Motor Mouth    by Janet Evanovich Order:  USA  Can HarperCollins, 2006 (2006) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth I am always happy when I turn to the first page of a new Janet Evanovich mystery, knowing it's going to be a good read. I was not disappointed by Motor Mouth, her new foray into the mystery scene. I couldn't sleep last night and so devoured the book. Tired this morning, but still chuckling over the one liners and the rapport between heroine Alexandra Barnaby – or Barney – and her erstwhile lover Hooker, I found it hard to put this delightful book down. Laughter usually must be shared to reach the laugh-out-loud stage, but I laughed out loud all by myself. I loved the character of Beans, a super large Saint Bernard whose main talent seems to be planting his paws on a newcomer's chest, knocking them over and then licking their face as they lie prone on the floor. Oh, yes, don't forget eating almost anything in sight. There's skullduggery at the race track. Hooker is a race car driver and Barney a spotter. I learned more about racing than I needed to know, but found it interesting anyway. Dead bodies seem to be in the habit of turning up. Hooker and Barney end as fugitives when they are suspected of murder - not to mention the theft of a car trailer and the wrecking of a motor home ... and that little incident of setting a yacht on fire. Hooker made the mistake of cheating on Barney and she has trouble forgiving him. Their dialogue is absolutely delightful. Felicia and Rosa - one a fruit peddling grandmother and the other a cigar roller - become mixed up in the whole mess and are strong enough characters to deserve a book of their own. Let's hear it for those enjoying their golden years. All in all, a fun book. Don't miss Motor Mouth. It's good for what ails ya. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews