Helpful Score: 2
Cute. brainless. perfect for a summer beach read.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is a bit different..Its like a modern day Steampunk novel..The characters are quirky but they are fun ..If you like steampunk you'll probably like this..If you are expecting a serious mystery novel then not so much..
Helpful Score: 1
Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich is A Knight-Moon Novel (first book in a new series). Riley Moon has just graduated Harvard Business and Harvard Law and has landed her dream job as a junior analyst at Blane-Grunewald in Washington, D.C. The second week on the job her boss Werner assigns her to Emerson Knight. Emerson Knight lives in Mysterioso Manor and is very eccentric. The bank has sent him numerous requests to visit since the death of Emerson's father, but he has ignored each and every one of them. So, the bank sends Riley to Emerson. Riley is actually glad to get away from the office. Her boss is slightly smarmy and keeps calling her "Moonbeam". Emerson presents Riley with an unusual request. He wants his gold (he owns actual gold bars). Riley explains that it is not that easy. So, Emerson will settle for seeing his gold and he would like a meeting with Gunter Grunwald. Emerson's simple requests turn out to be not so simple. Gunter has disappeared. There is also money missing from six clients (Emerson is one of them). Riley and Emerson set out to get answers. They are in for one thrilling and dangerous adventure.
Curious Minds had some snippets that I liked, but, for the most part, I did not enjoy Curious Minds. It was too silly to be enjoyable. We have an extremely eccentric millionaire. Emerson wears Converse sneakers (I liked that part), sleeps in a tent in the library, the weird house, the various zoo animals, extremely brilliant, etc. Emerson is many various characters slapped together (Sherlock Holmes for one and Richey Rich is another--I am dating myself with this reference). Let us not forget his Aunt Myra and the pet armadillo. I found the characters to be flat. If there is supposed to be chemistry between Riley and Emerson, I did not feel it. The "mystery" is no mystery. It is a storyline that must play out (we are not given the opportunity to solve the mystery). We follow Riley and Emerson as they investigate the gold issue and the bad bank men (another cliché). I was very disappointed by Curious Minds. It is not my type of story. I prefer more serious mystery novels (with a mystery that I can try and solve). I am just not a fan of slap stick comedy (I do not like the Three Stooges either). I give Curious Minds 2 out of 5 stars. I will be steering clear of this series in the future.
Curious Minds had some snippets that I liked, but, for the most part, I did not enjoy Curious Minds. It was too silly to be enjoyable. We have an extremely eccentric millionaire. Emerson wears Converse sneakers (I liked that part), sleeps in a tent in the library, the weird house, the various zoo animals, extremely brilliant, etc. Emerson is many various characters slapped together (Sherlock Holmes for one and Richey Rich is another--I am dating myself with this reference). Let us not forget his Aunt Myra and the pet armadillo. I found the characters to be flat. If there is supposed to be chemistry between Riley and Emerson, I did not feel it. The "mystery" is no mystery. It is a storyline that must play out (we are not given the opportunity to solve the mystery). We follow Riley and Emerson as they investigate the gold issue and the bad bank men (another cliché). I was very disappointed by Curious Minds. It is not my type of story. I prefer more serious mystery novels (with a mystery that I can try and solve). I am just not a fan of slap stick comedy (I do not like the Three Stooges either). I give Curious Minds 2 out of 5 stars. I will be steering clear of this series in the future.
Curious Minds is the debut novel in the Knight and Moon series combing the talents of authors Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton. Emerson "Emmie" Knight and Riley Moon team up to take on a major bank conglomerate.
Emerson is an eccentric, quirky billionaire who lacks all social graces and Riley is a recent Harvard School Law graduate who has landed her dream job as a junior analyst for the Washington, DC branch of Blane-Grunwald. Riley's first assignment finds her with the task of babysitting Emmie.
Emerson wants to physically see the gold that makes up the vast majority of his fortune, and that gold is housed underground in the vaults of the Federal Reserve in New York. But, the Grunwald brothers don't want to cooperate with his request. When monies go missing from the bank and one of the brothers disappears, Emerson and Riley team up to investigate the nefarious activities.
A rollicking romp takes the reader from Washington, DC to New York City to the bowels of Nellis Air force base and Area 51. Emerson's crazy family members include his Aunt Myra and cousin Vern, and Riley's brother patrolman Dwayne provide many laugh out loud moments.
A great debut that will leave readers waiting for the next adventures of Knight and Moon. I received an advanced copy of Curious Minds from NetGalley via publisher Random House Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Emerson is an eccentric, quirky billionaire who lacks all social graces and Riley is a recent Harvard School Law graduate who has landed her dream job as a junior analyst for the Washington, DC branch of Blane-Grunwald. Riley's first assignment finds her with the task of babysitting Emmie.
Emerson wants to physically see the gold that makes up the vast majority of his fortune, and that gold is housed underground in the vaults of the Federal Reserve in New York. But, the Grunwald brothers don't want to cooperate with his request. When monies go missing from the bank and one of the brothers disappears, Emerson and Riley team up to investigate the nefarious activities.
A rollicking romp takes the reader from Washington, DC to New York City to the bowels of Nellis Air force base and Area 51. Emerson's crazy family members include his Aunt Myra and cousin Vern, and Riley's brother patrolman Dwayne provide many laugh out loud moments.
A great debut that will leave readers waiting for the next adventures of Knight and Moon. I received an advanced copy of Curious Minds from NetGalley via publisher Random House Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very fun book to read, with classic Evanovich humor and hijinks. Riley is an ambitious young woman who isn't too happy when her dream job at a big bank turns into a job babysitting one of its biggest customers. Emerson is rich and eccentric, as well as brilliant and handsome. He is also somewhat clueless when it comes to dealing with people.
The first encounter between Riley and Emerson sets the tone for the book. All she wants to do is let him know his money is safe after some banking glitches. She doesn't quite know what to do when he insists on accompanying her back to the bank so that he can "see his own gold." At that point, the discovery that his usual bank contact has been missing for a month and is accused of embezzling from the company gives Emerson the brilliant idea that he and Riley should investigate Gunter's disappearance. Her boss tells her to keep an eye on Emerson and report back.
I thoroughly enjoyed Emerson's antics. The man is scary smart but doesn't have a cautious bone in his body. He comes up with wild plans that Riley tries, unsuccessfully, to talk him out of. Strangely enough, they nearly always work out, usually thanks to Emerson's refusal to believe that they won't. Riley is often left scrambling to keep up with Emerson, though she does have some shining moments of her own.
There is also some chemistry buzzing around Emerson and Riley. The first thing that she notices about him is how good looking he is. This frequently causes some distraction on her part. Emerson's lack of social skills become more evident in these situations as he blurts out occasional comments that could be offensive if Riley chose to take them that way. Nothing really comes of it, but the potential is there for the future.
The suspense of the story is pretty good. Emerson's missing gold leads them to uncover a plot that would wreak havoc on the world's finances. There are multiple twists and turns as our duo discovers fake gold bars, evades a sadistic NSA agent, is chased across the country to Area 51, and escapes death before saving the day. The bad guys' plot occasionally seems over the top, but parts of it are scarily realistic, especially the megalomaniac tendencies of the bad guys.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Emerson's Aunt Myra was a trip with the way she treated Emerson. She certainly has her hands full dealing with him and his menagerie. She's no simple housekeeper though, as she proves several times throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the story of her encounter with some of the goons. Her son Vern comes across as a good ole boy, but he too is more than he appears. I liked the little bit we saw of Riley's family, and how close and supportive they are of each other. I hope to see more of them in the next book.
The first encounter between Riley and Emerson sets the tone for the book. All she wants to do is let him know his money is safe after some banking glitches. She doesn't quite know what to do when he insists on accompanying her back to the bank so that he can "see his own gold." At that point, the discovery that his usual bank contact has been missing for a month and is accused of embezzling from the company gives Emerson the brilliant idea that he and Riley should investigate Gunter's disappearance. Her boss tells her to keep an eye on Emerson and report back.
I thoroughly enjoyed Emerson's antics. The man is scary smart but doesn't have a cautious bone in his body. He comes up with wild plans that Riley tries, unsuccessfully, to talk him out of. Strangely enough, they nearly always work out, usually thanks to Emerson's refusal to believe that they won't. Riley is often left scrambling to keep up with Emerson, though she does have some shining moments of her own.
There is also some chemistry buzzing around Emerson and Riley. The first thing that she notices about him is how good looking he is. This frequently causes some distraction on her part. Emerson's lack of social skills become more evident in these situations as he blurts out occasional comments that could be offensive if Riley chose to take them that way. Nothing really comes of it, but the potential is there for the future.
The suspense of the story is pretty good. Emerson's missing gold leads them to uncover a plot that would wreak havoc on the world's finances. There are multiple twists and turns as our duo discovers fake gold bars, evades a sadistic NSA agent, is chased across the country to Area 51, and escapes death before saving the day. The bad guys' plot occasionally seems over the top, but parts of it are scarily realistic, especially the megalomaniac tendencies of the bad guys.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. Emerson's Aunt Myra was a trip with the way she treated Emerson. She certainly has her hands full dealing with him and his menagerie. She's no simple housekeeper though, as she proves several times throughout the book. I especially enjoyed the story of her encounter with some of the goons. Her son Vern comes across as a good ole boy, but he too is more than he appears. I liked the little bit we saw of Riley's family, and how close and supportive they are of each other. I hope to see more of them in the next book.
I was chosen by Netgalley to review the book "Curious Minds" by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton . Given that fact, it has not altered my opinion on the book at all. Curious Minds scheduled release is August 16, 2016.
This is my first Evanovich book. So as of right now, I have no preconceptions on how this book "should be" written. Consider myself a blank slate- I can't really make any comparisons, I have no idea the style of writing. Exciting isn't it?!
Our story opens, briefly, with what looks like a deal gone wrong. Gunter Grunwald is in a cave, alone, within a wall of pure gold. Spooked by an unnatural noise, Gunter realizes he is no longer alone in the cave. Peering around his wall, he realizes he knows who has joined him, and it's not who he wants to see. What Gunter realizes too late is that he should have stayed at his desk back at the office.
Cut scene to our present day story, and we are introduced Riley Moon, a seemingly well put together woman who works at a Bank. Riley is doing a home visit for a client. A very wealthy client; Emerson Knight, a rumored "nutcase" of a man, whose father has just passed and left his inheritance to his son. Riley was sent by her bank to ensure Emerson that his money is well taken care of. Upon meeting Emerson, she is quite shocked that she is attracted to the client, until he opens his mouth. Within the huge mansion he resides in, he is holed up in his library (SWOON!) living in a tent. Upon telling Emerson her rehearsed speech from the bank, he's very flat and to the point with her, saying that she's only visiting on behalf of the bank due to his recently acquired assets. Emerson is also a bit agitated because he has specifically requested Gunter, for months, and is now seeing Riley in his place. After Riley gives Emerson her rehearsed speech, and rehearsed answers, he still insists that she take him to, quite literally, see his gold.
After much persuasion, Riley takes Emerson to Blane-Grunwald bank, to speak directly to Werner, the man in charge. While there, Emerson starts out by saying he would like to see his gold, to hearing the life story of the missing Gunter Grunwald, to setting out on a rescue mission to find Gunter. Both Werner and Riley are taken aback by how the conversation had evolved. Emerson takes a small tour of Gunter's office, to try and get a feel for the man. With lack of personal effects, he deems it necessary to talk to Gunter's assistant; Maxine. Again at a loss for information, Emerson blindly sets out on a quest to find Gunter. Werner suggests Riley as an assistant since she is good with people, consciously making a dig at how dry Emerson's personality is.
Where better to start a missing person's investigation than at said person's house. Showing up uninvited and unannounced, Emerson thinks it's best to ask Gunter's wife a slew of questions. They come across Mrs. Grunwald in the back yard, spade in hand, staring into a freshly dug hole. Upon further investigation, it seems in the five years the Grunwald's have lived there, their gardeners have happened upon buried saints while landscaping. Being a non-catholic, Mrs. Grunwald doesn't quite understand the mystery of the buried saints, and decides it's time to pack up the house and sell. Ever the blunt one, Emerson simply asks if Mrs. Grunwald murdered her husband. She is absolutely taken aback, and denies any such thing.
The only thing worth finding in Gunter's house was a bar of gold; taken directly from his safe. Emerson investigates the bar, and finds that it is a fake. With much resolve, he further insists on seeing his gold in person to make sure that his are not all fakes as well. Off on a road trip cross country, the pair follow a yellow brick road to take down a corporate conspiracy theory that effects the government's reputation worldwide.
Some conflicting "things" I've noticed while reading. And maybe it's not really conflicting, or bothersome to others, but it is to me. It is mentioned quite a few times that Riley is in debt, which is why she has her current job at Blane-Grunwald bank, to pay back on her debts. And yet throughout the book, it mentions designer suits, Jimmy Choo ankle boots, her mini cooper. If she is so in debt, why is she making such purchases? Again, it could just be me.
Emerson is 110% nerd, know-it-all, full of himself kind of guy. To the annoying degree. Most of the things he says are either predictable, or awkward. That awkwardness is also picked up by Riley, again making some conversation either predictable, or so far out in left field that occasionally it does not make sense to the reader. My main impression, and this may only make sense to a few of you, is that it has the potential of the Naked Gun series; likable, occasionally funny, full of puns, occasionally awkward. This book however, missed it's mark with me. I don't often say this about books, but I really couldn't wait for the book to be finished. The way the story ends, it's blatantly obvious that it will continue on in a series. I'm sorry to say, that I will most likely not pick up a Janet Evanovich book anytime in the near future.
This is my first Evanovich book. So as of right now, I have no preconceptions on how this book "should be" written. Consider myself a blank slate- I can't really make any comparisons, I have no idea the style of writing. Exciting isn't it?!
Our story opens, briefly, with what looks like a deal gone wrong. Gunter Grunwald is in a cave, alone, within a wall of pure gold. Spooked by an unnatural noise, Gunter realizes he is no longer alone in the cave. Peering around his wall, he realizes he knows who has joined him, and it's not who he wants to see. What Gunter realizes too late is that he should have stayed at his desk back at the office.
Cut scene to our present day story, and we are introduced Riley Moon, a seemingly well put together woman who works at a Bank. Riley is doing a home visit for a client. A very wealthy client; Emerson Knight, a rumored "nutcase" of a man, whose father has just passed and left his inheritance to his son. Riley was sent by her bank to ensure Emerson that his money is well taken care of. Upon meeting Emerson, she is quite shocked that she is attracted to the client, until he opens his mouth. Within the huge mansion he resides in, he is holed up in his library (SWOON!) living in a tent. Upon telling Emerson her rehearsed speech from the bank, he's very flat and to the point with her, saying that she's only visiting on behalf of the bank due to his recently acquired assets. Emerson is also a bit agitated because he has specifically requested Gunter, for months, and is now seeing Riley in his place. After Riley gives Emerson her rehearsed speech, and rehearsed answers, he still insists that she take him to, quite literally, see his gold.
After much persuasion, Riley takes Emerson to Blane-Grunwald bank, to speak directly to Werner, the man in charge. While there, Emerson starts out by saying he would like to see his gold, to hearing the life story of the missing Gunter Grunwald, to setting out on a rescue mission to find Gunter. Both Werner and Riley are taken aback by how the conversation had evolved. Emerson takes a small tour of Gunter's office, to try and get a feel for the man. With lack of personal effects, he deems it necessary to talk to Gunter's assistant; Maxine. Again at a loss for information, Emerson blindly sets out on a quest to find Gunter. Werner suggests Riley as an assistant since she is good with people, consciously making a dig at how dry Emerson's personality is.
Where better to start a missing person's investigation than at said person's house. Showing up uninvited and unannounced, Emerson thinks it's best to ask Gunter's wife a slew of questions. They come across Mrs. Grunwald in the back yard, spade in hand, staring into a freshly dug hole. Upon further investigation, it seems in the five years the Grunwald's have lived there, their gardeners have happened upon buried saints while landscaping. Being a non-catholic, Mrs. Grunwald doesn't quite understand the mystery of the buried saints, and decides it's time to pack up the house and sell. Ever the blunt one, Emerson simply asks if Mrs. Grunwald murdered her husband. She is absolutely taken aback, and denies any such thing.
The only thing worth finding in Gunter's house was a bar of gold; taken directly from his safe. Emerson investigates the bar, and finds that it is a fake. With much resolve, he further insists on seeing his gold in person to make sure that his are not all fakes as well. Off on a road trip cross country, the pair follow a yellow brick road to take down a corporate conspiracy theory that effects the government's reputation worldwide.
Some conflicting "things" I've noticed while reading. And maybe it's not really conflicting, or bothersome to others, but it is to me. It is mentioned quite a few times that Riley is in debt, which is why she has her current job at Blane-Grunwald bank, to pay back on her debts. And yet throughout the book, it mentions designer suits, Jimmy Choo ankle boots, her mini cooper. If she is so in debt, why is she making such purchases? Again, it could just be me.
Emerson is 110% nerd, know-it-all, full of himself kind of guy. To the annoying degree. Most of the things he says are either predictable, or awkward. That awkwardness is also picked up by Riley, again making some conversation either predictable, or so far out in left field that occasionally it does not make sense to the reader. My main impression, and this may only make sense to a few of you, is that it has the potential of the Naked Gun series; likable, occasionally funny, full of puns, occasionally awkward. This book however, missed it's mark with me. I don't often say this about books, but I really couldn't wait for the book to be finished. The way the story ends, it's blatantly obvious that it will continue on in a series. I'm sorry to say, that I will most likely not pick up a Janet Evanovich book anytime in the near future.
