Scan barcode
juneuk's review against another edition
1.0
hmm, I got this fro review and didn't like it..but can't find the words to explain why yet. I will have to give it further thought..
ok..
I wasn’t aware before I started to read this book that it is actually the sixth book in a series following the activities of a group of software engineers called Monkeewrench. It isn’t necessary to have read the other books, however I did feel that there was a lot of history between some of the characters in this story that would have benefitted from a bit more explanation.
The book opens with an assassination attempt that is thwarted by the quick thinking of our heroine, Grace MacBride. The target of the attempt is a retired FBI agent. The question therefore is; who is trying to kill him and what has he done to deserve it? Has he been poking his nose into something instead of enjoying his retirement?
Far away in another part of the country a young girl is found dead;in the course of the day others are found,seemingly executed. The police are at a loss as to what is the connection between them, if any. And why do the victims have Hallowe’en circled on the calendar ?.As they begin to investigate, other homicides in different cities are discovered, which also seem to point to a Hallowe’en connection. But what is it, and what does it have to do with our retired FBI guy, now on the run in fear for his life.?
I don’t really want to say more about the plot , but I will say that I’m afraid I didn’t like this book much. I felt there were too many characters and not enough depth for my tastes. Perhaps this is where I suffered from not having read any of the earlier books.
Sadly it just all felt too formulaic. There was so much going on it was hard to get a handle on things at times, and the whole thing seemed rushed and shallow ,which is a shame because I quite liked Grace MacBride.
(And without giving too much away, please someone check out the proper use of the word ‘jihad’).
It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid..
ok..
I wasn’t aware before I started to read this book that it is actually the sixth book in a series following the activities of a group of software engineers called Monkeewrench. It isn’t necessary to have read the other books, however I did feel that there was a lot of history between some of the characters in this story that would have benefitted from a bit more explanation.
The book opens with an assassination attempt that is thwarted by the quick thinking of our heroine, Grace MacBride. The target of the attempt is a retired FBI agent. The question therefore is; who is trying to kill him and what has he done to deserve it? Has he been poking his nose into something instead of enjoying his retirement?
Far away in another part of the country a young girl is found dead;in the course of the day others are found,seemingly executed. The police are at a loss as to what is the connection between them, if any. And why do the victims have Hallowe’en circled on the calendar ?.As they begin to investigate, other homicides in different cities are discovered, which also seem to point to a Hallowe’en connection. But what is it, and what does it have to do with our retired FBI guy, now on the run in fear for his life.?
I don’t really want to say more about the plot , but I will say that I’m afraid I didn’t like this book much. I felt there were too many characters and not enough depth for my tastes. Perhaps this is where I suffered from not having read any of the earlier books.
Sadly it just all felt too formulaic. There was so much going on it was hard to get a handle on things at times, and the whole thing seemed rushed and shallow ,which is a shame because I quite liked Grace MacBride.
(And without giving too much away, please someone check out the proper use of the word ‘jihad’).
It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid..
hildamarie's review
3.0
These Monkeewrench books are always fun. Set in the Twin Cities and surrounding area, they have local flavor. They deal with gritty crimes, a la John Sanford. But here the writers give the crime due respect, while creating colorful characters who work as a team and function as a family. There is alwasy a cyber-thriller element here, too. ( The Monkeewrench Team are software developers.) If you are new to the series, start with the first one, Monkeewrench. It is still the best one, in my opinion.
frisby0's review
3.0
This one was just Ok for the Monkeewrench team series...not their best gig. Oh well, light listening.
paulabrandon's review
1.0
I loved the first book in this series. In Australia, it was called Want To Play?, which I think is actually a better title. What a thrill ride! The next three were all decent, but Play To Kill/Shoot To Thrill (once again it had a different title for Australia) was terrible. And Off The Grid/Two Evils (yet more re-titling!) is even worse! Faceless villains, needless head-hopping (which is still happening just chapters from the end) and a suspenseless "climax" that happens off-page and doesn't involve any of the main characters! Lord Almighty! As others have mentioned, there is casual racism (or at least racial profiling) and incorrect facts and terminology. How did this get published? And how did it get so many positive reviews? Am I too picky? Are others too easily pleased?
jmj697mn's review
3.0
I love this series but this one was not as good as the previous ones. I am looking forward to many, many more in this series though and hoping the writers will continue.
sandin954's review
3.0
While a perfectly entertaining book this was not quite as good as some of the previous entries in this series. The ending, though, was very intriguing and I look forward to finding out what is next for the Monkeewrench gang.
jrdbrook's review against another edition
4.0
The writing, as always, is very good. Sets a scene well with a lovely language use, yet still being an easy flowing read.
The best part of P.J. Tracy's writing is the characters - the plots are good but it's the characters that hold your interest. I did find the first third of the book made all the regular characters quite insular - each having a storyline with little interaction but as soon as they did interact, the pace of the story really started to pick up. I especially enjoyed the repartee between the characters.
The story itself was good with a few twists and turns to keep you interested.
My favourite scene was in Chapter 43, with the Chief's first impressions of the Monkeewrench team.
Even if you haven't read any of the previous books, the story still works as a stand alone book. Though I would recommend reading the other books, as they are all good.
Lexicon - curlicue, segue
The best part of P.J. Tracy's writing is the characters - the plots are good but it's the characters that hold your interest. I did find the first third of the book made all the regular characters quite insular - each having a storyline with little interaction but as soon as they did interact, the pace of the story really started to pick up. I especially enjoyed the repartee between the characters.
The story itself was good with a few twists and turns to keep you interested.
My favourite scene was in Chapter 43, with the Chief's first impressions of the Monkeewrench team.
Even if you haven't read any of the previous books, the story still works as a stand alone book. Though I would recommend reading the other books, as they are all good.
Lexicon - curlicue, segue
brendas's review against another edition
1.0
A series of murders,including the murder of a teenage girl, two immigrants and three men, has police baffled. They realise that that the murders may be connected and call on Grace McBride,a computer analyst, for help.
"Two Evils" is the sixth in the series of Monkeewrench books. Having never read PJ Tracy's books before I was looking forward to trying a new author. I was very disappointed however as I feel I needed to read the previous books in the series before I could get to know the characters. I also found it difficult to keep track of the numerous characters throughout the story and often found myself going back through the book to clarify what was happening.
A major disappointment
"Two Evils" is the sixth in the series of Monkeewrench books. Having never read PJ Tracy's books before I was looking forward to trying a new author. I was very disappointed however as I feel I needed to read the previous books in the series before I could get to know the characters. I also found it difficult to keep track of the numerous characters throughout the story and often found myself going back through the book to clarify what was happening.
A major disappointment