>>>>>>I read 'T is for Trespassing' last week. I enjoy Sue Grafton books almost as much as (Stephanie Plum) Janet Evanovich books. Right before that I read Now and Then by Robert Parker. Another good one. I usually get them when they come out in paperback.
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>>>>>I love Grafton's character, Kinsey. I think I sort of identify with her. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a detective.I read lots of detective books back then too. I always thought that would be the coolest job. So much so that, about 9 years ago, I got my son Adam into it, quite by accident. A new friend of mine was co-owner of a detective agency (he wasn't a PI, he just did the marketing) ... but they were looking for new investigators at the time and I hooked him up with Adam, who was 18 at the time and looking for work. They hired him and he's been a PI ever since. He's got his license now and works for himself.
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>>>>>I know you've mentioned the Stephanie Plum books before, but I haven't gotten around to trying them yet. I also hear that Robert Parker's good ... one of these days I'll get around to it. Maybe I should just get on over to Amazon and order myself a few books. =0)
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>>>>>~~Bonnie
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>>>>The Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum) books are more humorous than the Sue Grafton books, but both are good. I just finished a light book by Hester Browne 'Little Lady Agency Big Apple' which was guite good. You might enjoy it as well. I tend to read a light detective novel, then something heavier, and switch back and forth.
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>>>>That is really great about your son. Some people are really cutout for that type of work.
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>>>Tracy, if you want something really light and more fun than a houseful of kittens, try "The Spellman Files" by Lisa Lutz. I'm in the process of ordering the 2nd book ( The Curse of the Spellmans). Reading the first book, there were a number of places where I literally lol'd. It's about a family PI business, and it's a hoot.
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>>The Dortmunder books by Donald Westlake are pretty funny, too.
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>Agreed. Part of it is Westlake's deadpan style, I think. He knows how to say something funny without pushing it too hard. I like that a lot better than a writer who tries to make sure every last reader gets the joke.

I did some checking and this reminds me very much of Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr burglary novels. Any idea how they compare? It would be hard for me to imagine very many authors writing as well as Block does.