I enjoyed the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich (up to Book 15). But, those books, albeit fun and pretty humorous, do not even come close to Fox and O'Hare series! Oh yes, I found myself laughing out loud many times with Nick Fox and Kate O'Hare's clever banter. But, this series is so much more sophisticated, the cons they set up and work are bold and brilliant, and the adventures they have are tense, daring and mind blowing. And, the characters manage it all while being cool, calm and collected when it could all come crashing down or blow up in their faces at any second. At times it does, but they find opportunities to get out of it, around it and work it to their advantage. It's great!
The dialogue and exchanges between Nick and Kate are fabulous. They continue with Kate and her sister Megan. In this instance, Kate is at Megan's house visiting. Megan is forever trying to fix Kate up with men. Megan is explaining to Kate her latest fix-up with an accountant and why they make fantastic lovers:
Megan: "Very tactile. They have amazing fingers from tapping their calculators all day long. And they are extremely methodical in their work. So what you get is a man who will tirelessly explore every line item until he can file a strong return and get you a whopping refund."
My other favorite character in the series is Kate's father Jake, who was a government "operative" in his day whose many missions are still classified and who prepared his daughter at a very young age on various methods of killing, use of guns, machetes and other implements or tools of the "trade." Here Kate is talking to her father, Jake, who comes to her aid straight from playing a round of golf:
Kate: "What have you got in there?
Jake: Nothing much. Some golf balls, a handful of tees, a Glock, extra ammo, two hand grenades, a tear gas canister, a knife, Tums, clean socks, flares and some Ensure Chocolate Shakes.
Kate: You took all that with you to play golf?
Jake: It's my earthquake kit. You never know when the Big One may hit."
Typical, everyday conversation between father and daughter in these books.
I also love Nick's penchant of using various t.v. shows' characters from the 60's, 70's and 80's as his cover names on the various cons they run: Jim Rockford and Lucy Carmichael, Sonny Crockett, Jonathan Hart, Al Mundy and Jethro Clampett to name a few memorable ones used.
Oh yes, I am very much enjoying this series. The writing is a cut above and very entertaining. I am moving right onto the next one, anticipating more impossible feats, brilliant exploits, witty dialogue and daring missions. "The Job" is up next and I'm there!