Books Like...

Once a Spy by Keith Thomson is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller that follows the story of retired spy Drummond Clark, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. When assassins target him, his son Charlie, a washed-out gambler, gets caught up in a dangerous game of espionage and deception. The book features a mix of humor, suspense, and clever twists, keeping readers engaged as the father-son duo navigates through a world of shadowy killers and unexpected challenges. The writing style combines elements of classic spy thrillers with a touch of black comedy, creating a unique and entertaining narrative that unfolds in exotic locations across the globe.

'The Art of Prophecy' in the series 'The War Arts Saga' by Wesley Chu is a martial arts fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world filled with unique weapons, mysterious ritual arts, and colorful sensory details. The plot unfolds unexpectedly with fast-paced action, twists, and turns that keep readers engaged. The book features an ensemble cast of compelling characters, including an older lady protagonist, and explores themes of prophecy, destiny, and the dynamics between different characters.

The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man follows the story of Ruddy McCann, an ex-football player turned repo man, who starts hearing a voice in his head named Alan, a ghost who was murdered and is seeking justice. As Ruddy navigates his challenging life in Northern Michigan, juggling repossession jobs, solving a murder mystery, and dealing with his sister's boyfriend's credit card scheme, he finds himself in a whirlwind of humorous and quirky situations. With a cast of unique characters, including Ruddy's loyal beagle Jake, the book offers a blend of mystery, humor, and heartwarming moments, all set against the backdrop of a small town where everyone knows each other's past.

The writing style of W. Bruce Cameron in this book is praised for its ability to capture the essence of Northern Michigan, creating a vivid and authentic setting. The plot unfolds in a fast-paced and engaging manner, keeping the readers entertained with a mix of suspenseful twists, humorous dialogues, and well-developed characters. Through Ruddy's journey to uncover the truth behind Alan's murder and navigate the challenges in his life, the book offers a compelling narrative that balances humor and heart, making it a delightful and enjoyable read for fans of mystery and comedy.

In a distant future where humanity is on the brink of extinction, chronmen are employed to travel back in time and salvage resources from the past without altering the timeline. The protagonist, a time-traveling hero with a troubled past, navigates through a world of ecological dissolution, facing challenges from a stoic female villain and a rigid rules enforcer. As the plot unfolds, the characters delve into psychological complexities, corporate greed, and the consequences of manipulating time.

The book explores themes of time travel ethics, mental health issues faced by chronmen, and the intricate rules governing time travel. It combines elements of science fiction, dystopian thriller, and character-driven narratives to create a world where humanity's survival hinges on mining resources from the past while avoiding catastrophic disruptions to the timeline.

Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey is a psychological thriller that follows Liz Kendall, a single mother dealing with the aftermath of an abusive relationship, and Fran Watts, a teenager who was kidnapped as a child and now experiences hallucinations of a protector in the form of a talking fox. As their paths intertwine through Liz's son Zac, the story delves into themes of trauma, alternate realities, and the supernatural. Carey's writing style weaves together elements of horror, fantasy, and psychological suspense, creating a narrative that gradually reveals a complex and twisted plot.

Evie is the hardworking assistant to the famous superhero Aveda Jupiter in San Francisco. When Aveda gets injured, Evie must step into her shoes and face the challenges of being a superhero. The book combines elements of urban fantasy, superhero tropes, and Asian representation, exploring themes of friendship, heroism, and dealing with emotions in a fun and adventurous way.

'How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe' by Charles Yu is a unique blend of science fiction and literary fiction, exploring themes of time travel, father-son relationships, and self-discovery. The protagonist, a time machine repair technician named after the author, navigates a complex narrative that delves into the intricacies of time loops and the search for his inventor father. The book is noted for its metafictional elements, combining humor, melancholy, and mind-bending storytelling within a science fictional universe that challenges traditional genre boundaries.

Fisherman's Wharf is home to private eyes A. Kimrean and Z. Kimrean. The door to their rundown office shows both names, but when you look inside there is only one desk, one chair, and one androgynous P.I. decked out in a tank top and waistcoat. Collectively known as A.Z., this body holds twin siblings, Zooey and Adrian. Adrian is the brains, while Zooey is the hedonistic free spirit. Together they are locked in one body as chimeric twins. The combination is strange, but it has won the hearts of the local San Francisco police department. In their latest case, Kimrean is working to find out who is killing off the sons of local drug cartel boss, Victor Lyon. On the outside it appears the murders are a result of a turf war with another local gang, but Kimrean doesn't believe that to be true. They will use their unique detective style and out of the norm antics to discover the truth. Just when they think they have their hands full with the case, they realize they also need to save an undercover cop, deal with an eleven year old stowaway, and stop an all out gang war from happening in the streets of San Carnal. Can Zooey and Adrian put their differences aside and focus on the task at hand Will they stop the murderer before it's too late for everyone involved Last year I fell in love with Edgar Cantero's unique and quirky writing style after reading MEDDLING KIDS. This year, I'm remembering where that love came from through the pages of THIS BODY'S NOT BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF US. This book is downright fun For starters, the premise of A.Z. Kimrean is a unique one I haven't read about before. The idea of both Zooey and Adrian controlling one body and the struggles between their polar opposite personalities adds to the entertainment value of this book. Not to be outdone by the main characters, Cantero adds in secondary characters who are interesting and make the reader want to care about what will happen to them. I guarantee you're going to love spunky, eleven year old Ursula The actual case that Kimrean is working to solve is a gangster battle straight out of a movie. This book is action packed, addictive, and easily one of the most fun and exciting titles I've read all year If you're looking for a crime fiction tale riddled with comedic relief and out of the box main characters pick this one up

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Wesley Chu and Cassandra Clare follows the adventures of Warlock Magnus Bane and Shadowhunter Alec Lightwood as they uncover a demon-worshipping cult that Magnus founded as a joke, but is now causing chaos worldwide. Set after the first war, the book delves into the beginning of Magnus and Alec's relationship, providing glimpses into their past and the challenges they face in the present. The story takes readers on a whirlwind European vacation through Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome, blending action-packed sequences with romantic comedy elements. The book explores themes of love, redemption, and the struggles of being in an interracial relationship in a society filled with bigotry and mistrust.

The writing style of The Red Scrolls of Magic is described as light, upbeat, and humorous, with a touch of nerdy dialogue that adds to the fun and chaos of the story. The plot is fast-paced, filled with cameos of familiar characters from the Shadowhunter universe, and offers a deeper look into Magnus Bane's history and the Downworlder reality. The relationship between Magnus and Alec is portrayed as adorable and heartwarming, showcasing their initial days of dating, their struggles, and their unwavering love for each other.

'Temple' by Matthew Reilly is a fast-paced action-packed novel centered around the search for an ancient Incan idol made from a meteorite, which possesses the power to create a planet-destroying weapon. The protagonist, William Race, a language professor, is unexpectedly drawn into a race against various military groups to decipher an ancient manuscript, navigate through perilous situations, and ultimately save the world. The book features continuous action, suspense, and exotic locations, reminiscent of a thrilling combination of Indiana Jones and Jason Bourne.