While you wait for Now or Never

Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum novel Now or Never has quite the hold list. Bounty hunter Stephanie is on another hilariously wild adventure. Her personal life is almost as ridiculous as her work now that Stephanie is juggling two fiancés. How will she decide who to marry and more importantly will she survive her latest jobs?

Stephanie has an assortment of fugitives to track down – an online influencer who might also be a Robin Hood, a mob associate who is rumored to be trafficking young girls, and a laundromat manager who also thinks he's a vampire. While you wait for your hold on this wacky and entertaining mystery, I have recommendations of other humorous fictional tales of criminal adventures.

Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka

This is the best action book I've ever read! I was so impressed with the well-developed fascinating characters in this book and how much I wanted to keep reading. This is a thoroughly captivating thriller/mystery with several laughs and gasps mixed in.

The tale is set on one bullet train ride across Japan that has multiple assassins and criminals on board. At first it appears they are all on different jobs, but as the story progresses they get in each other's way and their jobs overlap.

I began to root for several of the bad guys because they are complex and relatable (their personalities and back stories not their jobs). There is of course one bad guy who was easy to root against, he was pure evil. Isaka incorporates a good amount of humor that keeps the book from being too dark and helps move the story along.

By the way, the Brad Pitt movie Bullet Train is based on this book. I haven't seen the movie but I've talked to several people who have seen the movie not realizing it was based on a book. Once I told them about the book, they said that explains why the movie is so good.

Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart

Mark was a legendary assassin known as the Pale Horse. Now he's trying not to murder anyone as he regularly attends meetings of a 12-step program for killers – assassins anonymous. They meet in a local diner and keep their former identities secret even from each other.

After a meeting when Mark has just earned his one-year coin (a murder-free year!) he's stabbed by a Russian who steals Mark's notebook with the names of people he plans to atone to. A medic for assassins and mobsters, Astrid, stitches Mark up in her apartment. A couple days later Mark's apartment is blown up. He rescues his cat, P. Kitty, from a neighbor and Astrid joins him on the run. They head to Singapore to track down his old handler for U.S. intelligence (was he a killer for the good guys?) to figure out who is after him and why.

There's lots of humor in this action-packed story with Mark trying very hard not to kill anyone while fighting back and keeping Astrid and P. Kitty safe. Mystery lovers will also enjoy this read trying to solve the puzzles of who is after the Pale Horse, why and who can be trusted.

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Older women often feel invisible, but four former assassins use this invisibility to their advantage. Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie worked as part of an elite network of assassins, the Museum, for 40 years. Now they're ready to relax and live the good life.

Unfortunately, on their first luxury vacation together, they discover someone is trying to kill them. It appears the Museum has ordered their termination. Well, they will not go quietly. These cunning ladies will use their old-school talents to fight back and show the young wanna-bees the value of experience and people skills.

This is a fun thriller/mystery with lots of twists that will keep you guessing who is out to get these brave and crafty seasoned professionals. You'll also be impressed and amused by their creative killing techniques. 

If you love the characters as much as I do, you'll want to add the sequel Kills Well With Others (release date March 2025) to your to be read list.

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon

This tale is a bit darker than my previous recommendations, but it's an equally entertaining thriller/mystery. The story begins with Amber Jamison about to be the victim of a serial killer. She's actually more mad than afraid. Then things get weird. Amber is tied to a table with the killer about to stab her when suddenly he is killed by a mysterious woman. The woman doesn't want Amber's gratitude, she just wants to be on her way. Turns out she's a killer of serial killers. 

When the police arrive at the scene they are completely confused by the evidence left behind. Who was the latest intended victim? Where did she go and who else was involved? Amber has a past she really doesn't want looked into so she flees to Vegas and hides out in a seedy hotel. She soon discovers she's caught up in some crazy game between the woman who saved her and another serial killer.

This super twisted tale and the ridiculous situations Amber keeps getting into will keep you reading well past your bedtime. If you're a fan of dark humor, this is a must read.