Dolph's Team — Jim Sanderson

Nearer James Lee Burke than Joe Lansdale, Sanderson's Dolph's Team is part border-town mystery and part road trip, reminiscent of Lonesome Dove. Dolph's crew doesn't always follow the letter of the law in a world where pre-paid funerals are no joke. As Dolph says, "once you give up decency and honesty," you're on your own, and all of the beer-guzzling and bull-shooting won't protect his team from the harsh reality of modern Texas.