When I say I occasionally read P. J. Tracy’s Monkeewrench mysteries when I want something light, do not think of cozies or quaint mysteries like those written by Alexander McCall Smith. The Monkeewrench novels are thrillers with plenty of action and sometimes horrifying crimes, but they have a lightness to them that makes them fun reading, probably because of the entertaining characters and witty dialogue.
Monkeewrench Software, a team of eccentric but world-class software developers, is the focus of all of these novels, which are written by a mother-daughter writing team. The main character is Grace MacBride, a mysterious woman who lives in a protected compound because her enemies have been trying to kill her since the first book. Also on the team are the wealthy company owner, Harley Davidson, who houses the eccentric team in his mansion; the flamboyant Annie; and Roadrunner, an exercise addict.
The FBI has contacted Grace and the team to ask for help because someone, or rather a group of people, is posting videos on YouTube of murders that take place all across the country. It is not clear if the murders are real or re-enactments. But a real murder that may be related is being handled by Leo Magozzi, Grace’s lover, and his partner Gino Rolseth of the Minneapolis Police Department.
The case is interesting, but even more interesting are the relationships between the characters, particularly the one that develops between the Monkeewrench team and John Smith, a quiet, correct agent near retirement who has been assigned to be their liaison.
What? Me Read? 