Finding Danger at a Pop Up Carnival
I’ll admit, I sometimes wonder why I am reading Don Bruns’ Stuff Series. It’s not that it is bad, but I do find the character annoying. But I have had it on my radar for over a decade, and I’m curious to see how the characters’ lives turn out. So I picked up Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, the fourth in the series.
The series revolves around Skip Moore and James Lessor, two twenty something friends in Miami. They are extremely poor, but James always has a scheme that will help them get rich, and Skip goes along for the ride against his better judgement.
James has just landed a job as the marketing director for a weekend traveling carnival. You know the type that sets up in a field or large parking lot with some games and food vendors and then moves to the next location. James is supposed to be spending the weekend getting to know the carnival so he can start working his magic in the weeks and months ahead. Meanwhile, Skip is just reluctantly along for the weekend.
Then the owner pulls them into a meeting. He knows the two just got their PI license, and he wants to hire them to find out who is sabotaging the rides. They’ve had some accidents that have led to injuries and even one death. Will they be able to figure out what is going on? Will they get any help from the carnies?
These books are about 15 years old, and that does pop up in the technology at times. As long as you keep that in mind, you’ll be fine.
I’ve got to admit, at this point in the series, I’m beginning to wonder about the friendship between Skip and James. Skip is the narrator, and he keeps telling us that James is his best friend. It seems to me that James takes advantage of him, and I’m more than ready to see Skip stand up for himself. Some of the events in this book might lead to a change in their relationship, but I’m probably being too optimistic. We will see.
The rest of the cast were interesting and did their job well to move the story forward.
There’s lots happening here, and I appreciated how the mystery moved forward. While the ending made sense, I would have liked it to be a little stronger.
I have to give a special shout out to one scene that made my heart race as I was reading. It might have stretched credibility, but many action scenes do. I just went along with it and enjoyed it overall.
Do keep in mind that these books aren’t cozies. If that is what you are looking for, you’ll want to pass right on by.
I’ve passed the half way point in the series, and I really do want to see where James and Skip wind up. It’s not a bad series, so my investment in the characters will keep me moving forward. Still, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff doesn’t really change my feelings about the series.
Check out the rest of the Stuff Series.
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