Notorious Nineteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel

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.

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.

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.

Just good fun.

It is always good sometimes to just kick back, laugh and enjoy a Stephanie Plum novel. No stress, no fuss and you don't have to do a lot of heavy thinking. All you have to do is follow her from one burning car to the next and enjoy the witty dialog. Just keep them coming.

Lorelei King's performance is always hilarious. She adds so much to any book she reads. I sometimes wonder how she is able to be so on target with all the voices.

Lookout! Here comes Stephanie.

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

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!

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.

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.

This was one of her better ones. She's back! Like the other reviewers, I wish it was a longer story.

I'm a big fan of the Plum books but this one isn't worth the time. There was no romance, no action and no Joyce Barnheart. Maybe 20 will be better.