Simultaneously, Ernie LeDoux is released from prison after having served time for robbing an armored car. Ernie’s accomplice was never been apprehended and the stolen money never recovered. Upon his release, Ernie tries to contact his partner in crime only to discover that he has died. Ernie reasons that his partner’s widow is the likely person to know the location of the money, and he goes to visit her. Before he can persuade her to divulge the location of the cash, she is murdered.

As the story progresses, it is evident that these two seemingly unrelated plots, plus several other subplots, are connected. Ernie LeDoux’s search for his money leads him to Archie Badeaux as does Farrell’s search for the source of Carol Donovan’s troubles.

Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting is a demanding, yet enjoyable book. Although it is the third in the Wesley Farrell series, it is not necessary to have read any of the previous entries. The plot is complex with numerous, diverse characters whose relationships to one another are initially ambiguous. The reader would be well advised to pay close attention in order to keep all the subplots and their players straight in his mind. This book is definitely not one to read with one eye on the TV. It requires some effort on the reader’s part, but is effort well spent.

Mr. Skinner offers a detailed look at New Orleans society in the 1930’s. Well before the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, there is very little social interaction between Blacks and whites, except for people like Wesley Farrell who looks white and could pose as a white man among those unfamiliar to him.

The flavor of the period is presented in the novel. How people traveled, what they did for entertainment, and other things are much different than these activities in the present day. Even speech patterns are different, although a few bits of dialogue seemed quite contemporary.

The characters themselves have distinct personalities and promote some thought provoking ideas on life. One character describes life as a cop as one with long hours and bad pay, necessitating many written reports. His friend replies that that description fits the life of a Negro -- without the need to write reports. Farrell, for all his ability to exist in both the black and white worlds, shows a decided inability to understand the person in the world that is most important to him.

Robert Skinner has produced a worthy addition to his Wesley Farrell saga with Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting. It is well worth the time and effort one must expend to fully appreciate his book.

--Andy Plonka