Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: A Novel (4)

Stuff #4

by Don Bruns

It's official: stumbling, bumbling James Lessor and Skip Moore are now licensed private investigators. It'll take time to get More or Less Investigations off the ground, so James takes a job with a traveling carnival. But this show has a dubious reputation, having had a string of accidents and at least one death. When they're hired to investigate the carnival chaos, James and Skip set into motion a dizzying, roller-coaster chain of events. But when a carnival worker is murdered, it's clear that James and Skip are next in line, and this investigation is going completely off the rails.

Genres: Mystery, Self Help, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2010

About the author

Don Bruns is a writer, novelist, musician, songwriter, painter, cook, advertising executive and stand up comic who has no idea what he wants to be when he grows up. He's the author of nine books and was editor of the mystery/music anthology A Merry Band Of Murderers.

Don's published novels cover two series. One, a Caribbean thriller collection and two, the Stuff series, a humorous look at two twenty-four year old guys in South Florida who start their own detective agency and end up neck - deep in trouble.

Jamaica Blue, Barbados Heat, South Beach Shakedown, St. Barts Breakdown and Bahama Burnout make up the Caribbean books. The Stuff series consists of Stuff To Die For, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, Stuff To Spy For, and Don't Sweat The Small Stuff. Bruns is currently working on the fifth Stuff book, Too Much Stuff.

He currently resides on Florida's West coast.

Bahama Burnout/ Finalist, National Best Books Award - Mystery/Suspense 2009
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner National Best Books Award -Fiction/Suspense 2006
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner, Indie Excellence, 2006 Award - Mystery/Suspense
South Beach Shakedown/ Winner USA Book Award, 2006 - Mystery
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/ Winner Indie Excellence Award 2009 - Mystery/Suspense
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/IndieBound Notable, October 2008
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of/Winner Florida Writer's Association -
Stuff To Die For/ Starred review Booklist

Reviews

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, what a book! It was a combination of Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, and Dumb and Dumber. You have have to look pretty hard to find more inept detectives than Skip Moore and James Lessor. James is the big dreamer who always gets the guys into impossible situations because of his overly optimistic view of the world. Each new "get rich quick" scheme will be the one that finally works. Skip is the pessimist who is always following his friend around and trying to get him out of the situations he lands himself in. Neither one has any ambition or drive. They both want the American Dream but aren't willing to do any of the work needed to get it.


This adventure has them investigating some strange disappearances at a cut-rate carnival. They know they are on to something when folks start trying to discourage them from investigating. There are a series of accidents but none manage to discourage our heroes. The do bumble their way to triumph at the end but don't end up any richer.


I liked the constant references to movie quotes. I liked the friendship between Skip and James. Although the friendship seemed pretty one-way in this one with Skip bearing most of the weight for his friend James. There were a number of quirky characters including Winnie Pugh who runs a petting zoo and whose main claim to fame is a 'cease and desist' letter from the Walt Disney Company.


This was a fun, engaging mystery. I recommend it as a light read for mystery lovers. Other books also featuring Skip and James include:

Stuff to Die For (2007)
Stuff Dreams Are Made Of (2008)
Stuff to Spy For (2009)

[Annabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved a good mystery and Don Brunss, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, wasn’t just a good mystery, it was out right fun! Bruns takes you into the world of private investigation from the male perspective: full of laugh out loud humor, whacky characters, and quirky suspense.


James Lessor is the laid back, go with the flow, type of guy. He doesn’t worry about much of anything (including his bills or being wrong) and doesn’t think much through. He’s more the take action, ask questions later type. Skip Moore is the type of guy who likes to take his time and think things through. He doesn’t like jumping into the unknown, especially if that means his life has to be put on the line. He rather try to be responsible and go to work and pay bills. James and Skip are a perfect balance for each other. The problem is they both like to drink too much, get themselves into trouble, and sleep more than exercise. These two will have you cracking up so many times throughout the book you’ll lose count!


Emily, Skip’s on again, off again girlfriend, was wonderful addition to the team. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, especially toward James (they have a somewhat hostile relationship). She smart mouthed, fierce, and tough. Her sarcasm was a great bonus!

The shady, somewhat reclusive, secondary characters behind the happenings of Moe Show’s accidents are very well written. Each personality gets shown throughout the story. Bruns even brings the carnival to life, not only having it act as a backdrop to the accidents and murder Skip and James have to investigate, but also has the carnival take on the atmosphere of a poorly taken care of house, abused and a little haunted. Bruns manages to hit all the fears one has of carnivals and their workers right on the nail. Carnies already freaked me out, after reading Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, I don’t think I can do to another carnival without being paranoid! I also really LOVED the fact that Skip and James speak their own code, using movie lines to speak to each other or get their point across. It’s like a secret code only movie buffs can understand (I am a TOTAL movie lover!) I’m not as good as Skip and James though.


The pacing was just right. Not too fast, not too slow. The suspense was slow and precise, gradually building to reel you in so you won’t want to put the book down! It’s not the nail biting, sweaty palms type of suspense, more the curious, amused kind of suspense. You can’t help but what to know what more trouble Skip and James can themselves into further.


I had a great deal of fun reading this book! Had to fight myself to put it down in order to go to sleep. This is my first journey into Bruns Stuff Series and it won’t be my last! I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Raquel Vega-Grieder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Of Don't Sweat The Small Stuff By Don Bruns

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found out (after the fact, and no I didn't see the blurb before I read this book....lol) that this book is part of a series of books featuring Skip Moore and James Lessor. After reading this book I am so going out and buying the rest of this series. Skip and James were too funny of a duo. They both have their own way of doing things which makes for hilarious hijinks's. This bumbling duo find themselves in way over their heads when James drags Skip into another one of his great hair brained schemes. This time they need to visit a traveling carnival called the Moe Show so James can learn the ins and outs of the business and what not as their new marketing director. Having just gotten their PI licenses they are rather shocked to be approached shortly after arriving at the Moe Show by Moe Bradley himself with a proposition. Moe needs James and Skip to investigate the recent troubles his traveling carnival has been having but he also needs them to keep it on the down low so as not to cause a panic among the other carnies. How James and Skip go about it is truly a work of comedic art. One thing after another thing happens to these two which takes this book to a whole new level of the blind leading the blind. Their investigation style is so inept that a monkey could do it better but that is the pure gem of this book. Their total lack of knowledge and stupidity keeps you coming back for even more. I so can not forget to mention Jody Stacy the PI pro who helped get Skip and James their licenses. He is too funny because he sells surveillance equipment to this dynamic duo time and again and he can't seem to give them a price for it. His famous lines are usually something like "I'll send you the bill" or "if you don't like it you can always return it" which to me is priceless (pun intended....lol). How they fall for this time and again is any ones guess but it makes for some funny situations. I am afraid to say any more because I don't want to give away any of the suspects or spy gadgets. If I did that it might spoil this awesome story for some people and I wouldn't want to do that. On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a 10 even though it is part of a series I read it without any problems keeping up. Any reference to other situations they were in seemed just like regular back story stuff and didn't hinder my reading (although now I know it is referencing other books in the series). If you like a quirky duos, crime novels, mysteries, or just a great story all together I urge you to pick up a copy of Don't Sweat The Small Stuff it truly is a great book and well worth the read.

Link:
http://www.donbrunsbooks.com/

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skip Moore and James Lessor are roommates and have just been licensed as private investigators. Their new agency is More or Less Investigations. Skip and James really don’t have the slightest idea about how to run a private detective agency. James just wants to buy a box truck since he thinks that will help with their investigations.

Skip sells home security systems but he isn’t very successful. James is hired by Angie Clark to be a marketing agent for Moe Bradley's traveling carnival. Moe is in partnership with his two sisters Judy Schiller and Virginia Crouse.

Moe decides to hire Skip and James to investigate his carnival. Some very serious accidents have occurred on the carnival rides and Moe feels someone who works for him is responsible. Since Skip and James really do not have the slightest idea about how to conduct an investigation, they lean heavily on Skip’s girl friend Emily. They also buy a lot of spy equipment from Jody Stacy, a private investigator, who also sells equipment. Jody fails to tell them how much the equipment will cost so most of their pay, when they receive any, will go to Jody.

A wild ride on the Dragon Tail, the best ride at the carnival, inspires the two to never again set foot on the Dragon Tail. The fun house isn’t much better. A little trip through Freddy’s Fun House convinces them that the carnies are not their friends. Even the dog at the kid’s petting zoo takes an instant dislike to Skip and James.

When one of the carnival workers is murdered, the two decide it is time to get serious. With some help from Skip’s girl friend Emily and Jody Stacy, they eventually manage to figure out who the real culprit is in the carnival mishaps.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff is a mystery full of humor and bungling but More or Less Investigations finally get their man.

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”, the latest mystery from South Florida novelist, songwriter, musician and advertising executive Don Bruns, is a rollicking up and down tale from start to finish. Two school buddies, Skip Moore and James Lessor, have combined their talent for bumbling to form a brand new detective agency, More or Less Investigations. Think of Tom and Dick Smothers running “Mom Always Liked You Best” investigations instead of pursuing a television career and you get the general idea. Skip tells the story and takes us all along for the ride.
With the ink barely dry on their P.I. licenses, the hapless pair accept a job trying to uncover who is sabotaging a local carnival, the Moe Show. The carnival “staff” is, to put it mildly, a bunch of hard-drinking misfits who delight in doing whatever they can to throw Skip and James off track. Which is pretty easy to do.
Skip, the brighter of the two, spends much of his time saving James from the folly of his many, ill-advised business and personal decisions. But hey, they’re amigos, right? There’s also a death-trap of a ride called the Dragon Tail, whose description reminded me once again of why you won’t find me at a carnival very often. Like never.
Amazingly enough, the pair do manage to crack the case before they both get put out of business. Permanently.
Lots of fun, especially with a bucket of popcorn or a corn dog to snack on while you read!
Reviewed by: Susan Santangelo, Author of “Retirement Can Be Murder” for Suspense Magazine

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Lessor and Skip Moore just received their PI licenses from the department of Agriculture (Don't ask, it's Florida). The problem being, that until their new business gets off of the ground, they got bills to pay and beer that needs bought. So, James takes a job with a travelling carnival show to get them by, just until their new investigation business picks up.

Now, Skip saw the article where a woman fell to her death from one fo the rides months ago, but just forgot to tell James about it. So when they realize that there has been quite a few "accident's" at the carnival, and they get hired to investigate, Skip and James figure this is their big break.

You have to realize that James and Skip aren't the brightest crayons in the box, but the repartee' between the two will have you rolling in stitches. Watching James stake-out a dwarf zoo operator is very entertaining to say the least of their antics in the fun house. Things begin to heat up for Skip and James, not to mention the would-be girlfriends, and even though they bumble along in their own way, they do manage to unveil a few things. But it wont' do any good if they can't get out with their lives.

The characters of Skip and James are very likable, entertaining, and are smarter than they appear. The backdrop of the carnival for their investigation is treacherous, yet fun. Toss in some spy toys from of their friends and you have pure fun reading of what they will do next. High praise from this reader for Don't Sweat The Small Stuff. I really look forward to seeing what Skip and James get into next!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, but made me not wanna go on a carnival ride lol

[Mark Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best friends James Lessor and Skip Moore are spending the weekend at a traveling carnival so that James can get a feel for it in his new job as their marketing director. Then the owner asks them to put their new PI license to use finding out who is sabotaging the rides. There have been injuries and one death due to these accidents. Will the two get the help from the carnies they need to solve things?

My love/hate relationship with this series continues. I do like the characters and want to see them succeed. But I also wish they were a little smarter and that Skip would stand up for himself. The mystery was good, but the ending could have been stronger. The suspects were interesting. Do keep in mind that these books aren’t cozies and are just old enough for the technology to be dated. I’m hoping some growth we saw here carries over to further books, but I’ll find out when I get to the next book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Sarah Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will have to admit this wasn't my typical read. Normally, I read romances or the occasional Agatha Christie novel.

This book, however, sucked me in from the very beginning. It was a quick read. I read it over the course of a weekend between homework and other random activities. I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, but it still read fine and kept my interest piqued. This is a book full of mystery, intrigue, and adventure.

This book will keep you guessing until the very end. Are these two guys really cut out to be private eyes? Will they be able to prove everyone wrong? Will they ever get serious and actually start investigating? There were a few issues of language that I would have wished hadn't been there, but it wasn't so bad that I had to put the book down. I'll admit that I hear much worse language and a higher quantity of language on a day-to-day basis as a college student.

I would highly recommend this book even if it's not like what you normally read. This book has everything you could ask for--memorable characters, a fast-moving plot, an overall enjoyable read!

I'm looking forward to checking out the other books in this series. I'm sure they'll prove to be just as memorable!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don Bruns has done it again!! One of the very top writers today has produced yet another classic crime thriller/comedy. Reading about the further adventures of Skip and James is like recieving a long letter from old and dearly missed friends. One savors every word! Mr Brun's makes the characters so believable and appealing that the only negative thing I can write about the book is that, having finished it, I now have to wait for the next Skip/James adventure. The dedication to the Smothers Brothers iswonderful and does quite alot to explain the characters- as they certainly do have a Smother-like quality- easilyone of the best series of books out there.
Rick Friedman
FOUNDER
JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the two main characters in this story. They are so funny and you would never think they could solve anything much less a murder. But in their own bumbling way they do. With a little help from Em and Jody. Em is James on and off girlfriend and Jody sells spy stuff. Just when they think they have it all figured out and who the person is behind all the accidents, another suspect comes along. But you won't believe who the real person is. I was totally surprised!! Wonderful light airy murder mystery.

[Erik Dewey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story of two would-be PIs who bumble their way through a case at a local carnival. I didn't quite feel like I got to know that characters that well, one spent half the time off screen and the other just went from scene to scene.

They didn't really do much actual investigation either, but the story moved at a decent pace and it was light hearted enough to be entertaining.

I haven't read any of the other books in the series so all of the references to previous adventures were both noticed by me and went over my head.

A light read, nothing fantastic, but nothing wrong either.

[Travis Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

James and Skip are your typical pair, the one that knows what he's doing (for the most part) and the meaning well bumbler that's likely going to screw something up and nearly ruin the relationship. But if you've learned anything from movies, you know that's what it takes to solve crimes. Bruns throws in one more item into his books: a white box truck. James and Skip always look forward to getting this truck, but for some reason cant keep it from one book to the next. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff is a good book and if you've read one "Stuff" book, well, you've pretty much read them all.

[Adrienne Amborski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Don's books!!! A fun and laugh out loud mystery series the "Stuff Series" is a perfect summer read. Two college buddies, James Lessor and Skip Moore are bound and determined to start their own P.I. business with no experience and even less cash flow. Enter a traveling carnival with a "killer" roller coaster and get ready for a ride!!!

[Lance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read, not deep. Something to read if waiting for something else, or in a waiting room.

[Gordon Hirs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pair of immature 24 yr olds solve the mystery of who is sabotaging a carnival's rides. Seemed a little too scooby-doo like for me

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

What, me worry?

[Adam Dalton]

Loved this book but I read it last year.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series to read

[Mok · Rating 4 out of 5]

soon

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. A lot of action. Fast paced and thrilling.