One for the Money

A Stephanie Plum Novel, Book 1

By: Janet Evanovich

Narrated by: C. J. Critt

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

You’ve lost your job as a department store lingerie buyer, your car’s been repossessed, and most of your furniture and small appliances have been sold off to pay last month’s rent. Now the rent is due again. And you live in New Jersey. What do you do?

If you’re Stephanie Plum, you become a bounty hunter. But not just a nickel-and-dime bounty hunter; you go after the big money. That means a cop gone bad. And not just any cop. She goes after Joe Morelli, a disgraced former vice cop who is also the man who took Stephanie’s virginity at age 16 and then wrote details on a bathroom wall. With pride and rent money on the line, Plum plunges headlong into her first case, one that pits her against ruthless adversaries - people who’d rather kill than lose.

The New York Times Book Review calls Stephanie Plum “a Jersey girl with Bette Middler’s mouth and Cher’s fashion sense.” In Stephanie Plum, Evanovich has created a resourceful and humorous character who stands apart from the pack of gritty female detectives.

Jersey girl: listen to more in the Stephanie Plum series.

©1994 Janet Evanovich (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

Enjoyable and Funny!

Wonderfully cozy. A lighthearted, mystery, to curl up with, and pass the time. There were several places where I laughed out loud causing people to stare at me. Stephanie, seems to get herself into, ongoing, silly predicaments. This was my first Janet Evanovich book and I REALLY enjoyed it. I found the narrator to be perfect, but I didn't have any others to compare, as did some of the reviewers. I just purchased four more books and it seems to be quite a large series, so it should keep me out of trouble for a while! I will take the advice of other reviewers and read, rather than listen, to the abridged audiobooks. I've never cared for any of the abridged books that I've purchased.

Amusing and Entertaining

One for the Money is the first book in the Stephanie Plum series. This book has been on my TBR for about 4 years and I never got around to it, probably because it was a bit more than I like to spend on books, especially when it is an author I've never read before. Then, it came up in the $5 audible sale and I also found it on KU, (which after several years, I finally decided to try out the whole borrowing books thing) so I jumped all over getting it. I'm so glad I did.

This book was so amusing. I really enjoyed it. I caught myself laughing out loud quite a few times, especially the interactions that Stephanie had with her mom and grandma. I could totally picture all of that happening, especially the mom trying to find Stephanie a nice young man and inviting single men over for dinner to set her up.

One for the Money held my interest and I found that I didn't want to turn it off. There is a lot of relatable stuff, as far as the whole being down and out, falling on hard times, and then there was some crazy over the top stuff with her introduction to weapons and bounty hunting. I felt that the over the top was done in a way that it was fun and entertaining, not dumb or annoying.

The narrator did a good job. I really enjoyed how she read this book. She had good voices and was really believable as the characters.

I recommend this book and the audiobook and am interested in continuing to book 2.

Enjoyable from start to finish!

What made the experience of listening to One for the Money the most enjoyable?

Take an out-of-work Jersey girl, put her in a career as a Bounty Hunter. This is a great introduction to likeable characters, great humor, action and a touch of romance. All of these add up to an enjoyable listening experience.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

From scene-to-scene, Stephanie finds many ways to get in trouble - and make people want to choke her.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Stephanie achieves her goal. I don't want to spoil the plot here, so that is all I'll say.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, at first I didn't enjoy the listening experience because of the Jersey accent...not one of my favorites. However, I appreciate Ms. Critt's strong performance, befitting the personality of the lead character. I also have to say I laughed out loud many times throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

From what I have been able to determine, this book was written in 1994. The author spends much time describing Stephanie Plum's daily wardrobe, which appears to be very "Flashdance". It was a fun walk down memory lane, but I wonder if younger readers today will be able to appreciate the clothing details as much as those of us who lived through the time period ourselves. However, the rest of the book is very current and will be enjoyable by all.

So funny

Everything about this book was great from the writing, narrating, story line. This book has action, comedy (so funny) will definitely get the whole series.

Entertaining

I've been wanting to read this series and I'm glad I started. This book was entertaining especially with humor and suspense. I look forward to the following books in the series.

This 1st book in the series was great, ...

I'd read this ages ago and it was so funny I've bought the entire series of 24. When I found it on Audible, I was thrilled.

The narration was done well, but it missed 98% of the humor. The narrator read each line perfectly. However, each line was separate. There was no timing for the humor or continuity of thought. Its still a great story, just not that funny and a little too slow. Read it yourself if you've heard about how halarious it is.

The beginning of a fun adventure!

I can't wait to see what's in store next fort Stephanie!
The narrator is not on my top 5 list, but it didn't take me long to get lost in the story and not be distracted by the little things that bothered met.

Total enjoyment!

I've never read any of the Stephanie Plum books, and I'm so excited having finish this one to know that there are lots and lots more to come. I really enjoyable read, I can't wait to read number two.

one for the money

the book was great it had me laughing all the time. I
would recommend it.

One for the money.

Was not my kind off book. Sorry. well written just not for me. Good story.