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One for the Money

(Stephanie Plum #1)

Janet Evanovich (Goodreads Author)

4.04 · Rating details · 492,704 ratings · 15,003 reviews

Discover where it all began—#1 New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich’s first “snappily written, fast-paced, and witty” (USA TODAY) novel in the beloved Stephanie Plum series featuring a feisty and funny heroine who “comes roaring in like a blast of very fresh air” (The Washington Post).

Meet Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie’s opinion, ...more

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Paperback, 320 pages

Published July 31st 2018 by Pocket Books (first published August 26th 1994)

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Apr 16, 2012 Kemper rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: craptacular, 2012, crime-mystery

It’s Gender Reversal Day here on Goodreads as I review One for the Money.

So Samuel Plum is an underwear buyer for a retail store who has recently lost his job. Desperate for cash, he blackmails his pervert cousin who runs a bail bonds agency into letting him go after a cop named Jane Morellie who was accused of murder and then skipped. There may be a personal revenge motive for Samuel in this because Jane is the girl who seduced him and took his virginity in high school. Since she never called It’s Gender Reversal Day here on Goodreads as I review One for the Money.

So Samuel Plum is an underwear buyer for a retail store who has recently lost his job. Desperate for cash, he blackmails his pervert cousin who runs a bail bonds agency into letting him go after a cop named Jane Morellie who was accused of murder and then skipped. There may be a personal revenge motive for Samuel in this because Jane is the girl who seduced him and took his virginity in high school. Since she never called him again, Samuel felt justified in running her over with a car and breaking her leg shortly after that.

Now Jane is worth $10,000. Even though he has absolutely no experience or training in law enforcement or as a bounty hunter, Samuel decides he’s going to capture her. He almost immediately stumbles across Jane who basically laughs at him and walks away. So Samuel gets a pistol he doesn’t know how to use or even load. He also allows his senile grandfather to get a hold of the gun because who doesn’t love it when the elderly start waving handguns around in a room full of family members?

Samuel’s inexperience quickly gets him into more trouble after he gets assaulted by a female boxer who tries to rape him. Rather than pull his gun on the boxer, he panics and hits her with his man purse. Things get even worse as Jane repeatedly shows up to humiliate him and then get away again. Samuel also gets another person shot when a fugitive takes away his man purse with the gun while Samuel just stands there and allows it to happen. Plus, Samuel’s failure to report the boxer to the police for the attack on him because he doesn’t want to look weak allows two innocent people to be brutally raped and assaulted.

Samuel is obviously a moron who has no business running around with a gun and hand cuffs. He also seems to be criminally negligent, and he probably should have been in prison already for running over a sex partner. He also steals Jane’s car when he gets tired of driving his own piece of shit so even though he’s supposedly on the side of law and order, he’s guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and grand theft auto.

Samuel is such a nitwit that I have no idea how I’m supposed to relate or sympathize with him. If this was some kind of comic farce, then I could see how a loser getting humiliated by the fugitives he’s supposed to be chasing would be funny, but that kind of goes out the window with the psychotic rapist boxer thing and people getting shot due to Samuel’s utter failure as a bounty hunter.

In conclusion, I’ll say that Samuel Plum is a fucktarded asshat who should be beaten with….Oh, wait. Gender Reversal Day was yesterday? And it’s Stephanie Plum, not Samuel? Oh….. I guess in that case she’s just a spunky heroine and her vehicular assault on a former lover, overall gross incompetence and insistence on trying to do a job she has no training or qualifications for is just another example of womanly independence. Girl Power!

Now, Stephanie, if you’d just step into this dark alley, there’s a few ladies who’d like a word with you. Oh, don’t worry, it’s just FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling, US Marshal Karen Sisco, Ree Dolly from the Ozarks and Lisbeth Salander from Sweden. They’d like to have a little talk regarding what you’ve done to the image of female heroes in crime fiction. ...more

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Apr 14, 2008 Claire Greene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone

I. LOVE. THESE. BOOKS. SERIOUSLY. I am obsessed with this series. And you know when your brain keeps telling you that this is ridiculous, there must be a hundred books that are written better, or a better mystery, or whatever? Well, I don't care!!! This series is my ultimate guilty pleasure. I was hooked with the first one and have read the entire series thus far - including all the stupid mini books in-between. Now, those mini books I could do without and they always feel like an attempt to mak I. LOVE. THESE. BOOKS. SERIOUSLY. I am obsessed with this series. And you know when your brain keeps telling you that this is ridiculous, there must be a hundred books that are written better, or a better mystery, or whatever? Well, I don't care!!! This series is my ultimate guilty pleasure. I was hooked with the first one and have read the entire series thus far - including all the stupid mini books in-between. Now, those mini books I could do without and they always feel like an attempt to make sure they even got the loose change in my pockets, but I still get them anyway because it is like a fix until I can get the real thing. So what is so great about them? Stephanie - hilarious. I laugh out loud (a rarity for me when reading a book) constantly when reading these books. I love the murder mysteries which are often at least a step above the formula ones. I love the triangle between Ranger and Morelli and Stephanie. That is something that often gets old for me in other books or TV shows, etc. but for some reason, it just doesn't get old here for me. 13 books in and I am still captivated by the tension between the three. I love the setting - being from CT and living in NY and knowing people from Jersey - she nails that dead on! I mean, an exaggeration of it but still.... And the quirky characters. I love that. I like books that the people are really odd and funny. But it still has to be believable - I hate odd just for the sake of odd - like, hey look at me - I'm wacky - wocka wocka!! But these characters are so outrageous and I still find myself being able to believe it and go along with the book. Do things get repetitive? Sure, I mean, she blows up a car in every single book. But for me, that makes it all the more funny - I can't help it, I laugh every single time. I love how she is so clumsy and crazy and manages to get things done in spite of herself. I love how she is always battling her weight - that constant struggle between carrots and carrot cake! I love her family, the situations she gets in, her friends, her grandmother.... Really, did I mention I love these books? I can't explain it, but I am compulsive about buying the next one as soon as it comes out in paperback and I have kept the entire set and read it through again a few times. I feel that the story just gets better and better as you know the characters more and she doesn't have to spend time introducing them, she can just get on to the chaos. I tried to talk my mom into reading these books and she just couldn't get past the introduction to Morelli (which IS pretty odd - basically two kids experimenting - I just ignore it and skipped beyond it and was able to enjoy the rest of it) and all - I think she was a little too uptight (sorry mom!) to enjoy the whole feel of the series. If I had to sum up the series, I think it would have to be Funny, fast and loose! ...more

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Jan 07, 2012 James rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-fiction, 3-multi-book-series

Pure gold in humor! 4 unforgettable characters: Stephanie Plum, Joe Morelli, Ranger and Grandma Mazur. Let's do a lil' recap:

Stephanie: Your everyday girl... with great humor, a bit of sass, lots of determination and an inability to know her limits. But each and every time you root for her to win!

Joe: Honest. Smart. Good-looking. Apparently great in bed. Knows his food. Wants to make Stephanie happy. But knows his limits.

Ranger: Everyone's secret freebie. Apparently a god. Attitude that won't q ...more

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Jun 04, 2008 Jessica rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommended to Jessica by: BC1

Dribble, dribble, dribble. To amuse myself I compiled a top 5 list of things from this book that any future bookclubs book shouldn't include:

1- a herioine who regularly wears spandex shorts (I see it was wrote in 1994, still...that was past the 80's...no excuses).

2- the term "crotch wrinkles." Used in a sentence: "By five o'clock I was feeling antsy, and my rayon skirt had serious crotch wrinkles."

3- a scene where a man masturbates on Ms. Plum's door (or any woman's door)

4- the term "boinked" es ...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Erin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Sometimes you just need to read a book like this. With mediocre writing and a plot as see-through as Grandma's underpants, it will take your mind off life's more substantial material for a while. ...more

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May 04, 2016 Jilly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, girls-i-want-to-hang-out-with, mystery

Ah, the '90's. Bike shorts, slouchy socks with high-top Reeboks, scrunchies, day-glow.

Stephanie Plum is a New Jersey '90's girl who is out of work. She finagles her way into working for her cousin who is a bail-bondsman. Her job is to catch this guy who took her virginity and she's known most of her life, and turn him into the police. He was a cop who supposedly shot an unarmed man and he skipped out on his bail. If she catches him, she will get $10,000. And, she is pretty desperate for money. ...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Megs ♥ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: favs, books-2-movies, e-books, z-2011-reads, disappointing

The movie came out a few weeks ago, and I haven't seen it yet. I figured this would be a good time to write a review about this book, since I read it a few months ago, but never got a chance to review it.

This book was highly recommended to me, because although I really do read a bit of everything I find chick-lit to be the most entertaining. When I'm in a bad mood I can sit down with a chick-lit about some crazy chick with usually unrealistic problems that makes my life seem boring and laugh my The movie came out a few weeks ago, and I haven't seen it yet. I figured this would be a good time to write a review about this book, since I read it a few months ago, but never got a chance to review it.

This book was highly recommended to me, because although I really do read a bit of everything I find chick-lit to be the most entertaining. When I'm in a bad mood I can sit down with a chick-lit about some crazy chick with usually unrealistic problems that makes my life seem boring and laugh my butt off until my mood perks up. Chick-lit is like chocolate to me in that way.

I know that comedy is subjective, but I didn't laugh reading this book once. I don't get it. That was supposedly this books biggest selling point. Also, I was able to read the whole thing since it was super short, but I thought about quitting this one about 10 times in a very short period. Why? It just wasn't that interesting. Stephanie is a broke girl who decides to become a bounty hunter to make money. The first person she needs to pick up is a guy that she hooked up with years ago. Most of the book seemed really corny to me, and that's saying a lot, considering I normally don't mind that in chick-lits. The plot was pretty boring, predictable and unable to hold my attention.

The characters. They were genuine and felt real, but again didn't interest me at all. The love triangle starts from book one, and now here we are several years, and many books later and apparently that's still her big choice?

Needless to say this is one of the most hyped, critically acclaimed chick-lits I have ever heard of. Everyone who is into cozies always says this is the best. Also, everyone who recommended it said those things like "I'm hooked" or "You will NOT be able to put this one down!"...Me? Not so much.

I'm wondering if I'm missing something here or if the series just improves greatly as the books go on. Right now after reading "One for the Money" I don't think Stephanie, her love triangle, and her strange family are people I want to invest the time in. There are like 18 books so far to this series now I think. I will probably try #2 in the future since everyone highly recommended this series to me, and some have insisted that it get's better.

This book obviously has tons of fans so I recommend if you like chick-lit give it a try and see how you like it. I feel like I'm one of the only women in the world who isn't a fan of this series, but oh well.

I will stick with Sophie Kinsella for my chick-lit fixes from now on.

1.5/5 stars ...more

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Jun 30, 2008 Inara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: novels-mystery-crime-suspense, novels-comedy-humor, author-janet-evanovich

Funny and light-hearted book with a likeable heroine who never loses track of her goal to earn 10,000 dollars as a bounty hunter. Too bad it´s an old ex-lover she has to find but then - she still has a bone to pick with him....
This first book in the series made me jump outright on the Stephanie Plum-bandwagon and I prepare myself for an enjoyable ride!

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Sep 17, 2018 Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2018, arcs, liburrrrrry-book, loveable-losers, guilty-pleasure, i-need-a-12-step-program, whodunit

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

Dear Janet E:

Actually, that’s a boldface lie. I obviously have no desire to ever give up on our ~~one-sided~~ relationship. I mean, I’ve faithfully read about Stephanie Plum, her exploding cars, her gun-toting Granny, her former ho bestie, and her will she-won’t she relationships for over 10 years now. Not to mention all of her other series I’ve dabbled in, as well as some of her romance books, and dare I forget the pretty godawful mov ...more

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Aug 17, 2017 bella farren rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-i-own

5/5 stars

This has quickly become a favourite of mine, it was recommended to me by my mum who regularly rereads the series, and spends the entire time laughing loudly to herself. And my expectations were exceeded. I am not a person who shows emotion when reading, and I never laugh out loud. Ever.

While I was reading this book, I had numerous people, including my family, ask if I was okay. I got strange looks from people on the train and in the coffee shop. No matter where it was, I ended up hyste ...more

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Dec 18, 2020 Nicole rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-thriller-horror, audiobooks, 2020, fiction

The name Janet Evanovich is one that I have seen a lot in the last few months and it stuck me. A few weeks ago, I discovered this series and honestly, I’m wondering now how I didn’t know it existed before. I would’ve definitely started it already if I knew about it. But better late than never.

We have Stephanie Plum, a broke recently unemployed and divorced woman who is in desperate need of a job. There’s a bounty on Joe Morelli so she decides to become a bounty hunter and have him arrested. Her ...more

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Dec 22, 2009 Tatiana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of funny mysteries

Recommended to Tatiana by: Heather

Shelves: 2010, mysteries-thrillers-horror

I've been seeing Evanovich books for years and not even once was I compelled to give them another look or find out if they were worth my time. I kind of regret it now.

This 1st book in the series about a female bounty hunter set in New Jersey ethnic neighborhood was quite a pleasure to read. The book was written about 15 years ago and definitely felt dated in many ways, especially in regards to "fashion" - spandex shorts, big hair, hoop earrings and all that. But the humor remained fresh, Plum/Mo ...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, buddy-reads-are-the-best, romantic-suspense, mystery, jerk-of-my-dreams

11/11/15: Buddy (Re)Read with my peeps at BB&B

description

...more

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Nov 01, 2015 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Buddy reading with some friends at Buddies Books and Baubles starting Nov 1

The Plan: Read one book in the series per month. So that's like the next 2 years. I now plan buddy reads 2 years out....no I do not have a problem...and even if I did I seem to be going to a group for it...soooooo. Don't judge me :P

Lazy Review Time - since this came out forever ago and there are a bazillion reviews

This series has 20+ books in it. I can see what it has been so popular over the years. It is just a good ...more

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Apr 06, 2019 C. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: riedel-titles-2019

I was glad to try Janet Evanovich. I liked how well we sympathized with her character and humour definitely eased off rough subjects. However, bail bond-chasing does not interest me and I have no patience for a protagonist who is unable to choose her love interest; which appears to take up several sequels. I especially cannot abide the personality of Stephanie’s Mom. If your daughter warned you about a stalker; would you stupidly retort that he “sounded nice on the phone”? Some behaviour did not ...more

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Aug 28, 2009 TK421 rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: pulp-detective-spy-crime

So with the release of the movie, I thought some words were in order. First off, this book is nothing more than pure, uncut sugar for the brain. The writing is, meh. The characters are, meh; except for grandma, she's funny as shit. But the overall story really did nothing for me. For some reason I just couldn't get excited about a female bailbondsman trying to make ends meet. And her exploits never really engaged me. (I know that was a very poor, and probbaly inadequate summary, O well.) Sadly, ...more

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Feb 15, 2016 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016, audio-book, mystery, reviewed, humor

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this series at this point. I used to absolutely love it. Stephanie Plum is what got me reading again after not picking up a book for several years when my kids where little. I devoured every book in the series that was available and when a new one was released, I would drive to my local Borders to get a copy. I pushed these books on my mom and anyone else that would listen.

Several years ago, I stopped cari This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this series at this point. I used to absolutely love it. Stephanie Plum is what got me reading again after not picking up a book for several years when my kids where little. I devoured every book in the series that was available and when a new one was released, I would drive to my local Borders to get a copy. I pushed these books on my mom and anyone else that would listen.

Several years ago, I stopped caring about this series. I realized that I could give a summary of just about any book in the series even if I hadn't read it yet.....because they are all the same. Yes there are small differences but the similarities are overwhelming. I bought this audiobook years ago and decided to pull it out because I wanted to feel a little bit of the magic before Stephanie Plum became boring.

I have read this book at least two or three times before listening to the audiobook. I even watched that horrible movie - at a theater. I know the story and I know it well. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any kind of magic this time. The story was okay. It has its moments for sure if you are looking for a little bit of silly fun in book form. It is really a pretty simple story without a whole lot of complexity to the mystery.

I didn't love the narration. C.J. Critt did a good job with Stephanie which was really the bulk of the story. I really didn't care for the voices used for the other characters in the book. I guess that I have a definite idea about what Ranger, Morelli, and the rest the gang should sound like and the reality of this audiobook just didn't measure up. Benito voice was just odd. Some of the voices used seemed so wrong to me that I found myself being pulled out of the story. I don't think that any of my issues were the fault of the narrator. I just went into the book with definite ideas of what I wanted to hear and this was just different. Not wrong...just different. I would listen to another book narrated by C.J. Critt.

I do think that readers looking for a fun silly story will enjoy the Stephanie Plum series. I have a lot of fond memories of reading these books but I don't think that I will be reading this one again. I may try the next book in the series soon to see if it works better for me because I really want to find some of the magic I felt years ago.

Initial Thoughts
I bought this audiobook years ago and decided that I should probably go ahead a listen to it. I have read the book at least twice but this was the first time I listened to any books in the series on audio. I used to love this series but it has lost a its magic for me. I was a bit underwhelmed by this audiobook and really didn't care for a lot of the voices used. It was silly at times but it just didn't feel all that funny this time around.

Full review to be posted soon. ...more

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Nov 14, 2015 Calista rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: humorous books

Shelves: z-janet-evanovich, 1994, award-various, genre-mystery, series, genre-comedy

This is the book that started the whole zany series of Stephanie and company. Stephanie is set here and she doesn't really change much through this series. Morelli is introduced here as one of her first FTAs. Lula is a street ho' and she and Stephanie meet up and become pals. We meet Stephanie's family, crazy grunting TV watching Dad, cooking, drinking, ironing mom, and the character of the series, Grandma Mazur. She is the funniest thing ever and I think one of the reasons I keep reading this s ...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Jonetta rated it liked it · review of another edition

I know many love this series and Stephanie Plum. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect and didn't find her ineptness all that funny. My investigators/detectives have to have some level of smarts, either streetwise or instinctive. That's not Stephanie and this isn't my kind of mystery but completely get how this character and story may be appealing to many.

I won't be continuing the series. ...more

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Aug 08, 2018 Karin Slaughter added it · review of another edition

Can't remember if this is the one where she flirts with Joe or flirts with Ranger, but love all of them because hey, it's Stephanie Plum. ...more

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Mar 04, 2016 Paige Bookdragon rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, contemporary, crime, humor, no-wimpy-girls, needs-a-bit-substance, got-a-copy, read-2016

Maybe if I haven't read Charley Davidson's series first, I would have loved this book more. But sad to say, I can't help but compare Stephanie's humor to Charley. It was kinda fun and entertaining but not that much.
...more

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Feb 11, 2018 Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, romantic-suspense

3.5 Stars
One for the money is one of those popular books that it seems everyone has read except me. So when I was going through a reading slump and couldn't get into any book that I started reading, I thought I would try this one. Its been on my to read pile for SO LONG. I decided to go the audio version. And I made it through!

Stephanie Plum gets sacked from her job and being desperate, approaches her cousin for a job at his bounty hunter business. Originally intending to go for a filing job she 3.5 Stars
One for the money is one of those popular books that it seems everyone has read except me. So when I was going through a reading slump and couldn't get into any book that I started reading, I thought I would try this one. Its been on my to read pile for SO LONG. I decided to go the audio version. And I made it through!

Stephanie Plum gets sacked from her job and being desperate, approaches her cousin for a job at his bounty hunter business. Originally intending to go for a filing job she takes up bounty hunting when she sees that she can get a cool 10k for bringing in a particular suspect who has jumped bail. However, the subject is ex cop Joe Morelli who had a fling with once when they were teenagers. So with a trusty gun and the help of a few friends to navigate through the biz, she is on her way to catching the suspect. However she gets herself into a bit of trouble with a psychotic stalker first, and ends up relying on the very person she is meant to bring in. And of course, sparks.

I get it. I really do. Back in 1995 this would have been a great book. Amazing even. But now, in the 2010's, it is full of inappropriate sexism, sexual harassment masked as “sexual tension”, annoying characters, and bad fashion that belongs back in the 90's.

Having said that, I can look past all of that and put myself back in the 1990's and appreciate this book for what it is, an entertaining read that you can just enjoy without getting too much into it.

Sure, Stephanie Plum may be a touch on the annoying side, but for the 90's, she is kick ass.

I loved the fact that there are no mobile phones, and technology feels like it belongs back in the stone ages. And hey, it may be interesting to see what Stephanie got herself up to in the next 20 years, with the 24th instalment of the series having just been released last year.

The audio version was pretty good. There are two different ones apparently and I chose the more recent. Although reviews for the latter one seem to be better from what I have seen.

Would I recommend One of the Money?

Yes, I think so. Although you may need to ask me after a few more books.

I purchased One for the Money at my own expense at audible.com ...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Eric rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: I couldn't in good conscience recommend anyone else read this

Shelves: audiobooks, crime

My wife and I were heading to Philadelphia for a long weekend, and decided to get an audiobook for the road trip. After a short conversation about how that "female bounty hunter movie" was based on a best selling book, I downloaded this. I was slightly curious, as I have seen the author's name on bookshelves for years now, and didn't know anything other than that she was very fond of numbers in her titles.

Eight minutes into our road trip my wife asked me to shut the book off, as she had a heada My wife and I were heading to Philadelphia for a long weekend, and decided to get an audiobook for the road trip. After a short conversation about how that "female bounty hunter movie" was based on a best selling book, I downloaded this. I was slightly curious, as I have seen the author's name on bookshelves for years now, and didn't know anything other than that she was very fond of numbers in her titles.

Eight minutes into our road trip my wife asked me to shut the book off, as she had a headache. All we heard was a childhood flashback about the main character getting tricked by a neighborhood kid into playing "train tunnel" in her pants. I was happy to acquiesce, as I thought both the book and the narrator were dreadful.

But now I feel compelled to finish what I started, since I paid for it, and I have to listen to something while commuting in rush hour traffic. So either the book is going to improve significantly, or I am going to have fun writing a scathing review when it's finally over.

UPDATE:

I finished listening to this yesterday. It was beyond awful.

The main character, Stephanie Plum, makes stupid decision after stupid decision. In fact, I cannot think of a single rational, logical decision she made at any point in the novel. And all the while, the reader is subjected to constant descriptions of her clothing, jewelry and make-up.

Supporting characters around her appear and disappear, serving only as thinly veiled plot devices. Her family, her boss and Ranger are never mentioned after the half-way point of the novel. I lost count of how many times Plum catches up to Morelli only to not even try to apprehend him.

Deus ex machina moments occur regularly. More than one character seems clinically schizophrenic. The "mystery" would have never been solved, if not for a lengthy expository speech by the villain right before he plans to kill the protagonist.

No way would I ever pick up another one of these books. Oh, and why am I not surprised to learn that Janet Evanovich is one of Stephenie Meyer's favorite authors? ...more

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May 04, 2012 Gavin added it · review of another edition

This was a fun story. It had a bit of action, a bit of mystery, and plenty of crazy humor. The story was fast paced and pretty light in tone for the most part, but it did have a few dark happenings that injected some tension into the story.

Down on her luck Stephanie Plum needs a job fast before she runs out of money and ends up getting evicted from her apartment. She askes her cousin Vinny if she can get the vacant secretary job at his business only to be told the position was just filled! Not ...more

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Aug 16, 2015 ᴥ Irena ᴥ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: humour, mystery

I must be the only one who read this and found it more depressing than funny.

Although there were a couple of times I laughed (few, to be honest, but enough to make me not hate this book), I didn't like Stephanie Plum at all. I am not saying we should all be scared and sit in our house because we might get hurt, but there is being wise and there is being Stephanie. The book summary is way better than the book itself.

You know those films where a cop is accused of something and he sets out to clea ...more

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Feb 14, 2015 Cyndi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the many books I often reread. Not sure how many times I've read this book. Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite characters in literature. She's funny and vivacious.

2/2018. Another reread so I could visit with Stephanie and the Plum family. I love this series more every time I read them. 😁💕 ...more

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Feb 11, 2014 Tiffany PSquared rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: stephanie-plum-series, favorite-series-firsts

And thus, with this book, began my intense love affair with everything Stephanie Plum and her zany crew of friends, co-workers, lovers, and adversaries (standouts: Grandma Mazur and Lula). Oh, and by the way, I'm 100% #teamRanger

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Aug 12, 2019 Tina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery, audiobooks, library-books, series

I have been reading the Stephanie plum series as I find them not in order. I have to say this book is so good, and it shows how Stephanie gets into bounty hunter as will how she meets her two lovers. I have to say this one is not as funny as the other books in this series I have read. (*)

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Sep 30, 2010 Shannon rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, forgot-to-drink-the-kool-aid, audiobooks, 2010

Book: ★ ★ ½
Narration: ★ ½
I'm new to audiobooks, and at this point I'm not exactly sure how much they're for me. I can listen to whatever I want during my workday, so I figure, why not catch up on some reading while I do it? The problem is, I seem to come across more audiobooks that rub me the wrong way than those that don't. When the narrator is female and she reads the part of a male and is trying to either be sexy or menacing, I have a hard time with it. The same goes the other way as well. Book: ★ ★ ½
Narration: ★ ½
I'm new to audiobooks, and at this point I'm not exactly sure how much they're for me. I can listen to whatever I want during my workday, so I figure, why not catch up on some reading while I do it? The problem is, I seem to come across more audiobooks that rub me the wrong way than those that don't. When the narrator is female and she reads the part of a male and is trying to either be sexy or menacing, I have a hard time with it. The same goes the other way as well. I've tried getting through Odd Thomas but when the narrator speaks for Odd's girlfriend, I can't help but imagine a drag queen. It's that jarring that it takes me out of the story, and the same thing happened in this book as well.

I enjoyed this story for what it was: a down on her luck Jersey girl who decides to try her hand at bounty hunting and hilarity ensues. I didn't find myself laughing all that much, although I did smile at some of Morelli's lines, but then quickly cringed at the sound of the female voicing them. It was a weird experience.

Throughout the novel, Stephanie isn't all that smart. This being the first in a very long series, I expected that going in, so I wasn't all that surprised when she decided to hit her would-be rapist over the head with her purse instead of taking her gun out of said purse and pointing it at his face. She doesn't do so many dumb things that it made me want to slap her though, and that can be a fine line to cross. I actually thought a lot of characters toed that line; her Mom was pushy but in a funny way, her Grandma was crazy but not annoying, and Morelli played sexy and dangerous in a delicious way. Ranger, I'm on the fence about because he played such a small part, and also because I think some of his lines would have been sexier in my head than out of a woman's mouth.

I was surprised at some of the darker parts of this book, although now that I think of it, this kind of reads like a Lifetime movie. Think murder, torture, rape, all that fun stuff. Throw in some prostitution and drugs and now we're having a good time! Honestly though, I think the grittier bits made me like the story more because it wasn't just fluffy chick-lit all the time, but then, I'm twisted like that.

I liked that I was kept guessing up until the end. I had my suspicions, but I was actually wrong and I enjoyed that! All too often I figure out the mystery before half the novel is over but that wasn't the case here so that was a pleasant surprise.

I don't think the narrator did a poor job for most of the novel; it was just the sexy and evil men that she was trying to do that wasn't working for me. I feel like I was missing out on some of the atmosphere with the characters by not hearing the men in my head. Maybe this isn't an issue for others that are used to one narrator doing a whole cast of characters, but it just isn't something that's clicking with me.

I will continue on with this story, but in regular ol' book form. I hear the love triangle continues on for eternity, but I think I've proved I'm a glutton for punishment since I'm still reading Anita Blake, so I'll definitely pick up the next installment of Stephanie Plum's series soon. ...more

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Jul 30, 2008 Dorothy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Mystery lovers

Shelves: modern-day-mysteries, tough-women, re-reading

How is it that, having been an avid reader of mysteries for much of my life, I had never picked up one of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books? A gross oversight on my part that I have now rectified. I have finished the first one of the series.

I've been reading quite a few serious books this summer - "The Maytrees," "Falling Man," "Absolute Friends," and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" to name the most recent - and I was ready for a drastic change. This book certainly offered that.

I was captivated ...more

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Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg. ...more

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“I like the way you've let your hair go curly," he finally said. "Suits your personality. Lots of energy, not much control, sexy as hell,"
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