What do you think?
Rate this book
Two Guys Detective Agency #1
Two Guys Detective Agency
Linda and Octavia are estranged sisters. The stay-at-home mom and socialite have never had much in common...until now. When they suddenly find themselves husbandless and broke, they reluctantly agree to combine their talents and take on a faltering P.I. agency in a strip mall. Old emotional wounds keep the two at odds and both sisters think they've made a huge mistake. But soon they realize all their clients have secrets...and who better to help them than two women who have secrets of their own?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2013
188 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Bond
265 books1,784 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Stephanie Bond was seven years deep into a systems engineering career and pursuing an MBA at night when an instructor remarked that she had a flair for writing and suggested that she submit to academic journals. But Stephanie, a voracious reader, was only interested in writing fiction–more specifically, romantic fiction.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
Upon completing her master’s degree and with no formal training in writing (her undergraduate degree is in computer programming), she started writing a romance novel in her spare time. Two years later in 1995 she sold her first manuscript, a romantic comedy, to Harlequin Books.
In 1997, with ten sales under her belt to two publishers, Stephanie left her corporate job to write women’s romantic fiction full-time. In 2011,
Stephanie launched a self-publishing business. Since that time, she has sold more than 1 million copies of her own books. To-date, Stephanie has published over 70 novels and has over 6 million copies of her work in worldwide distribution in numerous languages and formats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 18, 2017
I think I had been expecting a whole lot more from this book than a simple teasing introduction. While the book is tagged as a mystery, and the cover even suggests that this is a "Humorous Mystery Series," I certainly did not find any part of that title to be true.
It's probably why the series was renamed to simply Two Guys Detective Agency? The concept was going to be a nice one, even if a little overdone. Two sisters, down on their luck when they find themselves husband-less and broke, reluctantly team up to take on a private investigation agency.
The summary suggests so much more than what actually happens in the book. We spend a good 60% of the book itself setting up the "What will Linda and Octavia do now?" part of their failing marriages and broken families. And while I liked the whole aspect of them maybe finding a niche in taking over Linda's husband's investigation agency, starting off by helping him close a few domestic cases, the entirety of that story line maybe comprised about 10% of the book... if even that.
I was even hoping that maybe the two would stumble upon a criminal case and a murder and help solve that case, and maybe make a name for themselves. But aside from closing a few insurance fraud cases, and maybe helping to find patient zero for a spreading STD case in a nursing home (the conclusion they came up with was both, a long stretch, and not at all able to be proven with anything but speculation), nothing that these two women do suggest that they are cut out for investigative work.
Which makes me extra resentful that I felt righteous indignation on their behalf that everyone else also snapped to the judgment that the two of them couldn't possibly be good investigators, for other reasons that I didn't like. Because it's the truth, but the other people didn't know that they were doing a laughing-stock of a job being investigators. They were just all, "Well, you're just a stay at home mom and wife. What could you possibly know about investigative work?"
Anyway...
To be honest, Two Guys felt like a drawn out introductory of sorts. The only true mystery was the question of what happened to Octavia's husband, Richard, and what he ended up getting himself involved in. Then there was the very, very open-ended conclusion regarding Richard's dealings, which turned out much more chaotic than I had expect... and also wasn't quite concluded, if we were to really be honest with ourselves.
Virtually nothing is really solved in this book, but the characters convene and close out the story as if everything is just wrapped up nicely with a bow on top. And I probably would have been less upset if everything had been wrapped up nicely with a bow on top. But there are so many loose ends, and so many more questions that need to be answered, and even so many turn of events in the entire story that made absolutely no sense.
The missing case files that the D.A.'s office is still requesting from Linda's husband, Sullivan's agency and how they relate with a murder case labeled "Foxtrot" was never closed out. The mysterious evidence bag that Richard left with the maid, who was then killed, and which now leads to an even bigger mysterious twist in the book was, again, also still left hanging.
Then there's the death of Linda's husband, Sullivan, which I kept getting vibes that there was much more to it than a simple heart attach. I keep trying to connect the "Foxtrot" case with his death, and my line of thinking when it comes to crime thrillers, or even cozy mysteries, is that there is definitely a connection.
And then, for some reason, I find Dunk Duncan--the private investigator who works on more high-end cases--kind of shady. Mainly, the fact that he offered to pick up all of Sullivan's open cases seemed a little sketchy to me. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. And then I'm even seeing some sketchiness in Detective Oakley Hall as well--something about him gives me bad vibes.
Unfortunately, as I already stated, there were so many things left unanswered, so many loose ends that had no tie up. And the ending was so abrupt that it might as well have been a cliffhanger--it almost feels as if our author just sort of needed to wind things up and turn in a manuscript because she was meeting a deadline, and screw the quality of the book.
Anyway, I'm contemplating reading the next book whenever it finally gets published, though, to be honest, it's kind of a stretch, and I might just stop here. Aside from the children and the dog, and maybe Brittany, the Waffle House waitress, I didn't really care for anyone else in this book. Octavia was driving me insane with her self-absorbed selfishness, and Linda really, really needed to grow a backbone.
But I DO find the parallel of both women, having molded their entire lives around their respective husbands, then finding themselves in a quandary when they both lose their husbands, kind of a great premise to bounce off of. If anything, it gave the two a chance to rekindle their estranged relationship.
***
Booklikes-opoly
Roll #10:
This book is tagged 'mystery' on GR.
Page Count: 255
Cash Award: $3.00
Updated Bank Balance: $53.00
It's probably why the series was renamed to simply Two Guys Detective Agency? The concept was going to be a nice one, even if a little overdone. Two sisters, down on their luck when they find themselves husband-less and broke, reluctantly team up to take on a private investigation agency.
The summary suggests so much more than what actually happens in the book. We spend a good 60% of the book itself setting up the "What will Linda and Octavia do now?" part of their failing marriages and broken families. And while I liked the whole aspect of them maybe finding a niche in taking over Linda's husband's investigation agency, starting off by helping him close a few domestic cases, the entirety of that story line maybe comprised about 10% of the book... if even that.
I was even hoping that maybe the two would stumble upon a criminal case and a murder and help solve that case, and maybe make a name for themselves. But aside from closing a few insurance fraud cases, and maybe helping to find patient zero for a spreading STD case in a nursing home (the conclusion they came up with was both, a long stretch, and not at all able to be proven with anything but speculation), nothing that these two women do suggest that they are cut out for investigative work.
Which makes me extra resentful that I felt righteous indignation on their behalf that everyone else also snapped to the judgment that the two of them couldn't possibly be good investigators, for other reasons that I didn't like. Because it's the truth, but the other people didn't know that they were doing a laughing-stock of a job being investigators. They were just all, "Well, you're just a stay at home mom and wife. What could you possibly know about investigative work?"
Anyway...
To be honest, Two Guys felt like a drawn out introductory of sorts. The only true mystery was the question of what happened to Octavia's husband, Richard, and what he ended up getting himself involved in. Then there was the very, very open-ended conclusion regarding Richard's dealings, which turned out much more chaotic than I had expect... and also wasn't quite concluded, if we were to really be honest with ourselves.
Virtually nothing is really solved in this book, but the characters convene and close out the story as if everything is just wrapped up nicely with a bow on top. And I probably would have been less upset if everything had been wrapped up nicely with a bow on top. But there are so many loose ends, and so many more questions that need to be answered, and even so many turn of events in the entire story that made absolutely no sense.
The missing case files that the D.A.'s office is still requesting from Linda's husband, Sullivan's agency and how they relate with a murder case labeled "Foxtrot" was never closed out. The mysterious evidence bag that Richard left with the maid, who was then killed, and which now leads to an even bigger mysterious twist in the book was, again, also still left hanging.
Then there's the death of Linda's husband, Sullivan, which I kept getting vibes that there was much more to it than a simple heart attach. I keep trying to connect the "Foxtrot" case with his death, and my line of thinking when it comes to crime thrillers, or even cozy mysteries, is that there is definitely a connection.
And then, for some reason, I find Dunk Duncan--the private investigator who works on more high-end cases--kind of shady. Mainly, the fact that he offered to pick up all of Sullivan's open cases seemed a little sketchy to me. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. And then I'm even seeing some sketchiness in Detective Oakley Hall as well--something about him gives me bad vibes.
Unfortunately, as I already stated, there were so many things left unanswered, so many loose ends that had no tie up. And the ending was so abrupt that it might as well have been a cliffhanger--it almost feels as if our author just sort of needed to wind things up and turn in a manuscript because she was meeting a deadline, and screw the quality of the book.
Anyway, I'm contemplating reading the next book whenever it finally gets published, though, to be honest, it's kind of a stretch, and I might just stop here. Aside from the children and the dog, and maybe Brittany, the Waffle House waitress, I didn't really care for anyone else in this book. Octavia was driving me insane with her self-absorbed selfishness, and Linda really, really needed to grow a backbone.
But I DO find the parallel of both women, having molded their entire lives around their respective husbands, then finding themselves in a quandary when they both lose their husbands, kind of a great premise to bounce off of. If anything, it gave the two a chance to rekindle their estranged relationship.
***
Booklikes-opoly
Roll #10:
This book is tagged 'mystery' on GR.
Page Count: 255
Cash Award: $3.00
Updated Bank Balance: $53.00
March 5, 2024
I love how the sisters find their way back to each other following unfortunate events. I also loved how the kids didn’t think much of her but protected her and eventually loved her like a true aunt. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
September 12, 2022
good characters, some humor, hints of romance, some suspense/mystery.
the author's note mentions she originally pitched the idea as a tv show but the producers wanted "a book version" that they could adapt so she wrote the book.
I can totally envision this as a tv show & I think the writer skewed her writing towards that avenue.
A few loose ends but luckily the writer did finally do a sequel. I'll be reading that directly.
quick, easy, lightweight read.
the author's note mentions she originally pitched the idea as a tv show but the producers wanted "a book version" that they could adapt so she wrote the book.
I can totally envision this as a tv show & I think the writer skewed her writing towards that avenue.
A few loose ends but luckily the writer did finally do a sequel. I'll be reading that directly.
quick, easy, lightweight read.
November 6, 2013
The Two Guys Detective Agency by Stephanie Bond was my October library book from the kindle lending library.
Linda's husband, a former cop, now with his own detective agency, has a heart attack and dies, leaving Linda with two children, no job, and a mountain of debt.
When Linda's sister shows up for the funeral, she finds out that she also has trouble. Her husband, Richard, seems to have gotten himself mixed up in something illegal and takes off, leaving Octavia to deal with the mess.
Linda and Octavia couldn't be more different. Octavia openly admits she married for money and has no regrets. Linda on the other hand, is a stay at home mom.
The sisters had a difficult childhood and have chosen different ways of dealing with that in adulthood.
Linda feels obligated to close out her husband's cases before she shuts down the agency. She learns she might have a knack for detecting. Octavia also appears to have a few skills in that area.
This is the first book in this new series by Stephanie Bond. It's pretty short, only about 115 pages long. I felt like the entire book was just a set up to a series with no real mystery involved or solved. The book was about the two sisters, their flawed husbands, their issues with each other and trying to adjust to a major curve ball life has thrown at them.
The book also lacked much of the usual humor the author is known for. If the second book improves I might stick with the series, but the stories will have to have some sort of conclusion to them and the cases should be in the forefront and not the personal dramas going on with the sisters.
I'll remain optimistic about the next book, but this one will only get a C.
Linda's husband, a former cop, now with his own detective agency, has a heart attack and dies, leaving Linda with two children, no job, and a mountain of debt.
When Linda's sister shows up for the funeral, she finds out that she also has trouble. Her husband, Richard, seems to have gotten himself mixed up in something illegal and takes off, leaving Octavia to deal with the mess.
Linda and Octavia couldn't be more different. Octavia openly admits she married for money and has no regrets. Linda on the other hand, is a stay at home mom.
The sisters had a difficult childhood and have chosen different ways of dealing with that in adulthood.
Linda feels obligated to close out her husband's cases before she shuts down the agency. She learns she might have a knack for detecting. Octavia also appears to have a few skills in that area.
This is the first book in this new series by Stephanie Bond. It's pretty short, only about 115 pages long. I felt like the entire book was just a set up to a series with no real mystery involved or solved. The book was about the two sisters, their flawed husbands, their issues with each other and trying to adjust to a major curve ball life has thrown at them.
The book also lacked much of the usual humor the author is known for. If the second book improves I might stick with the series, but the stories will have to have some sort of conclusion to them and the cases should be in the forefront and not the personal dramas going on with the sisters.
I'll remain optimistic about the next book, but this one will only get a C.
November 22, 2013
didn't feel this one at all.
First off this "book" wasn't funny/humorous in the least. Linda was annoying to me. One minute she is wishing for her husband to be out of the picture so she can start over and the next minute she is upset because her sister said her husband dying was the lesser of two evils. Get over yourself chick! You have been eyeballing Uncle Whasshisname since Sully was in the casket.
Octavia I could take or leave. Her whole "bitch" act wasn't well written or even convincing to me. Maggie is one annoying little minion the book could have done without.
Next this book wasn't much of a mystery. The mystery is why there would be a tv series on this. Not impressed by any means, which is sad because I normally enjoy Ms. Bond's quirky characters. This series I will pass on. Money saved, thankfully I'm a prime memeber.
1.5 stars
First off this "book" wasn't funny/humorous in the least. Linda was annoying to me. One minute she is wishing for her husband to be out of the picture so she can start over and the next minute she is upset because her sister said her husband dying was the lesser of two evils. Get over yourself chick! You have been eyeballing Uncle Whasshisname since Sully was in the casket.
Octavia I could take or leave. Her whole "bitch" act wasn't well written or even convincing to me. Maggie is one annoying little minion the book could have done without.
Next this book wasn't much of a mystery. The mystery is why there would be a tv series on this. Not impressed by any means, which is sad because I normally enjoy Ms. Bond's quirky characters. This series I will pass on. Money saved, thankfully I'm a prime memeber.
1.5 stars
July 8, 2013
Paperback $8.99/£6.58 – Kindle $6.99/£4.70
I felt for the price that it was only half a book – it was a short read and the story lines didn't finish – nothing actually got answered. I am happy with the length of the book but personally feel the price does need to come down. I understand this is going to be an ongoing series but I like each book to get somewhere. I also found it too depressing; yes there were funny parts, but on the whole it was about death, coping with loss, betrayal and deceit.
I think once the series starts properly with the two sisters acting as PIs it could be great – as long as the storylines do end in each book and they are more upbeat.
I felt for the price that it was only half a book – it was a short read and the story lines didn't finish – nothing actually got answered. I am happy with the length of the book but personally feel the price does need to come down. I understand this is going to be an ongoing series but I like each book to get somewhere. I also found it too depressing; yes there were funny parts, but on the whole it was about death, coping with loss, betrayal and deceit.
I think once the series starts properly with the two sisters acting as PIs it could be great – as long as the storylines do end in each book and they are more upbeat.
August 20, 2013
At the end of the book the Author talks about how this series has/may be taken up for a tv show, and I feel like this books reads very much like a TV show more than a book.
The author introduces all these "mysteries" which obviously all tie together, but then doesn't actually tie them all up waiting for the next book. LAME.
The characters were a bit 2-dimensional, but with little context of how they got to be the way that they are.
Can't say I really recommend it. I only read it because it was in the Amazon Lending Library and I had better hopes for it.
The author introduces all these "mysteries" which obviously all tie together, but then doesn't actually tie them all up waiting for the next book. LAME.
The characters were a bit 2-dimensional, but with little context of how they got to be the way that they are.
Can't say I really recommend it. I only read it because it was in the Amazon Lending Library and I had better hopes for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2013
I enjoyed this as a fun quick read, but I was annoyed that it ended without solving either of the two main mysteries. Without that resolution, it's not really a complete book to me, but the first part of a book. I realize it's the first book in a series, but it should still be able to stand on its own. I think it's cheesy that I have to buy the next book to find out how the story ends.
March 27, 2015
A great first book in a series...now if she would get the next one published, I'd be a happy camper :-D
May 12, 2016
A very light and quick read about two sisters whose lives go to shit. They lean on each other and take over a detective agency.
September 21, 2022
I liked it very much and was sad but full of smiles as i read it. I found it refreshingly different, as Linda and Octavia had one life struggle right after the other. They both were totally different as sisters, yet the clashes were accepted by each other. I didn't really understand why the issue with the Bad Man and or the Police department involvement with the "package" was left unresolved. Maybe the resolution is coming in the next book? I am looking forward to the next volume to see if the two of them are really detective material.
March 19, 2020
Fun read. Linda and Octavia aren't close but when the chips are down, they come together. The book starts with great and painful loss, but there are some bright spots. Both women find strengths they didn't know they had, and by the end things are looking up.
I'll try the second in the series, hoping that she isn't going to spend a lot of time rehashing the background.
I'll try the second in the series, hoping that she isn't going to spend a lot of time rehashing the background.
May 12, 2022
From her husbands death to to making a living for her family. Along with her
Sister being abandoned at the funeral home. Now both sisters have a
mystery’s to solve. Both having to do with their husbands. From crying to danger, to comical antics, these sisters go through it all. Read Two. Guys
Detective Agency. This is one book that has it all. You won’t regret it.
Debra H.
Sister being abandoned at the funeral home. Now both sisters have a
mystery’s to solve. Both having to do with their husbands. From crying to danger, to comical antics, these sisters go through it all. Read Two. Guys
Detective Agency. This is one book that has it all. You won’t regret it.
Debra H.
April 27, 2020
Loved!! I hope we have more stories in the Two Guys Detective Agency, we still have more to learn with Linda and Octavia, the missing file and the rest of the side characters which I find so interesting.
August 21, 2025
Sad
BUT life affirming! I’ve experienced parts of each sister’s marriage so I could relate! The story had twists and turns. I was only half right on my suspicions regarding Octavia’s husband.
BUT life affirming! I’ve experienced parts of each sister’s marriage so I could relate! The story had twists and turns. I was only half right on my suspicions regarding Octavia’s husband.
September 6, 2017
A slow start but worth finishing
I did wonder in the beginning how the author would bring the story around to match the title, but it was successful and worth finishing!
I did wonder in the beginning how the author would bring the story around to match the title, but it was successful and worth finishing!
February 25, 2018
Cute, funny, quick and easy read.
March 17, 2018
Not really a full blown mystery. More of an introduction to a series, and I would read the next one to see if any of the loose ends get tied up.
April 11, 2018
I wish I hadn’t have read this book as the second one apparently isnt being published until 2020 and it is a continuation of the plot. Super frustrating.
August 25, 2018
The basic storyline was promising, but this book left way too much unresolved. It’s been 5 years since this introductory book was published. Where’s the next book in the series?
October 15, 2018
A good first installment. Ready for the next one
November 25, 2018
Soooooo good! Can’t wait to read the next one.
February 6, 2019
Good start to a new series!
May 19, 2019
A Great Beginning
I think this new series of mysteries starring the Guy sisters will be a winner. Great characters and the usual top quality writing of Bond.
I think this new series of mysteries starring the Guy sisters will be a winner. Great characters and the usual top quality writing of Bond.
May 22, 2020
Not impressed. Idea sounded great but delivery was not. Most of it was about them feeling sorry for themselves. I was hoping it will be about the cases. But cases were not important at all.
September 5, 2020
was disappointed to see this was written in 2013. I assume there is no more. Sad because I found it a really good read with great characters--- feel unfulfilled
March 12, 2021
Really enjoyed
I liked how the author jumped right into the story and didn't drag the start out. The book was very funny. I will read a second time.
I liked how the author jumped right into the story and didn't drag the start out. The book was very funny. I will read a second time.
May 7, 2022
a awesome book
Funny fast paced book. Of course any book by Stephanie Bond I bound to be great . I love her books I have been reading them for years. She never let s me down
Funny fast paced book. Of course any book by Stephanie Bond I bound to be great . I love her books I have been reading them for years. She never let s me down
September 11, 2025
Lots of fun! Quick read! I give it 4.5!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews