The Reunion at Herb's Cafe — Dan Jenkins

Dan Jenkins reunites many of the most memorable and irascible characters from his most memorable and hilarious novels -- starting with Semi-Tough. Billy Clyde Puckett, Shake Tiller, T. J. Lambert, Barbara Jane Bookman, Big Ed Bookman, Slick Henderson, Juanita Hutchins, Doris Steadman -- the list goes on, and they're all packin' heat. It all begins when Herb's Café -- modeled after a Fort Worth landmark renowned for its chicken-fried steak -- goes up for sale after Herb's death and the establishment's disastrous sequel as a trendy restaurant featuring nouvelle cuisine. Tommy Earl Bruner buys the place, rehires most of the old staff, and invites all its former denizens for a grand celebration. Special commemorative edition of Jenkins's last novel, including a foreword by Tom Brokaw and an afterword by Sally Jenkins.