The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

The third installment of The Fox and O'Hare series is a good one.  It's not as complicated as the first two, but it has a solid plot, reappearances of the same crazy team, leaves you hanging in a way that isn't annoying.

I have read several reviews despairing over the "plot-driven" tendencies of this series.  Isn't that the basis of a good story, though?  Whacky characters and crazy antics can take you so far.  Without a decent plot we're left with 350 pages of idiocy and lusting after two guys with very little actually occurring.  Fox and O'Hare are the example that Stephanie Plum needs to follow- fewer shenanigans, more focus on busting bad guys.

The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg: Fun, mysterious, and full of action.  Read it, but not before The Heist and The Chase. Available from booksellers and libraries now.

When by Victoria Laurie

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


When is a young adult novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat (or wherever it is that you happen to be reading it).  It's an excellent story full of amazingly drawn characters, an engaging plot, a protagonist you'd be proud to call a friend in real life, and a nail-biting conclusion- all with just a slight paranormal twist.

When by Victoria Laurie: 5 out of 5 stars.  Available from booksellers and libraries on January 3, 2015.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A witty, suspenseful story that will keep you turning pages no matter what else needs to be done.  Cassie is an excellent narrator, giving readers an idea what it's really like to get inside the mind of a crazed killer.  The rest of the cast is just as good, even though the first-person narration prevents you from really knowing them.  Each person is unique and easy to relate to, making this a group you'll want to join for more than one book.

I missed the first book in this series, but Barnes is a great writer with unforeseen plot twists.  Although this is the second book in the series, it didn't lag anywhere as others tend to do.  I really enjoyed Killer Instinct, and I look forward to reading more mysteries involving this group of characters in future books.

Killer Instinct (Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: 4 out of 5 stars.