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Janet Evanovich Readalikes
Return to Fiction_L Booklists Menu
April 1999
Compiled by Laura Hohmann
from contributions by the members of Fiction_L.
(To use this list in your library, book club, etc., please include the following credit line: "Compiled by the subscribers of the Fiction_L mailing list." This list may not be used for commercial purposes.)
Susan Andersen
Linda Barnes Carlotta Carlyle series
Carlotta Carlyle series is more serious, but very good as well
Lawrence Block
Humorous mysteries that aren't so over the top as Evanovich
Jan Burke Irene Kelly series
Harlan Coben Myron Bolitar series
Wonderful characters, hilarious dialog, deep emotional angst, all rolled into one fine series. Bolitar is a highly ethical New Jersey sports agent. Adores his parents, has a scary best friend named Win, and an icky girlfriend. These are fine
suggestions even for those who don't like sports. Make sure you read them in order: Deal Breaker, Dropshot, Fade Away, Backspin, One False Move, The Final Detail
Jennifer Crusie Tell Me Lies" & Crazy for You
For the humor/action aspects of Janet Evanovich's books
Selma Eichler Desiree Shapiro series
Carole Epstein Barbara Simons series
G. M. Ford Leo Waterman series
Leo Waterman series is set in Seattle and features a low-rent private detective who has a motley crew of friends and
enemies, including a group of homeless who help with investigations. They are full of irreverent humor and quite funny. The titles are here in the Hell is Wanda Fuca?, Cast in Stone, The Bum's Rush, Slow Burn, and Last Ditch.
Carl Hiaasen
Has some of the outlandish characters Evanovich presents.
Sparkle Hayter Robin Hudson series
They are all very funny
Jane Heller for other fun, laugh-out loud books.
My favorite is entitled "Prince Charming." It's about three (or four?) women friends who take a cruise together and one is being stalked by a killer. It doesn't sound hilarious from that description, but it certainly is. In the books I've read: the main character has always been a woman. But they're not mysteries and not part of a series.
Lauren Henderson Freeze My Margarita and Black Rubber Dress
The reviews of Black say that the heroine of this book could be a British counterpart to Stephanie Plum. If it's not out yet, it's due out soon.
Susan Isaacs Compromising Positions or After All These Years
Sassy, wisecracking woman solving mysteries with a lot of humor. These are not series detectives but should appeal to Evanovich fans
Marne Davis Kellogg Lilly Bennett series.
Titles in the series so far are: Bad Manners, Cursey, Tramp and Nothing But Gossip.
Lindsey Maracotta Lucy Freers series
Sharyn McCrumb Bimbos of the Death Sun and Zombies of the Gene Pool
If the attraction to Janet Evanovich is the wisecracking humor
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Marissa Piesman Nina Fischman series
Gillian Roberts Amanda Pepper series
Chris Rogers Dixie Flannigan series ("Bitch Factor" & "Rage Factor")
Features a female bounty hunter. Rogers' books have as much action & suspense as Evanovich's, but are darker in tone.
Jane Rubino Cat Austen series.
Cat, a writer, is a cop's widow with young children and a endless supply of over protective brothers, some of whom are also in law enforcement. This series also has the New Jersey background and colorful family. Some entries are shriekingly
funny, the latest had some tee-hee moments. Read these in order as well: Death of a D.J.,Fruitcake, Cheat the Devil
Jen Sacks Nice
Sarah Shankman Samantha Adams (journalist) series
The southern version: wisecracking heroine, wacky cast of characters, ludicrous situations the heroine always gets herself into, far from cozy setting - They range in setting from the Miss America contest in Atlantic City to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but there is always something outrageous going on and a somewhat continuing bunch of eccentric friends and lovers. Sam definitely has an attitude and a sharp tongue and wit, wherever she is. Early entries in this series may be catalogued under
the pseudonym Alice Storey, so check both names.
Lisa Scottoline
Same sassy heroines with the Philadelphia attitude.
Judith Viorst Murdering Mr. Monti
Sassy, wisecracking woman solving mysteries with a lot of humor. These are not series detectives but should appeal to Evanovich fans.
Donald Westlake
Humorous mysteries that aren't so over the top as Evanovich
Barbara Wilson Brenda Midnight series
Brenda Midnight series (paperback) is humorous with colorful/eccentric characters.
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