BEWARE, SPOILERS MAY LURK…
Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know I like my fiction pretty dark. However, I do enjoy a good laugh (especially if the humour is pretty dark). So, when I finally got around to reading C.S. Boyack’s ‘The Hat’, it didn’t take more than the first few pages to realise I was onto a winner.
The idea of a sentient hat tickled me going into this book, and from the moment heroine Lizzie St. Laurent opened a box of her grandfather’s belonging and discovered the Hat, I was grinning at ‘his’ antics. This is a dude with a wicked sense of humour, a damn good taste in music, and a warped idea of what constitutes as fun. Hilarity and adventure arise from Lizzie and the Hat’s fateful meeting, as they launch into an investigation to find a snatched baby.
The Hat quickly enlightens Lizzie as to the realities of the world – you know, vampires and ghouls do exist, magic guns are a thing, and big ass basses make for the best stringed instruments out there – and a wary, wry, warm friendship unfolds between the unlikely pair. Lizzie and the Hat shopping for clothes is one of my favourite scenes – an ancient Roman artefact quipping about female fashion…it doesn’t get any better.
This book was right up my alley. The writing is clever, the humour sharp, and Boyack keeps the pace tight and action flowing. That said, there is a fair amount of heart in this book; the friendship between Lizzie and the Hat is really lovely to see develop, as is Lizzie’s confidence in her own abilities. Of course, heart doesn’t get in the way of blasting a few bad guys away with some hand cannons, so for me, it’s the best of both worlds.
If you’re looking for an entertaining read that’ll get you grinning, you can’t go wrong with The Hat. If you want a buddy comedy with a lot of heart, you should grab a copy of The Hat. And hell, if you want to pick up a few fashion tips while you’re reading…get your hands on a copy of The Hat…who knew there were so many different types of headgear out there?
Purchase your copy HERE
I loved this book, and the sequel Viral Blues continued the fun and games!
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Im just reading that one now 😁
But yeah, The Hat was just great!
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Craig has such an amazing imagination!
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So glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for saying so here.
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My pleasure, Craig…
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Humor, heart, and a hat, sounds good.:-)
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Definitely worth a look, P 🤗
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This was a great read – love Craig’s creativity and sense of humor.
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Thank you, Teri.
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I know, right? Such immense creativity 🤗
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I enjoyed The hat as well. Your review reflects the quality of this story, Jessica. Well done.
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Thanks, John. Appreciate the testimonial here.
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I should do my Foster Brooks impersonation next time. Might be good for a laugh. 😁
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Aw, go on!
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😁
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It was an easy one to review, John, such a great read 🤗
Thanks for popping by!
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😊
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This post means a lot to me. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, and there are more on the way. I’ll share this far and wide. Thanks.
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It was honestly such a creative, funny, entertaining read, Craig. I’m into Viral Blues now and equally loving it. Clovis is freaky cool, and Lisa is just awesome. And of course, the Hat is “frigging” hilarious.
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Clovis and Lisa are fan favorites. I talk more about them in my closing materials. Don’t miss the secret last chapter after my comments.
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I see why they’re fan favourites. Lisa is such an innocent despite being a robot, and Clovis is just who we all secretly want to be!
I love that you put a post-credits scene in! I’ll be on the lookout for it. You already had me laughing my ass off this morning with the little graphic “Meanwhile at Suttler’s Creek”… 🙂
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The little graphics are part of the shtick for these tales.
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It’s a great addition 😁
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
That Hat is getting some love over at Jessica’s place today. She has a fun blog, so check out her space while you’re there and consider following her. You might check out her new book Guns of Perdition while you’re at it.
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I agree with every word of your review, Jessica! The Hat was a winner all the way around, and I’ve got Viral Blues awaiting me, too. Some Wizard guy came along and interrupted my progress through my TBR stack, but I’m all caught up with him now, and in the process of returning to my normal reading habits. (As a matter of fact, I’m about 1/3 of the way through Guns of Perdition even as I type. And don’t think that doesn’t make using the keyboard tricky!) 😀
Super to see Craig’s work featured here today! Great post, Jessica. Lots of folks should take your advice and run, don’t walk, over to Amazon to download The Hat. 🙂
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Thanks for the testimonial, Marcia. I am nearly finished with Perdition, and am enjoying the heck out of it.
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Yay!! Mae’s snoopy dance all around 😊
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Haha, some wizard guy. How did you enjoy Dresden, or do I not even have to ask 😁
Yup, I loved the Hat and am now into Viral Blues. So far, as good if not better 🤗
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No need to ask, Jessica. I’m still wallowing in the glow of glutting myself on every moment of Harry’s life, and champing at the bit for September 29 and Battle Ground to arrive. But in the meantime, I will be whittling away at that TBR pile, and finally getting to some other books I’ve been dying to read. As for Perdition, well, color me gobsmacked. Weird westerns. Who knew? (Apparently everybody but me!) I will hold off on all my kudos until I’ve finished, but let’s just say I picked exactly the right book to read first, after my total immersion in the Dresden Files. Wow, girl! Some amazing writing going on here!
Viral Blues will probably be next up for me. Still not ready to come back to the world of reality! 😀
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Aw, thanks Marcia *blushing* …
It’s funny because weird western was never a genre I thought I’d write (pretty pure dark fantasy background) until Grace popped up in my subconscious and demanded to be written. Dang characters.
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I thoroughly enjoyed Lizzie and The Hat, and your review fits the book perfectly. Thanks for sharing, Jessica 😊
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Thanks, Harmony.
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Thanks Harmony. Craig has such a unique talent for creativity doesn’t he?
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He sure does! 🙂
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This is a great book, Jessica. I also enjoyed it.
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Means a lot to me that you’d say so here. Thank you.
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Thanks Robbie 🤗 it was a good one all right!
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Really enjoyed this review. Somehow, I never thought of Craig giving female fashion advice:) But I love his humor and his writing.
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I consult with Lisa Burton.
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😏
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Thanks Judi 😁
Craig has such a great sense of humour and very unique writing style. Made for such an enjoyable read.
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Oh, yeah! I loved this book. And the second one, Viral Blues, is just as awesome. Your review was great, Jess. This was a fun, clever, witty, darkly adventitious romp!
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Thanks for the extra support, Mae.
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I’m just into Viral Blues now… as much as I enjoyed The Hat, I think I’m enjoying Blues more 😁
Clovis is fast becoming my idol 😏
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I enjoyed this fun read too! Craig’s creativity is off the charts. Thanks for sharing your review, Jessica!
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Your comments really mean a lot, thanks.
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Off the charts – I LOVE that description, Vashti 🤗 thanks for popping by!
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It’s my pleasure, Jessica. 😀
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What a thoughtful and thorough review, Jess. I love The Hat (and the hat), too. Craig never disappoints.
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I’m always nervous about my work, but comments like yours make me want to write more.
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Thanks Staci 🤗
I’m now thoroughly enjoying Viral Blues!
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Another winner.
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It sure is so far!
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I really enjoyed this book. It was so creative and weird. I have more Craig in my kindle and need to get reading. 🙂
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There will be more hat stories coming, too. Thanks for your kind comment.
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And I do so love creative and weird! Can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get around to enjoying The Hat. So glad it finally got to the top of my TBR pile. I’ve now snuck Viral Blues to the top as a result of enjoying the first one so much 🤗
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Hope it holds up for you. I had a great time writing it.
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Well, that speaks volumes to me. If an author has a great time writing it, it usually bleeds into their work 🙂
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I liked that one too. I have Serang in my TBR and hope to get to it soon.
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
The Hat is a very fun read that keeps you turning pages. Check out this review of the book by C. S. Boyack.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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You’re welcome, Jessica.
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Kudos to Craig for what sounds like another great book.
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Hey Jessica! Glad to stumble upon your review! Who doesn’t love a dark book w fashion tips! Thank youu.
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So worth a read!! 🤗
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