Stephanie Plum faces the toughest puzzle of her career in the twenty-fifth entry in Janet Evanovich’s #1 New York Times-bestselling series. There’s nothing like a good deli, and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World-famous for its pastrami, cole slaw, and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, and the only clue in each … earth, and the only clue in each case is one shoe that’s been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it’s a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they’d better figure out what’s going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum.
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When Look Alive Twenty-Five from the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich was published last fall, I devoured the remaining books I’d not caught up on yet. I was surprised to see it already available at the New York Public Library (NYPL) and requested it around Christmas. What a shock when I moved up to #1 in the waiting queue last week. Since I had only a few days to accept it, I happily jumped into the book and finished it within two days. It pushed back a few other items on my reading schedule, but nothing I couldn’t easily re-arrange. I wasn’t letting this one slip through my fingers.
For fans of the series, you’ll get the same thing you get every book but with a small twist. Instead of chasing six to eight felons, Stephanie’s been recruited to manage a diner that her cousin Vinnie’s father-in-law, Harry the Hammer, inherited when someone couldn’t pay back a loan. Vinnie puts Stephanie in charge of keeping the place running well so Harry doesn’t hammer him. Except it seems… all the managers are kidnapped. One shoe is left behind. Six are gone already. Will Stephanie be the 7th? Along the path, she runs into Wulf, the crazy vampire-like guy she met through Diesel. Lula and Ranger help her operate the diner, but one of their tight little family is actually kidnapped. Joe Morelli helps protect her, too, and we learn a lot more about the mob families in Trenton.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a nice change of pace to have Stephanie follow one big mystery rather than lots of smaller ones. Her parents and grandmother play a very minor role, but one of them is part of a big cliffhanger involving Harry the Hammer. I suspect we’ll get to know more about that side of the family in the next book. Lula’s sandwich-making abilities are epic. Ranger’s knowledge knows no bounds. And Evanovich is as funny as ever. I enjoy the books purely because I can laugh out loud without fail.
It feels good to be caught up on this series, but I think I’m ready for it to end. It’s not that the books aren’t good anymore. It’s just that we need something different. While reliable, they are too formulaic. That said, I’ll always read them, and now that I can get #26 possibly as an ARC or the day it’s published, the sweeter it’ll be.
I haven’t missed a Stephanie Plum since the series launched but I’ll admit I liked some entries far better than others. This story was more fleshed out than the more recent books, something I appreciated. What I didn’t enjoy was the gratuitous addition of the “Wulf” character. He served absolutely no purpose. I don’t mind a touch of magic, but not in a Stephanie Plum book. Magic doesn’t work in Trenton! At least, it doesn’t for me. I admit I’m not a fan of the Diesel books (where, I think, Wulf originated) so bumping into this character in the ‘Burg didn’t sit right with me. A quick read.
Oh my goodness! Stephanie Plum is at it again. I couldn’t help but laugh at the trouble she and Lula were getting into this time. How could anyone destroy a deli simply by working there. I guess it’s not hard with this crew. Managers were disappearing and she was trying to find them. Ranger and Morelli were tag teaming to keep Stephanie from disappearing too. In the end all works out, but just when things appear to be back to normal, trouble just might be brewing with Grandma Mazur.
In Janet Evanovich’s Look Alive Twenty-Five Stephanie Plum take on a new job as a manager at The Red River Deli. A popular eating spot in Trenton, NJ. There’s just one problem, the last three managers are missing. With Stephanie in the position Ranger and Morelli are keeping an eye on things. More of the same, I mean it as a compliment. I found it, relaxing, humorous and an enjoyable read.
Raymond.
Enjoyed every book in this series. Never disappointed!
I love Stephanie Plum so when I hear that we are getting a new one of course I have to get my hands on it as soon as possible. I was not disappointed as we follow her and Lula on yet another wacky adventure that lands Stephanie in danger. Good thing she has Morelli and Ranger to watch over her even if things get a little too close anyways. While not nearly as hilarious as the last book this one is still a wonderful addition to the remarkable funny series. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Outrageously clever who-done-it!
Sometimes you just need to escape reality with Stephanie Plum.
The characters are so much fun to follow. Stephanie Plum is always getting into crazy situations. Lula makes me laugh out loud with her wardrobe, her appetite and her wit. I love Ranger and Morelli because who wouldn’t love their characters. Not enough of her mother and grandmother in this one though.
Not for those who want serious stuff. Light, easy reading, wish I’d met Stephanie in real life.
I have read many of the earlier books and eventually got bored as the seem to be the same old, same old. This book was on sale, thus leading me to give this series another try. It was a delightful surprise and like coming home to old friends. As a result, I will follow this series again. BTW: I met Janet at two book signings, and she has a great, natural sense of humor plus very approachable. Janet if you are reading this review, it is written by a fellow “river rat.”
Simply love all Janet’s books. So much variety within the cover. Highly recommend
all the Plum novels and her others as well. Ma
Stephanie Plum works as a Bounty Hunter with the help of Loulou, an exhooker for her relative, Vinnie. Stephanie and Loulou get involved with the dissappearance of 3 managers of the Red River Deli in Trenton. Lorelei King does an excellent job reading the audio book with all different voices for the characters. I laughed a lot when Stephanie and Loulou tried working at the deli and the fun begins. I would have liked more of one of my favorite characters, Grandma Mazur but there is a surprise ending that I wasn’t ready to hear. Some people didn’ like this as much as the other books but I enjoyed and couldn’t stop listening at the end of most of the chapters.
One of my favorite authors, Janet Evanovich delivers again. Love the characters and story line.
Always a fun read with Stephanie Plum. I love all the characters. Janet evanovich is great!
Janet Evanovich never disappoints.
Another of Janet Envanovich’s Plum series book. I look forward to the new book of this series. I love the characters. I feel like I am reading a new installment of my friends. I enjoy the dimensions of the interaction of the characters in each of the books and how you keep them fresh and and new so they are not boring. Good job Janet. Keep them coming. Five stars again
A little different than the others but really liked it. Less about her family and more Ranger and Morelli.
Another Stephanie Plum and of Lola adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the shenanigans they get up to . Can’t wait for the next adventure in book 26 !