When I was listening to the Fictional Hangover Podcast last year, the hosts gave me a shoutout to entice me to read This Body’s Not Big Enough for Both of Us by Edgar Cantero – the book they were talking about. I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t have been happier to hear them talk about me and the Adapt Me Podcast. See to the end of this review for a special announcement with the Fictional Hangover Podcast. Anyway, I finally got around to reading it, and I can see why they love it. It’s one of the most insane stories I’ve ever read with some of the craziest characters in it while doing a great job satirizing the noir genre.
This Body’s Not Big Enough for Both of Us is about twin detectives who solve a case in the most subversive way possible. I usually would write my own summary of the story, but it’s so mind-blowing that I can’t do it justice. I’ll let the one from Goodreads take it from here.
“In a dingy office in Fisherman’s Wharf, the glass panel in the door bears the names of A. Kimrean and Z. Kimrean. Private Eyes. Behind the door there is only one desk, one chair, one scrawny androgynous P.I. in a tank top and skimpy waistcoat. A.Z., as they are collectively known, are twin brother and sister. He’s pure misanthropic logic, she’s wild hedonistic creativity. A.Z. have been locked in mortal battle since they were in utero…which is tricky because they, very literally, share one single body. That’s right. One body, two pilots. The mystery and absurdity of how Kimrean functions, and how they subvert every plotline, twist, explosion, and gunshot–and confuse every cop, neckless thug, cartel boss, ninja, and femme fatale–in the book is pure Cantero magic.
Someone is murdering the sons of the ruthless drug cartel boss known as the Lyon in the biggest baddest town in California–San Carnal. The notorious A.Z. Kimrean must go to the sin-soaked, palm-tree-lined streets of San Carnal, infiltrate the Lyon’s inner circle, and find out who is targeting his heirs, and while they are at it, rescue an undercover cop in too deep, deal with a plucky young stowaway, and stop a major gang war from engulfing California. They’ll face every plot device and break every rule Elmore Leonard wrote before they can crack the case, if they don’t kill each other (themselves) first.”
The main hook for this novel is a set of chimera twins – Adrian and Zooey Kimrean. They are chaotic in the best way possible. The most accurate way to describe them is that Adrian is totally left brain (all logic, but little emotion like Sherlock Holmes) and Zooey is completely right brain (social and creative, but unfocused and hypersexual). Yet, they are in the same body and are private investigators. They fight and somehow work together. Also, they have a lot of funny lines. It’s hard to choose which ones are the funniest. All I have to do is crack open to a page, and there’s bound to be at least one witty saying. Kimrean is truly bananas.
In addition, Cantero does a fantastic job with satirizing the noir genre. From the very beginning, I could tell that he knew it from the inside out. The opening paragraph had me in stitches with how he overdescribes the weather. Kimrean acknowledges and makes fun of other noir tropes like the narration and the femme fatale, the latter especially with the young girl Ursula who accompanies them. It reminded me of the Guy Noir segments of the Prairie Home Companion radio series but more unhinged.
Even with all of the comedy, the novel manages to take the mystery seriously. The case is engaging, and it had me guessing on who murdered Victor Lyon’s sons until the reveal came. I love how Kimrean constantly jumps to conclusions as to who did it, and when they do find out, they are like, “That was my third choice.”
Moreover, I was surprised at how the novel takes other aspects seriously. I adore the relationship between Kimrean and Ursula. The 11-year-old forms a strong attachment to Zooey while resenting Adrian at the same time. The big speech Zooey makes to Ursula was beautiful and powerful that wasn’t undercut by any jokes. Cantero knew when and when not to insert jokes in the story.
I’ll admit that this is not for everyone. Not every reader is going to be into the dry humor or will be on board for the fast pace the novel goes at. Furthermore, not all will like Kimrean. They’re essentially Jekyll and Hyde with a lot more booze and sex. Even other characters in the book acknowledge this.
This Body’s Not Big Enough for Both of Us by Edgar Cantero is an unabashedly chaotic novel in the best way possible. Adrian and Zooey Kimrean are a delectable hot fudge sundae. They’re good once in a while, but I wouldn’t recommend having it every day. They also make a remarkably great P.I. But, it’s not just them that make this book work. Its send up of the noir detective genre is spot on, and it takes the mystery and important story beats seriously. I would recommend to those who love the noir genre as well as authors like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. It may not be everyone, yet give it a chance, it’s totally worth the read.
Before I go, I want to let everyone know that I recorded the latest episode of the Adapt Me Podcast. Returning guests Amanda and Claire from the Fictional Hangover Podcast and I will talk about how we would adapt this novel, answer some “Would You Rather” questions, and our favorite Pop Tarts. Keep an eye out for the link this week.
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Book Reviews by a Chick Who Reads Everything 