Janet Evanovich Reviews

Added December 18, 2006

Motor Mouth

The Barnaby Series

Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: HarperCollins, Inc.
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2006
Genre: Fiction: Suspense/Women's
Format: Hardback
Price: $26.95
ISBN-10: 0-06058-403-3
ISBN-13: 978-0-06058-403-0
Reviewer: Cyn Witkis
Rating: 8.75 Gargoyles

First things, first--I am a Janet Evanovich fan. Since her days at Loveswept, I've enjoyed Janet Evanovich's writing. That said, I admit that when she stretched her wings from the Stephanie Plum novels into the Barnaby series dealing with NASCAR, I had my doubts about going in this direction in her writing. Then I was asked to read Motor Mouth, I was hesitant at first, then decided why not. I'm glad I did. Once again, Ms. Evanovich has managed to suck me into another universe that not only is alive with the NASCAR phenomena, but to give an glimpse behind the scenes into a world many wonder about.

Alexandra "Barney" Barnaby is not your typical woman--she's an engineer who specializes in the race cars that Sam Hooker drives. Though they've broken up over Sam's indiscretions, they still work together and are great friends. However, Barney suspects that another driver is cheating and she's honest that if there's a way of doing it and not getting caught--she just might be tempted to do the same to help their team to victory. Yet, she doesn't expect what happens after the race--a mysterious phone call, a dead body in a rival driver's hauler, and finding herself with Sam on the run from people who want to know what they've discovered. Even while on the run from the law, their boss, and those who are more than willing to kill them for what they may or may not know, Sam and Barney manage to heat up the sheets, take on more than either of them bargain while trying to rescue one of their own from being killed. In the end, the question is will they give in to the killer and turn over what made Barney suspicious of the rival driver or will they find a way to make everything go their way?

Though I'm not a huge NASCAR fan, reading Motor Mouth sucked me into the behind the scenes of the racing circuit and the espionage that can happen. Barnaby, Hooker, and the rest of the gang had me laughing out loud at their antics, rolling my eyes at points where I know I'd have done things differently, and wondering just how they'd get out of this growing disaster without ending up in jail themselves. If you're a reader who enjoys unusual characters that you find yourself wanting to know more, this book is definitely for you. Ms. Evanovich has a way of creating characters, both main and secondary, that you just want to know more about as you find yourself reading without stopping. Many people are going to want to bring up Stephanie Plum comparisons--and yes, there are characters that will bring up minor comparisons--there's no denying that these are new characters and adventures to cozy up with. Be warned--you're going to find yourself halfway through the book before you realize it. This book sneaks up on you and rivets you with an adventure you wish you could be part of--though without the bullets. Kudos to Ms. Evanovich for bringing forth a fantastic new series that doesn't let the readers down.

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