Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

“Agnes and the Hitman - A Novel” by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

This is not the first time that this pair has attempted to co-author a novel. Their first novel together “Don’t Look Down” left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth and I was tempted to pass “Agnes and the Hitman” by, but since I do so love the works of Jennifer Crusie I decided to give them another try; and I’m very happy that I did. This is a funny and sexy, mystery/contemporary romance novel, written in a way that brings to my mind the screw-ball comedy movies of the 1930‘s, perhaps something along the lines of a Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn film.
There are two separate yet intertwined stories at play here, one that involves Agnes Crandall, the house she has bought with her fiancé, her penchant for hitting people with here cookware, their fledgling catering business, a wedding and her dog named Rhett. The second part of the story revolves around the “hitman” Shane, “no last name, just Shane” who is brought in by Agnes’s pal Joey to watch out for her, an old Mob crime and the government. So many secrets and lies, so much feminine back stabbing and more secrets and lies, all mesh to make this one of the funniest and mysterious mysteries of this genre.

The book is one of the few that proves that collaboration between two authors can and do work out very well. I can’t wait to see what other books this team comes up with.

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe - Various Authors

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Various Authors (Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs, Keri Arthur, Carrie Vaughn, J A Konrath etc.)If you're looking for the perfect way to find some new authors to read or just looking for some stories by your old time favorites, then this is going to be a 'howling' good book to read this holiday season. Every story has a holiday theme and every story is populated by werewolves; except for J A Konraths comedic tale which is populated by not only werewolves, but a were-boar, were-tortoise and a were-coral an Evil Were Hunting Santa Claus and a religious figure named Bob.Charlaine Harris' Sookie short story, was a lovely addition but in no way do I see it as a necessary read to go along with the series, Carrie Vaughn's addition takes place right before her third Kitty book. A number of authors that I would never have thought to try this type of story, have stepped up to bat, hit home runs and did an excellent job of it too. Most notably Dana Stabenow: the author of 16 "Kate Shugak Mysteries".Add this to your Christmas Wish list or run out and buy this and be prepared to be delighted as the werewolves take on Christmas in their very own ways.