The first two books were a hilarious farce but in this one, you can see the author's evolution with regards to structure and storyline. The first books were a lot of fun and this one is no different, except for the fact that it's also a REALLY good book. Don't get me wrong... the first two were also, but in their own way. This latest book is a great addition to the series and if the author continues on this trajectory, big things might be ahead. Highly recommended, although it's best to read the first two books first because there's a lot of background information that's useful. It can be read by itself if you must, but you're far better to read the first two as there are several recurring characters that play key roles.