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Lizzy & Diesel #2
Wicked Business
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Paranormal Fantasy (2012)Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich. LARGE PRINT EDITION. A Lizzy and Diesel Novel.
389 pages, Hardcover
First published June 19, 2012
2838 people are currently reading
12183 people want to read
About the author
Janet Evanovich
330 books41.2k 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 3,030 reviews
June 23, 2012
I think I've reached the point where I just have to overlook certain things in JE's books.
Things like: the last line of this book is a line that originally appeared in a Stephanie Plum novel. She has done that in the Plum series also; the same line will appear in 2 books. Things like: this series is the same formula as the Plum series & there isn't really enough of a difference to pull it off well. So I overlooked these things & enjoyed Wicked Business. I lol a few times & even liked Carl, the irratating monkey in this one. I guess I'll keep reading both series 'til they die because I find them comfortable & entertaning.
Things like: the last line of this book is a line that originally appeared in a Stephanie Plum novel. She has done that in the Plum series also; the same line will appear in 2 books. Things like: this series is the same formula as the Plum series & there isn't really enough of a difference to pull it off well. So I overlooked these things & enjoyed Wicked Business. I lol a few times & even liked Carl, the irratating monkey in this one. I guess I'll keep reading both series 'til they die because I find them comfortable & entertaning.
November 29, 2023
This is a Paranormal Fantasy, and this is the 2nd book in the Lizzy and Diesel series. I have read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I have to say this is a weird, but fun series. Diesel was first in the Stephanie Plum series, and His character was weird and funny in that series. He is still weird, but funny. I have found Janet's book always as fun characters, and the characters is what makes her book everything they are. They are quick reads and funny. I love listening to Janet Evanovich books by audiobooks, and that is how I read this book.
November 19, 2021
2.5 stars
In this 2nd book in the 'Lizzy and Diesel' series, the duo are hunting for the magic Luxuria stone. The book can be read as a standalone.
****
In the Lizzy and Diesel books, the main characters have special abilities that they use to search for stones infused with dark magic. In this book Lizzy and Diesel are in a race against Diesel's no-good cousin Gerwulf to find the Luxuria Stone, which induces lust.
Gerwulf's goal is to collect all the magic stones, which would apparently give him great power. And Diesel's job (with Lizzy's help) is to stop Gerwulf from amassing the stones.
As the story opens Gilbert Reedy, a Harvard English Professor, has been killed and Gerwulf has Reedy's book of sonnets, known to contain information about the Luxuria Stone.
In the thin plot Lizzy and Diesel, who have obtained the key to the sonnet book, run all over the greater Boston area searching for clues that will lead to the stone. Hard on their heels are Gerwulf and his henchman Hatchet, who dresses in medieval garb and brandishes a sword.
The characters, though mildly amusing, are not very well developed. Lizzy is a culinary school graduate who bakes cupcakes, bread, and meat pies for the bakery that employs her. Diesel is a part-time bounty hunter with a pet monkey, Carl, and a very hot body. However, Lizzy and Diesel can't act on any physical attraction between them because this will lead to the loss of someone's special abilities - so there's always sexual tension.
Other characters are even less developed. Gerwulf looks like a sexy vampire.
Lizzy works with two women, bakery owner Clara and co-worker Gloria - who can detect clues invisible to others. And then there's Anarchy, a mysterious woman who also wants the stone. And so on. To me, the most fun characters are Carl the monkey and Hatchet the swordsman - who actually made me laugh out loud.
The plot of the book is not compelling and I didn't much enjoy the story. And in the end, nothing much had happened. In the future I'll probably stick to the Stephanie Plum books and skip the Lizzy and Diesel series.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
June 27, 2012
Just like the Plum series, with some name changes and a little supernatural nonsense thrown in.
LIzzie = Stephanie and she's pretty much the same character. She makes cupcakes instead of being an incompetent bounty hunter, but apart from that, she's much the same. Talks a good game, but always needs a man to bail her out of trouble.
Wulf = Ranger (dark and mysterious)
Diesel - Morelli (sexy and a lawman)
Glo = Lula
Clara = Connie
Blown-up cars
Naked men in the bed.
Which one(s) will she end up sleeping with?
Get the drift? Same people, different names, not much plot. Same old Janet Evanovich.
If you've read much of the Plum series, you're probably tired of the cut and paste writing by now anyway and shouldn't bother with this book. It certainly isn't worth buying. Borrow from the library, or don't bother at all.
LIzzie = Stephanie and she's pretty much the same character. She makes cupcakes instead of being an incompetent bounty hunter, but apart from that, she's much the same. Talks a good game, but always needs a man to bail her out of trouble.
Wulf = Ranger (dark and mysterious)
Diesel - Morelli (sexy and a lawman)
Glo = Lula
Clara = Connie
Blown-up cars
Naked men in the bed.
Which one(s) will she end up sleeping with?
Get the drift? Same people, different names, not much plot. Same old Janet Evanovich.
If you've read much of the Plum series, you're probably tired of the cut and paste writing by now anyway and shouldn't bother with this book. It certainly isn't worth buying. Borrow from the library, or don't bother at all.
July 29, 2012
Second in the Lizzie and Diesel humorous romantic suspense series revolving around a group of extraordinary beings---the Unmentionables. Based in Salem, Massachusetts. In this story, they're after the Luxuria stone, the stone of lust.
Diesel is a secondary character from the Stephanie Plum series. We were first introduced to him in Visions of Sugar Plums .
My Take
Well. It is consistent. It's just as light, fluffy, and nothing as the first book, Wicked Appetite . It might even be too light for a beach read!! It has all the depth of a meringue that got caught out in the rain. Sure it has plenty of funny moments, but I was hoping for more of the Diesel found in the Stephanie Plum books. There Diesel is hot and sexy. Here, we know he's desirable because those are the words Evanovich uses. I just don't feel it. I want to. Lord knows I want to, but the only sexual tension is what I brought in from my own expectations from those Plum books.
It's a very quick read. When I got to the end, I flipped back a couple pages just to be sure I hadn't turned two pages over at once. The ending was so abrupt, I felt like I suddenly walked into a wall. An insubstantial wall, but it stopped just the same.
The primary theme of the series revolves around seven stones that hold the power of the seven deadly sins, the Stones of SALIGIA. Anyone who gets all seven together in one container could bring hell to earth. And Wulf is just the kind of guy who'd want to do it.
We never did find out who Ann is. We do, however, get an historical tour of the more obscure attractions in Boston.
The story didn't even make me feel hungry! Although I'm amazed that Claire is still in business with all the cupcakes and baked goods she's giving away.
The Story
Wulf has stepped up his hunt for the second stone and Diesel needs Lizzie's power to help him track down magical clues to its whereabouts.
It's a treasure hunt with everyone after the same clues and the bad guys don't want to play nice.
The Characters
Lizzie Tucker is a baker and she thought she was normal. Then she met Diesel and learned that she's one of the few people in the world with abilities beyond the ordinary, an Unmentionable. Lizzie can sense objects related to the SALIGIA Stones. She has a cat named Cat 7143 and she lives in a cute 1740 saltbox that her Great Aunt Ophelia left her. Her friends include Gloria "Glo," an outgoing, naive woman who thinks she has magical abilities and is on a perpetual quest for the one. She works with Lizzie at Dazzle Bakery for the very outgoing Clara Dazzle who owns it.
The gorgeously scruffy Diesel is another one with special abilities---magically unlocking locks is one of them. He's employed by an regulatory agency that polices the Unmentionables and they have tasked him with preventing Wulf getting his hands on the Stones. He inherited a scarily sentient monkey named Carl on one of his adventures with Stephanie. Mindy Smith is his latest assistant.
His cousin Gerwulf "Wulf" Grimoire is eerily handsome and quite elegant, in contrast to his darker preferences. Steven Hatchet is a nutjob who works for Wulf. He'll do anything for him and he dresses like a Renaissance escapee. He's fluent in poisons and at ease with torture.
Deirdre Early, a.k.a., Anarchy, is one of the women Dr. Reedy dated. The heiress to the Early candy fortune, she also slept with Wulf and her powers have been growing ever since right along with her anger issues. She makes Hatchet look like Mr. Suburban Mom.
Dr. Gilbert Reedy was a professor at Harvard obsessed with Lovey poetry. Julie Brodsky is the professor's assistant. Nina Wortley runs Ye Olde Exotica Shoppe where Glo gets her supplies and where Reedy found the book of Lovey sonnets.
Lovey was "considered a visionary philosopher" in his time with a dedicated following. He inherited the Luxuria Stone and devised a hiding place for it with lots of clues on how to find it. Mortimer Sandman keeps running away from his son's house. Turns out he doesn't need to use sand to put people to sleep either. He just bores 'em to snores. Although, he does have his special party trick to attract the ladies.
The Cover
Ooh, it's a pretty sparkly cover with its deep royal blue background and the multitude of tiny rainbow colored iridescent splats of color. The author's name and title are in embossed letters with the author's name using a cream as a highlight to the yellow letters while the title is grass green gradating down to yellow. I love the sparkly stars that function as is.
The title is consistent with the first and it is a Wicked Business when Wulf is involved.
Diesel is a secondary character from the Stephanie Plum series. We were first introduced to him in Visions of Sugar Plums .
My Take
Well. It is consistent. It's just as light, fluffy, and nothing as the first book, Wicked Appetite . It might even be too light for a beach read!! It has all the depth of a meringue that got caught out in the rain. Sure it has plenty of funny moments, but I was hoping for more of the Diesel found in the Stephanie Plum books. There Diesel is hot and sexy. Here, we know he's desirable because those are the words Evanovich uses. I just don't feel it. I want to. Lord knows I want to, but the only sexual tension is what I brought in from my own expectations from those Plum books.
It's a very quick read. When I got to the end, I flipped back a couple pages just to be sure I hadn't turned two pages over at once. The ending was so abrupt, I felt like I suddenly walked into a wall. An insubstantial wall, but it stopped just the same.
The primary theme of the series revolves around seven stones that hold the power of the seven deadly sins, the Stones of SALIGIA. Anyone who gets all seven together in one container could bring hell to earth. And Wulf is just the kind of guy who'd want to do it.
We never did find out who Ann is. We do, however, get an historical tour of the more obscure attractions in Boston.
The story didn't even make me feel hungry! Although I'm amazed that Claire is still in business with all the cupcakes and baked goods she's giving away.
The Story
Wulf has stepped up his hunt for the second stone and Diesel needs Lizzie's power to help him track down magical clues to its whereabouts.
It's a treasure hunt with everyone after the same clues and the bad guys don't want to play nice.
The Characters
Lizzie Tucker is a baker and she thought she was normal. Then she met Diesel and learned that she's one of the few people in the world with abilities beyond the ordinary, an Unmentionable. Lizzie can sense objects related to the SALIGIA Stones. She has a cat named Cat 7143 and she lives in a cute 1740 saltbox that her Great Aunt Ophelia left her. Her friends include Gloria "Glo," an outgoing, naive woman who thinks she has magical abilities and is on a perpetual quest for the one. She works with Lizzie at Dazzle Bakery for the very outgoing Clara Dazzle who owns it.
The gorgeously scruffy Diesel is another one with special abilities---magically unlocking locks is one of them. He's employed by an regulatory agency that polices the Unmentionables and they have tasked him with preventing Wulf getting his hands on the Stones. He inherited a scarily sentient monkey named Carl on one of his adventures with Stephanie. Mindy Smith is his latest assistant.
His cousin Gerwulf "Wulf" Grimoire is eerily handsome and quite elegant, in contrast to his darker preferences. Steven Hatchet is a nutjob who works for Wulf. He'll do anything for him and he dresses like a Renaissance escapee. He's fluent in poisons and at ease with torture.
Deirdre Early, a.k.a., Anarchy, is one of the women Dr. Reedy dated. The heiress to the Early candy fortune, she also slept with Wulf and her powers have been growing ever since right along with her anger issues. She makes Hatchet look like Mr. Suburban Mom.
Dr. Gilbert Reedy was a professor at Harvard obsessed with Lovey poetry. Julie Brodsky is the professor's assistant. Nina Wortley runs Ye Olde Exotica Shoppe where Glo gets her supplies and where Reedy found the book of Lovey sonnets.
Lovey was "considered a visionary philosopher" in his time with a dedicated following. He inherited the Luxuria Stone and devised a hiding place for it with lots of clues on how to find it. Mortimer Sandman keeps running away from his son's house. Turns out he doesn't need to use sand to put people to sleep either. He just bores 'em to snores. Although, he does have his special party trick to attract the ladies.
The Cover
Ooh, it's a pretty sparkly cover with its deep royal blue background and the multitude of tiny rainbow colored iridescent splats of color. The author's name and title are in embossed letters with the author's name using a cream as a highlight to the yellow letters while the title is grass green gradating down to yellow. I love the sparkly stars that function as is.
The title is consistent with the first and it is a Wicked Business when Wulf is involved.
July 2, 2012
I absolutely love this series...cupcake baker turned sleuth, Lizzy is funny as hell and Diesel is to-die-for sexy. The antics they get up to are just too much and their "crew" are just hysterical. We have Gloria "Glo", the counter girl at the bakery, who is a wizard-wanna-be and always trying potions on anyone requiring magical assistance and travels with her manly Broom. We have Carl, Diesel's pet monkey who's forever giving people the finger. We have Cat 7143, Lizzy's shelter cat who seems more like a familiar than a normal cat and he attacks bad people. We have Gerwulf "Wulf" Grimoire, Diesel's evil cousin who wants to the seven Stones of Saligia. And we have Steven Hatchet who is Wulf's evil minion. who is stuck in the Medieval age and acts, dresses and talks like he's back in the day. Oh and I guess we can't forget Anarchy, the nutjob bad girl who is always threatening to burn something down if she doesn't get her way. It's all just too funny.
Lizzy can sense energy locked inside objects like the Stones of Saligia and Diesel is a bounty hunter who works for the agency that keeps watch over humans with exceptional abilities, like his cousin Wulf. When Gilbert Reedy is murdered, Lizzy and Diesel take up his 20 year quest to find Luxuria Stone, the stone of lust, which once was the true love stone before it was corrupted. This is a wild, madcap adventure with theft of artwork, religious artifacts and even the plaque off some old building. The whole gang gets involved as each clue is found and deciphered. One stealing from the other and/or threatening and/or kidnapping. It is just funny as hell from the first page all the way until the last.
The attraction between Lizzy and Diesel is driving them nuts but according to Diesel, they can't get busy because one of them will lose their special skills and there's no way to predict which one. So the sexual tension is high and the sexual innuendos fly back and forth.
My favorite quote comes from Hatchet, the Medieval nutcase.
"I will retreat for now, but I will be back. I will pounce when you least expect it. And I will conjure my own dark powers to battle your evil forces. Stand back now while I take my leave, and thou willst give up those cupcakes."
Lizzy can sense energy locked inside objects like the Stones of Saligia and Diesel is a bounty hunter who works for the agency that keeps watch over humans with exceptional abilities, like his cousin Wulf. When Gilbert Reedy is murdered, Lizzy and Diesel take up his 20 year quest to find Luxuria Stone, the stone of lust, which once was the true love stone before it was corrupted. This is a wild, madcap adventure with theft of artwork, religious artifacts and even the plaque off some old building. The whole gang gets involved as each clue is found and deciphered. One stealing from the other and/or threatening and/or kidnapping. It is just funny as hell from the first page all the way until the last.
The attraction between Lizzy and Diesel is driving them nuts but according to Diesel, they can't get busy because one of them will lose their special skills and there's no way to predict which one. So the sexual tension is high and the sexual innuendos fly back and forth.
My favorite quote comes from Hatchet, the Medieval nutcase.
"I will retreat for now, but I will be back. I will pounce when you least expect it. And I will conjure my own dark powers to battle your evil forces. Stand back now while I take my leave, and thou willst give up those cupcakes."
July 6, 2012
This was better than the first Lizzy and Diesel book, but still not one of my favorite books. It was okay.
The thing is, I like paranormal books. There are a lot of great paranormal series out there. Harry Dresden, Rachel Morgan, Kate Daniels - and more. This book was funny, but not very well written. Kinda like the Stephanie Plum books. Wait, make that exactly like the Stephanie Plum books.
Lizzie is Stephanie. Diesel is a combination of Ranger and Morelli (sexy and flirty but he doesn't try to hold Lizzie back the way Morelli does). Wulf is a slightly darker Ranger, but without a lot of chemistry with Lizzie. Glo is Lula without the extra padding. Clara is Connie. This book lacks Grandma Mazur but has Hatchett in her place.
And I like the Plum books because they are funny. So I will enjoy this series as it progresses. But it isn't really paranormal in a good way. Janet Evanovich writes all around the idea of magic without approaching it directly, trying to make it all more "normal." So she is missing out on what makes Harry Dresden and Kate Daniels awesome.
Like I said, I'll still read more of this series. But I have come to the conclusion that J.E. books are fluff for me. They are funny and enjoyable but nothing I will ever pre-order or read on the first day of release. Just fun time-wasters to tide me over between other series I enjoy more.
The thing is, I like paranormal books. There are a lot of great paranormal series out there. Harry Dresden, Rachel Morgan, Kate Daniels - and more. This book was funny, but not very well written. Kinda like the Stephanie Plum books. Wait, make that exactly like the Stephanie Plum books.
Lizzie is Stephanie. Diesel is a combination of Ranger and Morelli (sexy and flirty but he doesn't try to hold Lizzie back the way Morelli does). Wulf is a slightly darker Ranger, but without a lot of chemistry with Lizzie. Glo is Lula without the extra padding. Clara is Connie. This book lacks Grandma Mazur but has Hatchett in her place.
And I like the Plum books because they are funny. So I will enjoy this series as it progresses. But it isn't really paranormal in a good way. Janet Evanovich writes all around the idea of magic without approaching it directly, trying to make it all more "normal." So she is missing out on what makes Harry Dresden and Kate Daniels awesome.
Like I said, I'll still read more of this series. But I have come to the conclusion that J.E. books are fluff for me. They are funny and enjoyable but nothing I will ever pre-order or read on the first day of release. Just fun time-wasters to tide me over between other series I enjoy more.
June 26, 2012
SPOILERS... Kinda
Don't waste your time. If you enjoyed the characters from the first book in this series then you may enjoy this one, but honestly it was weak writing and terrible sentence structure. I honestly read this one because of the characters, Diesel and Wulf, from her Plum series, but even her strongest characters bored me in this book. She had an okay action sequence at the end and I guess the only real thing I loved about this book was Wulf's character change at the end. I hope to see more of him and to see him more involved in the next book. Overall the idea is really comical and interesting, but the writing and sentence structure are crap. I can't tell if she's trrying to just be funny or if she wants it to be a mix of comical and serious, like in the Plum series. The lines aren't clearly drawn and it bugs me that these characters blow off serious things like coming face to face with a psychopathic killer and joking with them, while they threaten your life. Not her best work by far, but because I've started the series I'll probably finish it.
Don't waste your time. If you enjoyed the characters from the first book in this series then you may enjoy this one, but honestly it was weak writing and terrible sentence structure. I honestly read this one because of the characters, Diesel and Wulf, from her Plum series, but even her strongest characters bored me in this book. She had an okay action sequence at the end and I guess the only real thing I loved about this book was Wulf's character change at the end. I hope to see more of him and to see him more involved in the next book. Overall the idea is really comical and interesting, but the writing and sentence structure are crap. I can't tell if she's trrying to just be funny or if she wants it to be a mix of comical and serious, like in the Plum series. The lines aren't clearly drawn and it bugs me that these characters blow off serious things like coming face to face with a psychopathic killer and joking with them, while they threaten your life. Not her best work by far, but because I've started the series I'll probably finish it.
October 27, 2016
Seriously, these books, they're ridiculous.
I don't recommend reading them all in a row. It's just too much.
You: "You just read two in a row and have started on a third."
Me: "...yeah...I know..."
You: "And you gave this one three stars."
Me: sheepish"...yeah...I know..."
You: "What the hell is wrong with you?
Me: shrugs
Ok, so I do really like the female friendship thing going on in here. And the pastries. I like those. And the cat. The cat is great. Also the monkey.
I really don't know why I'm reading these and, worse, why I like them because, honestly, they're so eye-roll worthy.
Wart's right, they're guilty pleasures, my own little treat in this tricky month.
I don't recommend reading them all in a row. It's just too much.
You: "You just read two in a row and have started on a third."
Me: "...yeah...I know..."
You: "And you gave this one three stars."
Me: sheepish"...yeah...I know..."
You: "What the hell is wrong with you?
Me: shrugs
Ok, so I do really like the female friendship thing going on in here. And the pastries. I like those. And the cat. The cat is great. Also the monkey.
I really don't know why I'm reading these and, worse, why I like them because, honestly, they're so eye-roll worthy.
Wart's right, they're guilty pleasures, my own little treat in this tricky month.
July 10, 2017
Brief summary
Lizzy and Diesel are after the Luxuria, or Lust, stone in this book. Hot on their heels is Hatchet. Wulf is a mysterious as usual. There is a new Unmentionable looking for the stone this time and she makes Wulf look normal.
What I liked
There was a lot more going on in Wicked Business than there was in Wicked Appetite. Lizzy and Diesel are all over the place looking for clues to the Luxuria stone. And I liked seeing a nice side to Wulf in this book. I hope we see that again.
What I didn't like
I expected more lust. Lizzy went crazy when she had the gluttony stone, but there wasn't much reaction to this stone :(
Brief thoughts
I can see why people are annoyed with the similarities between this series and the Stephanie Plum books, but I love the silly scenarios, crazy sidekicks and explosions :)
Lizzy and Diesel are after the Luxuria, or Lust, stone in this book. Hot on their heels is Hatchet. Wulf is a mysterious as usual. There is a new Unmentionable looking for the stone this time and she makes Wulf look normal.
What I liked
There was a lot more going on in Wicked Business than there was in Wicked Appetite. Lizzy and Diesel are all over the place looking for clues to the Luxuria stone. And I liked seeing a nice side to Wulf in this book. I hope we see that again.
What I didn't like
I expected more lust. Lizzy went crazy when she had the gluttony stone, but there wasn't much reaction to this stone :(
Brief thoughts
I can see why people are annoyed with the similarities between this series and the Stephanie Plum books, but I love the silly scenarios, crazy sidekicks and explosions :)
May 20, 2018
Fun, light, & totally worthless- a very good break from reality. An interesting magical adventure with no sex because that might cause them to lose their powers, so there is a lot of frustration & innuendo. And there's a beat up old tom cat & a monkey not to mention fun human characters. I don't know how Clara stands her employees or manages to make any money, but that's quite beside the point.
July 24, 2012
Fun book. I needed a laugh. I know Evanovich is totally formula driven but sometimes, when I need a laugh, the books are fun to read. It's a plus it's paranormal and also local to me.
It irritates me to no end that she continued the same guy/romance formula that trashed her other series in this book. The bad boy (Wulf), good guy (Diesel) triangle thing is not only totally seethrough but annoying as hell.
I mean her other series (Stephanie Plum) is like 10 books over the expiration date because she goes from one guy to the other depending on the book. It's ridiculous. I don't think these type of books need the sexual/romantic tension that she apparently feels that they do. In Stephanie's series she could have stayed with the good guy at like book 6. Now, barring she kills one off, she's stuck in the middle .. pretty much forever because the Ranger/Joe camps will totally mutiny if she picks one or the other. Not to mention.. people would be sad for the "spurned one". And in THIS series.. she's setting up the same fate. Dumb.
Anyway.. for a light read that has some laugh out loud moments pick this up. But I wouldn't get too invested in the romance aspect.
It irritates me to no end that she continued the same guy/romance formula that trashed her other series in this book. The bad boy (Wulf), good guy (Diesel) triangle thing is not only totally seethrough but annoying as hell.
I mean her other series (Stephanie Plum) is like 10 books over the expiration date because she goes from one guy to the other depending on the book. It's ridiculous. I don't think these type of books need the sexual/romantic tension that she apparently feels that they do. In Stephanie's series she could have stayed with the good guy at like book 6. Now, barring she kills one off, she's stuck in the middle .. pretty much forever because the Ranger/Joe camps will totally mutiny if she picks one or the other. Not to mention.. people would be sad for the "spurned one". And in THIS series.. she's setting up the same fate. Dumb.
Anyway.. for a light read that has some laugh out loud moments pick this up. But I wouldn't get too invested in the romance aspect.
January 20, 2016
One fantastic and fun, just keeps a wrinkle less flow from first book to the second.
The basic plot is the same, wolf looking for Saligia stones Lizzy & Diesel trying to avoid it. Glo sort of becomes a sidekick to this couple in this book so I get to listen more of Glo.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the 3rd book.
The basic plot is the same, wolf looking for Saligia stones Lizzy & Diesel trying to avoid it. Glo sort of becomes a sidekick to this couple in this book so I get to listen more of Glo.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading the 3rd book.
June 30, 2025
Fiction
This is book #2 of a 3 book series
I did not read Book #1. I read this because a friend is reading it, too, and said it's more of recurring characters than a true series to I decided to jump in at book 2.
This is certainly an entertaining story and I can't recall another book I've read that has such funny characters. Humor in books isn't my thing, though, and I felt it lacked substance and pretty much craved a nonfiction read to wash away all the shallowness of this one when I was done. Also, I'm not a fan of too many animals in my stories and don't care to spend time reading about dogs and cats--or, in this case, monkeys. I especially don't love when the animals are part of uncovering the mystery. This is clearly not for me. :( I was hopeful at around 15% through when there was an Ayn Rand reference. See some selected quotes below
“The only normal people are people you don’t know very well.”
"I had vanilla, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. I knew chocolate was his favorite, so I brought him coffee. I wasn’t liking him a whole lot."
“Just think of a cemetery as a history book with grass.”
"...I mean, you might not want me as a minion. I’m not that good at subservience.”
"And look at this party. What a bunch of stiffs. There isn’t anybody here under eighty. They should be passing out Metamucil shooters."
This is book #2 of a 3 book series
I did not read Book #1. I read this because a friend is reading it, too, and said it's more of recurring characters than a true series to I decided to jump in at book 2.
This is certainly an entertaining story and I can't recall another book I've read that has such funny characters. Humor in books isn't my thing, though, and I felt it lacked substance and pretty much craved a nonfiction read to wash away all the shallowness of this one when I was done. Also, I'm not a fan of too many animals in my stories and don't care to spend time reading about dogs and cats--or, in this case, monkeys. I especially don't love when the animals are part of uncovering the mystery. This is clearly not for me. :( I was hopeful at around 15% through when there was an Ayn Rand reference. See some selected quotes below
“The only normal people are people you don’t know very well.”
"I had vanilla, chocolate, and coffee ice cream. I knew chocolate was his favorite, so I brought him coffee. I wasn’t liking him a whole lot."
“Just think of a cemetery as a history book with grass.”
"...I mean, you might not want me as a minion. I’m not that good at subservience.”
"And look at this party. What a bunch of stiffs. There isn’t anybody here under eighty. They should be passing out Metamucil shooters."
December 30, 2018
Another okay read (listen). The narrator added more. She’s awesome. Lizzie is better than Stephanie Plum by far. And the reason these two can’t do the deed is solid and not annoying. However, it’s an okay read. Nothing stellar. Thank god Glow only did her witchy a little. I think it’s supposed to add humor, but only got eye rolls from me. Only one more and from the library, so I’ll push on. Btw, this is unlike me as I normally root for first eligible guy presented, but I’m liking Wolf more and more. Nothing against Diesel as he’s a great option, but IDK...
August 26, 2017
There is no one like Janet Evanovich for light easy humorous reads with quirky beloved characters. Even the "bad guys" are not so bad. While Wulf and Hatchet are working at cross purposes to Lizzy and Diesel, they take turns saving each other's lives. Guess that's a family thing, as Diesel and Wulf are supposed to be cousins. I'm not sure if that is first cousins or distant cousins.
For those not big on paranormal, there isn't enough weirdness to drive you away from the story. It's more like a spice, as opposed to a main component.
Book one in this series was focused on the deadly sin of gluttony. This book represents lust. For a story focused on the search for a lust stone, there was lots of flirting, but very little beyond that. Apparently the gifted can't sleep with each other without having one drain the other of power. And there is no way to tell who would be the drainer and who would be the drainee. Lizzy admits to herself, that if she was the drainee, she'd be all for doing the deed with Diesel. But she can't risk draining Diesel's powers. After all, he's the hero; she's just a cupcake baker.
Bonus points for Carl the monkey (who was introduced in the Stephanie Plum books) and Cat 7143. Got to love the quirky pets.
For those not big on paranormal, there isn't enough weirdness to drive you away from the story. It's more like a spice, as opposed to a main component.
Book one in this series was focused on the deadly sin of gluttony. This book represents lust. For a story focused on the search for a lust stone, there was lots of flirting, but very little beyond that. Apparently the gifted can't sleep with each other without having one drain the other of power. And there is no way to tell who would be the drainer and who would be the drainee. Lizzy admits to herself, that if she was the drainee, she'd be all for doing the deed with Diesel. But she can't risk draining Diesel's powers. After all, he's the hero; she's just a cupcake baker.
Bonus points for Carl the monkey (who was introduced in the Stephanie Plum books) and Cat 7143. Got to love the quirky pets.
September 30, 2012
As a huge fan of the Stephanie Plum novels (I promise, it has nothing to do with the fact that I share the same name with the main character), I was overjoyed a couple years ago when I heard Janet Evanovich was coming out with a paranormal series. To combine the wit and the comedy of Stephanie Plum with paranormal stuff, it had the makings of a great series. To tell you the truth, I was satisfied with the first installment but this sequel, WICKED BUSINESS, left me a bit disappointed.
Don’t get me wrong. All the comedy and sarcasm you could ask for was included in this novel but I think, what I didn’t enjoy, is the actual story itself. At times, it felt as if the story had no true storyline, like a scavenger hunt branching out into a dozen different paths. Of course, that might have been Janet’s way of keeping her readers on their toes, but personally, all it did for me is kind of annoy me. Characters were popping out here and there, sometimes being nice and sometimes being evil. It was kind of hard to make up my mind about some of them when I didn’t know if I should hate them or if I should pity them. The characters’ goal of finding the Luxuria Stone (one of the seven stone representing the seven deadly sins) is quite obvious but it’s the hodgepodge of scenes on their quest to find the stone that I didn’t enjoy. Most of the scenes, on their own were enjoyable but the flow between them was just too fast and seemed unplanned.
What saved the book is the setting and the eccentric characters. To set a paranormal novel in Salem, Massachusetts, is quite gutsy, because really, who would want to be that stereotypical and cliché? But since Janet Evanovich’s writing style is all about the clichés, the setting actually works to her advantage. The small town feel and the cozy New England imagery is perfect, and of course, it includes all the awesome eccentric townies. Glo, one of my favorite characters in the series, is simply awesome because one of her aspirations in life is to be like Harry Potter. How can you beat that? And the two main characters, Lizzy and Diesel are just great together, even if they can’t sleep with each other because that would risk one of them losing their paranormal powers. Their hilarious banter and chemistry makes them the perfect couple, even if Lizzy is reluctant to have Diesel sleep in her house. Oh, and beware of the monkey. The things he does will have you laughing for sure!
I will definitively continue reading this series, just to meet with the characters again. Even if the storyline of WICKED BUSINESS wasn’t my favorite, I do think this series is worth checking out. I’m hoping the next story will be more enjoyable and since you can’t go wrong with this type of comedy, I’m sure Janet Evanovich will keep making me laugh with whatever she come out with next. The author has a very unique style that is obvious in everything she writes and, after years of enjoying her novels, its has kept me coming back for more.
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Also reviewed on Tynga's Reviews
Don’t get me wrong. All the comedy and sarcasm you could ask for was included in this novel but I think, what I didn’t enjoy, is the actual story itself. At times, it felt as if the story had no true storyline, like a scavenger hunt branching out into a dozen different paths. Of course, that might have been Janet’s way of keeping her readers on their toes, but personally, all it did for me is kind of annoy me. Characters were popping out here and there, sometimes being nice and sometimes being evil. It was kind of hard to make up my mind about some of them when I didn’t know if I should hate them or if I should pity them. The characters’ goal of finding the Luxuria Stone (one of the seven stone representing the seven deadly sins) is quite obvious but it’s the hodgepodge of scenes on their quest to find the stone that I didn’t enjoy. Most of the scenes, on their own were enjoyable but the flow between them was just too fast and seemed unplanned.
What saved the book is the setting and the eccentric characters. To set a paranormal novel in Salem, Massachusetts, is quite gutsy, because really, who would want to be that stereotypical and cliché? But since Janet Evanovich’s writing style is all about the clichés, the setting actually works to her advantage. The small town feel and the cozy New England imagery is perfect, and of course, it includes all the awesome eccentric townies. Glo, one of my favorite characters in the series, is simply awesome because one of her aspirations in life is to be like Harry Potter. How can you beat that? And the two main characters, Lizzy and Diesel are just great together, even if they can’t sleep with each other because that would risk one of them losing their paranormal powers. Their hilarious banter and chemistry makes them the perfect couple, even if Lizzy is reluctant to have Diesel sleep in her house. Oh, and beware of the monkey. The things he does will have you laughing for sure!
I will definitively continue reading this series, just to meet with the characters again. Even if the storyline of WICKED BUSINESS wasn’t my favorite, I do think this series is worth checking out. I’m hoping the next story will be more enjoyable and since you can’t go wrong with this type of comedy, I’m sure Janet Evanovich will keep making me laugh with whatever she come out with next. The author has a very unique style that is obvious in everything she writes and, after years of enjoying her novels, its has kept me coming back for more.
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Also reviewed on Tynga's Reviews
July 4, 2012
Just picked up the book and as I always do with any Janet Evanovich book, I dove in ready to spend the next couple hours with a book glued to my hands.
I read the first few pages and felt like I have read this before.
As I continued I kept thinking....."havent I read this before".
As a rule of thumb I LOVE all of Janets books, however I cant seem to get past the first few chapters...the monkey the vampire guy who leaves his handprints in flesh....nothing different thus far.
I realize in the Stephanie Plum series the charachters are all the same however the story is distinctivly different drawing you to read on.
I recently saw a woman holding a "Janet" book and commented on what a great series her books were and she replied that she is bored with the series and its the same read over and over. She feels Janet has run her course... I disagree!
I imagine for the "Vampire" lovers this might be a better read and I will force myself thru the book in hopes that it somehow gets better....I do have faith in Janet Evanovich!
What a great and fun woman she must be to create such fun charachters!
Heres to you Janet! Write on
I read the first few pages and felt like I have read this before.
As I continued I kept thinking....."havent I read this before".
As a rule of thumb I LOVE all of Janets books, however I cant seem to get past the first few chapters...the monkey the vampire guy who leaves his handprints in flesh....nothing different thus far.
I realize in the Stephanie Plum series the charachters are all the same however the story is distinctivly different drawing you to read on.
I recently saw a woman holding a "Janet" book and commented on what a great series her books were and she replied that she is bored with the series and its the same read over and over. She feels Janet has run her course... I disagree!
I imagine for the "Vampire" lovers this might be a better read and I will force myself thru the book in hopes that it somehow gets better....I do have faith in Janet Evanovich!
What a great and fun woman she must be to create such fun charachters!
Heres to you Janet! Write on
December 26, 2012
I had high hopes for this series, but I'm feeling quite a bit let down. It's so predictable and well, boring. I can usually read a Janet Evanovich book in about two hours (I've been reading her for almost twenty years, I now realize it is out of devotion not because she's written anything wonderful in over ten years), but this took me over a week.
The characters are one dimensional, the plot is trite and the writing itself is uninspired. I think she's taken the formula failsafe too far and she's killed what made her stories charming.
At this point, I could write a Janet Evanovich book just as well. I'm fairly certain that these are all written by a computer program and the author is frozen somewhere until we find a cure for whatever she has. I must believe this or I'm going to have to come to terms with the fact that I have wasted a lot of money for no good reason.
Save your money and don't bother reading this. Go find a similar author if you're into the genre and let this paint by numbers writing fade away.
The characters are one dimensional, the plot is trite and the writing itself is uninspired. I think she's taken the formula failsafe too far and she's killed what made her stories charming.
At this point, I could write a Janet Evanovich book just as well. I'm fairly certain that these are all written by a computer program and the author is frozen somewhere until we find a cure for whatever she has. I must believe this or I'm going to have to come to terms with the fact that I have wasted a lot of money for no good reason.
Save your money and don't bother reading this. Go find a similar author if you're into the genre and let this paint by numbers writing fade away.
October 15, 2020
Spent a lot of wasted money on the audio - bad! I did not like this one or Wicked Appetite. Janet needs to stick to Stephanie Plus Series - this is boring!
Lizzy Tucker’s once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts, turns upside down as she battles both sinister forces and an inconvenient attraction to her unnaturally talented but off-limits partner, Diesel.
When Harvard University English Professor and dyed-in-the wool romantic Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered and thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel take up his twenty-year quest for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed by some to be infused with the power of lust. Following clues contained in a cryptic nineteenth-century book of sonnets, Lizzy and Diesel tear through Boston catacombs, government buildings, and multimillion-dollar residences. On their way they’ll leave behind a trail of robbed graves, public disturbances, and general mayhem.
Lizzy Tucker’s once normal life as a pastry chef in Salem, Massachusetts, turns upside down as she battles both sinister forces and an inconvenient attraction to her unnaturally talented but off-limits partner, Diesel.
When Harvard University English Professor and dyed-in-the wool romantic Gilbert Reedy is mysteriously murdered and thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel take up his twenty-year quest for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed by some to be infused with the power of lust. Following clues contained in a cryptic nineteenth-century book of sonnets, Lizzy and Diesel tear through Boston catacombs, government buildings, and multimillion-dollar residences. On their way they’ll leave behind a trail of robbed graves, public disturbances, and general mayhem.
June 5, 2020
3 Stars
July 11, 2017
This is a light humourous read. Lizzy and Diesel get into some interesting situations as they search for the second saligia stone.
July 26, 2022
Same stuff, enjoyed the first one then this is more of the same. Entertainingly stupid fun for immature adults.
May 27, 2023
2.5 stars…
Excruciatingly riveting
Excruciatingly riveting
June 10, 2013
Quick thoughts: Entertaining, Mysterious and Fast paced.
If you're looking for a quick, fast paced, dialogue heavy, quirky crime comedy then I would recommend you check out the Wicked Series. Book two, Wicked Business was packed with hilarity, secrets, betrayal, delicious sounding cup-cakes and adventure.
The two main characters romance continued to progress in this book and I really liked the last line as I felt it wrapped up their progressing relationship wonderfully. Of course I have my favourites, and for once I felt as if the minor characters had a bit of depth to them, to the point that they even triumphed over the two main characters in the interest department. I would have to say hands down though my favourite two characters of this book were Hatchet and Glo. They offered up hours of laughter and I just adore Glo's naive personality. There's such vulnerability and yet such heart to her character and her endless quest for the one and the secrets of magic keep me well entertained.
This book had a lot going for it. The main reason I enjoyed it was for the humour. When you put a triangle, mystery, mayhem and a crazy monkey into the mix with a little dash of romance and some outrageous crime then you're bound to have be flipping through the pages pretty fast.
While I will admit this was the perfect book to read for the mood I was in - I had a lot of the same problems with Wicked Business that I did with the first book, Wicked Appetite. A lot of the scenes just feel disjointed and too rushed. I love a book that is fast paced, but I also felt as if the story flew by to fast and left no room for reflection. I'd be reading about something dramatic and it would quickly jump to something benign like them eating or driving around and that infuriated me because it felt like a lot of detail was missing.
Overall I would recommend this book if you are looking for something easy to read, fun and not overly serious. I will be continuing with the series because while it isn't the best, and not the best I have read by Janet I still enjoy the read and I cannot wait to see where she takes it next with even more enemies and drama to ensue. Hopefully I won't wait three years to read the next one.
July 2, 2012
This review was posted at Under the Covers
I think I really need to give this up. I keep doing it to myself. I had already complained when I read the first book in this series that this was just a supernatural version of the Stephanie Plum series. As in the characters seemed to be the same just with different names, the plots had only changed the bounty hunter for the supernatural but still had the same feel to them.
WICKED BUSINESS is more of that, even though I will admit that maybe with the exception that the plot in this one felt maybe just a tiny bit more original.
I guess if you've never read the Stephanie Plum series and pick this one up it would probably seem like a funny series and you might even enjoy it. For fans of Janet Evanovich who have read Plum, not so much. I just had to roll my eyes when some of the same scenarios and lines kept popping up ("Breathe, cupcake" or the putting Lizzy's head between her legs, etc).
Diesel is very cute and adorable and sexy, but he is sooooo like Morelli! The story in this one is that Diesel and Lizzy are looking for a stone that has the power of lust. The concept of the series is that each book deals with one of the seven deadly sins.
My favorite part of the book? Diesel's sidekick monkey, Carl. Eeeeep. Carl is so cute and hilarious!
I truly don't know if I'll read the next book, maybe, maybe not. I'll see how I feel about it when it comes out. Not because I don't enjoy them but I just don't want to keep reading the same story in a different package.
I think I really need to give this up. I keep doing it to myself. I had already complained when I read the first book in this series that this was just a supernatural version of the Stephanie Plum series. As in the characters seemed to be the same just with different names, the plots had only changed the bounty hunter for the supernatural but still had the same feel to them.
WICKED BUSINESS is more of that, even though I will admit that maybe with the exception that the plot in this one felt maybe just a tiny bit more original.
I guess if you've never read the Stephanie Plum series and pick this one up it would probably seem like a funny series and you might even enjoy it. For fans of Janet Evanovich who have read Plum, not so much. I just had to roll my eyes when some of the same scenarios and lines kept popping up ("Breathe, cupcake" or the putting Lizzy's head between her legs, etc).
Diesel is very cute and adorable and sexy, but he is sooooo like Morelli! The story in this one is that Diesel and Lizzy are looking for a stone that has the power of lust. The concept of the series is that each book deals with one of the seven deadly sins.
My favorite part of the book? Diesel's sidekick monkey, Carl. Eeeeep. Carl is so cute and hilarious!
I truly don't know if I'll read the next book, maybe, maybe not. I'll see how I feel about it when it comes out. Not because I don't enjoy them but I just don't want to keep reading the same story in a different package.
April 15, 2016
Basic Info
Format: Audio
Pages/Length: 6hrs
Genre: Fantasy
At A Glance
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: No
Cliff Hanger: eh.
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 2 Stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 7
Plot: 5
Characters: 4
World Building: 4
Flow: 4
Series Congruity: 7
Writing: 5
Ending: 5
Total: 4
In Dept
Best Part: Monkey!
Worst Part: Plum is that you?
Thoughts Had: tisk tisk...
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: Yah
Recommending: eh
Short Review: Book 1 was different enough compared to the Plum series but book two, i legit felt like i was listening to a Plum book just with a random monkey thrown in. I will continue the series just because there is only 2 more books but dang, just read Plum and all would be well.
Misc.
Book Boyfriend: Diesel/Ranger....
Best Friend Material: The monkey of course!
Review in GIF Form:
September 17, 2012
Lizzy was living a normal life baking cupcakes in Salem when she discovered she had a secret power to find enchanted relics. Lizzy wishes she didn’t have the power. Her life was far less complicated. Now she spends her time chasing after stones that have the power to destroy the world.
The delicious Diesel needs Lizzy to find the stones so that he can get them back to the ‘office’ for safekeeping. His evil cousin, Wulf, and his sidekick, Hatchet also want the stones. This caper continues where Wicked Appetite ended. Lizzy’s boss Clara, and her ditzy friend and co-worker, Glo play their roles. Then Deirdre Early aka Anarchy made an appearance and I had a sense of déjà vu.
Sound familiar? I was reading Stephanie Plum all over again. Clara is Connie, Glo is Lula, Diesel is Joe, Wulf is Ranger, The Bakery is The Bail Bonds Office. Deirdre is Joyce Barnhardt. The only difference is we have some magic added in this series. I felt duped.
Evanovich writes as well as ever. She is easy to read, and the book is harmless fun. However, I don’t think I’m going to invest any more time in this rip-off of her other successful series. I’ve already read 18 of them.
The delicious Diesel needs Lizzy to find the stones so that he can get them back to the ‘office’ for safekeeping. His evil cousin, Wulf, and his sidekick, Hatchet also want the stones. This caper continues where Wicked Appetite ended. Lizzy’s boss Clara, and her ditzy friend and co-worker, Glo play their roles. Then Deirdre Early aka Anarchy made an appearance and I had a sense of déjà vu.
Sound familiar? I was reading Stephanie Plum all over again. Clara is Connie, Glo is Lula, Diesel is Joe, Wulf is Ranger, The Bakery is The Bail Bonds Office. Deirdre is Joyce Barnhardt. The only difference is we have some magic added in this series. I felt duped.
Evanovich writes as well as ever. She is easy to read, and the book is harmless fun. However, I don’t think I’m going to invest any more time in this rip-off of her other successful series. I’ve already read 18 of them.
Read
September 25, 2012I don't get the appeal of Evanovich, at least not through this book or the previous Lizzy/Diesel pairing. The sexual tension between them is more talked about than felt.
I do like the voices given by Lorelei King, especially Diesel's voice.
I still dislike Glo, who's too optimistic, not to mention oblivious, to be true. Every guy she meets is sure to be The One. She's equally sure that's she's going to be, maybe even is, a wizard. Although she never gets the spells right and always leaves out something she judges to be unimportant. Maybe she's supposed to be comic relief, but I find her merely irritating and wish she'd stay off-stage more. Actually the monkey is a much more appealing character than Glo is.
The search for the next stone is completely tedious and unnecessarily complex. I won't be interested in trying the third, if there is to be one. Two is more than enough. Thankfully, this one was only 5 discs, or 6 hours. There were a few interesting scenes, but they were overshadowed by all the others.
I do like the voices given by Lorelei King, especially Diesel's voice.
I still dislike Glo, who's too optimistic, not to mention oblivious, to be true. Every guy she meets is sure to be The One. She's equally sure that's she's going to be, maybe even is, a wizard. Although she never gets the spells right and always leaves out something she judges to be unimportant. Maybe she's supposed to be comic relief, but I find her merely irritating and wish she'd stay off-stage more. Actually the monkey is a much more appealing character than Glo is.
The search for the next stone is completely tedious and unnecessarily complex. I won't be interested in trying the third, if there is to be one. Two is more than enough. Thankfully, this one was only 5 discs, or 6 hours. There were a few interesting scenes, but they were overshadowed by all the others.
July 24, 2012
I kept forgetting to put down that I had read this book, which gives an indication about how I liked the book. =)
Enough with the monkey, I'm sick of the monkey! Actually I disliked Carl the monkey when he first appeared in the in-the-between the numbers Plum book so, to be fair, I was sick of him long before this book. =P On the plus side, I like that the books take place near Boston. I've been there only the once, but I can picture the places, like the Old North Church and the graveyard, better because of that.
Otherwise I find the bad guy and his flunky very cartoon-ish and thus not very threatening. And now I'm thinking these books would make a great cartoon series, or movies. Maybe if I picture the characters as cartoons for the next book it'll improve my enjoyment of them. =D
Enough with the monkey, I'm sick of the monkey! Actually I disliked Carl the monkey when he first appeared in the in-the-between the numbers Plum book so, to be fair, I was sick of him long before this book. =P On the plus side, I like that the books take place near Boston. I've been there only the once, but I can picture the places, like the Old North Church and the graveyard, better because of that.
Otherwise I find the bad guy and his flunky very cartoon-ish and thus not very threatening. And now I'm thinking these books would make a great cartoon series, or movies. Maybe if I picture the characters as cartoons for the next book it'll improve my enjoyment of them. =D
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