Book cover of Crashed: A Junior Bender Mystery

Book description

Quick-talking burglar Junior Bender gets blackmailed into starting a new career as a private investigator for crooks in this hilarious Hollywood mystery
 
Junior Bender, a burglar with a magic touch, is being blackmailed into taking on a new freelance job. One of LA’s biggest crime bosses is producing a porn…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Crashed as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I like the protagonist—burglar Junior Bender. He’s a good-hearted crook who finds himself entangled in strange situations that are often laugh-out-loud funny. I appreciate that he isn’t just another amoral crook but has his own moral code that fits his lifestyle and profession.

In addition, although he’s a fairly successful thief, he manages to do some pretty inept things, which only add to his likeability. I’ve read books in several other series by this author and find them consistently amusing. 

From Charlotte's list on relieving stress with a little humor.

This is the first in another series by this author, which I also love. This time, the main character is both highly engaging and unusual—Junior Bender is a burglar, a successful one, who has time to act as a fixer or investigator for other criminals. Inevitably, this puts him in danger, and the plots involve his own exploits and those on behalf of others.

It is a premise that works so well and is enhanced by this author’s excellent writing and a thread of humor.

From Patrick's list on surprisingly unconventional crime.

If you love Crashed...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Crashed?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 95 books like Crashed.

Browse books like Crashed

Book cover of The Spellman Files
Book cover of The Last Policeman
Book cover of Killed at the Whim of a Hat

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,298

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Crashed, you might also like...

Book cover of Karl's War

Karl's War by Neil Spark,

Karl's War is a coming-of-age-meets-thriller set in Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power. Karl – a reluctant poster boy for the Nazis – meets Jewish Ben and his world is up-turned.

Ben and his family flee to France. Karl joins the German army but deserts and finds…

Book cover of Girl in the Ashes

Girl in the Ashes by Douglas Weissman,

Odette Lefebvre is a serial killer stalking the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris and must confront both the evils of those she murders and the darkness of her own past.

This young woman's childhood trauma shapes her complex journey through World War II France, where she walks a razor's edge…

5 book lists we think you will like!