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Stephanie Plum #7
Seven Up
The killer is a little too close to home...
What Stephanie Plum loves about being a bounty hunter: it annoys her mother and she can wear jeans to work.
What Stephanie Plum hates about being a bounty hunter: she has to bring in her grandmother's geriatric, mobster boyfriend who has been leaving dead bodies in his shed...if she can find him.
On top of that, she's got a missing misfit to find, the dog is eating everything in sight and master bounty hunter Ranger wants one night with Plum from dusk to dawn. She might want to rethink the whole bounty hunter thing...
What Stephanie Plum loves about being a bounty hunter: it annoys her mother and she can wear jeans to work.
What Stephanie Plum hates about being a bounty hunter: she has to bring in her grandmother's geriatric, mobster boyfriend who has been leaving dead bodies in his shed...if she can find him.
On top of that, she's got a missing misfit to find, the dog is eating everything in sight and master bounty hunter Ranger wants one night with Plum from dusk to dawn. She might want to rethink the whole bounty hunter thing...
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2001
2170 people are currently reading
18070 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 2,703 reviews
June 23, 2017
Book Review
4 out of 5 stars to Seven Up, the 7th book in the "Stephanie Plum" cozy mystery series, written in 2001 by Janet Evanovich. They just keep getting funnier. And in this one, Stephanie gets a marriage proposal from Joe. But Ranger will only help her with the crazy old bail jumper on the loose if she will do anything he tells her to do. She kinda likes that. So do I. But not if she's gonna marry Joe. Come on! The antics and shenanigans are on high alert. Her family is way over the top and need to be stopped. And if I don't get to meet that Grandma some day, there will be hell to pay. It's a great book in the series, can be read in under 4 hours and will leave you red from embarrassment and laughter. But it's worth it. So dig in, my friends... it's a wild ride with this series.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
4 out of 5 stars to Seven Up, the 7th book in the "Stephanie Plum" cozy mystery series, written in 2001 by Janet Evanovich. They just keep getting funnier. And in this one, Stephanie gets a marriage proposal from Joe. But Ranger will only help her with the crazy old bail jumper on the loose if she will do anything he tells her to do. She kinda likes that. So do I. But not if she's gonna marry Joe. Come on! The antics and shenanigans are on high alert. Her family is way over the top and need to be stopped. And if I don't get to meet that Grandma some day, there will be hell to pay. It's a great book in the series, can be read in under 4 hours and will leave you red from embarrassment and laughter. But it's worth it. So dig in, my friends... it's a wild ride with this series.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
May 8, 2016
Truth is, I think naked men are kind of strange looking what with their doodles and ding-dong hanging loose like they do. Nevertheless, there's the curiosity thing. I guess it's another one of those car crash experiences, where you feel compelled to look even if you know you'll be horrified.
And, this is the mindset of the girl who has two major alpha men after her? I'm not saying that I disagree with the awkward boy-parts thing, but Stephanie has to be the most un-sexy girl I have ever read. She's probably the type of girl who the guy can only tell if she orgasms because she drops her nail file for a moment.
So, we have the usual crazy shenanigans, insanely fun characters, and lots of car mishaps in this book. Stephanie doesn't seem to be getting any better at this bounty hunter job. She is, however, really good at making people mad enough to want to kill her. And, her apartment seems to be the easiest place to break into in the world. In this one, she has two old guys breaking in all of the time. They are nice though. They bring her gifts and do her dishes. Considerate burglars are the best kind.
As for her relationship with Morelli? Well, it's gotten kind of sticky. Somehow, everyone thinks they are engaged and it keeps snowballing as people actually expect them to get married. Stephanie's mother convinces her to try on wedding dresses and her grandma is renting a hall. I see a shotgun wedding that will involve both Stephanie and Morelli being led to an altar at gunpoint.
"My mother and grandmother showed up and next thing I was trying on gowns."
"You'd tell me if we were getting married, wouldn't you? I mean, you wouldn't just appear on my doorstep in the gown one day and say we were due at the church in an hour."
Yeah, I could see this happening...
But, of course Janet Evanovich is a sadist and is determined to make our Stephanie as unlucky in love as she is in automobile ownership. That's all I will say...
And, this is the mindset of the girl who has two major alpha men after her? I'm not saying that I disagree with the awkward boy-parts thing, but Stephanie has to be the most un-sexy girl I have ever read. She's probably the type of girl who the guy can only tell if she orgasms because she drops her nail file for a moment.
So, we have the usual crazy shenanigans, insanely fun characters, and lots of car mishaps in this book. Stephanie doesn't seem to be getting any better at this bounty hunter job. She is, however, really good at making people mad enough to want to kill her. And, her apartment seems to be the easiest place to break into in the world. In this one, she has two old guys breaking in all of the time. They are nice though. They bring her gifts and do her dishes. Considerate burglars are the best kind.
As for her relationship with Morelli? Well, it's gotten kind of sticky. Somehow, everyone thinks they are engaged and it keeps snowballing as people actually expect them to get married. Stephanie's mother convinces her to try on wedding dresses and her grandma is renting a hall. I see a shotgun wedding that will involve both Stephanie and Morelli being led to an altar at gunpoint.
"My mother and grandmother showed up and next thing I was trying on gowns."
"You'd tell me if we were getting married, wouldn't you? I mean, you wouldn't just appear on my doorstep in the gown one day and say we were due at the church in an hour."
Yeah, I could see this happening...
But, of course Janet Evanovich is a sadist and is determined to make our Stephanie as unlucky in love as she is in automobile ownership. That's all I will say...
September 17, 2022
Seven Up (Stephanie Plum #7) by Janet Evanovich
Synopsis /
All New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has to do is bring in semi-retired bail jumper Eddie DeChooch. For an old man he's still got a knack for slipping out of sight--and raising hell. How else can Stephanie explain the bullet-riddled corpse in Eddie's garden? Who else would have a clue as to why two of Stephanie's friends suddenly vanished? For answers Stephanie has the devil to pay: her mentor, Ranger. The deal? He'll give Stephanie all the help she needs--if she gives him everything he wants.
My Thoughts /
🛑 Warning. Stop reading now UNLESS you love reading about hilariously funny characters; hairbrained antics; half-baked decision making and laugh-out-loud moments!
Just in case you haven’t been following along as I read/review this series of novels written by Janet Evanovich – it is centred around the character of Stephanie Plum. ‘Who is Stephanie Plum?’ I hear you ask. Here is a very quick intro: Stephanie Plum was originally working as a lingerie buyer for a local department store until, in the first novel, she was laid off from her job. With no other job prospects, she turned to her cousin Vinnie who offered her a position as a bounty hunter (or “bond enforcement agent”) for his bail bonding business - Vincent Plum Bonding Company.
’I’ve got a job for you’, Vinnie said. ‘I want you to find that ratfink Eddie DeChooch, and I want you to drag his bony ass back here. He got tagged smuggling a truckload of bootleg cigarettes up from Virginia and he missed his court date.’
I rolled my eyes so far into the top of my head I could see hair growing. ‘I’m not going after Eddie DeChooch. He’s old, and he kills people, and he’s dating my grandmother’.
Everyone, load up your snack foods – fried chicken; donuts and cake – pineapple upside-down cake if you please – only then will you be ready for the seventh instalment of what is a truly most comical, quirky series!!
This time around, Stephanie is presented with the FTA for Eddie DeChooch. Eddie’s a semi-retired elderly gent who still has connections to the mob. He’s skipped on his court date – he was caught smuggling ciggies. Why you would run from the law for such a minor offense doesn’t make any sense, but as usual with Steph’s cases, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. Bringing in this FTA won’t be an easy job, it turns out, DeChooch has learned a lot of tricks over the years and isn't afraid to use his gun. He's already shot Loretta Ricci, an innocent old lady, and left her for worm food in his shed. He wouldn't mind shooting Stephanie next.
Evanovich again follows her usual winning formula – whereby Stephanie (who is all luck and minimal skill) is accompanied by Lula as she tries to track down the felon while trying not to get herself or anyone else killed. Our book 6 friends, Mooner and Dougie (the Dealer) are back again in Seven Up – however, their appearance is short lived, when they disappear without a trace; shortly followed by Grandma Mazur.
In this episode, there’s mud wrestling, motorcycles, fast cars and fast food. Stephanie is shot at; propositioned; and threatened. She uses herself as bait to catch her mark, but instead of her they grab Grandma Mazur, who they then use as leverage against Steph. It’s still on-again, off-again with sexy cop Joe Morelli; and Ranger’s suggestive behaviour has Stephanie fanning her face! The regular cast of characters again make an appearance, including her long-suffering mother and father, and many of the other locals who call The Burg home.
Steph’s sister, Valerie is the new face introduced in book 7. She’s the stable, normal sibling in the family, showing up on her parent’s doorstop after leaving her husband and announcing that she’s now going to be a lesbian.
She opened her eyes, but didn’t move a muscle for a good thirty seconds. Then she yelled out, ‘A lesbian! Mother of God. Frank, your daughter’s a lesbian.’
My father squinted at Valerie. ‘Is that my tie you’ve got on?'
As the hunt for DeChooch gets more and more dangerous, Stephanie calls in the heavy artillery and asks Cuban master bounty hunter extraordinaire Ranger for help. Ranger's price for the job? One night with Stephanie - dusk to dawn! And this is not information she wants to share with her sometimes-fiancé, vice cop Joe Morelli.
Sometimes you just need to read the insanity that is a Stephanie Plum novel.
Synopsis /
All New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has to do is bring in semi-retired bail jumper Eddie DeChooch. For an old man he's still got a knack for slipping out of sight--and raising hell. How else can Stephanie explain the bullet-riddled corpse in Eddie's garden? Who else would have a clue as to why two of Stephanie's friends suddenly vanished? For answers Stephanie has the devil to pay: her mentor, Ranger. The deal? He'll give Stephanie all the help she needs--if she gives him everything he wants.
My Thoughts /
🛑 Warning. Stop reading now UNLESS you love reading about hilariously funny characters; hairbrained antics; half-baked decision making and laugh-out-loud moments!
Just in case you haven’t been following along as I read/review this series of novels written by Janet Evanovich – it is centred around the character of Stephanie Plum. ‘Who is Stephanie Plum?’ I hear you ask. Here is a very quick intro: Stephanie Plum was originally working as a lingerie buyer for a local department store until, in the first novel, she was laid off from her job. With no other job prospects, she turned to her cousin Vinnie who offered her a position as a bounty hunter (or “bond enforcement agent”) for his bail bonding business - Vincent Plum Bonding Company.
’I’ve got a job for you’, Vinnie said. ‘I want you to find that ratfink Eddie DeChooch, and I want you to drag his bony ass back here. He got tagged smuggling a truckload of bootleg cigarettes up from Virginia and he missed his court date.’
I rolled my eyes so far into the top of my head I could see hair growing. ‘I’m not going after Eddie DeChooch. He’s old, and he kills people, and he’s dating my grandmother’.
Everyone, load up your snack foods – fried chicken; donuts and cake – pineapple upside-down cake if you please – only then will you be ready for the seventh instalment of what is a truly most comical, quirky series!!
This time around, Stephanie is presented with the FTA for Eddie DeChooch. Eddie’s a semi-retired elderly gent who still has connections to the mob. He’s skipped on his court date – he was caught smuggling ciggies. Why you would run from the law for such a minor offense doesn’t make any sense, but as usual with Steph’s cases, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. Bringing in this FTA won’t be an easy job, it turns out, DeChooch has learned a lot of tricks over the years and isn't afraid to use his gun. He's already shot Loretta Ricci, an innocent old lady, and left her for worm food in his shed. He wouldn't mind shooting Stephanie next.
Evanovich again follows her usual winning formula – whereby Stephanie (who is all luck and minimal skill) is accompanied by Lula as she tries to track down the felon while trying not to get herself or anyone else killed. Our book 6 friends, Mooner and Dougie (the Dealer) are back again in Seven Up – however, their appearance is short lived, when they disappear without a trace; shortly followed by Grandma Mazur.
In this episode, there’s mud wrestling, motorcycles, fast cars and fast food. Stephanie is shot at; propositioned; and threatened. She uses herself as bait to catch her mark, but instead of her they grab Grandma Mazur, who they then use as leverage against Steph. It’s still on-again, off-again with sexy cop Joe Morelli; and Ranger’s suggestive behaviour has Stephanie fanning her face! The regular cast of characters again make an appearance, including her long-suffering mother and father, and many of the other locals who call The Burg home.
Steph’s sister, Valerie is the new face introduced in book 7. She’s the stable, normal sibling in the family, showing up on her parent’s doorstop after leaving her husband and announcing that she’s now going to be a lesbian.
She opened her eyes, but didn’t move a muscle for a good thirty seconds. Then she yelled out, ‘A lesbian! Mother of God. Frank, your daughter’s a lesbian.’
My father squinted at Valerie. ‘Is that my tie you’ve got on?'
As the hunt for DeChooch gets more and more dangerous, Stephanie calls in the heavy artillery and asks Cuban master bounty hunter extraordinaire Ranger for help. Ranger's price for the job? One night with Stephanie - dusk to dawn! And this is not information she wants to share with her sometimes-fiancé, vice cop Joe Morelli.
Sometimes you just need to read the insanity that is a Stephanie Plum novel.
October 20, 2020
This is a humor/cozy mystery/chick-lit, and this is the 7th book in the Stephanie Plum series. I have listen to this whole series on audiobooks, and the narrator of the audiobooks does a great job on this book. All the books in this series will make you laugh so much, and I will say the way to read these books is by audiobooks. All the characters are so fun and developed. I love this series so much. Stephanie Plum always gets into big messes, and she will make you laugh so much. In this book the mystery part was so good, and I loved all the mess Stephanie Plum got herself into. (*)
September 26, 2019
This is a right book at the right time thing for me, so yeah, I'm giving this sparkly little comedy mystery four stars because it took my mind off of things and it thoroughly entertained me. I'd almost like to give it five stars. I'd also like to buy Janet Evanovich flowers.
It's been a while since I read this silly, fun series about Stephanie Plum, a New Jersey bounty hunter with lots of pluck and questionable job skills. I had quit reading these books a while back because they were getting a little formulaic, but it was a pleasure to dive back into the fun house mirror version of Trenton where Stephanie lives. All of the elements we've come to love and expect are here: Stephanie's ride or die Lula (real talk: Is Lula getting compensated fairly for all of the help she gives Stephanie?), Stephanie's colorful, funeral loving grandmother, her long suffering parents, Bob the Dog, the 1953 Buick, a new car Stephanie will almost certainly total, Stephanie's arch-nemesis Joyce, and the eternal love/hormone triangle between Stephanie and her policeman boyfriend Joe Morelli (in this book, he's also her fiance-sort of) and Ranger, her enigmatic bounty hunter coworker.
In this seventh outing, as you can tell from the title, Stephanie takes the case of an elderly man who misses his court date, and what she thinks will be easy money turns into a book long chase involving the mob, kidnapping, and mud wrestling. Additionally, Stephanie's oft-mentioned perfect sister Valerie moves home from California with her daughters after her husband leaves her for the babysitter.
As usual, several passages made me laugh out loud (not that easy for a book):
Doughnut my foot. Bob was going to do a great big Chinese-food poop. And he was going to do it on Joyce's lawn. Maybe I could even get him to hurl.......I screeched to a stop in front of Joyce's house. I ran round to the passenger side, opened the door, and Bob flew out. He rocketed to Joyce's lawn, hunched over, and pooped what appeared to be twice his body weight. He paused for a second and horked up a mixture of cardboard box and shrimp chow mein.
"Good boy!" I whispered.
Bob gave himself a shake and bolted back to the car. I slammed the door after him, jumped in on my side, and we took off before the stench could catch up with us. Another job well done.
(You know it's been an eventful few weeks when getting your right knee replaced was one of the easier things you've done. One of my other problems was my beloved dog deciding this was a dope time to perform one of his favorite tricks: transforming into a walking shitpocalypse. Where's Joyce's yard when you need it?)
"It was all her fault. She started it," said Lula.
"I could have done better, but I was caught by surprise," I said.
"Yeah," Lula said, "I could tell that by the way you kept yelling help."
And he left, slamming the door behind him. I like to think I'm a pretty stable person, but this was too much. I cried until I was totally cried out and then ate three doughnuts and took a shower. I toweled off and still felt overwhelmed so I decided to bleach my hair blond.
Maybe people from New Jersey hate this series because it is a very bada boom how you dooin? version of the state capital. I'm originally from Kentucky, so maybe I'd be annoyed if someone wrote a series about a bounty hunter from Frankfort whose boyfriend was named Catfish McFarland and her meemaw played the banjo and ate grits with hogs feet.
(But hey, the banjo is one of the most difficult of the lute instruments. That's pretty impressive, really.)
Like a well-oiled Chuck Lorre sitcom, go in assuming everything will be exaggerated for your entertainment. I salute you, Janet and Stephanie, and I picked book 8 up from the library today.
It's been a while since I read this silly, fun series about Stephanie Plum, a New Jersey bounty hunter with lots of pluck and questionable job skills. I had quit reading these books a while back because they were getting a little formulaic, but it was a pleasure to dive back into the fun house mirror version of Trenton where Stephanie lives. All of the elements we've come to love and expect are here: Stephanie's ride or die Lula (real talk: Is Lula getting compensated fairly for all of the help she gives Stephanie?), Stephanie's colorful, funeral loving grandmother, her long suffering parents, Bob the Dog, the 1953 Buick, a new car Stephanie will almost certainly total, Stephanie's arch-nemesis Joyce, and the eternal love/hormone triangle between Stephanie and her policeman boyfriend Joe Morelli (in this book, he's also her fiance-sort of) and Ranger, her enigmatic bounty hunter coworker.
In this seventh outing, as you can tell from the title, Stephanie takes the case of an elderly man who misses his court date, and what she thinks will be easy money turns into a book long chase involving the mob, kidnapping, and mud wrestling. Additionally, Stephanie's oft-mentioned perfect sister Valerie moves home from California with her daughters after her husband leaves her for the babysitter.
As usual, several passages made me laugh out loud (not that easy for a book):
Doughnut my foot. Bob was going to do a great big Chinese-food poop. And he was going to do it on Joyce's lawn. Maybe I could even get him to hurl.......I screeched to a stop in front of Joyce's house. I ran round to the passenger side, opened the door, and Bob flew out. He rocketed to Joyce's lawn, hunched over, and pooped what appeared to be twice his body weight. He paused for a second and horked up a mixture of cardboard box and shrimp chow mein.
"Good boy!" I whispered.
Bob gave himself a shake and bolted back to the car. I slammed the door after him, jumped in on my side, and we took off before the stench could catch up with us. Another job well done.
(You know it's been an eventful few weeks when getting your right knee replaced was one of the easier things you've done. One of my other problems was my beloved dog deciding this was a dope time to perform one of his favorite tricks: transforming into a walking shitpocalypse. Where's Joyce's yard when you need it?)
"It was all her fault. She started it," said Lula.
"I could have done better, but I was caught by surprise," I said.
"Yeah," Lula said, "I could tell that by the way you kept yelling help."
And he left, slamming the door behind him. I like to think I'm a pretty stable person, but this was too much. I cried until I was totally cried out and then ate three doughnuts and took a shower. I toweled off and still felt overwhelmed so I decided to bleach my hair blond.
Maybe people from New Jersey hate this series because it is a very bada boom how you dooin? version of the state capital. I'm originally from Kentucky, so maybe I'd be annoyed if someone wrote a series about a bounty hunter from Frankfort whose boyfriend was named Catfish McFarland and her meemaw played the banjo and ate grits with hogs feet.
(But hey, the banjo is one of the most difficult of the lute instruments. That's pretty impressive, really.)
Like a well-oiled Chuck Lorre sitcom, go in assuming everything will be exaggerated for your entertainment. I salute you, Janet and Stephanie, and I picked book 8 up from the library today.
February 22, 2021
When I began reading my first Stephanie Plumb book [ One for the money ] I didn't know quite what to expect. However I very quickly discovered it was an absolute gem, and as I read more and more of Janet Evanovich's books about the misfit bounty hunter and as the characters evolved and became more and more interesting [ grandma Mazur is something else isn't she; likewise Lulu is one hell of a girl ] they got better and better, and I have now lost count of the times I have cried laughing aloud as I read them.
I'm now up to 'Seven Up' and a devoted 'Stephanie Plumb' fan.
Humour and crime stories may not be everyones cup of tea, but if these categories appeal to you [ and I asume they do, otherwise you would probably not be looking at this review in the first place ] and if you haven't already done so, all I can say is give Spephanie Plumb a go. But if you do, read them in sequence because the characters do evolve from book to book.
I'm now up to 'Seven Up' and a devoted 'Stephanie Plumb' fan.
Humour and crime stories may not be everyones cup of tea, but if these categories appeal to you [ and I asume they do, otherwise you would probably not be looking at this review in the first place ] and if you haven't already done so, all I can say is give Spephanie Plumb a go. But if you do, read them in sequence because the characters do evolve from book to book.
December 22, 2008
OK I didn't add reviews to the last several books in this series because I was out of town (stuck in a snowstorm back east)& didn't get to my computer until today. I made two trips to Barnes & Noble while we were back east because I couldn't wait to get more of these books. This series in hilarious!!! Very quick reads too - perfect for passing the time in an airport with nothing else to do. I can't decide who my favorites are yet - either Grandma Mazur or Lulu. They both crack me up. I had several people several times give me strange looks in the airports and on the planes because I would just crack up laughing. My family is now used to it and just shake their head no longer embarrassed. I just started #7 and already have #8 waiting for me when I am done.I have never read a series that is this long and that I am still enjoying and can't wait for the next one.
June 17, 2016
*** 4.35 ***
A buddy read with OhWell at BB&B
This series is hilarious! Hands down, one of the funniest I have ever read, that keep on with the hilarity even 7 books into the series. We are already very well acquainted with Stephanie's family, and the consensus is that everyone needs a grandma Mazur in their life, just for giggles! Stephanie's mom is obviously going through "the change", but is doing anything and everything to deny it. And the poor Mr. Plum is hanging on to sanity by the tips of his toes.... The only thing Mrs. Plum can hold up as an example to all is her sainted normal daughter Valerie, who is happily married to a perfect husband, with two little girls who are perfect little ladies.
Stephanie continues confounding her mother with her chosen profession of a bounty-hunter, and not very good one at that, and keep trying to encourage her to find a new job. A job where no one is getting shot at and she is not known as the mother of a woman who keeps on finding dead bodies. At least there is the engagement (but no ring!!!) and possible impending marriage to Morelli to look foreword to... Imagine everyone's surprise when one evening for supper who but the perfect, perfect Valerie and her little lady girls show up with all of their luggage and no warning.... Oooo, what joy ensues!!!!
Just a little snippet of the joy Valerie brings to this volume:
"I'm not perky . . . I'm cheerful. I am absolutely not crying anymore, ever again. No one likes a Gloomy Gus. I'm going to get on with my life and I'm going to be happy. I'm going to be so goddamn happy Mary Sunshine's going to look like a loser."
Yikes.
"And do you know why I can be happy? I can be happy because I'm well adjusted."
Good thing Valerie moved back to Jersey. We'd fix that."
.... "Of course I'm the bounty hunter type," she said enthusiastically. "I just have to get into the right mind-set." She sat up straighter on my couch and started singing the rubber tree ant song.
"He's got hiiiigh hopes . . . hiiiigh hopes!"
Good thing my gun was in the kitchen, because I had an urge to shoot Valerie. This was taking the cheerful thing way beyond where I wanted to go."...... Yep, they will fix all that perkiness right out of her:):):)
As always, Stephanie is on a hopeless case to catch a bond jumper, an old mob guy with enlarged prostate and vision problems... She has a new car, we all know how this turns out, don't we... And she is still caught up in a struggle of attraction between two perfect alpha males... I am not usually for love triangles, but even the most prudish among us would find it hard to choose between Morelli and Ranger, and I honestly am very happy I am not in that situation... In this case and THIS CASE ONLY, I totally vote for polygamy and a menage:):):)
This is a great addition to the series, but be warned, things go a bit differently in the romance department... Absolute must read for the fans of Stephanie Plum!!!
Now I wish all happy reading and may you find joy in every book!!!
A buddy read with OhWell at BB&B
This series is hilarious! Hands down, one of the funniest I have ever read, that keep on with the hilarity even 7 books into the series. We are already very well acquainted with Stephanie's family, and the consensus is that everyone needs a grandma Mazur in their life, just for giggles! Stephanie's mom is obviously going through "the change", but is doing anything and everything to deny it. And the poor Mr. Plum is hanging on to sanity by the tips of his toes.... The only thing Mrs. Plum can hold up as an example to all is her sainted normal daughter Valerie, who is happily married to a perfect husband, with two little girls who are perfect little ladies.
Stephanie continues confounding her mother with her chosen profession of a bounty-hunter, and not very good one at that, and keep trying to encourage her to find a new job. A job where no one is getting shot at and she is not known as the mother of a woman who keeps on finding dead bodies. At least there is the engagement (but no ring!!!) and possible impending marriage to Morelli to look foreword to... Imagine everyone's surprise when one evening for supper who but the perfect, perfect Valerie and her little lady girls show up with all of their luggage and no warning.... Oooo, what joy ensues!!!!
Just a little snippet of the joy Valerie brings to this volume:
"I'm not perky . . . I'm cheerful. I am absolutely not crying anymore, ever again. No one likes a Gloomy Gus. I'm going to get on with my life and I'm going to be happy. I'm going to be so goddamn happy Mary Sunshine's going to look like a loser."
Yikes.
"And do you know why I can be happy? I can be happy because I'm well adjusted."
Good thing Valerie moved back to Jersey. We'd fix that."
.... "Of course I'm the bounty hunter type," she said enthusiastically. "I just have to get into the right mind-set." She sat up straighter on my couch and started singing the rubber tree ant song.
"He's got hiiiigh hopes . . . hiiiigh hopes!"
Good thing my gun was in the kitchen, because I had an urge to shoot Valerie. This was taking the cheerful thing way beyond where I wanted to go."...... Yep, they will fix all that perkiness right out of her:):):)
As always, Stephanie is on a hopeless case to catch a bond jumper, an old mob guy with enlarged prostate and vision problems... She has a new car, we all know how this turns out, don't we... And she is still caught up in a struggle of attraction between two perfect alpha males... I am not usually for love triangles, but even the most prudish among us would find it hard to choose between Morelli and Ranger, and I honestly am very happy I am not in that situation... In this case and THIS CASE ONLY, I totally vote for polygamy and a menage:):):)
This is a great addition to the series, but be warned, things go a bit differently in the romance department... Absolute must read for the fans of Stephanie Plum!!!
Now I wish all happy reading and may you find joy in every book!!!
December 8, 2011
Evanovich went above and beyond when she created Seven Up!
This book is filled with missing friends, death, a kidnapped Grandma Mazur and … mud wrestling? Ha!
Stephanie Plum and Lula are my heroes. They really make me appreciate the diversity of friendships that I have. Even when my life decides to go a little strange, I can always count on the loved ones in my life to help me giggle.
Stephanie: For the better part of my childhood, my professional aspirations were simple-I wanted to be an intergalactic princess. I didn’t care much about ruling hordes of space people. Mostly I wanted to wear the cape and the sexy boots and carry a cool weapon.
Mazur does not disappoint in this book! Sharing a mysterious relationship with the bad guy of the book, DeChooch, her family is forced to endure her unusual and mind-blowing facts of her life.
“Not that I know of,” Grandma said. “From what I know, Loretta liked her men hot, and Eddie DeChooch couldn’t get it up. I went out with him a couple of times and that thing of his was dead as a doorknob. No matter what I did I couldn’t get nothing to happen.”
And if that wasn’t enough…Stephanie’s perfect sister with her perfect life shows up unexpectedly for a shocking family reunion.
“I’m never going to get married again,” Valerie said between sobs. “Never, never never. Marriage is the work of the devil. Men are the Antichrist. I’m going to become a lesbian.”
In Seven Up, the earth-pulling, heart-tugging sexual tension between Ranger and Stephanie becomes explosive and tingling! I found myself shhing my husband and lifting my book up to hide his view while snapping, “Hold on! This is a good part!!” :0
I love Morelli. I do. I think the relationship has grown and it’s very cool. But there is always the part of me that craves the bad boy. The untamable. The totally rockin’ awesome and downright sexy shadow of a man that lurks in my dreams and pulls a reaction from me that I seriously doubt I’d ever admit
I don’t especially want to marry a cop. Morelli doesn’t want to marry a bounty hunter. And then there’s Ranger.
I mean, what if I spent the night with Ranger? What then? Suppose he was so amazing I got ruined for all other men. Suppose he was better in the sack than Joe. Not that Joe was a slouch in bed. It was just that Joe was mortal, and I wasn’t sure about Ranger.
One part of me hopes Morelli pulls through and doesn’t ruin his chances with Stephanie, but the other part crosses my fingers that the feelings between Ranger and Stephanie rip things apart… Mmm.. I look forward to reading the rest of the series just to glide through the special moments of uncomfortable and awkward yumminess that leaves you hanging…wondering if the dreams will ever come true.
As always, Lula’s graceful eccentricities leave me breathless with laughter. In this book, Stephanie and Lula become closer and share more intimate moments. It’s very cool to watch friendships blossom. And with Stephanie and Lula’s friendship, you can only anticipate and imagine what will happen next.
Lula reset the safety on the gun. “I think I messed my pants,” she said.
“Uh-oh,” Lula said. “Are you crying?”
“No. I think I inhaled a bug a couple blocks ago.”
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that is reading this series in order. Although the book can be understood as a stand-alone, the relationships will leave you oooing if you start at the beginning.
Mild sexual contact. Non-descriptive but gruesome violence. As far as age preferences, I would definitely advise to read this book before allowing a young adult to do so. Immature adults should not read this book.
Kindle is charging, and the dishes are done! Time to start the next book in the Stephanie Plum series, Hard Eight!
Happy reading! <3
This book is filled with missing friends, death, a kidnapped Grandma Mazur and … mud wrestling? Ha!
Stephanie Plum and Lula are my heroes. They really make me appreciate the diversity of friendships that I have. Even when my life decides to go a little strange, I can always count on the loved ones in my life to help me giggle.
Stephanie: For the better part of my childhood, my professional aspirations were simple-I wanted to be an intergalactic princess. I didn’t care much about ruling hordes of space people. Mostly I wanted to wear the cape and the sexy boots and carry a cool weapon.
Mazur does not disappoint in this book! Sharing a mysterious relationship with the bad guy of the book, DeChooch, her family is forced to endure her unusual and mind-blowing facts of her life.
“Not that I know of,” Grandma said. “From what I know, Loretta liked her men hot, and Eddie DeChooch couldn’t get it up. I went out with him a couple of times and that thing of his was dead as a doorknob. No matter what I did I couldn’t get nothing to happen.”
And if that wasn’t enough…Stephanie’s perfect sister with her perfect life shows up unexpectedly for a shocking family reunion.
“I’m never going to get married again,” Valerie said between sobs. “Never, never never. Marriage is the work of the devil. Men are the Antichrist. I’m going to become a lesbian.”
In Seven Up, the earth-pulling, heart-tugging sexual tension between Ranger and Stephanie becomes explosive and tingling! I found myself shhing my husband and lifting my book up to hide his view while snapping, “Hold on! This is a good part!!” :0
I love Morelli. I do. I think the relationship has grown and it’s very cool. But there is always the part of me that craves the bad boy. The untamable. The totally rockin’ awesome and downright sexy shadow of a man that lurks in my dreams and pulls a reaction from me that I seriously doubt I’d ever admit
I don’t especially want to marry a cop. Morelli doesn’t want to marry a bounty hunter. And then there’s Ranger.
I mean, what if I spent the night with Ranger? What then? Suppose he was so amazing I got ruined for all other men. Suppose he was better in the sack than Joe. Not that Joe was a slouch in bed. It was just that Joe was mortal, and I wasn’t sure about Ranger.
One part of me hopes Morelli pulls through and doesn’t ruin his chances with Stephanie, but the other part crosses my fingers that the feelings between Ranger and Stephanie rip things apart… Mmm.. I look forward to reading the rest of the series just to glide through the special moments of uncomfortable and awkward yumminess that leaves you hanging…wondering if the dreams will ever come true.
As always, Lula’s graceful eccentricities leave me breathless with laughter. In this book, Stephanie and Lula become closer and share more intimate moments. It’s very cool to watch friendships blossom. And with Stephanie and Lula’s friendship, you can only anticipate and imagine what will happen next.
Lula reset the safety on the gun. “I think I messed my pants,” she said.
“Uh-oh,” Lula said. “Are you crying?”
“No. I think I inhaled a bug a couple blocks ago.”
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that is reading this series in order. Although the book can be understood as a stand-alone, the relationships will leave you oooing if you start at the beginning.
Mild sexual contact. Non-descriptive but gruesome violence. As far as age preferences, I would definitely advise to read this book before allowing a young adult to do so. Immature adults should not read this book.
Kindle is charging, and the dishes are done! Time to start the next book in the Stephanie Plum series, Hard Eight!
Happy reading! <3
January 26, 2009
Bob the dog is still around. Mooner, the dejected stoner is still around—although his roommate seems to have turned up missing and Mooner just might have to move in with Stephanie for protection when the bodies start showing up. Mooner’s roommate, by the way is called Dealer because, despite his penchant for administering your standard cocaine derived drugs to the neighborhood, he supplies vast amounts of Metamucil to the senior citizens and an incredible discount. So you can see why all hell breaks loose in the Burg when Dealer goes missing.
Wait a minute. Did Morelli propose? Did Stephanie accidently set a date? What the heck is the real case Stephanie is on anyway? Does it matter? Not really.
This is the continuing saga of an inept (but sexy, no doubt) eccentric bounty hunter written in light breezy style. I am not even sure you need to read the first six. There is enough quick exposition you could pick this up as a stand alone and have just as good a time as if you started from the beginning.
The running gags just keep getting better and better.
Once again, you must tell no one I am reading this series. Thanks.
Wait a minute. Did Morelli propose? Did Stephanie accidently set a date? What the heck is the real case Stephanie is on anyway? Does it matter? Not really.
This is the continuing saga of an inept (but sexy, no doubt) eccentric bounty hunter written in light breezy style. I am not even sure you need to read the first six. There is enough quick exposition you could pick this up as a stand alone and have just as good a time as if you started from the beginning.
The running gags just keep getting better and better.
Once again, you must tell no one I am reading this series. Thanks.
July 14, 2022
Sometimes you just need to read the insanity that is a Stephanie Plum novel. What a fun ride.
June 3, 2019
I’m not that huge fan of Janet Evanovich. Some of her books I found better, some of them worse. This one is actually a pretty good one.
I think I like this book more because Stephanie is not as silly as she used to be. At least most of the time. And Lula doesn’t annoy me as much as usual. The crime part is not very brilliant but it is quite interesting and from time to time pretty funny. I followed it with pleasure.
I am most disappointed with the love part. The situation between Stephanie and Joe is getting more and more complicated. I have never liked love triangles and this one here is extremely annoying. This whole quarrel between Stephanie and Joe is so bizarre and totally unnecessary. Basically, it's only needed to warm up the feelings between Stephanie and Ranger. Completely pointless if you ask me.
An additional plus for the "perfect" sister of Stephanie and her two devilish daughters. I will be happy to see them again.
I think I like this book more because Stephanie is not as silly as she used to be. At least most of the time. And Lula doesn’t annoy me as much as usual. The crime part is not very brilliant but it is quite interesting and from time to time pretty funny. I followed it with pleasure.
I am most disappointed with the love part. The situation between Stephanie and Joe is getting more and more complicated. I have never liked love triangles and this one here is extremely annoying. This whole quarrel between Stephanie and Joe is so bizarre and totally unnecessary. Basically, it's only needed to warm up the feelings between Stephanie and Ranger. Completely pointless if you ask me.
An additional plus for the "perfect" sister of Stephanie and her two devilish daughters. I will be happy to see them again.
April 3, 2018
It's no secret that I love this series, Stephanie's antics and her crazy family never fail to make me giggle and these books are the perfect thing to pick up when you're having a bad day and just need something to make you smile.
You'd think that Stephanie might be getting the hang of this bounty hunter thing by now but unfortunately for her she's just as terrible as ever. Even when she's up against a pensioner things don't go to plan for our plucky heroine and her sidekick Lula. I swear these two could get themselves in trouble in a kids soft play area!
Throw in family drama with her not-so-perfect sister Valerie who has moved back home with her two daughters and put Grandma Mazur on a motorbike and you know you're going to be in for an interesting ride, especially since all that's before we even think about the two men in her life.
Stephanie somehow seems to be accidentally engaged to Morelli even though he never officially proposed and now that it looks like she's off the market (her mother is already shopping for the wedding dress and Grandma Mazur has the hall booked!) Ranger has decided it's time to up the ante and make his presence felt. What's a girl to do when she's stuck between two very hard, very hot alpha men who both want to stake their claim? Personally if I was Stephanie I'd be tempted to keep them both but I'm not sure if either Morelli or Ranger would be willing to share.
There's no point me going into detail about the plot, if you're familiar with this series you know what to expect by now and you'll love this just as much as the first six books. If you're new to the series what the hell are you waiting for - go and grab a copy of One for the Money now and prepare to laugh from start to finish.
You'd think that Stephanie might be getting the hang of this bounty hunter thing by now but unfortunately for her she's just as terrible as ever. Even when she's up against a pensioner things don't go to plan for our plucky heroine and her sidekick Lula. I swear these two could get themselves in trouble in a kids soft play area!
Throw in family drama with her not-so-perfect sister Valerie who has moved back home with her two daughters and put Grandma Mazur on a motorbike and you know you're going to be in for an interesting ride, especially since all that's before we even think about the two men in her life.
Stephanie somehow seems to be accidentally engaged to Morelli even though he never officially proposed and now that it looks like she's off the market (her mother is already shopping for the wedding dress and Grandma Mazur has the hall booked!) Ranger has decided it's time to up the ante and make his presence felt. What's a girl to do when she's stuck between two very hard, very hot alpha men who both want to stake their claim? Personally if I was Stephanie I'd be tempted to keep them both but I'm not sure if either Morelli or Ranger would be willing to share.
There's no point me going into detail about the plot, if you're familiar with this series you know what to expect by now and you'll love this just as much as the first six books. If you're new to the series what the hell are you waiting for - go and grab a copy of One for the Money now and prepare to laugh from start to finish.
February 13, 2021
2.5 stars
I didn’t think this series could disappoint me but there’s probably a first time for everything. 🥲
Hello Janet Evanovich? Joe Morelli doesn’t deserve this book. It was fun how Stephanie was confused and Morelli had to win her over in High Five/Hot Six: right then her and Joe were kind of casual from my point of view. Everything changed in this seventh book. They are engaged but Steph keeps making out with Ranger and never says a thing to Morelli or even feels guilty about it. The only time she acknowledges what she’s doing is when she calls herself a slut (which was irritating and disturbing, especially because she said it so. Many. Times. We love the self hate).
I can’t believe the author got away with the cheating by making them break up for the weirdest reason ever (that doesn’t involve Ranger one bit).
I can’t stand the cheating in here, I just can’t. I never take these books seriously because that’s not what they’re supposed to be, they exist to make you laugh and have fun, but we are surpassing a line here (this includes the lesbian stereotypes, which I’ll talk about later).
I wish the way Morelli was treated was the only reason I didn’t really enjoy this book. The rating is relatively high only because of the first third of this book, when it looked like this installment was going to be as funny and entertaining as the rest of them. For how much I disliked this book, I can’t deny I really love Trenton and these crazy characters whatever they do. Also, I love that Bob and Mooner returned in this book! Even though they were sadly part of this flop.
I found the FTA case to be lackluster this time, and that’s an understatement. How can Steph not catch this old dude already when he literally appears every place she goes? The mystery felt drawn out for no reason at all, and it was all over the place with people involved left and right who didn’t really have an effective role in it in the end.
I liked Ranger before reading this book, I swear.
Now I’m not so sure anymore. I hope his character is redeemed somehow in the next book. I admit he was the one character that was affected by the audiobook narrator change, I hated how his “y”s were all “j”s. But what the actual fuck. I don’t want to hear him say he is going to help Stephanie with her case only if she does things with him in return EVER AGAIN.
The author also seemed obsessed with making a joke out of lesbian women. Stephanie’s sister comes back from LA because her husband has left her and she suddenly decides she wants to be a lesbian. That on its own was already a red flag for me, but as I said I try not to take these books seriously, even when there are questionable jokes. But this time it was all over the book. It simply got on my nerves and I had to keep reminding myself this book was published 20 years ago.
I don’t know when I’ll have the courage to continue this series but I hope Hard Eight is better.
I didn’t think this series could disappoint me but there’s probably a first time for everything. 🥲
Hello Janet Evanovich? Joe Morelli doesn’t deserve this book. It was fun how Stephanie was confused and Morelli had to win her over in High Five/Hot Six: right then her and Joe were kind of casual from my point of view. Everything changed in this seventh book. They are engaged but Steph keeps making out with Ranger and never says a thing to Morelli or even feels guilty about it. The only time she acknowledges what she’s doing is when she calls herself a slut (which was irritating and disturbing, especially because she said it so. Many. Times. We love the self hate).
I can’t believe the author got away with the cheating by making them break up for the weirdest reason ever (that doesn’t involve Ranger one bit).
I can’t stand the cheating in here, I just can’t. I never take these books seriously because that’s not what they’re supposed to be, they exist to make you laugh and have fun, but we are surpassing a line here (this includes the lesbian stereotypes, which I’ll talk about later).
I wish the way Morelli was treated was the only reason I didn’t really enjoy this book. The rating is relatively high only because of the first third of this book, when it looked like this installment was going to be as funny and entertaining as the rest of them. For how much I disliked this book, I can’t deny I really love Trenton and these crazy characters whatever they do. Also, I love that Bob and Mooner returned in this book! Even though they were sadly part of this flop.
I found the FTA case to be lackluster this time, and that’s an understatement. How can Steph not catch this old dude already when he literally appears every place she goes? The mystery felt drawn out for no reason at all, and it was all over the place with people involved left and right who didn’t really have an effective role in it in the end.
I liked Ranger before reading this book, I swear.
Now I’m not so sure anymore. I hope his character is redeemed somehow in the next book. I admit he was the one character that was affected by the audiobook narrator change, I hated how his “y”s were all “j”s. But what the actual fuck. I don’t want to hear him say he is going to help Stephanie with her case only if she does things with him in return EVER AGAIN.
The author also seemed obsessed with making a joke out of lesbian women. Stephanie’s sister comes back from LA because her husband has left her and she suddenly decides she wants to be a lesbian. That on its own was already a red flag for me, but as I said I try not to take these books seriously, even when there are questionable jokes. But this time it was all over the book. It simply got on my nerves and I had to keep reminding myself this book was published 20 years ago.
I don’t know when I’ll have the courage to continue this series but I hope Hard Eight is better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2021
Seven Up Janet Evanovich, Oh hell this is so funny, chuckle a minute, imagine Sopranos as a sit com, well this is it. You got murder and mayhem guns, mutilated bodies, gangsters but weirdly I always seem to find myself with some warped manic grin. Has memorable characters Stephanie the sink or swim, tougher than she believes she is, full on self doubter but with a out going spunky attitude, She's the star character Bounty hunter with poise and some weird senses of graces, then her school friend buddy Mooner, the harmless jobless, relaxed far out stoner, real bummer man when Stephanie tried to help and dry him out (flushed all his weed down the toilet) what the heck, rings a cop slash try hard, wannabe fiance husband Morelli "get Mooner some weed he's a horrible dude straight" Then her Granny or should we say the horny mad sex goddess hobbies includes discussing alien kidnapping to death, shes a total blast. In fact nearly all the characters are distinctive nobody seems to take themselves to seriously, except for Ranger, Stephs piece on the side if Morelli makes her snippy or she wants a good shag. (Did I imagine that or fancied that..nah..No idea) Ranger the epitome of a man tall dark handsome big ball bearings etc etc..fellow colleague bounty hunter, squared away trooper. Then the story actually feels like a side issue a missing depressed gangster with confusion on a mob job with a mix up between words heart and fart there are chases and slippery get always one crazy scene after another. Black humoured soap opera at its funniest, definitely great fun. amen...yes sir.
April 19, 2012
Something I think a lot of people forget about this series is that it's not supposed to be literary genius. It's supposed to be entertaining, lighthearted, fun. While the basic plot of the books in this series tends to have the same set-up, what changes is the personal relationships. I think the action of the books is more of a means to an end. The characters need something to do so they are hunting down bad guys, and in the process the real story, the story of the character relationships, develops. The characters don't grow dramatically throughout the books, but I think they change in subtle ways and they keep the story interesting. For me, this is a fun series to read and has a couple of great characters that make me smile and keep me reading. If you don't mind the repetetiveness of the plot, I think these are a great series of books to read and a lot of fun. Can't wait to see more of the relationships developing and what will happen next, and I hope it continues to stay interesting.
January 3, 2024
Stephanie and Morelli are like the family you always wanted and Lula is my homegirl. Many of you know I found Stephanie Plum last year in the heart of COVID and I haven't looked back since. I literally read 28 years' worth of books in 3 months and then went in for seconds. These books bring me a type of joy that I typically don't allow in my fiction.
Y'all know I like to be killed softly and cry and all that other good stuff when it comes to fancy book learning. I like to cry 😭 😢 😿 ugly tears and feel devastated and all that fun stuff. Then I found Ms. Plum and I get to have the giggles and enjoy all the lovely things that come with laughing.
I have found more things in this realm and I can't wait to unpack them further...
But on to the parts that made me laugh out loud
Morelli talking trash with Stephanie 😂😂
So about that proposal. Wedding cake, oral sex, and my credit card all you want !!
Stephanie's mom
Why can't you be more like your sister? Your sister doesn't find dead bodies at weird men's houses (😭😭😂😂😂😂)
Vinny (With his weasel self)🦫
How did you hear that I whispered? I got ears in my ass and I hear everything !!! 👂👂👂
I am now all giggles for another few hours. Happy reading everyone !!!
Y'all know I like to be killed softly and cry and all that other good stuff when it comes to fancy book learning. I like to cry 😭 😢 😿 ugly tears and feel devastated and all that fun stuff. Then I found Ms. Plum and I get to have the giggles and enjoy all the lovely things that come with laughing.
I have found more things in this realm and I can't wait to unpack them further...
But on to the parts that made me laugh out loud
Morelli talking trash with Stephanie 😂😂
So about that proposal. Wedding cake, oral sex, and my credit card all you want !!
Stephanie's mom
Why can't you be more like your sister? Your sister doesn't find dead bodies at weird men's houses (😭😭😂😂😂😂)
Vinny (With his weasel self)🦫
How did you hear that I whispered? I got ears in my ass and I hear everything !!! 👂👂👂
I am now all giggles for another few hours. Happy reading everyone !!!
October 30, 2018
I’m annoyed.
SPOILER ALERT
The romance has frustrated me from the beginning and I wish it didn’t exist. But it’s here so I’m going to judge.
I love a good love triangle. However it annoys the hell out of me when one of the guys is turned into or does a jerk move to justify the girl going to the other man.
Joe acts totally out of character and I saw it coming. And when it happened, I rolled my eyes.
I wasn’t surprised by the fluffy ending and feel no rush like the last fluffy to read the next book.
I like Ranger, a lot. But he seems like a fling. Joe feels more solid.
Curiosity will bring me back, but I won’t pay to read it. I’ll wait until available through my library.
The narrator. I love her. She made me laugh out loud in this book. I haven’t in the previous, so maybe the delivery. Unfortunately, she reads one of my favorite series and I had a hard time separating the characters for a moment there.
SPOILER ALERT
The romance has frustrated me from the beginning and I wish it didn’t exist. But it’s here so I’m going to judge.
I love a good love triangle. However it annoys the hell out of me when one of the guys is turned into or does a jerk move to justify the girl going to the other man.
Joe acts totally out of character and I saw it coming. And when it happened, I rolled my eyes.
I wasn’t surprised by the fluffy ending and feel no rush like the last fluffy to read the next book.
I like Ranger, a lot. But he seems like a fling. Joe feels more solid.
Curiosity will bring me back, but I won’t pay to read it. I’ll wait until available through my library.
The narrator. I love her. She made me laugh out loud in this book. I haven’t in the previous, so maybe the delivery. Unfortunately, she reads one of my favorite series and I had a hard time separating the characters for a moment there.
April 12, 2019
Eh.
Not sure I'm able to tell these sequels apart.
Oh, yes, this one is the one where Stephanie cheats on Joe.
(I did not appreciate the way Janet decided to make this book stand out. Down with the Ranger, Morreli for the win!)
Not sure I'm able to tell these sequels apart.
Oh, yes, this one is the one where Stephanie cheats on Joe.
(I did not appreciate the way Janet decided to make this book stand out. Down with the Ranger, Morreli for the win!)
July 11, 2023
What’s the traditional gift for an 11th anniversary? Apparently, it’s steel. But Shirley knows me all too well, and instead I got books. Smart lady. Besides, with my bad Achilles I could never carry around a book made of solid steel.
I went back to my favorite series, the saga of hapless bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. This time she’s after Eddie DeChooch, wanted for skipping bail on his charge of smuggling cigarettes on the Jersey Turnpike. But of course, it’s not that simple. The octogenarian somehow eludes poor Steph at every turn. And with each turn, the web of crime expands.
Yes, it’s the usual thing, with the usual characters. We get good old Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie. And they eat lots of donuts, cookies from Stiva’s, and greasy vittles from Cluck In a Bucket. But it’s a little twisty this time: Moonie takes a bigger role, and Ranger takes on a much more interesting romantic role. Morelli is talking marriage, but only out of the side of his mouth. Even Vinnie goes on a raid with Steph.
So, while it’s the same kind of plot, the increase in appearance from prior ancillary characters made this one more exciting. The raids made Steph seem a little more competent, but luck still comes into play. Good ending, and always with a romantic cliffhanger. Not as steamy as the prior entries but still lots of winking fun.
Got me thinking: is someone gonna create a “Steph-a-verse”? I recently watched the new Spiderman movie (3.6/5 for me), and thought, “Gee, what if there’s a universe where Steph gets married, has a ton of kids?” Or joins the police, or works at the button factory, or (gasp), moves outta Trenton? Is there a realm where she gets with EITHER Ranger or Morelli? Or someone else?!? Or becomes a top-notch bounty hunter?
Or…is there a universe where everyone ACTUALLY ages? That would make Steph, oh, about late fifties? And Grandma Mazur…? Wait, never mind. Leave the characters alone. Let them live in a world where Trenton changes, but Steph and her friends never do. A world where we pick up our happy memories, move through the years, and play with them whenever we want. Like the Simpsons. Or that Noah’s Ark at my grandma’s house – I’d love to play with that today. Right?
Onto Hard Eight. See you in Trenton, everyone!
I went back to my favorite series, the saga of hapless bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. This time she’s after Eddie DeChooch, wanted for skipping bail on his charge of smuggling cigarettes on the Jersey Turnpike. But of course, it’s not that simple. The octogenarian somehow eludes poor Steph at every turn. And with each turn, the web of crime expands.
Yes, it’s the usual thing, with the usual characters. We get good old Grandma Mazur, Lula, Connie. And they eat lots of donuts, cookies from Stiva’s, and greasy vittles from Cluck In a Bucket. But it’s a little twisty this time: Moonie takes a bigger role, and Ranger takes on a much more interesting romantic role. Morelli is talking marriage, but only out of the side of his mouth. Even Vinnie goes on a raid with Steph.
So, while it’s the same kind of plot, the increase in appearance from prior ancillary characters made this one more exciting. The raids made Steph seem a little more competent, but luck still comes into play. Good ending, and always with a romantic cliffhanger. Not as steamy as the prior entries but still lots of winking fun.
Got me thinking: is someone gonna create a “Steph-a-verse”? I recently watched the new Spiderman movie (3.6/5 for me), and thought, “Gee, what if there’s a universe where Steph gets married, has a ton of kids?” Or joins the police, or works at the button factory, or (gasp), moves outta Trenton? Is there a realm where she gets with EITHER Ranger or Morelli? Or someone else?!? Or becomes a top-notch bounty hunter?
Or…is there a universe where everyone ACTUALLY ages? That would make Steph, oh, about late fifties? And Grandma Mazur…? Wait, never mind. Leave the characters alone. Let them live in a world where Trenton changes, but Steph and her friends never do. A world where we pick up our happy memories, move through the years, and play with them whenever we want. Like the Simpsons. Or that Noah’s Ark at my grandma’s house – I’d love to play with that today. Right?
Onto Hard Eight. See you in Trenton, everyone!
May 10, 2009
Yes, I read book 6 and 7 in one day . . . I am on medical leave. It is the weekend. These books are my entertainment. So, book 7 finds us looking for an old retired Mob guy who may have killed a kind old lady. Ranger ups the heat on Stephanie by making a deal with her . . . if she wants his help it is going to cost her. Stephanie attempts to entertain the wedding proposal and out of fear of giving her mother, who comes unglued when perfect daughter Valerie returns home after her marriage crumbles, says she may have a heart attack. She sets a bogus wedding date to appease the women in her life and if puts pressure on Joe and she to discuss what their relationship is going to look like when the lights are on, they are fully dressed, and not on a surface they can use for sex. I believe Joe's fear that something horrible is going to happen to Stephanie really freaks him out and makes him say things -- really stupid things. This opens the door for Ranger who is continuing to up the heat by making a deal with Stephanie. The deal involves her having to pay him in nonmonetary ways should she need his help bringing in the old mob guy. Oh, yeah . . . I totally forgot about her two missing stoner friends. No one could ever say Stephanie is a biggot. She has friends from all walks of life.
November 5, 2008
This was another roll-on-the-floor-laughing-helplessly entry in the Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie's after another ancient mob-connected FTA who seems to have an uncanny ability to disappear even when she seemingly has him in her grasp. The plot revolves around the disappearance of a mob guy's heart. It was removed after his recent death and thereby hangs a tale. Amidst it all, Stephanie's perfect sister turns up with her two kids, in from California where her perfect husband has just taken all their money and deserted them. She now thinks she might like to become a bounty hunter like Stephanie, and, oh yes, perhaps turn lesbian.
There are some truly crazy and scary characters in the book as well and, of course, Stephanie's usual posse of Lula, Ranger, Grandma Mazur (who gets kidnapped), Mooner and Dougie (who get kidnapped), and even Vinnie (who doesn't get kidnapped). Of course, it all comes out right in the end, except that the wedding with Joe has been called off and she's feuding with him. Now here comes Ranger again and we are left with the tease of will she or won't she? Tune in to "Hard Eight" to find out, I guess.
There are some truly crazy and scary characters in the book as well and, of course, Stephanie's usual posse of Lula, Ranger, Grandma Mazur (who gets kidnapped), Mooner and Dougie (who get kidnapped), and even Vinnie (who doesn't get kidnapped). Of course, it all comes out right in the end, except that the wedding with Joe has been called off and she's feuding with him. Now here comes Ranger again and we are left with the tease of will she or won't she? Tune in to "Hard Eight" to find out, I guess.
July 1, 2017
What I like the most about Stephanie Plum series is the continuity of characters; Grandma Mazur, Lula, Morelli, Ranger and Stephanie, Stephanie's mother and father. But storywise, I get the feeling that all books are the same. This one was however a bit less entertaining than the previous ones.
May 13, 2021
Poor Steph. Her latest absconder is a little old mafioso, mostly blind, mostly deaf and highly depressed. So how does he keep escaping capture?
Meanwhile, things are moving along with Morelli. Stephanie's mom and Grandma Mazur take things in their own hands with dress shopping and reception hall booking. It's hard to focus on a non-existing wedding date with Joe when Ranger keeps showing up being all sexy and stuff.
Also in this one: Stephanie's thus-far-absent sister Valerie returns to the Burg with her girls. Dougie and Mooner get into serious trouble. Bob the Dog poops a lot; mostly on Joyce Barnhardt's lawn. A neverending stream of people break into Steph's apartment and wait on her couch.
Evanovich has a writing style and a formula that works, and she sticks with it. Since I started reading these for comedic value, my pleasure in them has increased greatly. Looking forward to reading Hard Eight soon.
Meanwhile, things are moving along with Morelli. Stephanie's mom and Grandma Mazur take things in their own hands with dress shopping and reception hall booking. It's hard to focus on a non-existing wedding date with Joe when Ranger keeps showing up being all sexy and stuff.
Also in this one: Stephanie's thus-far-absent sister Valerie returns to the Burg with her girls. Dougie and Mooner get into serious trouble. Bob the Dog poops a lot; mostly on Joyce Barnhardt's lawn. A neverending stream of people break into Steph's apartment and wait on her couch.
Evanovich has a writing style and a formula that works, and she sticks with it. Since I started reading these for comedic value, my pleasure in them has increased greatly. Looking forward to reading Hard Eight soon.
October 12, 2015
Attenzione: si sconsiglia la lettura di questi libri sui mezzi pubblici, o in mezzo alla gente in generale, per non attirarsi occhiate confuse dalle altre persone mentre state ridendo come degli scemi leggendo dell'ennesima avventura di Nonna Mazur.
No senti Janet, non puoi continuare così..io vorrei leggere anche altri libri ma se molli una bomba nell'ultima riga e mezza del libro, io come faccio??
La storia è sempre la stessa: Steph, nel bel mezzo di falliti tentativi di recupero del MA di turno, si ritrova in mezzo ad un omicidio e lo risolve per culo (e grazie a Morelli e Ranger).
Detto così, non sembrano molto convincenti come libri, ma la Evanovich è in grado di tenerti incollato fino all'ultima parola e di farti sbellicare dalle risate per tutto il tempo.
No senti Janet, non puoi continuare così..io vorrei leggere anche altri libri ma se molli una bomba nell'ultima riga e mezza del libro, io come faccio??
La storia è sempre la stessa: Steph, nel bel mezzo di falliti tentativi di recupero del MA di turno, si ritrova in mezzo ad un omicidio e lo risolve per culo (e grazie a Morelli e Ranger).
Detto così, non sembrano molto convincenti come libri, ma la Evanovich è in grado di tenerti incollato fino all'ultima parola e di farti sbellicare dalle risate per tutto il tempo.
May 29, 2009
I may be sized more like Lula than Stephanie, but Lycra leggings and a rugby top - my version of her spandex shorts and hockey top - are a comfortable combination I think I'd been neglecting of late, so thanks to Ms Evanovich for reminding me of them.
To the book. Glad to see Dougie & Mooner are still around - not being a dog-lover, I'm less certain about Bob - and a big hello to once perfect Valerie and her children. OK, so the latter have nothing to do with the main storyline of smuggled cigarettes and other stuff being transported and lost, but, as ever the subplots and family arguments add to the mayhem. I think I finished this one just after lunch ...
To the book. Glad to see Dougie & Mooner are still around - not being a dog-lover, I'm less certain about Bob - and a big hello to once perfect Valerie and her children. OK, so the latter have nothing to do with the main storyline of smuggled cigarettes and other stuff being transported and lost, but, as ever the subplots and family arguments add to the mayhem. I think I finished this one just after lunch ...
October 21, 2025
"We should go to a gym or something."
"I'd sooner set myself on fire."
Stephanie is looking for a (really) old mobster, Eddie DeChooch. He's involved with a missing body which means Stephanie is also on the lookout for said body. She has a knack for just running into dead bodies so it's not unlikely that it will turn up eventually.
“It’s been almost a month since you found a body. I knew you were due.”
Things are also heating up with Ranger. It's getting harder and harder to resist him.
Such a fun series! Perfect for when you don't want anything serious.
Review #1 - June 2022
Stephanie and her family are always a delight. In this novel we get to meet Steph's perfect sister, who is having a marital crisis, as in her marriage is over. The Plum household is about to get even more wild.
Stephanie is on the lookout for a wily old man who also might be her grandmother's boyfriend. And Joe has proposed...what's that about?
I read this nearly three months ago so the details are a bit hazy, but I do love these books. There brilliantly funny and I already know I'll enjoy rereading them later. Lorelei King does an excellent job with the narration.
"I'd sooner set myself on fire."
Stephanie is looking for a (really) old mobster, Eddie DeChooch. He's involved with a missing body which means Stephanie is also on the lookout for said body. She has a knack for just running into dead bodies so it's not unlikely that it will turn up eventually.
“It’s been almost a month since you found a body. I knew you were due.”
Things are also heating up with Ranger. It's getting harder and harder to resist him.
Such a fun series! Perfect for when you don't want anything serious.
Review #1 - June 2022
Stephanie and her family are always a delight. In this novel we get to meet Steph's perfect sister, who is having a marital crisis, as in her marriage is over. The Plum household is about to get even more wild.
Stephanie is on the lookout for a wily old man who also might be her grandmother's boyfriend. And Joe has proposed...what's that about?
I read this nearly three months ago so the details are a bit hazy, but I do love these books. There brilliantly funny and I already know I'll enjoy rereading them later. Lorelei King does an excellent job with the narration.
May 22, 2025
Entertaining relationship listening 💃😏
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 7 of 31
Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite characters in novels 💃. Stephanie is once again off on another romantic adventure chasing after bond skippers. Then we have Joe and Ranger. 🌃🤗
I would recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures mystery novels✨🎉 2025 👀💃
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 7 of 31
Stephanie Plum is one of my favorite characters in novels 💃. Stephanie is once again off on another romantic adventure chasing after bond skippers. Then we have Joe and Ranger. 🌃🤗
I would recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures mystery novels✨🎉 2025 👀💃
January 4, 2009
Those who have yet to discover Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum and her weird relatives and relationships are missing a huge treat or living in a
cave. I recommend beginning with the first in the series, One for the Money, but Seven Up stands alone quite well.
Grandma Mazur has finally gotten her driver’s license, bought a red Corvette, and lost the driver’s license for too many speeding tickets,
all in the space of five days. The scenes at the dinner table are always my favorite with Stephanie’s father trying not to choke on his
food every time Grandma Mazur makes some outrageous statement or describes which funeral director does a better job at making up
their clients and why. “ ‘I saw a television show the other week
about a woman like that,’ Grandma said. ‘This woman was real sexy, and it turned out that one of the men she was flirting with was an alien
from outer space. And the alien took the woman up to his spaceship and did all kinds of things to her.’
“My father hunkered lower over his plateful of food and mumbled something indiscernible except for the words . . . Crazy old bat.
“ ‘What about Loretta [recent murder victim found in Eddie’s garage:] and Eddie DeChooch?’ I asked. ‘Do you suppose they were seeing each
other?’ “ ‘Not that I know of,’ Grandma said. ‘From what I know Loretta liked her men hot, and Eddie DeChooch couldn’t get it up. I went with
him a couple of times, and that thing of his was dead as a doorknob. No matter what I did I couldn’t get a thing to happen.’
“My father looked up at Grandma, and a piece of meat fell out of his mouth. “My mother was red-faced at the other end of the table. She sucked in some air and made the sign of the cross. ‘Mother of God,’ she said. “I fiddled with my fork. ‘If I left now I probably wouldn’t get any pineapple upside-down cake, right?’ “ ‘Not for the rest of your life,’ my mother said.
It seems Eddie DeChooch, half-blind and really old, had decided to make a killing by smuggling some cigarettes. Unfortunately, Louie, his contact in Richmond, died of a heart attack, and when contacted, the family lawyer told Eddie to “bring the fart back.” Eddie’s hearing
being substandard, he thought he heard the lawyer say heart. Arrested by the police on the way back from Richmond, Eddie had skipped
bail and so Stephanie was assigned to go get him. Much easier said than done, because the heart has disappeared and the whole family,
mob-connected, is determined to get it back, only no one knows where it is.
Throw in two crazy old ladies, a Grandma Mazur kidnapping (she was thrilled and intended to keep talking about it for weeks), a wedding
dress, another smashed-up Stephanie car, and Ranger giving Stephanie more than goose bumps, and you have another classic Evanovich.
Light but lots of fun.
cave. I recommend beginning with the first in the series, One for the Money, but Seven Up stands alone quite well.
Grandma Mazur has finally gotten her driver’s license, bought a red Corvette, and lost the driver’s license for too many speeding tickets,
all in the space of five days. The scenes at the dinner table are always my favorite with Stephanie’s father trying not to choke on his
food every time Grandma Mazur makes some outrageous statement or describes which funeral director does a better job at making up
their clients and why. “ ‘I saw a television show the other week
about a woman like that,’ Grandma said. ‘This woman was real sexy, and it turned out that one of the men she was flirting with was an alien
from outer space. And the alien took the woman up to his spaceship and did all kinds of things to her.’
“My father hunkered lower over his plateful of food and mumbled something indiscernible except for the words . . . Crazy old bat.
“ ‘What about Loretta [recent murder victim found in Eddie’s garage:] and Eddie DeChooch?’ I asked. ‘Do you suppose they were seeing each
other?’ “ ‘Not that I know of,’ Grandma said. ‘From what I know Loretta liked her men hot, and Eddie DeChooch couldn’t get it up. I went with
him a couple of times, and that thing of his was dead as a doorknob. No matter what I did I couldn’t get a thing to happen.’
“My father looked up at Grandma, and a piece of meat fell out of his mouth. “My mother was red-faced at the other end of the table. She sucked in some air and made the sign of the cross. ‘Mother of God,’ she said. “I fiddled with my fork. ‘If I left now I probably wouldn’t get any pineapple upside-down cake, right?’ “ ‘Not for the rest of your life,’ my mother said.
It seems Eddie DeChooch, half-blind and really old, had decided to make a killing by smuggling some cigarettes. Unfortunately, Louie, his contact in Richmond, died of a heart attack, and when contacted, the family lawyer told Eddie to “bring the fart back.” Eddie’s hearing
being substandard, he thought he heard the lawyer say heart. Arrested by the police on the way back from Richmond, Eddie had skipped
bail and so Stephanie was assigned to go get him. Much easier said than done, because the heart has disappeared and the whole family,
mob-connected, is determined to get it back, only no one knows where it is.
Throw in two crazy old ladies, a Grandma Mazur kidnapping (she was thrilled and intended to keep talking about it for weeks), a wedding
dress, another smashed-up Stephanie car, and Ranger giving Stephanie more than goose bumps, and you have another classic Evanovich.
Light but lots of fun.
January 23, 2014
All Stephanie had to do was bring in Eddie DeChooch. He is an old man who is basically blind, hard of hearing, and is so depressed he doesn't want to leave his house....so how hard can that task be right? Wrong! As always, Stephanie underestimates her catch and is left looking like an amateur bounty hunter. Soon she learns that her Grandma has a connection to Eddie and it's one that Stephanie wishes she would never have heard about. Too much information about sums it up. To top all that off DeChooch is now after Stephanie's friends and her, but why? Why would an elderly man want to see them all dead? What is it that he keeps asking for from them and why does he think they have whatever "it" is? Soon there are kidnappings, gun fights, murder, and all kinds of mayhem! Mixed in with all that work stuff, Stephanie has personal problems too, like her sister showing up on her parents' doorstep with her two kids with shocking news, Ranger giving Stephanie some help in this case....but with consequences, and her pending wedding to Joe Morelli causing way more fights than happy bliss. Will she survive trying to capture DeChooch long enough to even have to worry about those person problems on her plate? What's this old man have to hide?
As always, I just loved this book! I just can't get enough of Stephanie Plum and all her troubles and predicaments she gets into. It seems as though every time things are going in the "green" for her she soon stumbles and goes right back into the "red". It really does remind me of my own life, in the respect of how you think you got things all figured out and then...BAM...a roadblock again. As much has I love Evanovich's writing and her Plum Series, I still find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop, and to run into a book that hits that series wall. You know the one, the one that makes you think, Oh boy...this is the same poop different book and time for the series to end. However, Evanovich keeps on surprising me by making sure this doesn't happen to her readers in this series. This is quite impressive, especially after being on book seven here! That takes quite the talented writer if you ask me. I love the way the action starts in this book on page one and doesn't let up until the last page, last word. Even at the end you are left awaiting the next read to see what will really happen to poor Stephanie next. I love the characters and I wouldn't think they could get much more developed after seven books, but they have and I'm sure they will be even more in the books to come. There is a reason Evanovich is on the bestseller lists all the time, she is GREAT that's why! Great author, fantastic characters, wonderful plot, and amazing book!!!! A MUST READ!!
5/5 Stars!!
As always, I just loved this book! I just can't get enough of Stephanie Plum and all her troubles and predicaments she gets into. It seems as though every time things are going in the "green" for her she soon stumbles and goes right back into the "red". It really does remind me of my own life, in the respect of how you think you got things all figured out and then...BAM...a roadblock again. As much has I love Evanovich's writing and her Plum Series, I still find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop, and to run into a book that hits that series wall. You know the one, the one that makes you think, Oh boy...this is the same poop different book and time for the series to end. However, Evanovich keeps on surprising me by making sure this doesn't happen to her readers in this series. This is quite impressive, especially after being on book seven here! That takes quite the talented writer if you ask me. I love the way the action starts in this book on page one and doesn't let up until the last page, last word. Even at the end you are left awaiting the next read to see what will really happen to poor Stephanie next. I love the characters and I wouldn't think they could get much more developed after seven books, but they have and I'm sure they will be even more in the books to come. There is a reason Evanovich is on the bestseller lists all the time, she is GREAT that's why! Great author, fantastic characters, wonderful plot, and amazing book!!!! A MUST READ!!
5/5 Stars!!
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