Stuff to Spy For is the third novel in the series (Stuff To Die For and Stuff Dreams Are Made Of) and another mystery that has its comedic moments. James and Skip are back, still stuck in their dead end jobs, and still dreaming of their big pay day. Finally, things might be taking an upswing.
Skip Moore still sells security systems and this time has landed a whale of a client, Synco Systems. Synco Systems has a major client of its own, the Department of Defense, so Synco has to upgrade their security systems. It means a huge commission for Skip. But, anything good involving Skip and James means there has to be at least one catch.
Skip knew the beautiful Sarah Crumbly back in the day. If he didn’t have Emily, a woman that he loves and calls “Em,” he might make a run at Sarah. Too bad she is having an affair with Sandler Conroy, the married president of Synco Systems. All Sarah wants out of Skip, besides the security contract, is for Skip to play the role of boyfriend to provide cover for her affair. If he will do that, there will be a private financial bonus for him
If only things were that simple.
Deception is of paramount importance in the spy game and that is certainly the case in this enjoyable novel. While the read has a significant logic problem in this day of internet mapping services and internet tracking services, it does work on many levels and angles. While not as funny as earlier reads in the series, this book which could be read as a stand alone, does provide a number of chuckles while things go from bad to worse. Character interaction between Skip, James, and Em works well as do most plot points.
According to marketing materials, many reviews and readers see this series “… as the Hardy Boys grown up.” I absolutely never have. The Hardy Boys were significantly smarter. Instead, I see this series more like the couple of well natured guys we all knew in High School who, despite their best intentions, never could pull much of anything major off. No matter what situation they got themselves into and no matter how good the deal, they would screw it up somehow. Bumbling good guys that just never could quite make it happen.
Such is the case here in Stuff To Spy For. The deal sounds too good to be true from the get go. It is and before long the guys are mixed up in adultery, murder, international espionage and a bunch of other stuff and bumbling along they best they can in a search to get the truth and get paid. Easier said than done in this enjoyable novel that is part comedy, part mystery and all pretty good.
Stuff To Spy For
Don Bruns
Oceanview Publishing
November, 2009
ISBN# 978-1-933515-22-9
Hardback
305 Pages
$25.95
Material provided by Publicist MaryGlenn McCombs in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2010
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