Plum #22 (Tricky Twenty-Two)

[Brittany]

It was posted on JE's Facebook and Twitter pages that the book will be published November 17, 2015 and that the title should be released sometime this week (the week of 2/16). I'm personally bummed that it'll be a year and a half between Top Secret Twenty-One and #22. Anything special you are hoping to see in 22?

[Anita]

Aren't we all "hoping" for her to choose ranger or Morelli?? I can tell you right now - that isn't going to happen. I hope to see a funny, sexy mystery filled with suspense. I also hope it doesn't have any STSL moments for Stephanie.

[Brittany]

I have no expectations of a choice being made. That won't happen until the series is over. I would love to meet Ranger's family, or see Stephanie get arrested and go FTA while she tries to prove her innocence. Something to shake it all up a little.

[Diana]

I want to see more of Ranger. He's so mysterious. I'd like to see his grandma, Rosa...and see Stephanie end up taking care of his daughter again...that would be funny....Oh and maybe see a different pet than Rex. He's got to be the oldest hamster in history. What's "STSL" stand for? (Sorry, I'm not good with acronyms.)

[Anita]

Brittany wrote: "I have no expectations of a choice being made. That won't happen until the series is over. I would love to meet Ranger's family, or see Stephanie get arrested and go FTA while she tries to prove he..."

Yes! Great plot ideas!

[Anita]

STSL = To Stupid To Live. Basically, a really bad move by the heroine.

[Brittany]

According to Amazon, the next book is called Tricky Twenty-Two.

[Laura]

I'd love to see Stephanie choose between Morelli and Ranger but that isn't going to happen until the end of the series. I'd like something new and fresh, I love the idea mentioned above of Stephanie going FTA... both Morelli and Ranger have been FTA before, so why can't she? Would shake things up. I'm just hoping for no recycled plot lines. If it feels recycled, I think this is it for me. I will simply find out who she picks once a decision is made and save myself reading the same book over and over.

[Dallass]

The books earlier on in the series were fabulous! So funny and fast paced. Lately there has been a drop off in quality where Stephanie keeps doing the same things and there has been no real character growth - seriously, she should be able to do some of this bounty hunter stuff without always relying on Ranger! - and the plotlines themselves have felt very staid and recycled.

I would rather wait longer for a great book than have a mediocre one every year.

[Anita]

One for the Money was published in 1994. That means the series is over 20 years old. That's hard to believe. Stephanie was early 30's in the first book and she is still early 30's. None of them have aged, why should there be character growth?

[Paula]

It seems Morelli has grown and matured, and so has Ranger. Stephanie is a bit stunted though.

[Anita]

I don't agree. None of them has shown any "growth". I'm OK with that. Morelli only wants Stephanie to warm his bed. He really doesn't care what she does otherwise, well, maybe he doesn't want her sleeping with Ranger. But he doesn't support her "career" and she doesn't particularly like his family. I think it is going to be Ranger in the end. He, at least, supports her career and isn't trying to make her someone she isn't. But, I don't see and end for a long, long time. I, for one, just want to enjoy the books and pray they keep coming as long as possible.

[K.L.]

Anita wrote: "One for the Money was published in 1994. That means the series is over 20 years old. That's hard to believe. Stephanie was early 30's in the first book and she is still early 30's. ..."

That's 20 years our time, book time seems to move slower. There are quantum physicists working on that puzzle as we speak!

[Sara]

Anita wrote: "I don't agree. None of them has shown any "growth". I'm OK with that. Morelli only wants Stephanie to warm his bed. He really doesn't care what she does otherwise, well, maybe he doesn't want h..."

I agree with you Anita. I'm okay with the lack of "growth". Technically every book almost picks up where the last left off. It's not like every book is a new year for her. You would think after 21 books I'd be tired of the same thing, but honestly I look forward to each book.

[Debbie]

I read this series just for the joy and fun of it. I really don't want anyone to change.
I guess all my reading is for joy and fun. I have enough drama in real life, I don't need it in books. That is just me, I understand that.

[Anita]

YES! You all get it. It is not about "growth", it is about a fun read. If you expect more, you're reading the wrong series.

[K.L.]

Anita wrote: "YES! You all get it. It is not about "growth", it is about a fun read. If you expect more, you're reading the wrong series."


Yes and no. IMO, it's a fine line that needs to be walked. In books, tv, movies. Sequels (tv season renewals) happen for a reason. They work. People like something and they want MORE! However, they also don't want the exact same thing. They want familiar but with a hint of something. You know a blast of the 'new car smell' even if they are still driving their same old 1988 Honda Accord. Sometimes there literally is growth in that you watch a tv show or a movie series and you see the character go from a child to an adult (think any sitcom that ever start out with little kids, sometimes you just see character growth. In this I often think of shows like Buffy, Angel, Supernatural. They went from shows characters seemed kind of flat, but transformed into complex characters. You have to admit the Angel you saw at the start of his series (never mind how he was in Buffy) is quite different from the one who said he always wanted to slay a dragon in the final episode of the series.

That being said, I think the same holds true in books, to a certain degree. With some of these characters (who often we come to think we know of as almost family) we spent a ton of time with, go on countless adventures. Often they change as well. I can help but consider how Eddie Dean is in Drawing of the Three and how he is by the time we reach the final book in the Dark Tower series. The trials and tribulations our favorite literary characters go through often changes them, it has to. It's kind of needs to. Character arch and all that.

However, I don't think it needs to be radical, and honestly when it comes to books that are humor focused I don't think it really should. Look at sitcoms, characters really don't make major changes. And secretly (or not so secretly) we don't want them to change. Would we really want Steph to learn through all her bumblings, become 'competent' at taking down perps? She wouldn't be the same character, which might be fine for a different type of series. I don't mind a little growth in my comical characters, but seriously when Jerry's door flies open and Kramer steps in I was always thrilled to see or hear him say something completely insane. Giddy up! That same holds true for Stephenie. She's a reliable friend. When I need a laugh and a break from reality, I know I can grab the next book, see her car get destroyed, Lula threaten to shoot someone with a giant gun, and watch them stumble along until they catch their man/woman/whatever. Am I like others a bit tired of the Morelli/Ranger thing? Yeah, maybe. I imagine Janet could come up with some insanity if she were to have her get engaged to one or the other, but in the end I'm fine if she never chooses.

I consider these books to be like sitcoms, I kind of check my logical brain at the door (which please don't take to be an insult, I strive for this in some of my own writing) and merely sit back and enjoy. I have plenty of other series I read that are serious, that seem massive character change.

Plus as I mentioned (and others did as well) in this thread and perhaps a few other threads, we really don't have a real clear idea of how much time has gone by in Steph's universe. People are slow to change, so if all this insanity has happened over only a couple of years, then her having no serious discernible growth isn't that bit a deal to me.

wow, sorry to ramble on so long!

[Anita]

I will admit that JE needs to step it up in the plot department. The last few books have definitely not been up to the fun vibe of the beginning of the series. Zany and totally out there for some of them. It is pretty much the same. Steph gets in too deep, Ranger rescuers her, Joe shakes his head and has sex with her. While entertaining, it is a formula and JE needs to be less predictable.

[TracyPixel]

I would very much like it as well if she would pick up the pace back to the wit and humor of the first books. I remember the first book I read was the fifth (didn't know about the series) I laughed my ass off. But the last few books have just been meh. Not as funny at all and the chemistry between the characters is just boring now.

[SUE]

As far as the timeline goes, we know time has passed. Several years in fact as her sister has had two or three kids during the books. Between book 2 and 3 I think there was a 5 month gap that Stephanie hadn't heard from Joe because he was undercover and Joe even mentions in one book that he's closer to 40 now. He was I think about 32 when the books started. So time has passed in these books and there has been definite character development with most all of the character's except for Stephanie. Her Mom has decided to go to nursing school, Joe is more tame than he was, Ranger isn't as rogue as he used to be. Even Lula has moved on. Only Stephanie seems to be stunted.

If the books had been written in a series of adventures without showing the passage of time then I could see how you could just enjoy the books, ala Sherlock Holmes or Hardy boys, without feeling the need to see character development. But when you have some of the characters moving forward and the main character not it starts to feel disjointed. Stephanie almost comes off as juvenile.

I absolutely loved the first nine books. There were actual scary moments offset by the hilarity of the writing and the plots. Now it just seems like the plots are recycled, friend or family is accused of murder, Stephanie gets the crap beat out of her after doing something incredibly stupid and then sleeps with Joe or Ranger or both.

Perhaps, I just invested too much in these books because I loved these characters so much I wanted to see a progression in the stories. I think I will be following a previous commenters advice and wait until the end to see who and where she ends up and skip the next few books.

[[deleted user]]

Brittany wrote: "It was posted on JE's Facebook and Twitter pages that the book will be published November 17, 2015 and that the title should be released sometime this week (the week of 2/16). I'm personally bummed..."

Didn't know new one is coming out.

[Diane]

Sue, you're right. Some of the other main characters (not Grandma or Dad) other than Stephanie have moved on in life.

[Kristen]

I wonder why Jo hasn't asked Stephanie if they can have an exclusive relationship. I know she doesn't want to be boxed in and doesn't really see herself as a stay at home wife, but they obviously love each other. She also loves Ranger and he loves her, but doesn't want a marriage or long term relationship because of his job and the enemies he has. Though Stephanie seems to have just as many enemies now, and she is always in danger with every book. I can see how she can't officially choose between them. I also wonder if Morelli has been seeing anyone on the side even though him and Stephanie have been on an off again and the terms of their relationship remain vague. He has been seen with Terry Gilman in the past, but that always seemed to involve his undercover work, I just don't see Stephanie sharing him the way he shares her with Ranger sometimes.

[Robin]

she seems to get very jealous as soon as there is even a hint of someone else. I like the Ranger character but some of the weird things he does make it seem more fantasy then real...reminds me if Deisel now that I have read a few books with his character. I have actually wondered if Ranger is like Diesel..an unmentionable...as that would explain the secrecy and how he gets in and out of her apt etc. Joe seems like a better fit for her.....

[Anita]

I am Team Ranger all the way. Ranger accepts Stephanie as is. Joe wants her to conform to his vision of her.

[Brittany]

I found the synopsis for Tricky Twenty-two on the publisher's website.

Stephanie Plum might not be the world’s greatest bounty hunter, but she knows when she’s being played. Ken Globovic (aka Gobbles), hailed as the Supreme Exalted Zookeeper of the animal house known as Zeta fraternity, has been arrested for beating up the dean of students at Kiltman College. Gobbles has missed his court date and gone into hiding. People have seen him on campus, but no one will talk. Things just aren’t adding up, and Stephanie can’t shake the feeling that something funny is going on at the college—and it’s not just Zeta fraternity pranks.

As much as people love Gobbles, they hate Doug Linken. When Linken is gunned down in his backyard it’s good riddance, and the list of possible murder suspects is long. The only people who care about finding Linken’s killer are Trenton cop Joe Morelli, who has been assigned the case, security expert Ranger, who was hired to protect Linken, and Stephanie, who has her eye on a cash prize and hopefully has some tricks up her sleeve.

[Anita]

I have gotten several Janet Evanovich books as ARC's from NetGalley. This one has not been offered. I am concerned that there are no advanced reviews and wonder if the publication date may be moved.

[Brittany]

I've been looking for ARCs too. Maybe they are just waiting until closer to publication. The Scam seemed to be cut pretty short too.

[Anita]

That's true. The Scam came out as an ARC really close to the publication date. I hope that is the case here.

[Brittany]

We are done to 9 days and I still haven't found an ARC. I wonder if they are counting on the people who are getting books at the event in FL to be the advances reviews.

[Anita]

Maybe that is it. Maybe they have so many advance orders they don't care about advance reviews. I keep checking for any published reviews and have come up empty.

[Brittany]

I found the book on sale early at Walmart today. I picked it up and have started on it. I did my usual Ranger skim first, now I'm going back to read the whole story and form an opinion overall.

[Anita]

Please post a link to your review after you finish.

[Brittany]

My review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Anita]

Brittany, I am so sorry the book did not live up to your expectations. Like you, I really wanted it to at least make me laugh and have a good plot. I am on hold for an e-book copy from my library. Hope to read it in the next month. No wonder they didn't put it out for early reviews. The buzz would have killed presales.

[K.L.]

Well I am still 2 or 3 books behind but tomorrow this will download to my kindle. Snagged a preorder when they had it up for 2.99. I love the series but have definitely found them hit or miss as we hit the teens. But I will also so, for the most part, even when they aren't laugh out loud hilarious, I've still enjoyed them. Like a sitcom, not every episode is a home run. The only one that I really had to force myself to finish was the treasure in Morelli's garage one, if I am even remembering that story correctly. Heading out on vacation soon and may catch up on the series. What I love about these books is that you don't need to think too much about that. Some may view that comment as an insult, but that's not how it's intended or how I see it.(especially since some have said the same thing about some of my own books) They are simple pure entertainment. I know people wish Steph would grow and change and yet that's not a big deal to me. I understand the desire to see it happen, but it's not a deal breaker for me. Did Lucy every really change and grow? Nope, she went from one zany adventure to another. (I love Lucy reference for those wondering who the heck Lucy is, lol)I really do need to check out her other series though as I've been hearing good things about it. I need to read faster and buy fewer books (neither of which is likely to happen anytime soon, lol)

[Sara]

I'm almost finished with my copy!

[Anita]

Sara wrote: "I'm almost finished with my copy!"

Be sure to post your review. I am interested to see how the dire=hard faithful like this book.

[Anita]

K.L. wrote: "Well I am still 2 or 3 books behind but tomorrow this will download to my kindle. Snagged a preorder when they had it up for 2.99. I love the series but have definitely found them hit or miss as we..."

I get what you say about the old I Love Lucy series. No, Lucy never did "grow up". I don't expect that Steph will ever change either. Frankly, I don't care. I just want a book with a funny, sexy, some mystery plot.

[K.L.]

Anita wrote: "K.L. wrote: "Well I am still 2 or 3 books behind but tomorrow this will download to my kindle. Snagged a preorder when they had it up for 2.99. I love the series but have definitely found them hit ..."

Exactly, as long as I'm entertained, I'm happy.

[Robin]

just finished and enjoyed it....love Morelli

[Anita]

Robin wrote: "just finished and enjoyed it....love Morelli"

Link your review. I really want to see what everyone thinks of the book. I got my e-book from the library today so I will start after Church and the grandkids go home.

[Anita]

I just finished and really enjoyed it. Fun read with a great mystery plot.

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kristen]

I haven't read it yet, I love this series I love the humor and all the characters, but something that I always look for in a series is character progression and development, that this story and series or at least the characters are headed somewhere. What really bothers me is Stephanie still being inept and incompetent at her job, yes she gets lucky, yes Ranger saves her a lot, and she's stubborn, determined and all that, but she never gets any better, not even a little and keeps making many of the same mistakes, that in her job can actually get her killed.

I like both Ranger and Morelli, but I think Stephanie and him need to stop at some point acting like they're still in their early twenties and grow up. They don't have to get married and have kids and everything right now, but they don't even seem able to have a series discussion, or hold one. They don't even live together, aside when Stephanie had to stay there for awhile, but enjoys her independence or whatever too much, or they have a fight and neither can deal so one or the other walks out.

[Anita]

I came to terms long ago that what you want will never happen. And, frankly, I don't want it to. I like that the series is fun with some romance and some mystery. Step isn't going to grow up or choose Ranger or Morelli.

[Paula]

I don't understand why Morelli is aging and

[Paula]

Changing or maturing but Steph and Ranger stay the same. Ranger grew up for a while in the earlier books and then stopped. Pretty soon Morelli will be in the nursing home and out of the picture.

[Patricia]

I didn't like this one at all. I enjoyed them for a long time, then there were a few bad ones, but I thought "21" was the best for a long time. I was disappointed that 22 was back to being bad.

Also she needs to stop rewriting the back story to every character in every book. Seriously a good 1/3 of the book is now exactly the same every single time.
I understand that in a series you need to 'hook' on new readers and let them know some of the background, but this is book 22 - who picks up a book at 22 without reading any previous ones? Plus the rest of us have all read it 21 times before...we know it! Stop repeating it word for word.
Ugh every year I say I won't read another one, but I think this time is it. At least I didn't pay for the last ten or so, they've all been library books.

[Nicole]

It felt like something was missing in 22 but I can't pinpoint what. Maybe it was the way Joe ended things or the fact that the "breakup" was a perfect opportunity for some sexy Ranger time that was missed but it wasn't a favorite for me.

[Anita]

If your library system used Overdrive, Turbo Twenty-Three is now available to recommend for purchase. At my library when you recommend an e-book for purchase you can be on the hold list before the book is published.