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Most Helpful Favorable Review
11 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Another fun Evanovich read
Plum Spooky has a good plot and had me scared for Stephanie at times. It also had me laughing like all good Plums will do. :) I recommend this book.
posted by joannelan on January 5, 2009
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18 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
I thought it couldn't get worse...
I used to love these books. Numbers 9 through 12 were increasingly good. Then Janet Evanovich started writing two books a year... the 'between the numbers' books and the regular numbered books.. and the quality started suffering.
Firs...
I used to love these books. Numbers 9 through 12 were increasingly good. Then Janet Evanovich started writing two books a year... the 'between the numbers' books and the regular numbered books.. and the quality started suffering.
First let me say that I don't like the between the numbers books anyway. The first book one was a Christmas book that came out after book 8 and I thought it was the worst book in the series until 13 and 14 came out, those were worse. The holiday books don't add to the story and the last thing this series needed was MORE filler and ANOTHER leg on the tired triangle. I don't understand the point of them. I guess Evanovich wanted to jump on the paranormal bandwagon but why not start a new series? The paranormal unmentionable element doesn't fit in these books and reading them is confusing.
In this book Stephanie is after a super genius who stole an magnetometer from his boss who later turns out dead. Diesel is a paranormal "unmentionable" with special abilities who is after him. The plot of this book is built around stupid. What happened to the witty dialogue and funny because it's true situations? Now she's relying on slapstick like a bad home videos clip show. Monkeys? Oh Janet.....what is the matter with you?
I am also sick and tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Morelli has the same lines book after book and those lines aren't even interesting. Diesel is using all of Ranger's lines from past books which is irritating because Diesel is no Ranger. Does Evanovich really think her audience is so stupid they'll fall for any guy with a penis? Apparently she does because all Stephanie does now is talk about sex and naked guys and what her doodah is doing. Stephanie is no longer the character I would like to be "when I grow up", she's the loud co-worker two cubicles over you wish would just shut up already. Annoying and whiny. I can't remember what I loved about these books anymore. How could something so good end up being so bad? Where was her editor when this happened?
posted by 747380 on January 1, 2009
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I thought it couldn't get worse...
...I was wrong.<BR/><BR/>I used to love these books. Numbers 9 through 12 were increasingly good. Then Janet Evanovich started writing two books a year... the 'between the numbers' books and the regular numbered books.. and the quality started suffering.<BR/><BR/>First let me say that I don't like the between the numbers books anyway. The first book one was a Christmas book that came out after book 8 and I thought it was the worst book in the series until 13 and 14 came out, those were worse. The holiday books don't add to the story and the last thing this series needed was MORE filler and ANOTHER leg on the tired triangle. I don't understand the point of them. I guess Evanovich wanted to jump on the paranormal bandwagon but why not start a new series? The paranormal unmentionable element doesn't fit in these books and reading them is confusing. <BR/><BR/>In this book Stephanie is after a super genius who stole an magnetometer from his boss who later turns out dead. Diesel is a paranormal "unmentionable" with special abilities who is after him. The plot of this book is built around stupid. What happened to the witty dialogue and funny because it's true situations? Now she's relying on slapstick like a bad home videos clip show. Monkeys? Oh Janet.....what is the matter with you?<BR/><BR/>I am also sick and tired of reading the same thing over and over again. Morelli has the same lines book after book and those lines aren't even interesting. Diesel is using all of Ranger's lines from past books which is irritating because Diesel is no Ranger. Does Evanovich really think her audience is so stupid they'll fall for any guy with a penis? Apparently she does because all Stephanie does now is talk about sex and naked guys and what her doodah is doing. Stephanie is no longer the character I would like to be "when I grow up", she's the loud co-worker two cubicles over you wish would just shut up already. Annoying and whiny. I can't remember what I loved about these books anymore. How could something so good end up being so bad? Where was her editor when this happened?
18 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 7, 2009
Sad. So very, very sad.
With a sticker price of almost $29 and even with a discount price of almost $16, Plum Spooky is another waste of money.<BR/><BR/>I received this book as a gift from a loved one. I do not feel that I need to rehash the plot, storyline or characters in this review as it will be much of a repeat of what you will read in other reviews, both good and bad.<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, Janet Evanovich no longer writes a book that is filled with wonderful text. Of course, they are fiction. I know all this. It is not a biography. They are sold in the mystery section. <BR/><BR/>The Plum series used to be fun books. Wonderful to read. Deserved to be read many times. They were purchased. They were keepers. I loved them. This series of books had many dog-eared pages from being lovingly read many times.<BR/><BR/>This book is another episode of the three stooges, running amok in the world of Plum.<BR/><BR/>So she took us to the Pine Barrens. I¿m from New Jersey. I know the Pine Barrens. In real life they are really scary. The people that ¿live¿ there are really scary.<BR/><BR/>Janet could have used the Pine Barrens wisely in this book. She didn¿t. The ¿stranger than life¿ people that actually do live there should be insulted by this portrayal.<BR/><BR/>The villain in this book, Gerwulf? Pfft. He¿s no Abruzzi, Ramirez or Cone. <BR/><BR/>Carl the monkey? Thought you had enough of him in Fearless Fourteen? Well, he¿s baaaaack. Not just Carl, but a whole lot of monkeys.<BR/><BR/>Lula, Tank, Hal¿¿.Holy, cow! What the heck happened to them?<BR/><BR/>It is a sad, sad day when an author who gave us the Plum series has to issue a book filled with monkeys and characters that revel in gross bodily functions.<BR/><BR/>To me, Plum used to represent a 300 plus page book filled with wonderful characters, heart pounding fear, laugh out loud till I cried moments, fantastic one-liners from Stephanie, Lula, Ranger, Vinnie, Connie, and Morelli. Words like edgy, sexy, funny, witty, sharp, thrilling, and emotional filled my mind as I read.<BR/><BR/>There needs to be new section designated at the book stores for this book. Silly nonsense.<BR/><BR/>Some idiot stole the names of Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli, Grandma Mazur, Lula, Tank and many others I recognize and plopped them into 309 pages of tripe. Garbage.<BR/><BR/>You call this entertainment? From a NY Times bestselling author? I call it a rip-off.<BR/><BR/>Insulting. <BR/><BR/>And sad. Very, very sad.
12 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Plum Spooky JE you have to be joking!
What happened to the characters that we all fell in love with? Carl the Monkey, give me a break. The first twelve were the best of the series. But either Janet has lost touch with them or someone else is writing for her. I feel like I have supported you and bought all the books, but I will not be buying PS. In my personal opinion Twelve Sharp was the best in the series. Janet needs to get back to that style of writing. It was a great book. And what's up with fifteen being called Finger Lickin' you have to be joking. I know there had to be a better name than that, you must have picked it out of a hat. As for buying fifteen, I'll wait to see what some of the reviews are before I send more money your way. Don't get me wrong I love Steph and the gang, but she has ruined them.
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Another fun Evanovich read
I just finished Plum Spooky and liked it very much. This is the first full length between the numbers, book. Now that the between the number books will be full length I feel like I am getting my moneys worth. I did not like how small they use to be. I do not like Diesel all that much but I do like all the other characters in the Plum novels. We see many of them in Plum Spooky and a couple of new ones, including family members of Stephanie's boyfriend Morelli. I liked seeing into the interpersonal areas of Stephanie and Morelli's life that we don't usually get the chance to see, with so much going on in the numbered books. I like meeting new friends of Stephanie¿s and future family. It makes Stephanie seem so real. We know these people. With the between the number books we also get a chance to escape reality. I found Carl to be funny, and Tank and Lula to be a trip. Tank needs to run the other way if you ask me. :) Hopefully Lula will take a page from Stephanie and Morelli's life and get a clue about how a good couple should be and how a healthy relationship functions. Wait, this is Lula, she does everything to the extreme. Tank better hide his Applepuff. ;) <BR/><BR/>Plum Spooky has a good plot and had me scared for Stephanie at times. It also had me laughing like all good Plums will do. :) I recommend this book.
11 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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HEATHER-LAKE
Posted January 8, 2009
PLUM SPOOKY IS PLUM YUCKY!
COME ON JANET..WE'VE READ EM ALL AND ENJOYED THE 1ST 12 (1-12), THE BEST..THE NEW ONE IS MORE THAN JUST DISAPPOINTING..IT DOESN'T EVEN SEEM LIKE IT CAME FROM YOUR HAND.. THE ONLY REASON I DIDN'T GIVE THIS BOOK A HALF STAR OR A Z E R O, IS BECAUSE THE BARNES AND NOBLE SIGHT WOULDN'T LET ME DO THAT.. SHAME ON THEM BECAUSE THIS IS POOR..<BR/>AS AN AVID READER OF YOUR STEPHANIE PLUM SERIES, YOU TRULY NEED TO RE-CONNECT WITH THE CHARACTERS..VERY LITTLE CONTACT WITH THOSE WHO WE ALL LOVE THE MOST, MORELLI, RANGER, GRANDMA MAZUR, STEPH'S MOM & DAD..<BR/>YOU MAY WANT TO CONDSIDER CALLING ON YOUR READERS FOR IDEAS AND INSPIRATION, RATHER THAN THE PRIVILEDGE OF JUST "NAMING" YOUR NEW BOOK, BECAUSE, IF THIS IS ANY INDIACATION OF THE QUALITY OF WRITING, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A "FINGER LICKIN' FIFTEEN"!
10 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2009
Disappointed
Please get back to the characters that we love to read about - Ranger and Minelli and Stephanie and plots that have some substance. My friend and I both read this book and we DO NOT like Diesel - he's stupid and the book sadly lacked romance. I got tired of Chimps and especially one that gives everyone the finger. Stephanie lacked her usual "spazz" and electricity. I have been a big fan, but the books that deal with Desil I will not purchase to read after this.
Love your books, but not this one.7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2009
Half a Book
I agree with the others, the "half" books are not very good.<BR/>I love the numbered books, funny, interesting<BR/>I purchased all the "half" books "just because" they are part of Stephanie Plum, but to be honest, these stories do NOT engage me.<BR/>In all three of the half books, I have read only about half of the book and am so bored I just give up on it. My husband who loves all the other books, doesn't even bother after the first chapter. In fact, he said that 14 really wasn't very good and that the writer is worn out.<BR/>The worst part is that these skimpy rediculous boring stories cost way to much for what they are. <BR/>Janet 'come on...........do your publishers really need to get this garbage out of you or what???!!!?!
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2009
Plum Spooky is a good read, fun and spooky.
Plum Spooky is very enjoyable. I was lucky enough to read it already and although I don¿t generally like Diesel and the paranormal in-between stuff because it does not fit the plums, I did enjoy this one. (And thought Visions of Sugar Plums was cute) <BR/><BR/>I enjoy the normal characters in all the in-between books, like I do the regular numbered ones. Its just the unmentionable stuff of the in-between books that doesn¿t do it for me. However, in Plum Spooky there is more of the normal and the normal characters that we love. Maybe because it is a full size book we get more Plum like content in it. I enjoyed this about Plum Spooky. <BR/><BR/>Also, our favorite characters feel like they are falling into their proper established places. They fit their roles so the story does not feel forced and uncomfortable, like it sometimes did in some situations in past numbered books from this series. I am glad to see this and find it makes for a much more enjoyable free flowing read. <BR/><BR/>I have been enjoying the bits of growth we have been seeing in the last few Plum numbered books, and we see some more small bits of growth for Stephanie personally in Plum Spooky as well. Which is a nice treat for an in-between. We see little bits of Stephanie¿s relationships and how nicely established they have become and continue to become. Love, friendships, family, community etc. these relationships and Stephanie in relation to them are small parts of this book as well, which gives a sense of continuation between the numbered books and the in-between the numbered ones. These little bits bridge the two. It makes the in-between the numbers books¿ feel better connected to the series, I would say. <BR/><BR/>What was also great about this book is that the title Plum Spooky, is spot on. It is spooky!! I love that the Pine Barrens was used. However, just because it is spooky at times Janet still puts forth her unique style of humor and zaniness that the readers have come to love.<BR/><BR/>Any true fan of the Plum series and the characters the way Janet actually writes them, will probably like this book or will at least like our regular characters in it, and the spooky parts. Even if the concept of the in-between the number books has not been their cup of tea. At least in this one there is more of the ¿Normal¿ stuff and normal recognizable characters. <BR/><BR/>If the only issue for some was the concept of the in-betweens being paranormal and not fitting within in the normalness of the series, then this still will have that element to it, however; there is more story set around it, that is still our beloved and established Plum, so even for them its worth a read. I enjoyed it and I don¿t enjoy Diesel, so that says a lot! <BR/><BR/>I think the unbiased readers will very much enjoy Plum Spooky as well.
7 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 14, 2008
They're addicting
About 5 of us at work and at home read the Stephanie Plum novels and they are so addicting. They are laugh out loud, we love them and recommend them to anyone who likes a laugh.
7 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2008
I Love the Stephanie Plum series!!!!
OMG! I have read almost all of Janet Evanovich's books, and I love every one that I pick up, and can't put down. I'll be reading along and all of the sudden I burst out laughing and my kids look at me like I am crazy...it's too funny! As soon as I finish the book I am reading, I can't wait until the next one comes out. A great author!!!!
6 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Diesel creates a fun diversion
Those expecting Plum Spooky to pick up where Fearless left off will be disappointed. Spooky revolves around Stephanie and Diesel and the world of unmentionables like the Easter Bunny. Yes there are outlandish characters and situations, but that's what we have come to expect and love about this series, though admittedly, the between the numbers stretch this to the limit sometimes. <BR/><BR/>There is more plot and character development in this installment than previous which makes for a more enjoyable read. Diesel's character is fleshed out and we learn that despite some supernatural abilities, he also has flaws which make him more likeable. There's also some fun insight into Tank's character that may have some scratching their heads. The only disappointments are that Grandma, Morelli and Ranger take a back seat in this adventure.<BR/><BR/>Those looking for a quick fix of Stephanie Plum (sans Morelli and Ranger) should give Spooky a try.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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As Ranger would say, "Babe..." :'(
I could have overlooked the monkeys and the fart jokes, if there had been fewer of them. ('Monkey' and 'fart' appear more than any other noun in the book.)<BR/><BR/>I could have dealt with the lack of Ranger (he has only a few scenes), since this is a between-the-numbers novel. Even when Evanovich started copying Ranger scenes right out of books 11 and 12 and giving them to Diesel, I was tolerant.<BR/><BR/>But I will no longer tolerate her obsession with glorifying violence towards women. <BR/><BR/>In the past, I have been more lenient with Evanovich, because not everyone has the same sense of humor. But making light of domestic abuse isn't funny. Angie Morelli taking back her cheating, abusive husband Anthony because she has five kids to feed isn't funny. Stephanie asking Angie to take him back because Joe is sick of dealing with him isn't funny, either. <BR/><BR/>And implying that this is the way it should be, because "good wives" put up with that crap, cuts to the bone.<BR/><BR/>If you're a new reader of the series, take some advice and stop at 12. Stop before the characters start farting and belching, before a video-game-playing monkey becomes the only thing you can say about the plot, and before Stephanie Plum becomes someone you no longer like, let alone respect. <BR/><BR/>It's a shame it's come to this, but what's done is done.
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie. "Plum Spooky" is Janet Evanovich's latest hilarious trek through the life of confused, inept, and somehow lucky despite all that, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. This is the longest 'between the numbers' novel yet at 309 hardcover pages. Diesel is back, as are Ranger and Morelli, along with Lula, more monkeys that I could count, and a host of other interesting characters!<BR/><BR/>Stephanie is after what should be a fairly easy recovery. Munch is a 24-year-old kid-sized genius with no friends or social skills who beaned his boss with a coffee mug and ran off with a prototype invention he'd been working on. Of course, once Stephanie goes after anybody, it's never easy and Munch has apparently managed to hook up with a seriously dangerous dude. His name is Gerwulf Grimoire, or Wulf for short, and he's also Diesel's cousin! So now Stephanie has to deal with Diesel while trying to track Munch. Morelli has become the unwilling host to his lothario brother when he's kicked out of his home by his fed up wife. Add in a reappearance by Carl the monkey who has been foisted upon Stephanie while his owner is on her honeymoon, and all this adds up to another wild and wacky adventure.<BR/><BR/>No sex. Thus the four stars. But for sheer entertainment and hilarity value, Stephanie's quandries are hard to top. There's injuries via staple guns, rioting monkeys, Lula's wedding antics, an actual grin from Ranger!, assorted dead bodies, and too many failed retrievals to count. Plum fans will certainly be thrilled with Evanovich's latest.
4 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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nanabear45
Posted January 13, 2009
plum spooky
i really enjoy stephanie's books, especially the plum series.i will be reading in bed and start laughing so hard that my husband has to ask me what is so funny. i buy the hard cover because i can not wait for the papaer back, i read the book in a day or two.please never leave lulu out. she is a hoot, i love her character. i can see these being a movie. it would be better than sex in the city, which i love. keep up the great job and please do a new one soon, anita
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 14, 2009
Plum Spooky Plum Fun
I almost went away from the Plum series after the last numbered book. Too much I found distasteful or lacking. This story is back with a fun set of characters. I really enjoyed learning more about Diesel. <BR/>No tricks or turns, fun. Let's face it the Plum series isn't meant to be intellectually engaging. They are simply for fun. I laughed in this one. I remembered why I liked the series to begin with. <BR/>I suppose Stephanie and the gang are growing up on us. Hey, they are fourteen plus books older. I know we can't like everything but this one is back on my list. I hope the author does read the reviews. Bad/good she gets an idea what we think. I do disagree with the one scores. Too bad the half-way person didn't read the whole book. They missed a lot of fun.<BR/>Leave the biographies and the drama and come to Stephanie for good old fashion fun. she is back. Thank you.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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One of the Plum Best!
This has to be one of my favorite Stephanie Plum books! Janet included all of the usual cast of characters - Joe, Lula, Connie, Grandma Mazur, Mom & Dad, Yummy Ranger, and the mysterious Diesel. Actually the more we see of Diesel in these Between-The-Numbers books, the less mysterious he is but he's gaining definite hottie status.<BR/><BR/>Throw in a monkey and the fire-farting redneck and it's the perfect Stephanie adventure. Everyone made brief appearances in the story but they added their usual wit and personality to it. I truly laughed out loud several times which is the sign of a great Plum novel.<BR/><BR/>I was curled up on the couch, but felt like I was sitting backseat to this crazt adventure. And laughing all the way!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2009
Loved it!!!
I have read all of her books and this one DID NOT disappoint. I couldn't put it down. It was well written and just as funny as all the others.
3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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ss62
Posted February 9, 2009
a major disappointment
Juvenile. Bathroom "humor" does not impress me. Ms Evanovich can do better.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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AtypicalWoman
Posted January 30, 2009
I loved this book!
I know that the between-the-numbers books are a little out there, but they are funny! I love escaping into the world of Stephanie Plum - her problems are always worse than mine! I started this book one night out at dinner, and everyone kept looking over at me because I was laughing out loud! The antics in this book are guaranteed make you laugh; It's a great read that allows you not to be quite so serious about yourself.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2009
Between the Numbers stink!
This was the worst book Evanovich has written. It was beyond stupid. I don't know why she wastes her time on the between the numbers books. I am furious that I spent my money on this.<BR/>And she should do better research...twice in the story she has people stopping for gas and they pumped their own..we don't do that in NJ! It is actually illegal here.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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