Rating:  Summary: A Wonderful Read Review: "Monkeewrench" is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. It has it all: a fascinating plot, interesting and fully-developed characters, great dialogue, and a sense of humor. Try it -- you'll love it.
Rating:  Summary: Great Characters! Minor Gun Glitch Review: A very entertaining book. A serial killer is working the Wisconsin/Minnesota area basing his/her killings on a soon to be released adventure video game entitled 'Serial Killer Detective'. The police are incensed, the makers of the video game are aghast. Who could be doing this and why? This is an excellent book. One review said there are too many characters in this book and they are correct, however the authors do such a great job of giving each of their characters a personality I didn't have any trouble keeping track of who was who. There is a lot of clever writing and character development in this book. I find it incredible that this is a first novel and was written by two authors. (I did NOT give it any extra stars because it is a first book and had two authors-it got five because it is a good book.) The authors' characters are supposedly all very knowledgeable about firearms and the writing tends to reflect this until they dredge out the old dramatic action bit of a character drawing their pistol and chambering a round. "For the first time in her life outside a target range, she [a police person] unsnapped her holster, lifted out the big 9mm and chambered a round." Later in the book "-Too late [to escape] but time enough to pull the Sig from its holster and chamber a round;" Sigh. Police and gun aficionados, which these folks are, carry their semi-autos with a round already in the chamber. Even so I am definitely looking forward to another book by this mother/daughter duo.
Rating:  Summary: Hopefully this monkey is the start of the evolution of more Review: Not since Harry Bingham's The Moneymakers have I read such a well written masterpiece of literature for a debut novel. I could not put this book down until I had finished it. Even though this is written by two authors you vary rarely notice it. I'll definitely be waiting in anticipation for their next novel. An unpopular troublemaking religious fanatic old couple are brutally murdered in a small Wisconsin town church. Meanwhile in the Minnesotan Twin cities a computer game where 20 murders happen and the player has to solve them from clues is being copied in exact detail by a serial killer. The designers a social outcast group calling themselves Monkeewrench have their own issues and pasts they are trying to avoid and do not need this. Magozzi and the other Minneapolis detectives are being made to look like fools by the killer and are determined to pretty much never sleep until the killer is stopped. You will not be disappointed buying this sensational thriller. If you like plots where a killer and cyberspace game intertwine also read Jeffery Deaver's novel The Blue Nowhere. Like other reviewers have pointed out the cover summaries and recommendations do not reflect the story of the book. Obviously these people do not read novels they write about. This is nothing like Fargo except there are also characters from Minnesota. It isn't a comedy book either as Coben, Parker and Barr on the back cover would have us believe. It is however a great book and should be read. Those paid reviewers may have saved time by not reading this book but they missed out on a lot of enjoyment.
Rating:  Summary: Great thriller set amongst the world of computer gaming. Review: Several intriguing subplots are woven together in this engaging debut by mother/daughter team P.J. Tracy. The protagonists were likable; I hope they are back in the another book. The secondary cast was very effective. The plot was complex, but not confusing. There were good twists and turns. I guessed the ending, but not until three-quarters into the book. Very strong debut effort. I look forward to more books from Tracy. The quotes by other authors on the back of the book referred to this book as funny. There was nothing in it that could be construed as humorous. It is about serial killing and stalking-two very unfunny subjects. Obviously, the authors that are used for quotes do not really read the novels they are quoting.
Rating:  Summary: Predictable and Boring Review: This book's plot was entirely predictable. All the characters were one-dimensional. The ending was stupid and made no sense. This book was so boring, it took me several sittings to get through it.
Rating:  Summary: A Monkee in the Works Review: If you liked the movie FARGO by the Coen Brothers, you are sure to enjoy MONKEEWRENCH. This deft little mystery is set in and around the great states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. And this is regional fiction at its best. The plot of the story is simple: someone is duplicating, in great detail, the fictional murders found in the video game 'Serial Killer Detective'. Local authorities must anticipate and try to stop the killer(s) before he commits the next crime. There is an ensemble cast of characters, each well defined. MONKEEWRENCH is both humorous and horrific at times. I also look forward to more novels from this mother-daughter writing duo.
Rating:  Summary: WOW - READ THIS BOOK Review: If you at all a thriller/mystry fan read this book. Great at every level. Actually cried when ...... dies. Sorry that would be telling. Loved the characters, story and everything about it. Cann't wait for the next book.
Rating:  Summary: Monkeewrench (Want To Play?) What a debut! Review: What a fantastic start to what looks like a must read future author(s). Fast paced, witty and a real page turner - I couldn't put it down. I particularly enjoyed the multiple twists - it keeps you guessing right up to the end - and the totally natural and easy way the characters interplay. It felt very natural and flowed effortlesly. The subtle differences between the "small town" & "big city" cops attitudes aren't pushed at you but dealt with in a charming witty way. The Monkeewrench geeks are suitably mysterious & parinoid to keep you wondering what the heck is going on with these people?! I really felt I could relate with the characters right from the beginning, like Harlan Coben & Robert Crais, P.J Tracy is now on my list of 'must read' authors. I will eagerly be waiting the next installment.
Rating:  Summary: Loved it! Original and hard to put down. Review: I don't have much to say beyond what other reviewers have described. The characters make the book - well developed, interesting, and pleasantly DIFFERENT!! from all the other mystery characters out there. Excellent plot twists. Very enjoyable and a commendable debut for PJ Tracy. (If you are worried that co-authored books are generally mediocre...don't. This one is an exception!!)
Rating:  Summary: Oh, my God, what a book! Review: This book is a definite MUST for your reading list and I strongly suggest preparation of nourishment beforehand, as you will not want to put it down before you've devoured each and every page. Seemingly unconnected murders, Catholic boarding school, computer games, people with past, hacking and a surprising twist at the end (and no, you'll have to find out the hard way!). I cannot wait for the next offering from P.J. Tracy!
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