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Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)
by Janet Evanovich (Goodreads Author), Lorelei King
by Janet Evanovich (Goodreads Author), Lorelei King
Posted at Badass Book reviews
You don't know me. I'm a fan of your work, have been for years. I have gotten many friends and family hooked on Stephanie, Joe, Ranger and Lula. I had every one of your books. I love your work with Charlotte Hughes and the Full Series. I have laughed and teared up, I have giggled and gasped for years, but it's time I stand up and shout.
Your last three Stephanie Plum Novels have left me feeling cheated. With each new installment I hope for more. But I get the same old antics. I read a recent interview with you, in which you say that when an author finds a winning formula, to stick with it and milk it for all it's worth {Paraphrased}. I take issue with this. How can an author expect their fans to keep buying a novel with the same plots, same games, same lines, same everything? The books seem to be getting shorter, the font larger, and the quality poorer, all with a hardcover price. I used to recommend your books to all who would listen, but now? I shy away and that sucks!
In your latest installment of the Stephanie Plum Series, Stephanie turns into a Hoochie. I'm sorry to say it. I don't like the word, I don't like the meaning, but it's what you turned her into. I didn't mind so much previously when she would steal a few kisses here and there between Ranger and Joe (and hell Diesel) but having her sleep with both men, in the same book, on back to back nights is just shameful. Gramma Bella SHOULD put the eye on her! Joe SHOULD dump her, so should Ranger. So what, now that Joe and Stephanie have an 'open' relationship they can sleep with whomever they want, whenever they want, and each other? Yuck. I was a Joe fan in the beginning of the series, but then he turned rather chauvinistic, spouting how she should be barefoot and pregnant and not working, and that got my feminist hackles all up and pissy. I've always been a Ranger girl, but I can't understand how he can still be around playing for scraps. Is her vagina magic? Are you gearing up to make her like Anita Blake? Because if So, please for the love of books don't!!!
Characters need growth in a series. Stephanie has not grown, in fact I could argue that she has regressed. After seventeen books, she STILL can't shoot her gun, she can't use handcuffs, she blows up cars, and has no desire to learn self defense. I'm sorry, but she's an idiot. And not a funny one anymore.
To me, and I know that I am not alone, Stephanie used to be a source of comic relief. She made me laugh and took me out of the seriousness of my life or other more suspenseful books I was reading at the time. But she's no longer funny, she's a joke.
If you are tired of writing her, then please stop.
If you think your fans will stop reading if she chooses to stay with ONE of the men, they won't.
If you are doing this for the money, I'm sorry.
I won't be buying anymore of your novels.
If this alienates me in the book blogging world, so be it. I can't stand it anymore. I've held my council for the last three books and I can't do it anymore. It's my opinion, but I am not alone. I implore you to see reason. Please go back to writing meaningfully. Make Stephanie grow up a bit. Make her see that she has to learn.
I hate to see her the way she is. I hope you have a plan. I pray to the editors that you have a plan. Please don't string us along. Don't make us hate her. We fans, and Stephanie as well, deserve better than what you are giving us.
You don't know me. I'm a fan of your work, have been for years. I have gotten many friends and family hooked on Stephanie, Joe, Ranger and Lula. I had every one of your books. I love your work with Charlotte Hughes and the Full Series. I have laughed and teared up, I have giggled and gasped for years, but it's time I stand up and shout.
Your last three Stephanie Plum Novels have left me feeling cheated. With each new installment I hope for more. But I get the same old antics. I read a recent interview with you, in which you say that when an author finds a winning formula, to stick with it and milk it for all it's worth {Paraphrased}. I take issue with this. How can an author expect their fans to keep buying a novel with the same plots, same games, same lines, same everything? The books seem to be getting shorter, the font larger, and the quality poorer, all with a hardcover price. I used to recommend your books to all who would listen, but now? I shy away and that sucks!
In your latest installment of the Stephanie Plum Series, Stephanie turns into a Hoochie. I'm sorry to say it. I don't like the word, I don't like the meaning, but it's what you turned her into. I didn't mind so much previously when she would steal a few kisses here and there between Ranger and Joe (and hell Diesel) but having her sleep with both men, in the same book, on back to back nights is just shameful. Gramma Bella SHOULD put the eye on her! Joe SHOULD dump her, so should Ranger. So what, now that Joe and Stephanie have an 'open' relationship they can sleep with whomever they want, whenever they want, and each other? Yuck. I was a Joe fan in the beginning of the series, but then he turned rather chauvinistic, spouting how she should be barefoot and pregnant and not working, and that got my feminist hackles all up and pissy. I've always been a Ranger girl, but I can't understand how he can still be around playing for scraps. Is her vagina magic? Are you gearing up to make her like Anita Blake? Because if So, please for the love of books don't!!!
Characters need growth in a series. Stephanie has not grown, in fact I could argue that she has regressed. After seventeen books, she STILL can't shoot her gun, she can't use handcuffs, she blows up cars, and has no desire to learn self defense. I'm sorry, but she's an idiot. And not a funny one anymore.
To me, and I know that I am not alone, Stephanie used to be a source of comic relief. She made me laugh and took me out of the seriousness of my life or other more suspenseful books I was reading at the time. But she's no longer funny, she's a joke.
If you are tired of writing her, then please stop.
If you think your fans will stop reading if she chooses to stay with ONE of the men, they won't.
If you are doing this for the money, I'm sorry.
I won't be buying anymore of your novels.
If this alienates me in the book blogging world, so be it. I can't stand it anymore. I've held my council for the last three books and I can't do it anymore. It's my opinion, but I am not alone. I implore you to see reason. Please go back to writing meaningfully. Make Stephanie grow up a bit. Make her see that she has to learn.
I hate to see her the way she is. I hope you have a plan. I pray to the editors that you have a plan. Please don't string us along. Don't make us hate her. We fans, and Stephanie as well, deserve better than what you are giving us.
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Comments (showing 1-50 of 64) (64 new)
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Francesca the Fierce ~Eyelet Ecstasy~
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rated it 3 stars
Jun 29, 2011 09:02am
I LOVED this review!
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A friend recommended this series but I have yet to pick it up. From your review (and others), I don't think ever will.
The first few are SO good! they are funny, and zainey, and make me giggle hysterically. But nothing has changed. Nothing ever changes. I would read up until book 9.
I think I finally saw a turning point (for the worst and inbearable) at 12. But anything before that I highly recommend.
Good Review. I quit this series at about book 12, also. Bumbling Steph never seemed to learn anything about the bounty hunting business; and it was the same old same old every book, less funny each time.I heard she's supposed to pick a guy in the next book (November). I may read both then...but I doubt I'll ever read any of the books in between.
Alyssa (Hesperia Loves Books) wrote: "*stands up clapping* LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this review!"I'm #600 and change on the waitlist at the library...not only have I stopped buying them, but this review convinced me to not bother reading them, either. I'm taking my name off the list. It just makes me sad, and YES...I see the Anita Blake similarity (I only read the first one...loved it, then heard where it was going, and stopped).
It's just not funny, anymore. (Thanks, Alyssa, for commenting on this, so it came up on my feed!)
That was my problem with the book with her becoming a hoochie. I didn't like that she slept with both of em to "compare", as Lula suggested. I think she will stick with Morelli. And personally I don't think Morelli was with anyone.
Well said! I do believe the history of Joe and Stephanie has been changed somewhat to make it ok for her to sleep around. If I'm remembering correctly, Joe gave her a ring and she freaked out. Stephanie was the one wanting a break from their commitment, not Joe as it was stated in this book. I'm a Morelli fan, but at this point she should just suck it up and pick one. I don't even care that much which one it is. Thanks for writing such an insightful review!
OMG! Well said. I'm about 1/2 thru and it's just crap. Thank God I didn't buy this, but am reading it at work during my break. It's not even worth the effort to check out.
Applause!! Your review is dead-on. Characters need to grow, learn and change, not stagnate in the same exact plot twists every book. With the same characters no less, although sometimes they have different names. I promised myself I'd stop after book sixteen, which sucked beyond belief, but here I am back for more punishment. Thank the editors that i borrowed this one from the library so I didn't pay for it!
Perfectly said! This was -better- than the last few and Steph managed to make some easy busts at least. However, it's the same book after book. I swear, in survival of the fittest you adapt and change, Steph, sadly would have died years ago. If announcing you're a bounty hunter just gets the door slammed in your face, change your tactic, it's not working. Ive never fired a gun, but would love to do a shooting contest with her, I think I'd win. Wish Evanovich, her editor, publicist, publisher see your review!
Excellent analysis. You have exactly pinpointed my beef with the recent books: These characters have not grown at all. In fact, in your words, they have regressed and it is extremely irritating. I have #17 on my TBR list. In fact, I think I'm pushing it to the top after reading your review - just to see for myself!
AMEN. I used to look forward to June coming so I could pick up her latest book and read it on the beach. Now I won't buy these books and don't even care to read them from the library.
Wonderful review!!! Just finished the book last night and sat here afterwards wondering why I even read it. I've read every one of the series and
this one simply wasn't as funny as the earlier books were...not even close.
Then the Joe vs Ranger thing....I'll be honest..after reading this, I just don't really like Stephanie Plum as much as I did before. Hootchie isn't exactly the term that I would use. She's just plain trashy.....yech!!! I don't care if Grandma Mazur did put a hex on her (which in itself was a little stupid, imho), to have her jump one right after the other was too much.
At this minute, I don't even want to read the next one but I'm sure I'll end up doing so..I just hope it is better than this one.
Well said! The Plum books 1-12 are fun and enjoyable reads but books 13-17 suck, for lack of a better word. I think Evanovich hates the series that made her rich.
I don't hate them. I'm just tired of it. It is old and stale. Janet needs new material to keep me as a reader.
Love your review, and I agree completely!! You can only be the dumb bimbo for so long... I've been wondering what Ranger sees in her at all... :(
How's this for you? I enjoyed the book but I also agree with your review. Stephanie needs depth to her relationships and growth. I could have reread and earlier more enjoyable book and saved my money. On the other hand, I really needed a light read and I don't typically reread books - I enjoy the surprises - and Vordo did make me laugh but there was little else that was new or a surprise.
I've stopped buying these books. I'm waiting on the library list to read it. Thanks for confirming my decision. I love Stephanie, love Ranger, but JE no longer writes purchase-worthy books. So sad.
Woot! I haven't read this book yet, but I've been so disappointed in the last few of this series that I'm sure I'll agree once I do read it.
Thanks for saying so perfectly what (obviously) many of us are thinking. I hope someone shows Evanovich your review
Wow, I was expecting some hard core fan to attack you for this but since so many people agree with you that must mean you are on to something. While I enjoyed this book I sadly seemed to agree with everything you said. I thought the vordo was funny but then it still really bothered me every time she would saddle up and ride Ranger. I still have about 60 pages left though.
I am a hardcore fan. It's hard to bash someone who loves the series but finds real faults that most people take issue with
I agree totally with the review from above. I used to love the series. But I couldn't even finish this book! She lost me when Stephanie had sex with Ranger in his car in an alley. I don't mean to be too conservative, but sex with two men in two nights. Grow up already!!
I disagree with this review entirely. Erika says she felt cheated by the last THREE Plum novels, which implies the series slipped to substandard only with 'Fearless Fourteen'. I say that '12 Sharp' was unbearably dull and a zombie has been dialling in the numbers ever since. That makes this the SIXTH rotten Plum. Unless, of course, you also want to discuss the various 'holiday specials'...And now Evanovich has started another 'by the numbers' series with Diesel - at least, I presume she has a 7 book contract, one for each deadly sin. That's a ride I don't even intend to start. As far as I'm concerned, JE lost me at 12 Sharp, and I'm not coming back either to Plum or the new number series. (OK, I did look at 13, 14 and 15, but I only borrowed them from the library, read the first couple chapters to see if any actual life had returned, then just flipped through the rest and read the end to see if the zombie was killed off before dumping them back. What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment.)
Speaking of gluttony, I think the 7 deadly sins could probably be covered in only 5 books now, because the latest Plum phone ins have already covered sloth and greed with how and why they were written.
Oh, and does anyone else think Grandma Mazur's Buick should have died 12 books ago from cumulative metal fatigue caused by the endless accidents?
So, technically you agree with me John that the books suck? lol but it started sooner :PI won't read the diesel series, I disliked the between the plum books because of him. I liked 12 sharp, but I agree the decline started there.
Erika of wrote: "So, technically you agree with me John that the books suck? lol but it started sooner :PI won't read the diesel series, I disliked the between the plum books because of him. I liked 12 sharp..."
Yes, actually I agreed with everything you said about the series, but I think you were too kind about when the decline started. I guess we will have to disagree about '12 Not-so-sharp'.
Diesel seems to be Evanovich' attempt to jump on the paranormal bandwagon. I actually found him incredibly jarring in what was until then a completely 'mundane' contemporary mystery series. My 'suspension of disbelief' could easily handle Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy in one of Jim Butcher's novels about Harry Dresden, wizard detective, but I don't remember Conan Doyle, for example, ever mentioning even in passing that Dr. Watson was a vampire... Once magic is added into a series even for a side story, I find it difficult to blot out again - the paranormal has become part of the rules of that author's fictional universe. Ever since the 'between the Plums' started, I keep wondering if THIS will be the novel where Evanovich spices things up by having the werewolf clan move into the Burg...
It's definite now. I'm not trying this series, at all. Some say it's okay to read up until a certain book, but it would be like watching your favorite character die. Won't do it. Negatory.
Anna wrote: "It's definite now. I'm not trying this series, at all. Some say it's okay to read up until a certain book, but it would be like watching your favorite character die. Won't do it. Negatory."I've always felt that mysteries are somewhat different that way. If you read a true series, like the Harry Potter books, each novel is a standalone but the series has a definite arc from beginning to end. And usually, the series DOES have a definite end point too. Mysteries are more like the detective's 'case notes'. In fact with some authors, especially earlier ones, the titles would be 'So-and-so and the Case of ...'. You could read Perry Mason novels forever, in any order, and it wouldn't matter.
The Plum books are somewhere in between. Each is a stand-alone case of some sort. And while there is a 'series arc' it doesn't seem to go anywhere much or do anything, so you can really start almost anywhere with the books and you're not going to feel like you came in in the middle and need a program to understand who the players are.
In some ways, that's the whole problem for long-term readers - Plum is almost a static creation like some of the classic detectives, never changing. Yet at the same time, the stories aren't 'pure' mysteries where the concentration is all on solving the crime, so that the static nature of the characters in the arc can be ignored. And because the series began with much of the fun being in the interaction between the characters rather than just in the solution of the mystery, the later books feel 'stale'. It's almost like we have the worst of both worlds here --not fully-developed 'hardcore' mysteries, but not a fully-developed 'heroine's journey' arc either: Plum kind of falls between the stools, and in the last few novels, it feels like she's flat on her butt on the barroom floor and not getting up again.
I guess what I'm saying is that for me, it's not really like watching my favorite character die. It's more like I got on the bus with her for awhile, rode along for a few stops and then got off, and can imagine her riding on without me without any grief. I think you can do that with mysteries more than, for example, Harry Potter's personal war with Voldemort.
Anna, the first few are so fecking funny. Seriously. But then the jokes stay the same. the characters stay the same, the plots are the same just with different names... but the first ones? the first ones are great!!
I'll try the first Plum book. I guess it'll be like reading the J.D. Robb's In Death series. Starts off strong then dwindles down. That's a bus I'll be departing soon.
Anna wrote: "I'll try the first Plum book. I guess it'll be like reading the J.D. Robb's In Death series. Starts off strong then dwindles down. That's a bus I'll be departing soon."It seems to happen with a lot of series now, especially with 'open ended' ones. If an author has a contract for a specific number of books, she often has a good idea where her characters are heading. If it's open-ended - 'we'll publish books about Ms. X as long as you keep writing them and the public keep buying them' - eventually character atrophy sets in.
One mystery series I am quite enjoying is Carol Higgins Clark's about PI Regan Reilly. I just started reading it now as the 14th book was published. One thing I noticed immediately when I checked over the book descriptions before starting the series is that Ms. Reilly (unlike Ms. Plum) over those 14 books switches careers from private investigator to police detective and also dates a few men, marries and starts a family.
So glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I've been disappointed since Book 10. It's the same thing over and over and over and over... END IT ALREADY!!!!!
Very nice review & great insight from john in the comments. It's always a shame when greed trumps quality, which has happened here, in my opinion...get rich but deliver the goods needs to be the new by-words in the US instead of the current attitude that we readers are lazy & stupid. Eventually we will get a clue & revolt.
