BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg’s The Heist.Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life is set to blow sky high when international murder hits dangerously close to home, in this dynamite novel by Janet Evanovich. Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, and … dream vacation turned into a nightmare, and she’s flying back to New Jersey solo. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. And a ragtag collection of thugs and psychos, not to mention the FBI, are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.
Only one other person has seen the missing photo—Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.
Over at the bail bonds agency things are going from bad to worse. The bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke. Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their largest skip yet. Lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment. And everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii?
Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii. And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is . . . It’s complicated.
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Stephanie Plum is on a flight from Hawaii after a disastrous vacation. There’s a layover in LA and her seatmate doesn’t get back on the flight. He’s found, eventually, dead in a garbage can. Gangsters, crazies, and the FBI are looking for a photo he was supposed to have. Only one other person has seen the picture . . . Stephanie Plum. From there, things get really crazy. A really enjoyable, fun read, and another great Janet Evanovich work.
Love Evanovich’s wacky world of Stephanie Plum.
After 18 books in this series, I can’t always give out a 4 just because I laugh so hard I nearly pee myself. Evanovich has to work harder and harder to keep the high mark stars… but in all honesty, this was a hysterical edition in the series.
I read it about 5 years ago but still have vivid memories of many character escapades. And when it’s a trip to Hawaii (partly), who wouldn’t love it. I’m going back to add small review and thoughts on any book I never actually wrote up a review for. And this is one of them.
Reading about Stephanie Plum’s inability to accurately describe someone in a picture she saw briefly is pure gold. She is so goofy sometimes… I can’t believe she hasn’t gotten herself wasted at this point by some of the criminals she’s dealt with over the years.
And Lula is my favorite character, at least whenever she appears more prominently in a book. Watching her training, and eating, is laugh-out-loud funny. I always picture Gabourey Sidibe playing her… not sure why, but that’s who’s in my head.
I’m not a huge fan of Joyce but we all need a Moriarty of sorts, right? For those who haven’t read the series, Joyce is a fellow PI and former girlfriend of Stephanie’s on/off again relationship with Joe Morelli.
I think I stopped here with this book and still have the last 4 or 5 to catch up on. The series stalls every so often, but within each book, there’s a treasure of fun somewhere hidden if not the entire thing. They can be read in 3 to 4 hours… I would like to listen to one if they actually make an audio book. I wonder what accents everyone has, given it takes place in Newark, NJ.
Basically, you’ve got a woman everyone finds something they love about, but also a few annoying habits. You may want to date her, but then you’d want to kill her. She’s a good bestie, but even then, too many favors just to keep up with her antics.
Nonetheless, it makes for a fantastic read. So if you’ve never read the series, don’t start with this one. Go back to #1 and give it a shot. And then tell me if you’re a Ranger or a Morelli fan. (I’d pick Ranger, btw… isn’t it always better when the object of your affection also scares the hell out of you????)
Love the Stephanie Plum books
Great book
funny
I have read ALL her books & have gone to 2 of her book signings. There are a great many things that will always be pondered but right up there with any Aristotle philosophy is…. Are you a babe or a cupcake?? OMG… I think I will go to my grave and still haven’t decided. I love the most Grandma Mazur. She ALWAYS makes the book. Now, on the fli side I don’t know the end game of this series and I’m not sure if there ever will be. Something tells me when it finally ends you will have to come up with your own conclusions…… The story plot is repitious in Stephanie Plum is always on the look out for her next bail bonds gig Lula will always be a eccentric ho and Stephanie always manages to blow up something & the talk of the Town of course is who has the best Cookies at the funeral. These are always a feel good read and I’ve pre ordered the next book..
Typical Evanovich. Love it!
Great book, read all of her books. Always entertained.
I listen to these books and love the narrator!
This is one the funnest series to read. Certainly makes you laugh out loud.
Great story! Stephanie Plum. Jersey girl super good book
Love Janet’s books, they are fun and easy to read and extremely entertaining!
Love this series and can’t wait for the next book!
Love potions, stolen vehicles, and Mom ironing 6 sheets to the wind, must just be another day in the life of Stephanie Plum. Not alot of people going back to jail in this one but it was still good.
Stephanie is always a joy, and I love “catching up” with her every time a new book in the series comes out! She’s real, funny and sharp. And the surrounding characters are real “characters.” Larger than life, and you wish that you had them as friends!
Absolutely love this series!!!! I laugh so much people look at me like I am nuts !!!!!
When I want a quick, funny read, I choose Janet Evanovich. Her characters are hysterical. Maybe the people in Trenton really are that quirky. Stephanie always gives me a laugh, and she sure gets herself into some crazy spots.
I really love this whole series of books. Janet Evanovicb is terrific at writing books that entertains and keeps you laughing at the same time
Love all of her books!