Book Review of “Hard Eight” by Janet Evanovich

Hard Eight

By Janet Evanovich

This hysterically funny downright crime thriller is full of action. Super fast paced that it is, I was able to finish it at one go – enjoying the few hours of my otherwise mundane Friday night.

Stephanie Plum, our beloved sloppy/inept bounty hunter has to hunt down Evelyn and her daughter. After having divorced her husband Steven, Evelyn had taken child custody by using her mother’s house for collateral in the bond. Now that she has disappeared, her absence on the day of the hearing will make her mother lose the house. Steph, of course, has to help out.

 

But as she begins her job, a dead body is found on her couch (it is Steven); she is stalked (by a killer rabbit!); and threatened to death(by some powerful crime lord). Did I mention her cars (yes, two of them) are blown up in this one?!

Joe and Ranger are by her side to protect her. But our brave-heart has to undergo her share of thrill.

Our regulars – Lula and Grandma Mazur join in to set the “comedy of errors” trying to capture the bad guys and manage to stay alive. Steph’s sister and her parents add the much needed drama.

This is no great plot as such, but the sheer comic nature and the colorful personalities make this a quick, light and purely entertaining read.

Book Review of “To the Nines” by Janet Evanovich

To the Nines

By Janet Evanovich

Another wonderful offering –full of humor and (sexual and life threatening) tension for Stephanie Plum fans.

To The Nines sees Stephanie in a new case. As a bounty hunter, she has been asked to trace a certain Samuel Singh, a computer nerd and an illegal immigrant. On reaching his residence the landlady informs her that Samuel has been missing- but his belongings are intact – except his laptop and his dog, Boo. At his work place, the boss informs Steph that Samuel was a loner with no friends. As her hunt grows she finds herself targeted. She is shot at; tranquilized with a dart; is stalked by a psycho who sends her roses with threatening messages.

This mystery takes her to Las Vegas, with Lula and that’s where you have some of the funniest scenes.

Much goes on in her life with Joe and Ranger by her side too – I mean the sexual tension.

But a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do. It is on Steph to gain control on her life and outwit the stalker. And how she does it makes up for a fine read.

Let’s not forget Steph’s family life going haywire with her sister about to deliver a baby, but not ready to marry the father of the child yet; Steph’s mother fretting over the whole situation; Steph’s father threatening to move out of the house because there is not enough (bath)room space for all.

Oh and Lula and her antics never fail to bring out a smile, if not an “lol” moment.

 

There is ample character development and growth. Steph seems to be more mature and sensible. This one has ample of laughs and action. It is simple, fast-paced and breezy. And definitely very interesting.

 

*For those reading the Plum series for the first time, here’s a quick over-view.

Stephanie Plum, a Jersey girl, is amongst the worst bounty hunters ever. It is her luck favoring her most of the times – not her skills. She works for her cousin Vinnie tracking “skips” bonded by the bail bond company Vinnie runs. Super cop Joe Morelli loves her to no extent and I believe Steph does too – but she never confesses it. Ranger, on the other hand, is Steph’s hot bounty hunting mentor of sorts. Quite skilled in his work, he creates the minimum fuss. Steph refers to his mysterious home as the Batcave.

This series is high on humor and entertainment. A no-brainer of course.

Together, Joe-Steph-Ranger makes a formidable love triangle.

 

Book Review of “Eleven On Top” By Janet Evanovich

Eleven On Top

By Janet Evanovich

 

Another hilarious madcap adventure of Stephanie Plum that is absolutely entertaining, snappy and engaging.

Given Stephanie’s job as a bounty hunter, she feels she has been through a “hell-lot” – of course who could stand being spat on, cursed, shot, stalked, fire-bombed, chased/attacked by dogs, and even rolled in garbage for long? So Stephanie tries her hand at other “normal” jobs- like working in a button factory; at the dry cleaners; even at a fast food restaurant – only to be fired before the end of her first day on the job. Surprised? Not me! I knew she was capable of inexplicable feats!

Ranger offers her a position in his office Rangeman but cannot stop her stalker who seems to have risen from his grave to make place for Stephanie in there. She keeps receiving threat notes while her cars keep exploding and people keep getting injured.

Did I mention that Steph is living with her “on-n-off” boyfriend Joe Morelli? Yeah, they are together in this one – along with her flirty way with Ranger. So the love triangle lives.

But the real danger seems to trace Stephanie anywhere anyhow, every time.

Ranger, Joe and Steph are also on the look-out for four Trenton men who have disappeared with their cars on the same day. The mystery is taut and gripping. It will keep you guessing till the end.

Talking about the rich cast – Ranger is his usual self – the hot, bad boy. Joe, the hot cop, seems to be the quieter one in this book. It feels like Steph is taking advantage of both the men while they willingly let her do so.

Steph’s previous job as a bounty hunter is now taken over by Lula (her best friend, an ex-hooker) who seems to be keeping Steph busy with her worries.

Also, Steph’s sister Valerie is about to walk down the aisle and Steph is expected to be dressed in a weird vegetable dress and play the cello – an instrument she claims to know how to play (without having seen one in her life!) Steph decides to go on a sugar detox turning into a sex-hungry maniac somewhere in the middle. And you thought this one couldn’t get any hilarious!

Oh, and Grandma Mazur (the eighty year old teenager) and her fight with Grandma Bella end up having a fight in the funeral parlor (of course!)

Janet Evanovich does churn up hilarious mystery novels and “Eleven on Top” is no less. The laughter just doesn’t stop at any point. The plot is full of twists and turns and exploding cars and criminals on the rise and flirtatious moves and silly fights. There are some instances that look lifted from the previous ten books but none-the-less it is worth a read.

 

Book Review of “Lean Mean Thirteen” By Janet Evanovich

Lean Mean Thirteen

By Janet Evanovich

So the story is about Stephanie Plum’s ex-husband’s disappearance. Dickie Orr, an attorney, mysteriously disappears that too soon after she has attacked him in his office. So evidently, she becomes the prime suspect. There’s more tension because Dickie has left behind an estate worth $40 million and of course many people are after it and hence on Stephanie’s trail. The prime one being Joyce, Dickie’s girlfriend and Stephanie’s nemesis. Then there are Dickie’s (illegal) former partners who wouldn’t hesitate a bit to apply a flamethrower to anyone getting in their way. So while Stephanie is still trying to assort her FTAs and Joe under cover, it’s Ranger’s task to keep her protected at all times.

The whole drama of finding Dickie brings in the entertainment bit in the book.

Lots of laughter, lots of funny situations – who really cares for the story then eh?!

Maybe this is what Janet thought while penning Lean Mean Thirteen.

Stephanie still unable to decide between Joe Morelli and Ranger; Lula still in her weird best; quirky Grandma Mazur bringing in craziness to the whole plot; Stephanie destroying car(s); etc.

No real character development here, but quite a few hilarious intances that actually get you laughing out loud!