Operation Bonnet: A Novel [Paperback]

Kimberly Stuart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2011

Twenty-year-old Nellie Monroe has a restless brilliance that makes her a bit of an odd duck. She wants to be a private investigator, even though her tiny hometown offers no hope of clients.

 

Until she meets Amos Shetler, an Amish dropout carrying a torch for the girl he left behind. So Nellie straps on her bonnet and goes undercover to get the dish.

 

But though she’s brainy, Nellie is clueless when it comes to real life and real relationships. Soon she’s alienated her best friend, angered her college professor, and botched her case. Operation Bonnet is a comedy of errors, a surprising take on love, and a story of grace.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stuart (Stretch Marks) confects Nellie Monroe, a 21-year-old PI wannabe who was dubbed a literary luminary in fifth grade, in this tale of comedic errors. The often flippant yet likable and fun-loving protagonist is bursting with quippy comebacks in external and internal dialogue as she attempts to navigate her youthful way through a dysfunctional family and along an uncertain career path. Nellie's dream comes true when she's offered a PI job by Amish dropout Amos Shetler, who hires Nellie to spy on a former Amish flame. Nellie goes undercover in full Amish regalia and infiltrates Amos's ex-sweetheart's community to get the goods for her client. Between trekking back and forth between her home and an Amish town, Nellie unearths the truth for Amos and inadvertently learns some life lessons. Neatly done, Stuart's work certainly provides amusing spiritual takeaways for readers to privately file away for later reference. (Feb.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Kimberly Stuart holds degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Iowa. After teaching Spanish and English as a second language in Chicago, Minneapolis, Costa Rica, and eastern Iowa, she took a huge increase in pay to be a full-time mom. She makes her home in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband and two young children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781448913
• ISBN-13: 978-0781448918
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kimberly Stuart has always loved a good story, good writing, and a good laugh. She is also particularly fond of Dutch cheeses and dark chocolate. As a child, she would force her brother into playing the ever-riveting game of "Library." She would write official looking information with a red Sharpie and Ryan would have the honored task of holding an inscribed, stinky book. This game had a short lifespan as Ryan soon realized that there were neighborhood children who would not make him suffer so.

Decades later, Stuart turned to writing to cope with the isolation and charming chaos of motherhood. A few vignettes turned into the seeds for a novel, which turned into a two-book contract out of which _Balancing Act_ and _Bottom Line_ were birthed. While not autobiographical, these two titles were much cheaper than therapy. _Act Two: A Novel in Perfect Pitch_ is the story of a diva who gets stuck in the Midwest against her will. The pig rump on the cover is an exceptionally clever visual cue.

Stretch Marks hits Amazon and stores nationwide September of 2009, so get ready. Part romantic comedy, part mother-daughter war, it just might be the best way to spend a few bucks these days. Or you can always cut your losses and invest in a red Sharpie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps getting better!, March 23, 2011

By 

Erica Morrow - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Bonnet: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

I have read all of Stuart's novels, and continue to like each one better than the last (and I loved her first one!). Her characters and storyline break all of the stereotypes within the her genre, and the truth and beauty behind it all makes her books both laugh out loud funny and seriously emotional at the same time. I wish each novel had several sequels, because I am never ready for them to be over when the story is finished.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Operation Bonnet-Hang on, it's a fun and funny ride, March 23, 2011

By 

ChefREL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Bonnet: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Kimberly Stuart has done it again! The novel takes you on a detective adventure you wont soon forget. Kimberly is one of my favorite writers. She can tell a story!! And once again she has written a novel you don't want to miss. This is a laugh out loud kind of book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply speaking... hilarious!, July 3, 2011

By 

christianfictionaddiction - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Bonnet: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Okay, I'm not even sure I should admit this... but I absolutely loved this book! Every few pages I would break out into laughter, and my wife would look over and wonder what on earth was going on. Amos Shetler's comments from his Amish perspective made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. And yet the story had it's tender elements, and provided opportunity to think about what our faith means in our world today. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to trying future works by this author.
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