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)

I wanted a little more, but I still love Stephanie

Would you listen to Smokin' Seventeen again? Why?

yes, of course

What did you like best about this story?

finally giving into both guys

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

yes, she is always good

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Stephanie finally get's it!

Any additional comments?

none

It kept me laughing.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this whole series of books. I often recommend them.

What about Lorelei King’s performance did you like?

Lorelei King does a great job reading these books. I really love her Lula.

Any additional comments?

I travel by car long distances, and these books keep me awake and alert. I can't wait to see what these characters do next.

Delighted it in Del Mar

Yes, this book had the same basic storyline as the last 16 books. And, yes I knew who the bad guy was before the book was halfway over. But, I listen to these books for their entertainment value, and I found myself chuckling just like I had in the other 16. Lorelei King does an amazing job with her narration. I feel like I know the characters personally, and would recognize them if I ever was in a Cluck in a Bucket at the same time that they were there buying their fried chicken! And, "the vordo" added just a wee bit more excitement to Stephanie's relationship dilemma.

Meh

Where does Smokin' Seventeen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As audiobooks go this one is well done.

If you’ve listened to books by Janet Evanovich before, how does this one compare?

I have not heard any of the other Stephanie Plum books before but compared to the other Stephanie Plum stories, this was my least favorite. I got very tired of the Stephanie trying to deal with her committement issues or not dealing with them. The mystery itself was very simple, compared to the many of the other books that I adored, there were few laugh outloud moments.

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard Lorelei King before.

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

No, I got tired of the story.

Any additional comments?

I hope if there are more Plum novels they are better, I love the characters.

Funniest book to date!

Stephanie Plum and all her friends are my favorite characters ever! This lastest book is the funniest one yet! And, Lorelei King is the best narrator around. The voices she has for the characters are the greatest. I can't wait for the next Stephanie Plum book.

The narrator knows her characters

Would you consider the audio edition of Smokin' Seventeen to be better than the print version?

Yes! I havent't

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Waiting to see what Stephanie will be caught up in and in which man's arms. The retelling of her bio is necessary for readers new to the series, but becomes a little repetitious for veterans.

What about Lorelei King’s performance did you like?

All of it...Lula's the best!

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the next one!

evanovich never fails to excite and entertain

well done, easy to listen to! !! Great narration! Makes me laugh out loud every time. ...

Always fun

What did you love best about Smokin' Seventeen?

I just love the characters. Everyone knows some of these people in their own lives.

What does Lorelei King bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has such a way of bringing the characters to life. I wouldn't want anyone else to read the story but her!

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.