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Andrew Kent
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Spam & Eggs (A Johnny Denovo Mystery) Paperback – February 3, 2009

by Andrew Kent (Author)
3.2 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
When Johnny's finely honed senses detect codes hidden in spam emails, the puzzling phrases and suggestive metaphors hint at a plot to steal rare and valuable objects. Soon, Johnny learns that something even more sinister is brewing. As he tracks the emails to their source, events explode into an adrenalized, trans-Atlantic race to prevent a geopolitical catastrophe.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dog Ear Pub Llc
  4. Publication date
    February 3, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1598588648
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1598588644
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Wow! `Spam & Eggs' is a fast-paced, intelligent thriller fueled by the author's razor-sharp observational skills, understanding of metaphor and psychology, and inspired intuition. It challenges you with an impossible puzzle, then resolves with delightful surprises and a satisfying soufflé of a finish. I can't wait to meet Johnny Denovo on his next adventure. --Sharon Livingston, PhD, President, The Livingston Group

Cryptic e-mail messages set in motion Johnny Denovo's newest case, "Spam & Eggs."

Andrew Kent has created a cast of colorful characters including: John A. Novarro, the genius behind the newly created Denovo persona, mystique, and his detective motif; Tucker the Techno-geek; Wei Chou, the Chinese Cook; FBI Agent Ross, with his standard issue countenance; Mona Landau, the sultry serpent queen, his agent; and defense contractor Jim Winthrop.

Kent develops background material to introduce his intriguing and sinister plot. He is as comfortable and credibly knowledgeable when describing background on a horse ranch in Virginia, as when detailing technical and communications infra-structure, or affirming the amenities of Montpellier, France.

Andrew Kent has a brilliant command of language and is a clever word-weaver. He incorporates sophisticated vocabulary, clever word play, tongue-in-cheek realism, and soliloquies with brisk dialog to create a masterpiece of deductive challenge, engrossing reading, and engaging entertainment in "Spam & Eggs: A Johnny Denovo Mystery." --ReaderViews.com, March 2, 2009

Andrew Kent has a brilliant command of language and is a clever word-weaver. He incorporates sophisticated vocabulary, clever word play, tongue-in-cheek realism, and soliloquies with brisk dialog to create a masterpiece of deductive challenge, engrossing reading, and engaging entertainment in "Spam & Eggs: A Johnny Denovo Mystery." --Reader Views, March 5, 2009

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dog Ear Pub Llc
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 3, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1598588648
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1598588644
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.2 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Kent

Andrew Kent

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Andrew Kent is an author living in central Massachusetts with his wife, children, and dogs. He writes the critically acclaimed Johnny Denovo mystery series, fast-paced novels about a detective who uses metaphors to solve crimes. The first, "Spam & Eggs: A Johnny Denovo Mystery," was published in February 2009. The second, "The Green Monster: A Johnny Denovo Mystery," was published in September 2009. The third in the series, "Entanglement: A Johnny Denovo Mystery," was published in late 2010.

Customer reviews

3.2 out of 5 stars
26 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable read with a good storyline. However, the word use receives negative feedback, with one customer noting the author overuses certain phrases.

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ReadabilityStory qualityWord use
7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read.

"Very interesting story construction. Intellectually satisfying. Not the usual slam, bam detective approach. I enjoyed it from beginning to end!" Read more

"...The story moved well and was never boring. I will read all of his books!" Read more

"...Denovo Mystery (The Johnny Denovo Mysteries)]] a lightweight and entertaining read. The leading good guys are likable...." Read more

"This would be a great book if it was meant to be campy...but I don't think it was...." Read more

6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with one mentioning its good suspense level.

"Very interesting story construction. Intellectually satisfying. Not the usual slam, bam detective approach. I enjoyed it from beginning to end!" Read more

"...The story moved well and was never boring. I will read all of his books!" Read more

"...That said... The story line was good. The characters were interesting. The story pulled me in and made me want to finish the book to the end." Read more

"...Suspense level was good. The author does play fast and loose with technical and psychological details, so don't take them too seriously...." Read more

4 customers mention "Word use"0 positive4 negative

Customers criticize the book's word use, with one noting the author's inept use of pretentious language and another mentioning overuse of certain phrases.

"...Additionally, such pretentious word usage was inept and awkward, not scintillating or clever...." Read more

"...He uses many obscure words far too frequently. I read a lot. I don't want to have to keep going to a dictionary in a detective novel, ever...." Read more

"...to a variety of places, professions, and lifestyles and quickly overwrites descriptions...." Read more

"An OK but Juvenile and Shallow Read..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Donald R. Chambers
    4.0 out of 5 stars 10-14-2013
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very interesting story construction. Intellectually satisfying. Not the usual slam, bam detective approach. I enjoyed it from beginning to end!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Domestic gnome
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3 stars but maybe 5...or rather 2...maybe 1
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2010
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Read it through and remain ambivalent. In this post-post-modern world where irony is so prevalent, it's difficult to know when the irony lamp is glowing brightly or if it's the lamp of sincerity. Reminds me of a David Lynch movie - a man who was put on this planet solely to make me feel totally un-hip.

    Credit to Kent for moving briskly in developing the main character but also feels a bit glib - same with other characters as well - too much cardboard, not enough flesh.

    Never a real sense of danger or menace or even doubts about the outcome. But then it seems that Kent is poised to move away from any accusations that he is being too ironic or too camp. Even the potential menace of cyberspace has no hold on the main characters.

    As I write this review, I feel as if Idid not like the book as much as I did while I was reading it. I'll definitely try another to see if I can sort out my feelings about the book(s).

    Oh, yeah: please put the Thesaurus down when you start to add another "Tucker the..." nickname.
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  • grandma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute and clever
    Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2010
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Always risky reading a new author...I loved it, although I thought the author was trying too hard with unusual vocabulary. The story moved well and was never boring. I will read all of his books!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars Pretentious overly convoluted writing.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2010
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I tried, I honestly tried but I just couldn't get past the author' psuedo-intellectualism characterized by using $5 words when a simpler one would be clearer in forwarding the story. Additionally, such pretentious word usage was inept and awkward, not scintillating or clever. The flow was jerky prohibiting the reader from getting engaged in the plot or caring about the characters. I actually had to stop reading after a couple chapters. Sorry, I don't usually write negative reviews but I just had to seeing how completely opposite my experience was compared to most of the reviewers. They convinced me to buy but left me wondering if they read the same book I had.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • chuckpack
    2.0 out of 5 stars Unable to Finish This One
    Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2011
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Of the thousands of books I've read over my lifetime, there are probably less than 10 that I had to abort, due to disinterest or disappointment. Spam & Eggs is one of those books. I tried, I really did, I made it through about 63%, but I felt it was a waste of time, so I moved on to another novel. I completely lost interest in the characters and plot, no longer caring what the outcome might be. It's interesting to see the range of reviews from other readers, as if we all read different books. Since the novel cost just $0.99, I guess I got my money's worth, no complaint there. I really miss author Lawrence Sanders (RIP) and his Archy McNally novels, those were such great fun! I wondered if this author was attempting to go in that direction, but just didn't get there.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Montanamuse
    4.0 out of 5 stars a good read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was a good story line. I enjoyed the characters.
    The author overused some phrases. I got incredibly tired of hearing about Devovo's "limbic brain." I got it after the first 10 instances of it. After that it just annoyed me. The author also is impressed with his vast vocabulary and insists on sharing it in this book. He uses many obscure words far too frequently. I read a lot. I don't want to have to keep going to a dictionary in a detective novel, ever. Mr. Kent seemed to not be able to decide if this was a deceive story or a noir detective story... It was difficult to sort it out and that makes a difference to the voice of the characters, IMHO.

    That said... The story line was good. The characters were interesting. The story pulled me in and made me want to finish the book to the end.
    One person found this helpful
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  • William Mead
    3.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2010
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found Spam & Eggs: A Johnny Denovo Mystery (The Johnny Denovo Mysteries) a lightweight and entertaining read. The leading good guys are likable. The master detective is a psychological diviner who interprets the crime's "metaphors" to detect, harass, then foil the perpetrators. Suspense level was good. The author does play fast and loose with technical and psychological details, so don't take them too seriously. The story is told with a little tongue-in-cheek humor. If you can adequately suspend reality checks, you will probably enjoy the book.
    2 people found this helpful
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