This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us

A Novel

By: Edgar Cantero

Narrated by: January LaVoy

"Joss Whedon...can't possibly write All The Things That Are Kind of Like This. So hallelujah that Edgar Cantero - a Barcelona native whose first language is Spanish, but who spits pop-culture in English like the savviest geek in, say, Sheboygan posting on Tumblr - is writing some of them." (The Austin Chronicle)

From the New York Times best-selling author of Meddling Kids comes a mind-blowing, gender-bending, genre-smashing romp through the entire pantheon of action and noir. It is also a bold, tautly crafted novel about family, being weird, and claiming your place in your own crazy story.

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. The Kimreans 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.

This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us is a brilliantly subversive and comic thriller celebrating noir detectives, Die Hard, Fast & Furious, and the worst case of sibling rivalry, that can only come from the mind of Edgar Cantero.

©2018 Edgar Cantero (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Cantero is exercising a lot of genre tropes in [Meddling Kids] - although not as psychedelically as he does in...the private-eye-skewering, gender-confounding This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us - and the exercise pays off in satisfying dividends. Especially because Joss Whedon, you know? Because Joss Whedon is, after all, only a single human being, and thus can’t possibly write All The Things That Are Kind Of Like This. So hallelujah that Edgar Cantero - a Barcelona native whose first language is Spanish, but who spits pop-culture in English like the savviest geek in, say, Sheboygan posting on Tumblr - is writing some of them.” (The Austin Chronicle)

“[A] winning spoof…Literary references (Bret Easton Ellis, John Grisham, and Ayn Rand in one sentence), clever quips (“an arrogance of college jocks”), and bad puns (a carpenter who loses his tools is a “saw loser”) keep the pages turning. Few will be able to resist Cantero’s broad, quirky humor.” (Publishers Weekly)

"In A.Z. Kimrean, Cantero has written the funniest private investigator this side of Peter Sellers. How can you not love the warring siblings, opposites in a single body, as they outwit everyone they meet? You will. You will love them." (Josh Malerman, New York Times best-selling author of Bird Box and Unbury Carol)

Witty, clever, funny, and unique!

This Body's Not Big Enough For The Both of Us by Edgar Cantero and narrated by January LaVoy is a snarky, witty, clever, and funny book! The opening prologue had me laughing but confused at first. Was this person mentally ill or what? Then as the book started it's explained that they are brother and sister joined together sharing a body and brain! It is hilarious! They are Private Investigators where the brother is calm natured and a genius Sherlock Holmes type. The sister is wild, sex crazed, and no control or filter! No one wants her on the cases but they all want the brother! This is one of these cases and I giggled all the way through it! It is funny, inappropriate at times that makes it even funnier, very witty, and full of action! Great characters and plot! I want more of this series! I hope he writes more of these PI siblings!
The narration was so good! It's not easy to do comedy and make it funny but she did! I think I enjoyed it more by hearing it from this narrator than if I had just read it myself.

Author often tells rather than shows

This story is very entertaining.
I like the plot, the characters, and the narration and background music add a lot of texture to the listening experience.
However, I think there’s an excess of descriptions that break up the narrative.
e.g. a lot of “… said character 1. Character two interjected,…” and “character 1 felt this way when they walked in the room looking like this.”

Solid fun romp

I enjoyed my time with this book. It’s a fun read with the audiobook. I would recommend this title to anyone looking for something fun and unique. The main character is a blast.

Edgar Cantero has really out done himself!

It really is a masterful and new way to do noir with a spin on it that brings of the different personality type and the question of sexuality in modern day. Not only it is fun and filled with comedy but, it has the kind of writing where you can not guess the next step.

A Strange trip

Edgar Cantero tells a very strange, yet hilarious and interesting story. This was my first attempt at a Cantero story and I don't think it'll be the last. It took some time to get used to and it took a bit of getting used to with the different points of view. However, it had some real good laugh out loud moments. It also had some great action and character development and growth. It's a strange story of two people inhabiting one body, and somehow it works.

January LaVoy did an awesome job with Kimrean and getting into both of their thoughts. She gets that whole east cost vibe down along with our criminals and other assorted cast.

I like this book. It's part satire, part thriller, mystery, noir fiction, and part nonsense. I don't think it's some sort of dissection of gender or anything that deep. On the surface sure, but really it ends there. It's a fun story with a set of quirky main characters who just happen to inhabit the same body.

very entertaining title

a really fun listen. completely not what I was expecting. if you like laughing you'll love this

Fast Paced and Keeps You Guessing Till the End

First dive into the mystery genre and I loved it. A must read for sure.

Delightful quirky thriller

A rompy send-up of hard-boiled detective fiction that also succeeds admirably as just straight-ahead hard-boiled detective fiction. It commits to its odd premise in a very satisfying way.

I'd also add that January LaVoy is now my favorite narrator on Audible. Well, ok, tied for first place with Gildart Jackson.

Fantastic in every way!

The voice acting is superb. It felt like a movie rather than a book. Magnificent!

Taking the bass for a walk

The music accompanying the story really sets this thing off. I love Cantero’s writing and I can’t wait to read more from him. Fantastic!