Staff Pick of the Week

Megan's Pick

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

This book was my introduction to author Jennifer Crusie, who swiftly became one of my all-time favorite authors. Her characters are flawed and funny, raucous and real. I would recommend any of her books but this first one holds a special place in my heart.

Agnes Crandall, a food columnist, lives up to her Cranky Agnes by-line. She's already cracked two cheating ex-fiancees in the head with one of her frying pans. (Way to go, Agnes.) Now her dream life is within her grasp: she only has to refurbish the stately-but-aging mansion for the wedding of an old-family friend and a column to finish. But unfinished business finds Agnes when someone breaks into the mansion, former home of a Mafia Don, looking for old loot. Agnes' friend Joey, collaborator on her best selling Mob Food book, calls in his nephew Shane (no last name) to protect "his little Agnes." Well, Agnes ain't that little and she's not sure her new bodyguard is much safer than the people who are after what's hidden in her house.

Shenanigans ensue as Agnes and Shane dance around her temper and his job and their growing feelings for each other, try to get the house finished to meet the terms of the mortgage, and try to stay a step ahead of the mafia, the government and her Cranky Agnes column deadline.