What Does It All Mean? Five years ago, when neuroscientist John A. Novarro helped with a highly sensitive government investigation, he had no idea how it would change his life - separating him from his past, giving him a new identity, transforming him into Johnny Denovo, the world-famous Detective of the Mind. Now, the Denovo name is the bane of high-stakes criminals the world over. 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. Will his allies, nerve, media savvy, and knowledge of the human brain be enough to unhinge the criminal mastermind? Or will he become another victim of a ruthless conspiracy? Andrew Kent is an author who lives in central Massachusetts with his wife, children, and dogs.
Spam & Eggs
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Book Description
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."
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
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More About the Author
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
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When one starts to read a book by an author and from a publisher that he has never heard of there are certain expectations and none of them are good. In cases like this there are almost always typos galore, holes in the story, a meandering plot, loose ends and often an ending that really leaves a lot to be desired. I am very happy to report that this book didn't meet any of those expectations. This is a book that in fact puts the writing of a lot of very seasoned and famous mystery writers to shame.
The main character in the book is private detective Johnny Denovo, a very enjoyable and fully believable character whose knack for his profession has brought him wealth and great fame. Denovo brings to the table qualities belonging to some of the greatest fictional detectives of all time and reminds me of what you would get if you were to cross Sherlock Holmes with Mike Hammer and Lieutenant Colombo. Like Holmes he has a brilliant mind and great deductive powers along with the ability to read people's personalities and therefore deduce what their reaction might be to certain scenarios. The Hammer reference comes from the touch of the noir genre that Denovo exhibits on occasion, especially with his womanizing. Colombo figures into the mix because early on in the story the reader along with the detective figures out who the guilty party is and the rest of the book revolves around Denovo's efforts to prove what he already knows. This detective however doesn't wear a ratty raincoat like Colombo but instead dresses to impress and to keep up his image.
Surrounding Denovo is a cast of very intriguing and well-developed characters, especially his business manager and sidekick Mona. Mona has always just handled the money and has never been involved in a case until this one but once she is on the case their business relationship soon develops into an on the job partnership and possibly even something more. Other than Mona the most notable character is Denovo's childhood friend Tucker who is by this time a computer genus that works for the government among other employers. Tucker becomes a key in figuring out what is going on and how it is being done and is basically a very fun character. Being a baby boomer and therefore not having been raised using a computer I started to get worried when I saw how big of a part computers were going to play in this story because I knew if things got too technical I would be lost. There was no need for me to have worried though because the author handled everything so well that it all made perfect sense to me despite my lack of computer skills. Just to be honest the author handles everything well and this book is about as well written as any book I have ever come across. The plot is compelling and strong, the writing is superb and the author is a master storyteller.
My fellow mystery fans, this book is not to be missed. If true talent rises to the top then this is not the last we have heard from Johnny Denovo and his creator Andrew Kent. I very much hope that there is a second installment in the works.
The main character in the book is private detective Johnny Denovo, a very enjoyable and fully believable character whose knack for his profession has brought him wealth and great fame. Denovo brings to the table qualities belonging to some of the greatest fictional detectives of all time and reminds me of what you would get if you were to cross Sherlock Holmes with Mike Hammer and Lieutenant Colombo. Like Holmes he has a brilliant mind and great deductive powers along with the ability to read people's personalities and therefore deduce what their reaction might be to certain scenarios. The Hammer reference comes from the touch of the noir genre that Denovo exhibits on occasion, especially with his womanizing. Colombo figures into the mix because early on in the story the reader along with the detective figures out who the guilty party is and the rest of the book revolves around Denovo's efforts to prove what he already knows. This detective however doesn't wear a ratty raincoat like Colombo but instead dresses to impress and to keep up his image.
Surrounding Denovo is a cast of very intriguing and well-developed characters, especially his business manager and sidekick Mona. Mona has always just handled the money and has never been involved in a case until this one but once she is on the case their business relationship soon develops into an on the job partnership and possibly even something more. Other than Mona the most notable character is Denovo's childhood friend Tucker who is by this time a computer genus that works for the government among other employers. Tucker becomes a key in figuring out what is going on and how it is being done and is basically a very fun character. Being a baby boomer and therefore not having been raised using a computer I started to get worried when I saw how big of a part computers were going to play in this story because I knew if things got too technical I would be lost. There was no need for me to have worried though because the author handled everything so well that it all made perfect sense to me despite my lack of computer skills. Just to be honest the author handles everything well and this book is about as well written as any book I have ever come across. The plot is compelling and strong, the writing is superb and the author is a master storyteller.
My fellow mystery fans, this book is not to be missed. If true talent rises to the top then this is not the last we have heard from Johnny Denovo and his creator Andrew Kent. I very much hope that there is a second installment in the works.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I loved this fast-paced mystery; I could not put it down. Johnny Denovo is a quick-witted detective who confounds his adversaries at every turn. Johnny and his agent, Mona, an auburn-haired she-devil with the brains and killer instinct of a panther, must untangle a web of deceit that has penetrated the security of the U.S. Government. The caper in which they find themselves entangled takes them from Boston to the Virginia suburbs to the South of France.
The appeal of Johnny & Mona is undeniable and the sparks that fly between them only add to the mystery and adventure laid out before them.
Spam & Eggs is a good old fashioned mystery set in today's high-tech, high stakes world of the Internet which I'm sure every reader will enjoy and find hard to put down.
The appeal of Johnny & Mona is undeniable and the sparks that fly between them only add to the mystery and adventure laid out before them.
Spam & Eggs is a good old fashioned mystery set in today's high-tech, high stakes world of the Internet which I'm sure every reader will enjoy and find hard to put down.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is always with fear of disappointment that I launch myself into a new mystery writer's world.
You may have no such fear here. Andrew Kent has created a likeable, approachable hero fit for all the family. To me Johnny Denovo is interesting because he is clearly not a muscle-bound superhero. He is without doubt self-assured, smart, sexy, yet vulnerable in a geeky way, which leads me to want to see his personality evolve over books to come.
The plot is imaginative and well threaded. We are all hounded by email spam. Johnny Denovo sees patterns and plot emerge in front of him on the computer screen - a premise both believable and engaging. The story once launched rattles along, with cheeky characterizations, and page turning action scenes. You will encounter a sizzling gallery of characters, my favorite being Tucker whose high tech world is believably intricate. The writing is first rate; spare, yet roomy enough for humor. Action scenes are the highlight. Kent's ability to stitch a reader to the page is enviable and leaves you wanting more.
When is the sequel coming out?
You may have no such fear here. Andrew Kent has created a likeable, approachable hero fit for all the family. To me Johnny Denovo is interesting because he is clearly not a muscle-bound superhero. He is without doubt self-assured, smart, sexy, yet vulnerable in a geeky way, which leads me to want to see his personality evolve over books to come.
The plot is imaginative and well threaded. We are all hounded by email spam. Johnny Denovo sees patterns and plot emerge in front of him on the computer screen - a premise both believable and engaging. The story once launched rattles along, with cheeky characterizations, and page turning action scenes. You will encounter a sizzling gallery of characters, my favorite being Tucker whose high tech world is believably intricate. The writing is first rate; spare, yet roomy enough for humor. Action scenes are the highlight. Kent's ability to stitch a reader to the page is enviable and leaves you wanting more.
When is the sequel coming out?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
a good read
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. Read more
The author overused some phrases. I got incredibly tired of hearing about Devovo's "limbic brain. Read more
Published 2 days ago by D. Bosshardt
3.0 out of 5 stars
IndieReader Review
The hero of Spam & Eggs, Johnny Denovo, is an ultracool, superfamous, extraordinarily smart detective. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Amy Edelman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unable to Finish This One
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. Read more
Published on February 15, 2011 by csalpacka@sprynet.com
1.0 out of 5 stars
Huh??
Title says it all. I have no clue what the author was trying to do in this book and how he made the huge leaps in "logic".
Published on January 26, 2011 by R. Shaw
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite the "fun read" I thought it would be
This is what I consider a "television" type of book. You are told what the characters are supposed to be, rather than forming an opinion based on your own interpretation of their... Read more
Published on January 10, 2011 by Stock24
3.0 out of 5 stars
Johnny Denovo is No Sherlock Holmes
The ranks of cerebral detectives (first portrayed so well by Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories) have been joined by Adam Kent's Johnny Denovo. Read more
Published on December 30, 2010 by Marti O
2.0 out of 5 stars
Trite and sophomoric
Hopefully written for teenaged boys, who might be impressed with the one-dimensional characters and sophomoric writing style. Read more
Published on December 18, 2010 by GreenWeaver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute and clever
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. Read more
Published on December 8, 2010 by grandma
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 stars but maybe 5...or rather 2...maybe 1
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... Read more
Published on November 24, 2010 by Domestic Gnome
1.0 out of 5 stars
Its in my 1 star list on my Kindle
I tried but just could not stay interested in this. The main caricature (no that not a typo) is at best laughable. Read more
Published on November 8, 2010 by Peppersvnv
