One for the MoneyONE FINE MESS Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash-fast-but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...
ONE FALSE MOVE Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. As does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water-wanted for murder...
ONE FOR THE MONEY Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight-and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man... Two For The DoughBounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still learning the ropes at her cousin Vinnie’s bail bond office, so when she sets out on the trail of Kenny Mancuso—a suspiciously wealthy, working class Trenton boy who has just shot his best friend—the stakes are higher than ever. That Mancuso is distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli—who is trying to beat Stephanie to the punch—only makes the hunt more thrilling….
Taking pointers from her bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and using her pistol-packing Granda Mazur as a decoy, Stephanie is soon closing in on her mark. But Morelli and his libido are worthy foes. And a more sinister kind of enemy has made his first move…and his next move might be Stephanie’s last. Three to Get ReadyA "saintly" old candy-store owner is on the lam-and bounty hunter extraordinaire Stephanie Plum is on the case. As the body count rises, Stephanie finds herself dealing with dead drug dealers and slippery fugitives on the chase of her life. And with the help of eccentric friends and family, Steph must see to it that this case doesn't end up being her last...
Much like the panty-pushing Plum, Evanovich once made her trade in erotica as a romance novelist for the trashy Bantam series "Loveswept." Tiring of the genre and finding herself increasingly fixated on crime, mystery, and the kind of adventures she came to love through comic books like Uncle Scrooge, she decided to ditch steamy stories in favor of off-the-wall humor and feats of daring. As Evanovich said on her website, "after twelve romance novels I ran out of sexual positions and decided to move into the mystery genre."
The resulting Stephanie Plum Mysteries reflect Evanovich's love for comics, toys, shoe-shopping, Cheez Doodles, and beer. Evanovich also created a memorable character that shares many of the author's distinctive traits, such as her self-effacing, dirty-minded wit. The Plum Mysteries, while often rambling and thin on plot, are never anything less than entertaining, hilarious, and refreshing in every way.
Stephanie Plum made her debut in 1994's One For the Money, in which she tracked down Joe Morelli, an ex-cop and murder suspect who'd also been guilty of taking Stephanie's virginity when she was 18. The novel's sly mix of sexiness and childlike playfulness made for a sort of young adult novel for adults.
Since then, the red-hot bounty hunter and a crew of misfits that includes retired hooker Lula, aging bail-jumper Eddie Decooch, and Plum's own hipster granny have romped their way "through the numbers," establishing Evanovich as one of the best and most inventive writers of "Strong Woman" mysteries and guaranteeing her a place on the New York Times bestseller list.
In 2004, Evanovich introduced a smart, savvy new series featuring Alexander "Barney" Barnaby, a sexy Baltimore car mechanic, NASCAR nut, and amateur sleuth with her own posse of delightful eccentrics. She's not Plum, but she's definitely a peach. Hey, what else would you expect from a Janet Evanovich heroine?
If you think the Stephanie Plum novels are zany, wait till you hear about what Evanovich was writing before she started getting published. As she explains on her web site, "The first story [I ever wrote] was about the pornographic adventures of a fairy who lived in a second rate fairy forest in Pennsylvania."
The Stephanie Plum collection is a very easy to read collection of novels good for the reader who likes a good set of characters and doesn't require a lot of mental stimulation. I'm not criticizing the author's writing style, it has been a very successful book series and many readers enjoy this brain candy style of book.
Stephanie is an original New Jersey girl who has found herself trapped in a job as a bounty hunter and has a knack for getting herself into dangerous situations while capturing her bad guy of the week. Mixed into the equation is her really funny family, especially her grandmother, her friends at the bounty hunter office and the ever present Detective hottie. Janet Evanovich does an excellent job in sprinkling in new characters as the book series progresses and spends ample time reviewing the past so new readers can pick up wherever.
I picked up this series by recommendation from a friend, and admittedly ran out and bought book 4 as soon as I had finished the first three books. After that, I was finished with Stephanie and friends for the time being, but I'm not saying the next time I find myself utterly trapped with nowhere to go for a week, I won't reach for something this easy to read again. And although I would describe parts of the writing as cute or funny, I didn't find it hilarious which was the common description I read on book covers and even the lady who sold me the collection at B&N used. Maybe my funnybone needs a tuneup?
Overall, I would recommend this book series for a light read to someone who enjoys fiction mixed with a little action and suspense.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.bookwormRK
Posted February 21, 2010
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I've just recently discovered Janet Evanovitch, and her wonderful cast of characters in the 'Stephanie Plum' books, and I have laughed myself silly.
After the first three books in the boxed set I was hooked on the delightful, wacky way the characters all come to life and the story unfolds. I have, since my initial purchase, searched out all current books by this author and added them to my library. I must admit that the idea of a female bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey is a very original idea, but when you mix in her grandmother who has reverted to her second childhood and goes to viewings at the funeral home for her entertainment, the hot Italian cop boyfriend, the mysterious Cuban-American Ranger who also loves Stephanie, the ex-Ho who now is the sidekick, and all the assorted murder and mayhem, you get thoroughly entertained!!! You want to laugh till your sides ache, and be totally entertained, then read the 'Stephanie Plum' novels by this author, you won't be disappointed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2009
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These are not great literature. They are a fun escapist type read. The characters are fun and quirky. They are also short enough to read quickly and have just enough mystery to keep you guessing.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 20, 2009
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This series was reccommended to me by a friend. She has great taste. Stephanie Plum is funny, quirky and gutsy. She is the kind of girl we all want to be. The characters in the story are just that, "characters". I plan to read each and every book. This would make a great TV series. Keep them coming.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.grannynut39
Posted March 10, 2009
These books are hilarious!!! They keep you on your toes. The characters are just so believable, in a way. I mean they way the family is, seems Stephanie is the sane one, the grandmother is just to darn funny!!! And as for the "electricity" between Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli...just keeps you on edge of your seat. You root for both!!! And the messes the woman gets herself into!!! Geeeesh!!!! You just have to read them...I am working my way through the whole series...just can't seem to get enough of 'em!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I am reading the series for the 3rd time. These books will make you laugh so hard that you cry, your heart will smile at the few tender moments, and you will shake your head in disbelief. Janet Evanovich has written these books so well that you see yourself right there in the middle of all the action. A must read series!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I've heard a few people talking about Janet Evanovich's work, but had never picked one up. I needed something new to read, saw a sale on her first 3 books, so I picked them up. I am soooo glad I did! If it makes me cry, I won't read it. I want humor. And the Stephanie Plum books are loaded with humor. It never got boring or slow. Even though you can basically guess what's going to happen, it's the way it happens that keeps you turning pages. Stephanie Plum's grandma has some laugh out loud moments...and can catch you off-guard. I was embarrassed when I started giggling, then full out laughing over Grandma shooting the chicken, while I was sitting in a busy waiting room.
If you're looking for steamy scenes or touching romance, you'll need to go elsewhere. If you want to be caught up in a mystery and befriend some interesting characters, these are the books for you!!
Happy Reading!
BabyNYC
Posted March 20, 2010
I love the series. These books will have you laughing out loud. Enjoy!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 14, 2009
I find these books fun to read- I've been reading about one a week. They are witty with good plot lines. After five of them I can see a definite formula and pattern to them but they are still great escapism and laugh out loud funny.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.sifu-hotman
Posted August 30, 2009
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Jane Evonovich's books will probably never be my favorites, but I'm definitely planning on reading all of them. They're easy, fun, humorous. And I like the romantic tension, and the sexual innuendos.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Woolley_Bear
Posted August 8, 2009
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These books are a good lite and breezy read. The story moves right along, the central character is believeable and sympathetic. Good plot and easy humor. Very similar to Kinsey Milhone novels by Sue Grafton. The main character, Stephanie Plum is surrounded by other interesting characters. Definitely recommend this series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ChristyInIndependence
Posted July 14, 2009
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I picked up these books on whim and found that I can't put them down! I really enjoy Stephanie's character because she is easy to relate to & so unintentionally funny. I can't wait to read the next books & continue on Stephanie's journey of self discovery!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.TamiG
Posted June 23, 2009
Janet grabs you by making her Plum character very real. You feel as if she could be your friend from school, or maybe she is even a lot like you! The stories are fun, fast paced, and not too heavy for "get away" reading.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 11, 2009
I found this series by accident. I was in an airport and picked up the third book and could not put it down. I have never laughed out loud so much while reading. The author does a good job of providing background if you don't start reading the series from the beginning so you don't feel totally lost. I love, love, love the characters in this series. The dynamics between them are great and the author makes each character believable. If you like kooky characters, a little mystery and a little romance these are the books for you.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dinkJS
Posted May 9, 2009
I read all three of the first books in order, and it felt as if I was continuing the same book. I enjoyed them enough that this was a good thing, as I sometimes feel let down when I finish a book I like. I purchased the next 3 and am reading them now.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.scrjkeb6
Posted May 3, 2009
great books i cant put them down twisty, turny, funny. must read
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I checked out the Plum Series at the library and loved them so now I am starting to buy them for my collection! I could read these over and over again. I tell everyone to read them. Their hilarious! Some of the stuff the heroine gets into and thinks is just plain slap your knee funny. The author i love also because she named them with numbers in order. Now that is awesome. I hate reading a book then finding out it's like the last or middle of a series. Really doesn't float my boat.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I truly love these books and will be getting the entire set. They are laugh out loud funny with a mix mystery. I see it as the best of both worlds.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.All of Janet's books are so entertaining. She write very descriptive so you can picture the characters in your mind. And she makes you laugh, not just chuckle but laugh from deep inside yourself that everyone needs to do daily. My husband always knows when I am reading one of Janet's books because I am usually laughing loud enough to be heard in the rest of the house. Janet's books are ones that I read for the pure joy of being entertain while reading. I always feel better and ligher after reading any of her books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 25, 2008
All of these books literally had me laughing until tears were running down my cheeck!
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Overview
One for the MoneyONE FINE MESS Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash-fast-but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...
ONE FALSE MOVE Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. ...