Number-one best-selling author Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels are: "irresistible" (Houston Chronicle), "stunning" (Booklist), "outrageous" (Publishers Weekly), "brilliantly evocative" (The Denver Post), and "making trouble and winning hearts" (USA Today).
New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don't just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don't do what Tiki tells you to do.
After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie's bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton's premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it's on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape...or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive.
Since the hospital staff's lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it's hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie's Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton's hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.
The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money - or maybe just desperate - Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again - a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid's dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone.... Or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she'll have to remember: No guts, no glory.
©2012 Janet Evanovich (P)2012 Random House Audio
I am an avid listener. I listen between 75-100 hours per month on my iPhone: 60% fiction to 40% non-fiction.
"Tedious Formulaic with same-old same-old"
I have listened to all 19 of the Stephanie Plum novels. There are so many characters in them that you come to love: Grandma, Lula, Connie, Moreli, Ranger, etc -- we even have a movie. But, the problem with the series at 19 is that Evanovich is using recycled events. Yup, Stephanie’s car gets blown up and Moreli’s car in flames. Bombing, knifing shooting, Lula pouncing, stun-gun, and a tiki all set in a mystery that I hardly was able to care about. A tiki, really? Can Evanovich possible pack more recycled gimmicks into a seven hour listen?
Evanovich still hasn’t moved any of the characters forward in their relationships except for a few, inconsequential declarations. Sure Stephanie Plum is a magnet for trouble and that’s still fun but we need to see some character growth. The love triangle is old and way past its usefulness. I would like to see more plot and a little more resolution within the series backdrop. Skip this book, you have read it all before.
RainyDaysAre4Me
"Too short and not enough of what we love!"
I would recommend it but lightly. While I understand that character development is not required, the story was VERY short... It seems as the numbers get higher, the books get shorter. I thought this with 17 and 18 as well. The story is good, the innuendo is fun and I love the characters, but I wanted more after I finished it. I was expecting it to bring me back to the earlier ones where it was entertaining for more than an afternoon.
See above
Lula, I love her!
No, it would be a short film....
Although I was disappointed in the length of this story, I love the series. It might be time to wind it down, however.
"Same thing all over again."
I've read and re-read and thoroughly enjoyed each of the first 12 books in this series. More and more the series has become just the same thing over and over; Stephanie's car blows up, she and Lula eat vast quantities of fast food, Ranger is hot, Joe is hot, Grandma Mazur is eccentric and there is pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The plots have become flat and the dialog predictable. Generally character development has stopped. Notorious Nineteen is just a little bit better than the last few books in that we've learned a little more about Ranger but for the most part it seems like Evanovich has been just calling them in... you can no longer sense the author's investment in the characters or story line.
Don't misunderstand; I will read the next book and the any after that but it's time for some forward movement, it's starting to feel like the same book over and over again. I'm completely invested in the series and love each of the characters so I am a die-hard fan who will keep reading whatever comes. For those of you who haven't read any of the series do not make this your first book, it is not the best or even very good. Go back and start with book one... you will be hooked too.
The narration couldn't be any better Lorelei King is the best!!! She gives each character a personality and makes them come alive.
"Get's Better With Each New Book"
Yes. It is good light-hearted fun and completely entertaining
I end up liking them all. Each character is unique!
I love her range. She is one of the best narrators by far
Ranger. Do you really have to ask
I have not found any of Janet Evanovich's books lacking. I don't general enjoy this type of book, but was very pleasantly surprised with the authors sense of humor and imagination. Listening to her books is pure entertainment. I have listened to the entire series. Janet E. is the type of author who writes books that men should read. Joe and ranger know what a woman wants and needs
Mother, Wife, Cultural Anthropologist, always a scholar and lover of books!
"Evanovich is always fun!"
This is not Janet Evanovich's best book in the Plum series, but it was still a lot of fun.
To me she IS the voice of Stephanie Plum!
"Woo Hoo!!"
The last few haven't been the greatest but I remain a Stephanie Plum/Janet Evanovich fan because they still make me laugh out loud. I went into this book hoping it would be better than the last. It was. It was like the good old days! I laughed out loud multiple times and was very happy. There weren't any scenes in the funeral parlor which was kind of weird, but plenty of cars got blown up. This was probably the best one since 11 or 12. If you're a fan and you've been disappointed in the last handful, you won't be with this one. The story is funny, the writing classic Evanovich and the narration is spot on.
iPod Reader
"YAY! Stephanie's Back!"
After three disappointments in a row, I was ready to give up on this series. I'm glad I gave it one more chance - because this one is Classic Plum - complete with laugh out loud funny Lulu, hot Ranger moments, silly criminals and exploding cars.
My only complaint was not enough Grandma, but with so much else happening, she still managed to make herself heard.
"Love Love Love This Series!!!"
I think this book is awesome just as all of the books in the series are (not including the mini Plum books).
I liked the whole story. I think Stephanie and Lula are hilarious and the narration is great. I laugh from start to finish.
Lula of course!
If you haven't picked up a book in this series you should. They all have great plots, character narration and tons of humor. They keep you listening and coming back for more, every time I finish one I can't wait for the next. I wish they were longer.
"Great"
Yes, love the readers interpretation of characters
as always, never know when something will burn up or what!
The different accents and tones of characters
Ranger, if you have to ask well...........
Have read all her books but this was my first audible. Not disappointed at all!
"Disappointed"
I always enjoy the quick wit and punch lines.
The characters introduced were not very interesting. Grandma still remains my Favorite.
No,I would always read Janet Evanovich. I have really enjoyed some of her earlier books. I am an optimist.I expect better from her in the future.
Not sure.
No.
No