Publisher's Weekly Review
Bestselling author Evanovich continues her Barnaby series (Metro Girl, Motor Mouth) in graphic novel form with the help of her co-writer daughter and artist Jones (You Have Killed Me). No need to know about the previous adventures of Alex Barnaby and NASCAR driver Sam Hooker, since everyone is clearly introduced for new readers. Old friend Felicia has summoned Alex to Florida because their mutual friend Rosa has been kidnapped by someone practicing voodoo. The art is direct and simply laid out, with no more than four panels to a page and the pictures supporting dialogue and caption exposition. That makes for an easy-to-read starting point for those unfamiliar with comics. The attractive figures and detailed settings also help, and Dan Jackson's bright colors capture the sun-soaked feel of Miami. Jones gives Barnaby wide-open eyes and an adorable pug nose that makes her appear young and approachable. She's cute, and that plays well in the action-packed romantic comedy/thriller that follows (including outdated cougar jokes). Jones is also good with the dog, Beans, a slobbery St. Bernard, providing comic relief. For those not already Evanovich fans, it's rather like a grown-up Scooby Doo; the story's conclusion is due in Book Two in November. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Fans of Metro Girl and Motor Mouth can now find Evanovich's disaster-prone duo in comics. Alexandra Barnaby ("Barney") and Sam Hooker don't drink martinis as invitingly as The Thin Man's Nick and Nora, but they do fight funny. Sam's a NASCAR racer and Barney his mechanic and spotter, so chase scenes figure prominently in these lighthearted tangles of repartee and rotten villains. This time, Barney's friend Rosa has been taken hostage by a voodoo cult. Off scurry Barney and Hooker to rescue her, and we're in for a diverting mix featuring a swamp chase, breaking and entering, a botanica proprietress, and a meddling cougar of a mother. Jones's art gets the goofball frenetics just right, but there's not nearly as much story or hormonal zing as in the novels, especially without book two yet. VERDICT Comics aficionados may be entertained, but prose-inclined fans won't get much of a fix, and everybody will kvetch about getting fewer pages and less story than they should in one volume. Purchase with caution. The light innuendos make this teen-safe but likely less appealing to Evanovich's original audience.-M.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
