's Best of 2001
Emotionally numb from her divorce 18 months earlier, Nell Dysart is about to waken with a vengeance. When she takes a job as office manager for McKenna Investigations, she's determined to reorganize, redecorate, and revamp the stuck-in-the-'50s surroundings, but she runs smack-dab into senior partner Gabe McKenna, the immovable object to her irresistible force. Gabe likes the dated ambiance just fine and doesn't want a thing changed, but he soon learns that nothing in his life is going to stay the same now that Nell has arrived.

Rough and gruff, but with a heart of gold, Gabe is just what Nell needs to jump-start her hormones. Nell's formerly dull life is suddenly wildly active, for not only is she lusting after Gabe (and vice versa), but there's also a case of embezzlement to uncover, a dog to steal, and bribery to investigate. And, oh yes, there are those very cold, very dead bodies in the freezer.

Fast Women has well-rounded characters, an interesting mystery to resolve, and author Jennifer Crusie's trademark humor. In addition, Crusie gives readers a little something extra in her exploration of the emotional stages of divorce, the viability of marriage, and the value of self-honesty--all of which add up to an excellent fictional tale layered with a thought-provoking look at contemporary culture. --Lois Faye Dyer


From Publishers Weekly
A detective agency may be a sure setting for mystery and adventure, but in Crusie's latest (after Welcome to Temptation; Crazy for You; Tell Me Lies), a likable cast of characters also find sex, love and empowerment. At 42, recently divorced Nell Dysart starts a new life by becoming a secretary for Gabe McKenna, a gruff private investigator … la Sam Spade; McKenna runs an old-fashioned family business in German Village, Ohio, with his cousin and partner, Riley. The new job provides distraction for Nell, and with the support of her china-collecting former sisters-in-law, Suze and Margie; her son, Jase; and a stolen dachshund named Marlene, she gets back on her feet. Gabe is less than thrilled with Nell's sassiness, and they clash over her attempts to clean and redecorate his office. But where there is friction, there are also sparks, and as bull-headed as Gabe and Nell are, they finally acknowledge their mutual attraction. To make things more complicated, Gabe's biggest client is the Dysart clan, Nell's former in-laws, and the history between them becomes confused with present investigations of embezzlement and bribery when Nell discovers the title to a Porsche and a bag of diamonds in her boss's office. After more than one character is found stuffed in a freezer, Gabe, Riley, Nell and Suze set out to solve a 20-year-old murder case. Crusie's snappy dialogue and skillful plotting more than make up for some uneven pacing and one-dimensional villains. The novel's provocative title says too little about this entertaining romantic caper, which will satisfy fans and new readers alike. Agent, Meg Ruley. Author tour. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Continuing a successful switch from series romance to contemporary hardcover fiction, this latest effort by the author of Welcome to Temptation is sheer reading enjoyment. At 42, Nell Dysart is divorced and job hunting. Landing a temporary position as the office manager for McKenna Investigations is the best she can do while she figures out how to put her life back together. The McKenna office is a shambles, and Nell's boss, Gabe McKenna, seems unpleasant, disorganized, and very rigid. Nell knows she has the organization skills and business know-how to turn the place around, yet the major stumbling block is that Gabe likes things pretty much the way they are. Crusie's two main characters, as well as a host of secondary characters, convincingly guide the slightly complicated plot, which involves a long-ago murder and family cover-up, to a satisfying conclusion. The real plot, of course, is the growing attraction between Gabe and Nell. Crusie is hopelessly romantic and hilariously funny. Highly recommended for all public libraries with romance or fiction readers.- Margaret Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., MI Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
First a smile, then a grin, then when the laughter hits you, you're hooked on this fast-paced, hot-blooded murder mystery. After 18 months of divorce, Nell Dysart is a mess when she meets Gabe McKenna, a private investigator whose specialty is "relationships," and his partner/cousin, Reilly McKenna. Together they uncover murder, blackmail, embezzlement, and more. Sandra Burr keeps up with the fast-hitting dialogue and action and fleshes out each character, making the men "hot" and the women "sexy." If the circumstances are unbelievable, the romance is oh so wonderful, and Burr puts her all into the steamy scenes that get better and better as the book progresses. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Crusie's latest hilarious novel stars Nell Dysart, who has been in decline since her divorce until she lands a job at McKenna Investigations. Only a temp, she is nonetheless amazingly zealous, much to the annoyance of her reluctant boss. She uncovers her predecessor's embezzlement of the cleaning money and sets out to get it back, then she steals back a dog for a former owner who doesn't want it returned. Gabe, who keeps the business running only as a homage to his father, is perturbed by Nell's enthusiasm, but even his ex-wife recognizes that Nell is good for him. And the two do set off sparks in spite of Gabe's efforts to douse them. Of course, they also have to contend with murder, blackmail, arson, and the stolen dog, which accompanies Nell dressed in a trench coat. Crusie's great gift is her ability to make readers laugh at the inanities of life with her spunky women and strong yet compassionate men: imagine a combination of Nick Charles from The Thin Man and the women of The First Wives Club. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
"Entertaining."--Publishers Weekly

"Aglow with the sparks of wit and romance...smart and sassy."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A beach book for your brain...a sexy, intellectual read."--Redbook

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Author Jennifer Crusie, whose novels have been USA Today and New York Times bestsellers, scores again with a hilarious romp through the lives of several headstrong women and the men who love (and sometimes hate) them. Crusie spices up her pages with some of the most intriguingly complex and quirky characters in fiction, then mixes in some murder and mayhem just for fun -- the perfect recipe for a delightful read.

It's been more than a year since Nell Dysart's husband walked out on her. Since then, Nell's been going through the motions of life. But now she's determined to get back on track, and she goes at it with a vengeance. First, she lands a temporary position as a secretary for a family-owned private detective agency. It doesn't take her long to butt heads with one of her new bosses, Gabe McKenna, who finds Nell's bullheaded stubbornness and unwavering determination highly annoying. Still, she does clean up the office, uncover an embezzling scheme perpetrated by her predecessor, and retrieve the stolen money on her own, all in the first couple of days. What's more, there is something about Nell's endless enthusiasm that begins to rub off on Gabe.

Sometimes it rubs the wrong way, however, particularly after he offers to make Nell's position permanent and then discovers that she's stolen a dog, trashed her ex-husband's office, and slept with the firm's other partner, Gabe's cousin Riley. Then there's the little matter of an investigation into the secret doings of the wealthy Dysart family, Nell's former in-laws, two of whom remain among her best friends. By the time Gabe and Nell's libidos finally mesh, things in the office have become downright explosive, though that doesn't stop them from engaging in a bit of mind-boggling sex (in fact, in some cases the fireworks enhance things). Though neither one is sure where the relationship is going, one thing is certain: Life is never dull in the offices of McKenna Investigations, where adultery, blackmail, and sex on a desk are standard everyday fare.

Once again, Crusie finds the perfect mix of thigh-slapping humor, mysterious doings, and sizzling sensuality. This one zips along with all the breathtaking fun of an exhilarating amusement park ride. Just be sure to hang on tight. (Beth Amos)

Beth Amos is the author of several novels, including Second Sight, Eyes of Night, and Cold White Fury.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When a down-on-her-luck divorcée meets a determined-to-dominate detective, they find out that falling in love can be murder...

Nell Dysart's in trouble. Weighed down by an inexplicable divorce and a loss of appetite for everything, Nell is sleepwalking through life until her best friend finagles a job for her with a shabby little detective agency that has lots of potential and a boss who looks easy to manage.

Gabe McKenna isn't doing too well, either. His detective agency is wasting time on a blackmail case, his partner has decided he hates watching cheating spouses for money, and his ex-wife has just dumped him...again. The only thing that's going his way is that his new secretary looks efficient, boring, and biddable.

But looks can be deceiving and soon Nell and Gabe are squaring off over embezzlement, business cards, vandalism, dog-napping, blackmail, Chinese food, unprofessional sex, and really ugly office furniture, all of which turn out to be the least of their problems. Because soon, somebody starts killing people. And shortly after that, they start falling in love...

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A detective agency may be a sure setting for mystery and adventure, but in Crusie's latest (after Welcome to Temptation; Crazy for You; Tell Me Lies), a likable cast of characters also find sex, love and empowerment. At 42, recently divorced Nell Dysart starts a new life by becoming a secretary for Gabe McKenna, a gruff private investigator la Sam Spade; McKenna runs an old-fashioned family business in German Village, Ohio, with his cousin and partner, Riley. The new job provides distraction for Nell, and with the support of her china-collecting former sisters-in-law, Suze and Margie; her son, Jase; and a stolen dachshund named Marlene, she gets back on her feet. Gabe is less than thrilled with Nell's sassiness, and they clash over her attempts to clean and redecorate his office. But where there is friction, there are also sparks, and as bull-headed as Gabe and Nell are, they finally acknowledge their mutual attraction. To make things more complicated, Gabe's biggest client is the Dysart clan, Nell's former in-laws, and the history between them becomes confused with present investigations of embezzlement and bribery when Nell discovers the title to a Porsche and a bag of diamonds in her boss's office. After more than one character is found stuffed in a freezer, Gabe, Riley, Nell and Suze set out to solve a 20-year-old murder case. Crusie's snappy dialogue and skillful plotting more than make up for some uneven pacing and one-dimensional villains. The novel's provocative title says too little about this entertaining romantic caper, which will satisfy fans and new readers alike. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Continuing a successful switch from series romance to contemporary hardcover fiction, this latest effort by the author of Welcome to Temptation is sheer reading enjoyment. At 42, Nell Dysart is divorced and job hunting. Landing a temporary position as the office manager for McKenna Investigations is the best she can do while she figures out how to put her life back together. The McKenna office is a shambles, and Nell's boss, Gabe McKenna, seems unpleasant, disorganized, and very rigid. Nell knows she has the organization skills and business know-how to turn the place around, yet the major stumbling block is that Gabe likes things pretty much the way they are. Crusie's two main characters, as well as a host of secondary characters, convincingly guide the slightly complicated plot, which involves a long-ago murder and family cover-up, to a satisfying conclusion. The real plot, of course, is the growing attraction between Gabe and Nell. Crusie is hopelessly romantic and hilariously funny. Highly recommended for all public libraries with romance or fiction readers. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/01.] Margaret Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., MI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews