Munch Mancini used to be a biker chick who was handy with a wrench but had a few bad habits like booze, drugs, and bad taste in men. The heroine of Barbara Seranella's lively, engaging series of mysteries, Munch is trying to clean up her new life as a solid citizen and single mother by staying away from the temptations of her old one. But when her closest friend, Ellen, gets out of jail and learns just how badly someone wants the money she took from a man who tried to kill her, Munch can't turn her away. It's not like Munch doesn't have her own problems: she's being stalked by the mother of one of her daughter Asia's playmates, trying to resuscitate her moribund limousine business, and in the middle of moving into the first house she's ever owned. And now she's got a sullen stripper on her bad side, counterfeit money in her kid's toy box, a new lover who's also a cop, and a very strange guy who says he's her friend's father but might also be a killer who's staying one step ahead of every move she makes. This entertaining and well-crafted thriller should earn this highly original writer (Unfinished Business, Unwanted Company) a host of new fans. --Jane Adams


From Publishers Weekly
The fifth novel in Serenella's bestselling 1980s saga (No Human Involved, etc.) featuring Miranda Munch Mancini, onetime junkie, hooker and California biker chick, gets off to a fast start with the brutal murder of the mother and stepfather of Munch's old running buddy, Ellen Summers. Alas, the plot then goes off in several directions and bogs down. With Munch providing the only homecoming welcome, Ellen is about to try the transition from prison life to normal societyagain (she came out of the can once before, in 1999's Unwanted Company). Ellen still behaves more as if she has unfinished illegal business to transact than as if she's ready for the straight and narrow. Various parties unknown appear to think this business involves a large amount of missing money. Meanwhile, Munch has managed to put it all togetheras a well-paid auto mechanic, owner-operator of a limousine service and single mother to an adopted eight-year-old daughter, Asia. Munch can testify to the rewards of a virtuous life, but reminders of her dark past return in the form of a jealous woman's spiteful pranks. Ellen's father appears and acts mysteriously. Munch's efforts to shield Ellen complicate old and new relationships with members of the local police. The result is mayhem and a litter of prostrate bodies. Established fans will lap this one up as eagerly as earlier books in the series, but new readers are likely to be more taken with the eccentric characters than the wandering plot. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Ellen Summers, newly released from prison, resumes her longstanding friendship with Miranda "Munch" Mancini, a former druggie-turned-auto mechanic and limo service operator. When Ellen's parents are killed, Munch fears that Ellen will either want revenge or will herself become the next victim. Unfortunately, Ellen knows the present whereabouts of some illegally gotten cash, probably counterfeit. With quick segues to strip clubs, more murder, and various surveillants, the narrative action never stops. An appealing fifth addition to the series featuring a "bad girl" sleuth (Unwanted Company) and down-to-earth characters. For readers who like their mysteries a bit grittier. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The fifth outing for Miranda "Munch" Mancini, former biker and drug addict turned car mechanic, places the heroine in the awkward duel role of soccer mom/criminal accessory. Munch is busily doing the right thing, raising her adopted daughter and buying a new house, when she learns that her old friend Ellen's parents have been murdered. The next day, Ellen is released from prison and soon shows up on Munch's doorstep. Ellen's name always spells trouble, and this time is no different--she has some stolen money squirreled away that may have played a role in her parents' murder. Roped into helping Ellen sort things out, Munch proves herself again to be a likable and earnest character with a tough side that is explained by glimpses into her dark past. Her romantic entanglement with a police officer promises interesting times ahead. This story should send some readers back to the first books in the series to catch up on what they've missed. Carrie Bissey
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
Kirkus Reviews Fast-paced and brainy but with plenty of heart.


Book Description
A new Munch Mancini novel from the nationally bestselling author whose Unfinished Business was a Los Angeles Times "Best Book of 2001" Munch Mancini is a busy woman, what with her auto mechanic's job, her fledgling limo business, and single motherhood, but she hasn't forgotten her old friends: she's still close to Ellen Summers. Munch and Ellen were young and foolish together. They drank, they did drugs, they did other things they'd rather forget. But somewhere along the line, Munch went straight and Ellen went to prison. Now, Ellen is about to be freed form the California Institiution ofor Women. She'll have another chance to make a life. Or will she? Just a day before her release, her world falls apart when someone tortures and murders her mother and stepfather, Lila Mae and Dwayne Summers. Ellen may be the next target. Ellen has something the killer wants, and she's not about to give it up. Alone and threatened, she flees to Munch. Munch wants to help, but is Ellen telling her the truth? Too much of Ellen's story doesn't make sense, and what if helping Ellen puts Munch's eight-year-old daughter, Asia, at risk? That's where friendship stops and motherhood takes over. Where Asia's concerned, Munch takes no chances. Unwilling to confide completely in the police because the whole truth would send Ellen back to prison, Munch embarks on a mission to find the killer and to cut the best possible deal for her friend. Work, friendship,loyalty, motherhood, men, and even Munch's sobriety are all put to the test in the six harrowing days leading up to a heartbreaking showdown. Munch must ask herself some tough questions. If she comes through this one, she'll never take anything for granted again. Besides her dealings with Ellen, Munch has some problems of her own. The jealous mother of one of Asia's playmates is stalking Munch, convinced she's stealing her husband. The woman could be dangerous. She can't be ignored. She's wrong about the husband, though. The chemistry is between Munch and Homicide Detective Rico Chacón, who's investigating the Summers murders. Munch hasn't felt this way about a man in a long time, but canshe trust him? With riveting action and one of the most unconventional and appealing heroines in all of crime fiction, No Man Standing is the best yet from a superbly gifted author.


Download Description
"A new Munch Mancini novel from the nationally bestselling author whose Unfinished Business was a Los Angeles Times ""Best Book of 2001"" Munch Mancini is a busy woman, what with her auto mechanic's job, her fledgling limo business, and single motherhood, but she hasn't forgotten her old friends: she's still close to Ellen Summers. Munch and Ellen were young and foolish together. They drank, they did drugs, they did other things they'd rather forget. But somewhere along the line, Munch went straight and Ellen went to prison. Now, Ellen is about to be freed form the California Institiution ofor Women. She'll have another chance to make a life. Or will she? Just a day before her release, her world falls apart when someone tortures and murders her mother and stepfather, Lila Mae and Dwayne Summers. Ellen may be the next target. Ellen has something the killer wants, and she's not about to give it up. Alone and threatened, she flees to Munch. Munch wants to help, but is Ellen telling her the truth? Too much of Ellen's story doesn't make sense, and what if helping Ellen puts Munch's eight-year-old daughter, Asia, at risk? That's where friendship stops and motherhood takes over. Where Asia's concerned, Munch takes no chances. Unwilling to confide completely in the police because the whole truth would send Ellen back to prison, Munch embarks on a mission to find the killer and to cut the best possible deal for her friend. Work, friendship,loyalty, motherhood, men, and even Munch's sobriety are all put to the test in the six harrowing days leading up to a heartbreaking showdown. Munch must ask herself some tough questions. If she comes through this one, she'll never take anything for granted again. With riveting action and one of the most unconventional and appealing heroines in all of crime fiction, No Man Standing is the best yet from a superbly gifted author. "

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Munch Mancini is a busy woman, what with her auto mechanic's job, her fledgling limo business, and single motherhood, but she hasn't forgotten her old friends: she's still close to Ellen Summers. Munch and Ellen were young and foolish together. They drank, they did drugs, they did other things they'd rather forget. But somewhere along the line, Munch went straight and Ellen went to prison." "Now, Ellen is about to be freed from the California Institution for Women. She'll have another chance to make a life. Or will she? Just a day before her release, her world falls apart when someone tortures and murders her mother and stepfather, Lila Mae and Dwayne Summers. Ellen may be the next target." "Ellen has something the killer wants, and she's not about to give it up. Alone and threatened, she flees to Munch. Munch wants to help, but is Ellen telling her the truth? Too much of Ellen's story doesn't make sense, and what if helping Ellen puts Munch's eight-year-old daughter, Asia, at risk? That's where friendship stops and motherhood takes over. Where Asia's concerned, Munch takes no chances." "Unwilling to confide completely in the police because the whole truth would send Ellen back to prison, Munch embarks on a mission to find the killer and to cut the best possible deal for her friend. Work, friendship, loyalty, motherhood, men, and even Munch's sobriety are all put to the test in the six harrowing days leading up to a heartbreaking showdown. Munch must ask herself some tough questions. If she comes through this one, she'll never take anything for granted again." Besides her dealings with Ellen, Munch has some problems of her own. The jealous mother of one of Asia's playmates is stalking Munch, convinced she's stealing her husband. The woman could be dangerous. She can't be ignored. She's wrong about the husband, though. The chemistry is between Munch and Homicide Detective Rico Chacon, who's investigating the Summers murders. Munch hasn't felt this way about a m

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The fifth novel in Serenella's bestselling 1980s saga (No Human Involved, etc.) featuring Miranda Munch Mancini, onetime junkie, hooker and California biker chick, gets off to a fast start with the brutal murder of the mother and stepfather of Munch's old running buddy, Ellen Summers. Alas, the plot then goes off in several directions and bogs down. With Munch providing the only homecoming welcome, Ellen is about to try the transition from prison life to normal societyagain (she came out of the can once before, in 1999's Unwanted Company). Ellen still behaves more as if she has unfinished illegal business to transact than as if she's ready for the straight and narrow. Various parties unknown appear to think this business involves a large amount of missing money. Meanwhile, Munch has managed to put it all togetheras a well-paid auto mechanic, owner-operator of a limousine service and single mother to an adopted eight-year-old daughter, Asia. Munch can testify to the rewards of a virtuous life, but reminders of her dark past return in the form of a jealous woman's spiteful pranks. Ellen's father appears and acts mysteriously. Munch's efforts to shield Ellen complicate old and new relationships with members of the local police. The result is mayhem and a litter of prostrate bodies. Established fans will lap this one up as eagerly as earlier books in the series, but new readers are likely to be more taken with the eccentric characters than the wandering plot. (May 22) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Ellen Summers, newly released from prison, resumes her longstanding friendship with Miranda "Munch" Mancini, a former druggie-turned-auto mechanic and limo service operator. When Ellen's parents are killed, Munch fears that Ellen will either want revenge or will herself become the next victim. Unfortunately, Ellen knows the present whereabouts of some illegally gotten cash, probably counterfeit. With quick segues to strip clubs, more murder, and various surveillants, the narrative action never stops. An appealing fifth addition to the series featuring a "bad girl" sleuth (Unwanted Company) and down-to-earth characters. For readers who like their mysteries a bit grittier. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews