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Stephanie Plum #15
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Unbuckle your belt and pull up a chair. It's the spiciest, sauciest, most rib-sticking Plum yet.
Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton in a barbecue cookoff and loses his head - literally.
Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she'll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli.
Pump up the heat: Chipotle's sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.
Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help find he killer and collect the moolah.
Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum's Grandma Mazur. Enough said.
Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger's problems and not jump his bones?
Warning: Habenero hot. So good you'll want seconds.
Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton in a barbecue cookoff and loses his head - literally.
Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she'll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli.
Pump up the heat: Chipotle's sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.
Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help find he killer and collect the moolah.
Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum's Grandma Mazur. Enough said.
Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, aka Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger's problems and not jump his bones?
Warning: Habenero hot. So good you'll want seconds.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published June 23, 2009
About the author
Janet Evanovich
267 books39k followersJanet 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,548 reviews
July 11, 2009
It's a compulsion. Though I'm no longer a huge fan, I seem unable to NOT read the books at this point. We'll see if that lasts.
I could almost write the same review here that I did for number 14. The irony I found in this one is that Stephanie herself is constantly lamenting in it that her life is at a standstill, that it doesn't appear that she has grown, that she still has the same crap apartment, job that she doesn't like but doesnt' hate, the same two men, the same back and forth between said two men..
I thought for sure there would be some AHA! moment since clearly, the main character is ready to evolve. Nope, not this time, Again.
The disappointment continues to be my fault though, as I remember once how the stories used to be. The impatient countdown starting the day after her new book came out in June for the next June release the following year. Sadly it's no longer like that.
I could almost write the same review here that I did for number 14. The irony I found in this one is that Stephanie herself is constantly lamenting in it that her life is at a standstill, that it doesn't appear that she has grown, that she still has the same crap apartment, job that she doesn't like but doesnt' hate, the same two men, the same back and forth between said two men..
I thought for sure there would be some AHA! moment since clearly, the main character is ready to evolve. Nope, not this time, Again.
The disappointment continues to be my fault though, as I remember once how the stories used to be. The impatient countdown starting the day after her new book came out in June for the next June release the following year. Sadly it's no longer like that.
September 29, 2017
Book Review
4 of 5 stars to Finger Lickin' Fifteen, the 15th book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series, written by Janet Evanovich and published in 2009. Evanovich packed a lot of action into this installment, covering more than usual in Stephanie's crazy life. To start off, she's moonlighting for Ranger to help him figure out who's stealing from his business. Not for nothing, and though she may be getting better a bounty hunter and detective, how can Ranger not solve this on his own? And who would seriously take the risk of his punishment, if ever caught. It's certainly just a plot device to bring Ranger and Stephanie closer, building the sexual tension and pushing her towards him and away from Morelli in this book.
But then again, her momma is still setting up blind dates for Stephanie, so she's got more than enough men to go around, even if some of them are scarier than the criminals she's chasing. And in this one, Lula asks her to help find the two killers she saw decapitate a celebrity chef. All because she wants the $1M finders fee. But we know that ain't gonna happen because there'd be no story if Stephanie collected half of that fee. She'd not need to work again, at least as a bounty hunter.
The fun part is the cooking concepts baked into this book... and the spice of all the zany characters. The mysteries got stronger, in part because there were a few going around in this installment. And you've got the normal shenanigans with Stephanie's family and friends. All in all, this is one of the better ones and when I was thinking of putting the series down for a bit, this convinced me to give it a few more books before I decided.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
4 of 5 stars to Finger Lickin' Fifteen, the 15th book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series, written by Janet Evanovich and published in 2009. Evanovich packed a lot of action into this installment, covering more than usual in Stephanie's crazy life. To start off, she's moonlighting for Ranger to help him figure out who's stealing from his business. Not for nothing, and though she may be getting better a bounty hunter and detective, how can Ranger not solve this on his own? And who would seriously take the risk of his punishment, if ever caught. It's certainly just a plot device to bring Ranger and Stephanie closer, building the sexual tension and pushing her towards him and away from Morelli in this book.
But then again, her momma is still setting up blind dates for Stephanie, so she's got more than enough men to go around, even if some of them are scarier than the criminals she's chasing. And in this one, Lula asks her to help find the two killers she saw decapitate a celebrity chef. All because she wants the $1M finders fee. But we know that ain't gonna happen because there'd be no story if Stephanie collected half of that fee. She'd not need to work again, at least as a bounty hunter.
The fun part is the cooking concepts baked into this book... and the spice of all the zany characters. The mysteries got stronger, in part because there were a few going around in this installment. And you've got the normal shenanigans with Stephanie's family and friends. All in all, this is one of the better ones and when I was thinking of putting the series down for a bit, this convinced me to give it a few more books before I decided.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
March 26, 2020
You know your book is not going to win the Booker prize, if it has multiple fart jokes in it. The rest of the jokes were simply feeble and dull twists in a relatively tepid affair.
Altogether I've read three books in this series, the first (2 stars), the 26th, (5 stars), and this one. My only plus from book 15 is that there is no sex scene to pad out the book.
But I couldn't overlook the repetitiveness of this thing. I don't inherently think it as a bad book, it's just that the formula wasn't for me. It's for women. Incidentally, whenever I'll read this series again, I'll always picture Bill Hicks circa 1992 as Ranger.
Altogether I've read three books in this series, the first (2 stars), the 26th, (5 stars), and this one. My only plus from book 15 is that there is no sex scene to pad out the book.
But I couldn't overlook the repetitiveness of this thing. I don't inherently think it as a bad book, it's just that the formula wasn't for me. It's for women. Incidentally, whenever I'll read this series again, I'll always picture Bill Hicks circa 1992 as Ranger.
June 12, 2021
In this 15th novel in the 'Stephanie Plum' series, the bounty hunter and her cohorts serve up the usual zany fun. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Stephanie Plum's friend and co-worker Lula arrives at work in a frazzle, having just seen two thugs chop off a man's head.
At Lula's urging, Stephanie calls her sometimes boyfriend, Detective Joe Morelli, to investigate.
When the head turns up, the victim is identified as Stanley Chipotle, a well-known celebrity chef.
Chipotle was in town to promote a barbecue contest sponsored by the makers of 'Fire in the Hole Red Hot Barbecue Sauce.'
Morelli sets out to catch the chef's killers, but he's not alone in his quest. The barbecue sauce company is offering a million dollar reward for the capture of Chipotle's killers, and Lula wants to win the prize. Speculating that a cook-off contestant killed Chipotle, Lula decides to enter the competition and (hopefully) find the murderers there.
Since Lula can't cook she teams up with Grandma Mazur, and the two wackos try to perfect a recipe for tasty barbecue ribs. Unfortunately Lula and Grandma Mazur have neither the know-how nor the proper equipment, and they create one disaster after another.
In the meantime, the killers - knowing Lula can ID them - keep trying to bump her off. Lula takes to wearing a flak helmet and Kevlar vest - which makes a nice contrast with her hunky firefighter boyfriend, who wears a blue Dolly Parton evening gown.
While all this is going on, Stephanie is chasing bail skips AND doing a side job for Ranger's security company, Rangeman.
Some of Ranger's clients have experienced break-ins, and Stephanie is checking out the Rangeman staff - to see if an 'inside man' is stealing security codes. As usual, there's lots of 'flirting' between Ranger and Stephanie. 😉
An on-going joke in the series is Stephanie's bad luck. In this book, several of her cars burn down or explode;
Lula and Grandma Mazur blow up a pressure cooker in her apartment; killers shoot grenades into her windows; she's attacked with paint balls; and a bucket of paint is spilled on her. In a very funny scene, Lula gets stuck in Stephanie's car window - with her generous butt on the inside and her big boobs on the outside.
Many series' regulars make an appearance including Stephanie's mom - who introduces Stephanie to 'eligible bachelors' (unemployed losers); Stephanie's dad - who unhappily endures barbecue experiments for dinner; and Joyce Barnhardt - who puts her skanky eye on Morelli - much to Stephanie's chagrin.
Eventually, Rangeman's problems are solved; Chipotle's killers are nabbed; and the reader's had a lot of laughs.
This is an entertaining cozy mystery, recommended to fans of the genre.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
October 26, 2010
I didn't realize that I hadn't put these on my Goodreads so I just did. It has been so long that I can not individually review them. However, I did read a review on this one (to make sure I had read it) and found something interesting that I will comment on. Some reviewers are saying that they have lost interest because the plot is similar, the characters aren't growing, the romance is at a standstill, Stephanie is in the same crap job and same crap apartment (not the same crap car-she has blown up at least 4!)However that is part of the charm of these books for me. These books are funny-to the point of hysterical. If the love triangle was "solved" the sexual tension wouldn't be there. If Stephanie got a great job, the whole bounty hunter theme would cease to exist. If Grandma Mazer or LuLu "grew"up I would cry! Their characters sometimes make the books! These books are not meant for their literary genius in the element of surprise, yet the ability of the author to keep the characters the same is almost a gift to her readers!
July 21, 2023
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum, #15) by Janet Evanovich
Synopsis /
Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head – literally. Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she'll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli. Pump up the heat: Chipolte’s sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers. Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah. Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said. Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, a.k.a. Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?
My Thoughts /
During times of yore, there was once plenty of finger lickin' in many a household (minds out of the gutter please!) - particularly after a delicious mouth-watering flavoursome meal. But if the COVID pandemic has taught me anything, it's that there is no finger lickin' in our household any more…..just copious amounts of antibacterial gel and handwashing!
As the title suggests, Finger Lickin' Fifteen is the fifteenth book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. It is widely reported that eating comfort foods can lessen the impact of our stress hormones on the body - by increasing our serotonin which makes us feel calmer; well, reading a Stephanie Plum novel makes ME laugh and smile. It is also true that the act of smiling and laughing can lift your mood, lower your stress levels, boost your immune system, and "possibly" even prolong your life. So, in summary, I guess what I'm saying is: reading a Stephanie Plum novel is good for the soul! Well……my soul anyway.
If you have never read a Plum series novel and would like to have a go, you could probably just jump right into whichever novel tickles your funny-bone - it wouldn't be the worst mistake. Evanovich writes just enough background in each new novel that you could easily get the gist. But you would miss out on all that delicious background knowledge that makes this series so incredibly zany.
In Fifteen, we're barbecuing! We're makin' ribs, we're gettin' creative mixin' sauce, and we're firin' up those gas grills! And in true Plum style, the only thing that hits the fan is bullets and BBQ sauce! Lula is witness to a murder. A well-known chef is decapitated right in front of her. Did I mention he was decapitated by a crazy person swinging a meat cleaver? Now the meat cleaver wielding weirdo is coming for Lula, so hold on tight to your spandex and run! Ranger asks Steph to help him find out what's going on at Rangeman - someone is targeting his security clients and Ranger thinks it might be an inside job. Morelli and Stephanie had a falling out over peanut butter and are once again - "off again".
Now, as is usual in a Plum novel, things do not go smoothly for Stephanie -
I was numb. These idiots were still trying to kill Lula, and I’d just destroyed another Cayenne. I’d been involved in so many fires in the past week, I’d lost count. I had no place to live. I had no idea what I wanted to do about my personal relationships. And I still couldn’t get all the red paint out of my hair. I was a disaster magnet.
And just when you think you're at your lowest point, you get talked into wearing a "hot dog and bun" costume at a BBQ contest.
The ending sees Rangeman's problems solved, the killers nabbed, the kitchen BBQ sauce free, Morelli and Stephanie are "on again", and Lula…..well, Lula is still a plus-sized personality (and body) trying to squeeze into a petite-sized wardrobe!
This book delivers all that you’ve come to expect from a Stephanie Plum novel. Laugh-out-loud moments, a fast moving, well-crafted albeit incredibly silly plot that is filled with the usual family dramas and relationship hang-ups. Some readers will love this series and other readers will not, that's just how it goes, you can't please everyone. I don't drink or smoke, I work hard and have very little downtime; so please don't dis me for my little reading pleasures.
Synopsis /
Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head – literally. Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she'll talk to is Trenton cop Joe Morelli. Pump up the heat: Chipolte’s sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers. Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah. Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said. Bring to a boil: Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, a.k.a. Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, and five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, and solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?
My Thoughts /
During times of yore, there was once plenty of finger lickin' in many a household (minds out of the gutter please!) - particularly after a delicious mouth-watering flavoursome meal. But if the COVID pandemic has taught me anything, it's that there is no finger lickin' in our household any more…..just copious amounts of antibacterial gel and handwashing!
As the title suggests, Finger Lickin' Fifteen is the fifteenth book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. It is widely reported that eating comfort foods can lessen the impact of our stress hormones on the body - by increasing our serotonin which makes us feel calmer; well, reading a Stephanie Plum novel makes ME laugh and smile. It is also true that the act of smiling and laughing can lift your mood, lower your stress levels, boost your immune system, and "possibly" even prolong your life. So, in summary, I guess what I'm saying is: reading a Stephanie Plum novel is good for the soul! Well……my soul anyway.
If you have never read a Plum series novel and would like to have a go, you could probably just jump right into whichever novel tickles your funny-bone - it wouldn't be the worst mistake. Evanovich writes just enough background in each new novel that you could easily get the gist. But you would miss out on all that delicious background knowledge that makes this series so incredibly zany.
In Fifteen, we're barbecuing! We're makin' ribs, we're gettin' creative mixin' sauce, and we're firin' up those gas grills! And in true Plum style, the only thing that hits the fan is bullets and BBQ sauce! Lula is witness to a murder. A well-known chef is decapitated right in front of her. Did I mention he was decapitated by a crazy person swinging a meat cleaver? Now the meat cleaver wielding weirdo is coming for Lula, so hold on tight to your spandex and run! Ranger asks Steph to help him find out what's going on at Rangeman - someone is targeting his security clients and Ranger thinks it might be an inside job. Morelli and Stephanie had a falling out over peanut butter and are once again - "off again".
Now, as is usual in a Plum novel, things do not go smoothly for Stephanie -
I was numb. These idiots were still trying to kill Lula, and I’d just destroyed another Cayenne. I’d been involved in so many fires in the past week, I’d lost count. I had no place to live. I had no idea what I wanted to do about my personal relationships. And I still couldn’t get all the red paint out of my hair. I was a disaster magnet.
And just when you think you're at your lowest point, you get talked into wearing a "hot dog and bun" costume at a BBQ contest.
The ending sees Rangeman's problems solved, the killers nabbed, the kitchen BBQ sauce free, Morelli and Stephanie are "on again", and Lula…..well, Lula is still a plus-sized personality (and body) trying to squeeze into a petite-sized wardrobe!
This book delivers all that you’ve come to expect from a Stephanie Plum novel. Laugh-out-loud moments, a fast moving, well-crafted albeit incredibly silly plot that is filled with the usual family dramas and relationship hang-ups. Some readers will love this series and other readers will not, that's just how it goes, you can't please everyone. I don't drink or smoke, I work hard and have very little downtime; so please don't dis me for my little reading pleasures.
May 18, 2016
This was boring. And, not only that but for some reason Janet Evanovich decided that the funny and zany antics of Stephanie Plum needed a new crucial ingredient: fart jokes.
no, not so much
Seriously? Does she think her reading audience is a group of ten year old boys? Because, last I heard, grown ass women aren't real fans of the fart jokes. I know I'm not. I just feel like she is either really out-of-touch with her audience, or she's just plain old out of ideas.
Probably both.
just like Hollywood..
The storyline in this one was boring and the side characters were too stupid to even be funny.
The love triangle was as lame as ever. She breaks up with Joe occasionally just to give the readers some sort of hope about Ranger, but nothing ever comes of it. She acts all scared of Ranger's sexuality but we know she slept with him before. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Honestly, if there really was a guy like Ranger, he would have moved on long ago. He's supposed to be intelligent, sexy, and successful, but he's pining away for some trashy girl who is the equivalent of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective in her skills.
this is Stephanie's best interrogation technique...
Ranger, you need to set your sights higher. Like on a middle-aged married woman with three kids.
Will I continue reading this series? Probably. I am hoping this is a one-off.
no, not so much
Seriously? Does she think her reading audience is a group of ten year old boys? Because, last I heard, grown ass women aren't real fans of the fart jokes. I know I'm not. I just feel like she is either really out-of-touch with her audience, or she's just plain old out of ideas.
Probably both.
just like Hollywood..
The storyline in this one was boring and the side characters were too stupid to even be funny.
The love triangle was as lame as ever. She breaks up with Joe occasionally just to give the readers some sort of hope about Ranger, but nothing ever comes of it. She acts all scared of Ranger's sexuality but we know she slept with him before. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Honestly, if there really was a guy like Ranger, he would have moved on long ago. He's supposed to be intelligent, sexy, and successful, but he's pining away for some trashy girl who is the equivalent of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective in her skills.
this is Stephanie's best interrogation technique...
Ranger, you need to set your sights higher. Like on a middle-aged married woman with three kids.
Will I continue reading this series? Probably. I am hoping this is a one-off.
July 7, 2017
I seriously love this series. It is always so much fun, makes me smile, makes me laugh out loud, and never lets me down with the shenanigans that happen to Stephanie and her rag tag bunch of friends and family. A must read series, truly for anyone that likes a whole lot of humor, a bit of mystery, and a dash of romance.
May 14, 2017
This was a fun one. The addition of BBQ to the plot appealed to the KC girl in me and on top of that all the ways a car can get torched. Creative! Will not spoil it for you and reveal if Ranger or Morelli is ahead in the competition for Stephanie. She does get the chance to really help Rangeman solve a problem in this one.
Read
September 21, 2022Back in the day--ie, as they were released--I read all of the Stephanie Plum books. No matter how ridiculous, I could say that they gave me at least one laugh-out-loud moment. So I stuck with the series, at least up until book 20 or so, when I finally tired of the recycled plots and larger-than-life characters. Lately, however, I've been needing some low-demand reading, and with a kindle sale on this book, I thought I'd give it a reboot. This one centers on Lulu, Stephanie's friend and occasional bounty-hunting sidekick, after she witnesses a homicide. Steph is currently in the off-phase of dating Morelli and is back working at Rangeman with his band of merry men.
“I’m feeling grouchy,” I said to Tank.
“Do you want to see a picture of my cat?” Tank asked. “That always makes me happy.”
What can I say? It still makes me laugh. Occasionally Evanovitch is quite clever, such as when Stephanie describes one of her bond skips:
"Myron was seventy-eight years old, and for reasons not given in my file, Myron had robbed his dentist at gunpoint. At first glance, this would seem like an easy apprehension, but my experience with old people is that they don’t go gently into the night."
And there is a lot of positive female interactions that aren't just about Stephanie choosing between Joe Morelli or Ranger. Lulu has no problem playing the friend card when she's under duress:
“He’s a fine man, but he’s the cop representative here, and I need someone from my posse, you see what I’m saying. I need a BFF.”
But there's also something that had come to bother me about the series, and this book rather epitomizes it. While I get that the characters are all supposed to be gross stereotypes (some literally more gross than others), Lulu in particular is hard done by. I think perhaps because she's the recurring person of color in the early series, she shoulders some of the most stereotypical stereotypes. Whore with a heart of gold, strong black woman, confident body-positive fat black woman stereotypes. Oh, and talking sort-of-street. When we learn more about Lulu, we learn she's living in the poorest, roughest part of town. Go ahead, argue with me, but no other group--racial, ethnic, gender--gets the same treatment (although eventually you could make the case that Evanovitch does that to gay people as well). Grandma embodies some similar crazy old stereotypes, but there's other old people now and then to temper her. Connie may be full-on Italian 'broad', but her range of behavior is actually pretty normal. I get that Evanovitch tries very hard to show Lulu in a positive way, but when the range of what we know about Lulu never falls outside those stereotypes, how positive is that, really?
“'I got pictures of him from when he was a customer.'
'You’d blackmail him?'
'I like to think of it as reminders of happy times,' Lula said. 'No need to negatize it. What happens is, he looks at the picture of himself and thinks bein' with me was better than a fork in the eye. And then he thinks it's special if that shit stay between him and me and for instance don't be seen on YouTube. And then he takes my contest application and gives it the stamp of approval.'"
It kind of reminds me of way-back-when my girl group thought it was 'funny' to call each other 'heifers' 'hos' and 'bitches.' Yeah, we did that back then. I think we thought by calling ourselves those names, it takes away the sting. Does it? Or does it teach us casual callousness, thoughtless use of our words, and risk reinforcing labels, however jokingly we use them?
So I don't know where that leaves me, especially since a lot of this story was about Lulu. Being a thoughtful human is tough, isn't it?
“I’m feeling grouchy,” I said to Tank.
“Do you want to see a picture of my cat?” Tank asked. “That always makes me happy.”
What can I say? It still makes me laugh. Occasionally Evanovitch is quite clever, such as when Stephanie describes one of her bond skips:
"Myron was seventy-eight years old, and for reasons not given in my file, Myron had robbed his dentist at gunpoint. At first glance, this would seem like an easy apprehension, but my experience with old people is that they don’t go gently into the night."
And there is a lot of positive female interactions that aren't just about Stephanie choosing between Joe Morelli or Ranger. Lulu has no problem playing the friend card when she's under duress:
“He’s a fine man, but he’s the cop representative here, and I need someone from my posse, you see what I’m saying. I need a BFF.”
But there's also something that had come to bother me about the series, and this book rather epitomizes it. While I get that the characters are all supposed to be gross stereotypes (some literally more gross than others), Lulu in particular is hard done by. I think perhaps because she's the recurring person of color in the early series, she shoulders some of the most stereotypical stereotypes. Whore with a heart of gold, strong black woman, confident body-positive fat black woman stereotypes. Oh, and talking sort-of-street. When we learn more about Lulu, we learn she's living in the poorest, roughest part of town. Go ahead, argue with me, but no other group--racial, ethnic, gender--gets the same treatment (although eventually you could make the case that Evanovitch does that to gay people as well). Grandma embodies some similar crazy old stereotypes, but there's other old people now and then to temper her. Connie may be full-on Italian 'broad', but her range of behavior is actually pretty normal. I get that Evanovitch tries very hard to show Lulu in a positive way, but when the range of what we know about Lulu never falls outside those stereotypes, how positive is that, really?
“'I got pictures of him from when he was a customer.'
'You’d blackmail him?'
'I like to think of it as reminders of happy times,' Lula said. 'No need to negatize it. What happens is, he looks at the picture of himself and thinks bein' with me was better than a fork in the eye. And then he thinks it's special if that shit stay between him and me and for instance don't be seen on YouTube. And then he takes my contest application and gives it the stamp of approval.'"
It kind of reminds me of way-back-when my girl group thought it was 'funny' to call each other 'heifers' 'hos' and 'bitches.' Yeah, we did that back then. I think we thought by calling ourselves those names, it takes away the sting. Does it? Or does it teach us casual callousness, thoughtless use of our words, and risk reinforcing labels, however jokingly we use them?
So I don't know where that leaves me, especially since a lot of this story was about Lulu. Being a thoughtful human is tough, isn't it?
December 20, 2019
I can't beleive I'm saying this, but I think I'm getting bored of Stephanie Plum and her dumb antics. How anyone as stupid as she gets not just one, but two wicked hot guys hot on her tail, and solves the crime (sorta) is beyond me. I think the books have become too Lula focused and frankly, almost too slapstick in the humor. I don't think the writing is as tight as it used to be, nor do I feel as if any of the characters have much depth anymore.
So, having said this, will I stop reading them? No. But will I buy them? No. I'll get them at the library. UPDATE: 9 years later, Dec 2019, I can say I lied. I never read another one after 15. Why waste my time reading these when there are literally 1000s of books that I want to read?!?!
So, having said this, will I stop reading them? No. But will I buy them? No. I'll get them at the library. UPDATE: 9 years later, Dec 2019, I can say I lied. I never read another one after 15. Why waste my time reading these when there are literally 1000s of books that I want to read?!?!
June 26, 2009
This series is fast going downhill. It's become very formulaic: every book, Stephanie will lose a car (most probably thru fire and/or explosion); every book, Stephanie's apartment will suffer some sort of damage; every book, Stephanie will end up in Ranger's bed (although it's usually fairly platonic) and yet she still has such "hot" feelings for Morelli; every book, Stephanie will end up losing a skip she's "this close" to apprehending, etc., etc., etc. The only variation from pattern that this book offers is that Ranger is now seeking professional advice from Stephanie, a concept that is so stupid, considering how inept Stephanie is at that sort of thing. I will probably give Evanovich one more shot and will wait to see was Sixteen brings. If she doesn't step up her game, however, I will be done with this series. It's a shame, too, because the series started out so spectacularly funny and well written.
January 5, 2022
Decapitation, sexy dates with Hot firemen who wear lovely dresses, a funeral, a shootout and a crazed killer on the loose. Stephanie has been saving my nights since I haven’t been able to sleep 😴!! Stephanie is the truth and I love her swag!!
Right now she’s on the off side of her on again off again relationship with Morelli. Honestly, I want her to date Ranger !! I love ❤️ him everything about him and some how she keeps picking Morelli like why ?! Carlos used to be a Special forces for goodness sake lol 😂!!
I want to just climb Ranger like the mountain ⛰ that he is !!!
Sheesh 🙄 the man is fine !! Buttttt on another note let’s focus on the fact that this will always make me laugh and I love it!!
Happy reading everyone !!
Right now she’s on the off side of her on again off again relationship with Morelli. Honestly, I want her to date Ranger !! I love ❤️ him everything about him and some how she keeps picking Morelli like why ?! Carlos used to be a Special forces for goodness sake lol 😂!!
I want to just climb Ranger like the mountain ⛰ that he is !!!
Sheesh 🙄 the man is fine !! Buttttt on another note let’s focus on the fact that this will always make me laugh and I love it!!
Happy reading everyone !!
June 21, 2018
Finally I got me some dose of Ranger. Not nearly as much as I wanted (can I please have a Ranger-centered book without Morelli?), but I admit I can live off of one "babe" for an embarrassingly long amount of time. So, anyway. Ranger got himself in a bit of a pickle - someone's messing with his business, and he needs Stephanie to help figure out the culprit. Personally, I think he employs her just for kicks, not like he reeeeeeaaaaaaaaly needs her "expertise". I mean the man is as close to a superhero as it gets, without a leotard. Even Morelli admits that. Only he can't choose exactly what superhero that would be.
"So you're choosing Ranger over me?"
"Rangeman. Not Ranger. I have a project I can only do in the evening. You should understand that. You choose your job over me all the time."
"I'm a cop."
"And?"
"And that's different," Morelli said. "I'm serving the public, investigating murders, and you're working for ... Batman."
"Gotham City would have been a mess without Batman."
"It's like he's Spider-Man with Spidey sense. Something happens, and he suddenly appears. And then when the disaster is contained, he vanishes."
"His control room listens to scaners."
"That was my second guess"
In other news: Lula is being chased by a couple of killers, one of which has a cleaver and a giggle. Strangely enough that prompts her to join a barbecue souce cook off. Uh oh! There's bombs and explosions, a case of mass diarrhea and a couple of totaled cars (curtesy of Stephanie Plum). Seriouly, is anyone keeping count on the number of cars destroyed by Steph? When is she finally going to realize that she should stick with Big Blue? And with Ranger?
On nights like this, after suffering through dinner with a guy dressed up like Julia Child and a guy who looked like an ad for erectile disfunction remedies, I found myself missing Morelli. He wasn't perfect, but at least he didn't look like a penis.
Really, girl? That's not much of an endorsement.
Over and out
"So you're choosing Ranger over me?"
"Rangeman. Not Ranger. I have a project I can only do in the evening. You should understand that. You choose your job over me all the time."
"I'm a cop."
"And?"
"And that's different," Morelli said. "I'm serving the public, investigating murders, and you're working for ... Batman."
"Gotham City would have been a mess without Batman."
"It's like he's Spider-Man with Spidey sense. Something happens, and he suddenly appears. And then when the disaster is contained, he vanishes."
"His control room listens to scaners."
"That was my second guess"
In other news: Lula is being chased by a couple of killers, one of which has a cleaver and a giggle. Strangely enough that prompts her to join a barbecue souce cook off. Uh oh! There's bombs and explosions, a case of mass diarrhea and a couple of totaled cars (curtesy of Stephanie Plum). Seriouly, is anyone keeping count on the number of cars destroyed by Steph? When is she finally going to realize that she should stick with Big Blue? And with Ranger?
On nights like this, after suffering through dinner with a guy dressed up like Julia Child and a guy who looked like an ad for erectile disfunction remedies, I found myself missing Morelli. He wasn't perfect, but at least he didn't look like a penis.
Really, girl? That's not much of an endorsement.
Over and out
June 26, 2009
The barbecue sauce hits the ceiling - literally! - in this fifteenth installment of the Stephanie Plum series.
Lula witnesses the murder of a celebrity chef. She enters a cooking contest to catch the murderers and claim the $1 million reward. Ranger needs help solving a breach within his security company. He recruits Stephanie to work at Rangeman again. Ready. Set. Mystery!
***** SPOILER *****
NO ROMANCE in this one. Nothing. Nada. Zip. I needed my cupcake fix and am highly disappointed I didn't get it! Morelli and Stephanie have broken up due to an argument over peanut butter. Stephanie stalks Morelli. Joyce Barnhardt stalks Morelli. Ranger appears NAKED - twice. Some mild flirting takes place, but that's pretty much it for the romance department.
Still, this book has hilarious dialogue. Whacky characters. Cars blow up. Stephanie's apartment catches on fire. Grandma Mazur totes a gun. Lula dates a cross-dressing fireman who moonlights as Mr. Cluckey. Lots of over-the-top, very predictable craziness. Many laugh-out-loud moments. (Look for Lula hanging out Stephanie's car window topless!)
Even though we STILL don't have resolution in the Stephanie/Ranger/Morelli love triangle and, in spite of the fact that Stephanie never seems to settle down or grow up, I look forward to the new installments in the series every June. Not as good as the first 6 books in the series, but hardly past-the-expiration-date that so many "professional" reviewers are giving it.
Lula witnesses the murder of a celebrity chef. She enters a cooking contest to catch the murderers and claim the $1 million reward. Ranger needs help solving a breach within his security company. He recruits Stephanie to work at Rangeman again. Ready. Set. Mystery!
***** SPOILER *****
NO ROMANCE in this one. Nothing. Nada. Zip. I needed my cupcake fix and am highly disappointed I didn't get it! Morelli and Stephanie have broken up due to an argument over peanut butter. Stephanie stalks Morelli. Joyce Barnhardt stalks Morelli. Ranger appears NAKED - twice. Some mild flirting takes place, but that's pretty much it for the romance department.
Still, this book has hilarious dialogue. Whacky characters. Cars blow up. Stephanie's apartment catches on fire. Grandma Mazur totes a gun. Lula dates a cross-dressing fireman who moonlights as Mr. Cluckey. Lots of over-the-top, very predictable craziness. Many laugh-out-loud moments. (Look for Lula hanging out Stephanie's car window topless!)
Even though we STILL don't have resolution in the Stephanie/Ranger/Morelli love triangle and, in spite of the fact that Stephanie never seems to settle down or grow up, I look forward to the new installments in the series every June. Not as good as the first 6 books in the series, but hardly past-the-expiration-date that so many "professional" reviewers are giving it.
August 12, 2024
When I want a book that's mindless, entertainment and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny (looking at you, my favorite donut diva, Lula), then this is the series for me! Already looking forward to the next one.
(Sweet Sixteen sounds like a delightful title-- but maybe too obvious).
(Reviewed 8/4/09)
(Sweet Sixteen sounds like a delightful title-- but maybe too obvious).
(Reviewed 8/4/09)
June 1, 2018
I think this is one of the funniest Plum books. Even though no one is trying to kill Stephanie lots of stuff catches fire and blows up. Word of warning, though, if you read this in the company of others, they will look at you strange when you laugh out loud in a quiet room. Unless you're like me and people are used to it.
Re read June 2016. I'm thinking someone made a bet with Janet on how many fart jokes she could make. Hope she won. Never the less, still lovin' it, and thinking it's hilarious. Maybe I'm still a twelve year old kid at heart.
Reread May 2018 — This time we have someone trying to kill Lula instead of Stephanie. But she has plenty of other stuff happening including hot dog suits, headless chefs, and bar-b-q ribs. Tons of laughs! 🤣
Re read June 2016. I'm thinking someone made a bet with Janet on how many fart jokes she could make. Hope she won. Never the less, still lovin' it, and thinking it's hilarious. Maybe I'm still a twelve year old kid at heart.
Reread May 2018 — This time we have someone trying to kill Lula instead of Stephanie. But she has plenty of other stuff happening including hot dog suits, headless chefs, and bar-b-q ribs. Tons of laughs! 🤣
August 4, 2009
So what's with Evanonvich's sudden obsession with farts? And why is it that only one of her characters performs this most human of functions? It seems like on every third page of this book Lula lets go another big one. Always Lula. Obviously, it is supposed to be hilarious. Now if RANGER let go a big one, that would be truly hilarious! Oh, I forgot. Ranger is perfect. He doesn't fart.
And herein lies my problem with this book. Yes, it is another quick, funny trip through the whacked-out landscape of the underbelly of Trenton as seen through the eyes of Stephanie Plum. It has all the touches we've come to expect. Stephanie and Morelli are on the outs so there isn't much hot sex this time - only implied and/or interrupted hot sex with Ranger and/or Morelli. But everything else is here - the crazy skips, the wacky friends, the insane Grandma, the longsuffering Mom and Pop Plum, the exploding cars. Still, I found it oddly unsatisfying.
Analyzing it, I decided that the source of my discomfort is the fact that Lula has become the butt (pun intended) of all jokes. She seems to exist as nothing more than a cartoon character, someone at whom we are supposed to laugh knowingly and indulgently, secure in the knowledge that we would never do anything that buffoonish.
She is a fat, black, loud former prostitute who lives to eat fried chicken and have sex. In other words, she is a cardboard stereotype of the kind that we see in so many movies and sitcoms. I understand that these entire books are peopled by stereotypes and that we are not meant to take them seriously. And yet...I am particularly offended by Lula. Not because I am a fat, black, loud former prostitute who lives for fried chicken and sex, but maybe, mostly, because I am not.
I believe most sincerely though that most fat, black, loud former prostitutes have more to them than this series would indicate, and would it kill Evanovich to give this character a little depth?
Oh, well, I suppose I'm spitting in the wind. As long as these books continue to sell millions of copies and wind up on the top ten of the New York Times best sellers, why should Evanovich change her formula? I probably wouldn't either.
And herein lies my problem with this book. Yes, it is another quick, funny trip through the whacked-out landscape of the underbelly of Trenton as seen through the eyes of Stephanie Plum. It has all the touches we've come to expect. Stephanie and Morelli are on the outs so there isn't much hot sex this time - only implied and/or interrupted hot sex with Ranger and/or Morelli. But everything else is here - the crazy skips, the wacky friends, the insane Grandma, the longsuffering Mom and Pop Plum, the exploding cars. Still, I found it oddly unsatisfying.
Analyzing it, I decided that the source of my discomfort is the fact that Lula has become the butt (pun intended) of all jokes. She seems to exist as nothing more than a cartoon character, someone at whom we are supposed to laugh knowingly and indulgently, secure in the knowledge that we would never do anything that buffoonish.
She is a fat, black, loud former prostitute who lives to eat fried chicken and have sex. In other words, she is a cardboard stereotype of the kind that we see in so many movies and sitcoms. I understand that these entire books are peopled by stereotypes and that we are not meant to take them seriously. And yet...I am particularly offended by Lula. Not because I am a fat, black, loud former prostitute who lives for fried chicken and sex, but maybe, mostly, because I am not.
I believe most sincerely though that most fat, black, loud former prostitutes have more to them than this series would indicate, and would it kill Evanovich to give this character a little depth?
Oh, well, I suppose I'm spitting in the wind. As long as these books continue to sell millions of copies and wind up on the top ten of the New York Times best sellers, why should Evanovich change her formula? I probably wouldn't either.
January 21, 2024
Ah, Steph. Been a while! Good to see you, good to be back in Trenton.
This time, a few storylines:
• Lula witnesses a murder, and the killers are after her. The victim? Stanley Chipotle, a famous TV chef, and there’s a million-dollar reward for the killers’ capture.
• Ranger’s security business has experienced its share of break-ins, and asks Stephanie for help. But that means she’s in close contact with him…
• Steph and Morelli are on the outs. But is Joyce Barnhardt on the ins?
• Lula has a little fling with the Cluck-In-A-Bucket mascot, Mr. Clucky.
For once, the title fits, since the ladies enter a barbecue sauce contest to find the killers, and maybe even win the contest. But this one just wasn’t as spicy as past offerings with not nearly as much “action” (wink-wink) between Steph, Ranger, and/or Morelli.
But all the familiar stuff is there: she messes up the simplest of apprehensions, she blows up a car, she solves the crime…sort of. They eat lots of donuts and fried chicken. Steph’s mom crosses herself and her dad grumbles, and she drives the ’53 Buick. But she had a really good insight when helping Ranger with his break-in problem. Could our heroine be turning…competent? I’d love to see that!
Another great story, another fun chapter in the life of Stephanie Plum. And another superb audiobook performance from Lorelei King!
This time, a few storylines:
• Lula witnesses a murder, and the killers are after her. The victim? Stanley Chipotle, a famous TV chef, and there’s a million-dollar reward for the killers’ capture.
• Ranger’s security business has experienced its share of break-ins, and asks Stephanie for help. But that means she’s in close contact with him…
• Steph and Morelli are on the outs. But is Joyce Barnhardt on the ins?
• Lula has a little fling with the Cluck-In-A-Bucket mascot, Mr. Clucky.
For once, the title fits, since the ladies enter a barbecue sauce contest to find the killers, and maybe even win the contest. But this one just wasn’t as spicy as past offerings with not nearly as much “action” (wink-wink) between Steph, Ranger, and/or Morelli.
But all the familiar stuff is there: she messes up the simplest of apprehensions, she blows up a car, she solves the crime…sort of. They eat lots of donuts and fried chicken. Steph’s mom crosses herself and her dad grumbles, and she drives the ’53 Buick. But she had a really good insight when helping Ranger with his break-in problem. Could our heroine be turning…competent? I’d love to see that!
Another great story, another fun chapter in the life of Stephanie Plum. And another superb audiobook performance from Lorelei King!
July 7, 2009
So disappointing. I was excited to see if Janet could bring the series back to life but she did not. More of the same. Other series like this I've read which continue successfully, the characters grow, personally and professionally. The characters change and the circumstances change. I learned nothing new about Ranger, Stephanie or Morelli, or Lulu, or Connie, or Vinnie or any of them. These are brilliantly thought out characters and plots in the beginning books. But they have not been taken anywhere or investigated. For example: Stephanie's helping Rangeman was ridiculous. She just pulled her ideas out of thin air and she did not care that he was about to loose company. She was using him for a place to stay. Teasing him. No way Ranger would put with that based on how he was originally written. And, if she did do it in the book, he should called her on it. Let the sparks fly, not just by yelling. The Lulu plot was long and too much. Because she has not evolved, she is boring. Morelli was still hot and cold about Stephanie. And, she throws herself at him in the end? Why? Nothing in the book led me to think that should happen emotionally. Please Janet, go a level deeper and save this series. We would all appreciate it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2009
I also was extremely disappointed in this book. I had re-read all of the Plum books this spring and summer in anticipation of this one, and you can definitely see the decline. One of my many complaints in this book was that I got the feeling the author was trying to make Lula seem so unpredictable and funny -- i.e., I like to eat; therefore I will probably be a great cook, etc. -- when it just made her seem really stupid. Going around trying to barbecue and ruining everyone's kitchens, HAHA. Not cute or even that funny.
I'm also tired of the Stephanie-ruins-ANOTHER-car plotline. Seriously, burning up two of Ranger's cars this time, as well as one of her own? It's just so old.
And to think that two killers, who actually decapitated a person, are running around giggling and shooting from their car and firebombing apartments (Also, Whoops! we just fire-bombed the wrong apartment) and no one seems that frightened is just boring. I get that Jersey is like being on another planet, but I think even the aliens would take it a little more seriously than this.
I can also do without the sexual banter that happens EVERY TIME Stephanie runs into Ranger or Morelli. I get that they both WANT her, but come on. Take Ranger who is, by all accounts, ultra-successful. Would he seriously want to hook up with Stephanie, who seems bordering on white trash? She is a mess, and it might be nice if both of them moved on and forced her to see that changes need to be made.
Then again, if she does change, she probably wouldn't be the bond enforcement agent we all fell in love with. I guess I could be done with this series, wipe my memory clean of the last two books, and have perfectly happy memories of this series.
I'm also tired of the Stephanie-ruins-ANOTHER-car plotline. Seriously, burning up two of Ranger's cars this time, as well as one of her own? It's just so old.
And to think that two killers, who actually decapitated a person, are running around giggling and shooting from their car and firebombing apartments (Also, Whoops! we just fire-bombed the wrong apartment) and no one seems that frightened is just boring. I get that Jersey is like being on another planet, but I think even the aliens would take it a little more seriously than this.
I can also do without the sexual banter that happens EVERY TIME Stephanie runs into Ranger or Morelli. I get that they both WANT her, but come on. Take Ranger who is, by all accounts, ultra-successful. Would he seriously want to hook up with Stephanie, who seems bordering on white trash? She is a mess, and it might be nice if both of them moved on and forced her to see that changes need to be made.
Then again, if she does change, she probably wouldn't be the bond enforcement agent we all fell in love with. I guess I could be done with this series, wipe my memory clean of the last two books, and have perfectly happy memories of this series.
August 3, 2015
Stephanie Plum is after the bad guys again. Lulu is a witness to a decapitation and the killers are after her. Stephanie and Joe Morelli are not together. Ranger has asked Stephanie for help on a case.
There are cars blown up, all sorts of fires and the usual.mayhem that makes this series so wonderful!
There are cars blown up, all sorts of fires and the usual.mayhem that makes this series so wonderful!
February 19, 2020
Stephanie Plum is back in a brand new adventure. When a bunch of bad people try to kill Stephanie's friend Lula, it is up to Stephanie to try to stop them all while trying to avoid the radar of Morelli and Ranger. Will she succeed? Read on for yourself and find out.
This was a great installment of the Stephanie Plum series. It is full of action, comedy and more. If you like these types of stories, be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
This was a great installment of the Stephanie Plum series. It is full of action, comedy and more. If you like these types of stories, be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
September 4, 2022
Okay, I know these books are straight-up ridiculous, but I can't help but love them. I think I read so many "serious" mysteries and books in general, that it's a great palate cleanser to find a series that just makes me giggle.
I absolutely loved that Lula was the target in this one instead of Stephanie. Stephanie always gets a bit dumb as the target, but Lula takes care of herself. The fact that she was being chased by a creepy giggler and a guy with a cleaver made it even better. (That's what happens when you see someone get their head chopped off.)
In other news, Lula and Grandma Mazur are joining a BBQ cookoff. If only they actually knew how to cook! The best part is Stephanie in a hot dog suit. (Because, of course Stephanie had to wear a hot dog suit.)
Meanwhile Stephanie is off men, but she's working for Ranger on the side and she doesn't want to give in and give up Morelli forever. (I'm still team Morelli by the way, he's so funny and mostly thoughtful.)
If you don't mind some silliness I'd recommend giving these books a try. They don't have to be read in order, but I think it enhances the reading experience when they are. You pick up on the background references and things make a bit more sense.
Lorelei King does a fantastic job with the narration!
I absolutely loved that Lula was the target in this one instead of Stephanie. Stephanie always gets a bit dumb as the target, but Lula takes care of herself. The fact that she was being chased by a creepy giggler and a guy with a cleaver made it even better. (That's what happens when you see someone get their head chopped off.)
In other news, Lula and Grandma Mazur are joining a BBQ cookoff. If only they actually knew how to cook! The best part is Stephanie in a hot dog suit. (Because, of course Stephanie had to wear a hot dog suit.)
Meanwhile Stephanie is off men, but she's working for Ranger on the side and she doesn't want to give in and give up Morelli forever. (I'm still team Morelli by the way, he's so funny and mostly thoughtful.)
If you don't mind some silliness I'd recommend giving these books a try. They don't have to be read in order, but I think it enhances the reading experience when they are. You pick up on the background references and things make a bit more sense.
Lorelei King does a fantastic job with the narration!
July 19, 2017
I loved this one just as much as the other books in the series. They are all a guilty pleasure of mine and I can always guarantee that I will have a good laugh whenever I read a Stephanie Plum novel. Highly recommended of course!
Read
September 19, 2009This wasn’t my favorite Stephanie Plum novel and it’s hard to pinpoint why. The plot and subplots didn’t weave together; there were things happening chronologically at the same time, but they didn’t have intertwining themes.
The cookoff story arc was the most fun. Stephanie, Grandma and Lula were involved, and a new character I liked (Larry the Fireman) was vividly painted, but he seemed underutilized to me.
I’m getting sick of the Stephanie/Morelli/Ranger triangle. I found it unrealistic that Stephanie was staying at Ranger’s house, sleeping in his bed, but resisting his advances since she was broken up with Joe. It could be argued she was hoping to get back together with Joe, but if that was the case, I felt that Ranger put so many unwanted moves on Steph he became creepy. And I’m tired of his trademark, “Babe.”
I wonder if spending time at Ranger’s inner sanctum strips hip of his mystique. And I wonder if the un-reality of Rangeman headquarters is bland in comparison to places that feel real, like Stephanie’s apartment or Morelli’s rowhouse. Ranger’s building, with its magically appearing clothes, sandwiches and cars might be wish-fulfillment to some, but for me it’s boring, and the parts of the story set there drag because everything is flawless.
Another characterization problem I had was with Lula. She seemed remarkably stupid at times -- like when a Rangeman employee radioed them in the car, and she couldn’t figure out where the voice was coming from. It’s as if everyone is a caricature of themselves -- Dad mumbling at the TV, Mom crossing herself, Grandma exclaiming, “Ain’t that a pip?” And I missed the subtle character building that had gone on in earlier books.
Of course, as I was thinking that, Stephanie’s dad made a remark about the ceiling plaster that had me rolling on the floor.
So while I didn’t enjoy Finger Lickin’ Fifteen as much as other books in the series, overall I did feel like I was getting to visit old friends, and there were glimpses of characterization that helped me stay in love with the series even though I had so many problems with this particular story, so despite my problems with plot and character, there were still lots of things to love -- and thus a fairly high rating. I guess watching Stephanie spill things on herself never gets old for me. And the hot dog costume rocked.
The cookoff story arc was the most fun. Stephanie, Grandma and Lula were involved, and a new character I liked (Larry the Fireman) was vividly painted, but he seemed underutilized to me.
I’m getting sick of the Stephanie/Morelli/Ranger triangle. I found it unrealistic that Stephanie was staying at Ranger’s house, sleeping in his bed, but resisting his advances since she was broken up with Joe. It could be argued she was hoping to get back together with Joe, but if that was the case, I felt that Ranger put so many unwanted moves on Steph he became creepy. And I’m tired of his trademark, “Babe.”
I wonder if spending time at Ranger’s inner sanctum strips hip of his mystique. And I wonder if the un-reality of Rangeman headquarters is bland in comparison to places that feel real, like Stephanie’s apartment or Morelli’s rowhouse. Ranger’s building, with its magically appearing clothes, sandwiches and cars might be wish-fulfillment to some, but for me it’s boring, and the parts of the story set there drag because everything is flawless.
Another characterization problem I had was with Lula. She seemed remarkably stupid at times -- like when a Rangeman employee radioed them in the car, and she couldn’t figure out where the voice was coming from. It’s as if everyone is a caricature of themselves -- Dad mumbling at the TV, Mom crossing herself, Grandma exclaiming, “Ain’t that a pip?” And I missed the subtle character building that had gone on in earlier books.
Of course, as I was thinking that, Stephanie’s dad made a remark about the ceiling plaster that had me rolling on the floor.
So while I didn’t enjoy Finger Lickin’ Fifteen as much as other books in the series, overall I did feel like I was getting to visit old friends, and there were glimpses of characterization that helped me stay in love with the series even though I had so many problems with this particular story, so despite my problems with plot and character, there were still lots of things to love -- and thus a fairly high rating. I guess watching Stephanie spill things on herself never gets old for me. And the hot dog costume rocked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2015
2.5★
Lorelei King's excellent narration, especially the voices of Lula and Ranger, gained this book an extra star. Evanovich's book was a reminder of why I stopped reading this series -- none of the characters grow or change. Instead, this 15th book in the series has Stephanie Plum still relying on her male friends/lovers to bail her out and help her do her job (and Lula doesn't seem to do any work at all!) and still unable to choose between Ranger and Morelli. The various incidents with her "skips" are funny but a bit overdone and I found myself wondering why she still had this job when she continually lets people escape. Wouldn't you think that in 15 years (or even in 4 years if each book only covers a season), she would have learned how to apprehend these bozos?
In this entry in the series there are 2 main threads to the plot -- two killers whom Lula saw decapitate a man are now trying to kill Lula because she was a witness & someone is messing with Ranger's security business by breaking into his clients' premises. The killers are the most incompetent criminals I have read about in a long time -- it boggles my mind that they weren't captured much much sooner -- and the case is solved by dumb luck more than by any sort of detection. I found the Ranger plot more satisfying but I have learned that I prefer mysteries in which the reader has some chance of solving it. Neither of the main "mysteries" were of that sort and that was disappointing to me.
Lorelei King's excellent narration, especially the voices of Lula and Ranger, gained this book an extra star. Evanovich's book was a reminder of why I stopped reading this series -- none of the characters grow or change. Instead, this 15th book in the series has Stephanie Plum still relying on her male friends/lovers to bail her out and help her do her job (and Lula doesn't seem to do any work at all!) and still unable to choose between Ranger and Morelli. The various incidents with her "skips" are funny but a bit overdone and I found myself wondering why she still had this job when she continually lets people escape. Wouldn't you think that in 15 years (or even in 4 years if each book only covers a season), she would have learned how to apprehend these bozos?
In this entry in the series there are 2 main threads to the plot -- two killers whom Lula saw decapitate a man are now trying to kill Lula because she was a witness & someone is messing with Ranger's security business by breaking into his clients' premises. The killers are the most incompetent criminals I have read about in a long time -- it boggles my mind that they weren't captured much much sooner -- and the case is solved by dumb luck more than by any sort of detection. I found the Ranger plot more satisfying but I have learned that I prefer mysteries in which the reader has some chance of solving it. Neither of the main "mysteries" were of that sort and that was disappointing to me.
July 12, 2009
So far, I'm loving this. I know there are some who are getting frustrated with Stephanie (and, sometimes, I must admit, I agree). Nevertheless, I have laughed out loud over and over again (as usual) with this book. And, I've read and reread (and reread) most of Ranger and Morelli's dialogue (or, anything to do with them). Love the Plum Books!
July 28, 2010
Finger Lickin' Fifteen is the latest book in the Stephanie Plum series. Personally, I did not feel it was one of the strong points. I felt there were too many separate storylines going on in this book to the point where all organization is lost. I was partially confused with keeping track of all of Stephanie's FTAs, Stanley Chipotle's murderers, and Ranger's robber situation. I also felt that the Chipotle murder (the main case of the novel) was wrapped up a little disjointedly.
Nonetheless, the book does have its strong points. There were many points in the novel where I laughed out loud. And after so many books of Stephanie saying "Joe Morelli was my on-again, off-again boyfriend," it was nice to see that he was finally "off-again." I always tend to like when Stephanie goes to live with Ranger, but I think Evanovich could have executed it differently in this book. With all the fans screaming and begging for a little romance between Ranger and Stephanie, I don't see why Janet won't just let it happen. Also, the storyline of the Chipotle murder was pretty different from other crimes in the series, and I did enjoy Grandma Mazur and Lula's adventures in the kitchen.
I think most fans with be partially, if not fully, disappointed with this book. For me, I thought it was just okay. I will always continue to buy more books in this series, and am not at all ready to jump the Plum ship.
Nonetheless, the book does have its strong points. There were many points in the novel where I laughed out loud. And after so many books of Stephanie saying "Joe Morelli was my on-again, off-again boyfriend," it was nice to see that he was finally "off-again." I always tend to like when Stephanie goes to live with Ranger, but I think Evanovich could have executed it differently in this book. With all the fans screaming and begging for a little romance between Ranger and Stephanie, I don't see why Janet won't just let it happen. Also, the storyline of the Chipotle murder was pretty different from other crimes in the series, and I did enjoy Grandma Mazur and Lula's adventures in the kitchen.
I think most fans with be partially, if not fully, disappointed with this book. For me, I thought it was just okay. I will always continue to buy more books in this series, and am not at all ready to jump the Plum ship.
June 21, 2020
Steph has another car, or two, or three blown up. Honestly, I lost count. I know that Ranger lost at least two, or was it three? Huh, guess I need to pay closer attention, but the Ranger - Steph interactions kept distracting me. The mystery was great and the Ranger - Steph thing, hot, hot, hot.
Lulu has a guy lose his head right in front of her. Literally, this guy got his head chopped off in front of her. The baddies were kinda sloppy to let Lulu get away, but they tracked her down fairly easily, and, of course, Lulu's bestie, Steph is going to get involved. Turns out the headless guy was a famous celebrity BBQ chef and now they want Lulu's head too.
While on a break from Joe, Steph is helping Ranger with a problem. Several of his Rangeman accounts have suffered break-ins and Ranger wants Steph to help figure out who is doing it. Between keeping Lulu alive, searching for the baddies, finding skips for the bail office and helping Ranger, Steph is a very busy girl. It's no wonder she falls asleep in the most available bed.
Lulu has a guy lose his head right in front of her. Literally, this guy got his head chopped off in front of her. The baddies were kinda sloppy to let Lulu get away, but they tracked her down fairly easily, and, of course, Lulu's bestie, Steph is going to get involved. Turns out the headless guy was a famous celebrity BBQ chef and now they want Lulu's head too.
While on a break from Joe, Steph is helping Ranger with a problem. Several of his Rangeman accounts have suffered break-ins and Ranger wants Steph to help figure out who is doing it. Between keeping Lulu alive, searching for the baddies, finding skips for the bail office and helping Ranger, Steph is a very busy girl. It's no wonder she falls asleep in the most available bed.
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