One for the Money / Two for the Dough

Stephanie Plum #1-2

by Janet Evanovich

One For the Watch out, world. Here comes Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie's opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey.She's a product of the "burg," a blue-collar pocket of Trenton where houses are attached and narrow, cars are American, window are clean, and (God forbid you should be late) dinner is served at six.Now Stephanie's all grown up and out on her own, living five miles from Mom and Dad's, doing her best to sever the world's longest umbilical cord. Her mother is a meddler, and her grandmother is a few cans short of a case.Out of work and out of money, with her Miata repossessed and her refrigerator empty, Stephanie blackmails her bail bondsman cousin, Vinnie, into giving her a try as an apprehension agent. Stephanie knows zilch about the job requirements, but she figures her new pal, fearless bounty hunter Ranger, can teach her what it takes to catch a crook.Her first nail Joe Morelli, a former vice cop on the run from a charge of murder one. Morelli is also the irresistible macho pig who took Stephanie's virginity at age sixteen and then wrote the details on the bathroom wall of Mario's Sub Shop. There's still powerful chemistry between these two, so the chase should be interesting.It could also be extremely dangerous, especially when Stephanie encounters a heavyweight title contender who likes to play rough. Benito Ramirez is known for his brutality to women. At the very least, his obsession with Stephanie complicates her manhunt and brings terror and uncertainty into her life. At the worst, it could lead to murder.Two for the It's Stephanie Plum, New Jersey's "fugitive apprehension" agent (aka bounty hunter), introduced to the world by Janet Evanovich in the award-winning novel One for the Money.Now Stephanie's back, armed with attitude -- not to mention stun guns, defense sprays, killer flashlights, and her trusty .38. Stephanie is after a new bail jumper, Kenny Mancuso, a boy from Trenton's burg. He's fresh out of the army, suspiciously wealthy, and he's just shot his best friend.With her bounty hunter pal Ranger stepping in occasionally to advise her, Stephanie staggers knee deep in corpses and caskets as she traipses through back streets, dark alleys, and funeral parlors.And nobody knows funeral parlors better than Stephanie's irrepressible Grandma Mazur, a lady whose favorite pastime is grabbing a front-row seat at a neighborhood wake. So Stephanie uses Grandma as a cover to follow leads, but loses control when Grandma warms to the action, packing a cool pistol. Much to the family's chagrin, Stephanie and Granny may soon have the elusive Kenny in their sights.Fast-talking, slow-handed vice cop Joe Morelli joins in the case, since the prey happens to be his young cousin. And if the assignment calls for an automobile stakeout for two with the woman who puts his libido in overdrive, Morelli's not one to object.Low on expertise but learning fast, high on resilience, and despite the help she gets from friends and relatives, Stephanie eventually must face the danger alone when embalmed body parts begin to arrive on her doorstep and she's targeted for a nasty death by the most loathsome adversary she's ever encountered. Another case like this and she'll be a real pro.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Fiction, Romance, Cozy Mystery, Book Club, Audiobook

Audio Cassette

First published July 4, 2000

About the author

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

Reviews

[Jonathan Dunsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two pages of this book will make a big impression on you. I sat back after reading them and thought to myself that I would love to be able to write so eloquently.

The rest of the book continued in the same manner with crisp dialogue, lively characters, humor filled situations, and actual suspense.

I have a feeling that this is a book which is read by more women than men. This shouldn't be the case. I enjoyed it tremendously.

I imagine that residents of Trenton will have an even better time with it.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stephanie Plum series is incredibly popular, but I avoided it for a long time out of the fear it was overhyped. Although I enjoyed these first two books and I can understand the appeal, they’re not quite all I had hoped for. They were fun, they ensured I would read more, but they were a bit too light and fluffy for me.

The first book, One for the Money, was a four-star rating that ensured I read the book in no time. I was hooked, quickly pulled in, and desperate to see how the story would come together. As much as I enjoyed it, I was distracted by how the character gave the real crime fighters a bad name. The second book, Two for the Dough, was a three-star rating. Again, I was hooked, but it didn’t quite grip me in the same way. It’s another feel good book, but I couldn’t deal with how often our lead walked right into danger.

All in all, the first two books ensured I’ll read more, yet it’s not going to be a series I read back-to-back.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reread like all of hers. I started it hoping to feel better about the movie but the only conclusion I have reached is that I'm not going to the movie because they had no idea how badly they were going to do casting and directing it. I just can't get around using an Irish actor to play a New Jersey Italian. One look and I knew the movie would be bad.

Read the book even if you've seen the movie because the book is great.

[Jenny Jo Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books got me into the Plum series. I have yet to find another cute, fun, action, book like these. I like a lot of things about them and look forward to reading more.

[Cindy Fiala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute fast read.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

From day one of reading the Stephanie Plum novels, I have enjoyed every one of them. I have to say so far my favorite is Hot Six, but each one holds plenty of laughs and fun mystery. These novels are fun to read and a quick read. I personally am a teamRanger girl myself bit you just never know. I have 3 more books to catch up to her upcoming release in Novemeber of 2023 and hope to read the Fox and O'Hara series, Knight and Moon, and Alexandra Barnaby series. And interested in Finding out more about Gabriella Rose!

[Jennifer Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately fell for Stephanie Plum ... how can you not! She is a train wreck with plenty of mascara, and a fantastic family! Can't wait for more adventures!

BTW ... I am TOTALLY Team Ranger! Also Lula is AMAZING ... we all need a Lula in our lives! I have decided I want to be adopted by the Plums so I can have a Grama Mazur!

I have read the first 22 as well as the In-Between the Plums stories and I am so ready for the next several!

[Hana Nagashima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over half of the book felt like page fillers talking about Stephanie’s makeup and clothes. I was looking for twists and turns but it only happened in the last few chapters. Not much time allowing the reader to ponder the outcome of the mystery. I didn’t like the abundant description about her fashion and unnecessary love drama. But I will read the second book because they didn’t give me a conclusion about their love drama.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Stephanie Plum series. The characters and dialogue are wickedly funny, and I find myself laughing out loud frequently. It’s not easy to read on public transportation without being disruptive, but I’ve had people ask me what I’m reading because they need more laughter in their lives. These books are so much fun-lots of surprises.

[Nikki Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, funny, and escapist. This series starts in the mid 1990s, so slightly dated, but it doesn’t ruin it for me. These probably become formulaic and annoying over time, but for now I am finding Stephanie Plum’s company enjoyable.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

!ove theseboomx

[Shanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast funny reads

[BRENDA G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the books!! They make you laugh out loud!!

[Lavon]

Love Stephanie Plum. Light reads with lots of humor.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

light fun reading

[Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

bad but in a good way

[Toni]

These books are light and entertaining--quick reads in the middle of the night.

[Dawn]

It was ok. Her later books are much better because the charade more fleshed out.

[Amy Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.
Fun mystery just not really my style.

[Julie Jasmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me interested and just couldn't get enough so had to get the entire series

[Andrea Ika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review : Stephanie Plum by number, Book 1 One for the Money

Janet Evanovich



Title : Stephanie Plum by number book 1 One for The Money
Author: Janet Evanovich
Genre : romance, Mystery
Rating : 3 stars
Reading level : adult

Book Blurb
Read the Dynamite Blockbuster that Started It All! Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash--fast--but times are tough, and soon she's forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family. Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie's bail bonding company. She's got no experience. But that doesn't matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants to the time Steph hit him with her father's Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water--wanted for murder. Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn't. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she'll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight--and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man. She is in a lot of trouble.

My thought
Stephanie Plum needs money and she learns the only quick way for her to do that is to work as a bounty hunter for her cousin. When the case of Joe Morelli lands at her feet. With a past between them, one of youthful ignorance on Stephanie’s part, she can’t wait to take down Morelli and collect the $10,000 paycheck on him.

Yet, the deeper she gets and the more encounters she finds herself in with Morelli, she begins to suspect he really isn’t guilty.

With a little help, a lot of laughs, and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with, ONE FOR THE MONEY is a book that keeps you going.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series. Stephanie Plum is so down to earth and soooo likeable no matter what. I love the calmartey she has with Joe Morelli and keep it going!!!! She also has a mysterious so called co-worker named Ranger who seems so tall dark and handsome so!! Grandma Masur is a loveable character you will be caught laughing out loud at her antics.
It would be good for the reader to start with One for the Money, but to just begin to read the Stephanie Plum books would be throughly enjoyed! I learned that there is another series out there in bookland that can be just as intriging as the scary murder series as the Scarpetta's and the Alex Cross's and Stephanie is among them to be loved.

[David Bonesteel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is only for the second book. Not sure why Goodreads doesn't list it separately.

Stephanie Plum's second case involves missing coffins and stolen military weapons. Author Janet Evanovich writes a light, breezy novel with many endearing characters, but as a mystery, it doesn't satisfy. Whenever Stephanie needs a piece of information, it is offered up by one of her many well-placed friends, be it Mancuso the cop, Ranger the tough bounty hunter, a friend at the DMV--you get the idea. She doesn't seem to discover much on her own. However, since Evanovich's plot is really just a showcase for her characters, it is still an enjoyable and quick read.

[Susan Bohanon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book series, but once I started the 3rd book I was over the whole thing. My primary concern is no character development. Stephanie was just as dumb and naive in the 3rd book as she was in the 1st. And none of the relationships established in the first book had progressed at all. There were many errors in the writing and filled with so many non-essential details, I presume to overcompensate the lack of character development.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent drive in the desert book on tape. The narrator, Critt nailed the attitude perfectly. My Number one daughter tells me this is the begining of a fun series. Now, I will check and see if our little library has any of the rest on tape. I wouldn't have read it hard cover. But, for the car it was great.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

all my friends read this series, so I saw this at a garage sale for 25 cents, light, down right fat free light, rather clever, mindless entertainment that your brain cries for after a grueling week at work.
I revised my opinion about 3/4 of the way thru I was bored w/ the charactors and yawing. I stopped reading. I sold it at our garage sale for a dime.

[Emmalee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore these books. They're fast paced, with interesting plot lines, and are hilarious. Add that with a spunky female lead who blackmails her cousin Vinny into giving her a job as a bounty hunter and the super sexy badass Ranger, also a bounty hunter (who I will always prefer over Morelli) how could you say no?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but it isn't one I will remember in years to come. I will say I liked it well enough to read somemore of her books. Who knows maybe the characters will grow on me. All in all it was a cute story.

[Kattrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book - not a literary masterpiece by far. Enjoyed the simple read and was a bit shocked at some of the violence it contained. I will probably slowly read through the rest of the series in between other books.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Stephanie Plum books. I laugh out loud as she bungles her way through the life of a bounty hunter or as she likes to call herself "a bond enforcement agent." When the lula character is added, the books become hysterical. Great light hearted, fun books.