Sunday, November 28, 2010

"Don't Sweat The Small Stuff"

Don Bruns is a musician, songwriter, advertising executive, and award-winning novelist. His "Stuff" series includes Stuff to Die For, Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, and Stuff to Spy For.

He applied the Page 69 Test to the latest book in the series, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, and reported the following:
Take a carnival whose rides come off the tracks, a petting zoo owned by a midget named Winston Pugh (Winnie Pugh's Petting Zoo) who is being sued by Disney for trademark infringement, two twenty four year old guys in Miami who are hired to investigate the carnival and a big English sheep dog named Garcia and you've got Don't Sweat The Small Stuff.

It's a funny mystery novel that involves a very scary ride called the Dragon Tail. Skip and James are both scared to death of carnies and the rides and page 69 points right in that direction. The two carnies who run the Tail decide to let Skip and James get a 'feel' for the big attraction.
"You all should probably take a spin so you'll know what it feels like. Charlie and I had to ride it a couple of times."

James gave Bo a weak smile. "Nah, that's not part of the deal. All we need to do is operate if for a couple of rides."

"No, you need to ride the tail, Jim." Bo wasn't making any points. James hated the name Jim.

"Don't need to."

"Well, Jim, if you're gonna run this ride, then you're gonna ride the tail!"
The ride does not go well.

Learn more about the book and author at Don Bruns' website.

Check out the complete list of books in the Page 69 Test Series.

--Marshal Zeringue