September 2016
August 2016
THE REAL BOOK SPY REVIEWS SHOOT ‘EM UP
A Book Spy Review: ‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ by Janey Mack
WHY I LOVED IT
Nobody in this genre makes me laugh harder or more often than Janey Mack. Maisie is a breath of fresh, politically incorrect air and I love the sarcastic, edgy one-liners that she’s become known for.
In Time’s Up, Maisie shut down an over-eager guy at the bar with “Move along, pal. I haven’t upgraded to misery yet.”
This time out she hits back with “Think again, pal. Casual sex isn’t in my job description or my repressed Catholic schoolgirl DNA,” when someone suggests she sleep her way into a convincing cover story.
Whether it’s lines like those, or comparing her hobbled self to the “girl version of Jimmy from South Park,” Maisie’s inner dialogue is hilariously entertaining.
WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT
Janey Mack’s writing style makes her work attractive to a very diverse group of readers. If you enjoyed Gone Girl or Girl on the Train, meeting Maisie McGrane is an absolute must. Likewise, if you’re into mysteries and police dramas, there’s more than enough of that in this book to go around.
Mack’s sharp dialogue, which is truly in a class of its own, is the icing on the cake, though. If screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, Moneyball, The Social Network, The Newsroom) wrote a novel, this is exactly how I imagine the characters would speak to each other.
BOOK DETAILS
Author: Janey Mack
Pages: 341 (Paperback)
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: September 27, 2016 (Order now!)
April 2016
FARISH’S FREEHOLD REVIEWS CHOKED UP
March 2016
THE REAL BOOK SPY REVIEWS TIME’S UP
Throwback Thursday
by Ryan Steck
Just yesterday, mega-author Stephen King tweeted, “few things are better than an engrossing, well-written story that doesn’t try too hard to impress you.” I couldn’t agree with King more, at least about that, as one of my biggest turnoffs as a reader is a book that tries too hard.
Last year, Janey Mack released her first novel, Time’s Up. If ever there was a book that epitomizes King’s tweet, it’s Mack’s. Time’s Up is a brilliant mystery–but as good as the plot is, the real strength is Mack’s writing style and ability. She oozes talent on every page, writing effortlessly with flair and an abundance of quick wit.
Time’s Up introduces Maisie McGrane, a twenty-four-year-old knockout who comes from a big Irish family of police officers. Maisie’s dad and three of her older brothers are all cops in Chicago, and her other two brothers followed their mother’s footsteps and became lawyers. They’re a close family, still getting together for dinner on Friday nights to catch up and spend time with one another. MORE
CHOKED UP – DEBBIE HOFFMAN’S VIDEO REVIEW
Warren-Newport Public Library’s Debbie Hoffman is back, this time reviewing “Choked Up” for her “Let’s Talk Books” video review blog.
JANEY MACK’S NEW WEB SITE
Check out the new digs!
Janey’s new web site features full chapter book excerpts, serious behind-the-scenes info on Janey’s inspirations in the new “Under the Cover” section for each book, and the new store, where you can get your Janey Mack merch!