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Stephanie Plum #21
Top Secret Twenty-One
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2014)Catch a professional assassin: top priority. Find a failure-to-appear and collect big bucks: top score. How she’ll pull it all off: top secret.
Trenton, New Jersey’s favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he’s out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city’s hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer’s whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn’t want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti’s bookkeeper and knows all his boss’s dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti’s list of people to put six feet under.
To top things off, Ranger—resident security expert and Stephanie’s greatest temptation—has been the target of an assassination plot. He’s dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he’ll have to enlist Stephanie’s help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.
Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day’s work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur’s wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli’s Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what’s number one on the list—but that’s top secret.
__________
Unabridged, 5 sound discs, 6 hours
Trenton, New Jersey’s favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he’s out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city’s hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer’s whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn’t want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti’s bookkeeper and knows all his boss’s dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti’s list of people to put six feet under.
To top things off, Ranger—resident security expert and Stephanie’s greatest temptation—has been the target of an assassination plot. He’s dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he’ll have to enlist Stephanie’s help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.
Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day’s work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur’s wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli’s Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what’s number one on the list—but that’s top secret.
__________
Unabridged, 5 sound discs, 6 hours
6 pages, Audio CD
First published June 17, 2014
3447 people are currently reading
17993 people want to read
About the author
Janet Evanovich
332 books41k 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 4,943 reviews
July 23, 2014
21 things about Top Secret 21
1. Stephanie is still a bounty hunter, and Lula is still her sidekick
2. Mrs. Plum is still making pot-roast, ironing when stressed, and hitting the whiskey
3. Gramma is as wild as ever and this time has a bucket list she’s trying to complete.
4. Joe hasn’t changed: still watching sports, drinking, beer, eating pizza, and calling Stephanie a cupcake.
5. Ranger reveals more of himself in this book: You find out that while still sexy and mysterious, he’s also a bit of an ass:
R: “I understand your emotion, but you’d serve no purpose today, You’d be a liability”
S: “Gee, that’s so flattering. Let me get this straight. You only have me tag along when I serve some useful purpose, like being a dumb bimbo in a bar?”
R: “Yes.”
and…
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course I’m worried about you”
“Nice.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go.”
“What? Are you serious? You didn’t tell me anything!”
“This is why I’m not married. Women ask too many questions.”
6. Buuut, you also get a glimpse of his real feelings for her:
“There are times when I seriously consider marrying you, but then I get yet another black mark on my path to enlightenment and forgiveness and I scratch marriage off my bucket list”
“Really, you think about marrying me?”
“Marrying you might be extreme, but once in a while I think about sharing my closet.”
7. There’s wacky animals in the book. Again. This time a gang of Chihuahuas.
8. Stephanie gets kidnapped. Again.
9. Stephanie loses her POS car on Stark Street. Again.
10. Ranger loans Stephanie his car she gets it blown up. Again.
11. Bob eats stuff he shouldn’t and throws it back up. Again.
12. Stephanie’s apartment gets blown up. Again.
13. Stephanie stays at Joe’s house while her apartment is getting cleaned up. Again.
14. Gramma Mazur goes to a funeral viewing. Again.
15. Tank is mentioned but doesn’t say anything in this book. Again.
16. Stephanie STILL hasn’t make a firm choice between Team Ranger and Team Morelli
17. I swore I wouldn’t read any more books that were exactly the same story as the other 19 before it and I read this new one anyway. Again.
18. The writing doesn’t seem like it’s really JE writing. It has a different tone, style, and vocabulary than other books.
19. Ranger is chatty. Again, different writing style.
20. The kindle version stops at 89%!!! WTF is that all about? I thought I had another chapter or two to go and nope. End. Blah. Preview of her other series “Pros and Cons”.
21. If you’re a die hard JE fan, then go get this. Otherwise, you can do any of the following:
a. Wait for it to be available in your local library
b. Borrow a copy from a friend
c. Re-read any of the other books 1 – 11, and you’ll basically get the same thing
d. Read some FanFiction sites. At least with the FanFiction, you get to pick Team Ranger, or Team Morelli, you have a conclusion, the character development is a bit better and you don’t have to shell out hard earned bucks for a book that is a rehashed, watered down version of what you’ve previously purchased.
1. Stephanie is still a bounty hunter, and Lula is still her sidekick
2. Mrs. Plum is still making pot-roast, ironing when stressed, and hitting the whiskey
3. Gramma is as wild as ever and this time has a bucket list she’s trying to complete.
4. Joe hasn’t changed: still watching sports, drinking, beer, eating pizza, and calling Stephanie a cupcake.
5. Ranger reveals more of himself in this book: You find out that while still sexy and mysterious, he’s also a bit of an ass:
R: “I understand your emotion, but you’d serve no purpose today, You’d be a liability”
S: “Gee, that’s so flattering. Let me get this straight. You only have me tag along when I serve some useful purpose, like being a dumb bimbo in a bar?”
R: “Yes.”
and…
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course I’m worried about you”
“Nice.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go.”
“What? Are you serious? You didn’t tell me anything!”
“This is why I’m not married. Women ask too many questions.”
6. Buuut, you also get a glimpse of his real feelings for her:
“There are times when I seriously consider marrying you, but then I get yet another black mark on my path to enlightenment and forgiveness and I scratch marriage off my bucket list”
“Really, you think about marrying me?”
“Marrying you might be extreme, but once in a while I think about sharing my closet.”
7. There’s wacky animals in the book. Again. This time a gang of Chihuahuas.
8. Stephanie gets kidnapped. Again.
9. Stephanie loses her POS car on Stark Street. Again.
10. Ranger loans Stephanie his car she gets it blown up. Again.
11. Bob eats stuff he shouldn’t and throws it back up. Again.
12. Stephanie’s apartment gets blown up. Again.
13. Stephanie stays at Joe’s house while her apartment is getting cleaned up. Again.
14. Gramma Mazur goes to a funeral viewing. Again.
15. Tank is mentioned but doesn’t say anything in this book. Again.
16. Stephanie STILL hasn’t make a firm choice between Team Ranger and Team Morelli
17. I swore I wouldn’t read any more books that were exactly the same story as the other 19 before it and I read this new one anyway. Again.
18. The writing doesn’t seem like it’s really JE writing. It has a different tone, style, and vocabulary than other books.
19. Ranger is chatty. Again, different writing style.
20. The kindle version stops at 89%!!! WTF is that all about? I thought I had another chapter or two to go and nope. End. Blah. Preview of her other series “Pros and Cons”.
21. If you’re a die hard JE fan, then go get this. Otherwise, you can do any of the following:
a. Wait for it to be available in your local library
b. Borrow a copy from a friend
c. Re-read any of the other books 1 – 11, and you’ll basically get the same thing
d. Read some FanFiction sites. At least with the FanFiction, you get to pick Team Ranger, or Team Morelli, you have a conclusion, the character development is a bit better and you don’t have to shell out hard earned bucks for a book that is a rehashed, watered down version of what you’ve previously purchased.
June 19, 2014
Please don't shoot the critic
Janet Evanovich has been writing best-selling books for so many years I forget when I started reading them. The antics of Stephanie and her crew have made me laugh so hard I had tears running down my legs. The sexual tension between the characters has always had me coming back for more, and, more. Ms. Evanovich was a master of the craft and we all profited from it. She's done now. The legend of Stephanie Plum is over. I don't know how it happened. I don't know when it all started to go wrong. But alas, the ride is over. Maybe it started when the author started to write other series with other authors. Maybe she just had no more left for Stephanie to do. But since about book 11, I think we all started getting tired of it. How many more times is someone going to say "babe"? Are we expected to read a book where someone usually dies, the dog eats something and pukes, grandma does something kooky, and the heroine waffles back and forth between two men. We all give thanks for the years of enjoyment but we are officially done. For the last ten books (translate ten years and about $300.00, not to mention the shelf space we have lost) you can take off the dust jackets, mix them around and put them in any order you want. It makes no difference, THE'RE ALL THE SAME BOOK!!!! I gave it ten good years and except for the fact that the books are getting thinner, they haven't changed a bit. I actually SKIMMED through this book. Can you believe it? SKIMMED!!! I'm sorry Janet, I have loved your books since I was a teenager, but I can't read one more repetitious word. I WILL miss you. But I really need the shelf space.
Janet Evanovich has been writing best-selling books for so many years I forget when I started reading them. The antics of Stephanie and her crew have made me laugh so hard I had tears running down my legs. The sexual tension between the characters has always had me coming back for more, and, more. Ms. Evanovich was a master of the craft and we all profited from it. She's done now. The legend of Stephanie Plum is over. I don't know how it happened. I don't know when it all started to go wrong. But alas, the ride is over. Maybe it started when the author started to write other series with other authors. Maybe she just had no more left for Stephanie to do. But since about book 11, I think we all started getting tired of it. How many more times is someone going to say "babe"? Are we expected to read a book where someone usually dies, the dog eats something and pukes, grandma does something kooky, and the heroine waffles back and forth between two men. We all give thanks for the years of enjoyment but we are officially done. For the last ten books (translate ten years and about $300.00, not to mention the shelf space we have lost) you can take off the dust jackets, mix them around and put them in any order you want. It makes no difference, THE'RE ALL THE SAME BOOK!!!! I gave it ten good years and except for the fact that the books are getting thinner, they haven't changed a bit. I actually SKIMMED through this book. Can you believe it? SKIMMED!!! I'm sorry Janet, I have loved your books since I was a teenager, but I can't read one more repetitious word. I WILL miss you. But I really need the shelf space.
August 5, 2014
THE DRINKING GAME REVIEW
I hadn't read a Plum novel since about number 10 or so, then I decided that they were getting pretty boring and Stephanie wasn't aging or choosing a man, so I took a break. My dear friend kept me appraised on what was going on in the series. Nothing.
So I happened across this book at the library and I'm on summer break, I decided to give it a shot. Couldn't be so bad, right? Well...it's pretty bad. Other people have done a more thorough job of reviewing this book, I don't really care enough to go into detail but EVERYTHING IS STILL THE SAME SO IF YOU HAVE EVER READ ANY OF THEM, YOU HAVE READ THIS ONE.
I don't think I will read the next one, not until the last one. Just for closure. BUT, I mentioned on another review that the only way to get through these anymore is with a drinking game, so here it is. I did promise some people here I would come up with a drinking game to make the next one bearable. I shall keep my word. If you guys feel I should add to the list, let me know in the comments and I will edit the list. Link me to other people who might enjoy this list!
The Stephanie Plum series Drinking Game written by TimeyWimeyBooks
(Please pace yourselves or you will be VERY DRUNK and I am not responsible for alcohol poisoning because Stephanie does these things ALL THE TIME. Hee.)
TAKE ONE DRINK IF:
• Lula calls herself a Ho
• Lula is hungry
• Stephanie or Lula go to Cluck-in-a-bucket
• Stephanie or Morelli have a beer
• Rex runs on his wheel
• She drives the Buick
• They go to a viewing
• Ranger says “Babe”
• The word “Rangeman” appears
• Morelli says “Cupcake”
• Bob eats something gross
• Bob throws up
• Steph’s Mom irons
• Steph’s Mom drinks
• Anyone eats a donut
• “THE EYE” is mentioned
• Grandma Mazur tags along
CHUG IF:
• A Skip got away from Stephanie!
• Steph’s car gets blown up! (Ranger cars do count)
• Steph has to be rescued by Ranger or Morelli
• Steph fires the gun and misses
• Wacky animals appear and/or run around Trenton!
• Steph’s apartment gets blown up/catches fire/is broken into!
I hadn't read a Plum novel since about number 10 or so, then I decided that they were getting pretty boring and Stephanie wasn't aging or choosing a man, so I took a break. My dear friend kept me appraised on what was going on in the series. Nothing.
So I happened across this book at the library and I'm on summer break, I decided to give it a shot. Couldn't be so bad, right? Well...it's pretty bad. Other people have done a more thorough job of reviewing this book, I don't really care enough to go into detail but EVERYTHING IS STILL THE SAME SO IF YOU HAVE EVER READ ANY OF THEM, YOU HAVE READ THIS ONE.
I don't think I will read the next one, not until the last one. Just for closure. BUT, I mentioned on another review that the only way to get through these anymore is with a drinking game, so here it is. I did promise some people here I would come up with a drinking game to make the next one bearable. I shall keep my word. If you guys feel I should add to the list, let me know in the comments and I will edit the list. Link me to other people who might enjoy this list!
The Stephanie Plum series Drinking Game written by TimeyWimeyBooks
(Please pace yourselves or you will be VERY DRUNK and I am not responsible for alcohol poisoning because Stephanie does these things ALL THE TIME. Hee.)
TAKE ONE DRINK IF:
• Lula calls herself a Ho
• Lula is hungry
• Stephanie or Lula go to Cluck-in-a-bucket
• Stephanie or Morelli have a beer
• Rex runs on his wheel
• She drives the Buick
• They go to a viewing
• Ranger says “Babe”
• The word “Rangeman” appears
• Morelli says “Cupcake”
• Bob eats something gross
• Bob throws up
• Steph’s Mom irons
• Steph’s Mom drinks
• Anyone eats a donut
• “THE EYE” is mentioned
• Grandma Mazur tags along
CHUG IF:
• A Skip got away from Stephanie!
• Steph’s car gets blown up! (Ranger cars do count)
• Steph has to be rescued by Ranger or Morelli
• Steph fires the gun and misses
• Wacky animals appear and/or run around Trenton!
• Steph’s apartment gets blown up/catches fire/is broken into!
March 22, 2017
Ranger vs Morelli...the triangle continues!
There are some quirky, silly things you can always rely on when reading a Stephanie Plum novel. She will lose/destroy at least one car, her apartment will be trashed and grandma Mazur will say or do something inappropriate at the local funeral parlor. Well you won't be disappointed with this one. It includes all that and then some.
Now you can add assassins targeting Ranger!! Stephanie of course gets involved when she attempts to hide another of their targets…oh that’s going to go well!
I love Stephanie's bumbling antics!
If you've read this series then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't tried it yet...by all means do! You will be guaranteed plenty of laughs as you watch Stephanie go from one disaster to another.
There are some quirky, silly things you can always rely on when reading a Stephanie Plum novel. She will lose/destroy at least one car, her apartment will be trashed and grandma Mazur will say or do something inappropriate at the local funeral parlor. Well you won't be disappointed with this one. It includes all that and then some.
Now you can add assassins targeting Ranger!! Stephanie of course gets involved when she attempts to hide another of their targets…oh that’s going to go well!
I love Stephanie's bumbling antics!
If you've read this series then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't tried it yet...by all means do! You will be guaranteed plenty of laughs as you watch Stephanie go from one disaster to another.
March 19, 2020
Top Secret Twenty-One in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich has all the normal hilarious banter, sexual chemistry, and silliness as the ones in the past. It also offers a deeper look at Ranger's past, Stephanie's grandmother's bucket list, and Joe Morelli's tolerance level when it comes to Stephanie's escapades. I believe in love, but if someone put me through what she puts him through, I'd probably disappear just to avoid any further impacts. She's a barrel of laughs, but I couldn't worry about someone 24/7 the way Ranger and Joe have to worry about her. While she can take care of herself from time to time, it'd be way too many trips to the hospital, jail, court, and car dealership for me. That said... while I couldn't be her lover, I can definitely love her antics.
Oh, how I laughed. Last time it was the giraffe, this time is ten feral Chihuahua dogs who travel in a ferocious pack. At least she found homes for them all by the time the ~325 pages were up. Grandma Mazur looking into a boob job was a little much for me to handle, but I can appreciate the things people put on their bucket list. While the curse with Bella was a nice touch, I would've loved to see more of those side stories pulling together the rest of the book rather than the missing guy trying to kill off old women. The search for the culprit was fun, but the ending was a little too confusing and wrapped up neatly in a weird way. It needed more explanation rather than a rushed closure.
On to #22 next... then only 3 more to go and I'm current. I hope to get there before 2018 ends. Then which series do I go to: VI Warshawski, I'm about 5 behind there, too. Oops, 2018 is the year for serial catch up.
Oh, how I laughed. Last time it was the giraffe, this time is ten feral Chihuahua dogs who travel in a ferocious pack. At least she found homes for them all by the time the ~325 pages were up. Grandma Mazur looking into a boob job was a little much for me to handle, but I can appreciate the things people put on their bucket list. While the curse with Bella was a nice touch, I would've loved to see more of those side stories pulling together the rest of the book rather than the missing guy trying to kill off old women. The search for the culprit was fun, but the ending was a little too confusing and wrapped up neatly in a weird way. It needed more explanation rather than a rushed closure.
On to #22 next... then only 3 more to go and I'm current. I hope to get there before 2018 ends. Then which series do I go to: VI Warshawski, I'm about 5 behind there, too. Oops, 2018 is the year for serial catch up.
August 6, 2014
After Reading:
Sigh.
I knew it.
Not one, not two, but three different bad guys Stephanie gets to take down. More firebombs, rockets, guns, and terroristic level toxins. Stephanie gets kidnapped, saved by Ranger, and goes home with Morelli. Lust for both. Throw in Randy Briggs, a pack of wild Chihuahuas (instead of a giraffe like the last book) and Grandma Mazur with a gun and you have the first twenty books repeated in a slightly different order in this book.
Sigh again.
Please just end the series already.
3/4/14 Pre Reading Review:
Top Secret?
Oh boy.
Well, she won't choose between Ranger or Morelli... so I am betting Stephanie witnesses a crime that is HUGE and becomes 'adorably' caught in the cross fire of a large scale investigation. Bad things will happen, Ranger will save her, Lula will get her in trouble while in tight clothes, her grandmother will wave a gun and then Stephanie will somehow miraculously save the day!
Sigh. C'mon, wow me a little here and make me be totally wrong Evanovich.
Sigh.
I knew it.
Not one, not two, but three different bad guys Stephanie gets to take down. More firebombs, rockets, guns, and terroristic level toxins. Stephanie gets kidnapped, saved by Ranger, and goes home with Morelli. Lust for both. Throw in Randy Briggs, a pack of wild Chihuahuas (instead of a giraffe like the last book) and Grandma Mazur with a gun and you have the first twenty books repeated in a slightly different order in this book.
Sigh again.
Please just end the series already.
3/4/14 Pre Reading Review:
Top Secret?
Oh boy.
Well, she won't choose between Ranger or Morelli... so I am betting Stephanie witnesses a crime that is HUGE and becomes 'adorably' caught in the cross fire of a large scale investigation. Bad things will happen, Ranger will save her, Lula will get her in trouble while in tight clothes, her grandmother will wave a gun and then Stephanie will somehow miraculously save the day!
Sigh. C'mon, wow me a little here and make me be totally wrong Evanovich.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2016
Twenty one books in and I've learned to accept Stephanie Plum books for what they are - mindless entertainment. Like an old sit-com rerun that you watch when you are bored. Sure, you know what's going to happen, but it has a type of comfort and still can make you smile.
But, after reading my last book that made me frustrated and murderous because the alpha-male thing, I started to see Stephanie in a new light. She's really a very liberatedidiot woman.
Why?
She lives alone and has no intention of changing that even though both of the men in her life would allow her to live with them.
She has two men in her life and they both fulfill her needs. Morelli gives her stability and the possibility of marriage and family if she ever decides she wants that. Ranger gives her excitement, danger, and doesn't try to change her.
And, about those two men - she doesn't make a choice and "live happily ever after". She spends time with them when it suits her and doesn't get held down by just one guy. Why should she?
She has a career that is dangerous but fulfilling. Other than the times when she's just been hurt and thinks she needs a new job, she's pretty happy with her work.
She has close female friends and doesn't feel the need to compete against them or knock them down.
She dresses for herself - not to impress men or other women.
She trusts her instincts, even when a man doubts her.
She isn't sure if she wants kids and isn't apologetic about it.
So, maybe she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. She's still a better example for our daughters than these supposed 'heroines' who are professors, doctors, and scientists who throw everything in their life away the minute they meet a guy. I can actually respect Stephanie's choices more than our alpha-male mates.
All that said - Go #TeamRanger!
But, after reading my last book that made me frustrated and murderous because the alpha-male thing, I started to see Stephanie in a new light. She's really a very liberated
Why?
She lives alone and has no intention of changing that even though both of the men in her life would allow her to live with them.
She has two men in her life and they both fulfill her needs. Morelli gives her stability and the possibility of marriage and family if she ever decides she wants that. Ranger gives her excitement, danger, and doesn't try to change her.
And, about those two men - she doesn't make a choice and "live happily ever after". She spends time with them when it suits her and doesn't get held down by just one guy. Why should she?
She has a career that is dangerous but fulfilling. Other than the times when she's just been hurt and thinks she needs a new job, she's pretty happy with her work.
She has close female friends and doesn't feel the need to compete against them or knock them down.
She dresses for herself - not to impress men or other women.
She trusts her instincts, even when a man doubts her.
She isn't sure if she wants kids and isn't apologetic about it.
So, maybe she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. She's still a better example for our daughters than these supposed 'heroines' who are professors, doctors, and scientists who throw everything in their life away the minute they meet a guy. I can actually respect Stephanie's choices more than our alpha-male mates.
All that said - Go #TeamRanger!
June 13, 2014
I have to be honest, when I read the last Stephanie Plum novel, I was really disappointed and I thought it would be time for Mrs. Evanovich to either make drastic changes or retire the characters. So when I received the early copy, I was unsure if I even wanted to try it. But I must admit, Mrs. Evanovich, seems to be back to her great writing performance!
Stephanie Plum seems to be back to her catastrophic self, but for a change, she isn't the only one that needs help. The all mighty Ranger is in distress and needs to rely on Stephanies' expertise. And Of course Grandma Mazur and Grandma can not be missing in this mix and add a few slapstick moments. We find out that Grandma Mazur has a bucketlist and she is actually capable of accomplishing a couple of her items on it, but I will not spoil, which ones, since everyone should find out themselves.
And Lola is as flamboyant as ever and can not be amiss either.
This book has a lot of comedic relief, but it is somewhat obvious of who did it. Over all, a great and fast read and Stephanie Plum fans will not be disappointed.
Stephanie Plum seems to be back to her catastrophic self, but for a change, she isn't the only one that needs help. The all mighty Ranger is in distress and needs to rely on Stephanies' expertise. And Of course Grandma Mazur and Grandma can not be missing in this mix and add a few slapstick moments. We find out that Grandma Mazur has a bucketlist and she is actually capable of accomplishing a couple of her items on it, but I will not spoil, which ones, since everyone should find out themselves.
And Lola is as flamboyant as ever and can not be amiss either.
This book has a lot of comedic relief, but it is somewhat obvious of who did it. Over all, a great and fast read and Stephanie Plum fans will not be disappointed.
November 15, 2021
In this 21st book in the 'Stephanie Plum' series, the bounty hunter is trying to track down a man accused of human trafficking. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Stephanie Plum, bail enforcement agent, needs to round up Jimmy Poletti - a used car salesman accused of of trafficking girls. Jimmy is an elusive crook though, and while he's on the loose members of his gang are getting bumped off, one after another.
Jimmy seems especially anxious to get rid of Briggs, a little person who was Jimmy's accountant and knows too much. After Briggs' apartment is blown up he convinces Stephanie to let him stay with her, with unfortunate consequences for Stephanie's abode.
The two men in Stephanie's life are on hand. Cop Joe Morelli is trying to capture Poletti and shows up at the various murder scenes and in Stephanie's love life - often with pizza or donuts.
And security firm honcho Ranger is being threatened by a member of the Russian mob, who tries to wipe out his entire staff with the deadly poison polonium. Stephanie, worried about Ranger's safety, joins him on various exploits to catch the Russian.
Meanwhile, gun-toting Lula helps Stephanie run down some eccentric bail jumpers.
Grandma Mazur goes to viewings at funeral parlors, Stephanie's mom drinks and irons to calm her nerves, Rex (the hamster) runs on his wheel, bombs and rocket propelled grenades blow up Stephanie's stuff.....all the usual shenanigans that go on in this series.
Many of the previous books in the Stephanie Plum series are laugh out loud funny, but it feels like Evanovich is really running out of steam with this one. The book felt stale, it recycled the same old scenes, and Stephanie still lusts after both Joe and Ranger - which is tiresome by now.
Moreover, by the end of the story it felt like Evanovich just wanted to get it over with, and the finale is rushed and tacked on.
A disappointing book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
June 5, 2024
Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich
Synopsis /
Stephanie Plum is getting desperate. She's running out of leads in the search for Jimmy Poletti, who was caught selling more than cars out of his New Jersey dealership. Even Joe Morelli, the city's hottest cop, is struggling to find the criminal wheeler and dealer.
Stephanie's No. 1 temptation, Ranger, is also struggling. There's a killer in town with a personal vendetta against him. If Ranger wants to survive, he'll need Stephanie's help - and to reveal a piece of his mysterious past.
Death threats, highly trained assassins and highly untrained assassins are all in a day's work for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum!
My Thoughts /
Oh, to be twenty-one again! Not having to use anti-wrinkle cream. Not straining a hammy bending over to tie your shoes. Or, when a late night out was arriving back home in the A.M., not high-fiving yourself because you've seen past 8pm. But I digress. This book has absolutely nothing to do with any of that. It's just that Top Secret Twenty-One is the twenty-first book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. And just like chocolate, pavlova, and coffee, I'm well and truly addicted to Stephanie Plum [haha, I will admit to some addictions being better than others]. I mean, where else can you get great cooking advice like soaking your meatloaf in bourbon before cooking?
“This is good meatloaf,” my grandmother said, taking a bite of her sandwich. “I like that you put barbecue sauce on top of it.” “I saw it on the Food Network,” my mother said. “And it’s real moist.” My mother chewed and swallowed. “I soaked it in bourbon.”
This is madcap comedy at it's best. Pithy, witty, and fast-paced. Not much of a solid storyline and I often feel like I'm watching (reading) an episode of the Keystone Cops. IYKYK, and if you don't, look it up. Please! It's all a matter of balance.
One thing is certain, life is never dull for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Her day job as a bond enforcement agent pays the bills (occasionally). Her personal life is complicated. She has an on/off relationship with hot cop Joe Morelli. Meanwhile, she often has 'conflicted' thoughts about the Cuban American, ex-special forces, muscle toned guy all in black, who owns the security firm RangeMan - Ranger. And she's never met a donut she doesn't like.
“I like to think we’re normally dysfunctional.”
In this story, Stephanie Plum has just one job lined up - track down Jimmy Poletti, car-dealer, and all-round scumbag. The only problem is he's on the run, and silencing his former colleagues, one bullet at a time.
I have a failure-to-appear. High money bond. Jimmy Poletti.”
“He owns all those car dealerships, right? He shoots his own commercials. ‘Make a deal with Jimmy!’” “Yeah, turned out some of the deals were taking place in the back room and involved underage girls imported from Mexico.”
I have to give kudos to the author; she always manages to add that one character into her stories that doesn't seem to belong (is that even possible here???). For example: in the last book there's a giraffe named Kevin running around the streets of the Trenton. In Top Secret Twenty-One, there's a one-eyed Russian assassin who's out to get revenge on Ranger; and an army of chihuahuas (yes, you read that right).
Everyone has their one guilty-pleasure, and this series is mine. If you decide you might want to take the plunge into a whole world or crazy, this is a series you will want to read in order, as Evanovich has many of her previous characters returning in later novels. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of Plum's ability to do her job, or the fact that the felons are all pretty slippery characters!
Synopsis /
Stephanie Plum is getting desperate. She's running out of leads in the search for Jimmy Poletti, who was caught selling more than cars out of his New Jersey dealership. Even Joe Morelli, the city's hottest cop, is struggling to find the criminal wheeler and dealer.
Stephanie's No. 1 temptation, Ranger, is also struggling. There's a killer in town with a personal vendetta against him. If Ranger wants to survive, he'll need Stephanie's help - and to reveal a piece of his mysterious past.
Death threats, highly trained assassins and highly untrained assassins are all in a day's work for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum!
My Thoughts /
Oh, to be twenty-one again! Not having to use anti-wrinkle cream. Not straining a hammy bending over to tie your shoes. Or, when a late night out was arriving back home in the A.M., not high-fiving yourself because you've seen past 8pm. But I digress. This book has absolutely nothing to do with any of that. It's just that Top Secret Twenty-One is the twenty-first book in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. And just like chocolate, pavlova, and coffee, I'm well and truly addicted to Stephanie Plum [haha, I will admit to some addictions being better than others]. I mean, where else can you get great cooking advice like soaking your meatloaf in bourbon before cooking?
“This is good meatloaf,” my grandmother said, taking a bite of her sandwich. “I like that you put barbecue sauce on top of it.” “I saw it on the Food Network,” my mother said. “And it’s real moist.” My mother chewed and swallowed. “I soaked it in bourbon.”
This is madcap comedy at it's best. Pithy, witty, and fast-paced. Not much of a solid storyline and I often feel like I'm watching (reading) an episode of the Keystone Cops. IYKYK, and if you don't, look it up. Please! It's all a matter of balance.
One thing is certain, life is never dull for bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. Her day job as a bond enforcement agent pays the bills (occasionally). Her personal life is complicated. She has an on/off relationship with hot cop Joe Morelli. Meanwhile, she often has 'conflicted' thoughts about the Cuban American, ex-special forces, muscle toned guy all in black, who owns the security firm RangeMan - Ranger. And she's never met a donut she doesn't like.
“I like to think we’re normally dysfunctional.”
In this story, Stephanie Plum has just one job lined up - track down Jimmy Poletti, car-dealer, and all-round scumbag. The only problem is he's on the run, and silencing his former colleagues, one bullet at a time.
I have a failure-to-appear. High money bond. Jimmy Poletti.”
“He owns all those car dealerships, right? He shoots his own commercials. ‘Make a deal with Jimmy!’” “Yeah, turned out some of the deals were taking place in the back room and involved underage girls imported from Mexico.”
I have to give kudos to the author; she always manages to add that one character into her stories that doesn't seem to belong (is that even possible here???). For example: in the last book there's a giraffe named Kevin running around the streets of the Trenton. In Top Secret Twenty-One, there's a one-eyed Russian assassin who's out to get revenge on Ranger; and an army of chihuahuas (yes, you read that right).
Everyone has their one guilty-pleasure, and this series is mine. If you decide you might want to take the plunge into a whole world or crazy, this is a series you will want to read in order, as Evanovich has many of her previous characters returning in later novels. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection of Plum's ability to do her job, or the fact that the felons are all pretty slippery characters!
July 26, 2015
I am seeing this series a comic. Is just the longer reading. I love it. It puts me in a good mood, helps me relax.
Ask yourselves: how much you change over the year? Not so much. So leave Stephanie alone. ((hah, "leave Britney alooone")
Ask yourselves: how much you change over the year? Not so much. So leave Stephanie alone. ((hah, "leave Britney alooone")
March 20, 2017
Two-haiku review:
Someone's after Briggs
Steph's apartment gets blown up
Ranger's car explodes
A little funny
Nothing new, same old same old
I didn't feel it
Someone's after Briggs
Steph's apartment gets blown up
Ranger's car explodes
A little funny
Nothing new, same old same old
I didn't feel it
July 26, 2016
Top Secret Twenty-One felt like a return to the earlier Plum days. I thought the previous two books were a vast improvement over books 16-18, and this was even better. The story line of someone from Ranger's past trying to kill him was somewhat of a repeat from Notorious Nineteen, but it was a different twist and felt grittier than the other scenario. I'm not a fan of Randy Briggs, who plays a predominant role in this book, but his story line intermixes with the others pretty well. Grandma's bucket list-priceless. ******SPOILERS FOLLOWING********* It was nice to see a lot of action take place away from Trenton and the Burg. I felt there were some minor progressions in Stephanie's relationships with both men. I felt like Morelli's need to incorporate tricks in the bedroom with Stephanie were a little desperate. Ranger, on the other hand, makes several comments (in his own way) to Stephanie that show more of how he really feels about her. As a Ranger fan, I was excited to see this, in addition to his statements/actions from Takedown Twenty. I feel like we are headed towards a Ranger who really throws his hat in the ring for her. I was disappointed that we didn't really get more details about Ranger's past. We could have assumed what little we did learn. I was hoping to hear more about family, past jobs, etc. Grandma Mazur seeing Ranger naked was one of the best moments. Very happy and cannot wait until the next book.
February 5, 2017
I don't know about you guys but little dogs creep me out. A mob of feral chihuahuas is something I would never ever want to see for myself.
Yikes!
And that's just one of Steph's problems this time. Exploding cars and apartments are another. But, I guess when your super is so used to your mess, that he keeps commercial fire extinguishers right next to your door - it's kinda old news. Also you should probably think of a more secure location. Just a thought. Although I did mourn the loss of that Porsche. Sigh.
Big Bad in this one is russian assassin with "much common in Russia" name - Vlatko. I don't know how miss Evanovich came to that name in her research, but in all my 28 years living in Ukraine and Russia, I never once came across that name. For curiosity's sake I Googled it, they primarily use that name in Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. Although it's Google, so I wouldn't believe it 100%. Anyway, this Vlatko is someone from Ranger's past and as always - that's never a good thing. Especially when plutonium is involved.
Other interesting storylines include hilarious usage of sex toys, death match between Grandma Mazur vs. Bella, mexican trafficking and a case of napkin wardrobe malfunction. Oh and that shower scene in a monkey hotel. Priceless!!!
But the jewel of the book was this:
I still have hope, dammit!
Over and out.
Yikes!
And that's just one of Steph's problems this time. Exploding cars and apartments are another. But, I guess when your super is so used to your mess, that he keeps commercial fire extinguishers right next to your door - it's kinda old news. Also you should probably think of a more secure location. Just a thought. Although I did mourn the loss of that Porsche. Sigh.
Big Bad in this one is russian assassin with "much common in Russia" name - Vlatko. I don't know how miss Evanovich came to that name in her research, but in all my 28 years living in Ukraine and Russia, I never once came across that name. For curiosity's sake I Googled it, they primarily use that name in Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. Although it's Google, so I wouldn't believe it 100%. Anyway, this Vlatko is someone from Ranger's past and as always - that's never a good thing. Especially when plutonium is involved.
Other interesting storylines include hilarious usage of sex toys, death match between Grandma Mazur vs. Bella, mexican trafficking and a case of napkin wardrobe malfunction. Oh and that shower scene in a monkey hotel. Priceless!!!
But the jewel of the book was this:
Ranger smiled. "There are times when I seriously consider marrying you, but then I get yet another black mark on my path to enlightenment and forgiveness and I scratch marriage of my bucket list."
I still have hope, dammit!
Over and out.
July 24, 2014
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ “Twenty-first verse, same as the first, but a little bit louder and a whole lot worse!
I’m Stephanie Plum, I am
Stephanie Plum, I am, I am,
I’ve been chasing FTAs for over fourscore
They blow up my house and kidnap me just like before��� ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
What can I even say when it comes to reviewing the twenty-first book in a series?
This edition follows the patented “Stephanie Plum Format” – Stephanie attempts to capture run-of-the-mill-bad guys (and fails), Stephanie attempts to capture actual-very-bad-bad guys (and fails), Stephanie attempts to keep her apartment and/or car from getting blown up (and fails), Stephanie attempts to have a normal romantic relationship (and fails), Stephanie attempts to keep Grandma in check (and fails), etc., etc.. After all that, at some point Stephanie gets kidnapped, Ranger comes and saves the day (but somehow Stephanie goes home to bang Joe), and we readers wait three to six months for the next installment to be released.
Will I rush to the library for #22? To quote the immortal words of Ranger . . . “Babe”
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ “Twenty-first verse, same as the first, but a little bit louder and a whole lot worse!
I’m Stephanie Plum, I am
Stephanie Plum, I am, I am,
I’ve been chasing FTAs for over fourscore
They blow up my house and kidnap me just like before��� ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
What can I even say when it comes to reviewing the twenty-first book in a series?
This edition follows the patented “Stephanie Plum Format” – Stephanie attempts to capture run-of-the-mill-bad guys (and fails), Stephanie attempts to capture actual-very-bad-bad guys (and fails), Stephanie attempts to keep her apartment and/or car from getting blown up (and fails), Stephanie attempts to have a normal romantic relationship (and fails), Stephanie attempts to keep Grandma in check (and fails), etc., etc.. After all that, at some point Stephanie gets kidnapped, Ranger comes and saves the day (but somehow Stephanie goes home to bang Joe), and we readers wait three to six months for the next installment to be released.
Will I rush to the library for #22? To quote the immortal words of Ranger . . . “Babe”
February 24, 2015
Anti-climactic. I might be done with Stephanie Plum. Just marry Morelli will you!
May 18, 2014
A story as cute as Stephanie Plum. Love that Lula and Grandma. A nice, light, funny story to balance out too much reality in the world!
April 18, 2017
Still funny, same ol' same ol'. The never ending series with characters who don't age and don't make decision about settling. Stephanie is never going to choose between Morelli or Ranger which is too bad since a Stephanie Plum Wedding could be one of her best stories and capers ever. Some good laughs in this one. Grandma Mazur always gets a good laugh. I hope she never dies.
August 24, 2014
Well! I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
A lot of it was same old, same old, which annoyed the crap out of me.
BUT...although there were no laugh out loud moments for me, I did crack a few smiles and there were even a couple of snorts.
I thought the story line was better than the last half dozen or so books.
I liked that Randy Briggs was back.
I liked that there was quite a bit of Ranger and although he's not the same as he was in earlier books, I liked him a lot.
If I put the whole Ranger/Steph/Morelli triangle out of my mind, I enjoyed this book.
So, am I glad I read it? Yes, I am.
Not 4 stars, but maybe 3 and a half.
BOOK 22 DRINKING GAME: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
COME AND JOIN US :)
January 27, 2015
The plot was better in this one than Takedown Twenty, but any character development Steph made in that one was nonexistent in this one. Listed in the front matter there was a "Pros and Cons" after the last chapter and i actually got excited thinking we were maybe headed toward the end of The Love Triangle. But no, it was a preview for a new installment in JE's other series. I still love Ranger and as always, Grandma makes me smile. Lula was a little off for me in this one, they were trying too hard with her and it was forced. I will keep reading because I just can't quit Ranger and the series IS lighthearted and fun, although it is a bit maddening that it's gone on so long with absolutely no character development. I don't entirely blame them for not messing with what works and with such a devoted fan base, but it's been twenty one books! Let's see something move forward.
June 23, 2014
So...3 stars is really generous coming from me, because I'm a Babe. However, if you're a Cupcake(sigh...really?!), this will be a better read for you. The plot was actually decent in this...funny, but plausible. I did chuckle out loud a couple of times. I think my deal with the last the several Plum books is that I can no longer 'feel' the emotions of the characters. I'm sure the first 12 books were not like that for me. I struggle with how an author can just completely lose the ability to create tension, longing, and character dimension. *shakes head* It's a light and pretty funny read. Just don't expect too much.
July 10, 2014
The same old thing with Stephanie & Co. Exactly the same thing happens--so no surprises. It would be so nice if something different did happen. ANYTHING different!! I don't care what but SOMETHING!! This one lacked a lot of humor, too. Keep hoping so I keep reading.
Plus, I'm happy that the last few I've borrowed from the library and haven't spent any money on these books!! Not worth the cash:(
Plus, I'm happy that the last few I've borrowed from the library and haven't spent any money on these books!! Not worth the cash:(
September 7, 2018
I know some people would disagree with me but, this series never gets old. I can always count on it to put a smile on my face and make me laugh out loud numerous times. It's my go to series when I need a reading pick me up and something that will just be a crazy good time.
I adore Stephanie and gang.
I adore Stephanie and gang.
October 20, 2014
Already looking forward to reading all the negative reviews once again. I can already predict how they'll read.
August 26, 2022
Reread 08/26/22 I actually listened to the audio of this book. Lorelei King is amazing and her narration was fantastic. She adds so much to the Stephanie world and I loved it.
Did it make me smile - Yes. Did it make me laugh - Yes. Did it entertain me - YES!! I don't ask a lot of a Janet Evanovich book. I don't care that she has no plan for world peace, the end of hunger or the cure for the celebrity illness of the moment. Serious is not why I read and enjoy these books. I don't even care anymore if Stephanie choses Ranger or Morelli (go Team Ranger!). I'm just along for this awesomely fun ride. Way too many critics trash Janet Evanovich because she doesn't write the story the way they would. I say get yourself a book deal, write over 30 bestselling books your way and then you can criticize what obviously works very well for Janet Evanovich. If you don't like her, don't read her.
Top secret Twenty-One has Stephanie in the middle of one mess after another. This time her car is only vandalized. Stephanie is after a high value bond, Jimmy Poletti, a car dealer/human trafficker. As Stephanie looks for him, she keeps finding dead bodies. Little rat fink, Randy Briggs, makes an obnoxious reappearance and Stephanie is drawn into why someone is trying to blow him up. Ranger Headquarters is the target of a nasty biological weapon attack, which has Stephanie really, really worried for Ranger's safety. We learn more about the secret past life of Ranger. Morelli makes an interesting observation about Ranger that I hope will be expanded in the next book.
Did it make me smile - Yes. Did it make me laugh - Yes. Did it entertain me - YES!! I don't ask a lot of a Janet Evanovich book. I don't care that she has no plan for world peace, the end of hunger or the cure for the celebrity illness of the moment. Serious is not why I read and enjoy these books. I don't even care anymore if Stephanie choses Ranger or Morelli (go Team Ranger!). I'm just along for this awesomely fun ride. Way too many critics trash Janet Evanovich because she doesn't write the story the way they would. I say get yourself a book deal, write over 30 bestselling books your way and then you can criticize what obviously works very well for Janet Evanovich. If you don't like her, don't read her.
Top secret Twenty-One has Stephanie in the middle of one mess after another. This time her car is only vandalized. Stephanie is after a high value bond, Jimmy Poletti, a car dealer/human trafficker. As Stephanie looks for him, she keeps finding dead bodies. Little rat fink, Randy Briggs, makes an obnoxious reappearance and Stephanie is drawn into why someone is trying to blow him up. Ranger Headquarters is the target of a nasty biological weapon attack, which has Stephanie really, really worried for Ranger's safety. We learn more about the secret past life of Ranger. Morelli makes an interesting observation about Ranger that I hope will be expanded in the next book.
June 7, 2018
I LOVE THESE BOOKS! What I especially love about this book is that Janet put the romance aside and focus on the story. Very exciting! And, now that Grandma Mazur has seen Ranger naked, I really want to grow up to be her!
Reread June 2018 — Back in his Special Forces days Ranger was taken captive and tortured by a Russian psychopath. Now he’s back with vengeance on his agenda along with his hitman job. Two birds one can of poison.
Meanwhile, Grandma Mazur is knocking things off her bucket list and one of them is to get Grandma Bella. Its the War of the Granny’s and I know who I’m rooting for. Go Grandma Mazur! 🎉
Reread June 2018 — Back in his Special Forces days Ranger was taken captive and tortured by a Russian psychopath. Now he’s back with vengeance on his agenda along with his hitman job. Two birds one can of poison.
Meanwhile, Grandma Mazur is knocking things off her bucket list and one of them is to get Grandma Bella. Its the War of the Granny’s and I know who I’m rooting for. Go Grandma Mazur! 🎉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2014
Stephanie is back and just as goofy as ever but for once she's not the one in the center of all the trouble, well not in the sense that she caused, witnessed, or walked-in on the trouble. Randy Briggs is back and so is the mayhem. He's short, annoying yet has some of the best lines.
Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella heading for a showdown. I wonder if we could get a spin off on those two old ladies. Gma M rocks...and that bucket list of hers, she's gutsy I'll give her that.
Yes, the love triangle is still there. I'm not going to say she needs to choose one and settle down, Steph does that and you might as well pack it up and put the series to bed. I will answer my friends eternal question...Ranger or Morelli? RANGER ALL THE WAY! Why, Morelli has become so domesticated and for me lost some of the bad boy edge that made him appealing. Sexy, sure; but he wants to lock her away or for her to quit her job and conform to his ideal of what she should be. Ranger, dark and mysterious, but willing to let her go out on that limb. Okay so he evens bugs her shirt to keep track of her but at least he's letting her be her walking disastrous self.
Interesting twists on the plot. Ranger once again saving the day. Bob and now a pack of feral chihuahuas lend for some laughs.
All in all a good light read. Made me laughed-a crying tears laugh-a few times and to me that is the sign of a book worth the time and effort of reading it.
Grandma Mazur and Grandma Bella heading for a showdown. I wonder if we could get a spin off on those two old ladies. Gma M rocks...and that bucket list of hers, she's gutsy I'll give her that.
Yes, the love triangle is still there. I'm not going to say she needs to choose one and settle down, Steph does that and you might as well pack it up and put the series to bed. I will answer my friends eternal question...Ranger or Morelli? RANGER ALL THE WAY! Why, Morelli has become so domesticated and for me lost some of the bad boy edge that made him appealing. Sexy, sure; but he wants to lock her away or for her to quit her job and conform to his ideal of what she should be. Ranger, dark and mysterious, but willing to let her go out on that limb. Okay so he evens bugs her shirt to keep track of her but at least he's letting her be her walking disastrous self.
Interesting twists on the plot. Ranger once again saving the day. Bob and now a pack of feral chihuahuas lend for some laughs.
All in all a good light read. Made me laughed-a crying tears laugh-a few times and to me that is the sign of a book worth the time and effort of reading it.
January 5, 2018
It’s been a while since I spent some time with Stephanie, LuLu, Ranger, Morelli, the grandmas and Bob...and boy have I missed them. Immediately I was drawn into the action, the detailed and vibrant world and the humor. Oh goodness I could not stop laughing at one of Bob’s antics. The bucket lists were fantastic and I loved how some of grandma Mazur’s items occurred😹 I always enjoy these Stephanie Plum escapades and how something will occurs to a car or apartment, but I really appreciated how all these different events come together in this story...oh and as always...Team Ranger for the win!!!
March 9, 2016
#21 in the Stephanie Plum series. There are two basic plots: a group of dying poker players, and Stephanie is supposed to bring in Jimmy Poletti for missing his court date. Someone is trying to kill the short, obnoxious Randy Briggs, Poletti's accountant, but nobody knows who nor why. Meanwhile, Ranger's life is on the line when an attempt on his life is made involving plutonium at the Rangeman offices, following a capture, with his nefarious past catching up with him. Grandma Mazur manages to make significant progress on her bucket list.
March 25, 2025
Book 4.5 stars
Narrator 2.5 stars
I've been lovin' the shenanigans of Stephanie Plum and her quirky playmates and family for years ... since my mom put me onto this off-the-hook series. After 21 books, still lovin' it just as much! This is the first one I've done as a bedtime audiobook, though, and I didn't love the narrator. Particularly, Grandma Mazur and Lula are my two favorite characters (Grandma Mazur and Lula are EVERYONE'S two favorite characters!) and their voices were just ... wrong? The voices in my head do a much better job with all these peeps than this narrator 😏, so I'll be reading the rest of the series rather than listening. Still and all ... if you've made it this far into the series then you love the insanity as much as I do, right?!? 👍😆👍
Narrator 2.5 stars
I've been lovin' the shenanigans of Stephanie Plum and her quirky playmates and family for years ... since my mom put me onto this off-the-hook series. After 21 books, still lovin' it just as much! This is the first one I've done as a bedtime audiobook, though, and I didn't love the narrator. Particularly, Grandma Mazur and Lula are my two favorite characters (Grandma Mazur and Lula are EVERYONE'S two favorite characters!) and their voices were just ... wrong? The voices in my head do a much better job with all these peeps than this narrator 😏, so I'll be reading the rest of the series rather than listening. Still and all ... if you've made it this far into the series then you love the insanity as much as I do, right?!? 👍😆👍
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