Reviewed By Liz

In an ideal world, every book by every author should stand on its own and be reviewed that way. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. Motor Mouth is Evanovich’s second book in the NASCAR themed series featuring Alexandra (Barney) Barnaby and Sam Hooker and, unfortunately, the series is such that it invites comparisons to her Stephanie Plum series.

First, the NASCAR series has very similar characters – central male/female characters with an on-again-off-again relationship, lovable lunkheads who need to be rescued, on-call sidekicks ready for wild and crazy adventures, and even a big dog who eats everything. Sound familiar?

Second, the stories are similar. I describe the Stephanie Plum books as romps instead of mysteries. You follow the characters through a series of misadventures that just keep snowballing throughout the book – and the same is true with Motor Mouth. This progression of bad-to-worse situations is the best part of this book, in my opinion.

The similarities between the two series would be fine, if only the NASCAR series was as good as the Plum series. But somehow it isn’t. The characters aren’t as lovable, the adventures aren’t as fun, even the dog isn’t as enjoyable. And, most importantly, the laughs aren’t there. Everyone who laughed out loud at the misadventures of Stephanie Plum is going to be very disappointed with Motor Mouth.

Is this a horrible book? No. If this is the first Evanovich book you read, you will probably enjoy it and then search out her better books. However, if you are a Plum devotee, prepare to be disappointed. If you can, put the Plum books completely out of your head and try to read this without any expectations.

If you haven’t read any of the Stephanie Plum books, skip this series and run out and get them now. I haven’t read anything as funny as those books in years and I all but stop strangers in the street to recommend these books. What are you waiting for?

Mystery Book Reviews by Reviewed By Liz.com ©2006