If You Like Books by Janet Evanovich

Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:29 | Meg Raymond, Michele Brown, and Mary Buck

If you like Janet Evanovich, Dianne Mott Davidson and others whose books
tend to be quick and funny reads, try these authors:

Lawrence Block - humorous mysteries
Harlan Coben - funny, with great characters
G. M. Ford - series set in Seattle, featuring wisecracking Leo Waterman,
P.I..
Carl Hiaasen - wild plots and characters, very funny and very cynical!
Marne Davis Kellogg - Publishers Weekly has described her books as
"swift, satisfying entertainment".
Sharyn McCrumb - her Elizabeth MacPherson series is humorous; her other
series set in Appalachia covers modern-day mysteries mingled with ghosts
who need to be laid to rest.
Sarah Shankman - features a wisecracking heroine involved in ludicrous
situations
Lisa Scottoline - fast-paced writing, featuring Rita Morrone, a
Philadelphia lawyer with a sassy attitude.
Donald Westlake - writes with wit and black humor

Writers in the Robin Cook/Michael Crichton vein are:

Tess Gerritson - medical and biotech thrillers
Philip Kerr - suspenseful thrillers with science fiction elements
Michael Palmer - medical thrillers
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - horror thrillers with quirky
characters
Matthew Reilly - breakneck plots mix humor, chills and science fiction
elements.
James Rollins - thrillers with exotic locales and lots of action!

Mary M. Buck
Reference Librarian

_________________________________________________________________

These authors feature a female detective and humor:

The Snake Tattoo by Linda Barnes (Carlotta Carlyle series)
Carlotta Carlyle, ex-cop, struggling private eye, and 6'1" of long tall
redhead, takes any case that walks through the door. This time the door
opens twice. First in is her old partner, Lieutenant Mooney of the
Boston police, unfairly charged with brutality, suspended, and
desperate. The witness who can clear him is a hooker with a snake
tattoo...and she's vanished. The second client is a teenager with a
missing wallet and a split lip. He's been roughed up on the Boston
streets while searching for his runaway girlfriend. He's too young to be
a client, and Carlotta should have turned him down. Shoulda, woulda,
coulda...didn't. Both investigation send Carlotta into Boston's Combat
Zone and the dark alleys of the human heart. Hookers don't disappear and
kids don't take off with good reason. Now Carlotta is coming face to
face with the evil that men do, and what is she going to do about it?
Tackle it head on....(Book description)

The Miracle Strip by Nancy Bartholomew (Sierra Lavontini series)
“Fluff, it's me and you against the rest of the idiots", Sierra
Lavotini says to the only one she can trust in the world -- her dog,
Fluffy. Sometimes that's the way it feels for the star of Nancy
Bartholomew's debut, an exotic dancer in Panama City, Florida. Denise, a
putative friend, comes to Sierra for help when a dead mobster turns up
in her bedroom. Then Sierra gets shot at, assaulted, harassed by the
police -- and Denise flies the coop. Sierra has no choice but to dig in
her five-inch stiletto heels and find the killer on her own. (Catalog
summary)

Bad Manners by Marne Davis Kellogg (Lily Bennett series)
Lilly Bennett quits her California job as chief of detectives, returns
to the family ranch in Roundup, Wyoming, and opens a security business.
Buoyantly untarnished by her previous work, she enthusiastically
investigates the murder of a hateful old man who pushed one daughter off
the family foundation's board, kept the other in nose candy, and gave
his affection to a rodeo mistress. In her return to the "Old West,"
Bennett becomes a U.S. marshall, unearths family peccadilloes, dates a
real cowboy, and generally has a ball-not bad for 45. A humorous,
rambunctious, and lively debut. (Library Journal)

Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer (Bubbles series)
Bubbles Yablonsky knows there is more to life than doing hair in
Lehigh, Pennsylvania. She goes back to school, enters journalism classes
and gets a job at a local newspaper for on-the-job training. When
Bubbles stumbles upon a crime scene on the way home from an assignment,
she's suddenly up to her roots in a nasty murder investigation. This
title is the debut novel in a new mystery series. (Catalog summary)

Also a fun read (really funny):

Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen
Grange, Florida is famous for its miracles: the Weeping Fiberglass
Madonna, the Road Stain Jesus--and JoLayne Lucks, recent winner of the
state's $28 million lottery! There's only one problem--someone else just
never learned to share. So, when JoLayne's ticket is mysteriously
stolen, the chase is on through the Sunshine State--wreaking the kind of
hilarious mayhem Hiaasen is famous for. (Ingram)

What’s the Worst That Could Happen? By Donald Westlake (Dortmunder
series)
When Max Fairbanks, a vastly wealthy and powerful magnate, catches John
Dortmunder breaking into his Long Island mansion, he thinks he is
dealing with some regular loser. It amuses him to deprive Dortmund of
his lucky ring. In Westlake's ingenious and dazzling comic thriller,
Fairbanks lives to regret that gratuitous humiliation. The engaging
Dortmund gathers a band of cronies, and exacts revenge at a series of
the rich man's fancy palaces, from a penthouse on Broadway to a fantasy
retreat in Las Vegas. (amazon.com)

For a female lead, also in a light vein like Janet Evanovich or Anne
George, you may want to try:

Dorothy Cannell
Caroline Hart
Sue Henry
J.A. Jance
Gillian Roberts
Sarah Shankman

For a James Patterson match, you may like:

James Lee Burke
Tami Hoag
Jonathan Kellerman
Dean Koontz
John Sandford

For legal drama like John Grisham, try:

Steve Martini
Richard North Patterson
Lisa Scottoline
Scott Turow

Michele R. Brown
Reference Librarian

____________________________________________________________

Here are a few authors who write mysteries in a humorous vein:

M.C. Beaton
Eccentrics abound in her series starring Constable Hamish MacBeth
(Death of an Outsider, Death of a Snob, etc.) and the series featuring
Agatha Raisin (Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death, Agatha Raisin
and the Terrible Tourist, and more).

Dorothy Cannell
A series featuring Ellie Haskell, in such titles as How to Murder Your
Mother-In-Law. How can you go wrong with a title like that?!!! Start
this series with The Thin Woman: An Epicurean Mystery.

Jonathan Gash
Read his series about the misadventures of Lovejoy, a
lover/dealer/forger of antiques. "Devoid of compunction or scruple, the
appealingly unconventional hero leaps from bed to bed, from scheme to
scheme, into a final, highly moral victory complete with shoot-out,
smokescreen and resounding defeat for the real bad guys." (Publishers
Weekly)

Carl Hiaasen
Hilarious! With Florida in the news so much lately, these books may be
just the ticket. Eccentric characters, crazy schemes, fantastic
writing. Earlier titles include: Tourist Season, Skin Tight, Native
Tongue)

Sparkle Hayter
Start with What's A Girl Gotta Do?: "Time runs through this
slap-and-tickle first novel in terms of lost jobs and missed deadlines.
No sense of impending doom, however, dampens the startling bluntness and
acerbic wit of All News Network's inveterate reporter Robin
Hudson. Questioned in the murder of a
sleazy private eye, she embarks on a quest to find the real murderer. At
the same time, she bugs her estranged husband, baits her cohorts, and
scoops undercover news stories. A light-hearted, satiric dance set on a
New York stage..." (Library Journal)

Other contenders not to be overlooked:

Charlotte MacLeod
Elizabeth Peters
Sarah Shankman
Sarah Strohmeyer
Donald Westlake

If you would like more information on these or other authors, or how to
find their books, please give us a call, drop by, or e-mail us again.
Happy Reading!

Michele R. Brown

_______________________________________________________________________

Posted - 09/21/2004 : 4:51:45 PM

for Janet Evanovich readalikes:

The Snake Tattoo by Linda Barnes (Carlotta Carlyle series)
Carlotta Carlyle, ex-cop, struggling private eye, and 6'1" of long
tall redhead, takes any case that walks through the door. This time the
door opens twice. First in is her old partner, Lieutenant Mooney of the
Boston police, unfairly charged with brutality, suspended, and
desperate. The witness who can clear him is a hooker with a snake
tattoo...and she's vanished. The second client is a teenager with a
missing wallet and a split lip. He's been roughed up on the Boston
streets while searching for his runaway girlfriend. He's too young to be
a client, and Carlotta should have turned him down. Shoulda, woulda,
coulda...didn't. Both investigation send Carlotta into Boston's Combat
Zone and the dark alleys of the human heart. Hookers don't disappear and
kids don't take off with good reason. Now Carlotta is coming face to
face with the evil that men do, and what is she going to do about it?
Tackle it head on....(Book description)

Bad Manners by Marne Davis Kellogg (Lily Bennett series)
Lilly Bennett quits her California job as chief of detectives,
returns to the family ranch in Roundup, Wyoming, and opens a security
business. Buoyantly untarnished by her previous work, she
enthusiastically investigates the murder of a hateful old man who pushed
one daughter off the family foundation's board, kept the other in nose
candy, and gave his affection to a rodeo mistress. In her return to the
"Old West," Bennett becomes a U.S. marshall, unearths family
peccadilloes, dates a
real cowboy, and generally has a ball-not bad for 45. A humorous,
rambunctious, and lively debut. (Library Journal)

Also a fun read (really funny):

What’s the Worst That Could Happen? By Donald Westlake (Dortmunder
series)
When Max Fairbanks, a vastly wealthy and powerful magnate, catches
John
Dortmunder breaking into his Long Island mansion, he thinks he is
dealing with some regular loser. It amuses him to deprive Dortmund of
his lucky ring. In Westlake's ingenious and dazzling comic thriller,
Fairbanks lives to regret that gratuitous humiliation. The engaging
Dortmund gathers a band of cronies, and exacts revenge at a series of
the rich man's fancy palaces, from a penthouse on Broadway to a fantasy
retreat in Las Vegas. (amazon.com)

Here are a few other author suggestions:

M.C. Beaton
Eccentrics abound in her series starring Constable Hamish
MacBeth
(Death of an Outsider, Death of a Snob, etc.) and the series featuring
Agatha Raisin (Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death, Agatha Raisin
and the Terrible Tourist, and more).

Dorothy Cannell
A series featuring Ellie Haskell, in such titles as How to
Murder Your
Mother-In-Law. How can you go wrong with a title like that?!!! Start
this series with The Thin Woman: An Epicurean Mystery.

Sparkle Hayter
Start with What's A Girl Gotta Do?: "Time runs through this
slap-and-tickle first novel in terms of lost jobs and missed deadlines.
No sense of impending doom, however, dampens the startling bluntness and
acerbic wit of All News Network's inveterate reporter Robin Hudson.
Questioned in the murder of a sleazy private eye, she embarks on a quest
to find the real murderer. At the same time, she bugs her estranged
husband, baits her cohorts, and scoops undercover news stories. A
light-hearted, satiric dance set on a New York stage..." (Library
Journal)

Other contenders not to be overlooked:

Charlotte MacLeod
Elizabeth Peters
Sarah Shankman

Hope this helps!

Michele R. Brown
Reference Librarian

___________________________________________________________________________

Posted - 11/02/2006 : 10:22:19 AM
You are asking for a match to the Janet Evanovich mysteries featuring
Stephanie Plum. I love these books! (I have to admit that I spend far
too much time mentally casting characters for a movie version. I go
back and forth on some of the characters, but I definitely want Queen
Latifah for Lulu and Steve Buscemi for Vinny).

I assume that you are looking for more titles with spunky female
characters, great dialogue and settings and maybe a just a litte
romance to spice things up. One place you might start is with
Evanovich's new series featuring a mechanic nicknamed Barney who is All
Girl. The first title is Metro Girl. Evanovich also wrote a number of
romance novels before the Stephanie Plum books exploded on to the
bestseller list. Even in her early books you will find unique
characters, wonderful conversations and zany situations.

Some other mystery series you might like:

Linda Barnes writes the "Carlotta Carlyle" series, set in Boston.
Carlotta is a six foot tall, redheaded cab driver and part time p.i. A
little darker than Janet Evanovich mysteries. The first title is
Trouble of Fools.

Lindsey Davis writes the "Marcus Didius Falco" series, set in ancient
Rome. Falco is a private eye with an interfering mother, sisters who
always need something and a lot of odd-ball friends, neighbors and
countrymen. The first title is Silver Pigs.

Selma Eichler writes the Desiree Shapiro mysteries. Desiree is a sexy,
queen-sized private investigator. The first title is Murder Can Kill
Your Social Life.

Anne George wrote the "Southern Sisters" mysteries, set in Birmingham.
Sisters Patricia Anne and Mary Alice are about as un-alike as two people
can be, and unlikely sleuths, to boot. You will love these 60-something
sisters. Sadly, Anne George has passed away, so there won't be any
more. The first title is Murder on a Girls' Night Out.

Dorothy Gilman has written a number of series. The first mystery
featuring Emily Pollifax is The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax. Mrs. Pollifax
is somewhat at loose ends after her husband dies. She has her friends
and her gardening and her book group, but it just isn't enough. She
decides she would like to be a spy for the CIA...

Joan Hess writes the "Arly Hanks" mysteries, set in Maggody, Arkansas.
Arly fled Maggody for New York City years ago. After a bad divorce, she
comes back to Maggody to take over as chief of police. Full of zany
characters and southern wit. The first title is Malice in Maggody.

I hope you like these titles. Most of them are owned by the Central
Rappahannock Regional Library. If you have a CRRL library card you may
put any (or all!) of them on hold, either through the "library catalog"
link at http://www.librarypoint.org or by calling the branch library
nearest you.

M. E. Raymond

Reference Librarian

Salem Church Road branch

phone: 540-785-9267

_____________________________________________________________________________

Posted - 07/02/2007 : 3:51:44 PM
So you like Stephanie Plum and Betsy Taylor and want some other book
suggestions with plucky, smart-mouthed gals. Have I got some suggestions
for you! All of these characters are the type you just KNOW you could be
good friends to bond with over pizza and beer!

These are all titles that are parts of a series. If you're like me, and
must read titles in series order, you might want to check out "What's
Next". This database is maintained by the Kent District Library in
Michigan. This is a wonderful and easy to use way to find out the exact
order for series.

http://www.kdl.org and click on "What's Next" link in the middle of the
page.

Characters You'll Like:

Meg Langslow is a iron-monger in a small Virginia town. She has a great
boyfirend, a strange family and a knack for finding herself smack in the
middle of crime scenes. This series is written by Donna Andrews and the
first title is "Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos".

Agatha Raisin is a middle-aged businesswoman who decides to chuck it all
and move to a cottage in the Cotswolds. She finds that a bucolic life in
the English coutnryside is not her style, but luckily a murder stirs
things up in the village. The first title in this series is "Agatha
Raisin and the Quiche of Death" and is written by M. C. Beaton.

The catering business in Colorado has been good for Goldy Bear. But
trouble seems to find her at every turn. The first title in this series
by Diane Mott Davidson is "Catering to Nobody".

Desiree Shapiro is a full-sized P.I. in Manhattan. She's funny and
self-deprecating and charming. The first title in this series by Selma
Eichler is "Murder Can Kill Your Social Life".

Patricia Anne and Mary Alice are sisters who look and act nothing alike
- they didn't get along much as children and still rub each other the
wrong way as senior citizens. But they ARE family, and that's important!
These "Southern Sisters" mysteries by Anne George are a delight. The
first title is "Murder on a Girls' Night Out".

Sue Grafton's "alphabet" mysteries featuring P.I. Kinsey Millhone are
popular favorites. Kinsey is woman you'd like to know. The first title
is "A is For Alibi".

Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at a little joint in Bon Temps,
Louisiana. She is also a telepath - she can "read" minds. Her boyfriend
is a vampire - The Undead have "come out" and now own great swathes of
the country. Add in shapeshifters, fairies, witches and demons and you
have an absolutely rollicking series. The first title in the series is
"Dead Until Dark" and the author is Charlaine Harris.

Arly Hanks had a husband and a spacious Manhattan apartment. When she
loses both, she reluctantly returns to her hometown of Maggody, Arkansas
and takes the job of sheriff - since no one else wants it. You will love
Arly, her mother Ruby Bee and a whole lotta other strange and wacky
characters. The series is by Joan Hess and the first title is "Malice in
Maggody".

Dry cleaner Mandy Dyer should have a simple life. She owns a dry
cleaning shop, has an aloof cat and no boyfriends on the horizon. But
somehow, murder and mayhem find her regularly. This is a fun series by
Dolores Johnson. The first title is "Taken to the Cleaners".

Laura Lippman writes a series featuring Baltimore P.I. Tess Monaghan.
This series is a little bit darker and grittier than some of the others,
but I included it just because I think you'd like Tess! The first title
is "Baltimore Blues".

"Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth" introduces the Pennsylvania Dutch
series featuring Mennonite innkeeper Magdelena Yoder. She is tall and
plain and rather severe, but her spunk and humor shine through her rigid
exterior. The author is Tamar Myers. (She also writes the "Den of
Antiquity" series featuring Abigail Timberlake, another series you would
probably enjoy).

Amanda Pepper teaches at an expensive but not exclusive private school
in Philadelphia. Most of her students are unmotivated, wealthy and
jaded. She becomes a reluctant P.I. in "Caught Dead in Philadelphia".

I hope you like these titles. All of them are owned by the Central
Rappahannock Regional Library. If you have a CRRL library card you may
put any (or all!) of them on hold, either through the "library catalog"
link at http://www.librarypoint.org or by calling the branch library
nearest you.

M. E. Raymond
Reference Librarian
Salem Church Road branch
phone: 540-785-9267

If You Like Books by Janet Evanovich

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