MONKEY WRENCH. [Import] [Hardcover]

Liza. Cody (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: LONDON: CHATTO & WINDUS. 1994; First British Edition edition (1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0701140275
• ISBN-13: 978-0701140274
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,358,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of the Anna Lee and Eva Wylie series of mysteries as well as the stand-alone novels Ballad of a Dead Nobody, Gimme More and Rift. Many of my short stories are collected in Lucky Dip and other stories. My website is www.LizaCody.com. You can also follow me on Twitter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries look different to a professional wrestler!, April 3, 1998

By 

Margaret Fiore - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monkey Wrench (Paperback)

The usually simple formula of a detective story has been hopelessly convoluted by dirty reality, and Eva Wylie's slightly twisted perception of it. I've
never met a protagonist so ugly, tough, and stubborn,
and she's female!

Eva's arms look a lot better than
her face; the wrestling fans don't call her Bucket Nut (Bucket
Head) for nothing. But underneath her hard-as-nails
exterior, she's way more vulnerable than she wants
to be. Eva ends up using her muscle and street know-how
to try to even up the score in one of the oldest
battles known to the city scene. Prostitutes in the
area are getting brutally killed, and one of them
happens to be the sister of her old sidekick, Crystal.
Crystal wants justice for her sister, and she doesn't
hesitate to manipulate Eva into helping out. Eva
just wants peace - a few good workouts, a wild
fight in the ring now and then, and hanging out
with her junkyard dogs. But Crystal has the tenacity
of a Monkey Wrench, and won't let her be until she
feels her sister is avenged.

It's a non-stop ride
through the seamiest streets of London, with the
most unusual, nasty, oddly laughable and ultimately
admirable heroine I've
ever read. Go, Bucket Nut!!

5.0 out of 5 stars I was heartbroken to learn there are only 3 books in this series, December 3, 2008

By 

M. C. Crammer (Decatur, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monkey Wrench (Paperback)

Although this book took a bit of getting into -- it's a very strong story told by a very strong main character in a "noir" style of speaking -- once I got into it, I loved it. I thought, "I'll have to read the rest of the series" (this is the second) and learned that there are only three in all. Author, please explain?

The main character, Eva, is a female wrestler in London. She's tough -- very tough -- and very independent. She has attitude and problems with authority. And underneath it all, she's a kind person, despite what she says about herself being so tough and not caring about others.

Eva gets involved with a bunch of streetwalkers. One of them has been beaten to death, and the victim's sister is an old acquaintance of Eva (Eva claims not to be friends with her). Eva agrees to teach them self-defense and more and more gets pulled into their lives.

This book doesn't really focus on "who done it" -- and the ending isn't neat and tidy, like most mysteries. But it's great writing with a strong central female character who is likable despite her extreme roughness and quick temper.

I look forward to reading the other two in the series and wish the author would revive this character.

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful contender!, August 1, 2005

By 

James Neville (Katy (Houston), TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Monkey Wrench (Hardcover)

Just came across this and I'm going to read the next one in the series immediately! The other reviews explain this unique female lead and her environment. I like the book because it is quirky, consistent, a bit of an inspiration, and slyly humorous. Eva Wylie is a contender!