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Publication
Signet, Kindle Edition, 368 pages
Description
On a sailboat ten miles off the Florida coast, Grace MacBride, partner in Monkeewrench Software, thwarts an assassination attempt on retired FBI agent John Smith. A few hours later, in Minneapolis, a fifteen-year-old girl is discovered in a vacant lot, her throat slashed. Later that day, two young men are found in their home a few blocks away, killed execution-style. The next morning, the dead bodies of three more men turn up, savagely murdered in the same neighborhood. As Minneapolis homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth struggle to link the three crimes, they learn that there have been similar murders in other cities around the United States. Piece by piece, evidence accumulates, pointing to a suspect that shocks them to the core, uncovering a motive that puts the entire Midwest on high alert and Monkeewrench in the direct line of fire. Before it's all over, Grace and her partners, Annie, Roadrunner, and Harley Davidson, find themselves in the middle of a shocking collision of violence on a remote northern Minnesota reservation, fighting for their lives.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mikedraper
Grace MacBride of Monkeewrench Software thinks the idea of going sailing with her friend, retired FBI agent John Smith, sounds good.
She didn't imagine hearing people sneaking onto the boat. She got her gun and went on deck to see a man about to kill John so she shot the man and his partner. Then
At the same time, five young Native American girls are kidnapped from the Indian Reservation. The eldest, age fifteen, tries to escape and is killed. The Somalis who took the girls want to sell them into the sex trade business.
We also witness a man approach the Somalis and kill them but don't know why.
John admits to Grace that he used her software equipment to monitor terrorist activity. He noticed a plan in action and forwarded info to an open part of the internet.
The story is well told as the terrorists put a Jihad on John and send a group of killers after him. Since the Native Americans and Somalis of the area are at conflict, John and the group from Monkeewrench lead them to the Native American Reservation where the conflict reaches its peak.
The story is well told but I would have liked more information about the attempt to sell the girls to the sex trade business.
I felt that the conclusion was a bit too convenient but nevertheless enjoyed this exciting book.
She didn't imagine hearing people sneaking onto the boat. She got her gun and went on deck to see a man about to kill John so she shot the man and his partner. Then
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they look through the men's items and find a photo of John. They realize that this was an assassination attempt not robbery.At the same time, five young Native American girls are kidnapped from the Indian Reservation. The eldest, age fifteen, tries to escape and is killed. The Somalis who took the girls want to sell them into the sex trade business.
We also witness a man approach the Somalis and kill them but don't know why.
John admits to Grace that he used her software equipment to monitor terrorist activity. He noticed a plan in action and forwarded info to an open part of the internet.
The story is well told as the terrorists put a Jihad on John and send a group of killers after him. Since the Native Americans and Somalis of the area are at conflict, John and the group from Monkeewrench lead them to the Native American Reservation where the conflict reaches its peak.
The story is well told but I would have liked more information about the attempt to sell the girls to the sex trade business.
I felt that the conclusion was a bit too convenient but nevertheless enjoyed this exciting book.
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LibraryThing member tag100
Another page-turner from the mother-daughter team from Minnesota. Like the previous Monkeewrench novels, this one is engrossing, fast-paced, and hard to put down. A fun read.
LibraryThing member Beamis12
So nice to return and visit with the Monkeewrench crew again, characters that are very unique, as is the nature of their job. This storyline results on the death of one leading character and a few different threads to the story that eventually come together. My only complaint is the time elapsing
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between these books as I always feel that I need to go back and reread the one that came before. Love this rather unique series. Show Less
LibraryThing member SherriLee
Like many others, I love the Monkeewrench gang and was incredibly anxious for the latest installment. Unfortunately it was a disappointing letdown. Anyone who has not read the previous books would be seriously lost and even as a devotee of the series I was confused. Characters who were previously
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deeply drawn, vibrant and real were flat and superficial. The plot was...odd. It was really disjointed and awkward and again, superficial. I didnt feel much connection to it or the characters at any point. Grace morphed from a dark, hyper-anxious, hyper-aware paranoid with a witty bite to her into a sundress wearing, careless, cardboard cutout. Even back in her boots, she remained flat and uninteresting and a bit oblivious I mean--Spoiler--a tracker? Who other than Grace didnt have that figured out in a paragraph? The old Grace would have swept the car three times then swapped vehicles anyway. Roadrunner was barely a character, Harley a stereotype, and Annie barely fleshed out. Magozzi and Gino were just weird, going off into reveries that felt odd and out of place, and when did Gino become such a whiner? The entire book felt rather hurried and slapdash, like they were just trying to get a requisite number of pages down then quit--which they did. The ending was a mess. Over before it started, very little motivation or detail and there were so many 'tells' throughout the book. Anytime a character was given a sympathetic description, he dies. Everytime. Also--another spoiler--the Ojibwe funeral parade of honor at the end? While a nice idea, it was out of place. He didnt save the tribe or anyone in it. They werent friends, he had almost no connection to them at all except bringing trouble to the reservation and getting people killed. Sure, I know, we're all one American family (unless in this book you happen to be Somali) but it felt forced to me. Anyway, not their best book by far though I wont give up because of one letdown---the previous books were just to good for this to be anything but an aberration. **Note--not really an 'early review' copy since it was days after the release before it arrived. Show Less
LibraryThing member ijustgetbored
Off the Grid is very fast-paced, with short chapters that will keep you flipping to see what event is coming up next. The conclusion, when it does come, seems kind of rushed; it's over in comparatively few chapters, and there's not much in the way of closure (hope for another book in the series out
The events of the story (not to give too much plot summary here, but it invovles terrorists) are interesting, but they are very much on the key of a very popular theme in suspense writing right now, which is getting a little careworn. It's hard to make it feel fresh. Tracy has tried to put a new spin on it by injecting a Native American theme into the book, but it's not all that well integrated (I would have liked to have seen some sort of non-fiction conclusion about how the kidnapping of Native American girls that begins the text really does or does not relate to terrorist issues; I was unfamiliar with it). The Native American theme also got a little "mystical" at times.
The computer/hacking element that makes the Monkeewrench series so strong overall took more of a backseat in this entry, which weakened it; our favorite crew played less of a role overall, particularly in the first half of the book. If you weren't already familiar with the Monkeewrench crew, you might find them hard to relate to, if this was your first novel in the series. Gino and Magozzi, the detectives, came off much better; this particular novel was a lot stronger from the police procedural angle, as far as characterization goes.
All in all, a quick, enjoyable read, and I'm REALLY glad to see the return of the Monkeewrench series and hope to see more soon.
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soon . . . ?).The events of the story (not to give too much plot summary here, but it invovles terrorists) are interesting, but they are very much on the key of a very popular theme in suspense writing right now, which is getting a little careworn. It's hard to make it feel fresh. Tracy has tried to put a new spin on it by injecting a Native American theme into the book, but it's not all that well integrated (I would have liked to have seen some sort of non-fiction conclusion about how the kidnapping of Native American girls that begins the text really does or does not relate to terrorist issues; I was unfamiliar with it). The Native American theme also got a little "mystical" at times.
The computer/hacking element that makes the Monkeewrench series so strong overall took more of a backseat in this entry, which weakened it; our favorite crew played less of a role overall, particularly in the first half of the book. If you weren't already familiar with the Monkeewrench crew, you might find them hard to relate to, if this was your first novel in the series. Gino and Magozzi, the detectives, came off much better; this particular novel was a lot stronger from the police procedural angle, as far as characterization goes.
All in all, a quick, enjoyable read, and I'm REALLY glad to see the return of the Monkeewrench series and hope to see more soon.
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LibraryThing member BLBera
[Off the Grid] is the latest novel in P. J. Tracy's Monkeewrench series. Monkeewrench is a computer company formed by four very unique people: Roadrunner, Grace, Annie and Harley. All are survivors and have formed more than a company; they are a family. Also part of the series are Minneapolis
Although this is an page turner, humor lightens the series and in each novel, more is revealed about the characters. This installment begins on a boat in the Caribbean and ends in the north woods of Minnesota and hardly lets one take a breath. How are terrorist plots, the kidnapping of five Ojibwe girls and a veteran dying of cancer connected? Once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down until you find out. Tracy has created a well-plotted series, balanced with likeable, interesting characters.
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police detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth.Although this is an page turner, humor lightens the series and in each novel, more is revealed about the characters. This installment begins on a boat in the Caribbean and ends in the north woods of Minnesota and hardly lets one take a breath. How are terrorist plots, the kidnapping of five Ojibwe girls and a veteran dying of cancer connected? Once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down until you find out. Tracy has created a well-plotted series, balanced with likeable, interesting characters.
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LibraryThing member Twink
I picked up the first Monkeewrench book back in 2003 when the cover caught my eye. Off the Grid marks the sixth book in this series by mother/daughter writing duo P.J. Tracy.
Monkeewrench is a company comprised of four eclectic computer whizzes who design programs but also work closely with law
Back in Minneapolis, Magozzi and Rolseth are dealing with the unthinkable - young Native girls are being snatched right off the reserve. When one of the girls is found dead, it isn't long before the two men who took her are found murdered as well. As other bodies are found, it looks like someone has taken justice into their own hands.....and the case is bigger than they imagined.
I've quite enjoyed the other books in this series, but found this latest offering just okay. The members of the Monkeewrench crew have always intrigued me - they are all 'damaged' to some degree, but highly intelligent, determined to help the law where they can - and they consider themselves a family. This book, although it involved the crew, was focused much more on Magozzi and Rolseth. While I enjoy these characters as well, they aren't my favourites. Other characters such as a retired vet and his friend, a local Native Police Chief, seemed a bit clichéd. John Smith was flat and I never really bought into him or Grace's attraction to him.
I ended up heading to the Internet to see if there was indeed a Native Mafia/Somali gang connection and yes, there is in Minnesota. The plot line begins with this idea, but then veers into territory that has been travelled before. It was pretty easy to see where the rest of the story was headed. Some of the clues were glaringly simplistic, such as the circled calendar dates. And I had issues with some other small things. For instance - Monkeewrench prides itself on being uber prepared, yet fails to check if someone has put a tracker on their vehicle? I felt the ending came far too abruptly. I was caught up in the action scenes which suddenly jumped to the end, leaving me with questions about one character's demise and feeling like I had missed a few pages.
This book did feel like there were two sets of keyboards at work. I found there to be odd interjections at crucial moments that were truly awkward. For example, we're at the end, waiting to hear what an FBI agent has to say and "Gino reached for a butterscotch candy in a dish on the coffee table, then remembered getting one of those evil things caught in his throat at the fourth-grade Halloween party. Just relax and let it melt, the stupid school nurse had told him as he was choking to death. He put the candy back in the bowl and looked at Agent Dahl."
Now, that being said, I did enjoy the book, but not as much as I wanted to. If you're looking for a lighter style of mystery that will keep you entertained, then pick this one up for the beach. I'll be watching for the next in this series, hopefully with a return to the tone of the earlier books. Those who enjoy James Patterson's mysteries would also enjoy this series.
Monkeewrench is a company comprised of four eclectic computer whizzes who design programs but also work closely with law
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enforcement agencies who can utilize their specialized talents. They're based in Minneapolis and frequently help Detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth. The 'leader' of Monkeewrench is Grace. At the end of the last book, she had broken out of her self imposed isolation and gone sailing with retired FBI agent John Smith. When they are attacked at sea, it looks like John has a target on his back. But why? Who? He decides to go off the grid while Grace returns to Monkeewrench.Back in Minneapolis, Magozzi and Rolseth are dealing with the unthinkable - young Native girls are being snatched right off the reserve. When one of the girls is found dead, it isn't long before the two men who took her are found murdered as well. As other bodies are found, it looks like someone has taken justice into their own hands.....and the case is bigger than they imagined.
I've quite enjoyed the other books in this series, but found this latest offering just okay. The members of the Monkeewrench crew have always intrigued me - they are all 'damaged' to some degree, but highly intelligent, determined to help the law where they can - and they consider themselves a family. This book, although it involved the crew, was focused much more on Magozzi and Rolseth. While I enjoy these characters as well, they aren't my favourites. Other characters such as a retired vet and his friend, a local Native Police Chief, seemed a bit clichéd. John Smith was flat and I never really bought into him or Grace's attraction to him.
I ended up heading to the Internet to see if there was indeed a Native Mafia/Somali gang connection and yes, there is in Minnesota. The plot line begins with this idea, but then veers into territory that has been travelled before. It was pretty easy to see where the rest of the story was headed. Some of the clues were glaringly simplistic, such as the circled calendar dates. And I had issues with some other small things. For instance - Monkeewrench prides itself on being uber prepared, yet fails to check if someone has put a tracker on their vehicle? I felt the ending came far too abruptly. I was caught up in the action scenes which suddenly jumped to the end, leaving me with questions about one character's demise and feeling like I had missed a few pages.
This book did feel like there were two sets of keyboards at work. I found there to be odd interjections at crucial moments that were truly awkward. For example, we're at the end, waiting to hear what an FBI agent has to say and "Gino reached for a butterscotch candy in a dish on the coffee table, then remembered getting one of those evil things caught in his throat at the fourth-grade Halloween party. Just relax and let it melt, the stupid school nurse had told him as he was choking to death. He put the candy back in the bowl and looked at Agent Dahl."
Now, that being said, I did enjoy the book, but not as much as I wanted to. If you're looking for a lighter style of mystery that will keep you entertained, then pick this one up for the beach. I'll be watching for the next in this series, hopefully with a return to the tone of the earlier books. Those who enjoy James Patterson's mysteries would also enjoy this series.
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LibraryThing member Bumpersmom
This was a very hard thing for an author to do to me, I reached the very last page of the book and was actually surprised at the ending. The book is fast paced and an easy read. As the 6th book in a series, I had not realized that I have missed a few and will have to go back and catch up with the
While the story line is getting a bit overused by today's authors, this tried to take a fresh look, and the only real criticism I can offer is the beginning of the book and the story it started to tell, somehow was dropped and a completely different story took over.
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characters, yet, even as a stand alone this book is well done.While the story line is getting a bit overused by today's authors, this tried to take a fresh look, and the only real criticism I can offer is the beginning of the book and the story it started to tell, somehow was dropped and a completely different story took over.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
In the last Monkeewrench book, Grace MacBride sailed off with retired FBI agent John Smith, leaving her co-workers and Detective Leo Magozzi behind. Life on the water has changed Grace. She wears sundresses and sandals instead of leather and boots. She has finally learned how to truly relax and let
In Minneapolis, Magozzi and partner Gino Rolseth struggle to find the link between the recent murders of Somali men in a neighborhood known as Little Mogadishu, while pondering whether or not to rake the fall leaves.
Grace returns to the Monkeewrench crew, putting their computing power into finding out who targeted John and why. Their investigation dovetails with the Minneapolis PD cases, leading Leo and Gino to a secluded cabin on a Native American reservation.
The mother-daughter writing team of P.J. Tracy has created another high adrenaline page-turner. Not the best in the series for the lack of character development and a plot that becomes transparent to the reader long before Monkeewrench and Magozzi figure it out, but a diverting adventure with well-placed humor that raises some thought-provoking issues about fighting for one's country.
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her guard down - until she wakes up one night to find two men holding a knife to John's throat. In Minneapolis, Magozzi and partner Gino Rolseth struggle to find the link between the recent murders of Somali men in a neighborhood known as Little Mogadishu, while pondering whether or not to rake the fall leaves.
Grace returns to the Monkeewrench crew, putting their computing power into finding out who targeted John and why. Their investigation dovetails with the Minneapolis PD cases, leading Leo and Gino to a secluded cabin on a Native American reservation.
The mother-daughter writing team of P.J. Tracy has created another high adrenaline page-turner. Not the best in the series for the lack of character development and a plot that becomes transparent to the reader long before Monkeewrench and Magozzi figure it out, but a diverting adventure with well-placed humor that raises some thought-provoking issues about fighting for one's country.
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LibraryThing member reannon
This is one of the best mystery/suspense series ever, written (too slowly) by a mother-daughter writing team. Monkeewrench is a company of computer programmers, all eccentric and damaged people. In this volume, a series of seemingly unrelated events leads to terrorists after John Smith of the FBI.
Can you read this without having read the rest of the series? Yes, but it is not recommended. The characters have been so beautifully developed over the course of the series, as has their story. Reading the rest of the books first will give this one much greater depth. If you do read this one first anyway, it will still be a good suspense novel. Highly recommended.
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Since Grace McBride of Monkeewrench has been sailing with Smith for several months, the bad guys come after her and the other members of the team. Meanwhile terrorists are being shot in various cities, and in every place there is a calendar with October 31st circled. There are only a few days left to figure out what is going on and how bad the threat is.Can you read this without having read the rest of the series? Yes, but it is not recommended. The characters have been so beautifully developed over the course of the series, as has their story. Reading the rest of the books first will give this one much greater depth. If you do read this one first anyway, it will still be a good suspense novel. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member CKGS
In the last book, Shoot to Thrill, Grace MacBride goes sailing off into the sunset with retired FBI agent John Smith. Grace, after years of looking over her shoulder for serial killers, is getting used to the freedom of this new life with no schedules and no killers.
Nothing lasts forever.
The boat
Annie, Roadrunner, and Harley Davidson are back as well as homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth in another crime solving case in the sixth book in the Monkeewrench series. I enjoy this series and look forward to reading more about the Monkeewrench gang.
Nothing lasts forever.
The boat
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is boarded in the middle of the night by two men with flashlights who try to knife John. Grace’s past training comes in handy as Grace is forced to shoot them and toss them overboard. John and Grace conceal the murders as they quickly establish that someone is trying to kill John for continuing to work counterterrorism while retired. John goes into hiding while Grace goes back to her life in Minneapolis to get help from her Monkeewrench associates to find who is trying to kill John. Annie, Roadrunner, and Harley Davidson are back as well as homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth in another crime solving case in the sixth book in the Monkeewrench series. I enjoy this series and look forward to reading more about the Monkeewrench gang.
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LibraryThing member SharronA
OFF THE GRID was a tense and tightly-wound story. The beginning was puzzling as the authors jumped from location to location, among sub-groups of important and minor characters. The elements of terrorism seemed real enough to inspire great discomfort. Could this really happen? Could it BE
Even so, the "surprise" ending was no surprise at all. Perhaps because I'd jotted down character names, sorting them into similar groups (Monkeewrench staff, law enforcement, and a few others I won't name) I saw a plot thread developing that wasn't meant to be revealed until the end.
Engaging characters, fast-paced action, and a logical progression of events combined to make this a very enjoyable book. I've already started collecting the previous five in the series so I can read them in order.
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HAPPENING?Even so, the "surprise" ending was no surprise at all. Perhaps because I'd jotted down character names, sorting them into similar groups (Monkeewrench staff, law enforcement, and a few others I won't name) I saw a plot thread developing that wasn't meant to be revealed until the end.
Engaging characters, fast-paced action, and a logical progression of events combined to make this a very enjoyable book. I've already started collecting the previous five in the series so I can read them in order.
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LibraryThing member KayeBarley
after being a little disappointed in the last P.J. Tracy, I now feel like they're right back on track and possibly even better than ever! We learned a little more about the Monkeewrench members in this one, which I loved. and I have to say - I read it straight through because I could not put it
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down. It was suspenseful and it was heartwarming and it was heartbreaking. Highly recommended! Show Less
LibraryThing member sfeggers
I was so excited when I learned this book was coming! Unfortunately, I found it disappointing after having read and enjoyed the first five in the series. I agree with other reviewers in that this book felt put together in a much looser and slapdash way. Our beloved Monkeewrench gang seems
I enjoyed the Chief and Claude and would like to see them again but doubt it, considering how other peripheral characters have come and gone.
Although I wouldn't have skipped this because I like the main characters so much, I do feel a bit cheated now that I am done because the book felt very short and shallow compared to the previous ones in the series. I can only hope the authors get back on track next time or I may have to give up on them.
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peripheral to the storyline. SPOILER: The battle at the end seems to happen without happening, without details. The main characters get ready, they wait and it's over. Huh? I do wonder if it is fleshed out more in the final print edition of the book.I enjoyed the Chief and Claude and would like to see them again but doubt it, considering how other peripheral characters have come and gone.
Although I wouldn't have skipped this because I like the main characters so much, I do feel a bit cheated now that I am done because the book felt very short and shallow compared to the previous ones in the series. I can only hope the authors get back on track next time or I may have to give up on them.
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LibraryThing member Camellia1
It's been quite a while since the last book in the series came out, so I was thrilled when I learned I'd be receiving this from the Early Reviewers program. However, when I read the book, it was a bit of a let down. This book seemed to spend a lot more time with the police and FBI rather than the
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Monkeewrench people, and they've always been my favorite part of these books. Grace especially was missing for most of the story. If this had been the first Monkeewrench book I picked up, I don't think I'd have read any of the others, as it is, I'll cross my fingers and hope there'll be another one, with less of a police focus, sometime soon. Show Less
LibraryThing member Readanon
Well-written, interesting characters. While I am not normally a fan of books with plots about terrorists, this book kept my attention throughout. I have only read one other book by these authors, but I think I will have to go back and catch up, as the core characters seem to all have intriguing
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back-stories and I'd like to learn more about them and how they came to be where they are. I look forward to reading more Monkeewrench books. Show Less
LibraryThing member dhaupt
In total uncharacteristic style Monkeewrench partner Grace McBride traded in her usual armor of boots, black and guns for attire more appropriate for sailing off the Florida Keys where she ended up after solving a case and taking former FBI agent John Smith up on his offer. But just when she’s
About the same time back in Minneapolis homicide detectives Magozzi and Rolseth are investigating the murder of a Native American girl who was kidnapped from the reservation, which leads to rescue of the other girls kidnapped with her who are found hidden in the house where a double murder has been committed, soon after another blood bath occurs which has the cops scrambling and the FBI not far behind.
With John Smith “Off The Grid” and Grace back at the Monkeewrench headquarters leading the charge to find out what’s going on, things are back to normal after her months at sea, back with her associates and her conflicting relationship with Leo Magozzi. The investigation is telling them that these incidents are related and there’s a much bigger threat on the horizon and the connecting dots are all leading back to John Smith, which puts the Monkeewrench team smack dab in the middle of the bulls eye.
The mother/daughter writing team that makes P.J. Tracy produces one of the most exciting, entertaining and terrifying series of crime drama out there and this is one of their best. This novel deals with real threats we’re under today and they’ve dealt with it in their usual irreverent style. Their dialogue is fast paced, nail biting action that took my heartbeat from zero to sixty that’s a mix of intense drama and humor. Their starring characters of Monkeewrench are a group of misfits that made a family from tragedy that always win my heart, along with the cop duo of Magozzi and Rolseth that are a fitting tribute to all they represent. Their villains are some of the most terrifying and degraded I’ve ever read.
So if you’re looking for an exceptional crime drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat this should be your next must read.
P.J. Tracy thank you for this incredible journey and I can’t wait for the next one.
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feeling safe danger appears in the form of assassins targeting John.About the same time back in Minneapolis homicide detectives Magozzi and Rolseth are investigating the murder of a Native American girl who was kidnapped from the reservation, which leads to rescue of the other girls kidnapped with her who are found hidden in the house where a double murder has been committed, soon after another blood bath occurs which has the cops scrambling and the FBI not far behind.
With John Smith “Off The Grid” and Grace back at the Monkeewrench headquarters leading the charge to find out what’s going on, things are back to normal after her months at sea, back with her associates and her conflicting relationship with Leo Magozzi. The investigation is telling them that these incidents are related and there’s a much bigger threat on the horizon and the connecting dots are all leading back to John Smith, which puts the Monkeewrench team smack dab in the middle of the bulls eye.
The mother/daughter writing team that makes P.J. Tracy produces one of the most exciting, entertaining and terrifying series of crime drama out there and this is one of their best. This novel deals with real threats we’re under today and they’ve dealt with it in their usual irreverent style. Their dialogue is fast paced, nail biting action that took my heartbeat from zero to sixty that’s a mix of intense drama and humor. Their starring characters of Monkeewrench are a group of misfits that made a family from tragedy that always win my heart, along with the cop duo of Magozzi and Rolseth that are a fitting tribute to all they represent. Their villains are some of the most terrifying and degraded I’ve ever read.
So if you’re looking for an exceptional crime drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat this should be your next must read.
P.J. Tracy thank you for this incredible journey and I can’t wait for the next one.
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LibraryThing member ReginaR
Monkeewrench is one of my favorite lite murder mystery series. It is funny, has engaging characters that I care about and which actually change over the course of the books, and the mysteries are not overly gruesome but are interesting. The series is written by a mother daughter team and typically
The book starts off with a literal bang. Book #5 ended with a complete game changer. Grace decides to make some improvements in her life and she leaves. I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't read #5, so I will just say -- she leaves at the end of #5 and #6 starts off with Grace's new life. But like the entire Monkeewrench series, Grace can't escape from murder and mayhem and so she is immediately fighting for her life and plotting to save the world. Off the Grid is fast paced and changes back and forth between the various characters that make up the series. There is the typical humorous exchanges with Leo and Magozzi. The impressive wardrobe changes of Annie and the funny comments and antics of Harley.
In Off the Grid, the entire gang is on the run (eventually). I enjoyed the change of location but ..... I didn't buy into the mystery. I am not going to spoil the what and the who of the story, but I will say I just don't believe in the threat and the scariness to the level it happens in Off the Grid. And yes, I know this is fiction but it was distracting to me. I am guessing it is hard to come up with complicated murder story lines that continue to affect the same characters and need to be solved by computer hackers. These authors have carried this storyline off successfully for multiple books. and they continue to be enjoyable.
So in the end Off the Grid was fun and enjoyable. A definite 3 star book. Nothing to get excited about, but for fans of the series it shouldn't be missed.
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most books are situated in Minnesota or northern Wisconsin. Being from the midwest, I love the setting. I can relate to it. Off the Grid is a book that I read, even though I had listened to the audio versions for the first five in this book. And I wish I had waited to listen to the audio book of Off the Grid. I think it is difficult to switch mid-series to print if it is started in audio. Having written that, I will say that I enjoyed the first 1/2 of Off the Grid immensely. I think I even enjoyed it more than the earlier books in this series that I listened to. The book starts off with a literal bang. Book #5 ended with a complete game changer. Grace decides to make some improvements in her life and she leaves. I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't read #5, so I will just say -- she leaves at the end of #5 and #6 starts off with Grace's new life. But like the entire Monkeewrench series, Grace can't escape from murder and mayhem and so she is immediately fighting for her life and plotting to save the world. Off the Grid is fast paced and changes back and forth between the various characters that make up the series. There is the typical humorous exchanges with Leo and Magozzi. The impressive wardrobe changes of Annie and the funny comments and antics of Harley.
In Off the Grid, the entire gang is on the run (eventually). I enjoyed the change of location but ..... I didn't buy into the mystery. I am not going to spoil the what and the who of the story, but I will say I just don't believe in the threat and the scariness to the level it happens in Off the Grid. And yes, I know this is fiction but it was distracting to me. I am guessing it is hard to come up with complicated murder story lines that continue to affect the same characters and need to be solved by computer hackers. These authors have carried this storyline off successfully for multiple books. and they continue to be enjoyable.
So in the end Off the Grid was fun and enjoyable. A definite 3 star book. Nothing to get excited about, but for fans of the series it shouldn't be missed.
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LibraryThing member SandyLee
When we left Grace MacBride in the last book, she had sailed off with a retired FBI agent in order to find some stability in her life. But men board the sailboat in the middle of the night to try to kill agent John Smith. Puzzling murders take place in Minneapolis and Detectives Leo Magozzi and
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Gino Rolseth attempt to link the murders to the kidnapping of a number of young Native American girls. Grace realizes whoever is after Smith might try to target anyone who knows him, which means the Monkeywrench crew is in danger. Grace heads back home and John Smith goes into hiding as the Monkeywrench crew tries to find out why a retired FBI agent is being targeted. Grace has to face the fact that no matter how much she had wanted to lead a normal life, it just isn’t in her cards. As part of Monkeywrench her life will always be anything but normal. I was thrilled that Leo and Grace are reunited and Leo appears relieved that nothing happened between Grace and John. Things culminate on a reservation in Michigan and the Natives help Monkeywrench fight the terrorists. Top notch writing and a great cast of characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
Two Evils, (also known as Off the Grid – a title that makes much more sense) is the sixth installment of mother and daughter writing team, P.J. Tracy’s ‘Monkeewrench’ series featuring Grace McBride and her team of eccentric computer software developers who regularly find themselves
Homicide Detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are baffled by a spate of murders in an area of Minneapolis known as Little Mogadishu. At first glance the cases seem unrelated except for a single piece of evidence found at each crime scene, a date, October 31st, circled in red. In the midst of the busy investigation Grace McBride appears after a three month absence asking Magozzi for a favour, one that eventually exposes a shocking plan of nation-wide violence.
Two Evils combines police procedural with action, mystery and a touch of romance. Though the plot is fairly predictable, seemingly separate cases merge in a clever manner to reveal a complex network of terrorists, vigilantes and law enforcement. Tension swirls around the main plot but really comes into its own in the climax, though I thought the ending a bit abrupt, even if the epilogue provides a nice little twist. There were moments I felt the plot was marred by the inexplicable behaviours of some of its characters – for example an experienced retired FBI agent who runs into a forest filled with enemy snipers targeting him.
It was quickly obvious that I was missing a great deal of background that would have connected me to the characters in this story. Grace has a complicated personal background, she and Magozzi have some sort of history and the Monkeewrench team are computer geeks but with a handy cache of weapons available at short notice. Unfamiliar with the finer nuances of personality and relationships, I wasn’t very invested in their story which detracted from my interest overall.
I don’t think Two Evils is the book to start with if you haven’t read any of the previous installments. This series seems to require an investment in the characters to complement the plot and without it unfortunately falls fairly flat.
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embroiled in murder and mayhem, assisting the Minneapolis PD.Homicide Detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are baffled by a spate of murders in an area of Minneapolis known as Little Mogadishu. At first glance the cases seem unrelated except for a single piece of evidence found at each crime scene, a date, October 31st, circled in red. In the midst of the busy investigation Grace McBride appears after a three month absence asking Magozzi for a favour, one that eventually exposes a shocking plan of nation-wide violence.
Two Evils combines police procedural with action, mystery and a touch of romance. Though the plot is fairly predictable, seemingly separate cases merge in a clever manner to reveal a complex network of terrorists, vigilantes and law enforcement. Tension swirls around the main plot but really comes into its own in the climax, though I thought the ending a bit abrupt, even if the epilogue provides a nice little twist. There were moments I felt the plot was marred by the inexplicable behaviours of some of its characters – for example an experienced retired FBI agent who runs into a forest filled with enemy snipers targeting him.
It was quickly obvious that I was missing a great deal of background that would have connected me to the characters in this story. Grace has a complicated personal background, she and Magozzi have some sort of history and the Monkeewrench team are computer geeks but with a handy cache of weapons available at short notice. Unfamiliar with the finer nuances of personality and relationships, I wasn’t very invested in their story which detracted from my interest overall.
I don’t think Two Evils is the book to start with if you haven’t read any of the previous installments. This series seems to require an investment in the characters to complement the plot and without it unfortunately falls fairly flat.
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LibraryThing member AnnieMod
The first few of the Monkeewrench Novels were different from what you would find in the genre and that was what made it possible to overlook most of the issues with them. Then the 5th one sounded as anything any other series can contain. Unfortunately the 6th keeps this trend.
It's not a bad novel
When you read thrillers, a suspension of disbelief is a normal thing. But in this case some of the actions are taken to a level where even that does not help (our guys always being where they can influence the outcome?). I realize that there would not have been a book otherwise but it still gets a bit annoying when badly executed.
I am not sure that I will even bother to check the next book in the series if there is one - the magic in the series is just gone...
It's not a bad novel
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- it is high-speed, fast moving story that is good on its own but without the back story, the characters are underdeveloped and boring... and when you throw the back story into the mix, things just do not work as well as it might have - and the characters sound almost foreign compared to what they used to be in the first 4 booksWhen you read thrillers, a suspension of disbelief is a normal thing. But in this case some of the actions are taken to a level where even that does not help (our guys always being where they can influence the outcome?). I realize that there would not have been a book otherwise but it still gets a bit annoying when badly executed.
I am not sure that I will even bother to check the next book in the series if there is one - the magic in the series is just gone...
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LibraryThing member toades
I have enjoyed all the Monkeewrench Novels, and this one was no different. The only thing I noted was that the gang was not the major part of the story line, and I missed that. I did find the epiloge quite surprising, it was something I hadn't expected. I still look forward to any story put out the
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the authors under P. J. Tracy. Show Less
LibraryThing member marsap
The 6th book in the Monkeewrentch series, the reader finds Grace McBride on a sailboat off the Florida coast, involved in an an assassination attempt on retired FBI agent John Smith (from Monkeewrentch #5). A few hours later, in Minneapolis, a fifteen-year-old Native American girl is discovered in
Monkeewrench series is one of my favorite murder mystery series. I found this book fast paced, with some great twists and turns. I enjoyed the change of location -- Northwest Minnesota and a Native American reservation but was a little disappointed that the Monkeewrentch gang was less involved in the plot--most of the plot focussed on Magozzi and Rolseth. Still, enjoyed the plot and the series. A 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.
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a vacant lot with her throat slashed. Later that day, two young Somali men are found in their home a few blocks away, killed execution-style. The next morning, the dead bodies of three more Somali men turn up murdered in the same neighborhood. Detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are involved in all 3 cases and find that Minneapolis is not the only place this is happening. Before it’s all over, Grace and the Dectectives and the Monkeewrench gang find themselves in the middle of all this violence on a remote northern Minnesota reservation, fighting for their lives. Monkeewrench series is one of my favorite murder mystery series. I found this book fast paced, with some great twists and turns. I enjoyed the change of location -- Northwest Minnesota and a Native American reservation but was a little disappointed that the Monkeewrentch gang was less involved in the plot--most of the plot focussed on Magozzi and Rolseth. Still, enjoyed the plot and the series. A 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member realfish
This is the sixth book in the Monkeewrench series by mother - daughter team PJ Tracy. I have read the first three books in the series so was looking forward to getting back into the series. The book opens with multiple and I do mean multiple killings in Minneapolis. Looking into the murders,
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detectives discover similar murders in other cities across the US. Thus the plot thickens. The Monkeewrench group gets involved, although they are almost periphery to the story. As with the other books in the series, the authors take you on a roller coaster ride with memorable characters and numerous plot twists. If you enjoy fast paced stories with interesting characters and plenty of intrigue, I think you would enjoy this book as well as the entire Monkeewrench series. Show Less
LibraryThing member tomesofthesoul
I'm a big fan of the Monkeewrench series by PJ Tracy and Monkeewrench #6 - Two Evils (or Off the Grid for US readers) is the latest installment. We find Grace relaxed for the first time in a long time, wearing a dress and enjoying the high seas with ex-FBI agent John Smith. However their peaceful
A big part of the Monkeewrench series is the suspense in each book, and whilst Two Evils has some great moments of suspense, there isn't that same build up of tension that you find particularly in the first few books. That being said, the book was well written and the moments of suspense that were present had me on the edge of my seat. The plot was very good, with enough complexity to keep me guessing, though the final 'encounter' was a bit anti-climatic with very little action. I especially liked the sub-plot between Grace and Magozzi, and am looking forward to it being explored more in the next novel.
Overall a good solid, enjoyable read which will appeal to both fans of the series and new readers.
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existence is shattered when two men board their boat late on night and try to kill John. We later find out that John has been monitoring the internet for terrorist groups and accidentally stumbled upon a Halloween terror plot.A big part of the Monkeewrench series is the suspense in each book, and whilst Two Evils has some great moments of suspense, there isn't that same build up of tension that you find particularly in the first few books. That being said, the book was well written and the moments of suspense that were present had me on the edge of my seat. The plot was very good, with enough complexity to keep me guessing, though the final 'encounter' was a bit anti-climatic with very little action. I especially liked the sub-plot between Grace and Magozzi, and am looking forward to it being explored more in the next novel.
Overall a good solid, enjoyable read which will appeal to both fans of the series and new readers.
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Original publication date
2012
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Pages
368