"Plum Lucky" is a fun read. As usual
596826
Janet Evanovich's, "Plum Lucky" is once again a fun read. As usual, Steph gets herself into more jams that your favorite jam flavors. From searching for a "little person"  a strange man enters her life, Diesel.  You will laugh from beginning to end. Grandma finds a bag full of money and buys herself away to visit Atlanta's casino's. The man who had lost the money is the little man, who believes he is a leprechaun and the money is his.  Finders keepers. All he ever wares are green pants. He believes that he can talk with animals and they talked back to him. However, our little man found this money on the street and the gangster that says the money is his, will do anything to get it back. Then into the fray comes, Doug! Who is Doug?  Lula, the "X" ho,  Connie, the office manager, along with Diesel,  all go to Atlantic City to help Steph bring Grandma back home. However, Grandma is kidnapped by the gangster, Delvina while in Atlanta and is brought back to the "Burg!"  I know you'll enjoy this novel. It is a fun, fun read. I have read all of Evanovich's books, and I find them very good and fu. If you don't laugh out loud, well, sorry! Rated "R" for strong language and sexual content. DP. Castro Valley, CA.
2491399
Move over Ranger and Morelli - there's a new "hunk" in town, and it's a Diesel!  "Visions of Sugar Plums" is the first of Janet Evanovich's  "in between" or "1/2" books.  In this "in between" book, Evanovich introduces a new character, almost one with seemingly supernatural or mystical powers. (Yes, if you are an avid reader, Diesel appears in more "in between" stories and even into his own series with "Wicked Appetite."  As with all of Stephanie Plum novels, if you like to be entertained with lively characters and somewhat absurd situations, then "Visions of Sugar Plums" is for you.

"Visions of Sugar Plums" seems a bit less developed that the other Plum books; never-the-less, Evanovich keeps the action going.  Perhaps this feeling of lacking development is due to this being a long short story rather than a novel?  The plot starts with a bang and poor Stephanie waking up to a stranger in her kitchen, but then the plot seems to get a little muddled. Regardless, the last third of the book will keep you disturbing others as you will be laughing out loud.  Her sense of humor is certainly still there! There are many reviews on this book already; although I do not feel it is as good as the "regular" Plum books, it is still an entertaining read! Since so many reviews were negative (many who felt they paid too much for a long short story),  I felt I had to say that this is a fun read and certainly entertaining.  I am not saying that this book as a great work of literature, but I am advocating that it is entertaining and enjoyable.  I gave it a three, and if you like Stephanie, read it!
4734505
This book is good, diverting, enjoyable light reading and it am not giving up until I read to the end of  all the numbered Stephanie Plum books. No matter what crazy things are going on in her personal life, Stephanie manages to bring in the bond skippers and solve crimes as well while making me laugh!
4057
Number fourteen in the Stephanie Plum series finds Stephanie still embroiled in her triangular relationship with cop Joe Morelli and security expert/mystery-man Ranger. Morelli's cousin, Dom Rizzi, has just been released from prison for robbing a bank with three other men, and escaping with nine million dollars. The money has never been found and rumor has it Rizzi hid the money and has returned to Trenton to claim it. Word gets out that Rizzi buried the money on Morelli's property and people start digging up the yard and breaking in. Stephanie becomes involved when Rizzi's sister, Loretta, misses her court date and Stephanie needs to take her in to be rebonded. But Loretta mysteriously disappears and Stephanie's stuck with her son, Mario, who goes by the name Zook and is a serious gamer. One of Rizzi's partners is holding Loretta hostage for the nine million dollars and it falls to Stephanie to try to find the money and rescue Loretta.

Two things this reader can always count on from Evanovich: humorous scenes and wacky characters. Fearless Fourteen does not disappoint in this regard. All those wonderful zany characters are back, including Lula, who manages to convince Tank he asked her to marry him and is now heavily involved in planning a June wedding. Stephanie continues to be unable to make up her mind between Morelli and Ranger, and Grandma Mazur is now one serious gamer when she isn't going to viewings at the funeral home. The plot is fun and the humor comes at the reader fast and heavy, which makes the read all that more enjoyable.
1581143
I've enjoyed the Plum books from 1 - 19! I hope Ms Evanovich just keeps cranking them out! Good reads.
1530373
Evanovitch is one of my favorite authors. I've read at least half of the Plum novels and enjoyed every one.
There's always a new and most entertaining twist.
1341937
As usual a fast and funny read as one follows the working life of Stephanie Plum and Lula. I love these books because they never fail to make me laugh and yet Janet Evanovich manages get her story around all the bizarre things and people that are always happening.
475792
Janet Evanovich ha done it again! Notorious Nineteen is a fun and delightful read. I hope Janet kleeps up the great work with the Stephanie Plum series as well as the "in-between the numbers" books
4881925
I love the Stephanie Plum novels.  They are a quick, fun, light read.  The stories are always interesting, with plot twists and mystery, and the characters are wonderful.  I really enjoy Stephanie's dilemma of a love life, her struggles with her career choice, and her relationships with other great characters.  Always worth reading in my opinion.
866717
I have loved the Stephanie Plum novels since my sister sent me the first 3 for Christmas several years ago because my first name is Stephanie, and, according to my sister, Ms. Plum reminds her of me...

I took it as a compliment and have been reading about the adventures of Ms. Plum ever since, always delighted to do so.

As other reviewers have noted, this installment of the story is without the clutter of Stephanie's sister, Valerie, her two daughters from her previous marriage, one of whom believes she's a horse, and Valerie's new husband and baby, thankfully.  Valerie's troubles should find their way into a small sidebar story added to an anthology selection somewhere else in my humble opinion.

All of my favorite characters are back for more, with the addition of The Pickle, whom I really did find myself liking very much as he blended in with the typical mayhem at the Plum Bailbonds Agency. Grandma Mazur decides to join a rock band with Lula and Sally Sweet, including the leather go-go boots.

While Stephanie continues to wrestle with her feelings for Morelli and Ranger, I continue to shake my head over the fact that a clutz like Stephanie can lure two entirely different sorts of men, both of whom willingly put themselves on the line for a girl addicted to Tasty Kakes and KFC.

I laughed myself into tears in several places in this book and I have to admit that this is more like the vintage Stephanie Plum that I first fell in love with.  I look forward to finding out if Ranger is going to step forward in the next tale or if Morelli is going to get a more solid grip on the title of boyfriend.

Plus I also want to find out if Tank can survive the amorous attentions of Lula!

This was a hit from start to finish and if you are ever in need of a truly hilarious romp then this would be a top pick from the Stephanie Plum series to settle down with and enjoy.
700678
When it comes to Stephanie, I'm always gonna love it! There's just no getting around it. Stephanie Plum is always a great read and "To the Nines" delivers the goods and will keep you laughing.
Be prepared for more bodies than usual and a tightly plotted story that actually takes Steph and her friends and co-workers, Lulu and Vinnie's office manager Connie, off on an adventurous trip to Las Vegas. (Ranger can't make the trip 'cause he's in trouble with the whole state of Nevada.) It's just possible that Stephanie's merry band of lunatics may cause a riot or two when they meet up with the Elvis impersonators. And Lulu's big purse could get them arrested for B & E before they can get out of town.
Back home, the Plum household is filled to bursting and about to get an additional member. Stephanie's mother is praying for a miracle and her father is having to wait in line for the bathroom, what with all the traffic. Valerie is eating for two and is very conflicted about what to do with her life. Joe Morelli's Grandmother is having visions that involve poor Stephanie and a coffin.  And Stephanie is having another hair crises, not to mention "fun with fast food".
In other words, it's business as usual for a Stephanie Plum novel!
You'll giggle and groan and laugh until your eyes tear up.  And when it's finished, the wait will begin for number 10!  Enjoy!
2270931
"TWO FOR THE DOUGH" falls victim to the '2nd book blues'. After a wonderful debut, one would expect something better or at least on par in the follow up but I did not find it here.
It is still a good read though. This time Stephanie Plum is hunting Kenny Mancuso who jumped bail for shooting his friend in the knee. Soon after, his friend is found dead and the trail leads back to Kenny. In the meantime, our heroine is hired by a mortician to find 24 coffins that has gone missing. Who would want to steal a coffin, never mind 24? Stephanie doesnt want to know but the with the rent due and money being a problem....well, beggars cant be choosers.
There's less of Ranger in this book but more of Grandma Mazur. In fact, the old woman takes an active part in this book. She is even more hilarious here and even has the chance to give the Dirty Harry speech. Other amusing vignettes include Stephanie finding a parking space big enough for a Buick, Grandma's visits to the funeral parlour and the Plum family staring at a penis just before having dinner (well, I thought it was funny).
But what about the story itself? It felt stretched out, truth be told. Could've ended 100 pages sooner. The funny parts were indeed funny but the tense parts weren't. Stephanie's ineptness at apprehending her man makes it frustrating to read sometimes but it has to be remembered that Steph is still a rookie learning the ropes.
Overall, it is not a bad read. If you want to stick to the series then you'll have to get "TWO FOR THE DOUGH" if nothing more than to have a complete collection and to follow the developments in Stephanie's life. But if you're a first time reader then start with "ONE FOR THE MONEY", rush thru this one and then enjoy the third book.
3655179
It's quite short and is usual usual. But Evanovich has a touch with humorous dialogue, and I smiled many times while reading the book. I used to laugh out loud at her books, but there's nothing wrong with just smiling. The ending is very abrupt. It is as though Evanovich said to herself, "It's long enough to be a book instead of a novella. Quitting time!"  While it can't touch the quality of her earlier Plums, it is worth a read on a cold winter's afternoon.
4683803
I enjoy almost all the Stephane Plum books and this was no exception
Sometime I have laughed aloud while reading this
Just the thing for light and wonderfully funny reading
3674354
Fans of Evanovich know what to expect: laughter, amusing characters, well-developed plot. I very much enjoyed reading this. For one thing, it is good to see that Evanovich can write about an adult woman who has grown and matured instead of staying constantly stuck in late adolescence the wy Stephanie Plum is.

A delightful fluffy read with enough mayhem to make it a page turner.
2164030
Typically, the Stephanie Plum books are very funny, but a little lacking in terms of plot complexity. This time around, Janet Evanovich brings us a book as funny as she's ever written which also has a plot that is worthy of the mystery genre. Go Janet! Bingeaux!
She does have Stephanie running all over the place in this installment of Plum's story - miraculously, though, Stephanie manages *not* to explode, incinerate or otherwise destroy her car this time; she does, however, seem to be blowing through Ranger's band of Merry Men, almost all of whom sustain some form of injury whilst acting as her bodyguard(s). Speaking of Ranger, he's back in true form - making suggestive...well, suggestions, close body contact, employing standard Ranger charisma...which Stephanie has a difficult time fending off. My mental image of this man is about as close to perfection as any man could possibly come - I think Evanovich has possibly created the sexiest fictional character - EVER.
Lula also features prominently in the story, bouncing from one diet to another, until she settles upon the all-meat diet and carries around purses full of whole chickens, pounds of bacon and sundry other delectables - much to the delight of the local street dogs. Stephanie's family goes back to cameo roles, thankfully - the family home works so well as a break from the action, but when Evanovich spends too much time with Grandma Mazur or Mom, it slows things down far too much. There is quite a lot of drama happening with the family, though, and many laughs to be had, largley at the expense of poor, ready-to-give-birth Valerie, who is systematically eating her parents out of house and home ("you know how she gets when she's interrupted in the middle of a ham!")
The gist of the plot itself is this: There's a serial killer around, or so there seems to be, and Stephanie thinks she knows where the killer is headquartered - a local business owned by three very different brothers. As she gets closer to locating key people (witnesses, friends and the man who skipped bond and fled town,) Stephanie finds them turning up dead. After their deaths, photographs of their bodies frequently find their way into her apartment, accompanied by flowers and a note insinuating that her turn will come soon. Naturally, this makes Morelli more than a bit nervous, and he and Ranger work together to ensure Stephanie's safety as best they can. Their work is cut out for them - throughout the story, Stephanie is shot with a tranquilzer dart (twice,) hit with a tazer, beaten up, stalked and finally taken hostage to be the rabbit in a sick game the killer wants her to play. Further, Morelli's grandmother keeps having visions in which she's dead. Stephanie's relationship with Morelli is in a very comfortable place in this book - things are looking like they may settle down together, as more and more of Steph's belongings find their way into Morelli's house.
Bravo, Janet Evanovich! You've turned out an excellent story with _To the Nines_, and I hope to see more of the same sort of material in your next Plum book. Thank you for the laughs and the entertainment.
2464301
I always love and look forward to the latest Stephanie Plum books.  I enjoyed this new one very much but I think the humor I've found in past books is somewhat lacking. But with that being said, it was still an enjoyable read.