Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Is there anything funnier than Stephanie Plum??


A few summers ago, I started reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I had heard so much about them that I wanted to find out for myself why all the fuss. So I took them with me on vacation. My husband thought I was nuts, because all of a sudden, I would burst out laughing!! And I loved them. But I read the first 4 books in about a 2 month period. I was afraid I would run the risk of burning myself out on Plum. So I set the rest of the books aside...until now. High Five by Janet Evanovich (340 pgs, St. Martin's Press) is book number 5 and one that I am using for the TBR Challenge.


Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter. Ummm...a Bail Enforcement Agent. And she works for her cousin Vinnie bringing in people that skip out on bail. Trouble is, business is a little slow and the rent is due. Enter Ranger, the Superman of Bounty Hunters. He handles all the really big, dangerous criminals and when he's not out catching bad guys, he's doing other odd jobs, mostly legal and sometimes moral. He lets Steph join the group, which includes guys with names like Tank. The jobs range from "interior decorating" (security) to chauferring a shiek. And Ranger even gives her a snazzy Porsche to use as a "company" car.

Then Steph's Uncle Fred disappears and her family wants her to look into the case. But when she starts digging into Fred's things, she finds pictures of a dead body....or at least the body parts. And what does all this have to do with the problems Fred has had with the garbage company....the errand he was running when he suddenly went missing??

What can I say?? After reading A Fine Balance, my brain needed something way lighter and a lot more fun. And this was certainly all that. There is just no getting around laughing at the things Stephanie gets herself mixed up in. With a cast of characters that grows longer with each book, Evanovich weaves a good mystery with lots of fun. And sexual tension. The ever-present debate over who Stephanie should end up with is big talk among Plum fans. Should it be Morelli, the sexy cop with the smoldering looks that Stephanie has know all her life? Or should it be Ranger, the dark, dangerous bounty hunter that is gorgeous and built for speed?? For the first four books, I've been solidly in the Morelli camp. But Book 5, stepped up Ranger's interest....and I have to say I may be wavering a little!!

If you are looking for some fun, light reading, this is definitely the series for you. Now that I've finished High Five, I may have Plum Fever again. I definitely can't wait to see what trouble Stephanie can get into next!! 4/5

17 comments:

Jill said...

I just started her latest one, Plum Lucky, today. I'm laughing just thinking about it! It is a very fun series, and it definitely lightens my mood when I need a lift. :-)

Debi said...

I love those books, too. One of these days, I really do need to get back to them (I've read the first 5, too). But you're right, there are no other books that get me laughing out loud like those do! I love Grandma Mazur!

Marg said...

Some of those early books are definitely LOL funny! Don't get me wrong, the later ones are funny too, but for true belly laughs all the way through the book it is the early books for me!

Andi said...

OK, I've heard about these books for YEARS (how could anyone not?), but I've never been compelled to try 'em until now.

ENABLER!! ;)

Nikki in Niagara said...

I have this series on my 'to read someday' list but you've just bumped it up the list. It sure sounds fun. I'll have to get my hands on the first one soon!

Lisa said...

I've always been intrigued by these books, but I've been scared to get started since there are so many and I'm afraid I'll be hooked, which means 12 or 13 (how many are there now?) books I'll have to add to the tbr pile. But, you do make it tempting!

Bookfool said...

I love the Plum series! I stopped at 9 or 10, but I've got #'s 9, 10 and 11 on the TBRs. Someday I'll get to them! Grandma Mazur is a hoot. I want to adopt her.

Iliana said...

Oh I was a Morelli girl :)
Definitely the first few books in the series are the best. Gotta love Grandma Mazur and Lula!

Stephanie said...

Darla - I haven't read any of the other Plum books (outside the main series). One of these days!

Debi - Grandma Mazur is a hoot!! And I'm quite fond of Lulu too!!

Marg - I figure I'll get to them all eventually. I'm thinking I may actually grab 6....and try to get through 1 a month till I'm done.

Andi - Hee, Hee!! Finally! They are just such fun, light, quick reads. Great for when you need a little down time!

Nicola - I whole-heartedly recommend them for something fun and light! Then you can tell who you want....Morelli or Ranger!

Lisa - I think there's something like 14 of the regular series, then she has some filler books too. The woman is a writing machine!

Bookfool - I love Grandma Mazur, but I'm not sure I'd want her in MY house!! Expecially after she stun-gunned Dad!!

Iliana - Oh....I love Morelli!! But man, there is just something a little dangerous about Ranger.

Ladytink_534 said...

I can't wait for Fearless Fourteen!!! Glad you liked High Five. I sped through them all fairly fast when my mom introduced them to me but I remember the fact that the Porsche got blown up lol.

Stephanie said...

Tink - AND a garbage truck fell on it!! Man, that woman goes through cars!! So....Morelli or Ranger??

Anonymous said...

I love the grandma in the series - she is a great, really funny character. I did though get burned out and probably only made it to number five.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

one of these days I'll join in on the fun. I'm a little strange about wanting to start from the beginning, so I've been slowly collecting the books (I have 8-12!). I love laugh-out-loud books. and it sounds like this was a perfect follow up for A Fine Balance.

CJ said...

Stephanie Plum rules!

I've been disappointed in some of the 'similar' books I've read recently but so far Evanovich has yet to let me down.

I loved this one but so far I think Hard Eight is my favorite so far.

And, for me, it's Ranger all the way.

cjh

Susan said...

Count me in as a big big Stephanie fan! And I kind of lean these days for MOrelli more than Ranger.....but they are both so hot that sometimes I want them both! (don't tell my husband)....I just got Lean Mean Thirteen for Christmas, so I'll be reading it shortly. They are so hilarious, and i love how the cars get blown up! I'm usually in hysterics by then! and her grandma is a hoot and I'm very glad she's not mine!

Ladytink_534 said...

Mmmm I like them both but I'll have to go with Ranger!

Anonymous said...

When I see another reader with Plum fever, I just have to comment. I know exactly what you mean: my family thought I was nuts when they would hear me, all alone in my office, burst out lauging hysterically! No author makes me cry so hard when I am laughing. I think every 'Plum reader' has a favorite laugh. Mine is when she is being chased by the hooker's pack of mangy dogs, and they take her down.
It is true, in my opinion, the later books have lost a little, but they are still fun.
And man, I sure wish I had Morelli and Ranger in my life!!!!!!