Stuff to Spy for: A Novelvolume 3

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (12/09) Roommates Skip Moore and James Lessor often find themselves in unbelievable situations. James is a dreamer, thinking financial success is always just around the corner. He therefore constantly jumps from one crazy scheme to another. Skip is more down-to-earth. However, he does not want to crush his friend's dreams and often gets in way over his head. When the company Skip works for is hired to install an expensive security system at Synco, the whole project ends up in a convoluted mess as people keep offering him odd, but well-paying, side jobs that include pretending to be someone's boyfriend and spying on the president of the company. As events proceed, Skip and James become entangled in the spy business and end up wondering who is really spying on whom. The author created some interesting characters in this story. Skip and James are probably the most inept spies that have ever existed. They are not the most intelligent people either, but I found them to be very endearing. Skip's insecurities as to what his wealthy and beautiful girlfriend sees in him are portrayed to explain why he so desperately wants to make it on his own. James is naive and a bit of a slacker, but he is still lovable. He has a big heart and even bigger dreams for making his father proud of him. The interactions between Skip and James truly depict the intricacies of their friendship. "Stuff to Spy For" is absolutely hilarious. The scenes when Skip and James were shopping for spy gadgets are priceless. Watching them try to comprehend what is really going on at Synco's headquarters was amusing. Driving around in James' most precious possession - an old box truck that is practically falling apart - while trying to blend in to the surroundings really displays their ineptitudes. This book is well-written and very entertaining. Don Bruns did such an excellent job of describing the settings in "Stuff to Spy For," I could easily picture them in my mind. This story will appeal to all adults and teenagers. The plot moves at a good pace and there are a few surprises along the way.

The spy game is not for everyone. "Stuff to Spy For" tells the story of James and Skip as they are pulled into the spy game, formerly being wage slaves with nothing to look forward to. Originally welcoming the change of pace, James and Skip soon find that the spy business is a tougher call than they would hope for. "Stuff to Spy For" is a entertaining and fun read of espionage, sure to please fans of spy thrillers.

The only funny word I could devise for this story. It is quite interesting how it is constructed. I find the outline of two buddys and a girl out of school without any real financial backing. They stumble into a deal that looks as though they hit the lottery. The plot thickens and leads you in a corn maze of directions. Between comedy,drama,and espionage page after page it surely keeps your attention. I found this to be a lighter read than most I have been with lately but in effect a nice change. I would recommend this book highly.

Friends James Lessor and Skip Moore may live in a run down apartment in Carol City, Florida but they dream big. When Skip starts work installing the newest security system for Synco Systems, the huge commission seems too good to be true. Sarah Crumbly, a heart throb from high school and now mistress of Sandler Conroy, Synco's president, approaches Skip with an unusual request. If he will only pretend to be her boyfriend, the payout for this job will be even bigger. How can he resist? When he calls in his best friend James to assist, suddenly the job gets more complex. Sandler's wife offers Skip even more money to find out exactly what is going on at Synco. With a little prodding from James, suddenly Skip finds himself shopping for all kinds of expensive spy gear. In the blink of an eye, Skip has moved from security installer to spy! Will Skip and James be able to accomplish all these conflicting jobs? The more they investigate, the crazier the schemes become and the more dangerous the possible consequences. Will Skip and James be able to unravel all the intrigue going on behind the doors of Synco or will a loose end come back to snag their big dreams? Who is playing whom? STUFF TO SPY FOR, the third wacky novel featuring friends Skip and James after STUFF TO DIE FOR and STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF, is one fun, crazy ride from start to finish. James and Skip may be slackers and even losers by some standards, hoping to make it to the big time, but one just can't help love them for their enthusiasm, their honorable intentions and the friendship they share. No matter what crazy antic James plots and no matter to what zany situation James' imagination leads, Skip remains a true friend. Zany does not even begin to describe the capers in which these two buddies find themselves! A reader just can't help but root for them or want to say, "Stop. Don't do it!" These two are headed for trouble but no one can foresee all the twists and turns that will keep one on the edge of the seat and laughing at the same time. This book can easily be read as a stand alone. Don Bruns' STUFF TO SPY FOR is a natural choice for lovers of Carl Hiaasen or Tim Dorsey. Fast-paced and suspenseful, STUFF TO SPY FOR is a wacky mystery with laugh out loud infectious humor. Be forewarned --- I do mean infectious. My husband heard my laughs as I read this book. He snagged the book from me as soon as I finished the last page! Don Bruns' STUFF TO SPY FOR is the perfect remedy for the winter doldrums or any other time a reader just needs to lose themselves in zany, humorous fun! COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

In Carol City, Florida, Skip Moore begins work as security at Synco Systems, a firm that designs software systems to protect information technology networks. He is greeted on his first day on the job by Sarah Crumbly, who he dated back in high school a few times and she is still the STUFF DREAMS ARE MADE OF. They dine together and she persuades Skip to work for her by pretending to be her boyfriend. Though he fears his Em will find out the money is too good for this underachiever to pass so he agrees. Sarah, who in high school was the most likely to succeed, has done so as the mistress of Sandy Conroy, Synco's CEO. They plan to leave the country but need a front to hide their affair from his vengeful wife Carol who would go to her father to destroy her husband. However, security takes a nasty spin when the company's vice president Ralph Walter apparently commits suicide in his office. When Carol offers him money to uncover what is going on at Synco, Skip with the help of Em and his best friend and fellow slacker James Lesser begin an undercover operation that would make James Bond proud (not to be part of it). STUFF TO SPY FOR is an out of control insane South Florida investigative thriller that will have readers laughing throughout with the antics of the super espionage team and their spy truck. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never takes a breather as the two slackers and Em work the case more like "double-naught spy" Jethro Bodine of The Beverly Hillbillies than James Bond Harriet Klausner