"No two persons ever read the same book"
Edmund Wilson

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Top Secret Twenty One - Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is the world’s worst bounty hunter but she always gets her man and usually solves a crime in the process. Twenty one novels in I was wondering whether author Janet Evanovich could squeeze much more out of her most popular creation but apparently she can. Top Secret Twenty One is the latest installment and it has everything you come to expect from the world of Plum.

Cars blow up, Grandma does something hilarious, Lula says something sassy, Vinnie is still running his bail bonds office, Connie is still scary, Stephanie still can’t pick a man, Bob eats something he shouldn't, Stephanie ends up in grave danger, her mum cooks dinner, and her dad eats it. The world of Plum is locked into a never-ending circle of reliving most of the same events over and over just with different criminals. It's Evanovichs proven method and she shows no sign of changing it.
This time Stephanie is stuck between two cases, bodies are piling up and Stephanie is trying to find her fugitive and solve the crime but Ranger needs Stephanie’s help when someone makes an attempt on his life. The highlight of this novel is quite easily Grandma Mazurs final appearance of the novel, it’s a literal laugh out loud moment and she supplies plenty more of those in-between when she faces off with Spooky Grandma Bella.
I have at this point, given up on Evanovich ever having Stephanie decide between her two men. Clearly Evanovich herself can’t choose between them. Ranger is smooth as ever although once again Stephanie manages to break his outer shell slightly, whilst Morelli once again proves himself as the world’s best boyfriend and Stephanie treads all over him.
Lula lacked a little of her usual sparkle in this novel. Hopefully installment 22 will see Lula back on form.

If you are a Plum fan, it’s a must read, but if you are just delving into the world of Evanovich, don’t start here, it’s not her best work.  3 out of 5 stars (purely because I’m a fan and Mazur is a hoot)

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