Smokin' Seventeen

A Stephanie Plum Novel

By: Janet Evanovich

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

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

©2011 Janet Evanovich (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"No less than her plotting, Evanovich’s characterizations are models of screwball artistry. . . . The intricate plot machinery of her comic capers is fueled by inventive twists.” (The New York Times)

“Chutzpah and sheer comic inventiveness.... The Evanovich/Plum books [are] good fun.” (The Washington Post)

6 hrs and 22 mins

Ok, I haven't listened to it yet, but 6 hours? Is someone phoning it in?
The last two books used gimmics from prior novels.

I'm hoping this one saves the series for me, if not I'm done with Ms. Evanovich.

Still Red Hot After 17 Years

There are more laugh-at-loud scenes protrayed in this latest edition than you would expect from an author this deep into series characters. While Janet Evanovich is in no need of strong reviews--her books break into the bestseller lists even before the release dates--she does deserve them.

Lula needs a vacation

I like the series, it is easy listening and not overly thought provoking.
One thing however, is that the Lula schtick is getting old. We get it already. She is a big woman, still dresses like her old occupation and eats like there is no tomorrow. Its the same dialogue as the previous 16.
Maybe Lula needs to go away for a while and a new character brought in as a sidekick.

Hysterical as always

These characters are just too funny. I love Lula! She is just too funny. How these two 'bail bond women' get anything done is hard to believe but once you 'get into their lives' it all just makes sense. Stephanie's family is perfectly balanced, at once real and consistent with the culture the author has developed for them. Grandma Mazor is a trip. Along with Lula she's a true jewel in the series. And Stephanie's 'boyfriends' are interestingly similar and different. Both are likeable and one can imagine the two of them working together and separately to save and 'get' her.

Smokin' Seventeen was just a funny funny read no matter what the specifics of the plot. The Stephanie Plum books are consistently good. The plots are original albiet unbelievable but who cares? They are funny and they work!

Back to interesting

This is the first in a long time with this series that stands out. It breaks the stale monotony that the series had reached. The interest and humor have returned.

Still Stephanie

Every year I look forward to the release of the latest Stephanie Plum book. These books are fun, sexy and just plain out make me laugh. And the latest book is no exception. They're not high class literature and I don't walk away from them feeling like I've experienced some cosmic revelation. They're just fun. And, I have to listen to the audiobook on every one of them. Lorelei King is amazing. I tried reading on of the actual books before and couldn't do it. I had to hear Lorelei King's narration. In short, if you want something fun and light-hearted to read, give the Stephanie Plum books a listen.

Scattered writing, maybe a ghost writer?,

99% of all of Janet eEvanovich's Stephanie Plum series have zany, crack-up scenes. This one did not - it was flat. It is as if she had a ghost writer on this one. Not the usual humor, the funny sayings. If it was Janet writing this one, it is as if she did it out of obligation, nothing else. The plot was scattered, the characters were disjointed. The characteristics of the characters were flat - no smokin' hot ranger, no Italian Stallion, no crack-up Grandma, even Stephanie's father was uncharacteristically talkative. Glad I didn't buy anything but the audio and kindle release. Sad to see this series stoop to this level. Maybe it is time for Stephanie to retire. I am giving this book 3 stars, but really, it is between 2 and 3 stars.

Loved this One...

This was one of my favorite in a while. I laughed a lot (a little more than the next one) and found the plot fun. This is a definite in the Stephanie series. Lula and Grandma are as always a hysterical hoot! You will enjoy this one for sure!

Love Stephanie Plum

What did you love best about Smokin' Seventeen?

I just love the whole series. Sure, it's been done before in 1-16, but that's why I love em. I feel like I really know these characters!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Smokin' Seventeen?

Almost anything Lula does! She is a hoot!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes most definitely.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Another home run. These books are entertaining. Thank you for the humor. I enjoy the characters and look forward to each new quirk, dilemma and romantic interlude. Thanks