Metro Girl
By Janet Evanovich
Large Print Edition Harper Large Print, 2004
An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0-06-058401-7
Genre: Mystery
Reviewed by Auggie Moore - March 25, 2005
First off, Metro Girl is not a Stephanie Plum mystery. Rather, in this novel, Janet Evanovich introduces a new heroine, Alexandra "Barney" Barnaby. Metro Girl includes a little bit of everything from murders and ancient treasure to steamy nights and heart stopping car chases. In this breakneck thriller, Barney heads from her home in Baltimore Maryland to Miami to search of her brother "Wild" Bill Barnaby. Wild Bill has disappeared. Like the good big sister that she is, Barney is bound and determined to find him before the bad guys, who are also looking for him, turn Wild Bill into decidedly Dead Bill.
The story takes Barney on a roller coaster ride through Southern Florida, the Keys, and even Cuba. She is aided in her search by the drool worthy Sam Hooker, whose boat, the Happy Hooker disappeared along with Wild Bill. A NASCAR driver, Hooker is sexy, heroic, and a good match for the hot blooded, tomboyish, hard working, Barney.
Told in the first person by Barney, this is quick paced, funny story that is full of snappy dialogue, spicy characters, and action - lots of it. Many of the characters that populate this book are, to put it lightly, eccentric and the situations that Barney finds herself in are a bit improbable at times. This makes Metro Girl more of a rollicking adventure story rather than a traditional mystery. It also has a very strong romance element. Combining these elements, Evanovich has created a lighthearted story that will titillate and amuse you. Metro Girl is a great read from a great writer. I'll grant you that much of this story is a bit unbelievable, but it is 100% fun! I'm looking forward to reading more books featuring the esteemed and unpredictable Barney.
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