him. Willing to ferret Lafitte out of whatever snake-hole he's hidden himself in, and do what the too-lax government wouldn't let him do back in Yellow Medicine county, just months ago...
And Rome's plan is working. Squeeze a man's ex-wife, especially an ex-wife as unstable as Ginny Lafitte, and watch her overprotective man appear from thin air to stand by his family. No matter that Rome s had to bend a few rules in order to make it happen; Billy's end will justify Rome's means.
Of course, Rome didn't count on Billy riding in to save the day on a turquoise motorcycle with a beard, fifty extra pounds of muscle, and the weight of a man named Steel God at his back. Nor did he think Billy would go and get himself caught up with paint-huffing, knife-wielding rednecks. And Rome certainly never predicted that a broken-hearted, vengeful woman named Colleen would be just as hot for Lafitte s blood as he is...
And Rome's plan is working. Squeeze a man's ex-wife, especially an ex-wife as unstable as Ginny Lafitte, and watch her overprotective man appear from thin air to stand by his family. No matter that Rome s had to bend a few rules in order to make it happen; Billy's end will justify Rome's means.
Of course, Rome didn't count on Billy riding in to save the day on a turquoise motorcycle with a beard, fifty extra pounds of muscle, and the weight of a man named Steel God at his back. Nor did he think Billy would go and get himself caught up with paint-huffing, knife-wielding rednecks. And Rome certainly never predicted that a broken-hearted, vengeful woman named Colleen would be just as hot for Lafitte s blood as he is...
313 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Neil Smith
63 books191 followersI write crime novels. PSYCHOSOMATIC, THE DRUMMER, plus the Billy Lafitte series--YELLOW MEDICINE, HOGDOGGIN', THE BADDEST ASS, and HOLY DEATH--and the Mustafa & Adem series--ALL THE YOUNG WARRIORS and ONCE A WARRIOR, in addition to WORM, CHOKE ON YOUR LIES, and the SLOW BEAR trilogy.
I'm an English Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and editor of the online lit mag Revolution John.
I'm an English Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, and editor of the online lit mag Revolution John.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 28, 2012
This blew me away – Anthony Neil Smith exceeded all expectations I had for this book. After introducing Billy Lafitte in ‘Yellow Medicine’, the former cop turns bikie enforcer in the follow-up Hogdoggin’. This time round there is a noticeable difference to Lafitte in that his hard, bullish persona never falters, with compassion a commodity he a can little afford - the results of which are nothing short of violent and extremely entertaining.
In what quickly escalates to a vicious and bloody game of cat and mouse that leaves everything from brain splatter to charred meat in Lafitte’s wake, Rome (the Lafitte obsessed FBI agent) finds new ways to alienate his fellow operatives while at the same time, rebuild a failing marriage. Despite the serious nature of Rome and his plight, the domestic side of his is nothing short of laugh out loud funny – complimentary to the hardened façade he employs in the field.
There is a distinct Quentin Tarantino feel about it. From sure-to-be pulp-culture icons Steel God, Lafitte’s old lady Krystal, and Laffite himself – the diversity and deep cast of interesting characters knows no bounds. Each a pure joy to read.
I wont delve too deeply into the plot and many made-for-grindhouse cinematic events that formulate this exceptional instalment in the Laffite saga but will say you’re in for one hell of a ride from the opening pages to the tantalising ending. Hogdoggin’ is everything I wanted ‘Yellow Medicine’ to be – 5 stars.
In what quickly escalates to a vicious and bloody game of cat and mouse that leaves everything from brain splatter to charred meat in Lafitte’s wake, Rome (the Lafitte obsessed FBI agent) finds new ways to alienate his fellow operatives while at the same time, rebuild a failing marriage. Despite the serious nature of Rome and his plight, the domestic side of his is nothing short of laugh out loud funny – complimentary to the hardened façade he employs in the field.
There is a distinct Quentin Tarantino feel about it. From sure-to-be pulp-culture icons Steel God, Lafitte’s old lady Krystal, and Laffite himself – the diversity and deep cast of interesting characters knows no bounds. Each a pure joy to read.
I wont delve too deeply into the plot and many made-for-grindhouse cinematic events that formulate this exceptional instalment in the Laffite saga but will say you’re in for one hell of a ride from the opening pages to the tantalising ending. Hogdoggin’ is everything I wanted ‘Yellow Medicine’ to be – 5 stars.
May 25, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed "Yellow Medicine" -- and so I was happy to see that the stakes were raised for "Hogdoggin'." It's filthier, nastier, bleaker...and oddly touching.
I noticed a Harry Crews comparison, and I thought, "Those are mighty big shoes." But as I read, I remembered again what Douglas Day had to say about Crews: "He is either our meanest funny writer or our funniest mean writer." If Anthony Neil Smith doesn't now hold this title, he is a legitimate contender. Yet the underside of Middle America that Smith depicts is also infused with a certain sadness that is quite touching.
I noticed a Harry Crews comparison, and I thought, "Those are mighty big shoes." But as I read, I remembered again what Douglas Day had to say about Crews: "He is either our meanest funny writer or our funniest mean writer." If Anthony Neil Smith doesn't now hold this title, he is a legitimate contender. Yet the underside of Middle America that Smith depicts is also infused with a certain sadness that is quite touching.
June 1, 2023
Just cannot say enough praise for this guy, if you love books full of just totally fucked up people doing lots of fucked up shit this guy is a mayhem master, if you want clear lines and black and white good guys this isn't it, go read some Patterson canned crap and call it a day.
June 7, 2024
Quick. Gritty. Extremely violent and brutal. A smart read about inherently stupid people.
May 17, 2012
As I stated in my piece on Anthony Neil Smith’s Yellow Medicine, the main goose that prodded me to download that book and Hogdoggin’ was Les Edgerton’s suggestion that they might give some notions re how to handle backstory in my The Second Vendetta--Recently finished and on the agent/publisher market, owing significantly to messrs Smith and Edgerton. If it ever comes time to compose that acknowledgements page, you’ll both appear. Like Les, I also promise to show up on your doorstep with beer and bourbon and, also like Les, I remind you that I write fiction.
But about Hogdoggin’ itself. We left Billy Lafitte at the end of Yellow Medicine beat and lost but apparently not in danger of immediate arrest or death from the federal or local local law or from meth dealers or terrorists. When we last see him, he’s about to make a phone call, but we we never see him pick up or hear a conversation. Twisting in the literary wind, is where we’re left.
We find him up in Hogdoggin’ months later as the chief enforcer of a brutal motorcycle gang. You have to hand it to Smith. He’s not afraid to go over the top. The gang’s leader is a huge guy named Steel God. You can guess what he’s called for short. The little society is elemental and tribal. The king is old and sick, the natives are restless, and rebellion is brewing-- a movement to topple the ruler and raise a new one. Billy’s role is to protect the head guy as well as (some believe) to take his place should the rebellion succeed. A tangled web for Billy, who’s more of a direct action kind of guy not naturally built for political nuance.
Then comes the phone call. Trouble involving the wife and two kids he’s left behind in New Orleans. Turns out Franklin Rome, the chief nemesis FBI agent from Yellow Medicine hasn’t been obeying federal orders to keep away from Billy. Rome hasn’t bothered the Minnesota case which got him in such hot water in the first place. Instead, he’s been trying to dig up old bones re Billy’s Gulf Port/Katrina days, and he’s been using Billy’s ex and kids to do it. Rome figures to not only extract incriminating info, but flush Billy out of hiding where he and Lafitte can go mano-a-mano and settle the blood feud that still churns through Rome’s gut and mind 24-7.
The agent’s ploy works, though in ways and with consequences he never imagines. And we’re in for some surprises, too. One of the premises of noir appears to be that everyone’s a shit in at least one way or another, and that the shit will come out under stress. Another is, that no one gets what they’re looking for at least in the way they were expecting. Smith puts those principles in relief by giving virtually every significant character in the book his/her 5-15 pages of fame--at least one POV chapter. And he pulls it off the parade without interrupting the flow of the story or disturbing the fictive dream. You start to get to know, even like, someone, then they’re dead. C’est la dirty ol’ noir vie. Well done. Keeps the reader--at least this one--locomotivating through the book.
But, you ask, or should, what about Billy? He’s much the same reckless, passionate lord of misrule he was in Yellow Medicine, but the ante here is up even higher. He’s got dark forces pursuing him from all sides and in ways even more dangerous. Count ‘em--1) The legit FBI; 2) the rogue FBI (Rome and a crew of misfits he’s gathered); 3) a pair of sheriff/FBI wannabes; 4) armed country huffers out on a spree; 5) Not to mention God and his girl. 6) and a mystery character you’ll absolutely love.I probably left out someone. Was ever anybody in more trouble than this?
They tell you to put your protagonist into so much trouble even you don’t know how he’s going to get out of it. Smith does that. Question is, does he get him out of it? Take a look at the end, then tell me whether Billy survives. Maybe we should tweet the author some votes. There are some vague clues, but I hesitate to make too much out of them.
One more thing. I opined at the end of my Yellow Medicine commentary that Franklin Rome was going to get his comeuppance in Hogdoggin’, Well, it’s clear he gets a comeuppance, but in what form? Again, you tell me. It might be a hint that the author’s next book, Choke On your Lies, appears not to feature Billy, at least in the /Amazon peek I took. don’t know if Smith has a commitment problem--that’s between him and his therapist and his significant others--but he loves leaving his readers on the edge of our seats. Like Shakespeare at the end of Measure for Measure--now there’s a classical reference to give noir some respectability. You’re welcome.
But about Hogdoggin’ itself. We left Billy Lafitte at the end of Yellow Medicine beat and lost but apparently not in danger of immediate arrest or death from the federal or local local law or from meth dealers or terrorists. When we last see him, he’s about to make a phone call, but we we never see him pick up or hear a conversation. Twisting in the literary wind, is where we’re left.
We find him up in Hogdoggin’ months later as the chief enforcer of a brutal motorcycle gang. You have to hand it to Smith. He’s not afraid to go over the top. The gang’s leader is a huge guy named Steel God. You can guess what he’s called for short. The little society is elemental and tribal. The king is old and sick, the natives are restless, and rebellion is brewing-- a movement to topple the ruler and raise a new one. Billy’s role is to protect the head guy as well as (some believe) to take his place should the rebellion succeed. A tangled web for Billy, who’s more of a direct action kind of guy not naturally built for political nuance.
Then comes the phone call. Trouble involving the wife and two kids he’s left behind in New Orleans. Turns out Franklin Rome, the chief nemesis FBI agent from Yellow Medicine hasn’t been obeying federal orders to keep away from Billy. Rome hasn’t bothered the Minnesota case which got him in such hot water in the first place. Instead, he’s been trying to dig up old bones re Billy’s Gulf Port/Katrina days, and he’s been using Billy’s ex and kids to do it. Rome figures to not only extract incriminating info, but flush Billy out of hiding where he and Lafitte can go mano-a-mano and settle the blood feud that still churns through Rome’s gut and mind 24-7.
The agent’s ploy works, though in ways and with consequences he never imagines. And we’re in for some surprises, too. One of the premises of noir appears to be that everyone’s a shit in at least one way or another, and that the shit will come out under stress. Another is, that no one gets what they’re looking for at least in the way they were expecting. Smith puts those principles in relief by giving virtually every significant character in the book his/her 5-15 pages of fame--at least one POV chapter. And he pulls it off the parade without interrupting the flow of the story or disturbing the fictive dream. You start to get to know, even like, someone, then they’re dead. C’est la dirty ol’ noir vie. Well done. Keeps the reader--at least this one--locomotivating through the book.
But, you ask, or should, what about Billy? He’s much the same reckless, passionate lord of misrule he was in Yellow Medicine, but the ante here is up even higher. He’s got dark forces pursuing him from all sides and in ways even more dangerous. Count ‘em--1) The legit FBI; 2) the rogue FBI (Rome and a crew of misfits he’s gathered); 3) a pair of sheriff/FBI wannabes; 4) armed country huffers out on a spree; 5) Not to mention God and his girl. 6) and a mystery character you’ll absolutely love.I probably left out someone. Was ever anybody in more trouble than this?
They tell you to put your protagonist into so much trouble even you don’t know how he’s going to get out of it. Smith does that. Question is, does he get him out of it? Take a look at the end, then tell me whether Billy survives. Maybe we should tweet the author some votes. There are some vague clues, but I hesitate to make too much out of them.
One more thing. I opined at the end of my Yellow Medicine commentary that Franklin Rome was going to get his comeuppance in Hogdoggin’, Well, it’s clear he gets a comeuppance, but in what form? Again, you tell me. It might be a hint that the author’s next book, Choke On your Lies, appears not to feature Billy, at least in the /Amazon peek I took. don’t know if Smith has a commitment problem--that’s between him and his therapist and his significant others--but he loves leaving his readers on the edge of our seats. Like Shakespeare at the end of Measure for Measure--now there’s a classical reference to give noir some respectability. You’re welcome.
July 17, 2011
HOGDOGGIN', Anthony Neil Smith's second Billy Lafitte novel, roars into town bringing with it the stench of death, vengeance, sex and blood. Quite a combination of smells you may think, well add to that the stink of vomit, burning flesh and aerosol fumes and you might begin to get a sense of the degenerate characters that leap off the page and grab you by the throat in this riveting tale of love and revenge.
Having blown any chance of rehabilitation with the police force or his ex-wife in YELLOW MEDICINE, Lafitte has found safety with a notorious motorcycle clan as the enforcer for its ghastly leader Steel God who doles out punishments to keep the clan members from challenging his autocratic rule or betraying the clan to its rivals.
There is no reparation for wrong-doings in the clan and Lafitte survives this brutal landscape by not questioning or threatening Steel God's authority, justifying his part in executions as necessary actions that were deserved punishment.
As Lafitte endures this day to day hell he is oblivious that his old adversary, FBI agent Rome, is secretly plotting to get revenge for the beating he took at Lafitte's hands and to make sure that this time, Lafitte pays for the trail of death and destruction that blew across the state of Minnesota so violently when they last met.
Hogdoggin' is more than just a petrol head's book. Smith opens the lid on the secret sexual power struggles of Rome's wife, Desiree, who discovers delightful and surprising methods to punish her FBI agent husband for the years of neglect she has suffered while he became totally consumed with ensnaring his nemesis, Lafitte. As her relationship and sexual desire for her husband becomes stronger, contrary events cause Ginny, Lafitte's wife, to weaken and disintegrate.
The lengths that people will go to for the sake of love is a major theme within the book. Smith shows a variety of characters who struggle in their own diverse ways for acceptance in a world of outcasts, no-hopers and loneliness.
This is a truly fabulous, multi-layered book that will fascinate, repulse and at the very end make you scream. What more could you ask for?
Having blown any chance of rehabilitation with the police force or his ex-wife in YELLOW MEDICINE, Lafitte has found safety with a notorious motorcycle clan as the enforcer for its ghastly leader Steel God who doles out punishments to keep the clan members from challenging his autocratic rule or betraying the clan to its rivals.
There is no reparation for wrong-doings in the clan and Lafitte survives this brutal landscape by not questioning or threatening Steel God's authority, justifying his part in executions as necessary actions that were deserved punishment.
As Lafitte endures this day to day hell he is oblivious that his old adversary, FBI agent Rome, is secretly plotting to get revenge for the beating he took at Lafitte's hands and to make sure that this time, Lafitte pays for the trail of death and destruction that blew across the state of Minnesota so violently when they last met.
Hogdoggin' is more than just a petrol head's book. Smith opens the lid on the secret sexual power struggles of Rome's wife, Desiree, who discovers delightful and surprising methods to punish her FBI agent husband for the years of neglect she has suffered while he became totally consumed with ensnaring his nemesis, Lafitte. As her relationship and sexual desire for her husband becomes stronger, contrary events cause Ginny, Lafitte's wife, to weaken and disintegrate.
The lengths that people will go to for the sake of love is a major theme within the book. Smith shows a variety of characters who struggle in their own diverse ways for acceptance in a world of outcasts, no-hopers and loneliness.
This is a truly fabulous, multi-layered book that will fascinate, repulse and at the very end make you scream. What more could you ask for?
June 12, 2011
Hogdoggin' is the followup Billy Lafitte novel after Yellow Medicine, the story that originates the character. Without revealing too much of Yellow Medicine, Billy is on the run after escaping a Department of Homeland Security agen, who goes by Agent Rome. After the debacle of the Lafitte case, Agent Rome got “promoted” out of his job, and ended up with an FBI job in New Orleans. He's been secretly tracking Billy without the FBIs knowledge.
Billy has taken up with a motorcycle club/cult led by an aging biker named Steel God. He’s an enforcer, and has almost certainly killed a few people in his time with the club. He’s also Steel God’s most trusted advisor. Unfortunately, Billy gets the call that his family is in trouble. It’s almost certainly a trap set by Agent Rome to smoke him out (which he realizes), but he goes anyway. Along the way, he meets a woman, kind of kidnaps her and lets her go, gets kidnapped himself, and eventually ends up in a police standoff.
I wouldn’t classify the ending as a cliffhanger, but more of an open ending, almost certainly leading to another novel (think Jack Reacher in Lee Child’s 61 hours. Yeah, it can be kind of frustrating.
Billy has taken up with a motorcycle club/cult led by an aging biker named Steel God. He’s an enforcer, and has almost certainly killed a few people in his time with the club. He’s also Steel God’s most trusted advisor. Unfortunately, Billy gets the call that his family is in trouble. It’s almost certainly a trap set by Agent Rome to smoke him out (which he realizes), but he goes anyway. Along the way, he meets a woman, kind of kidnaps her and lets her go, gets kidnapped himself, and eventually ends up in a police standoff.
I wouldn’t classify the ending as a cliffhanger, but more of an open ending, almost certainly leading to another novel (think Jack Reacher in Lee Child’s 61 hours. Yeah, it can be kind of frustrating.
February 26, 2012
Hoggoggin: the title is ironic as there are no 'helpless' pigs. While pitting dogs against pigs is of course an unconscionably brutal blood sport, that piggie stands a strong chance of gutting one or more of the dogs -- in short, there's gonna be a body count when you go into the brush after some beasts, and Billy Lafitte is a feral one at best.
As with all Neil Smith's work, there are strong story undertones to this piece that resonate plangently. The final sequence of carnage and the completely open ending are almost Shakespearean or Greek in their tragic inevitability. Avoiding plot spoilers, suffice to say Franklin Rome's hubris has consequences beyond consequences, and Billy Lafitte seems to be a real corpse magnet -- I also admired Billy's way with the ladies, he sure knows how to get into their hearts & minds.
I made the error of reading this before Yellow Medicine, which it is technically the sequel to -- I'll be correcting this and reading YM soonest, I HAVE to experience the genesis of Billy's & Franklin's feud now.
Highly recommended, along with any other writing by Anthony Neil Smith that you might care to read.
As with all Neil Smith's work, there are strong story undertones to this piece that resonate plangently. The final sequence of carnage and the completely open ending are almost Shakespearean or Greek in their tragic inevitability. Avoiding plot spoilers, suffice to say Franklin Rome's hubris has consequences beyond consequences, and Billy Lafitte seems to be a real corpse magnet -- I also admired Billy's way with the ladies, he sure knows how to get into their hearts & minds.
I made the error of reading this before Yellow Medicine, which it is technically the sequel to -- I'll be correcting this and reading YM soonest, I HAVE to experience the genesis of Billy's & Franklin's feud now.
Highly recommended, along with any other writing by Anthony Neil Smith that you might care to read.
December 26, 2012
There was too much vomiting. I would have given it five stars if there would have been less of that. I didn't care for the ending. It felt very abrupt and I always have a hard time with that. It's a personal thing. I was hoping for at least a little bit of closure... A fast read, with interesting characters. I enjoyed the addition of Steel God and the biker gang to the mix. I also enjoyed finding more out about Rome. What a twisted mess this is. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the Billy Lafitte Saga!
May 17, 2011
I read this baby over 26 hours, from New York to Montreal. I my eyes were welded to the pages. Each time I think Anthony Neil Smith cannot get better, he outdoes himself. I thought Yellow Medicine was great, but it's merely a prologue to Hogdoggin' which is an epic of noir. Unforgettable characters, scorching pace, raving madness. Anthony Neil Smith is growing to be one of my favorite living writers.
February 11, 2010
A solid follow-up to Yellow Medicine as Smith puts anti-hero Billy Lafitte through the grinder. Fast-paced and smooth, with great characters and plenty of suspense, but the abrupt, ambiguous ending left me flat.
I don't mind open endings, but this one felt more unfinished than open. There's too much happening and too many possibilities leading up to the last page.
I don't mind open endings, but this one felt more unfinished than open. There's too much happening and too many possibilities leading up to the last page.
December 14, 2012
The further escapades of renegade ex-cop Billy Lafitte, now hiding out from the law with a criminal biker gang. Hotdoggin' is a bloodsoaked rampage of sex, drugs, violence and mayhem, kind of like one of the Coen brothers' crime farces, but without quite so many laughs. I enjoyed it, but wow - so many poor decisions, so many bodies.
August 10, 2011
From the first page to the last, Anthony Neil Smith continues to create real situations with real people
Read the rest of my review at:
http://www.examiner.com/book-in-ann-a...
Read the rest of my review at:
http://www.examiner.com/book-in-ann-a...
October 25, 2011
Read on my nook. Another blood soaked tale of bad people doing bad things. I liked it just as much, if not better than Yellow Medicine, although you'll want to read that one first. Be prepared for an insanely evil cliffhanger ending.
January 17, 2011
Terrifically insane story.
May 22, 2020
Helluva book!
March 27, 2016
Billy Lafitte, now with a biker gang, is lured back by the FBI. Lots of maiming and killing follow.
July 18, 2013
Ups the brutality AND the humanity. Exceptional.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews