Librarian Tim Recommends: Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff (YA Ruff)

Jane Charlotte is arrested for murder in Las Vegas. She admits to the killing, but claims that it was in the process of an investigation she was taking part in on behalf of the secret evil fighting organization called Bad Monkeys. A police psychologist is called in to see if she is telling the truth or is merely delusional. She recounts the story of her wild child life, before being recruited to join the organization and her adventures with the Bad Monkeys. The book starts out slowly, but builds to a fever pitch of crosses and double crosses. There's an admirable mix of science fiction, superhero fantasy and spy thrillers at work here, but Ruff gets a little too tricky for his own good in the book's frenetic final third. Still, those who are willing to suspend belief for a good yarn may enjoy.

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